People with wheels who end up just using the controller...?

[strtgng]

So I have a very nice Fanatec Turbo S wheel set-up with new Clubsport pedals on a Wheelstand Pro...

I love driving with a wheel, there is nothing else that compares to make a racing game enjoyable, but to play with the wheel I have to drag the whole thing upstairs, move the coffee table, set it up, plug it in, etc. This can only occur when my 2.5 year old is asleep, and the 7 week old isn't crying/hungry/wet, etc. Not to mention the wife approval factor which was low at best even before the kids were around, as she thinks I could be doing many more productive things.

I often just end up playing games with the controller - Xbox and Forza, or PS3 and GT5, Dirt 2, and Shift 2 (and Hot Pursuit - but that should be played with a controller no matter what). It is quick and easy to start playing, and easy to stop if needed to go help out with the baby or whatever else needs done.

Is there anyone else out there in my boat - you have a great wheel but not the time or space to really use it, so you end up with the controller out of convenience?

 

[sandboxgod]

I still use a controller on my xbox / forza. I am thinking bout just sticking with that for xbox. For PS3 I always use my t500rs wheel. So to get to the point- if I'm too lazy to bring out the t500rs I will instead use my xbox controller along with forza. The game is so forgiving with the rewinds, etc I'm not to bothered by the controller. I just play it purely casual / offline

GT5 I found it impossible to do some events with a controller so I always just use my wheel. Plus I'm a lot more serious/hardcore about the game since I play it online, etc.

Like you I have kids, wife, etc so I keep my wheel stowed away at all times when not in use. I also believe this will extend the life of the equipment (avoid dust, etc).

 

[Spagetti69]

If I can't use my wheel for some reason, then I don't play.

I can't use controller and I don't want to, TBH.

 

[OLDSKOOLACURA]

only use a controller to drift. I made a stand and I have it sit in the corner ready to go. now I just need to clean my closet so I can put it in there.

 

[mikekhel30]

So I have a very nice Fanatec Turbo S wheel set-up with new Clubsport pedals on a Wheelstand Pro...

I love driving with a wheel, there is nothing else that compares to make a racing game enjoyable, but to play with the wheel I have to drag the whole thing upstairs, move the coffee table, set it up, plug it in, etc. This can only occur when my 2.5 year old is asleep, and the 7 week old isn't crying/hungry/wet, etc. Not to mention the wife approval factor which was low at best even before the kids were around, as she thinks I could be doing many more productive things.

I often just end up playing games with the controller - Xbox and Forza, or PS3 and GT5, Dirt 2, and Shift 2 (and Hot Pursuit - but that should be played with a controller no matter what). It is quick and easy to start playing, and easy to stop if needed to go help out with the baby or whatever else needs done.

Is there anyone else out there in my boat - you have a great wheel but not the time or space to really use it, so you end up with the controller out of convenience?

You can just put it soomewhere near the tv so you don't have to drag it upstairs all the time. If there is no room, you can always make room for it. As for the wife, I don't think it would make such a difference if you play with a controller or wheel, you are still playing.

 

[sandboxgod]

meh just tried forza with controller. I'm thinking I'm gonna need a wheel for this thing unfortunately. I just don't feel the car without a nice wheel

 

[OLDSKOOLACURA]

meh just tried forza with controller. I'm thinking I'm gonna need a wheel for this thing unfortunately. I just don't feel the car without a nice wheel

yea that's the thing about forza, great game but (from what I've heard) the wheel for xbox sucks

 

[Raitziger]

You need a permanent solution to mount the wheel.

 

[trk29]

I only play GT with the wheel. I have to bring my rig in from the garage but when I do I usually play for 3 to 4 hours so it's plenty. But my schedule is more open since I am off work during the week as well.

 

[Bailout]

I have a DFGT and I've had in a month or so now, I was kind of disapointed with the wheel experience when I got it, I could barly keep the car on the road.
Even now I'm not good enough with it to race online, I'm much faster with a controller.

I use it when I grind to make it more enjoyable but switch to the faster pad when I race.

 

[MNLumberjack]

All wheel (even hot pursuit)
Whenever I cannot use my wheel I run bobs or play rpgs on my laptop

 

[strtgng]

You can just put it somewhere near the tv so you don't have to drag it upstairs all the time.

2 and a half year old = this is not an option! She would want to "drive" all the time

If there is no room, you can always make room for it. As for the wife, I don't think it would make such a difference if you play with a controller or wheel, you are still playing.

The controller isn't so invasive in the room...she doesn't trip over it, so it doesn't make her as mad. Women generally don't care for stuff like steering wheels sitting openly in their living rooms or having their stuff moved around to "make room for it" so it will have to stay in the basement.

 

[trk29]

2 and a half year old = this is not an option! She would want to "drive" all the time



The controller isn't so invasive in the room...she doesn't trip over it, so it doesn't make her as mad. Women generally don't care for stuff like steering wheels sitting openly in their living rooms or having their stuff moved around to "make room for it" so it will have to stay in the basement.

When I first built my rig my wife said "You are not leaving that in here" just like most she thinks I am a kid and can't believe I play video games. She has come to terms with it LOL.

I was keeping my rig in the garage and still do but, when I know I am going to be playing it I leave it in the dining room for a few days.

She has stopped telling me to put it up. The only time she does is when we have guests. If I leave it out my 3 year old doesn't get on it anymore.

I may have to get a 32" TV and adapt my rig so I can mount the tv to it. Then I could just leave it in the garage and tote my ps3 back and forth. Might be easier.

 

[mikekhel30]

2 and a half year old = this is not an option! She would want to "drive" all the time



The controller isn't so invasive in the room...she doesn't trip over it, so it doesn't make her as mad. Women generally don't care for stuff like steering wheels sitting openly in their living rooms or having their stuff moved around to "make room for it" so it will have to stay in the basement.

Playing GT5 in the basement, perfect!

 

[OwensRacing]

Being a single parent. I have two rigs in the house. Mine and the boys. theirs is easier to slide out of the way. Mine is in the back room. So it is out and usually centered on the tv. hahaha. I keep the motor running. Yes. Yes I do.

 

[GT_Prologue5]

I only de-latch my wheel from my desk when I'm up for some GTA:SA or NFS: Prostreet. Only 2 PS2 games I have, and GT5 is my only fun PS3 game. When I'm online I have to move the PS3 into the basement, and I resort to a controller.

 

[trk29]

Being a single parent. I have two rigs in the house. Mine and the boys. theirs is easier to slide out of the way. Mine is in the back room. So it is out and usually centered on the tv. hahaha. I keep the motor running. Yes. Yes I do.

Awesome!

 

[Tornado]

There are some games that I simply cannot play properly with the wheel, regardless of how well suited they may be to it. For example, I own NFS Underground 2, Hot Pursuit 2 and Pro Street on the PS2. The only one I can play with my DFGT is Pro Street. Particularly odd because I also own Underground 2 on the PC and I have no problem with it there.
GT4 and Enthusia were another pair of games that I could never do anything with a wheel on. Not with my DFGT, and not with my DFP when I still had it.

On the PC, I own Outrun 2006 but have never found it comfortable to play it with a wheel, mostly because I owned it on the PS2 and PSP first for several years.

 

[OwensRacing]

Do you play GT5 with the wheel comfortable?

 

[Tornado]

GT5 yeah, no problem. GT3 and GT2 as well. But GT4 never clicked with me for whatever reason.

 

[OLDSKOOLACURA]

When I first built my rig my wife said "You are not leaving that in here" just like most she thinks I am a kid and can't believe I play video games. She has come to terms with it LOL.

I was keeping my rig in the garage and still do but, when I know I am going to be playing it I leave it in the dining room for a few days.

She has stopped telling me to put it up. The only time she does is when we have guests. If I leave it out my 3 year old doesn't get on it anymore.

I may have to get a 32" TV and adapt my rig so I can mount the tv to it. Then I could just leave it in the garage and tote my ps3 back and forth. Might be easier.

hope you have a heated garage lol

* just saw you live in NC, still gets cold in the winter (at least at night)

 

[OwensRacing]

If his garage is not heated or air conditioned. I offer this solution.

Duct some duct work from your house HVAC to the garage with a vent leading there. So when the house ac or heat kicks on the garage gets some love too. My garage is done this way and it stays nice in the winter and summer. I refuse to build hi po cars in a non air conditioned garage. The ac really changes the game for me. I am more relaxed and less stressed. Every build since I decided this has been a pleasure as well work done was just that much better.

 

[nurburgring]

Married with a 3 and half years daughter. So not easy for me to play freely in our not very big apartment. But I decided to do my own cockpit, I built it like it is now a big wooden box ( 1 meter londg x 40cm height x 50cm large) usuable as a second big kind of bench for possible guests. The seat and the wheel are foldable with a cover on top to hide all the installation. this ''box'' is always near the TV in the living room.

The only big problem is now the noise of my DFGT.

 

[sk0pe]

Oh yeah i need something permanent solution, im sooo sick of dragging all the components of G27 out and fitting to desk, getting everything in right position and angle. Then fighting through the spaghetti of wires from the back of thing plugging it all in etc !!
Sometimes it's good to just relax back on the recliner couch and play with controller, but after 5 mins you quickly get bored and realise how 🤬 it is without a wheel and go get your wheel set-up.

 

[David]

I mostly just use the controller for GT5 these days so that the different feel of the wheel in GT5 doesn't throw me off in iRacing.

 

[tezster]

Naturally, the easier it is to get your wheel setup, the more likely you are to use it. My wheelstand is stored in my 'gaming closet' (spare bedroom closet where I store all my PS3 peripherals), adjacent to my living room. So all I have to do is move the coffee table out of the way, drag my wheelstand out and plop it in front of the couch.

If you need to go up/down flights of stairs, or go outside to the garage to grab a wheel, re-clamp the wheel and re-connect all the cables every time you want to use it, it's a lot of work - especially if you only want to play for an hour or less.

Unless I'm grinding Indy (which I no longer do), I use my wheelstand setup 100% of the time.

 

[BlacqueJacques]

Wheel only; I only use console for IL 2 Sturmovik and other flying games.

 

[PERM01]

I have my own gaming TV in our living room sitting right next to the main TV and my wheel and stand sit right next to it. So when I want to play I just turn my TV on and go for it ... after the kid is asleep that is.

 

[noswaR]

Not to mention the wife approval factor which was low at best even before the kids were around, as she thinks I could be doing many more productive things.

This made me laugh - This defo applies to me as well. The wife gives me an ever growing list of jobs to do round the house.

I'm lucky enough to have a complete rig set up in my conservatory that's ready to switch on and go so I dont have teh hassle of setting up.

 

[m4xwellmurd3r]

I've got a 4 month old daughter so my playtime is limited to my wife letting me play, and my daughters mood hahah. Luckily the entire time she was pregnant she rode iin my open exhaust 280z so my little girl is used to sleeping when its noisy. My dfgt is a little loud but a little oil on the internal gears made it smoother and a bit quieter.

I CANNOT drive without the wheel. I was playing grid and realized that since I started using the wheel, compares to before, I'm a lot faster than with the controller.

I've got the cheapest setup ever. Its a cheapo metal shelf from target, those three teir shelves with the wire shelves, and a fold out padded chair with 6in hacked off the legs. It sits in the corner near the tv so I just pull it on front of the TV, fold out my chair, and start playing