Learning curve when going from controller to wheel

[h8rhrtr]

Greetings,

My wife recently surprised me with a new Driving Force GT to play GT5. And while I am certainly gratefully, I am a bit worried she may have wasted her money, because... well... I suck. I was pretty good with a controller, but I've never played with a wheel. I keep running off the track, and I constantly struggle controlling any cars rear end. I'm just not as fast, because I am trying to keep the car from sliding all other the place. I do play without assists, except ABS. Maybe I should try playing with them on? I don't know...

My question is, did you do better when you switched to a wheel, or worse? How long did it take you to be as good as you were on a controller?

 

[bevo]

There is a learning curve. Just keep practicing and your lap times will start to fall. It takes awhile, but I imagine that once you get use to the wheel, you'll be faster then you were with a controller. Start out with some slower cars until you get use to it, then start moving yourself up.

 

[Jav]

Keep going at it! Get some laps on your belt and before you know it you'll never go back to the controller!

 

[eric1971]

You can be much more precise with the wheel, so with practice, you will be faster. When I first switched to a wheel (GT4 and a DFP) I also made the auto-manual switch. It took about a week of playing until I was better with the wheel. Now it just seems so natural, I could not imagine playing with a controller.

 

[UK-Gamer]

Play on like High-Speed Ring. Turns, not to sharp and an S-turn. Then go onto harder tracks.

 

[CaptainSlow]

My advice to you also would be to NOT jump in and try a fast car and powerful car. I just got the Fanatec wheel and what I've been doing is just going through the license tests since they teach you how to drive and what better way to learn how the wheel works than with those tests. Once you get the hang of it start increasing the difficulty of practice tracks and practice cars and pretty soon you'll get the hang of everything.

 

[h8rhrtr]

Ok. Thanks for the advice and encouragement, fellas. I'll keep at it, and hopefully improvement will come. Need to be ready for GT Academy...

Last question, how much of a difference did a wheel stand make? I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I am playing with the wheel attached to an ironing board. Hey, that's all I had... I am planning on buying a wheel stand, but I'm curious as to how much of a difference that will make when I switch.

 

[eric1971]

Ok. Thanks for the advice and encouragement, fellas. I'll keep at it, and hopefully improvement will come. Need to be ready for GT Academy...

Last question, how much of a difference did a wheel stand make? I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I am playing with the wheel attached to an ironing board. Hey, that's all I had... I am planning on buying a wheel stand, but I'm curious as to how much of a difference that will make when I switch.

I used an ironing board along with a few other awkward ideas for GT4 and I did not like any of them. Something like the Wheel Stand Pro or the Playseat EVO (my choice) will complete the experience. Struggling with platforms that are unstable and peddles that don't stay put will eventually make you hate using the wheel IMO.

 

[tezster]

...

Last question, how much of a difference did a wheel stand make? I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I am playing with the wheel attached to an ironing board. Hey, that's all I had... I am planning on buying a wheel stand, but I'm curious as to how much of a difference that will make when I switch.

Depends how ideal (or not) your current setup is. Some people have done quite well securing their wheels to some type of a portable table you can find at Wal-Mart, Ikea or similar stores. The goal is simply to secure both the wheel and pedal so they remain stable even during moments aggressive driving, while at the same time being positioned within comfortable reach.

I absolutely love my wheel stand

 

[CaptainSlow]

I was using a TV tray from Walmart. I recently got my Rennsport wheel stand and it is simply superb. It's so nice to have the stability. If I were you I'd try and find an extra $130 (+shipping) and get one. I think they are sold out now so you may have to wait till the new year to get the new version.

I'd really recommend getting a wheel stand.

 

[kd283]

I've been playing with a wheel since gt4 and i will never go back. Once you crack it you will be faster much faster.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Andretti]

Ok. Thanks for the advice and encouragement, fellas. I'll keep at it, and hopefully improvement will come. Need to be ready for GT Academy...

Last question, how much of a difference did a wheel stand make? I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I am playing with the wheel attached to an ironing board. Hey, that's all I had... I am planning on buying a wheel stand, but I'm curious as to how much of a difference that will make when I switch.

I'd highly encourage you to look into some of the pvc cockpit builds that are around here. I just got my wheel two weeks ago and am still working on building my cockpit. I searched the site and the thread on 'cheap cockpit builds' was extremely helpful in leading me towards a decision on which one I wanted to build.


andretti

 

[Mastakojo]

I had a PVC cockpit built. However, I found that it is too light weight especially if u have a H shifter mounted onto it. I played with it for 6 months before mounting my rig with wood. It's much heavier and much more stable. I used an old cabinet as a the rig. I'll show some pictures tmr.

 

[JDMJim]

I just got a dfgt, I was horrible with it but now in just a day I can nail some basic drifts and I'm much more fancy with my fast flick overtakes, what I did was just went to pratice mode and just picked a track and a decent car and ran laps over and over and over for about 3 hours, when I got bored I would switch it up and try to drift as well.

 

[Macbookpro1987]

I just got a wheel and I was pretty pathetic for a while. After about 3 hours I started to get the hang of it. Even though I drive stick in real life it has been tricky in the game with the clutch!