SIM RACER PIT STOP
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Pre-release model shown - final version will have small aesthetic changes
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RICMOTECH LC500-2 LOAD CELL KIT FOR T500RS/T3PA-PRO PEDALS What is a load cell? Most commonly found in digital weighing scales, it usually involves one or more strain gauges providing an electrical signal, which changes due to the varying resistance in the material as it flexes by an extremely small degree. As such, the measurement is effectively determined by the ‘pressure’ on the component, with practically no movement involved. In the context of a brake pedal, the standard T500RS unit uses a potentiometer to read the position of the pedal across the entire range of travel, whereas a load cell brake will barely move in comparison (naturally there is some travel before you hit major resistance), and the output is determined by the force exerted on the pedal. The result is a braking system that is easier to modulate with accuracy - the theory suggests that it is more natural to develop muscle memory based on the amount of force required rather than to try to hit the same position of travel each time. Ricmotech recently updated their popular load cell conversion kit for the T500RS pedals to version 2, which delivers an ‘improved feel’ and two firmness levels to choose from. Since the launch of the original LC500 kit, Thrustmaster introduced the T3PA-PRO, a separate version of the T500RS pedals for those with TX or T300 wheels. The T3PA-PRO included a ‘conical brake mod’ - in our review in Issue 5, we noted that it delivered a more progressive and realistic feel compared to the standard brake mod and shared some similarities to a load cell system. After testing the LC500-2, it’s clear that the similarities end at ‘feel’ and the differences are very apparent in terms of performance. The original kit was already recognised as the best load cell system for Thrustmaster pedals, and version 2 has addressed all the main criticisms to some extent. It is now easier to install, the bushings are more compliant so there is a little more travel, and a spacer is included to reduce the dead zone at the top of the travel. Two bushings give the user some choice over feel, but even on the softer of the
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two, it is essential to hard-mount the pedals, ideally to a solid rig with a seating position that allows the driver to exert the required forces in a comfortable manner. You’ll probably also want to invest in some dedicated sim shoes. It is quite a shock to the system, and takes time to fully adjust - your calf muscles might be sore in the beginning! No doubt about it, the kit transforms the brake, feeling like a race car pedal with the short throw, and the performance speaks for itself. Not everyone will see massive lap-time gains, but consistency is where you’ll appreciate the benefits - the ability to precisely blip the throttle without affecting the brake pressure during a heel-and-toe downshift helps greatly with driver confidence. But similar levels of resistance can be achieved with rubber bushings; why bother with a load cell? It’s a matter of precision. Adding more resistance to a potentiometer-based system can give an unrealistic pressure curve, and there is less accuracy due to the shorter distances detecting changes in value. Compared to the conical brake mod, I found it easier to consistently hit the ideal threshold braking pressure at the end of a long straight, and easier to modulate the final moments of trail-braking towards an apex. Not only is it likely to improve your driving, it simply feels more realistic, unless you only use road cars, in which case the short throw isn’t ideal (but the softer bushing helps a little). Making such a dramatic improvement to the middle pedal highlights the shortcomings of the clutch and throttle; the kit is almost too good for the rest of the set - we’ll be looking for ways to improve the other two pedals in the future. This is a near-perfect upgrade for those who want a convincing racing brake pedal, being unobtrusive, retaining full functionality of the unit on PC and console, with precision beyond what a stiffened potentiometer system can do.
W W W.SIMRACER-MAG.COM
FROM: WWW.RICMOTECH.COM PRICE: $169.99
VR COVER FOR OCULUS RIFT DK1/DK2
While we expect virtual reality to hit the mainstream in 2016, the enthusiast audience has already been enjoying prototype headsets and developer kits for years - the DK1 was an early glimpse at the potential of gaming in VR; DK2 was a huge step forward and we still use the device regularly to keep track of VR developments in sim racing. With a headset tightly strapped to the skin comes the unavoidable matter of sweat. Even if you’re not prone to sweating, the natural oils from your skin will slowly be absorbed into the foam cushioning. VR Cover is a simple solution - a cloth cover, shaped to wrap around the headset foam. It stays in place simply by fitting accurately, so it’s very easy to remove and wash. It can be made by hand; there are several homemade suggestions, including using an old T-shirt sleeve. However, you’d have to be skilled with a sewing machine in order to create something with the fit and finish of this product. Get it wrong and it’ll irritate, or you’ll cover up all the vents, meaning the lenses fog up all the time. The improvement is surprising, being much more comfortable against the skin compared to the foam. It fills gaps where the foam is not quite the ideal shape, making the whole headset a better fit. It also means that it blocks out more light - good for immersion but making it more difficult to do the stare-down-your-nose trick to look for something without removing the headset. The biggest difference? The smell. The DK1 and DK2 have identical foam surrounds, and made with a material that produces a strong chemical smell that is very apparent when you try VR for the first time. The problem with the devkits (particularly the DK1) is that poorly-optimised demos are everywhere, causing many to feel nauseous very quickly. Some users have found that they began to associate the distinctive smell of the foam with feeling sick, meaning they would trigger more nausea by simply holding the headset near their face. The VR Cover conceals the chemical smell, arriving with a neutral fragrance, and will smell just like your clothing once washed; far more