Having an overview of every piece of info you want or need can be trick in sim racing. Different sims use different styles of HUD, and if you want lots of information, things can quickly get cluttered on your screen. Dash displays are a way around this - and they can offer significant advantages.
Image Credit: SimLab
Accessories are booming in the sim racing hardware world: Exchangeable wheel rims, button boxes, LED flag indicators - there is something for everyone. Dash displays are part of this, and while it may seem like an expensive addition to your rig, they do not have to be. With software like SimHub, even smartphones can be used as a display - all you need is a mount and a stable WiFi connection.
Of course, there are bespoke dash displays by various manufacturers as well. These standalone units can have 3D-printed bodies or cases made from metal or even carbon, include rev and warning LEDs, and are highly configurable. Alterantively, many high-end wheels feature built-in screens, and Fanatec included smaller OLED displays on its DD1 and DD2 wheel bases.
Image Credit: Fanatec
Cater to Different Preferences
Since everyone has different preferences regarding what info they want or need to see when racing, these displays can help with tuning out everything that would otherwise be distracting. Some of the compatible software allows users to create custom dashboards with multiple pages to scroll through so they can configure everything just like they prefer.
A good example is Assetto Corsa Competizione's HUD - say you want to disable the delta because you tend to overdrive the car once you see that you are slower than you want to be, but also check the lap time itself from time to time. In ACC, you have to disable the entire timing element, meaning the lap time is gone just like the delta is. If you have a dashboard design that you prefer, you can have the best of both worlds.
Of course, this can mean that you need to spend time tweaking everything to your liking, but it is time well spent. Once you settle on a dashboard design, you can use it for different cars and sims, meaning specific info is always in the same place. Make sure to check the RaceDepartment download section for dashboards as well to get started - or to find a new favorite right out of the box!
Image Credit: SimLab
Accessories are booming in the sim racing hardware world: Exchangeable wheel rims, button boxes, LED flag indicators - there is something for everyone. Dash displays are part of this, and while it may seem like an expensive addition to your rig, they do not have to be. With software like SimHub, even smartphones can be used as a display - all you need is a mount and a stable WiFi connection.
Of course, there are bespoke dash displays by various manufacturers as well. These standalone units can have 3D-printed bodies or cases made from metal or even carbon, include rev and warning LEDs, and are highly configurable. Alterantively, many high-end wheels feature built-in screens, and Fanatec included smaller OLED displays on its DD1 and DD2 wheel bases.
Image Credit: Fanatec
Cater to Different Preferences
Since everyone has different preferences regarding what info they want or need to see when racing, these displays can help with tuning out everything that would otherwise be distracting. Some of the compatible software allows users to create custom dashboards with multiple pages to scroll through so they can configure everything just like they prefer.
A good example is Assetto Corsa Competizione's HUD - say you want to disable the delta because you tend to overdrive the car once you see that you are slower than you want to be, but also check the lap time itself from time to time. In ACC, you have to disable the entire timing element, meaning the lap time is gone just like the delta is. If you have a dashboard design that you prefer, you can have the best of both worlds.
See What Real Drivers See
Many of the in-car dashboards of real racing cars are available for these dash displays as well, making it possible to use them even if your particular rig setup and FOV would otherwise block the view of the in-game dash. In this regard, they can add immensely to the immersion - you see just what a driver in the real car would see.Of course, this can mean that you need to spend time tweaking everything to your liking, but it is time well spent. Once you settle on a dashboard design, you can use it for different cars and sims, meaning specific info is always in the same place. Make sure to check the RaceDepartment download section for dashboards as well to get started - or to find a new favorite right out of the box!
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