This is a debate that sim racing drivers have been having for some time now: is it better to race on a monitor or on a VR headset?
There are advantages and disadvantages for both types of racing, but in the end, it is fully dependent on the specifications of your computer, and also, what do you expect from the VR racing experience?
If you are looking for the best experience without any limitation, then VR headsets will solve your problems.
But if you are one who is looking for lots of variety, speed, stability, high FPS configurations, then a monitor is what you want unless your VR settings and PC settings allow you to have a high frame rate.
So Which One Is In Fact The Best Of Them All? Keep reading this article to find out!
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What are the benefits of using VR for iRacing?
A major feature of using VR for iRacing is that it can create a larger scope of immersion and realism. With a monitor, everything is restricted to what can be seen on the screen, but with the use of VR, you are able to turn your head which can provide a better and clearer understanding.
Here’s where it starts to become critical for the driver, in close racing the ability to see might affect whether they end first or last.
One more significant advantage of VR, it can indeed make the understanding of the track much more simpler.
Yes but with a screen it might be easy to over brake or misjudge the turn in areas, conversely with VR you might have a more developed spatial awareness.
What are the benefits of using a monitor for iRacing?
There are some advantages of using a monitor for iRacing that are not able to be replicated using VR.
Speed and FPS probably would be the most critical. Unlike VR, a monitor does allow for a significant increase in frame rate which is good for people driving wanting to reduce their lap times.
Another huge upside of using a monitor is that it gives a far more better and detailed view of what’s on track which is vital for drivers when they are racing, in VR it is only limited to the view provided through the headset.
This can be useful for drivers that would prefer to approach the race from a more tactical aspect as people who have used VR know the limitations of what you can see.
How does VR compare to using a monitor in iRacing?
First of all, when you put on the visors you will feel like you are in the race, there are of course some disadvantages but the use of VR could be quite beneficial.
What works out is the way a driver can better gauge the scene around with the use of VR, so definitely some drivers are going to prefer VR whereas others may not.
I did a little testing, even when I have a super robust computer, and proper set VR setting, low performance and latency was visible on few occasions.
VR or Monitor: what’s better for iRacing?
In hindsight, a monitor could work better for amateurs who do not have a strong PC. The performance and frame rate are not bothersome and provide almost the exact experience one would have with a screen in monitoring.
So the main answer is Yes monitors are indeed preferred, but genuinely I actually think VR has the ability to be the best once some new hardware comes out.
The icing, what does give the edge to VR is the pure speed, but investing in a better PC is a wise Audio Visualizer decision.
In the end, it is your choice which one to opt for. Test both options out and see how they work for you!
I hope this post taught you something new. In case you did, go ahead and inform your friends about it!