Should I buy a wheel?

[Cosmique63]

i’ve been Playing GT for about 15 years with a pad and i’m thinking of upgrading to a wheel. After reading what people say on forums and reviews I was thinking of
Fanatec CSL Elite
CSL Elite Pedals
CSL Loadcell Kit
Clubsport shifter
Playseat Evolution
Any advice On setup or accessories would be welcome

 

[kikie]

The only advice I can give you is an absolute YES. You should buy a wheel.

I have no experience with GT since, well many years now and no experience with Fanatec stuff but your setup sounds good to me though.

 

[Haitauer]

Yes

 

[seadog777]

You'll probably find you'll be slower with a wheel for a while - but it's much, much more fun!
The Fanatec kit is getting good reviews and I'll bet it's a great choice.

I have the Playseat Evolution and love it..... with one exception. You will not be able to drive like you drive a real automatic car because the bar holding the wheel comes up from the footrest. I can't use just my right foot for accelerator and brake - you will need both feet (which some encourage on here for "trail braking").

If you have a 3 pedal set, I'm not sure how that will work and I'd recommend you get a demo first.

The Playseat Revolution is different, and a little more expensive, I think. The holder for the wheel comes out from the seat.

Good luck and enjoy your kit!!

 

[bs6magic]

I'd say yes but...... It's a fairly big investment and I know a couple of people who got wheels and got frustrated in that initial adjustment period where they were slower than they were on a pad.Both ended up selling them and reverting to the dual shock.

As long as you're prepared to go through a few weeks of mild torment(4 or so in my case) then I'd say go for it without a doubt!

 

[Cosmique63]

Thanks for the info on the seat, i’ll Check that out. As for the lap times, it isn’t really that important as I don’t race online and i’ve Completed Campaign mode so i’ll Just start again and learn as I go.

 

[GTMajarcus]

I got a simple Logitech G29 and Next Level racing stand a year ago and could never go back to a controller on any racing game. It took a bit of time to get used to, but the immersion is so much better and it’s a lot more fun imo.
Fanatec products look great and I’ve heard nothing but good things.

 

[wtrain77]

I started with a G29 paired with a Playseat Evolution. I upgraded to a Fanatec CSL Elite with a load cell brake mounted to a GT Omega Pro rig. I cannot be happier with my current setup.

Most start off with a G29 or similar. I think jumping straight into a Fanatec CSL is a very smart move if you really enjoy sim racing. It is a huge improvement over the G29.

Personally, I would reconsider the Playseat. I found the seat uncomfortable to sit on for long periods and the center bar intrusive. I installed a BRZ seat onto my rig which required a little bit of fabrication using a MDF board. Although from what I read, the seats supplied by GT Omega are comfortable and should be an upgrade over the Playseat seat.

If your goal is to be as fast as possible on a wheel, I would save the money and not buy the shifter. Under most circumstances, the paddles will be faster. I would only get the shifter if you like rowing your own gears for the added immersion and the enjoyment it may provide.

 

[abrahamx]

Agree with all the above. I've been playing since day 1(about 20 years). Just got a g29 with next level(about $500) and it is the bomb. Make sure you have something sturdy to hook up the wheel to or else you will need a stand. Plus the pedals can move if not on a stand or something. I went from an d c driver to a d s in a week. Alot easier to stay on the track but I think I'm to polite cuz I never win or hardly ever gain over my original starting position. I usually go down 2. Way more fun though.

 

[Cosmique63]

Thanks again everyone for the tips. As I don’t race online lap times aren’t that important, i just want to feel more like I’m driving and less like i’m playing a game. I tried online racing with GT6 but got tired of idiots using the back of my car as a brake. Maybe one day I’ll try again see if it’s got any better. If I do ever take to online racing then I could just disable the shifter. And the seat, i’ll Rip one outta the wife’s Golf R they’re pretty nice LOL only joking, she’d kill me :-)

 

[Voodoovaj]

Depends.

I don't own a wheel. I've wanted one. However, I don't really want to allocate a location in my house for a wheel and, if I did, I am sure that my girlfriend would leave me.

 

[Leggacy]

YES!!!!

 

[Veinz]

I was in the same boat as you up until November 2017, then I took the plunge. I don’t regret it one bit, I can’t see myself ever losing interest in it either.

I would start with a cheaper setup though, just incase you’re not into it.

 

[seadog777]

Depends.

I don't own a wheel. I've wanted one. However, I don't really want to allocate a location in my house for a wheel and, if I did, I am sure that my girlfriend would leave me.

My first wheel was one of these:

http://www.thrustmaster.com/press/inspired-ferrari-engineered-drive-racing-games-limit

Great piece of kit, better than a pad and you just fold it up and stick it in a cupboard when finished. It had "HEART" technology but I'm sure it was a bungie cord for the "force feedback"! Pretty useless post really as they don't make them any more but you might find something similar out there?

 

[seadog777]

Personally, I would reconsider the Playseat. I found the seat uncomfortable to sit on for long periods and the center bar intrusive.

Hi wtrain77, do you have 3 or 2 pedals? I only have 2 and there's a big gap between them - I can't use my right foot for the brake because the bridge of my foot catches on the extension of the 45 degree bar.... it might work better with a 3 peddle as they are closer together? If it's useable with 3 pedal sets I might upgrade

 

[kilesa4568]

Totally different game with a wheel. It's a bit of a 🤬 at first but if you persevere, it gets a whole lot better when the muscle memory starts kicking in. Very rewarding.

 

[Bartje_K77]

Yes. If you have the money then skip all the thrustmaster/logitech stuff and go straight for the CSL Elite with a loadcell. If not, go for the Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari Alcantara edition. That one at least has a better (sized) wheel than the standard edition.

 

[sundaydriving]

Depends.

I don't own a wheel. I've wanted one. However, I don't really want to allocate a location in my house for a wheel and, if I did, I am sure that my girlfriend would leave me.

I have one of those fold up seats. Works great to keep it out of the way when not in use and she wont have to look at it all the time.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Shameless plug: my GTPlanet CSL Elite PS4 review.

It remains my preferred wheel setup, and the loadcell brake kit is fantastic. No full setup at the same price point comes close IMO.

I can't provide much feedback on the Playseat, but based on the sheer number of mentions I see from other people about their setups, it must be a pretty solid one. There are a handful of different rig setup reviews on our Product Review page.

So long as you have the space, I'd say go for it. The wheel makes everything so much more enjoyable. You may not be faster off the bat, but it's likely you'll end up being so. And, at least with GT Sport, even if you aren't faster, it's likely you'll find you're much better on your tires now in terms of wear.

 

[GT_Alex74]

Should I buy a wheel ?

Yes.

Now the thing is if you're going for all that Fanatec stuff, don't get a Playseat Evolution with it. Actually, don't get it in any case, those are horrendous. There are tons of alternatives for simracing cockpits, some come from little businesses and will be more interesting if they're based in you country / continent. You can also build something yourself with steel or PVC tubes, and a junkyard car seat. I'd say a rough but solid homemade support is better than a cheap off the shelf one that's not rigid nor comfortable.

Best thing to do is to define how much money you want to throw into all of this and work from there. Fanatec stuff is awesome, but a G29 or even a T150 GT are very good starter wheels that will change your simracing life, especially if you only do Gran Turismo. Don't go anything under that though.

G29 is great if you want the full package at a good price (shifter can be found pretty cheap), Thrustmasters are good if you want to upgrade as everything is part of a single ecosystem. Fanatec is top notch but you'll get the most out of that on PC sims.

 

[eltorrente]

Yes, definitely get a wheel and pedal setup. Don't get a seat/rig that obstructs your legs though.

When I first got my setup (fanatec CSL elite and V3 pedals), I went in to Circuit Challenge and started trying to beat my controller times. After the first night I had beaten the first couple sectors on Brands Hatch. The second night, I beat the whole track and then another one. After that, as I got more and more used to it, I got quite a bit faster. It didn't take very long because I know how to drive a real car and I have that muscle memory already - it's just a matter of learning how to apply it to my new rig with the game. Now I can't imagine driving with a controller, and it's only been a few weeks.

I feel like I can put the car where I want to more consistently lap after lap, and don't make nearly as many errors as I used to with the DS4. I managed 5 victories this past week online, whereas before I had only 13 victories total since the game first came out.

 

[wtrain77]

Hi wtrain77, do you have 3 or 2 pedals? I only have 2 and there's a big gap between them - I can't use my right foot for the brake because the bridge of my foot catches on the extension of the 45 degree bar.... it might work better with a 3 peddle as they are closer together? If it's useable with 3 pedal sets I might upgrade

I started with a 3 pedal setup and the bar got in the way whether I used my left or right foot to brake. It was manageable, but not natural as I had to contort my foot and the side of my shin always contacted the bar. I eventually switched the brake pedal to where the clutch was and used my left foot to brake. I found this to be by far, the most comfortable setup on the Playseat.

 

[EnglishFood]

Couldn't find the appropriate thread but I’ve only just realised you can use the TGT in ‘other’ mode on GT Sport. In other mode I found it to be much more similar to the feedback my G29 gave me (obviously smoother), whereas with it in ‘GT’ mode it would really emphasise understeer to the point where the wheel would go really light. I personally prefer it in other mode.
Are there any other TGT owners who have tried this? I’m interested in others opinions. Thanks

 

[seadog777]

I started with a 3 pedal setup and the bar got in the way whether I used my left or right foot to brake. It was manageable, but not natural as I had to contort my foot and the side of my shin always contacted the bar. I eventually switched the brake pedal to where the clutch was and used my left foot to brake. I found this to be by far, the most comfortable setup on the Playseat.

Thanks. Confirmed not just me setting it up wrong! I think the OP would be better with the Playseat Revolution for the extra 50 dollars or so (or another brand).

 

[Zero7159]

Yes, absolutely. I ended up going with the Fanatec CSL Elite Wheel and Pedals, both of which are bolted to a Next Level F-GT cockpit. Here is my review of what I believe is the ultimate GT Sport set up for me:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...-elite-wheel-and-pedals.385671/#post-12651135

 

[seadog777]

If you do go ahead with the wheel, it's important to play around with the force feedback settings etc., to get it just how it suits you. There's a mountain of opinion on the internet.... from one extreme to the other, but you need to get it to a position that feels comfortable. There's no right or wrong, really.

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

Going to a wheel is a commitment of funds and time. Be sure you are willing to stick to it. Also, consider whether you'll be playing other racing games.

Want to just test the waters, easy call is a G29 and build your own stand (or buy one). A more affordable option that allows room to upgrade your equipment down the road.

 

[chaseter]

i’ve been Playing GT for about 15 years with a pad and i’m thinking of upgrading to a wheel. After reading what people say on forums and reviews I was thinking of
Fanatec CSL Elite
CSL Elite Pedals
CSL Loadcell Kit
Clubsport shifter
Playseat Evolution
Any advice On setup or accessories would be welcome

Even a cheap wheel is better than no wheel, just take time to get used to it.

 

[kowalski__1]

As someone once said to me about 20 years ago , playing a driving game without a wheel is like taking a peanut butter and jam sandwich to a bar-b-que.
Sure a PB&J works as food but it's just not the same as a thick medium-rare steak.
Once you get use to a wheel , it will take your driving experience to another level.

 

[Nelson Medway]

Definitely get a wheel.

I have a T150 with a Wheelstand Pro and It has served me well, great entry level set up if you don't want to break the bank. That is now mothballed as a back up after upgrading to the T300 RS Gt and Playseat Evolution last year.

One thing with the Playseat Evolution though is the metal bar in between your legs, It hinders left foot braking.
I fitted a bit of chequer plate to the base to make it wider and allow more adjustment to the pedal mount plate. I also bought an after market lumbar support for added comfort. I can't really complain as i got it extremely cheap.

If you have the money then just dive in for the best kit as you'll probably end up upgrading anyway.

Whatever you pick , enjoy.