Fanatec CSS SQ Shifter Unboxing

This is an unboxing of the Fanatec CSS SQ Shifter and clamp. I will put it through its paces for a week or two and get back to you with a full review. So far the quality is top notch and adds to the sim art that all Fanatec products bring.

You can pre-order your shifter through Fanatec website. I have observed that Fanatec is releasing batches of these every month. I actually received mine on 3-31-14 which was one day after they advertised their availability date so you get these really quickly.

Motorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle 3 - [Full HD]

What a another great addition to the Drift series!

Assetto Corsa 0.8 Update

Hello all!Assetto Corsa 0.8 has been released. This very important release contains some big improvements on AI, CPU occupancy and optimisations and includes a Ferrari 312T, Lotus 240R and upgrade, improved sky and procedural cloud layers, improved AI routines and collision, improved gamepad support, dozens of new skins and much more.

Listed below is the skinny:

- Lotus Exige 240- Ferrari 312T F1- Revised AI behavior- Collisions performance improvements- New sky box with clouds- Fixed gui issue with spinner- Improved x360 controller support at low speed- Fixed gearshift sound on BMW M3 e92 Drift- Improved rearview mirrors & added more rendering options in the launcher- Default launcher theme: opponent skins are randomized from all available skins- Default launcher theme: opponent setups are now set on a per-track basis- Launcher: control configuration's Xbox360 section revised- Fixed end race chart display bug

Buttkicker SE Amp Kit Unboxing

Check out our video review on the new offered Buttkicker SE edition Amp kit. I really like the simplicity of this kit along with the ease of use as one amp controls the volume of 2 mini LFE transducers. If you got the funds get the complete kit of 2 150 watt amps and 4 mini buttkickers Sim Xperence edition.

Sim Xperence takes the already awesome Buttkicker Mini LFE and provides physics based tactile response to your simulator. The SimVibe Edition Buttkicker is designed for unique tactile signals generated by SimVibe software. Because SimVibe is physics based, rather than audio based the signal provided to the Buttkicker transducer is "faster" and more intense than a standard low frequency audio track could provide. With this kind of signal a standard mini LFE can easily reach its pistons limit of travel (bottom out) and rattle.The SE Edition uses a damping acoustic foam to reduce the noise generated by rapid piston travel.

That's basically Sim Xperence write up, but what you get is a less noisy transducer that I have been testing for around 4 weeks time putting it through it's paces. I can attest to what Sim Xperence is advertising. These SE edition transducers are super quite. Only rattle you get is from your TEETH!
Try it out you want regret it.
Below is some more specs from Sim Xperence.

• Improved ButtKicker internals are optimized for SimVibe
• Improved Response and Detail
• Reduced Transducer Noise
• Frequency Response - 10Hz - 250Hz
• 50 Watt Minimum
• 150 Watt Maximum when used with SimVibe which produces a crisper, harder hitting signal than traditional audio
• 250 Watt Maximum when used with a traditional audio signal
• Impediance - 4 Ohms
• Weight - 2.2 lbs
• Height - 3"
• Width - 4.75"
• Length - 4.75"
• Uses standard ButtKicker Mini LFE casing and mounting dimensions
• Mounts to SimXperience Stage Series motion simulators via optional MOUNTING PLATES

ButtKicker Links:

2 amp setup/4 SE Mini LFE

1 amp setup/2 SE Mini LFE

Sim Xperence website

Trackzilla Button Box from DSD

Trackzilla Lives!

The original Trackzilla was made only several times a few years ago. This button box called the Trackzillia is the 1st one of it's kind to offer 63 unique functions in one USB device.  This is a behemoth of a button box! Specs: 7 on/off toggles, 16 push buttons, 7 two way toggles 6 two way rotary encoders, each with integrated push button switch, 1 eight position rotary switch. It's jam packed with function! It's MASSIVE and measures approximately 7.5" x 10.25" x 4" or 190mm x 260mm x 100mm. NOTE: Be aware that there is limited software compatibility with this one. Only iRacing and Assetto Corsa will use all 63 functions. If you're using other titles or legacy applications, Trackzilla is not for you. Soon to be let loose! Slower traffic keep right...or you will be eaten! Check it out at DSD

Sim Vibe from Sim Xperence Look at & How To

     This is a series of videos that introduces Sim Vibe from Sim Xperence and how to use it along with some tips. I hope this series is helpful. Sorry for the low quality video. I'm in the process of getting a better recording setup.

     If you have not used or heard of Sim Xperence you should check them out if your into PC Simulation Racing. It's a must have for any sim racer that wants to be totally immersed into their sim racing.

Intro Video

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Motorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle (+playlist)

Who doesn't like fast cars and bikes that DRIFT!!

Check out the video and enjoy. Just had to share it!

......and the sequel:

Thrustmaster Designs their Second Wheel For XBOX ONE!

Well Thrustmaster is really on a role lately. This new Ferrari 458 Spider Racing Wheel for XBOX ONE is designed for the entry level sim racers at a price point of $99.99. Got your attention?

Thrustmaster is making it possible for everyone to experience what sim racing is all about with this realistic wheel on their XBOX ONE without having to invest time mastering Force Feedback wheels or the money. Thrustmaster is using a patented wheel centering system "Thrustmaster bungee cord mechanism" that is to have a linear resistance. No matter how far the wheel gets turned it will auto center back. I believe this makes it great for the youth to use that don't have the upper body strength that force feedback wheels require.

Features:

• GT style 7/10 scale replica measures 11" in diameter
• 2 metal sequential paddle shifters
• Red textured rubber grip on the wheel
• 9 action buttons (including View & Menu buttons)
• 2 position manettino dial
• Engine start button
• D-Pad
• Xbox Guide button
• 240 deg wheel rotation
• Steering sensitivity adjustment with 4 presets
• Adjustable pedal angles
• Progressive brake pedal resistance
• Pairing LED for Kinect
• Center clamping system to adapt to any type of mounting surface

Due out April 18th, 2014 for $99.99 at local retail stores

Assetto Corsa Early Access v.0.7.5

Assetto Corsa Early Access v.0.7.5 has been released. This release version which has been happening every 2 weeks includes the new 2013 Pagani Huayra. The Assetto Corsa development team in cooperation with R&D team at Pagani Automobili has modeled this beautiful exotic car. The 2013 Pagani Huayra features algorithms to activate the 7 aero devices that simulate drag and downforce for the hypercar.

Beside adding this awesome car to the line up there were minor improvements made to the UI functions along with AI driving behaviors to make for a better racing experience with the AI.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Assetto Corsa team brings more great additions and improvements during the Beta stages.

New 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray coming to Assetto Corsa

Assetto Corsa car content has been mainly focused around European builds. This is mainly due to their location and access to the cars around them along with limited resources and budget for their team. The team of Assetto Corsa has been quite surprised to find that the biggest portion of early beta access to their fast developing game is primarily from the U.S.A. To show gratitude for your support, Assetto Corsa team has obtained license for the 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray and will be including the beautiful C7 version soon as free content for the early beta adopters. There will also be the race car version of the Corvette C.7 included in the Dream Pack of 10 cars and the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Stay tuned for more great information from Assetto Corsa

SRH's New ControlR Button Box

Sim Racing Hardware (SRH) published a look at their up and coming button box the ControlR. This base model shown is still in final prototyping stages SRH says. SRH will also be offering more complex models with more options in the future.

This version comes with 5 rotary encoders, 1 rotary brake bias knob, 10 push buttons and 5 toggle switches. It has a detachable stand with many mounting options and shown with a carbon fiber front plate.

We look forward to seeing more new products from SRH.

Buttkicker location preview for Sim Xperence setup

This is a quick preview of where I located my Buttkicker transducers to be used with Sim Xperience software. Stay tuned for more videos that will cover how to use the Sim Xperience software and my impressions along with some RFactor 2 driving uses it all.

Track Junkie Racing Presents IRacing @ Road Atlanta

     What a fun race this was. I started 8th place of 13 racers and worked my way up to 5th through some tough competition. Me and the #8 red,white, blue caddie seemed to be battling it out almost the whole race. He proved to be faster than me in some sections and I would be faster in others. It came down to being able to take and hold 5th position I would have to not make any costly mistakes and maintain consistent lap times.
     Sometimes during these long races of 25 min around 22 laps can get mentally tiring and hard to hold your concentration lap after lap especially when you get to sections of the race that your all alone and no one to push you. This is not Forza or Gran Turismo racing against AI. This is real sim racing with lots of fast guys that with one little mistake can easily cost you a position and more or even be out of the race entirely with a blown engine like another competitor faced during this race.

Stay tuned for more race action as we move on to Brands Hatch this week.

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Titanfall XboxOne Controller Unboxing

A much improved controller in the aesthetics department. The Titanfall controller for xbox one is a limited edition controller. I happened upon mine at my local Best Buy which only had one on the shelf. The operation of the controller is exactly the same as the standard black controller you get with your Xbox One, but the Titanfall edition looks much better in my opinion. I'm ready to pick up Titanfall game on March 11th and get my Titan on!

Watch Dogs - Story Trailer

I've been waiting for this game every since I seen it at 2013 E3. Now it's coming out May 27th on all platforms. Who doesn't want to be a hacker? Take it online with your friends and unexpectedly hack them while they are just playing their own game. It's really cool concept that really brings next gen to the forefront. If you want to see more check out the video above and their website.

Watch Dogs

Racing Pictures to show off you Style

If you are like me you really enjoy seeing some cool racing car backgrounds to show off your hobby and style. Well here are a few I have found on the web for you to download. I will send more out ever few weeks so come back and see us!

Enjoy and download!!

Project C.A.R.S. trailer - Speed and Sound

 

Oh this game is going to be spectacular. For the lucky people that got early access to test it I'm jealous. Coming out on PC first this year and from all I have seen as far as actual gameplay this game blows away any other console or PC racing game currently out. Check out some more video and pics of it.

You can see more from the steam website where you will eventually get to purchase it.

Steam

 

Enjoy and subscribe to my blog!

 



Iracing Results at Laguna

Sunday's 25 min race went great! Was very clean racing by all with no accidents and I only ran off once missing my break zone for turn one. (Watch out for target fixation!)  Ended up finishing 3rd place with a fastest lap time of 1:27:188 during the race. See some highlights on the video below.

I also wanted to mention this time I had a big difference in my rSeat sim rig experence. I have installed 2 more buttkickers from Simxperience http://simxperience.com/ that have their special modifications to make the buttkickers perform better with their SimVibe software along with making the buttkickers less noisy. Running SimXperence with Buttkickers for sim racing is a must have. I'll be doing a full review of these buttkickers with SimXperence very soon so stay tuned!



Mad Skills Motocross 2 (Android edition)

Have you ever played ExciteBike? Maybe I'm showing my age, but I loved ExciteBike that came out in 1985 by NES. Mad Skills Motocross 2 reminds me allot of ExciteBike except way better with updated graphics and heck it runs on a cell phone not a big gaming console at the arcade stores. Thank goodness for technology!

Mad Skills Motocross 2 is an exciting, fun and easy to pick up to play game that is enjoyable and has long lasting appeal. The controls are easy to use although the rocket boosters you get shown on left screen should really be placed on the right side of the screen to make it easier to tap without lifting off the gas. Do you like tricks? Well this game allows you to pull of some cool flips, but be careful as you could end up wasting precious time to beat out your opponent.

When you load up the game you have a choice to download the Hi-Res Pack of about 15mb of data that gives you a slight boost in graphics. If your away from wifi it's not enough to worry about when gaming on the go. There are lots of hilly terrain to cover during a race against your friends best run or the AI. It can get pretty challenging and fun when trying to always one up your buddies. I mentioned rockets, but for the most part you don't need to buy any as you do unlock faster bikes as you progress.

Games now days especially free ones are littered with ads and expensive power ups. However the ads are not overwhelming in this free game and the power ups of rockets don't seem to be needed for the most part. You might need to replay the level again to get past it, but it is doable without rocket power ups.

Mad Skills Motocross 2 deserves a look from lovers of motorcycle racing games. Because of the nice graphics, free to download, fun to play and challenge your friends I give this game a 8 out of 10!

Download now at the Playstore: Mad Skills Motocross 2

Assetto Corsa Vs Real Life @ Nurburgring

Check out Assetto Corsa Vs Real Life video. They seemed to nail the track in Assetto Corsa really well with a few add on in the scenery to make it more lively and the trees always look good in game. lol It goes to show how far laser scanning and video racing games have really came.

Enjoy!