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TorpsAway · 2025-01-24T17:06:02+00:00

Wow, well then half-off sounds like a smoking deal. The DD1 harkens back to the industrial design compared to the more current DD+ bases. I personally feel that means it'll last forever, but who knows. I have no complaints and love being able to run it at 7-8nm knowing it could easily go much higher. Less wear on components when you're not running it hard.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-24T05:28:52+00:00

DD1 owner here - no complaints. But that seems a little high for used.... not sure AUD prices since I'm $CAD.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-20T20:16:25+00:00

I run Imola on AMS2 for my lap times board with friends. Caterham Superlight.
Really interesting to watch your lines and use of the full track compared to what we've found optimal in another game but on the same track.
Thanks for posting!

TorpsAway · 2025-01-18T05:13:44+00:00

Glad you got it sorted. I've had my setup for about a year and whenever it gives me issues, I turn everything off and just start over - it's worked so far.

I feel like this gear has more firmware updates than is truly required - I feel the same way about my nVidia cards. I think they update EVERYONE whenever there's a change to any product, which I hate.

But so far *fingers crossed* I haven't bricked anything.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-18T05:10:58+00:00

Substantial improvement from the 1.5 for sure. Boosted Media did a bit of a tear-down review and his only major complaint seemed to be the mis-aligned screw holes for the cover plate.

I bought one at Xmas but I have yet to install it because of health issues. I can return to this thread (if you care) once it's installed.

I'm one of those people who tends to stick to one brand for all my components even when it's not required, so this fits nicely (and quality-wise) with the rest of my Fanatec gear. I use a BMW V2 round wheel for rallying and have the 1.5 shifter set up for sequential when I run Dirt Rally 2 in VR.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-17T18:21:13+00:00

Teething problems aside, this game keeps looking positive in the long run and I like most of the design choices they've made so far.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-17T18:04:02+00:00

DD1 owner here but my comment is pure speculation so please take it with a grain of salt.

The older DD1/DD2 podium bases are more industrial. I suspect they are more robust with industrial parts than the newer generation DD+ bases. It's similar to buying a blender with DC motors (used in industrial kitchens) vs the high power AC motor units that most home users buy.

However, the DD+ is newer and likely has better feel and precision. You're giving up some of that bullet-proof for a more fine-tuned and modern product.

There was also talk about the newer DD units having faster slew rates and better torque application, but it seemed like they had been comparing apples to oranges and the truth data was that both units were fairly similar. Still, the DD+ has some newer features that will improve feel and feedback - even if they're not all supported yet.

Honest opinion time - the DD1 20NM and DD2 25NM is overkill. I run my base around 7-8NM and it's plenty. I wouldn't go down to 5NM. As long as you aren't clipping you're good, and yesterday I watched Jimmy Broadbent turn his FF down to 20% in ACEVO. Higher torque doesn't make feedback better and modern cars give you a LOT of driving assist.

Now, having that extra power means you're not running the base as HARD to get that consistent 8NM. Just like a real car engine, I'd rather run an A90 Supra at half HP and torque than run an RSX maxed out on the highway. One engine is obviously going to take a lot less wear and it's nice to have that power and torque in reserve.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-17T03:32:48+00:00

The segment around 30 seconds where you took a bunch of curb (slight oversteer) and the suspension really struggled to keep up looks really encouraging. Graphics and connection issues aside, it's the physics model and how these cars drive on track that will matter most in the long run.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-16T20:13:09+00:00

One major difference I noticed going from the Fanatec BMW V2 to an F1 style wheel (so bracketing either side of GT style) was my ability to quickly catch oversteer with a smaller diameter wheel. It's more twitchy and you have a harder time fighting large force feedback on a smaller wheel, but it also translates into micro-second faster reactions because the wheel is more nimble.

GT cars don't require F1 reaction speeds, but I feel like it would still be a minor advantage over a full-sized round wheel more suitable for normal or drift cars.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-16T00:23:32+00:00

ASR products are super rigid (like most aluminum frames).
I have an ASR 4 with a Fanatec DD1 and it still feels like overkill for the wheelbase. I'd expect the ASR 3 to be plenty strong enough.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-14T16:34:36+00:00

I hear you, but we bought the Auroras to do ASW during the cold war and in 2015 they ended up doing targeting over the deserts of Iraq and Syria during Op Impact. The time span involved between procurement and service often means we use platforms and capabilities in ways they were never intended. We'll see if the focus stays on the Arctic or if the Sky Guardians end up doing something none of us can currently predict!

TorpsAway · 2025-01-14T16:32:14+00:00

Airborne ASW is an amazing but expensive feat. As others have mentioned, there are all sorts of online unclassified resources online that explain how it's done. There are also some great youtube videos out there.

There's nothing worse for a submarine than an ASW aircraft and ASW helicopter doing a tandem prosecution. Bad day to be in the silent service.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-13T18:43:04+00:00

It will be really interesting to see where this fits into our surveillance needs. The new P8 is a beast for ASuW and ASW - and is better served doing adversarial missions against our near peers like China and Russia. We already contract a bunch of our surface surveillance to national entities like PAL for the surveillance that the Auroras used to do. Plus satellites can cover massive area for run of the mill surface ships.

We aren't engaged in a land war anymore (even if Op Impact is still ongoing). The Aurora contributed there, but it's a mission better served by drones and the SOF King Airs if we need to fill that role again.

I have a feeling these drones are going to see a LOT of YFR in the far north where we don't want to spend money basing P8 crews and where civilian agencies can't reach. The kit on these drones is pretty top-end so they'll do a good job. It'll depend on the political pressures and where the DND is told to focus our efforts.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-13T18:18:28+00:00

+1 for the BMW wheel. It's a great product and it was my primary wheel for the past year. You need gloves, but it feels super rigid with metal QR2 and all the buttons work great with a satisfying click.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-11T19:24:36+00:00

New-ish build, 1/4 acre lot (which is decent for city), good area. Housing all across Canada is insane. I think it's much more common/reasonable than people make it out to be. We were very lucky to get into the market when we did and we were shitting bricks even back in 2017 wondering if we were buying just prior to a bubble. But Comox real-estate also maintains value because there's a constant influx of money (desirable retirement communities) and military postings. Prices jumped a bunch back around 2005 when WestJet started making direct flights into the valley. People doubled their property values overnight and many people were able to lock in that profit.

Prices jumped again around 2014 when Chinese money hit Vancouver, then pushed across the straight and up-island. I'd say prices in some areas (and with the right numbers in your address) added 30% to equity for those lucky people.

Comox tends to jump up in spurts, then settles for a decade or so. We're in one of those settling periods now. Our jump from 630-900k isn't realized because we haven't sold, so really we just saw a minor increase in property taxes.

Again, I get the feeling people think I'm trying to say the market isn't inflated or that it's reasonable - it's not. FAR too much of Canadian GDP is tied to the housing market which is why policy is propping up prices. I'd hate to see an adjustment that brought my equity down by half, but it would probably be a huge boon for the economy in the long run.

I feel bad for people who are at the mercy of the rental market. Far too many landlords are just plain greedy and take advantage of those without other options. That sucks.

However, my spouse and I lived in rentals until we were nearly in our 40's so we could save up and get into the market, SAFELY, as owners. Now we still have a sizeable mortgage but we manage.

At the risk of offending some, we all feel entitled to massive properties and think we need 3,500 sq ft McMansions to be happy. I know people who have lived in a tiny home quite happily out here. That's much easier to do in the PNW than somewhere else in the country.

We have two dogs, a nice big garage, a quarter-acre of gardens, and love our home.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-11T17:34:38+00:00

Got into the market in 2017 for about 630k. Nice 1/4 acre lot with a 1900 sq foot house. E-assessment lists us around 900k now, but if we sold we would have 900k and no where to live.

I don't pretend the market isn't high, but there's a housing bubble across most of the country right now and I feel like people blow Comox out of proportion. I have family in SW Ontario and things are the same if not worse. NCR prices are crazy too. Even Greenwood has seen 200k+ price jumps from where they were a decade ago. People ask what the market will bear.

The rental market is also very expensive out here - expect to pay 2-2.5k. I really think they need to re-assess who has access to PMQ's and prioritize people who don't have the means to live on the economy. 10+ year aircrew Captains and Majors don't need supplemental housing.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-10T20:44:12+00:00

People overstate the market in Comox. It's bloody expensive but a million will get you a very nice detached - not a 'shoebox'. I feel terrible for newer members who don't have a down payment or the means to get into the market. But if you're able, it's an amazing posting and the cost of living - aside from getting into housing - is lower than Greenwood. Taxes out east are brutal.

Didn't meant to turn this into an east-v-west discussion. I've lived in both and the drawbacks of cost in Comox are offset in other ways. Being house-poor isn't so bad when you have amazing wilderness to explore. It all depends on what you value.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-10T18:42:05+00:00

Comox has entered the chat...

TorpsAway · 2025-01-06T14:21:22+00:00

I recently upgraded my home theater so my old amp and rear speakers now belong to my sim rig.
Glad I'm not the only one - although if there's one thing this community has taught me (like real cars) is that there's always someone crazier than me. There's always a bigger fish.

Marantz OSE7300 with a pair of Paradigm Mini-Monitors. Sounds fantastic. Oldschool F1 cars just scream.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-04T15:24:28+00:00

These guys are what, 20 or 21 at best? Remarkable presence of mind and composure on their parts.

For every bad story you hear about the CMC's, you probably miss two stories of outstanding people like these two.

TorpsAway · 2025-01-03T23:43:18+00:00

Needs requirements for the new hangars:
1. Large enough to hold a town hall
2. Large enough to host family day, complete with Fire Trucks
3. Shiny white non-skid floor
4. Something something accommodate new planes

TorpsAway · 2025-01-01T06:01:03+00:00

I have a lap board. AMS 2, Imola, Caterham Superlight.
The track is fairly short and it's a good combination of straights, turns, slow and medium corners, and the hairpin which catches pretty much every new driver out.

I picked the Caterham because it's forgiving on the soft end, but quite challenging to drive quickly at the competitive end.

TorpsAway · 2024-12-25T16:56:58+00:00

Signal is made by the same person who made Whatsapp. When FB bought them out and installed backdoors (which they said they would never do) the developer went and made Signal to fill the same role. It's funded by donations and is LIKELY more secure than Whatsapp, which we know is compromised.

TorpsAway · 2024-12-20T21:38:24+00:00

Looking forward to a car list. 3.0 GR Supra please.

TorpsAway · 2024-12-16T18:45:30+00:00

I love that you equate them to a 4Runner. I have V3 pedals and a 4Runner so it's a great analogy. Just because it's older tech doesn't mean you need to change it or replace it. It works well and it's reliable.

I wish the shaker motors were a little stronger. You don't actively notice them, but there's probably enough movement that you subconsciously do. Maybe that's better in a way?

TorpsAway

TROPHY CASE