How to take it to the next level in GT7?

[Lomic]

Thank you very much, sir. So what makes MT faster than AT? Algorithm of AT would operate in the same way, no?

You can't up a speed manually in AT to lessen wheelspin on exits, nor use engine braking with AT to slow down where you'd prefer not use brakes.

All in all it allows (IMHO) to maintain the car in good "tension" while with AT you rely on the gearbox to react, meaning you have to slow more so the gear shift down.

And if you want to fuel save, you can upshift earlier, while in AT...

 

[skydragon49]

Thank you very much, sir. So what makes MT faster than AT? Algorithm of AT would operate in the same way, no?

I don't think AT operates in a range as good as the MT can be.

I remember some time ago in a online time trial at Red Bull Ring with an Evo IX, that exiting T3 (the 90º right hander up the hill) in 3rd worked wonders while leaving that corner in 2nd costed me 0.3 in the middle sector alone.

It sure felt more natural using the 2nd, but the car had a nice power band and then the 3rd were better estability and turbo lag wise.

Another day we had the Nissan GT R35 at Nurburgring sprint. Braking into the 1st corner we had to use braking engine, by timing the downshifts we could stop the car in a better way.

In the current time trial with the BMW Z4, there are occasions we shift up to 4th mid corner in order to provoke more turning in.

That's just examples of how using MT can be way better. I picked up hese things from the time trial thread and they helped me getting gold at said events.

 

[benjoi84]

Two questions:-)
1. Are you a controller player?
2. How much time did you gain per lap, more or less?

1. Yes, always will be.
2. I couldn't say really. I made the switch to manual sometime during GT4 so it's just natural me by now.

Let's just say this; for the online TTs I usually run a few laps 'blind' (without checking replays or track guides) before I watch a top lap and usually where I'm losing time is on incorrect shift points.

 

[Lightpilgrim]

Just out of curiosity, why do you say that you will always be a controller player?
I think in my case, the very pragmatic reason to use a controller now is that I do not have enough of room for a rig and the complexity related to dealing with it. Especially in case of knows issues with Fanatec. Easier for me to pick up a controller when I have 30 mi and just play. But I also realize that I would probably be better and faster with the wheel. It is much more natural.

1. Yes, always will be.
2. I couldn't say really. I made the switch to manual sometime during GT4 so it's just natural me by now.

Let's just say this; for the online TTs I usually run a few laps 'blind' (without checking replays or track guides) before I watch a top lap and usually where I'm losing time is on incorrect shift points.

Just to give an update on where I am:
1. Barcelona CE - I made a break. I managed to Gold all sectors and did a lap that is 0.7 off gold. Most laps are within 1 sec. I need to learn and improve, but I need a break from it first

2. Learning manual gear shifting. I decided to do Le Mans 30 min. “2 in 1” in a way. I practice MT and also earn credits. I got to a point where my lap times on MT match my fastest lap times with AT. Now…I need to take it further…when to shift, how to shift and chich gears to use when so that the lap times will be faster.

Any ideas, guys?

 

[330_D]

Just out of curiosity, why do you say that you will always be a controller player?
I think in my case, the very pragmatic reason to use a controller now is that I do not have enough of room for a rig and the complexity related to dealing with it. Especially in case of knows issues with Fanatec. Easier for me to pick up a controller when I have 30 mi and just play. But I also realize that I would probably be better and faster with the wheel. It is much more natural.



Just to give an update on where I am:
1. Barcelona CE - I made a break. I managed to Gold all sectors and did a lap that is 0.7 off gold. Most laps are within 1 sec. I need to learn and improve, but I need a break from it first

2. Learning manual gear shifting. I decided to do Le Mans 30 min. “2 in 1” in a way. I practice MT and also earn credits. I got to a point where my lap times on MT match my fastest lap times with AT. Now…I need to take it further…when to shift, how to shift and chich gears to use when so that the lap times will be faster.

Any ideas, guys?

Practice. Go do the time trials and watch the fastest ghosts and see when they shift and try and mimic them. You'll start to understand just from the engine and tire noise when to shift and how each car reacts to shifts.

A wheel won't make you faster right off. If and when that time comes for you, just know that it will be frustrating and like starting over when you do move to one.

And don't rule Fanatec out. It's really good kit and they really seem to be doing much better after the Corsair acquisition.

 

[skydragon49]

Just out of curiosity, why do you say that you will always be a controller player?
I think in my case, the very pragmatic reason to use a controller now is that I do not have enough of room for a rig and the complexity related to dealing with it. Especially in case of knows issues with Fanatec. Easier for me to pick up a controller when I have 30 mi and just play. But I also realize that I would probably be better and faster with the wheel. It is much more natural.



Just to give an update on where I am:
1. Barcelona CE - I made a break. I managed to Gold all sectors and did a lap that is 0.7 off gold. Most laps are within 1 sec. I need to learn and improve, but I need a break from it first

2. Learning manual gear shifting. I decided to do Le Mans 30 min. “2 in 1” in a way. I practice MT and also earn credits. I got to a point where my lap times on MT match my fastest lap times with AT. Now…I need to take it further…when to shift, how to shift and chich gears to use when so that the lap times will be faster.

Any ideas, guys?

I lack the technical lingo, I'm an ordinary driver after all, but I guess I have a keen eye when watching and trying to mimic the faster guys.

I noticed that when braking, faster drivers who also drive smoothly they tend to hit the brakes and then downshift and rather than at the same instant. It helps the engine braking and it helps keeping the car stable. Me, as a F1 codemasters' games veteran used to brake and downshift the hell out of the gearbox as fast as I could. I had to lose this habit.

Also, there were lots and lots of situations I'd downshift to 2nd in any given corner but I've learned that 3rd can be better speed and stability wise in many situations.

Thirdly, there's the power band thing we talked few posts ago. Some cars you rev it up, some cars you upshift half way the bar, and operating in the right range can make you gain a good chunk of time.

My final advice would be this: join the online time trial thread and observe what faster guys do. 😃

 

[Lightpilgrim]

Those are good suggestions. Nothing will ever replace practice, but knowing what and how to practice is important too:-)

Not a big deal, but for someone who did not try MT in GT7 before, I am happy that I was able to complete a weekly challenge on different tracks and with different cars…with no assists and only using MT:-)

I lack the technical lingo, I'm an ordinary driver after all, but I guess I have a keen eye when watching and trying to mimic the faster guys.

I noticed that when braking, faster drivers who also drive smoothly they tend to hit the brakes and then downshift and rather than at the same instant. It helps the engine braking and it helps keeping the car stable. Me, as a F1 codemasters' games veteran used to brake and downshift the hell out of the gearbox as fast as I could. I had to lose this habit.

Also, there were lots and lots of situations I'd downshift to 2nd in any given corner but I've learned that 3rd can be better speed and stability wise in many situations.

Thirdly, there's the power band thing we talked few posts ago. Some cars you rev it up, some cars you upshift half way the bar, and operating in the right range can make you gain a good chunk of time.

My final advice would be this: join the online time trial thread and observe what faster guys do. 😃

 

[benjoi84]

Just out of curiosity, why do you say that you will always be a controller player?
I think in my case, the very pragmatic reason to use a controller now is that I do not have enough of room for a rig and the complexity related to dealing with it. Especially in case of knows issues with Fanatec. Easier for me to pick up a controller when I have 30 mi and just play. But I also realize that I would probably be better and faster with the wheel. It is much more natural.



Just to give an update on where I am:
1. Barcelona CE - I made a break. I managed to Gold all sectors and did a lap that is 0.7 off gold. Most laps are within 1 sec. I need to learn and improve, but I need a break from it first

2. Learning manual gear shifting. I decided to do Le Mans 30 min. “2 in 1” in a way. I practice MT and also earn credits. I got to a point where my lap times on MT match my fastest lap times with AT. Now…I need to take it further…when to shift, how to shift and chich gears to use when so that the lap times will be faster.

Any ideas, guys?

What can i say? I just love the sensation of driving quickly using a controller, sitting back on my sofa with my knees up! I have no desire to swap it out for an extra piece of furniture.

In terms of learning optimal shift points, it'll have to be done on an individual car/track basis. It's just something you get a feel for naturally, and as others have said, check fast replays for help.

 

[Lightpilgrim]

I now came to a very clear realization: the easy part is now over. Now…progressing means more work for more marginal gains.

 

[ZevZoq]

Just a quick little note here - there's no particular reason anyone needs to start with (or even ever end up with) a "more deluxe" wheel rig. The cheap old G29 wheel works just fine with GT7 and provides almost all the benefits of a wheel that you'd get with something more costly. In fact, based on much of what I've read over the past few months it almost seems like the cheap rig is the better/more reliable/less problematic option in some ways (if what we're talking about is GT7 specifically).

 

[Eliminatorek]

G29 was my first wheel and indeed it was a great deal. Also I very much liked the FFB GT7 had on that wheel. Very intuitive. But that is based on experience more then 8 months back. It is also quite fun to learn hill toe with H-shifter.

 

[Lightpilgrim]

For me, I do not mind the i vestment required to a top tier gear…my problem is the lack of space for it. Cannot recall who, but someone nicely put it on this forum…I too struggle with adding a huge piece of furniture in my current apartment. I would need a bugger place and an additional room for it to make sense

 

[ZevZoq]

For me, I do not mind the i vestment required to a top tier gear…my problem is the lack of space for it. Cannot recall who, but someone nicely put it on this forum…I too struggle with adding a huge piece of furniture in my current apartment. I would need a bugger place and an additional room for it to make sense

I put together a nifty DIY rig that I can fold up in a matter of 2-3 minutes and put in my coat closet. The wheel stays mounted so I don't have to worry about that part of the set up. Just fold the stand and the seat and park it in the closet. It's perfect. I'm in an apartment and have no space to leave a rig set up permanently...

 

[Lightpilgrim]

I put together a nifty DIY rig that I can fold up in a matter of 2-3 minutes and put in my coat closet. The wheel stays mounted so I don't have to worry about that part of the set up. Just fold the stand and the seat and park it in the closet. It's perfect. I'm in an apartment and have no space to leave a rig set up permanently...

I will check with you directly:-)

 

[330_D]

A Playseat challenge folds up with the wheel mounted. It was what I started with and for the money it was a great rig. It the DIY route isn't your jam I would suggest looking at the Playseat.

 

[ZevZoq]

Yeah the rig I set up is actually very similar to the Playseat in many ways. Mine is built using an old walker frame (yes that's right, the kind of thing an oldster uses to help get around lol). I had a serendipitous advantage in that I have access to a "graveyard" of old frames from which I was able to select a pretty ideal candidate to work with. The seat is a beach chair I bought from Canadian Tire for $40, which was basically the only money I spent on the rig. The chair is very similar to what the Playseat comes with and it's surprisingly comfortable. I was very pleased with how it came together - there was a whole array of little things that worked out way better than it should have and it's super convenient to use.

a pic...

 

[KAlex122]

Yeah the rig I set up is actually very similar to the Playseat in many ways. Mine is built using an old walker frame (yes that's right, the kind of thing an oldster uses to help get around lol). I had a serendipitous advantage in that I have access to a "graveyard" of old frames from which I was able to select a pretty ideal candidate to work with. The seat is a beach chair I bought from Canadian Tire for $40, which was basically the only money I spent on the rig. The chair is very similar to what the Playseat comes with and it's surprisingly comfortable. I was very pleased with how it came together - there was a whole array of little things that worked out way better than it should have and it's super convenient to use.

a pic...

View attachment 1435250

Looks cool. The advantage of the Playseat is that when you sit down your weight holds down the whole rig and so stabilises the wheel.

 

[Lomic]

Yeah the rig I set up is actually very similar to the Playseat in many ways

Don't the chair and wheel support tend to walk away of each other ? I guess the carpet is preventing that. And how are your pedals holding ?

 

[ZevZoq]

Don't the chair and wheel support tend to walk away of each other ? I guess the carpet is preventing that. And how are your pedals holding ?

nope, not even a little bit. The rubber feet on the frame keep it from sliding on the carpet and as you can see I have a couple small dumbbells I had on hand tied to the frame for a bit of extra weight. It's all super solid actually - which I knew would be important because I've used FF wheels in the past and had to deal with things not being solidly in place. The pedals also stay locked in place just via the carpet catcher the pedal base has. It hooks really well.

(Being a G29 wheel helps too as it's not pushing high NMs like the DD wheels do)

 

[330_D]

Yeah the rig I set up is actually very similar to the Playseat in many ways. Mine is built using an old walker frame (yes that's right, the kind of thing an oldster uses to help get around lol). I had a serendipitous advantage in that I have access to a "graveyard" of old frames from which I was able to select a pretty ideal candidate to work with. The seat is a beach chair I bought from Canadian Tire for $40, which was basically the only money I spent on the rig. The chair is very similar to what the Playseat comes with and it's surprisingly comfortable. I was very pleased with how it came together - there was a whole array of little things that worked out way better than it should have and it's super convenient to use.

a pic...

View attachment 1435250

That's a pretty unique and crafty solution.. Cheers man. Looks awesome!

 

[ZevZoq]

That's a pretty unique and crafty solution.. Cheers man. Looks awesome!

I'm going to take a vid of me folding it up because it's really pretty cool afaic...it came together way better than it should have lol.

 

[KAlex122]

I'm going to take a vid of me folding it up because it's really pretty cool afaic...it came together way better than it should have lol.

I just read fondling instead of folding. So no thanks, don't have to see that.

 

[Lomic]

as you can see I have a couple small dumbbells

Ah no, did not payed attention to that.

 

[ZevZoq]

That's a pretty unique and crafty solution.. Cheers man. Looks awesome!

thanks. Yeah, when I decided I wanted to get the wheel I actually looked at PLayseats and different rigs that were available to buy and I felt like they all looked a little too bulky for the space I had to store the stuff in. Plus, I didn't want to spend the money until I knew exactly what I needed...so I tried to think of a DIY option and the idea to try and use one of these frames we had kicking around came up. It just ended up working out so well I don't even feel any need to look at anything else now.

edit - just realized I responded twice to your post. lol...still a little sleepy here.