Controller vs wheel

[NBH]

With the new more realistic physics in GT5P and GT5, do people think that the only way to drive the cars properly and do fast lap times is with a proper steering wheel and pedal set up?

It seems pretty difficult now to have the steering, brake and throttle control you need with the buttons on a PS3 controller when you use professional physics and have the traction control and stability manager turned off.

I mean on pedals you are talking about several centimetres between for example no braking and maximum braking so you have much more control over it compared to a button on a controller which only depresses a few millimetres.

The reason I ask is because seeing some peoples online lap times I am some 8 seconds a lap slower. Now I admit I'm not some GT superstar or anything but I feel like there is only so much control over the car I can get using a controller, especially with the higher powered cars and definitely the F1 2007.* I have never tried a wheel and pedal set up, would people who can compare say that you can get quicker lap times using it?

If so, what do you think about online lap times being separated into times set with a controller and times set with a wheel or at least have it indicated on screen which type of controller the time was set with similar to Mario Kart Wii (if anyone has played that!?)

 

[Cheshyrkat]

No doubt a proper set up and wheel will yield better times

 

[Parnelli Bone]

With the new more realistic physics in GT5P and GT5, do people think that the only way to drive the cars properly and do fast lap times is with a proper steering wheel and pedal set up?

It seems pretty difficult now to have the steering, brake and throttle control you need with the buttons on a PS3 controller when you use professional physics and have the traction control and stability manager turned off.

I mean on pedals you are talking about several centimetres between for example no braking and maximum braking so you have much more control over it compared to a button on a controller which only depresses a few millimetres.

The reason I ask is because seeing some peoples online lap times I am some 8 seconds a lap slower. Now I admit I'm not some GT superstar or anything but I feel like there is only so much control over the car I can get using a controller, especially with the higher powered cars and definitely the F1 2007.* I have never tried a wheel and pedal set up, would people who can compare say that you can get quicker lap times using it?

Isn't there already a thread about this? Probably.

Personally, I'm about as good as I'm ever gonna get with a dual-shock. Been playing via DS2 since 2003...I doubt I'll ever match my DS times with a wheel. I bought a wheel a couple years back (GT3 days) and SUCKED so bad, I actually wound up returning the wheel to GameStop within a week or so.

If so, what do you think about online lap times being separated into times set with a controller and times set with a wheel or at least have it indicated on screen which type of controller the time was set with similar to Mario Kart Wii (if anyone has played that!?)

I have some friends who have Mario Kart on the Wii. Lotso fun. I'm good at the tracks, but suck at avoiding all the crap that flies at you!

It would be cool to have times separated, but it wouldn't bother me if this feature wasn't implemented by PD. I'm sure there will be a way to do this manually in GT5 though.

 

[TorqueHappenS08]

I use to play on a sixaxis, Bit the bullet and bought a DFGT at best buy, And practiacally halved my lap times. Another thing i noticed, Driving on GT5p with a sixaxis was very boring imo, i would often ask my self what would a wheel be like. I found out, and now i can't go back. It completely changed the game, Sim racing tonight and all the other reviews were right, This game was made for a wheel.

 

[Jump_Ace]

No doubt a proper set up and wheel will yield better times

I would hesitate to say that, I am a very strong driver with a controller since I have been using a controller with GT from day 1 and I struggle to match and beat my times with a wheel sometimes and I'd say I have an average setup. You probably will get better times, but just not everyone does Just keep at it and time will melt away.

Jerome

 

[Parnelli Bone]

I use to play on a sixaxis, Bit the bullet and bought a DFGT at best buy, And practiacally halved my lap times. Another thing i noticed, Driving on GT5p with a sixaxis was very boring imo, i would often ask my self what would a wheel be like. I found out, and now i can't go back. It completely changed the game, Sim racing tonight and all the other reviews were right, This game was made for a wheel.

I would agree. Driving GT5P with a sixaxis doesn't seem right, especially when you're using the cockpit view.

 

[The Jenius]

I think they should definitely seperate, or indicate what type of controller, It might lead to more people buying wheels if people could see what others were using, I think its just a good way to level the playing field.

 

[Kryz11]

Smoother = better times. Go with a wheel! Thats the point of playing a SIM game.

 

[IsmokeGT]

Smoother = better times.

If you watch the number one TT rankings, that is not true. Not only with steering inputs, but with throttle and braking also.
A wheel will certainly be more precise, and give the ability to be smoother, but being smoother is not always faster.

 

[Kryz11]

If you watch the number one TT rankings, that is not true. Not only with steering inputs, but with throttle and braking also.
A wheel will certainly be more precise, and give the ability to be smoother, but being smoother is not always faster.

Yeah true as well, but I think people need to be smooth at first to be get the hang of it..

But true, look at this guy in the RUF.

 

[IsmokeGT]

Yeah true as well, but I think people need to be smooth at first to be get the hang of it..

I failed to mention one thing- not being smooth is only good for TT, or a hot lap. Once we get tire wear and mechanical damage smoothness will be vital to winning a race. 👍

Great video BTW, he should have a helmet on! Is his car AWD? And, we dont know how fast his lap would have been if he was smoother, I doubt it would be much faster. He is pushing hard!

 

[Webbster3`]

Last year was when I made the step from controller to wheel, I chose the Logitec Pro force GT and have never looked back! I feel the wheel does make it possible to get a quicker lap time but it can be harder to get consistent laps. Obviously there is a period of time when you change from the controller to the wheel where you get frustrated by the wheel and can only produce fast times with the controller but its definitely worth being patient with. Not only can you produce faster times with the wheel but I would say I have doubled the enjoyment factor of driving games since using the wheel.

 

[ST-2]

Yeah true as well, but I think people need to be smooth at first to be get the hang of it..

But true, look at this guy in the RUF.

That guy is insane... those bikes must have had bricks when he flew past.

 

[EAsports017]

Playing with the G25/27 makes for a lot more control over brakeing and accelerating, but the disadvantage to the wheel is that it takes more time to crank the wheel one direction, whereas on the sixaxis, just tapping the analog stick to the side cranks the wheel. So if your racing a track with all hairpins, then id go with the sixaxis.

 

[ploopsy]

I like them both. I can do pretty well with either and I can still race my wheel using buddy with a controller.

I like being able to sit back on the couch and relax instead of always having to sit in the chassis.

 

[Jev]

yes, playing with a wheel+pedal setup yields better lap time than using the regular dualshock/sixaxis controller... not only GT5P but every other racing game i have ever owned/played since my 360 days ;-)

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Don't agree with the "wheel/pedals makes you faster" business. I've used a G25, DFGT, Driving Force Pro and a SIXAXIS, controller always yielded the fastest lap times.

 

[Northstar]

It all comes down to preference. Some of the best GT players use a controller. Dividing the leader boards by controller type is stupid by the way, if your fast your fast no matter what you are using controller wise.

 

[Earth]

Many people criticize Gran Turismo as not a real simulator because those with controllers can be competitive while a controller would never work on a PC sim. The reason why a controller works in Gran Turismo to a degree is because Polyphony Digital puts alot of effort and resources into tuning the controls to work with a DS3 as most people dont have a wheel. PC sim companies spend 0 time making their sims work well with joysticks/pads and that's why they don't work with those sims, not because the driving physics are any tougher.

A wheel is better, there is no contest

+ no blistered thumbs
+ force feed back lets you know when your car is losing or lost grip
+ smoother inputs for steering, brakes, and acceleration
+ much more realistic feel

- requires a stand (there are plenty for around $20 at department stores)
- may take as long as a few months before you are able to match and exceed controller times depending on how much time you invest

 

[Radracing]

Yes I think a wheel is in order for a driving SIM game otherwise you are just playing a video or RC game with a pad no matter how good the pyshics are.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Don't agree with the "wheel/pedals makes you faster" business. I've used a G25, DFGT, Driving Force Pro and a SIXAXIS, controller always yielded the fastest lap times.

With this said, I don't actually use the SIXAXIS. The G25's sitting on my computer desk now and I primarily use the Driving Force GT unless I'm drifting in Gran Turismo 4 where the force feedback puts it out of control whereas the controller limits spinouts nicely.

 

[TorqueHappenS08]

I dont care if you are faster with a controller, Any body can hit triggers and toggle a joy pad, I remember drifting on the sixaxis, I just turned and pulled off amazing power overs with ease, I tried that on the DFGT and got my arse handed to me. Point is, sure you can go faster on a controller, But it does not feel rewarding, just you sitting in a chair occasionally mashing buttons, I like to sit conformable in my chair, grab hold of the wheel and take control, Just like i do my wemon.

 

[socomkiller59]

I feel as if I'm the only one who uses both sticks of the DS3 controller- that way, you can set up you want for throttle control, and how much steering degree you want. Its my personal reference, but untill the day I decide to get a wheel, I will use the sticks.

 

[CCXRacer]

Many people criticize Gran Turismo as not a real simulator because those with controllers can be competitive while a controller would never work on a PC sim. The reason why a controller works in Gran Turismo to a degree is because Polyphony Digital puts alot of effort and resources into tuning the controls to work with a DS3 as most people dont have a wheel. PC sim companies spend 0 time making their sims work well with joysticks/pads and that's why they don't work with those sims, not because the driving physics are any tougher.

A wheel is better, there is no contest

+ no blistered thumbs
+ force feed back lets you know when your car is losing or lost grip
+ smoother inputs for steering, brakes, and acceleration
+ much more realistic feel

- requires a stand (there are plenty for around $20 at department stores)
- may take as long as a few months before you are able to match and exceed controller times depending on how much time you invest

if you get blisters from playing video games...theres issues

 

[Myansie]

I feel as if I'm the only one who uses both sticks of the DS3 controller- that way, you can set up you want for throttle control, and how much steering degree you want. Its my personal reference, but untill the day I decide to get a wheel, I will use the sticks.

This man, right stick as throttle/brake is the bomb.

I've never used a steering wheel though. I'm waiting for GT5 to make the plunge.

 

[steiner]

I mean on pedals you are talking about several centimetres between for example no braking and maximum braking so you have much more control over it compared to a button on a controller which only depresses a few millimetres.

as far as i know the strength of each button is measured by the applied pressure on it not by how far u have pushed it in.
at least on PS3 controllers. i think xbox buttons are just digital, but i may be wrong here.

 

[socomkiller59]

This man, right stick as throttle/brake is the bomb.

I've never used a steering wheel though. I'm waiting for GT5 to make the plunge.

Thanks dude- wish more people would do the same thing I do.

 

[Gejost]

It seems pretty difficult now to have the steering, brake and throttle control you need with the buttons on a PS3 controller when you use professional physics and have the traction control and stability manager turned off.

I mean on pedals you are talking about several centimetres between for example no braking and maximum braking so you have much more control over it compared to a button on a controller which only depresses a few millimetres.

Why use the buttons when you have analog triggers and two thumbsticks? Those buttons are great for shifting and changing view and stuff, things that aren't pressure sensitive.

But you are right of course that you have much more control of the car with a steering wheel and pedals. Not only that, it's much more fun also.

 

[scooterlord]

..I admit I had fun using the controller and finished almost all events with GOLD medals, but after buying the G25 along with the wheelstandpro, I have to tell you...it's a whole new experience. It doesn't matter if you do better times... but its a lot more FUN.

As soon as I got the wheel I switched to professional physics because of my excitement, and although I have several new games I want to play, I always have GT on my mind because of the use of G25. I was expecting it to be good, but not THIS good!

 

[Detroitbb]

After getting the Logitec wheel along with GT3 (and the better Logitec wheel with GT4), i'll never willingly go back to a controller - right now i'm struggling so much with GT PSP that I often dream of finding a way to hook up my wheel (oh, how I wish!).

As for the 'fastest' way - whatever the end user is most comfortable using.