Setting up your sim racing rig is exciting but a lot of work, so we understand how you feel right now. The best solution is to take one step at a time to ensure each aspect gets the attention it deserves. This blog post will explore the role of a sim racing table mount and provide a guide for choosing the right one.
However, the key to building sim racing rigs is that everyone has their preferences. That especially applies to tablets and tablet mounts. Therefore, this blog provides our opinions about the ideal features in a sim racing tablet mount, and it is okay to explore a few other opinions before deciding.
What are Tablets Used for in Sim Racing?
Tablets are typically used to replace gauges and show details like speed, racing track, car position, elapsed time, etc. You’ll need this information for direction and decide if you want to floor the pedal and get more speed to improve your race ranking or game performance.
Where Is the Tablet Mount Usually Positioned?
The positioning of the tablet mount depends on the sim racing rig and the player’s preference. Some position it just after the steering wheel or close to it, so they have an easier time looking at the numbers. It is closer to the way gauges are positioned in a real car, which also helps make the experience realistic.
However, not all players like to arrange their tablets to be close to the wheel. A few sim racing rigs position the tablet to the player’s lower left or right side. The result is that the player has to turn their head slightly to look at the numbers on the tablet.
Why Is There a Difference in Positioning?
In our experience, people choose the side positioning to reduce distraction. A tablet isn’t as easy to ignore as a gauge and can distract the driver, affecting their performance. That’s why some players place it close enough to look at it when needed but in a way that it wouldn’t disrupt their driving.
How to Choose the Right Sim Racing Tablet Mount
Choosing the suitable sim racing tablet mount may not directly affect your performance, but it will make gaming a lot more enjoyable. Following are the key factors you need to take into account when deciding.
Type of Mount
Firstly, you need to decide which type of mount you are getting. The information you’re getting on the tablet is like a support function, so players have been creative to save costs. Several replace the ‘tablet’ with a smartphone and install the relevant software to connect it.
Others use an older tablet for this purpose. Hence, you need to know which product you’ll be using to fit into the mount for gaming. That will affect the size and related properties of the required mount components.
Materials
The next aspect to consider is the material used to make the mount. We recommend aluminum as the base material because it has the desirable sturdiness and flexibility you’d want the mount to have. Aluminum is also one of the lighter metals, making it easier to carry around and manage.
The lighter weight and the malleability of the metal also make it easier to attach it to other surfaces without damaging them.
Versatility
Try to get a versatile mount, if possible. We mentioned above that there are two critical positions for tablets, but other options exist. In all cases, you’ll need to attach the mount to your desk, monitor stand, or a similar sturdy base.
Therefore, you’ll need a base that can adjust to alternate bases. The more versatile it is, the better it will be for you because you can use the same mount and change positioning to discover which suits you best.
Rotation
Always choose a mount whose structure allows free rotation. Mounts with rotation capabilities typically have hinging brackets adjusted with T slots to allow players to twist the tablet angle to their preference. Such tablet mounts are ideal because you’ll likely change the angle several times during a single gaming session.
The Tablet Specifications
Your mount will clasp the tablet, so knowing which device you’ll be using instead of gauges is critical. An adjustable mount can accommodate a few different sizes, but that depends on how the sizes vary extensively.
For example, a mount made for tablets can’t accommodate a smartphone and vice versa. Therefore, decide which device you’ll use for the purpose before purchasing your mount.
Strength
Lastly, check for strength. Tablets and smartphones aren’t light as a feather, so your sim racing tablet mount must be strong enough to hold its weight. Weak mounts will eventually buckle under the pressure and cause the tablet or smartphone to fall.
It will cause avoidable damage, so it’s much better to choose a sturdy option in the first place.
Which Tablets are Best for Sim Racing?
We have already addressed how to get the right tablet mount for your sim racing rig, so why not look at the best tablet options? Following are the best sim racing tablets for players who don’t want to reuse their older products for the rig.
Lenovo Tab 7
The Lenovo Tab 7 is one of the best options for sim racing dashboard applications. It costs only $110, a small amount considering the price of the other components of a sim racing rig. It has a 7-inch display screen and a 720 x 1280 pixels resolution, making it ideal for the job.
The best part is that it weighs only 260g, so you won’t find it challenging to find a mount that can support it.
Amazon Fire 7
Amazon Fire 7 is a cheap but reliable tablet for sim racing. It costs only $50 but has all the necessary characteristics to make it a good tablet for the job. It has a 7-inch screen size and a 1024 x 600 resolution.
Its battery lasts for around 7 hours initially, with a charging time of 4 hours, making it a convenient choice. Also, it is an Amazon product, so it also comes with Alexa. Now, you can enjoy some information sessions with the trusted AI aide.
You won’t need better specs than the ones you’ll get with this tablet; however, Amazon also has upgraded versions, so you can choose those if you want better quality.
It weighs 286g, slightly heavier than the Lenovo Tab 7, so mounting it won’t be a hassle.
These two options are only for players who don’t want to use an older device for their setup; you can always choose an existing tablet to save some money. The sim dashboard doesn’t require sophisticated graphics, so regular tablets and smartphones are compatible.
Wrapping Up
Overall, your sim racing tablet mount needs to be versatile, sturdy, and lightweight. It needs to be compatible with the tablet you’ll be using for your gaming and should be positioned according to your comfort and convenience.
Additionally, choose the right tablet for your sim racing experience. Rest assured, you can’t go wrong with this step since most tablets can run the dashboard apps.
