winders

I am looking for an iRacing setup. My main goal is to use it to learn new tracks but I also plan on having some fun with it to. I am not looking for a setup that is super realistic and costs a zillions dollars. I think I would like a cockpit, decent steering wheel and pedals, and 1 big covered monitor. What do you guys recommend? Can I do this for under $2K?

Oh, xbox compatibility would be great too.

vincent.bondi940

If you're looking to learn new tracks and not play online or pay yearly fees, Assetto Corsa is the way to go for $20. For PC only so would need some sort of gaming computer/laptop. I picked mine up on amazon for $800. Playseat Challenge is foldable and cheep for about $200. Logitech G290 works with the PC and is about $250 for ok wheel and peddles. I got the shifter as well but you dont need it.

ProCoach

Scott, your best bet will be to, as @vincent.bondi940 says, use a gaming laptop, an inexpensive stand like the Playseat and the Logitech G920. That's really the best way to keep it under $2K.

jscott82

For just learning new tracks 2k is plenty.

My initial setup using a few pieces I had laying around only cost a grand. It was realistic enough to visualize and get a loose feel for.

​​​​The only real issue was the pedals. The potentiometer based brake pedal is absolutely useless for brake feel. So cheap pedals are fine for learning the visuals, but they are not good for actually laptime.

You don't need a powerful PC (Intel I3 is plenty). You do need a good video card though, plan on spending 500+ for that.

As far as monitors, remember pixel density is all that matters. You can do a VR headset 1in from your eyes or a 85in monitor 5 feet away. I did 3 inexpensive 24in monitor 20" away. That gives a full field of view. If you want one big one, it's not just about size, resolution is important too.

linzman

I went cheap, sort of. I have a play seat with the seat slider. Used an older computer that I had after upgrading, and don't have anything else on it except sim stuff, an old Compaq. I did upgrade the video card so I could run a triple monitor, with 24" Acer screens. I did recently buy a trak racer triple monitor mount after using a homemade one for a while. I did splurge on some Fanatec stuff for the controls and recently added a butt kicker speaker. That's it. Pretty simple

mglobe

Yes you can do it on the cheap if all you are after is to learn new tracks. Just beware. These things are kinda like trailers. You buy a cheap steel one. Then you buy a nicer aluminum open trailer. Then an enclosed. And before you know it you’re pulling a stacker behind a toter.

bkh

I built mine just to learn tracks, too. Used an old TV, laptop, and seat. Bought cheaper Thrustmaster wheel, pedals, shifter and rig. Less than $1k out of pocket. Perfect for learning new tracks.

audipwr1

I have a g27 sitting around a friends in Fremont I'd sell ya cheap

I also have a desktop that is capable of running 1080 screens at good FPS

I upgraded everything

JTT

Like OP, I’m also trying to sort this out. I presently have the setup vincent is suggesting above, G920 and Playseat Challenge, but presently running off an xBox One with a 43” plasma TV. My son has a pretty decent gaming PC and I tried it out with Assetto Corsa, which is inexpensive to get started. I found, compared to Project Cars 3 on Xbox, AS was too...easy? Nearly impossible to spin, even with ham handed inputs. My biggest issue is being able to see far enough down the track. I'm not sure if it’s my screen, or graphics capability of the xBox, but even with my son’s machine, with a 6G video card, I don’t seem to have depth of vision enough to suit me. I feel like I’m driving 20’ off the front bumper.

okie981

@bkh, who makes that tubing/mounting structure?

jscott82

I'll bet it's your TV. Plasma TV is only 720p and it's so big you have it too far away.

bkh

Found it on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...2.m2749.l46251

mobius911

If the OP is not including the computer in the $2000 limit, I'd recommend going for something better than a Logitech wheel and pedals. It can easily be done within the budget. At the very least, get a pedal setup with a load cell brake. Here's an example:

-Fanatec CSL Elite wheel/pedal bundle with load cell brake: $900ish
-34" or larger curved gaming monitor: $400ish
-Cockpit like those mentioned already, or an aluminum profile type: $500ish

If you go with an aluminum profile cockpit you'll need a seat, but since you race you may have one lying around already.

winders

I need a seat so I was looking something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Racing-Simu...item5237e201c8

Or this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193533752032?2642626

Again, I only want to learn tracks, not get involved in iRacing professionally.

ProCoach

It's really just a function of how stout you want these things to be.

If you have inexpensive wheels and pedals with not much resistance, no issues.

But, if you ever trade up to a brake pedal that replicates a real one, or even a Fanatec CSW 2.5 wheel, these frames may move around enough to be a serious distraction.