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