- 250
- China & USA
Saw this on reddit and tried it for a while. I think the biggest flaw is that it can't tell you the gaps to drivers around you, though this is more of a GT7 limitation.
GT7 & PSVR2
- Thread starter gtrotary
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Saw this on reddit and tried it for a while. I think the biggest flaw is that it can't tell you the gaps to drivers around you, though this is more of a GT7 limitation.
- 288
- The_Revengel
After roughly 2 hours with GT Race Engineer and my PSVR2 here's the TL;DR version of my verdict:
I need to find a GT Engineer decal for all my liveries.
My testing methodology:
My setup:
Connecting GT Race Engineer:
First test: Custom Race
Next Test: Time Trial for Daily Race A
Third test: Sunday Cup 400 Race at Grand Valley
Overall thoughts:
Now to be clear, GT Race Engineer is not a spotter. During an online race I will continue to have my radar up and do what I can to avoid collisions. This won't do anything about that. However for an offline race like the Sunday Cup, this is ideal for maximum immersion. Running this even with the limited HUD (car information only) fills a few of the major gaps we in the PSVR2 community have identified: Lap times, Best Lap, Fuel, Current Lap and Laps Remaining . . . all without having to fool with the HUD.
I encourage anyone with a PSVR2 and an Android to give this a try. Honestly, I don't think you need a PSVR2 to get a ton of value from this app.
However, I believe the most value will be found by the VR community. It's one giant leap forward towards the "R" in "VR" and that level of immersion is why we love the PSVR2.
I'm curious if others like @Tidgney or @DigitRacing have tried this and what they think about the potential value added just for the sake of enjoyment. Each added tire temps to videos posted; could this be something to consider?
Granted, that's just my opinion.
Hopefully this helps others.
- Revengel
I need to find a GT Engineer decal for all my liveries.
My testing methodology:
I used a couple of custom races I have on file, went into Daily Race A to set a time trial time and did a Sunday Cup 400 race on a third track. Of note, the only testing done with racing tires was in the Daily Race A trial. I didn't have as much time as I would have liked but feel I got a pretty good feel for this thing.
I had all HUDs off. The key for this test was to see how much the app would help immersion and data.
I had all HUDs off. The key for this test was to see how much the app would help immersion and data.
My setup:
I have a PS5, a PSVR2 (no screen) and Sony Pulse Elite headphones. The headphones mean I can connect to my Android phone and my PS5 simultaneously; others may have to use an over-the-ear headphone for the PS5 and a single ear bud for the GT Engineer.
Additionally I have a Buttkicker and SimHub running on a computer next to me. None of these services were affected in any way. Same is true for my G923 wheel and pedals (TrueForce FTW), along with my H-pattern shifter.
Additionally I have a Buttkicker and SimHub running on a computer next to me. None of these services were affected in any way. Same is true for my G923 wheel and pedals (TrueForce FTW), along with my H-pattern shifter.
Connecting GT Race Engineer:
After downloading it from the Google Play store, I opened the app. It has three screens that go over the process - connecting to you PlayStation is very easy as long as your phone and PS are on the same network - and it recommends excluding it from power saving features on your phone.
There are several settings in the App which you can access via the gear icon. Here you can choose just what it informs you about based on what's currently available. Lap times, lap differentials, best lap, your current lap, remaining laps, lower fuel, estimated fuel duration . . . there are more but you get the idea. There are others that are planned including an overview, lap time average mid-race, suspension analysis and more. I was most interested in the ones highlighted as my fuel gauge in a number of cars I race (in single player especially) are analog. Trying to guess what lap I'm on and how close I am on fuel can get a bit special without a HUD.
There are several settings in the App which you can access via the gear icon. Here you can choose just what it informs you about based on what's currently available. Lap times, lap differentials, best lap, your current lap, remaining laps, lower fuel, estimated fuel duration . . . there are more but you get the idea. There are others that are planned including an overview, lap time average mid-race, suspension analysis and more. I was most interested in the ones highlighted as my fuel gauge in a number of cars I race (in single player especially) are analog. Trying to guess what lap I'm on and how close I am on fuel can get a bit special without a HUD.
First test: Custom Race
I went to Spa for a custom race driving a modified 512BB (589 PP.) The conditions are set up to where I can do a 10 lap no-stop if I manage my fuel correctly. However, it's not easy as the other cars are fairly overpowered (625~675 PP.) I did this by design so that when I do win, I feel I've accomplished something.
Straight away, when I started the race, I heard the crackle of the radio and a voice telling me I'm starting 20th of 20 and off we went. Throughout the race I received updates for every time my fuel drops 10% (90% fuel, 80% fuel, etc.) no matter where I was on the track. I also got updates on the current fuel strategy. When I was up on fuel, I heard a confirmation the current fuel strategy should hold for the rest of the race. When I was closer to the edge, a warning would come across the radio that it would be close.
Whenever I paused the game - be it to adjust my seat or just to restart a race - I got a message "We'll be waiting." Nice touch!
Each time I crossed the line, I'd get the number of the lap I was starting ("now starting lap 3 of 10" or "Final lap, push!") and I'd get my lap time. Additionally, I'd get a message about if it was my fastest lap (along with a congrats) or how far off I was from the previous or best lap.
When I was on the last lap, I got a message of encouragement and did my best. While I came in second (Rogue drives a mean C7 ZR1) I got a congrats on a solid effort as the race ended.
In summary, I was very much aware of my fuel levels and what lap I was on as well as my lap times while I went through the race. Full marks on this.
Straight away, when I started the race, I heard the crackle of the radio and a voice telling me I'm starting 20th of 20 and off we went. Throughout the race I received updates for every time my fuel drops 10% (90% fuel, 80% fuel, etc.) no matter where I was on the track. I also got updates on the current fuel strategy. When I was up on fuel, I heard a confirmation the current fuel strategy should hold for the rest of the race. When I was closer to the edge, a warning would come across the radio that it would be close.
Whenever I paused the game - be it to adjust my seat or just to restart a race - I got a message "We'll be waiting." Nice touch!
Each time I crossed the line, I'd get the number of the lap I was starting ("now starting lap 3 of 10" or "Final lap, push!") and I'd get my lap time. Additionally, I'd get a message about if it was my fastest lap (along with a congrats) or how far off I was from the previous or best lap.
When I was on the last lap, I got a message of encouragement and did my best. While I came in second (Rogue drives a mean C7 ZR1) I got a congrats on a solid effort as the race ended.
In summary, I was very much aware of my fuel levels and what lap I was on as well as my lap times while I went through the race. Full marks on this.
Next Test: Time Trial for Daily Race A
There was a great deal less interaction for this test and that should be expected. This wasn't a race so lap number didn't mean anything. Likewise, there was no fuel consumption. However, I still got updates on lap times as I dashed around Suzuka.
A great thing that I was pleasantly surprised was when I was about halfway through my first lap, I was informed that my tires were now up to temperature and was encouraged to push it. Later when I was late braking into a corner I was lightly admonished for the high temps for the front tires. A couple of times I'd outbrake myself and wind up in the sand just as the engineer would tell me tire temps on the front are high. But most of the time I would hear it after making the turn; I knew I was pushing it too much.
I can see this being very helpful for Time Trials.
Each lap I'd get the update again; after about 20 minutes I moved onto the Quick Race test.
A great thing that I was pleasantly surprised was when I was about halfway through my first lap, I was informed that my tires were now up to temperature and was encouraged to push it. Later when I was late braking into a corner I was lightly admonished for the high temps for the front tires. A couple of times I'd outbrake myself and wind up in the sand just as the engineer would tell me tire temps on the front are high. But most of the time I would hear it after making the turn; I knew I was pushing it too much.
I can see this being very helpful for Time Trials.
Each lap I'd get the update again; after about 20 minutes I moved onto the Quick Race test.
Third test: Sunday Cup 400 Race at Grand Valley
By now I understood what to expect. I took my '73 BMW CSL and took on the new Sunday Cup 400. I got pretty much the same results as the race at Spa: an awesome experience. By this time I was so used to the updates I was able to extrapolate my overall times based on the per-lap updates.
With my road car races I used street tires - CM to SH - so I never 'lit up' the tires. I decided to crash on purpose to see what would happen and . . . no reaction. That's fair; there are things they plan to add in the future.
During the third race I forgot for a moment what I was missing in a normal race. And that's a great thing.
With my road car races I used street tires - CM to SH - so I never 'lit up' the tires. I decided to crash on purpose to see what would happen and . . . no reaction. That's fair; there are things they plan to add in the future.
During the third race I forgot for a moment what I was missing in a normal race. And that's a great thing.
Overall thoughts:
Now to be clear, GT Race Engineer is not a spotter. During an online race I will continue to have my radar up and do what I can to avoid collisions. This won't do anything about that. However for an offline race like the Sunday Cup, this is ideal for maximum immersion. Running this even with the limited HUD (car information only) fills a few of the major gaps we in the PSVR2 community have identified: Lap times, Best Lap, Fuel, Current Lap and Laps Remaining . . . all without having to fool with the HUD.
I encourage anyone with a PSVR2 and an Android to give this a try. Honestly, I don't think you need a PSVR2 to get a ton of value from this app.
However, I believe the most value will be found by the VR community. It's one giant leap forward towards the "R" in "VR" and that level of immersion is why we love the PSVR2.
I'm curious if others like @Tidgney or @DigitRacing have tried this and what they think about the potential value added just for the sake of enjoyment. Each added tire temps to videos posted; could this be something to consider?
Granted, that's just my opinion.
Hopefully this helps others.
- Revengel
Last edited:
- 329
- Uruguay
- Sinnicko
- 288
- The_Revengel
Thank you for the complement; glad it helps.
Here is a list of items they have in the settings of the app they have stated they are working on:
- Overview
- Lap Time Average on Pit*
- Encourage on Fast Laps (seems to be already active)
- Encourage on Pit*
- Reaching Top Speed
- Suspension Analysis
- Crash Detection
- Wheel Slip
- Wheel Lock
Hopefully I'll be able to post tomorrow with an update.
- 288
- The_Revengel
I only tested the Pulse Elite headset as that's what I have, but based on the FAQ and the required setup here's my take:
- You need to have a way to get audio from the phone. That in my view takes the PSVR2 earbuds out of the equation.
- To the best of my knowledge, the others are only able to get audio from a single source at a time. That means they would get audio either from the PlayStation or your Android phone . . . not both simultaneously. You don't need to be connected via Bluetooth in either way, but you need to be able to get both audio sources. That takes any earbuds that only can get audio from a single source largely out of the Game Audio role, leaving them limited to being used to get sound from your phone. Game audio is best handled using Over-the-Ear headsets . . . being wired or wireless.
Over-the-Ear headphones give you the following options in my view:
- If you have an ear bud of some kind attached/paired with your phone, that will get your GT Race Engineer audio. Stick that in your ear(s) and stream your phone audio to the earbud(s).
- Wear your over-the-ear headset on top of the bud(s) and have those connected to the PlayStation. That could be via the controller, Bluetooth or direct connection.
- Bonus option: If you're using standard speakers, just pop an earbud that's connected/paired with your phone, and you are good to go.
I hope this helps.
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