Motion platforms are becoming increasingly popular in the sim racing world, as they offer a more immersive experience and can help improve your lap times.
So, which software should you be using to control your motion platform?
In this blog post, we’ll compare Sim Racing Studio and SimTools to help you decide which is the best option for you.
Let’s first have a quick look into each of them and then we’ll compare them closely at the end.
Table of Contents
What is SimTools?
SimTools is a Motion Simulator Software able to control multiple hardware interfaces like the Arduino, SimAxe, SCN5 actuators and JRK.
As SRS, SimTools’ software is the connection-link between the game and the motion simulator.
It extracts the game values like the speed forces, the movement direction, gear shifts, engine RPMs, acceleration forces and a lot more.
Then, all these values are finally mixed into a data set that is actually used to control the motors of the motion simulator that you’re using.
SimTools Advantages
As SRS, there are other software products like SimTools on the market, but SimTools’s motion software owns some key advantages:
- Fairly easy to use;
- A great community that helps and supports you;
- New games become quickly supported within a short time after coming to the market;
- 90% of the most popular available race and flight games are actually supported by SimTools;
- You are not forced to have your simulator online for any sign-in and registration process
What is Sim Racing Studio (SRS)?
Sim Racing Studio is a motion simulator software that was specifically designed for sim racers, by sim racers.
SRS offers a wide range of features and options, making it one of the most versatile motion simulator software on the market.
One of the best thing is that SRS is constantly being updated and improved, with new features and games being added on a regular basis.
Sim Racing Studio Advantages
According to some threads on Race Department, anyone that tried SRS was saying they never felt driving so realistic before. The grin on their face running over bumps and rumble strips was just awesome and insanely accurate.
Having the ability to reproduce the G-forces, weight transfer, inertia, and all the physical forces that act on a car when cornering at high speeds is what makes SRS stand out from its competitors.
Here’s some of the hardware they allow to integrate in their software:
- Wind Kits
- Shake Kits
- Motion Platforms
- Active Belts
- Motion Compensations
- LEDs
SimTools vs Sim Racing Studio: Which one should you choose?
There is no easy answer to this question, as it depends on your own needs and preferences.
However, we have compiled a list of the pros and cons of each software to help you make a decision.
Sim Racing Studio Pros:
- Wide range of features and options;
- Constantly being updated and improved,
Sim Tools Pros:
- Fairly easy to use;
- A great community that helps and supports you;
- 90% of the most popular available race and flight games are actually supported by SimTools;
According to some users, SRS is probably not as customizable as Simtools, but it isn’t a problem because the default settings per game are that good that you don’t need to change much.
SimTools fans prefer it mainly due to its lowered acceleration, while increasing smoothness to make the motion feel more clear, and get rid of unnecessary noise. The customization of Simtools is also quite spectacular if you want to get geeky, but with so many settings available it also heightens the risk of making things worse.
Conclusion
So as you can see, both simulation software have their own advantages and disadvantages.
It ultimately comes down to what you need and what you prefer.
If you are still undecided, we suggest you try them both out and see which one you prefer.
As always, happy sim racing! 🙂
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