DFGT Experience

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mcartt11
So after many years of driving with a DS3, I finally took some of the gift cards I have collected and bought a DFGT. Wow was I shocked at how hard it was to use. I wasn't ready for the strong FFB I guess I couldn't even keep my car running in a straight line and the pedals kept moving and forcing me to constantly stop and slide them back closer to my chair. After about an hour of fighting with wheel and pedals, I stopped and went back to the DS3 for the rest of the night. I even packed everything back in the box and grabbed the receipt thinking I had really made a mistake and was just going to take it back.

Now, to be fair I did have the wheel mounted on a lightweight card table and the pedals were just sitting on the floor under the table and I can definitely see where the wheel will give me much greater control of throttle, brake, and steering inputs once I get things more stable. I just figured the transition would be easier and that the temporary card table solution would work for a few days. I definitely now know why so many guys have built elaborate stands and cockpits for their wheels. I have plans to build a wheel stand, but I figured I would be able to use the wheel on the card while I built the stand. Bad assumption. I really hope that after taking the time to build the stand, that my expoerience will be better. Seems there are just too many wheel users out there for it not be the way to go for the best experience.

I have done some searches and see a number of threads talking about adjusting/changing the FFB settings and some other settings, but I didn't see where I find those settings. I was able to find the screen in GT5 where I can set the buttons, but I didn't see anything there about changing FFB settings or the simulation/amateur/pro settings that I have seen mentioned.

Any other advice (other than practice) that will make the transition easier.
 
In the screen where you can map buttons on the wheel you are at the DFGT screen. The first item on that row is the one you want. That is where you change FFB and the pro/amatuer settings. Altought I think those do nothing for the DFGT.

Also, on the bottom of the pedal is a little clip at the top that releases the barbbed "grabber" I'll call it. I use this on my carpet and have no issues with it moving. I use a Wood TV tray stand and while not real stable, I don't have any issues with it moving.
 
Undrgrndchemist
In the screen where you can map buttons on the wheel you are at the DFGT screen. The first item on that row is the one you want. That is where you change FFB and the pro/amatuer settings. Altought I think those do nothing for the DFGT.

Also, on the bottom of the pedal is a little clip at the top that releases the barbbed "grabber" I'll call it. I use this on my carpet and have no issues with it moving. I use a Wood TV tray stand and while not real stable, I don't have any issues with it moving.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll check both of those out tonight when I get home from work.
 
The DFGT wheel is a really decent wheel, the pedals are so so but once you can build/buy a proper stand will make your experience top notch. You already took the first step by buying a wheel.

The first thing I tell anyone who wants to take racing games to the next level is not just a wheel but a sturdy, comfortable stand/chair. I am currently building one now that is a Tad overkill making it out of round pipe used for roll cages, it bends easy and looks good. But my main concern was sturdiness, also designing it to fit my size and wheel and pedals.

It may take time but stick it out and you will soon never look at a DS3 again.
 
As others said, it's all about keeping the frustration done. I had the same experience when I go my DFGT and fired up GT5.

I thought giving it a go in the Audi R8 would be a great start since I had driven it in real-life a few times. Let's just say there's a difference between real-life and GT5. So keep your tail up and it'll work out. :)
 
Using a wheel will definitely improve your sim-racing experience but if it is not mounted properly you will not enjoy it at all. I recently switched from being a long time DS3 user to the G27 but I wasn't going to even attempt using the wheel without it being mounted securely. I went to route of building my own sim chassis from a set of plans that I purchased online.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far. I definitely have to go the stand route and not with a full cockpit. Folding for easy storage is a must. PS3 and TV are in the family room and the wife and kids probably won't be to keen on replacing the sofa or chair with a cockpit.

Lots of different designs for folding or small stands on these forums and other places on the net. Just need to settle on the design that will meet my needs and is within my range of skills (wood).
 
I hear you, after I built my cockpit I had to move my PS3 out of the living room and into the man-cave. If your plan is to just use a wheel stand then I'd suggest checking out the Wheel Stand Pro.
 
mcsimfan
Thanks for the feedback so far. I definitely have to go the stand route and not with a full cockpit. Folding for easy storage is a must. PS3 and TV are in the family room and the wife and kids probably won't be to keen on replacing the sofa or chair with a cockpit.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of married men who dont have a dedicated man cave like me who make it work. i have a regular sized closet than my chair rolls os an out of. i measured the closet first and realized it was too shallow for me to include the pedals so i just leave the on the floor, but the wheel its self is mounted to my chair very sturdily. look at my thread (am about to update it today with pics of my fanatec csr elite mounted)

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=234528
 
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