DS3 to T500RS

[priesty_lfc]

Gonna be getting a T500RS for Xmas but I'm wondering if that is the best route to go.

I've never had a wheel and I've not actually used one before either so is it an advantage that I'm going straight to a high end wheel? Would it have been better maybe getting a DFGT (it's only gonna be used on my PS3) and getting used to using a wheel before upgrading?

Also can you recommend the best way to get used to it? Should I just do race after race or redo the licence tests?

Lastly what FFB levels should I be starting off with?

Thanks for any help/advice

 

[squirlybmx]

If you've ever actually driven anything with a steering wheel and pedals, it'll be easy. The most important thing, to me at least, is to actually have racing knowledge regarding apexes, proper throttle and braking techniques, etc. As long as you know that stuff, it'll be cake going straight to racing with no driving aids. If you have absolutey no knowledge of racing at all, learn them, and practice. Going straight to a high end wheel is fine, because you'll be kicking yourself in a month when you're driving fine on a DFT and don't have a T500RS.

 

[left888]

Also can you recommend the best way to get used to it? Should I just do race after race or redo the licence tests?

Lastly what FFB levels should I be starting off with?

Thanks for any help/advice

Just jump in and start driving, the T500 is a very solid easy to use wheel. You won't regret getting one. Start off with the default settings and after a few days of racing start to tweak it a bit if you so desire. It is an awesome wheel, I own 2 of them.

 

[Blaze_409]

Gonna be getting a T500RS for Xmas but I'm wondering if that is the best route to go.

I've never had a wheel and I've not actually used one before either so is it an advantage that I'm going straight to a high end wheel? Would it have been better maybe getting a DFGT (it's only gonna be used on my PS3) and getting used to using a wheel before upgrading?

Also can you recommend the best way to get used to it? Should I just do race after race or redo the licence tests?

Lastly what FFB levels should I be starting off with?

Thanks for any help/advice

When you first get the wheel your going to probably hate it and be on the verge of returning it to the store. But after maybe a week of constant use you'll get use to it and love it. Lesson: dont return the wheel to the store lolol

 

[ibuycheap]

If you're really set on the t500 you might as well get the shifter combo from costco if you can.

 

[Timppaq]

Just start slowly and don't go for too much power at the start. Also don't be frightened even if it seems really hard at first (it did for me), your brains will need some time to adapt. 👍 Just be ready to have much more fun.

 

[BNGTracer]

As stated by everyone already you've made the right choice of wheel. Start slow and work your way up. I re did the license tests and then went back to a-spec from the beginners level. It only took a week of practice in slower (400 - 450pp) cars to get the hang of it, then higher power cars become very easy to handle compared to a DS3. The biggest hurdle was relearning to use the TH8 with it, and again using the same method as above it only took a few days to get back into the lap times and better than just with the paddle shifters.
Great choice for your first wheel too.

 

[Energizerrr]

You get a wheel, you set it up and then you realise it's unlike anything you've ever played before. If you expect it to be easy - then you can't be more wrong!
You'll have huge problems with not beeing able to correct even a slightest bit of slide/oversteer, you'll be spinning out anything which has over 200hp, even FF cars.
You'll have to forget about MR cars, FR will take some time to learn, FF are pretty straightforward, 4WD are easy.

After 1 month you'll get a grip for the wheel but you'll still have difficulties with oversteer, you'll learn to drive FF, 4WD and FR cars.
After 2 months you'll learn to drive MR cars, you'll get the hang of countersteering and you'll be able to recover from small slides.
After 3 months you'll get used to the wheel very well, you'll be able to match you pad times and you'll get used to countersteering and maybe even drifting.


Good luck, wheel's a good choice - just it's a lot difficult!




As for the start:
I used FFB set to 3 and slowly moved it upwards (at 10 now).
I spent my first 5 hours driving stock Lancia Delta Integrale and VW Golf V GTi.
I turned HUD off (and haven't turned it on since).

So you should start like this:
low power 4WD -> low power FF -> low power FR -> medium power 4WD -> medium power FR -> high power 4WD -> high power FR -> repeat -> repeat again -> MR -> repeat -> race cars

 

[SkateNj]

Its definitely the best thing to start with a high end wheel. As it will last longer and you will spend way less money then having to upgrade.

 

[left888]

If you expect it to be easy - then you can't be more wrong!

Not sure what game you are playing but I think a wheel is way easier to race with then a gamepad. I don't want to sound offensive but do you drive? a real car that is. I have GT1-GT5, Forza1-Forza 4, Dirt 1,2,3 2 and 3 on the PC. All the Sim Bin titles on PC. iRacing, rFactor, Ferrari Virtual Academy for the PC and a few others of less usage. So I think I have a fairly good understanding of racing with a wheel. This of course does not make me the fastest by any means.

My first sim wheel goes back into the late 80's, a Madcatz, don't remember the model or a Sega wheel, can't remember which was first. Anyway I found every wheel I migrated to was easy to use and I have had many wheels. I don't understand why you guys are trying to scare the OP about being so difficult to use.

I suppose it matters what car the OP drives. My money says he will do fine with it and he comes back and tells us that very thing after Christmas.

 

[Energizerrr]

Not sure what game you are playing but I think a wheel is way easier to race with then a gamepad. I don't want to sound offensive but do you drive? a real car that is. I have GT1-GT5, Forza1-Forza 4, Dirt 1,2,3 2 and 3 on the PC. All the Sim Bin titles on PC. iRacing, rFactor, Ferrari Virtual Academy for the PC and a few others of less usage. So I think I have a fairly good understanding of racing with a wheel. This of course does not make me the fastest by any means.

My first sim wheel goes back into the late 80's, a Madcatz, don't remember the model or a Sega wheel, can't remember which was first. Anyway I found every wheel I migrated to was easy to use and I have had many wheels. I don't understand why you guys are trying to scare the OP about being so difficult to use.

I suppose it matters what car the OP drives. My money says he will do fine with it and he comes back and tells us that very thing after Christmas.

I only play GT5 with my wheel.
I drive since I was 14, so that's 4 years now (and still no licence ).

And there you go - you have over 2 decades of wheel experience whereas myself before my GT3 RS had not even 2 hours of experience on public wheels back in 2007 [G25 (30 minutes)]/2008 [DFGT (30 minutes)]/2011 [G25 (1 hour)].


For everyone without any wheel experience - switching over to the wheel is a pretty hard experience.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

You get a wheel, you set it up and then you realise it's unlike anything you've ever played before. If you expect it to be easy - then you can't be more wrong!
You'll have huge problems with not beeing able to correct even a slightest bit of slide/oversteer, you'll be spinning out anything which has over 200hp, even FF cars.
You'll have to forget about MR cars, FR will take some time to learn, FF are pretty straightforward, 4WD are easy.

After 1 month you'll get a grip for the wheel but you'll still have difficulties with oversteer, you'll learn to drive FF, 4WD and FR cars.
After 2 months you'll learn to drive MR cars, you'll get the hang of countersteering and you'll be able to recover from small slides.
After 3 months you'll get used to the wheel very well, you'll be able to match you pad times and you'll get used to countersteering and maybe even drifting.


Good luck, wheel's a good choice - just it's a lot difficult!




As for the start:
I used FFB set to 3 and slowly moved it upwards (at 10 now).
I spent my first 5 hours driving stock Lancia Delta Integrale and VW Golf V GTi.
I turned HUD off (and haven't turned it on since).

So you should start like this:
low power 4WD -> low power FF -> low power FR -> medium power 4WD -> medium power FR -> high power 4WD -> high power FR -> repeat -> repeat again -> MR -> repeat -> race cars

It depends on more the person. It came very naturally to me when I got my DFGT last year and within a few laps I was beating my best pad times on something like the F2007 around Suzuka in GT5P. My brothers still struggle with it and they are slower than their pad times but they don’t really play on it. I think it also is the way people hold the wheel, the way my brother moves the wheel one might think you would have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger to move the wheel properly. X2010 is an example, my brother was struggling to drive it with two hands, I said to him I could drive it much faster with only one hand and use a lot less effort and that happened to be the case. The reason being some people grip the steering wheel too tightly, I have a loose grip which makes things much easier. For me the wheel is so much easier but some might find the pad easier.


OP, I use force feedback on 3 and on simulation. This is with the DFGT so adjust to your liking with the T500RS. Also remember smooth steering is the quickest and easiest way so don’t turn the wheel too much when cornering.

 

[left888]

I only play GT5 with my wheel.
I drive since I was 14, so that's 4 years now

I am 51 years old now, I drove my first vehicle when I was 11 years old on a farm. It was an old Ford truck with three on the tree (manual transmission) I have been driving ever since. I have operated heavy equipment such as a D8 Caterpillar, Ditchers, Side booms, Back Hoes, Semi Trucks, Combine harvester, Swather and the list goes on.

Driving a race car is something I have not really done, a friend had a 700 HP car that hauled ass and I drove that but other then that no real experience at racing.

For someone starting out at a very young age a Sim racer might be very challenging but that can be overcome easily with a little practice, I have let family members with young kids such as Nephews as young as 6 try it and do relatively good. On the other hand I have seen mature adults fail miserably at it.

If someone goes out and buys a race game and a wheel my bet is they are confident enough that it will be relatively easy, of course as I mentioned earlier it depends on the car chosen. For me Sim racing with a wheel was as natural as driving and came easy to me.

It depends on more the person. It came very naturally to me when I got my DFGT last year and within a few laps I was beating my best pad times on something like the F2007 around Suzuka in GT5P.

I was the same way, it came naturally to me as well.

 

[priesty_lfc]

Thanks for the advice guys,

I'm not expecting it to be easy and I'm looking forward to the challenge, looks like I'll be staying away from my trusty NSX-Type R for awhile tho!

Roll on the 25th

 

[Whitestar]

I have the T500RS myself, and it's an amazing wheel. I used to have the G25 and there is no comparison IMO.

What I would recommend is that you race a bit first to get used to the wheel, and then try out drifting.

What's great about drifting (other than that it's fun by itself) is that it will give you better car control when racing also. Because in drifting you will get used to having to counter steer all the time, and this will eventually transfer to racing and give you better control. Now in conventional racing you ideally should not counter steer, but you will be better equipped to handle counter steers should they occur. And you will also feel that control over the car in general has improved.

With that said, don't expect to become a master at drifting within the first two hours. It takes a long time (though mileage may vary) to learn how to drift at beginner/medium level. I think I practised for maybe a month or two before I started to get the hang of it. But the satisfaction when you pull it off is incredible.

I race with Power Assist on and strength 7 or 8. For drift I use strength 4 or 5.

Good luck and congrats on great wheel.