Confessions of a DS2 user

  • Thread starter Thread starter MDT
  • 55 comments
  • 2,380 views
M

MDT

Messages
95
Up until this evening I have been a DS2 driver.
Went through 100% of GT3 with it, and am now at 73% in GT4.

But tonight things changed.
I had reinvented the game for myself.....I bought a wheel!
Not the precious DFP most people here hold with a religious fervor, but the "lowly" MC2.
The thing works absolutely great!
Adjust the deadband and the thing is aces for $58 Canadian!
Yeah its not the official wheel of the game, but it fits perfectly on my lap....no need to have some makeshift cockpit displayed prominantly in my livingroom.

Another confession:
I used to only drive automatic.
That changed today too.
I drive manual in my real car, but found it too awkward with the DS2 controller to really get into it.
The MC2 shifter makes it much easier.
You really are more in tune with your cornering.
I only wish downshifting had more of a braking effect as in real life.
If I honk my car from fourth into third in real life, I lose at least 15-20 kmph in an average cornering situation.
Perhaps something Polyphony can look into for GT5.

So, there were a lot of obstacles for me to overcome.
The wheel, pedals, and a manual shifter.
After about an hour of practice I entered the Deutche Touring Car comp. to get (another) CLK.
Took first place in everything but Opera.
That was a little hairy for me.

To all of you DS2 users out there, do yourselves a favor and pick up a wheel.
If you can't afford the DFP (overpriced IMHO), grab the MC2 Universal.....it has changed the game entirely for me.

I cant believe I have waited this long to get one!
 
I've love to buy one but unfortunately I have nowhere to put it unless I wana buy like an old school desk or something to set in front of my TV :sick:
 
Im glad you are enjoying it!....I got one of the first wheels for GT3 and couldnt get a good feel for it. I ended up selling it to a friend for $40....at the time I thingk I paid almost $100.... after that Ive been really turned off by the idea of a wheel. Its just too awkward for me.
 
vr6gti72
Im glad you are enjoying it!....I got one of the first wheels for GT3 and couldnt get a good feel for it. I ended up selling it to a friend for $40....at the time I thingk I paid almost $100.... after that Ive been really turned off by the idea of a wheel. Its just too awkward for me.
Click to expand...
I also tried the GT3 wheel. My buddy's and my brother's. My brother's, I got to try it for few days, but just couldn't get used to it. Next time I try would be when I have a solid stand to attach the wheel to.
 
whats wrong with the dual shock? i've been using it since 1998... always served me well.
 
I use a DS2 but have always wanted a wheel. But about 6 months ago I used a friends brothers wheel and hated it. It turned to sharp and once I turned slightly I counldn't get straight again. Please note this was on GT3 and was wondering if the new wheels are alot better and you can get used to one after a race or two. If so I may look into it again. If I do what should I get my pice range would be around AU$100. Any tips would be greatly appriciated thanks.
DJ
 
dylanj123
I use a DS2 but have always wanted a wheel. But about 6 months ago I used a friends brothers wheel and hated it. It turned to sharp and once I turned slightly I counldn't get straight again. Please note this was on GT3 and was wondering if the new wheels are alot better and you can get used to one after a race or two. If so I may look into it again. If I do what should I get my pice range would be around AU$100. Any tips would be greatly appriciated thanks.
DJ
Click to expand...
It was really awkward for me as well. However, everybody who's used DFP and the GT3 wheel(I forget the name) has always assured me that once you get used to the wheel, you'll never go back.
 
I've got a wheel, but I prefer to use my DS2. I've not tried it on GT4 yet, but my experiences with GT3 taught me this: a lot more fun with the wheel, but a lot faster with the DS2.

I'll never set any laps records with my wheel, but it's more involving to be sawing back and forwards on it trying to correct a slide. Hooking gears is cooler too. :)
 
MDT
...the "lowly" MC2.
The thing works absolutely great!
Adjust the deadband and the thing is aces for $58 Canadian!
Yeah its not the official wheel of the game, but it fits perfectly on my lap....no need to have some makeshift cockpit displayed prominantly in my livingroom...
Click to expand...


You just summed up the advantages of the MC2 very concisely. I've been using one for years.

I borrowed a DFP for two evenings and gave up on it. If you absolutely have to have tons of force feedback, then the DFP is the way to go. Otherwise, the MC2 rocks!
 
the DFP blows, in my opinion. they really need to make a wheel with realistic feedback and size. I feel like i'm driving a lego car. the pedals are absolutely annoying as well. You need to be quick with the dfp, but I can't do that at all without the fear or breaking it to pieces.
 
if i had the space, money and a desk i would get a wheel. they are indeed more fun, but DS2's are great since you can just sit and play rather than fiddle about getting comfy and stuff :D
 
I played GT3 100% with the DS2, and did fine. At about 70% I bought the Momo Force wheel, which everybody said was the best. The wheel itself was nice, but lack of anything steady/comfortable to mount it on made it useless. I used it for about 3 hours and hated it.

But in GT4 I was having great difficulty with the DS2. It's just too hard for me to get smooth subtle inputs, even using the analog sticks. I was really frustrated trying to do some of the easy license tests with the trusty old sticks.

So I dropped $100 on the DFP (since the Momo wouldn't work with GT4) and another $30 on a little workstand. I made a tilted base for the pedals to get them up at a good angle. It doesn't take up much space and it's comfortable with an armchair.

So far I'm running the same positions relatively in OLR, so I know I'm as fast in GT4 with the wheel as I was in GT3 with the DS2.
 
No way. The important thing to me was having something solid to mount it on, in a comfortable position. Once I had that, it took about 2-3 hours to get confident with it, and I'm getting better all the time.

The first thing you'll think is that you can't possibly countersteer fast enough. But after a while, you'll realize that the lightning-quick countersteering of the DS2 is the result of over-inputting the steering to begin with. Once you get smoother with the wheel, you won't need to countersteer as much or as quickly.
 
I'm glad you are having such a positive experience w\ it MDT, I had a wheel a couple yrs ago and it was a terrible experience, I suppose you can't really expect to have "your car" in your Ps2 playroom, it'd be more feasible to have your Ps2 "playroom" in your car ^_~

I can't remember what it was maybe a logitec or something, it was terrible.., nothing realistic about it, I have adapted very well to the controller, I have always used the manual trans, it's never been a problem for me, I just never had enough control w\ the automatic.
 
Duke
The important thing to me was having something solid to mount it on, in a comfortable position.
Click to expand...
That's the key. I played with a wheel and loved the fine control, but I never bought one because of the reason you mention.

But I'll probably borrow one for IA-15 and IA-16. The 'ring is a nightmare without it. Those gentle curves at brutally high speed are a royal pain with a joystick. I keep spilling the Mercedes *** on the straightaways!!! *** how absurd is that?
 
Personally I'm hoping like heck that the PS3 features pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers like GC and Xbox have. I can't use the right stick for throttle and brakes worth a crap, but the face buttons really don't leave much play for variation. Though GT4 does seem alot more sensitive than 3, especially with brakes. Judging by the onscreen indicators, you really have to slam the button down to put your brakes full on.
 
ferrari_chris
I've got a wheel, but I prefer to use my DS2. I've not tried it on GT4 yet, but my experiences with GT3 taught me this: a lot more fun with the wheel, but a lot faster with the DS2.

I'll never set any laps records with my wheel, but it's more involving to be sawing back and forwards on it trying to correct a slide. Hooking gears is cooler too. :)
Click to expand...

I've only been playing for a few hours, and have come to the conclusion that I'm still a lot slower than my DS2 times.
I'm sure it will get better with practice, but as for now I'm just having fun trying.

For me the game is all about having fun, and not getting stressed out about golding everything and constantly beating my best times.
I'll have a blast with M32....my last mission.
Can't see the wheel being of too much help there.
:nervous:

I really wish the shifter section of the controller was detachable.
I'd love to be able to shift at my side!
 
I still use the DS2, I wish I had the money for the wheel. Is it easier with the wheel? I can't do it with automatic, I'm used to shifting. Hopefully one day for Vision GT, I'll have a wheel.
 
Damn the logitech wheel is crap esp. for GT3 I need to get it back from my friend and try it on GT4. From my recollection, in gt3 it was WAY to sensitive and it was impossible to get straight. Maybe if I buy the official GT4 wheel it'll help, but I don't have the money for it. I need it for my car..lol
 
I'm telling you, the MC2 Universal is great!
Just pulled a 3'07 on LaSarthe2 with a Pescarolo in arcade mode time attack.
Not bad for only 4-5 hours of getting used to the entirely new set-up.

Managed to beat Opera Paris in DTCC....the twistyness of it was tough at first.
 
How many cars do people know of where the steering wheel rotates 900 degrees (two and 1/2 turns)? I didn't think the GT4 wheel (DFP?) was that realistic since all the cars I've been in rotate one and 1/2 turns (540 degrees). Other than that, I'd still buy one.
 
chinko
if i had the space, money and a desk i would get a wheel. they are indeed more fun, but DS2's are great since you can just sit and play rather than fiddle about getting comfy and stuff :D
Click to expand...


That's the nice thing about the Mad Catz wheel. It rests comfortably on your knees as you sit on your living room sofa, requiring no stand or table at all. The lack of force feedback keeps it completely stable and motionless.

When you're done, you just slip it into the cabinet and close the door. The living room is once again genteel and civilized-looking, so your wife or g/f has nothing to complain about...
 
I got my DFP there is a week already (had to import it, $120 plus 60% import tax plus shipping...). The thing cost me US$300,00. And it is worth every single penny.

First I had a hard time becaus I did not have a place to fix it. It is impossible to play with it on your lap. Forget about it. So I went another week frustrated and thinking what to do. Now I am using a corner table that I had at home. Had to make a new table top, since the original is glass. It works fine for me now, altough it is not the best cockpit ever seen. But I can play with the DFP.

It took me a couple of days to get used to it (considering my short playtime per day). And now I can say it is definetelly the best thing. It is not like a real car, but not a Lego piece too... reminds me of a go-kart.

I think not everybody prefer the wheel, so I would say: try to get a hold of one from your friends, play it for a while, don't give up the idea right away. After you get the way of playing with it and still don't like it, then you should give up and spend your dollar somewhere else...

:)
 
The lack of force feedback keeps it completely stable and motionless.
Click to expand...
Umm...my Mad Catz 2 has force feedback.....not outrageously strong, but its there.

Zardoz, a question.
Are any of the wheel adjustment settings in the options of GT4 effective on the MC2?
I was wondering if the deadzone can be even further tweaked with the one option that doesn't refer to the DF wheels.
 
Epinionator89
How many cars do people know of where the steering wheel rotates 900 degrees (two and 1/2 turns)? I didn't think the GT4 wheel (DFP?) was that realistic since all the cars I've been in rotate one and 1/2 turns (540 degrees). Other than that, I'd still buy one.
Click to expand...

I think the 900 degrees is for total rotation - from hard lock to hard lock. I assume your 1 and 1/2 turns is from center to lock, giving you 1080 degrees of rotation.

I know the EVO 6 has a quick rack, only giving 0.9 turns from center to lock. That's a total rotation of 1.8 turns and approximately 650 degrees. :)
 

Latest Posts

Back