Hello Maz, everybody:
Grab your popcorn and a nice beverage, this is going to be a lengthy one...
I first shared this information with Maz via PM yesterday afternoon, and I guess I should go ahead and share it with everybody reading this thread now. I went out and bought a DFGT yesterday. Yes, I know, I already have G25. Nothing was wrong with it. It is fine, no problems. I read some comments by osrg in the Enhance Your Skills round 11 thread, in which he was describing his transition from the G25 to the DFGT. I guess I just couldn't help myself, so I went out and got a DFGT Friday afternoon to test it out.
I will completely understand if many--if not all of you--now question my sanity. Who in their right mind would go out and buy a DFGT if they had a perfectly good G25? Well, all I can tell you is that--Like Maz--the GT series is by far my favorite passtime/hobby. Up until GT5P, I had played all of the GT games against no other competition other than the pathetic AI that Kaz and crew had put in the previous games. My major source of competition was basically getting golds on the license tests, acquiring all the (good) cars, and trying to better my personal best times. I purchased the PS3 mainly to play the GT games (and to a much lesser extent, games like the GTA series). I went out and bought GT5P when it first came out, and played it for about 6 weeks, until I became somewhat bored with it. I quit playing from roughly last May until February of 2009, when I first was able to get Broadband Internet service at home. It was shortly after this, late Feb. early Mar. of this year I guess, when I stumbled upon the GTPlanet forums. Needless to say, my eyes have been opened. I have gone from thinking I was quite fast, to realizing what true speed is, and how far I need to go in order to compete with the fastest drivers here (as well as actually "earn" my Div. 2 Gold status).
After trying to compete with my sixaxis controller, I quickly realized I was never going to be fast enough, nor consistent enough to compete at the level I would like to here. So I became determined to get a wheel and dedicate myself to becoming as good of a driver as I am capable of in this game. After making steady progress with the G25 the last couple of weeks, I was feeling confident about my prospects for continued progress in the run up to (the eventual?) GT5 release. Now, my choice to go with the G25 was not a rock solid lock. I had seriously considered going with the DFGT instead. Among other things, I thought to myself "I like the wheel itself, with the button layouts, I like the fact it was developed--at least in part--with a considerable amount of input from Mr. Yamauchi himself, and top drivers like DHolland, Mad94d, and Spyrrari--among others--use it and seem to be very happy with it." So, when I read osrg's comments Thursday night, I just had an overwhelming urge to go out and try the DFGT. I thought to myself, "If I am able to gain even .1 per lap with it, it will have been worth it." I want to be the best driver I can possibly be, and I make no apologies for it. I know it looks/seems crazy
, and maybe it is
, but I will do anything I reasonably can to improve đź‘Ť
Here is what I found out last night. On the whole, the DFGT and G25 are very much on par with each other.
First, the pros of the DFGT: as most people have said, the wheel itself is the biggest strength of the DFGT. I love the extra buttons on the wheel. I can see these being much more efficient than the G25--I was using the red and black buttons on the G25 shifter for functions such as ghost and rear view. With the DFGT, you can use easily accessible buttons on the wheel itself to access these all important functions. I imagine the DFGT would have a slight edge over the G25 in a tight race in which you were constantly needing to use rear view. As far as left and right view, that's pretty much a push, as the G25 has the two red buttons located on the wheel which can be used for that.
As for force feedback, it's MUCH smoother on the DFGT than the G25. I initially started out using FFB @ 5 at this week's WRS, and found that it wasn't quite enough, so I raised it to 10 and it is ideal. Much better than FFB 10 was on the G25. Not nearly as violent. It gives you all the extra feedback on what the car is doing (i.e. before oversteer moments, etc.) without being as difficult to turn as the G25 at the same setting. I guess only time will tell how often, if at all, this will need to be adjusted from combo to combo. Also, I would echo osrg's comments on the FFB.
I would agree that there are fewer "dead spots" in the DFGT's FFB than there are in the G25, but this is only my opinion. It's very slight, but it seems that the DFGT has a more constant/consistent feel of tension/feedback than the G25 does.
As for the overall feel of the wheel, honestly the DFGT has the slightest edge based simply on the fact that overall it is slightly smoother than the G25. You don't have to be quite as forceful to reign the car in during oversteer for example.
Also, while not affecting driving performance, I am finding it useful to be able to fully use the DFGT as I would a sixaxis controller when I have to navigate through menus.
Now for the cons of the DFGT:
The pedals...The first thing I immediately noticed when driving, is that the pedals are sooo much lighter than the G25. It took me about 5 full laps at DR to finally get the hang of using them. In particular, the brake on the DFGT does not give you feedback in quite the same way as the G25, and I guess I still prefer the G25 in that department. I am finding the throttle to be just as responsive as the G25, and actually, it is somewhat less stressful on the foot muscles and lower leg muscles to use the DFGT throttle for extended periods.
The wheel noise with the DFGT is slightly annoying to me. Nothing major, but it is more noticeable than the G25.
The paddle shifters--this is probably my major complaint with the DFGT so far. I may just have short fingers, but I am finding that their location forces me to extend my middle fingers in such a way that it slightly alters the position of my hands on the wheel. After about an hour and a half session at DR tonight, I am getting more used to this, but it is still a minor source of annoyance/irritation. In this category, the G25 far surpasses the DFGT in terms of paddle shifter location and quality. Also, the DFGT shifters barely make a sound when you press them, and it is also fairly easy to miss a shift (especially downshifts, I am finding) with these shifters.
As far as mounting the DFGT, I have it mounted to my G25 edition wheelstand. I looked for a good two minutes I guess, trying to find holes in which to place the screws that went into the G25, but there aren't any such holes on the DFGT, unless I am just missing something. No worries however. It appears to be quite secure by simply clamping it to the metal plate on the wheelstand. As for the pedals, there were also no holes in which to place the screw that held the G25 pedals, but they seem to be plenty secure by simply placing them on the rubber pads on the base of the wheelstand.
All this having been said. After an hour and a half tonight, I am a little over .1 quicker through sector 3 at this week's WRS. Do I think this was due to the DFGT? Not necessarily. Before I went to bed Thrusday night, I was starting to find my rhythm at DR and had taken a little over .3 off my split times that evening. However, I have been able to continue to consolidate those gains so far with the DFGT, so it has performed really well so far, I think.
I guess my first impression when comparing the two wheels would be--near parity. I guess the choice between the two wheels would come down to each individual driver's tastes. To be honest, I don't think you could go wrong with either wheel. I guess I will know more in the days and weeks ahead. But for right now, I am going to continue to use the DFGT at least for a little while longer and see what more it has to offer.
All in all, I guess I am wishing I had had a chance to test out both wheels before I bought them. I guess I would have gone with the DFGT knowing what I know now. I would have saved about $100 on the wheel and about $30 on the wheelstand
But hindsight is always 20/20 as they say.
Now, for those of you out there who are thinking about getting a wheel, or upgrading your current wheel, don't get me wrong.
The G25 is awesome, and I will probably go back to using it very soon (especially if I begin to find/think I may be faster by going back to it
).
Plenty of fast guys (Timo, Hyperspeed, MAY, etc.) use it. If you have a G25,
don't worry--You can't go wrong either way you go. The G25 and DFGT both have their advantages/disadvantages. I guess choosing which wheel is right for you all comes down to feel and personal preference. Just as some drivers prefer a "loose" setup, there are others who prefer a "tight" setup. So far, I have learned that the same concept holds true for wheels as well.
Just don't be an idiot like me,
Do your homework before you buy a wheel and then stick with that wheel.
Unless you are GT-obsessed like me, in that case, I guess you will do whatever you think it takes to make yourself go faster
But you're right, I hated it with a controller. Great to see you two now matching your previous div 2 times. Keep up the great driving.đź‘Ť
on your outstanding
Welcome to the dual wheel club! I purchased the G25 back in July last year, weeks before i even purchased the PS3 or GT5P!
DFP, G25, GT 3 RS Clubsport. 
but in Australia we have no option as i'm sure the Fanatec wheel won't be available via a retail store out here......... i went to my local Dick Smith Electronics store and they had no idea if they were the distributor or not, contrary to rumors i've heard that they are.
its so "hardcore", simple, powerfull, important pieces are made in steal and the most important thing.... the CLUTCH 
