Help me buy a wheel please( i researched)

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caseball2051

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so, I recently found GT5 in my college belongings. Ive done some research, but im torn as to which route i want to take. I narrowed it down to three options.

let me preface by saying that im a hobby slut. So Im weary about dropping alot of money on something that I may potentially move away from. In that same regard, if I enjoy my experience with a wheel I may want to move to PC sims and get a whole sim rig setup. So initial cost is a concern for me.

Also a concern is my age, and point in life. I am 24 and engaged but still living at home with my father. Just graduated from college and still looking for my first job so me and the fiance can get a place together. so flexibility upon a possible move in the near future is also a consideration.

first - live with DS3 until I move out and save for a rig and quality setup. This is the eventual goal someday as of now. But we all must start somehwere.

second. - logitech drive force GT - done some reasearch and it seems like a great starter wheel. It can be had right now for 120$ on amazon. Prices seem to fluctuate from 99-150$ in my research though. If I went this route I would build a ghetto rig out of 2x4s and some wood. Ive heard the pedals are poor. The pedals are my main concern with this setup. If i made a move today this is probably my route. This is my most attractive setup at the moment.

third - my birhtday is in january. the fiance and i generally spend 100$ on each other for birthdays and I would put that 100$ towards a g27 and build a wooden 2x4 rig because of my location/price. all things considered this route would be the same price as setup number 2. i could plan and build the wooden rig in teh meantime and be ready to go in a month. my concern is that my hobby jumping will take over if i spend too long with the DS3. the game has so much content though, im unsure if tha twould happen.


Sorry for the length, any help appreciated. any other opinions are also accepted. im still in the infant stages of researching.
 
If you can afford the G27 with gift money from your gf the G27 is the way to go. The DFGT is nice starter wheel but can quickly leave you wanting more, especially if you think you will look at PC sims.
 
A hobby... Slut? That's a new one! I say convince your dad to get into sim racing, let him spend all the money and commandeer his rig while you're still living with him. Perfect.
 
yeah i tend to jump from one hobby to another fairly quickly, its kind of a problem lol. my previous purchase was a telescope. ive only used it a few times unfortunately.

hobby slut just seemed appropriate. i hope thats not breaking any rules.

my father isnt interested unfortunately. as i was typing it out it, it seemed like the smartest thing to do was to wait a short time and get the G27. i can use the next 5-6 weeks to plan and build a rig. hed help me build if i asked, but he wouldnt want to participate other than just trying it out.

going to modify this setup slightly. I dont have a car seat unfortunately so im building the wheel mount and pedal half to work with an office chair. shouldnt be too difficult.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=263352
 
Caseball - If I were in your position I would forget about a rig at the moment - get a Logitech DFGT and Wheelstandpro - your budget and birthday money would cover both. As you are a "hobby slut" I would forget about a rig and a more expensive wheel until you have been gaming for at least a year.

Also don't forget it can be a highly addictive hobby and therefore could be the kiss of death to your relationship with your fiance. A wheelstand pro which enables you to fold up and put your gear out of sight, plus limiting your gaming as a treat for when you have earned it should also help. I have friends where there excessive hours on GT5 have seriously damaged their marriage / relationship.
 
Forgot to mention - the DFGT pedals are OK and the wheel itself is very good. The limiting factor in lap times is normally skill, experience and talent. There are people who play with that wheel and pedals whose times are unbeleivable.
 
i hadnt considered a wheel stand, but i like your idea, sick.

is there a guide i can read about stands? I looked quickly and saw the master list, but its quite extensive. i have seen them on amazon while looking through wheels.

the wooden rig in the link just seemed so easy that I was going to go for it. If it was too much work or i couldtn execute it properly i was going to look at alternatives.
 
caseball2051
i hadnt considered a wheel stand, but i like your idea, sick.

is there a guide i can read about stands? I looked quickly and saw the master list, but its quite extensive. i have seen them on amazon while looking through wheels.

the wooden rig in the link just seemed so easy that I was going to go for it. If it was too much work or i couldtn execute it properly i was going to look at alternatives.
Click to expand...

I used a Rennsport Wheel Stand and a real car seat mounted to a simple 8020 frame for almost 2 years before I built my rig.

It was quite stable. That's a fairly cheap way to get started. You can see pictures of it on my profile picture.
 
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Since you aren't too sure how serious you'll be, my recommendation would be a DFGT - used or refurbished if you can find it. Then do the brake mod on it to increase the brake pedal resistance (relatively easy to do). You can also buy 3rd party paddle shifters for it. The wheel should be pretty decent after the above tweaks.

And definitely consider a wheel stand if your budget allows - increases immersion/fun factor and ergonomics of using a wheel.
 
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did some more searching and took the posts into account and went for the DFGT with wheelstandpro. my biggest concern was the DFGT pedals and i saw some mods on youtube that seemed to make the most of the unit.

should be here soon, this week anyway.

my only regret, that i thought of when i read my original post, was not buying or looking for a stand that would be compatible with the G27 if i decided to upgrade. now im forced to buy a new stand, make one or get a rig of somekind.
 
Wheelstandpro is compatible with the G27 without having to order a completely new stand. You can e-mail them when you do decide to upgrade and order an upgrade kit for around $50. They will send you the pieces to swap out to allow the G27 to fit perfectly.
 
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mcfizzle
If you can afford the G27 with gift money from your gf the G27 is the way to go. The DFGT is nice starter wheel but can quickly leave you wanting more, especially if you think you will look at PC sims.
Click to expand...

This... DFGT is a great wheel, but the G27, is better. If you got the money for a G27 - go for it!
 
Instead of a wheelstand, I'd consider the CSL cockpit by fanatec formerly the Rinoseat GTR.

It's yet to be released but pre-orders should just be around the corner

Edit: Not sure if it is compatible with the DFGT. If you are willing to spend more, the G27 is also a very good wheel.

I also see you already bought your wheel and stand. It's a good purchase either way you go anyways.
 
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If these are your choices I would go with the Logitech G27 and look into building a Ricmotech RS1. Look it up on the internet.

I think buying a cheaper wheel is just throwing good money after bad. Eventually you are going to want a quality wheel so why not do it up front.
 
I would go with this same package above if I was going new. Currently use DFGT and I like the wheel for the price, but pedals are ok for basic use. The good thing about stepping up to G27 is pedals can be changed to load cell very easy and not overally expensive either. Another option if you do DFGT is the rubber ball mod (can't remember exactly the name of it) works alot better than stock brakes for me, but you can always buy stand alone pedals later down the road which is probably what I will do over a new wheel set.

There are so many choices for stands though and basic setup could be made for not much.
 
just posted up for anyone that might search in the future

thanks for all the feedback and advice, everyone. as i said above i went with the DFGT and a wheelstandpro. my budget didnt allow for much else unforunately.

I got the wheel but the stand got lost by UPS, isnt that great?

anyway, the wheel and pedals exceeded my expecations. I can see why otehrs would want to upgrade to the G27 almost immediately, but this fits my needs perfectly right now. Im so happy with my purchase.

I can see myself really getting into this hobby more, so eventualyl ill upgrade and get a PC and whole setup. but while im at my parents house looking for work and a place with the Fiance, this is ideal for me. thanks for all the advice.
 

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