Default Sim Spotters vs DRE

Compare and see the differences between the in-sim default spotters and Digital Race Engineer

Main Differences

Sim Spotters are native and require no extra installs.
For iRacing specifically, it provides knowledge of “go left” and “go right” for incidents ahead.

DRE covers everything the in-sim spotter does.
On top, DRE adds voice/button interaction with the spotter, advanced fueling, analytics, audio Signals and many verbal Alerts, not to mention to mountain of Quality-of-Life improvements, making your sim-racing a breeze 🏄‍♀️

Digital Race Engineer

DRE

  • Rapid and customizable spotter
  • Audio focused: Maximize your ears and free up your eyes to drive
  • Signals: Non-verbal sounds streaming info continuously
  • Sim UI navigation
  • Additional Tools: File Starter, Race Strategy, Action Camera, Gear Shift
  • Race Analytics & Graphs (Lap times, Fuel, Tire, Pit)
  • And much more, see the comparison below

Sim Spotters

  • Native: Installed with the simulator
  • Sampled voices: Pre-recorded voices relay the information
  • Basic spotter with limited variation
  • Just the spotter

Feature Match

All features in the default sim spotters are already included in DRE or planned work*

DRE Free alone covers 100% of Sim Spotters features and extends with further 70+ free features

Compare Features

Use the All ↔ Differences Only button below to see subscription tier variations

FeatureFreeEssentialsPerformanceUltimateSim Spotter
General
PlannedPlannedPlannedPlanned
App
Analytics
1Hz5Hz30Hz60Hz
10 sec10 sec5 sec5 sec
Voice Output
8/168/1616/1616/24
PlannedPlanned
PlannedPlannedPlannedPlanned
Voice Interaction
Local/Cloud (30 inputs per session)Local/CloudLocal/CloudLocal/Cloud
OptionalOptionalOptional
Situational Awareness
Camera
Session
Read-only and offline inspection
PlannedPlannedPlannedPlanned
PlannedPlannedPlanned
PlannedPlannedPlanned
Ambience
Grid
Fuel detailsAdjust
Lap
Limited
AdjustAdjustLimited
Flags
Position
Incidents
Adjust + later alertsAdjust + later alerts
Weather
Adjust
Limited
Car
Adjust
AdjustAdjustAdjust
Receive Only10 sec2 sec2 sec
Gear
Fuel
Limited
Limited
800ms300ms0ms0ms
Auto Fuel
Tires
Proximity
Overtake
Limited
Sector
AdjustAdjust
Pit
Opponents
Opponent Events
Leaders
File Starter
API & Integrations

FeatureFreeEssentialsPerformanceUltimateSim Spotter
General
PlannedPlannedPlannedPlanned
App
Analytics
1Hz5Hz30Hz60Hz
10 sec10 sec5 sec5 sec
Voice Output
8/168/1616/1616/24
PlannedPlanned
PlannedPlannedPlannedPlanned
Voice Interaction
Local/Cloud (30 inputs per session)Local/CloudLocal/CloudLocal/Cloud
OptionalOptionalOptional
Situational Awareness
Camera
Session
Read-only and offline inspection
PlannedPlannedPlannedPlanned
PlannedPlannedPlanned
PlannedPlannedPlanned
Ambience
Grid
Fuel detailsAdjust
Lap
Limited
AdjustAdjustLimited
Flags
Position
Incidents
Adjust + later alertsAdjust + later alerts
Weather
Adjust
Limited
Car
Adjust
AdjustAdjustAdjust
Receive Only10 sec2 sec2 sec
Gear
Fuel
Limited
Limited
800ms300ms0ms0ms
Auto Fuel
Tires
Proximity
Overtake
Limited
Sector
AdjustAdjust
Pit
Opponents
Opponent Events
Leaders
File Starter
API & Integrations

Testimonials

Useful info

DRE gives way more of useful info over voice than the default spotter

Ramex

Definitely worth it

I love the spotter’s information during tight racing especially. The pro version is definitely worth it. I don’t use to voice commands part, because I have a full dash panel and don’t need that. But I also understand a lot for not have that. […] Love your product. 

Best spotter app I’ve ever used

Marty Phillips

Literally changed my racing

Hey Egil, I’ve been really loving DRE for the last 2 months.

I seriously appreciate all of the time and effort you put into DRE, man. It’s literally changed my racing to the point I can’t race without it.

Jeremy Jones

GET STARTED NOW WITH DRE

* Comparing iRacing spotter 2024S2 and DRE 2024.1 and excluding: Sample Voices, Incident side info (go left, go right)

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