irFFB, or iRacing Force Feedback, is a plugin that can be run alongside iRacing to complement the platform’s own FFB system. In this article, we will talk you through how to set up irFFB as well as why this plugin is so popular that many sim racers call it a must-have.
What Does irFFB Do?
In iRacing, the default FFB doesn’t include what many would consider the “Seat of Pants” element. This means that you purely get the feeling of the forces on the steering column, whereas in other simulators such as Assetto Corsa Competizione the FFB will have extra features that mimic G-forces added on top of this FFB.
irFFB, for the cost of only a few minutes setting it up, is the most cost-effective way of adding this effect to your iRacing. The only other way you can add this effect is through extra hardware, such as picking up a ButtKicker, which delivers these forces directly to your seat. However, this is a very expensive solution which often costs over $200! irFFB is free and downloadable from GitHub now.
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How Do I Install irFFB?
Installing irFFB is actually pretty simple! After following the link to GitHub, you simply download the latest irFFB.exe file and open it when you’re running iRacing. It’s then about selecting your wheel, which you can under the “FFB device” option, as well as setting up which type of FFB you are using as well as each of the separate parameters you wish to adjust.
These include similar settings to what you find in iRacing itself, the minimum and maximum forces through the wheel, as well as the other features unique to irFFB such as the SoP effect.
From there, it’s a matter of tweaking it to match your hardware as well as your own preferences. You can set the feedback to 360Hz or 60Hz, with the latter being restricted in terms of the full angle of rotation available. Whilst 360Hz provides the most accurate data, it does it on a slight delay compared to running at 60Hz.
The delay itself is less than 0.03 seconds, so it’s really up to you if you’d rather have a more instant response or a more detailed one. There are also other various quality-of-life features that you can either enable or disable, such as making settings that are unique to each car or choosing to have the program startup with the computer.
Why Should I Use irFFB?
Let’s say you’re driving an LMP1 car or the brand new Mercedes W12. These are cars that are very sensitive to drive at the best of times, that are performing at their best when driven on the very limit.
But this limit won’t be something that you’ll just feel through the steering column, as you’ll only feel the effect as you start to lose control of the car. What using irFFB means is that you’re able to drive closer to the limit without going over the limit as easily.
If you’re looking to find those extra couple of tenths, or find that little bit more comfort, or even trying to immerse yourself even more in iRacing, then irFFB is the thing for you. It’s an excellent way to bridge the knowledge that you might have found in another title like Assetto Corsa Competizione across to iRacing. If you want to know more about apps in iRacing, you can check out our guide to the top ten must-have apps for iRacing!
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