Best products from r/trucksim

Thanks! It's many years of acquired hardware at this point, but it's such a more immersive and pleasurable experience with it all.

 

Here's what I have:

Logitech G27 (Newegg link - non-Newegg seller) (I picked mine up at Newegg for $255 in Oct 2011) -- I can't find any new ones that aren't pushing $500+ and the G920 nor the G29 are really great replacements IMO.

OpenWheeler Racing Seat & Frame (Amazon link) (I actually got this free because of saved up credit card points) -- Regularly going for $370-$400

 

In the actual hardware (not including PC, tablet/phone for PowerGrid or Steam Link/TV), I've only invested ~$260 in this setup. I was unaware that the G27 was discontinued and I'm not even sure what I would replace it with. If you can find one used in decent shape I would highly recommend it though.

As for the seat, I do like how comfortable it is, the backrest moves back and forward like a normal car seat and the base slides forwards and backwards as well. My biggest gripe with it (and not sure if it's changed, but it doesn't appear that it has, the adjustment for the shifter is seriously lacking. I'd like for it to be able to move higher as well as further back, it's really in an awkward position when compared to my actual car, but you do get used to it for the most part. I also wish that the wheel had a "quick release" feature to move it up and down, also like most car adjustable steering wheels, but it doesn't, it's controlled by the tightness of the bolt that keeps it from moving. I haven't found a sweet spot for it to be loose enough to move it out of the way to get in and out while still managing to be tight enough to not move during more intense gaming sessions (I like to turn the force feedback nearly all the way up).

 

All in all though, it's really a great setup, the hardware may not be the best available, but it's very good and stands on its own without questions.

Allright. One cheap TrackIR coming up.

Ingredients:
1 Ps3 eye cam

driver for ps3 eye cam https://codelaboratories.com/downloads

one floppy disk (or a piece of a proper IR filter). These filters work too if you stack them one of each color http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Z7M46/

Battery holder 4xAA

one on/off switch

Any plastic case to house the switch and battery holder and resistor

3 IR leds - SFH485p type is best

Some easy to solder electrical wire

1 30 ohm resistor

Some battery wire (if you want to house the "heavy" battery case on the table instead) - i used old phone charger cable.

Ball joint from some old car phone holder. If you make your led-harness from wire, use something like this to be able to position it. Sits between the led-harness and the headphones clip

Plastic clip from a trousers hanger. Just to connect your led-harness to your headphones.

And finally some steel wire to create the led-harness into which you glue the leds. Dimensions are shown in this picture. Of course you can buy the clip ready made (60$ from track-ir, no leds or battery cases needed) or a 3d printed one similar to this


Now on to the tasks involved

You need to remove the IR filter from ps3 eye cam and replace it with either a piece of floppy disk or those proper filters to block out visible light. Floppy will work, but it will react to sunlight and other heat sources - while the purpose made filters will not. Guide with pictures here: http://wiki.lofarolabs.com/index.php/Removing_the_IR_Filter_from_the_PS3_Eye_Camera

Now that the camera is ready, download and install the ps3eye cam driver and test it in facetracknoir or freetrack, use point tracker with the camera to see that it functions. You can try a TV remote.

How to make your led-harness is up to you. You can use steel wire and bend it to the same shape as in the clip dimensions picture, or you can buy a ready made or 3d printed one. Whichever suits you the best.
If you make it yourself, just try to make sure your leds end up in the end spots indicated in the dimensions picture.

The box containing batteries should also contain the resistor and have a hole in the side for the on/off switch. Where you place this box is up to you, if you can manage to build it light enough it can be mounted on the clip itself. I built mine in a robust case so it sits on the table with some old phone charger cable running between the harness and the box.

Your uncle might be able to help you with the resistors & weight. You can build a smaller setup which is entirely powered from just 2AA batteries or from an USB charger, you just need to calculate resistor values for them.

Soldering the IR leds is quite easy as long as you remember to solder them in same orientation, from minus to plus lead. Battery case plus -> resistor -> switch -> led+ side (the non-flat side anode). Then solder from cathode to anode until from the last led run a wire back to the battery case minus.

edited for a bit more clarity.

EDIT: Sorry, I derped up on the main link for the posting on Amazon UK.

Not sure if to believe it considering SCS have been silent on their blog... but here's the description taken from product description:

>From the developers of the hit franchise Euro Truck Simulator, prepare to experience life on the West Coast in American Truck Simulator. With the base game featuring major arties throughout the Golden state, you’ll experience trucking routes so realistic it’s recommended to apply sun lotion before playing!



>In America, big is beautiful and the trucks you’ll be driving are no exception. With a selection of vehicles that are larger than their European counter parts, you’ll feel the raw power of each vehicle’s engine as you cruise down the wide-open roads and manoeuvre through densely populated cities.



>This base game will continue to be expanded upon with future releases extending your Californian driving experience. Unlike digital versions, this boxed version will include a serial key to allow the free download of American Truck Simulator’s Arizona expansion pack later on during 2014.

Technically, a direct drive wheel lol (OSW for example)
Very expensive, but very powerful and unmatched in quality (since its something you build, or order to be built for you)
https://www.simracingbay.com/
They're fully customizable, any rim or amount of buttons you want

One option for a button box is to use the Logitech Side Panel, but I don't own one so I don't know if they would be worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Saitek-Farm-Vehicle-Panel/dp/B01M1B2MJX

Of course, if you are looking for expensive but technically the best, you would probably be looking at these http://derekspearedesigns.com/button-controllers.html

https://evolpcgaming.com/store

That makes way more sense! However, I'd recommend this card. A couple pounds more expensive, but it's a 280 instead of a 270, and the reviews say it performs similar to a 280X. I'd never heard of the company, but maybe you have. I looked into them briefly, they're more popular in the UK than over here in the US, but they're the same people as PowerColor, who I'm much more familiar with, and they're trustworthy.

I use something like this


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008LTPEXU/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_147_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41OOkcMIbQL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C100_&refRID=1QDH0C91QBDBQF0TS8TK


There are some caveats on the way your wiring is set up in your place, so buy from a store with a good return policy. But I also have that wifi/Bluetooth adapter you posted and it works great so you may be fine with just that. All your own personal preference!

I think something like this would work pretty well for me. I was trying to think how I would set it up but hadn't thought of a cell phone stand yet. Great idea.

not OP but I just got the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT for 200 + tax on amazon. Its list price is 400 but it keeps dipping to 200. You might get lucky if you keep an eye on it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1L2NRL/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got this one a couple weeks ago as my first wheel and so far it's been worth it the money. I'll definitely want to upgrade when I have the money but I think the thrustmaster is a great starter.

Oh wow, looks like Amazon has one for under $6!
http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY%C2%AE-Webcam-Camera-Meeting-compatible/dp/B0015TJNEY/

The performance is better with DX11 but unfortunately the flickering is still there, I forgot that the anti aliasing doesn't do anything in VR. I think it was motion sickness that was causing my headaches, I started wearing sea bands while playing and I haven't had any issues. Even with the flickering the game is still gorgeous and a blast to play in VR.

I have been looking at a wheel by Thrustmaster, Its called the T150, it has 1080 degrees of rotation and pretty nice force feedback from what i am hearing. I would give that a look. Only $196 on amazon. I would give this one a look. This will work for PC and PS3 and PS4 also. http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Force-Feedback-Racing-PlayStation-4/dp/B014US02ZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451334141&sr=8-1&keywords=t150

I use a Saitek P880 controller. It's been a trusty PC gaming sidekick of mine for about 15 years. Still works great.

I'd love to get a wheel and pedals, but my desk is small and my room is cramped, and would take up too much room.

Edit: link

yep it can hold up to 12 buttons and a joystick. https://amazon.com/dp/B01IQTN328
I have a joystick switch for indicators and wipers in another button box, one like this https://amazon.com/dp/B01IP07824

I run 3 of these on my rig dell monitors
they do the job well. It depends on how close you’re sitting. I sit pretty closely and everything is sharp

Here’s an idea of what they look like when setup on my rig: simlab cockpit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Z0UWV98/ref=mh_s9_acsd_bw_wf_a_BTSmainw_cdl_19?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-3&pf_rd_r=D5VTG4RBWFEYZNEQ6YTH&pf_rd_t=1201&pf_rd_p=ac0302e6-2341-41ad-8dfa-ec84ed29f74c&pf_rd_i=15201447011

The G29 is on sale for the same price. Don't forget you can save some more if you sign up for the Amazon Visa. Earlier this year I got my stream deck for $30.

Thank you for the reply.

This is the power supply I use. It's about 10 months old. I don't believe that I am overloading mine, but it is very possible. I will try to limit my framerate to 90 (currently have it set to 165) and see if that helps.

I personally can't justify spending hundreds on a proper wheel and I don't play a lot, so I got one of these second hand for €30 works fine for my needs

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-Racing-Wheel-Legend/dp/B00FB5R1AQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?keywords=game+steering+wheel&qid=1562058986&s=gateway&sprefix=game+steer&sr=8-11

Add these for the back wheels :)

https://www.amazon.com/WEWGO-Stoppers-Furniture-Cups-Pack/dp/B07QB6D68B/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2V6BMJ470ID7W&keywords=wheel+stopper&qid=1574824829&sprefix=wheel+stop%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.com/Shifter-Replacement-Logitech-Thrustmaster-EasyJakeBrake-Windows/dp/B07DVW2WYK/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=skrs&qid=1563730537&s=gateway&sr=8-2 I am a somewhat involved trucker, and I have a Logitech G920, the Logi shifter, and this SKRS. The SKRS is very high quality, and I highly recommend it. It is available without the Jake Brake switch.

Looks like simstickers in the UK makes keyboard and controller stickers already.

https://simstickers.co.uk/product/keyboard-black/

Or print your own colored stickers.

https://www.amazon.com/Coding-Circle-Labels-Bright-Printer/dp/B0731NYS7G/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=1%2F2+inch+colored+stickers&qid=1567190003&s=gateway&sr=8-8

$45? I don't think anyone knows
EDIT: looking on amazon UK, found this http://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Truck-Simulator-PC-DVD/dp/B00HWPL2X0 so if it's right maybe 30 dollars/45 for canada

I don't have a clue how accurate Amazon is with game release dates, (since they've historically jumped the gun before), but this listing states the release date is February 13, 2015.

Again, no idea how accurate that information is, but at least it's something to go offer. I too am anticipating the release of the game. Cannot wait for those long, wide open American roads, rather than the tight, insanely small European roads.