DSC Sport Magnetic Shock controller observations
09-04-2017, 12:01 PM
#1061
Keep in mind there were bugs in the early firmware. The ones I found were the speed table not working correctly, rebound and compression were swapped, and the signs were swapped (increasing the percentage was decreasing the damping). There may have been others. The 8-14 firmware corrected the speed table and rebound/compression but not the swapped signs. The 8-28 firmware corrected the swapped signs. Mike had confirmed the bugs and I can now confirm they are all corrected with the latest firmware.
With all of these changes it only makes sense that a new PDTS file is released for only this version of the firmware. The old files were probably tailored by trial and error to compensate for the bugs. I think these changes are significant enough that you need to start from scratch using the 8-31 PDTS file. The advantage is you should now be able to get predictable results; i.e., when you increase the percentage in compression you will actually be increasing the damping in compression and not decreasing the damping in rebound. For someone that knows what they are doing (not me) that means they should be able to more quickly tailor their car to the track they are running.
I'm going to drive around with the 8-31 PDTS file for a while before I make any changes. My initial observations are the ride is good but may be a little soft (may bottom out and oscillate over dips). It is interesting that the rear shocks are softer in compression in Sport and Track mode - it seams like it would be even more susceptible to bottoming out than Tour. But there may be some stuff going on behind the scenes.
Although this may be frustrating to some, I think we are lucky to have a company that is responsive and not trying to keep complete control of their product.
With all of these changes it only makes sense that a new PDTS file is released for only this version of the firmware. The old files were probably tailored by trial and error to compensate for the bugs. I think these changes are significant enough that you need to start from scratch using the 8-31 PDTS file. The advantage is you should now be able to get predictable results; i.e., when you increase the percentage in compression you will actually be increasing the damping in compression and not decreasing the damping in rebound. For someone that knows what they are doing (not me) that means they should be able to more quickly tailor their car to the track they are running.
I'm going to drive around with the 8-31 PDTS file for a while before I make any changes. My initial observations are the ride is good but may be a little soft (may bottom out and oscillate over dips). It is interesting that the rear shocks are softer in compression in Sport and Track mode - it seams like it would be even more susceptible to bottoming out than Tour. But there may be some stuff going on behind the scenes.
Although this may be frustrating to some, I think we are lucky to have a company that is responsive and not trying to keep complete control of their product.
I totally get that the software needs to be correct for all the "tweakers" out there, so when they make a change, the parameter changed needs to move in the intended direction. However, I'm not one of those people. My convertible is never going to be on a track, but it has become an awesome street car.
The reason I'm posting this is that I think a lot of this discussion may be scaring some away, who don't want to become "chassis engineers," and just want a more capable and pleasurable street car. That would be a shame.
Last edited by Foosh; 09-04-2017 at 12:02 PM.
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RKCRLR (09-04-2017)
09-04-2017, 12:03 PM
#1062
Safety Car
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Keep in mind there were bugs in the early firmware. The ones I found were the speed table not working correctly, rebound and compression were swapped, and the signs were swapped (increasing the percentage was decreasing the damping). There may have been others. The 8-14 firmware corrected the speed table and rebound/compression but not the swapped signs. The 8-28 firmware corrected the swapped signs. Mike had confirmed the bugs and I can now confirm they are all corrected with the latest firmware.
With all of these changes it only makes sense that a new PDTS file is released for only this version of the firmware. The old files were probably tailored by trial and error to compensate for the bugs. I think these changes are significant enough that you need to start from scratch using the 8-31 PDTS file. The advantage is you should now be able to get predictable results; i.e., when you increase the percentage in compression you will actually be increasing the damping in compression and not decreasing the damping in rebound. For someone that knows what they are doing (not me) that means they should be able to more quickly tailor their car to the track they are running.
I'm going to drive around with the 8-31 PDTS file for a while before I make any changes. My initial observations are the ride is good but may be a little soft (may bottom out and oscillate over dips). It is interesting that the rear shocks are softer in compression in Sport and Track mode - it seams like it would be even more susceptible to bottoming out than Tour. But there may be some stuff going on behind the scenes.
Although this may be frustrating to some, I think we are lucky to have a company that is responsive and not trying to keep complete control of their product.
With all of these changes it only makes sense that a new PDTS file is released for only this version of the firmware. The old files were probably tailored by trial and error to compensate for the bugs. I think these changes are significant enough that you need to start from scratch using the 8-31 PDTS file. The advantage is you should now be able to get predictable results; i.e., when you increase the percentage in compression you will actually be increasing the damping in compression and not decreasing the damping in rebound. For someone that knows what they are doing (not me) that means they should be able to more quickly tailor their car to the track they are running.
I'm going to drive around with the 8-31 PDTS file for a while before I make any changes. My initial observations are the ride is good but may be a little soft (may bottom out and oscillate over dips). It is interesting that the rear shocks are softer in compression in Sport and Track mode - it seams like it would be even more susceptible to bottoming out than Tour. But there may be some stuff going on behind the scenes.
Although this may be frustrating to some, I think we are lucky to have a company that is responsive and not trying to keep complete control of their product.
I came to the same thoughts when I viewed the NEW file settings.I haven't given up on the 08-28-17 Firmware and trying out the NEW file.
I'm sure I'll get the itch to change some settings
But right now, even with the 08-14-17 Firmware bugs, my setup has given "me" the best results I'm looking for.
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RKCRLR (09-04-2017)
09-04-2017, 01:45 PM
#1063
Melting Slicks
I loaded the new software that is now shown on their webpage and went out for a 30 min ride. I'm sold on this latest release.
Anyone that is thinking about purchasing this controller should do so if they want a more compliant soft ride in TOUR mode and then a better more firmer ride in SPORT and TRACK.
There is no need to make any adjustments, those of us you see doing so are just trying to optimize the car to our liking for either the street or the track.
Can't wait for my upcoming autocross this weekend.
Anyone that is thinking about purchasing this controller should do so if they want a more compliant soft ride in TOUR mode and then a better more firmer ride in SPORT and TRACK.
There is no need to make any adjustments, those of us you see doing so are just trying to optimize the car to our liking for either the street or the track.
Can't wait for my upcoming autocross this weekend.
09-04-2017, 04:53 PM
#1065
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The shocks are not softer in Sport than in Track, everyone is now overly focused on the Velocity tab, lol. Shock stiffness is defined by the Shock Calibration tab, which is stiffer in Sport/Track vs Tour. Velocity adjusts rebound and compression independently of each other off the Shock Cal.
I have flashed the Sport section onto my Tour mode since it seems really good on the street. We don't have a lot of suspension travel so too soft just makes it feel bouncy, which I am done trying to tame. Short travel means it will just need to be stiffer, at the end of the day. Sport feels really good. I will leave Track for the road course and I think I will turn Sport into a drag racing setup.
I have flashed the Sport section onto my Tour mode since it seems really good on the street. We don't have a lot of suspension travel so too soft just makes it feel bouncy, which I am done trying to tame. Short travel means it will just need to be stiffer, at the end of the day. Sport feels really good. I will leave Track for the road course and I think I will turn Sport into a drag racing setup.
09-04-2017, 06:57 PM
#1066
Melting Slicks
The shocks are not softer in Sport than in Track, everyone is now overly focused on the Velocity tab, lol. Shock stiffness is defined by the Shock Calibration tab, which is stiffer in Sport/Track vs Tour. Velocity adjusts rebound and compression independently of each other off the Shock Cal.
I have flashed the Sport section onto my Tour mode since it seems really good on the street. We don't have a lot of suspension travel so too soft just makes it feel bouncy, which I am done trying to tame. Short travel means it will just need to be stiffer, at the end of the day. Sport feels really good. I will leave Track for the road course and I think I will turn Sport into a drag racing setup.
I have flashed the Sport section onto my Tour mode since it seems really good on the street. We don't have a lot of suspension travel so too soft just makes it feel bouncy, which I am done trying to tame. Short travel means it will just need to be stiffer, at the end of the day. Sport feels really good. I will leave Track for the road course and I think I will turn Sport into a drag racing setup.
09-04-2017, 07:25 PM
#1067
I think you'll be happy with Tour mode out of the box from DSC. It's far more comfortable than the OEM Tour setting. Sport mode w/ the DSC is also much more comfortable than OEM Sport mode.
A lot of folks here like to experiment with different settings, and that's great. However, you need not do anything, and it's a dramatic improvement over the OEM controller. Almost everyone is amazed with the big enhancement when they first plug it in, but then many get the itch to experiment. I've had mine for 9 months now, I've resisted that urge, and am still absolutely thrilled with it.
A lot of folks here like to experiment with different settings, and that's great. However, you need not do anything, and it's a dramatic improvement over the OEM controller. Almost everyone is amazed with the big enhancement when they first plug it in, but then many get the itch to experiment. I've had mine for 9 months now, I've resisted that urge, and am still absolutely thrilled with it.
Last edited by Foosh; 09-04-2017 at 07:35 PM.
09-04-2017, 08:07 PM
#1068
Race Director
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The nice thing about it is you can run sport and as long as you are just cruising, it isn't stiff due to the G Force table, which you can also edit to keep things soft longer if you want.
Around where I am the roads suck too much for Tour, it just bounces like crazy. I need to slow the shocks down like sport does.
Around where I am the roads suck too much for Tour, it just bounces like crazy. I need to slow the shocks down like sport does.
09-04-2017, 08:28 PM
#1069
I love the "out of the box" firmware and the included pdts. files, which for me was the 8-14-17 firmware-pdts files. When the 8-28-17 firmware came out I loaded it.
I went right back to the 8-14-17 firmware and included files.
This is it for me.
Tour feels like, well-tour mode.
Sport feels firm, but still comfortable. Big difference from tour.
Track feels like "Track".
THANK YOU DSC SPORT!
I went right back to the 8-14-17 firmware and included files.
This is it for me.
Tour feels like, well-tour mode.
Sport feels firm, but still comfortable. Big difference from tour.
Track feels like "Track".
THANK YOU DSC SPORT!
Last edited by Flyingscot; 09-04-2017 at 08:29 PM.
09-04-2017, 08:38 PM
#1070
I'm a Mustang guy and I find it interesting that, despite vast differences in weight, balance, etc. the Shelby pdts files were virtually identical to the Corvette's for the first six months or so. Recent calibrations, I'm pleased to report, are vastly different.
09-04-2017, 08:46 PM
#1071
Safety Car
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They're very helpful
And with the latest Firmware update you just need to install the Controller and Zero the shocks.
If you back track through this thread there's tons of info and instructions.
And/or there's info on the DSC website also
09-04-2017, 09:36 PM
#1072
I like this thing and I am keeping it, just don't like the bounce on tour. Granted I have VERY bouncy highways in Dallas.
09-04-2017, 10:37 PM
#1073
Le Mans Master
Am I the only one who likes the pre- 8/17 tour mode best? I feel like I'm oscillating in tour mode
09-04-2017, 11:01 PM
#1075
There is no verdict except they're all an improvement over stock. Different people seem to like different things. Quite frankly, the original firmware and pdts files were damned good. I think the 8/14 firmware w/ the std pdts files added a slight improvement in Tour float/bounce. I'm going to leave well enough alone for now, and not bother w/ the 8/28 firmware.
Last edited by Foosh; 09-04-2017 at 11:02 PM.
09-05-2017, 12:14 AM
#1076
Le Mans Master
where can i find the pre-8/14 tour data/file?
09-05-2017, 12:24 AM
#1077
The Tour pdts files didn't change w/ any of the firmware updates. Only the firmware changed, primarily with new velocity settings, which apparently changed the way the pdts files behave. The Tour file you had pre-8/14 is likely the same file that came w/ the 8/14 firmware download, unless you had originally requested "Tour Plush."
There have always been only two DSC Tour files, regular, and "Tour Plush." Others have modified those files and saved them for their own use. Dif has posted a couple of his Tour files here.
If you want to go back to the way it felt originally, you'd have to go back to the original firmware.
There have always been only two DSC Tour files, regular, and "Tour Plush." Others have modified those files and saved them for their own use. Dif has posted a couple of his Tour files here.
If you want to go back to the way it felt originally, you'd have to go back to the original firmware.
Last edited by Foosh; 09-05-2017 at 12:30 AM.
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Dif (09-05-2017)
09-05-2017, 06:30 AM
#1078
Originally Posted by Dif
Register on The DSC website and order it direct from them.
They're very helpfulNo, from the settings I see in Tour, it's the same as it always was.
And with the latest Firmware update you just need to install the Controller and Zero the shocks.
If you back track through this thread there's tons of info and instructions.
And/or there's info on the DSC website also
They're very helpful
No, from the settings I see in Tour, it's the same as it always was.And with the latest Firmware update you just need to install the Controller and Zero the shocks.
If you back track through this thread there's tons of info and instructions.
And/or there's info on the DSC website also
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Dif (09-05-2017)
09-05-2017, 10:19 AM
#1079
Le Mans Master
To me, the 8-28 firmware with the 8-31 pdts file seems to be the best compromise between comfort and float so far in Tour. But I haven't driven on it extensively and haven't spent much time much in Sport (and none in Track).
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Flyingscot (09-05-2017)
09-05-2017, 10:45 AM
#1080
Melting Slicks
Just picked one up for my 17 grand sport. It's hard to believe it makes such a massive difference. I'm ready to feel it! I just got the car Saturday and the main thing I couldn't figure out is how I couldn't feel a lot of difference in suspension depending on the road.
