DiRT Rally

[XXXIV]

Redacted.

[rmagruder]

What am I allowed to drive this week

[Jimmydeicide]

The Yugo.

[Gangrel]

I beleive it's top 3 from the week before get the Hyundai, the bottom 3 are the only ones allowed to use the VW, and everyone else can use anything BUT the VW. I'm entirely too lazy to do a screen shot, but i'm pretty sure this is from Germany:



Pos. Name Vehicle Time Diff 1st
1 RockjawMcGraw Hyundai Rally 25:29.936 --
2 Fshguy Hyundai Rally 26:28.433 +00:58.497
3 MetaSacamano Hyundai Rally 26:43.233 +01:13.297
4 Zeppo Ford Fiesta RS Rally 27:39.247 +02:09.311
5 RSMRX8 Ford Fiesta RS Rally 27:39.399 +02:09.463
6 jimmydeicide Hyundai Rally 28:22.115 +02:52.179
7 mixdj1 Hyundai Rally 29:06.479 +03:36.543
8 vader29 Ford Fiesta RS Rally 29:23.844 +03:53.908
9 dbdynsty25 Volkswagen Polo Rally 29:33.578 +04:03.642
10 I0spro Volkswagen Polo Rally 30:01.260 +04:31.324
11 Gangrel Ford Fiesta RS Rally 30:23.976 +04:54.040



I'm proud i'm less than 5 mins off Terry's time. I struggled with all the sharp corners! And sometimes the spotter is way too late at calling the "...into acute right" or other sharp turns after a speedy one! And I don't know why i was dumb and didn't take the VW.


And on another note, my XL20D will be picked up at the post office tomorrow, so hopefully i have time to put it together and test it out this week!!!!!!!

[XXXIV]

I took the week off to spend more time with my family...

or I waited til sunday and by the time I had time there was no way I could control a vehicle.

[rmagruder]

Okay question for wheel and stand owners....would you pick a) Thrustmaster TX + less expensive single bar stand,or b) Thrustmaster TMX and Xlerator dual bar stand and related to that is B) even possible compatibility wise. I don't have the funds to get the absolute best of both.... So I'm trying to get a read on the relative differences between the TMX and TX vs singe bar vs double bar stands

[TCrouch]

I'd get the TX Wheel and get a better stand when you can. Or save for both until you can get them at the same time...I've done the "I'll settle here" thing a lot of times, and regretted it every time. Better off not wasting that cash on the inferior item if you can wait a bit and get the one that you really want.

But if you must do one of those options, I'd get the TX wheel first.

[rmagruder]

So you're convinced the TX is THAT much better than the TMX? Given that I don't really plan to upgrade the wheel itself and the pedals are swappable on both?

[rmagruder]

http://xboxracingpro.com/thrustmaster-t ... el-review/

This is the only review I've found so far that does any attempt to compare the TX and TMX, FYI.

[TCrouch]

You want a wheel stand---none of them expect you to use clamps (they have drilled plates for mounting them, and aren't very thick for clamps, nor do they have the surface area to clamp to, from most of the ones I've used).

It's too easy to yank the wheel off of the stand if it's clamped to a thin, slick surface like a coated painted wheelstand.

So the TX being "better" wasn't my primary thing...the TMX is an entry level wheel that you'd clamp to a desk and not go further with (it doesn't have mounting holes in the base like every other Thrustmaster wheel). Unless you're going to run the risk of drilling the base and installing some mounts yourself, which would make it much more trouble than it's worth, IMO.

When comparing the TX wheel to my T300RS, even a year or two of technology changes how the wheel feels. I haven't used the TMX, but when they can drop the price that far, that's usually a compromise within the components used. That always makes me nervous, but I haven't gone and looked at the component list piece by piece to see if it's just a shell game or not.

And for me, I have 4 different rims for my Thrustmaster wheels. I can change them out depending on the console/sim I'm playing, and each of them have different weights. That likely won't be something that sells you on it, but the TMX having a hard-mounted rim and no drilling holes makes it something that you're either stuck with on a desk, or you'll look to replace shortly after you start getting annoyed at trying to run it on a wheel stand or cockpit.

When you're spending that kind of money, personal experience has been that when I sacrifice and settle for something due to any reason...I always end up pissed and buying what I should have in the first place, eventually. That's my only thing as far as recommendations. Been around this block way too many times

[rmagruder]

Understood, re the clamps. My thought was the TMX being 'newer' meant that the tech could be a) newer, b) almost as good, and c) cheaper to make, without too much compromise in FFB handling. I seriously doubt I will be buying 4 different rims for my wheels. You're a lot more hardcdore than I am that way. If you're endorsing the TX as the way to go, I'll get it, even if I have to cobble something together as a stand while saving up for one of the dual bar stands like the XLerator you mentioned earlier (The couch also appeals to me as that's what I'm going to be planning to use!)

Thanks!
Randy

You want a wheel stand---none of them expect you to use clamps (they have drilled plates for mounting them, and aren't very thick for clamps, nor do they have the surface area to clamp to, from most of the ones I've used).

It's too easy to yank the wheel off of the stand if it's clamped to a thin, slick surface like a coated painted wheelstand.

So the TX being "better" wasn't my primary thing...the TMX is an entry level wheel that you'd clamp to a desk and not go further with (it doesn't have mounting holes in the base like every other Thrustmaster wheel). Unless you're going to run the risk of drilling the base and installing some mounts yourself, which would make it much more trouble than it's worth, IMO.

When comparing the TX wheel to my T300RS, even a year or two of technology changes how the wheel feels. I haven't used the TMX, but when they can drop the price that far, that's usually a compromise within the components used. That always makes me nervous, but I haven't gone and looked at the component list piece by piece to see if it's just a shell game or not.

And for me, I have 4 different rims for my Thrustmaster wheels. I can change them out depending on the console/sim I'm playing, and each of them have different weights. That likely won't be something that sells you on it, but the TMX having a hard-mounted rim and no drilling holes makes it something that you're either stuck with on a desk, or you'll look to replace shortly after you start getting annoyed at trying to run it on a wheel stand or cockpit.

[TCrouch]

Honestly, if you're going to clamp it to a stand, you might as well get the center pole one and save the money there, too. Because the thing that sets the XL stands apart is stability even with Thrustmaster's heavy FF (I always have to turn it down).

If you don't see yourself using it as a springboard and upgrading or constantly messing with your sim setup, then perhaps the TMX is the way to go. There could be something to the "newer tech, easier to manufacture" theory. I just instantly get nervous when a wheel has no mounting holes, because that means they either consider it disposable, or not worth using for hardcore racing.

And you're not exactly a novice at racing games. I don't know if their engine that they used won't pick up the subtle little weight shifts and whatnot like the TX does...but I have no personal experience with that wheel. I'd hate for you to be perfectly fine with the TMX setup, clamping it to an extra shelf or something on the stand, and instead going out and spending $100 or $200 more.

If you have ANY thoughts of possibly upgrading, like pedals and a shifter...then you're probably a little more hardcore than the target audience they designed that TMX for. If you don't have those plans, then you're probably good with it.

[rmagruder]

I honestly didn't realize the TMX didn't have mounting holes. To me stability is pretty darned important. Whether it's the force feedback, or me getting carried away, nothing rips you away from immersion than having to juggle your attention between keeping your pedals from slipping, your stand from rocking and trying to stay on the road. So all things being equal, I'd love to just bolt it to the plate and be done with it.

I've never had one that bolted down before, and even with a Logitech G29 leather on my desk PC, occassionally there were slips no matter how well clamped. So yeah that's a big factor.

The BIGGEST factor is latency and fingertip sensation of grip through the wheel. So a ratchety overly harsh or high latency FFB will make me unhappy. As you know my all time favorite sim was Grand Prix Legends, and even then with a USB Logitech FFB that was good, you could really feel the increase and decreasing tension on the wheel as grip came and went, assuming you could dial the latency correction in properly (which wasn't easy!)

I care less about feeling bumps and jolts than I do about that subtle constantly changing resistance mapped to your grip. I LOVE driving by feel.

The TMX seems to get great reviews as an entry level, but I'd not like to compromise overmuch and get a coarser feeling FFB that might rip itself off the tray!

As for pedals and shifter, who knows. I put it in the 'might do that at some point', assuming I'm really logging lots of time on it and I start pining for an upgrade. Ditto for the wheel. It's nice to have the option.

Honestly a bigger concern is that Microsoft will put out a next gen XBox and the TX won't work with it....but no one can know in advance. Presumably the firmware in the TX is updateable?

At any rate, you sound very happy with the TX, and although I MIGHT be very happy with the TMX, I'm not sure it's worth taking a chance.

[TCrouch]

Yeah, that was the biggest thing for me recommending TX over TMX...if you're going wheelstand, you need the TX. And that 'notchy' FF where you can feel it engage or disengage is a show stopper. The TX doesn't have a lot of that, but it's up to the game.

Oddly, the settings I use for Dirt Rally on PC feel a LOT smoother than they do on XBox One. It feels almost real in how the wheel progressively strengthens its resistance due to weight shifts. On Xbox it's still got a bit of that "engaged now" jerk to it, but it's not bad. Just takes a lot of tweaking to get it feeling right, and so far I can't get it to match PC.

But if you don't want to even THINK about stability, the TX is the only way to go.

And those pedals? I can't properly convey how crappy their default pedals are. I've never been a guy who could race with a heel down anchoring the pedals, so it'll be good to mount them to the stand. I'm not even sure if the TMX pedals have mounting holes, but I'm guessing they won't since the wheel doesn't. I never even used the TX pedals outside of a few sessions, so I never tried to mount them for comparison.

I don't think you can go wrong with the TX, other than price. And it had an issue losing connection, where the breakaway was no longer functioning for me (I think it happened to Don, too). I cut it apart, peeled the jacket back, and spliced everything back together again and it's worked ever since. So it's not flawless, it's got some issues over time, but nothing a little solder and electrical tape couldn't fix.

So not a lot of downside to the TX, other than price.

Quite a few potential issues with the TMX, but the price is good.

I don't want to make that choice

[rmagruder]

Well, I've told my wife my birthday list is the TX and the XLerator stand. Somehow or another it will work out

[TCrouch]

Atta boy!!

Now, if you hate it...remember, I said go wtih the TMX and a cheapie stand.

[Wilk5280]

I've missed the past couple rallies due to being otherwise busy or out of town. We should rename this thread to wheel/stand/calibration discussion.

[Gangrel]

Ok, I have a game question then lol.

Does everyone leave the co driver pace at default, or change it to earlier?

[TCrouch]

I leave it at default. Especially on some courses, it seems he's rattling off things way too quickly for me to keep track of. I tried later, but then I was flying off cliffs, so after extensive experimentation...I left it alone lol

[Fshguy]

I beleive it's top 3 from the week before get the Hyundai, the bottom 3 are the only ones allowed to use the VW, and everyone else can use anything BUT the VW. I'm entirely too lazy to do a screen shot, but i'm pretty sure this is from Germany:



Pos. Name Vehicle Time Diff 1st
1 RockjawMcGraw Hyundai Rally 25:29.936 --
2 Fshguy Hyundai Rally 26:28.433 +00:58.497
3 MetaSacamano Hyundai Rally 26:43.233 +01:13.297
4 Zeppo Ford Fiesta RS Rally 27:39.247 +02:09.311
5 RSMRX8 Ford Fiesta RS Rally 27:39.399 +02:09.463
6 jimmydeicide Hyundai Rally 28:22.115 +02:52.179
7 mixdj1 Hyundai Rally 29:06.479 +03:36.543
8 vader29 Ford Fiesta RS Rally 29:23.844 +03:53.908
9 dbdynsty25 Volkswagen Polo Rally 29:33.578 +04:03.642
10 I0spro Volkswagen Polo Rally 30:01.260 +04:31.324
11 Gangrel Ford Fiesta RS Rally 30:23.976 +04:54.040



I'm proud i'm less than 5 mins off Terry's time. I struggled with all the sharp corners! And sometimes the spotter is way too late at calling the "...into acute right" or other sharp turns after a speedy one! And I don't know why i was dumb and didn't take the VW.


And on another note, my XL20D will be picked up at the post office tomorrow, so hopefully i have time to put it together and test it out this week!!!!!!!

I'm really happy with last week's time. Mix can vouch I had some serious distractions last week during my rally. Didn't even have my own controller.

[TCrouch]

Any time you have distractions and post a complete time AT ALL is an accomplishment, let alone a quick one. Any time I have distractions I generally end up in a ditch, a tree, off a cliff, or all three in the same corner.

[mixdj1]

I'm really happy with last week's time. Mix can vouch I had some serious distractions last week during my rally. Didn't even have my own controller.

What, a large, obnoxious, touchy man standing right behind you is a distraction?!? Lol! I was just waiting for him to reach around and grope you just to send you crashing into a tree.

[Jimmydeicide]

Ok, I have a game question then lol.

Does everyone leave the co driver pace at default, or change it to earlier?

I tried Later for the last rally thinking it would help with the hairpins as i hate it when the co driver spits a ton of info out and i forget it by the time i hit the last corner he said and i go left instead of right.
I ended up going back to normal as well. It may just be because this was a fast rally, maybe for snow and gravel Rallys later calls may be ok.
Still not sure as i struggled with Germany nio matter the calls.
I have a feeling Wales is going to be real similar for me.

[Jimmydeicide]

I'm really happy with last week's time. Mix can vouch I had some serious distractions last week during my rally. Didn't even have my own controller.

What, a large, obnoxious, touchy man standing right behind you is a distraction?!? Lol! I was just waiting for him to reach around and grope you just to send you crashing into a tree.

Ramjag was at your house???
Fill us all in please.

[DChaps]

DSP "CMR2/Sports Reviewers Memorial" DiRT Rally Championship Season 2

I owe you all a big apology. I have been a horrible league administrator the last few weeks. No excuses, I am very sorry. Glad to see you guys have kept it going, despite my negligence. Very tight races for 2nd - 5th and to make the Top 10. Good luck in the final rally!

https://www.dirtgame.com/uk/leagues/lea ... dsp-racing

FINAL Standings after Rally 5:


Rally 5 - Germany, Route 2 - Final Results



Rally 4 - Finland, Route 2 - Final Results