Pad vs Wheel

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disciple21
Ok, I have heard allot of people talk about how great having a steering wheel is, and I have no doubt, but I use a pad and I think allot of other good drivers use a pad too. So my question is, does the wheel make driving easier? Or is it just different. Are wheel drivers average lap times faster than pad are on par? I actually bought a very nice wheel, g25 I think, but returned it because I drove worse with it. So can I get some people to post their lap times for nurburgring nordschleif with a stock ZR-1 corvette (not race modded!) and specify whether you used a wheel or pad. Soft tires but no other tuning. Any comments welcome.
 
look at the seasonal time trial leaderboards.

out of the top 10 times, 9 are with wheels. and 1 with a controller

there is a learning curve with the wheel. this is why you returned it. once you get over that curve, you will be a much better driver, than with a controller. i base this on being able to be much more consistent with a wheel.

i'd set a hot lap on the ring for you but i dont feel like pulling my hair out driving on sport tires, and im sure someone could beat me with a controller anyway.

i recommend a wheel for everyone who wants to become a better RACER. (i still use the controller though for dragging, drifting, and basically everything other than racing)
 
It doesn't make it easier, they are simply different and with enough practice with either, you'll get proficient (if not good) with it. IMO, on average and with enough practice, a pad user could drive just as well as a wheel user; however, I think to really get the max, you need a wheel. It's simply a fact that you could better make minute movements with the wheel, throttle, and brakes when you're using a wheel and pedals.

I don't think that you'll ever figure out average lap times and whether it's due to the use of the wheel or DS3 to make any meaningful comparison. To me, one of the best indicators was the fact that of the top 32 in last year's GT Academy, only one made it there using a DS3. I'd point out that he didn't get past that round, but I don't think that's fair as I'm sure he wasn't used to using a wheel but had to use it that round...

Personally, I picked up my first wheel (DFP) when GT4 came and will never go back to a DS3.
 
DS3
Sport Softs
Stock ZR1
ABS 1
SRF Off
Driving Line Off
Traction Control Off
Active Steering Mild
Controller Sensitivity 7
7:08:344 on 1st run with many input mistakes(no red time) I'm sure I could be faster though. 👍
 
I'm a bit faster with my DFGT than I was with the DS3. (I got to level 36 A spec and IC licence with the DS3.)
My experience is that it took me a few weeks of daily use to get comfortable with the wheel but after that I've just got faster with continued use.

There was no way I could manage the wet parts of AMG Academy with the DS3. With the wheel they're easy.

If the £15 or so that I paid for GT5 was one of the best buys of my life, the £125 for the wheel was the second best.
 
I've just bought a G27 steering wheel. Always used a pad before. The G27 makes the driving amazingly real and the feel is amazing. Drifting is tough though. Whether it makes it 'easier', no. Pad is easy and you dont have to fight the wheel. At high speed with the g27 if you don't hold the wheel it will wobble and wobble until it spins out.

Went back to the controller today and game feels 'empty' compared to using the wheel.

My 2cents :)
 
I prefer the wheel. I've got a T500 and will post a lap later!
 
Sorry for tagging your question mate but I'm the same. Always used a DS3 then I got a wheel last week. My question is what is the best wheel settings ( pro or sim ) & best track to practise on. Like I said at the start sorry for tagging but this could help us both.
 
From the time the game was relased ive noticed one interesting reason that using a wheel make's at time's Wheel user's that much faster than a DS3.

It seem's that the wheel gives you a liitle extra grip through the corner becauce it allow's you to angle the wheel's to steer tighter into a corner (if that makes sense)
Ive seen this before while following a driver with a wheel that the wheel's where turned in far enoff to have them skid sidway's.
Thats often why you see great wheel drivers smoke there front tires though a corner.
Where with a DS3 seem;s to limit the amount of angle .
 
snobord99
It doesn't make it easier, they are simply different
Click to expand...

👍

I purchased a wheel/pedal set because I wanted a sense of realism while playing. If cars were driven using joypads in real life, then I would use a DS3 to play the game.

I'm simply not interested in whether my times are faster or slower than someone using a DS3, since they are very different techniques to master, with their own individual pros and cons.
 
I started with a pad then brought the g27 made my own frame to hold it all and have found I'm better with the wheel but like someone else mentioned I use the pad to drift
 
I bought a "driving simulator" to simulate driving a race car, I have never driven a real car with a pad so I don't see the point. The pad is not remotely realistic, just my two cents.
 
The wheel allows for more precision which ultimately leads to more consistency and lower lap times. I say "allows" because it does not create consistency but allows you to develop it and that is the learning curve. Guys have difficulty making the DS3>>>Wheel conversion mainly because they want to drive the same way with the wheel as they did with the DS3. That is, huge, dramatic steering inputs, lots of oversteer and huge corrections and that's definitely not the fastest way around the track with a wheel. Patience, precisions, keeping the car on the black, that's how you go fast with a wheel.

I believe the wheel/DS3 comparison is closer in softer tires and where there's downforce as less precision is required. I've raced guys in GT500 a few times with DS3's and they were able to keep up, but when you get to SS tires or lower, it's much more difficult to achieve the fine level of precision needed to be fast.
 
Johnnypenso
The wheel allows for more precision which ultimately leads to more consistency and lower lap times. I say "allows" because it does not create consistency but allows you to develop it and that is the learning curve. Guys have difficulty making the DS3>>>Wheel conversion mainly because they want to drive the same way with the wheel as they did with the DS3. That is, huge, dramatic steering inputs, lots of oversteer and huge corrections and that's definitely not the fastest way around the track with a wheel. Patience, precisions, keeping the car on the black, that's how you go fast with a wheel.
Click to expand...

I experienced that learning curve. I purchased my G25, wheelstandpro, gave it an hour and hated it. I went back to the pad for about a month, then I gave the wheel another go, got used to it and never looked back.
 
roflcoptor
👍

I purchased a wheel/pedal set because I wanted a sense of realism while playing. If cars were driven using joypads in real life, then I would use a DS3 to play the game.

I'm simply not interested in whether my times are faster or slower than someone using a DS3, since they are very different techniques to master, with their own individual pros and cons.
Click to expand...

Ok so if I am playing battlefield 3 I should use a real gun?
 
When I started playing rFactor I used my PS3 controller as it was the only thing I had - I got pretty quick and competitive. Then I picked up a Momo and was suddenly all over the place! It took a while to adjust, but once you get used to it it's fantastic.

Not to mention that the added smoothness makes Starts much easier, and you will greatly reduce your tyre wear because of the consistency and smoothness that using a wheel/pedal combo can give you.

Shame the Momo wheel didn't work with the PS3 had to sell it before I moved to Canada, no space in the suitcase!

In the meantime I'm stuck with a DS3 and frankly, I struggle with twitchy, powerful cars because you lack the fine throttle control needed to drive them without TCS.
 
border84
Ok, I have heard allot of people talk about how great having a steering wheel is, and I have no doubt, but I use a pad and I think allot of other good drivers use a pad too. So my question is, does the wheel make driving easier? Or is it just different. Are wheel drivers average lap times faster than pad are on par? I actually bought a very nice wheel, g25 I think, but returned it because I drove worse with it. So can I get some people to post their lap times for nurburgring nordschleif with a stock ZR-1 corvette (not race modded!) and specify whether you used a wheel or pad. Soft tires but no other tuning. Any comments welcome.
Click to expand...

I recently went from DS3 to wheel. Never fully made the switch and now I run 50% with the DS3 and 50% with the wheel. Just depends on how much time I'm willing to spend setting up the wheel, or am I just hopping on for a quick race.

When you first get your wheel, you will be slower. The DS3 dumbs down driving a bit when it come to steering inputs. It doesn't have to, but most people take advantage of it. For example, tossing the analog stick left and right for streering instead of trying to be smooth and modulate it.

Nurburgring is a really bad track for this test, and the ZR1 is an even worse car for this test. A beginner with a wheel will never be able to touch his DS3 times because the Corvette requires lots of fine inputs and throttle control to get a quick lap. The DS3 can catch drifts easier than a wheel and you will have the tailend out sooner of later on the Nurburgring.

A better test would be any Mazda Miata around the Top Gear test track on CS tires. It's flat, doesn't have any bumps to mess you up, and the car doesn't have much horsepower but just enough to get the tail out if you're using comfort soft tires. I'm willing to bet after a day or so you can match or beat your DS3 time with this combo. It requires smooth inputs, which is something wheel has over the DS3.

If you're really interested in nothing but lap times, getting that wheel back would be a good option. I'm not saying you can't outrun guys with wheels with the DS3 (actually, quite common), but when you start getting up to the ranks when the guys know how to use the wheel correctly, you're going to be fighting an uphill battle.
And the biggest plus of all in owning a wheel is it's a lot more fun.

rizlaman56
Sorry for tagging your question mate but I'm the same. Always used a DS3 then I got a wheel last week. My question is what is the best wheel settings ( pro or sim ) & best track to practise on. Like I said at the start sorry for tagging but this could help us both.
Click to expand...

I don't really think the pro sim settings affect the new wheels, but I would recommend Top Gear test track, Mazda Miata, comfort soft tires.

Johnnypenso
The wheel allows for more precision which ultimately leads to more consistency and lower lap times. I say "allows" because it does not create consistency but allows you to develop it and that is the learning curve. Guys have difficulty making the DS3>>>Wheel conversion mainly because they want to drive the same way with the wheel as they did with the DS3. That is, huge, dramatic steering inputs, lots of oversteer and huge corrections and that's definitely not the fastest way around the track with a wheel. Patience, precisions, keeping the car on the black, that's how you go fast with a wheel.

I believe the wheel/DS3 comparison is closer in softer tires and where there's downforce as less precision is required. I've raced guys in GT500 a few times with DS3's and they were able to keep up, but when you get to SS tires or lower, it's much more difficult to achieve the fine level of precision needed to be fast.
Click to expand...
It depends on how the person uses the DS3. I've only seen about ten guy who use it correctly, and aren't just using full brake and full gas and aren't just throwing the analog sticks from left to right.
The wheel will always beat the DS3 in the long run. Some tracks (Grand Valley Full) are really crappy tracks to try to drive with the DS3 on anything with high horsepower and low grip. With a wheel, it's much easier.
 
snobord99
It doesn't make it easier, they are simply different and with enough practice with either, you'll get proficient (if not good) with it. IMO, on average and with enough practice, a pad user could drive just as well as a wheel user; however, I think to really get the max, you need a wheel. It's simply a fact that you could better make minute movements with the wheel, throttle, and brakes when you're using a wheel and pedals.

I don't think that you'll ever figure out average lap times and whether it's due to the use of the wheel or DS3 to make any meaningful comparison. To me, one of the best indicators was the fact that of the top 32 in last year's GT Academy, only one made it there using a DS3. I'd point out that he didn't get past that round, but I don't think that's fair as I'm sure he wasn't used to using a wheel but had to use it that round...

Personally, I picked up my first wheel (DFP) when GT4 came and will never go back to a DS3.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything in this post. Although I didn't get a wheel as early as GT4, once I got a DFGT for GT5 I will never go back to a DS3 if I don't have to.

border84
Ok, I have heard allot of people talk about how great having a steering wheel is, and I have no doubt, but I use a pad and I think allot of other good drivers use a pad too. So my question is, does the wheel make driving easier? Or is it just different. Are wheel drivers average lap times faster than pad are on par? I actually bought a very nice wheel, g25 I think, but returned it because I drove worse with it. So can I get some people to post their lap times for nurburgring nordschleif with a stock ZR-1 corvette (not race modded!) and specify whether you used a wheel or pad. Soft tires but no other tuning. Any comments welcome.
Click to expand...

Having a steering wheel is a great thing, and typically it helps you with faster lap times since you can have smoother acceleration, braking and steering inputs but it is still possible to beat a wheel users using a controller, especially if the controller user has got a lot of practice.
 
mrkevans
Ok so if I am playing battlefield 3 I should use a real gun?
Click to expand...

Do you want me to answer that honestly...? :rolleyes:

Although, putting all facetiousness aside, the very few "shooting" games I've bothered playing were always done with light-guns... ahhh, Area51 on PS2!

And not forgetting, my other "favourite waste of time"... Rockband... very hard to play that on a DS3, hence the guitar/drumkit/keyboard sitting next to the console.
 
Last edited:
mrkevans
Ok so if I am playing battlefield 3 I should use a real gun?
Click to expand...

Seriously?

GT5 is a simulator (well, arguably). To get the most out of the game you will need a proper unit, just like you would need a joystick if you were into flight simulator, and just like you would need a chair if you are playing train simulator...
 
TankAss95
Seriously?

GT5 is a simulator (well, arguably). To get the most out of the game you will need a proper unit, just like you would need a joystick if you were into flight simulator, and just like you would need a chair and a pile of coal if you are playing train simulator...
Click to expand...

Fixed.
 
i switched between pad and wheel for a while and I was faster on the pad for a time.
The tricky thing with the pad, i find, is staying straight when you get a tank slapper.
 
Well, as many others, I recently made the transition form DS3 to a wheel - G27. Actually it was my first time driving with a wheel in GT5 as a whole.
At first it felt a little odd. I had the feeling that I will never beat my times. That with DS3 it is easier to be faster and more aggressive. But now I think that's misleading.
I use Grand Valley/Reverse to test my cars. After just 3 laps with the wheel, I actually was able to produce almost identical times with that I did using my DS3, and even faster. I mean like 3 seconds a lap faster times! :crazy:
Also I noticed that with the wheel I was a lot more precise - I've made like 5 consecutive laps with just a hundred of a second time difference which, frankly speaking, is more difficult to me with a DS3 (even though I have the Human Stopwatch Trophy).
As a whole, as of now, I can summarise it like this. With DS3 if you make a small error during a lap it'll probably hurt your time more then with a wheel. Even though, if you, for example, step on the grass while braking hard with a wheel you will probably enter into the fence. Maybe it's just me, but so far so good.

Get a wheel. It's worth the time to master it and it's more fun for the money.
 
I used a DS3 (stick).
I've never used a wheel before, so I won't be able to tell you how it feels :indiff:
But I can tell you that, in the GT5 leaderboards, most of the players use a wheel to get such fast laps, but there is always a player using DS3 (with Directional Buttons! :scared:) at the top (usually No.1) :crazy:

At least, that's what happened to my region's leaderboard.
 

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