Pad vs Wheel

[AJ11]

I just bought the ps3 wheel $60 it's great took 1 race to get the hang. My buddy came over 2 days ago he has the g25 and is pissed cuz he likes my way cheaper wheel better. It's really what your looking for. But I couldn't be happier with my "cheap" wheel. Read my other post ; racing wheel: there's a in depth review on it. It's the hori racing wheel licenced by ps3 and there's a reason ps3 supported this one instead of all the others. Only thing it doesn't have is force feedback! I just played on his g25, I don't know if his wheel is screwed up but I didn't like it one bit! The feed back was indeed forceful and it was a struggle to keep it straight past 80mph. But everyone here is gonna say buy the more expensive one, but don't I bought mine like 5 days ago and absolutely love it. Don't waste your money! (my opinion not to much of a serious player no track time difference)

 

[Mac K]

Whats a decent wheel that won't break the bank. Heard the logitech gt, was ok.

Logitech DFGT

 

[Peasantslayer]

I would say that it is easier to be consistent with a wheel due a wide range of steering angles that are available but a DS3 is more responsive because of the short distance between fully left and fully right on the analog stick, I would say a DS3 is potentially faster but the skill required to get the most out of it would be much higher. It's pretty much the same story when it comes to throttle/brakes. I prefer my DS3 because it's much easier to pick up and play than having to set up my wheel and pedals and at least it isn't physically demanding apart from when I get small blisters on my left thumb I wonder if I would go faster if I was left handed.

 

[Endless-Wilso]

You guy's should try running more F1 race's the Ferrari's that is , as there very sensetive to just about any small change and i mean any. There's only a few Wheel users i cant keep pace with. In online races grip at real and tire ware on ive got a 4:54 on Nordschlife in the F2007 on softs, and on Monaco got a 1:12.5 on Hard tire's in the F10 with the DS3 👍
anyway its really easy to point out subtle diffrences in wheel vs DS3 with the F1's.

 

[MSTER232]

I would say that it is easier to be consistent with a wheel due a wide range of steering angles that are available but a DS3 is more responsive because of the short distance between fully left and fully right on the analog stick, I would say a DS3 is potentially faster but the skill required to get the most out of it would be much higher. It's pretty much the same story when it comes to throttle/brakes. I prefer my DS3 because it's much easier to pick up and play than having to set up my wheel and pedals and at least it isn't physically demanding apart from when I get small blisters on my left thumb I wonder if I would go faster if I was left handed.

You do not have to be left handed, but you could just change the game configuration so that you steer with the right analogue stick. That will be roughly what it feels like for a left-handed person on the standard game configuration. In theory, you should have better control over the steering since you have more precise movements with your dominant hand. But chances are you will have trouble adjusting because you are used to steering with the other hand.

 

[JBanton]

I'm cool with my DS3, it's enough for me to enjoy GT5 a lot, and to me that's all that matters

 

[Ddrizle]

DS3
Sport Hard
Stock ZR1
ABS 1
SRF Off
Driving Line Off
Traction Control Off
Active Steering Mild
Controller Sensitivity 7
7:25:182 What a work out, but I managed to beat my GTR Black Edition '12 time of 7:25:322 Sport Hard and GTR '07 time of 7:26:295 Sport Hard

From my experience, the DS3 doesn't seem to have the turning/cornering ability I've seen from others who use a wheel. I race with friends who have wheels and their grip during cornering is greater. But I still give them a challenge with my DS3.👍

 

[Dczip]

Logitech DFGT

thats the one I was looking at. made from a logitech/PD brainstorm.

 

[Endless-Wilso]

DS3

From my experience, the DS3 doesn't seem to have the turning/cornering ability I've seen from others who use a wheel. I race with friends who have wheels and their grip during cornering is greater. But I still give them a challenge with my DS3.👍

Which confirms exactly what my 1st post said.

 

[Mightypickle]

I got the dfgt and would say the extra $ for force feedback is very well worth it. The information you get through the wheel not only makes it feel more engrossing, but helps you know when you're losing grip.

 

[snobord99]

Whats a decent wheel that won't break the bank. Heard the logitech gt, was ok.

Well, I think that really depends on how big your bank is.

I had the DFP which I LOVED and the DFGT is just the new version of that so should be a solid budget wheel (based on my experience with the DFP).

I went to a Fanatec Carrera 911 set after that and loved the switch. The standard pedals sucked, but my problem with it was more of a reliability than a matter of performance (it wasn't any worse than the DFP pedals).

I then tried a T500. The wheel itself is great and the pedals are decent. Both definitely a big step above the Carrera set, but the price premium wasn't worth it for me.

I also tried the G27 which I thought was the worst set I've had. The thinness of the wheel was unacceptable to me (I got used to the thickness of the Fanatec wheel) and the shifter definitely felt like a toy. The pedals were the best of the ones I've used yet, but it didn't make up for the wheel or shifter.

I'm now using the Fanatec GT3RS v2 with the CSR pedals and this is the set I'm happiest with on a cost/benefit analysis. Keep in mind though that I didn't pay anything for the upgrade from my Carrera set to this set as I was upgraded for free under warranty...that said, if I was buying a brand new set today, this is the set I'd get (except maybe I'd get CSR Elite or ClubSport pedals).

 

[Trux]

My T500RS is dead and I'm having to use my DFGT which in comparison sucks big ones 👎
I used to love my DFGT but after the T500 it feels like a plastic toy and the pedals are just shocking.

I now officially hate this wheel! I may give it away free once my T500 is fixed as GT5 with it isn't enjoyable any more. At least with the PC I can use my clubsport pedals with it but in GT5 I have to use those crappy stock pedals.

Hope Thrustmaster respond to my email soon so I can get it fixed.

Don't get me wrong a DFGT is a great as a first wheel and doesn't feel that much different to a more expensive G25/G27 and of course mine still lives while my T500 lasted just 8 months before it died.
I used it in iRacing and other PC sims but the T500RS is just so much better.

It's an incredible wheel and GT5 rocks with it. I guess I've been spoilt

 

[F1]

My T500RS is dead and I'm having to use my DFGT which in comparison sucks big ones 👎
I used to love my DFGT but after the T500 it feels like a plastic toy and the pedals are just shocking.

I now officially hate this wheel! I may give it away free once my T500 is fixed as GT5 with it isn't enjoyable any more. At least with the PC I can use my clubsport pedals with it but in GT5 I have to use those crappy stock pedals.

Hope Thrustmaster respond to my email soon so I can get it fixed.

Don't get me wrong a DFGT is a great as a first wheel and doesn't feel that much different to a more expensive G25/G27 and of course mine still lives while my T500 lasted just 8 months before it died.
I used it in iRacing and other PC sims but the T500RS is just so much better.

It's an incredible wheel and GT5 rocks with it. I guess I've been spoilt

I've got a T500 and I know what you mean about changing to a DFGT! I've never had any problems with mine but I believe that thurstmaster are very very helpful with customers problems!

 

[Trux]

I've got a T500 and I know what you mean about changing to a DFGT! I've never had any problems with mine but I believe that thurstmaster are very very helpful with customers problems!

Fingers crossed you never will. It's like losing an organ without it. I was so gutted.

 

[dxm8975]

I have both a DS3 and steering wheel(a GT force RX) and have had the taste of both of them while I made a trial run at some tracks in the game for comparison of my lap time, the time itself was faster when I did with a joysticked pad than I did in a wheel because I was more used to managing a pad for it being in use for some years since I bought a PS3. While I used a wheel in driving a car, I could be easily pushed off the track on momentum when I mishandled with it even at the section I usually merely make a mistake.

So, I don't think and attest using a steering wheel does necessarily give the driver an adnvantage of driving the car faster than those going in for an exclusive joystick in somewhat a way... though it does give something sensationally different when they're engaged in taking the helm.

Ok so if I am playing battlefield 3 I should use a real gun?

If you want to have the feeling that you're virtually at a real bettlefield with fliers of bullets, you can use a toy gun which doesn't have any danger in shakedown, but meaning that you hope to exert a real gun for additional stimulation, you mustn't do it unless you're aware that the screen soon gets broken down once you trigger it toward the picture.

 

[MSTER232]

I have both a DS3 and steering wheel(a GT force RX) and have had the taste of both of them while I made a trial run at some tracks in the game for comparison of my lap time, the time itself was faster when I did with a joysticked pad than I did in a wheel because I was more used to managing a pad for it being in use for some years since I bought a PS3. While I used a wheel in driving a car, I could be easily pushed off the track on momentum when I mishandled with it even at the section I usually merely make a mistake.

So, I don't think and attest using a steering wheel does necessarily give the driver an adnvantage of driving the car faster than those going in for an exclusive joystick in somewhat a way... though it does give something sensationally different when they're engaged in taking the helm.
[/B][/COLOR]

If you are more used to driving with a pad compared to a wheel then of course your laptimes will be slower at first, but once you get used to the wheel then I promise you that your laptimes will be faster because you have more precise control over your car and have smoother steering, acceleration and braking inputs. You also have force feedback with a wheel which lets you feel what the car is doing.

When I first started driving with a wheel I will admit that I wasn't as good compared to driving with a pad either. I also thought that the force feedback was also too strong at points, and I still think it's too strong when driving on dirt tracks. But when you get used to the wheel, you will start to understand the way it works more and you will understand how it works more.

 

[Zoom!Zoom!]

There is a learning curve when using a force-feedback wheel so you will be slower than with a pad at first. This is because a force-feedback wheel doesn't act like a real steering wheel. A real steering wheel is design to multiply the driver's force that's applied to the wheel while ffb wheels totally ignores how much force you are applying to the wheel. (ffb goes by the wheel position only)
So at first ffb will slow you down until you get use to it.

 

[abaxas]

Both.

Wheel for when it's serious, pad for when it's not.

 

[AJ11]

I don't know if it's just me but I don't see a difference going back and forth! I've used the controller for... Ever! And just bought a wheel and was immediately adapted to it. the wheel is just more relaxing in my view.

 

[Dczip]

this wheel is gonna take a little bit to get used to. got the DFGT and I'll turn the wheel taking a corner at speed (datoyna) and the car wants to just keep going straight unless I brake severely to a slow slow speed.

 

[fastfox400]

I use a G27 with a OMP wheel, PTR load cell brake mod. I have foun I can go just as fast as before but the biggest difference is I can make tires last longer and also be more precise with throttle and brakes. Whihc in turn allow me to run a smoother line.

 

[therealgt5]

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

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.

Pla ykillzone 3 with a sharp shooter, teh best simulation in FPS in terms of aiming

 

[Nish]

I've been thinking of buying a wheel as well, just for the added feature and enjoyment. I've been wondering how it will change my times, tire wear etc. Currently with the ds3 I am about top 700 in each time trial and am 269 in the current Nürburgring time trial. I already can ease into throttle and brake with L2/R2 how much better could I be with wheel if I run it as much as I do my ds3 now? When I get a wheel it most likely will be a dfgt as I cringe at the thought of spending alot more than $100 on a controller and even then around here I've never seen a ffb wheel in a store and can't order online.

 

[IceMan PJN]

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.

I feel that I have more precise control with a wheel, whereas I tend to feel like I'm more twitchy with a controller, but I largely prefer the wheel just because it's more fun for me to drive that way. I feel less like I'm playing a video game and more like I'm actually driving, although I still can't feel the G-forces.

 

[avens]

Ok so if I am playing battlefield 3 I should use a real gun?

yep, it's called a mouse and a keyboard.


On topic: it's simply a different game (and genre) when playing it with the proper peripheral.

Same goes for anything really, such as plastic instruments, flight joystick, decent arcade stick,, etc., but in this particular case it makes a huge difference. Not only the input is way different and essentially better as a concept, which is what happens with playing with a mouse instead of your thumbs, but also the product itself is on the higher end of these devices.

If you get one try a regular car with all assists off, including ABS because of the absurd stability it gives for some odd reason, with worse tires than stock (hopefully CM or CS as those are the most "realistic" as we know) and using the clutch and shifter. It's just a way more complex game, even more so if you try some proper simulators on the PC "for free".

 

[Johnnypenso]

this wheel is gonna take a little bit to get used to. got the DFGT and I'll turn the wheel taking a corner at speed (datoyna) and the car wants to just keep going straight unless I brake severely to a slow slow speed.

You will likely need to adjust your tunes for the wheel. Try some of the tunes posted in the major tuning garages that use a wheel, like Praiano's, who is know for fast, stable tunes that favour wheel users. If you try several of his tunes and are still struggling, then you need to look at your driving habits and skill level. Practice, practice, practice.

Also, with the DFGT, not sure about other wheels, there is a slight delay from when you turn the wheel, to the car actually turning on the screen. You get used to it to the point where you don't notice it after a while, but it will catch you off guard at first and you'll be running wide in a lot of corners as a result. You'll be off the racing line where there is less grip, and assuming it's the wheel but it's not.

 

[MustangManiac]

You will likely need to adjust your tunes for the wheel. Try some of the tunes posted in the major tuning garages that use a wheel, like Praiano's, who is know for fast, stable tunes that favour wheel users. If you try several of his tunes and are still struggling, then you need to look at your driving habits and skill level. Practice, practice, practice.

Also, with the DFGT, not sure about other wheels, there is a slight delay from when you turn the wheel, to the car actually turning on the screen. You get used to it to the point where you don't notice it after a while, but it will catch you off guard at first and you'll be running wide in a lot of corners as a result. You'll be off the racing line where there is less grip, and assuming it's the wheel but it's not.

I am not sure tuning will help much here, proper technique should come first, all the tuning in the world will not overcome bad form. Technique first, then tune for personal style, individual car, track, conditions etc.

 

[Tower Turn 13]

G25 user. Continually spanked by the aliens with pads.

I don't think it matters unless you are really legitimately into sim racing and want to eventually branch away from consul racing.

 

[DDAAVVIIDD82]

Thing is, there are racers and then there are gamers. I don't think true gamers will ever be better with a wheel than with a controller and the same is true for racers (even though I don't race in any professional or even amateur capacity, I still consider myself a racer) being better with the controller than a wheel. I had a DFGT and now have a T500 and very rarely switch over to controller. In fact, I honestly can't remember the last time I moved my rig out from in front of the TV except for movies (I don't watch TV).

 

[Endless-Wilso]

Thing is, there are racers and then there are gamers. I don't think true gamers will ever be better with a wheel than with a controller and the same is true for racers (even though I don't race in any professional or even amateur capacity, I still consider myself a racer) being better with the controller than a wheel. I had a DFGT and now have a T500 and very rarely switch over to controller. In fact, I honestly can't remember the last time I moved my rig out from in front of the TV except for movies (I don't watch TV).

Most real gamers wont stick around on GT5 for very long ..