Should I buy a racing wheel?

Deathbypizza245

Deathbypizza245

Messages
51
United States
New York
Messages
Deathbypizza245
Hey guys first thread from a green member.

I dont know if there are any existing threads on the information I'm about to ask. I didnt see any, but then again I didn't look too hard.

Should I get a racing wheel? Gt5 is my first racing game and ever since I bought it 2 months or so ago i've been hooked. Cant wait for GT6, im definitely getting it.

What are the benefits of a racing wheel?

Any Disadvantages?

Whats the best I could buy for not a whole lot of cash?

Thanks for reading. God bless everyone

-Aaron
P.S: Any racers are free to send a friend request to my PSN if they choose to!
 
There is no single benefit for using Pad Like Dualshock in Gran Turismo games. Wheel is the only way to play.
 
I agree, there isn't really any advantages with DS3. Maybe apart from making drifting easier, but nothing else.

There's really only three wheels, which is "okay"; the DFGT, the G27 (or a used G25) and the T500 RS. I don't recall the exact prices, the DFGT is the cheapest though, but doesn't come with an H-shifter.

I can say the DFGT or G27 should be around your "not too much budget". 👍
 
Dean J
I agree, there isn't really any advantages with DS3. Maybe apart from making drifting easier, but nothing else.

There's really only three wheels, which is "okay"; the DFGT, the G27 (or a used G25) and the T500 RS. I don't recall the exact prices, the DFGT is the cheapest though, but doesn't come with an H-shifter.

I can say the DFGT or G27 should be around your "not too much budget". 👍
Click to expand...

Which do you use? Can you give me a review of some sort?
 
You should definitely get a wheel :)

It's way more fun to play with and in my eyes your driving skill gain will be much faster.
I am using the dfgt and as a "casual" driver I'm not regretting my choice, definitely worth it's money.
 
proXster
You should definitely get a wheel :)

It's way more fun to play with and in my eyes your driving skill gain will be much faster.
I am using the dfgt and as a "casual" driver I'm not regretting my choice, definitely worth it's money.
Click to expand...

I did a ton of research on that wheel and it sounds really interesting. Disregarding the pedals of course
 
Deathbypizza245
Which do you use? Can you give me a review of some sort?
Click to expand...

I'm using the T500 RS, but I've had a DFGT earlier.

I can recommend the DFGT as a very good starter wheel. Though, it lacks the clutch and shifter the G27's got. If I were to choose between those two I would go for the G27, but that's only because I've already owned the DFGT.

The T500 is a very good wheel, but I think the price scares off most people ($500-600), along with the fact that it doesn't come with a shifter. The build-in fan can get very noisy, but apart from that I haven't had any other troubles. I can say, compared to the DFGT, the FFB (force feedback) is in another class. I can't really tell much about the G27, as I haven't tried it, but it comes with a shifter and has a lot of modification-possibilities plus a price that doesn't scare as much as the T500. I feel like I can feel the DFGT's made of plastic, but I can't feel that with the T500, because of it's weight (17 kg in total, with the pedal-set weighting in at a good 7 kg, because it's made of aluminium) and it's "sturdyness".

As said, your choice is between the DFGT and the G27, unless you want to spend $500-ish on a wheel :).
 
I would buy a T500 if I liked holes in my wallet Lol. Is the wheel top notch? Better than the G27? Because from what I have Read/Heard/Seen the G27 seems most ideal once one was settled into racing without a DS3 controller. But for the initial leap from DS3 to racing wheel the DFGT comes first

.. is what everyone says
 
Deathbypizza245
from what I have Read/Heard/Seen the G27 seems (the) most ideal once one was settled into racing without a DS3 controller. But for the initial leap from DS3 to racing wheel the DFGT comes first
Click to expand...

Yes. I went from DS3 to DFGT and don't have any regrets. It was reasonably priced and well worth it. I considered the G27 for the clutch and shifter, but I am more than satisfied with the DFGT. Maybe next time I'll get the G27 or whatever else is comparable.
 
ccaranna
Yes. I went from DS3 to DFGT and don't have any regrets. It was reasonably priced and well worth it. I considered the G27 for the clutch and shifter, but I am more than satisfied with the DFGT. Maybe next time I'll get the G27 or whatever else is comparable.
Click to expand...

In that case im on the right track for wanting to buy the DFGT? Im assuming
 
DFGT will be fine, the cost / performance ratio is perfect (the pedals aren't a that bad).

The G27 is the better choice if you want to spend the money, the other option would be a fanatec GT3 RS V2.
 
Do any of you have any sort of testimony regarding your experiences with this wheel? (DFGT) First day.. first week.. month.. frustrations.. suprises .. likes.. dislikes.. difference in lap times.. general racing experience and what has changed.. anything? Was it worth your hard earned cash?

I would love to read some, and itd definitely seal the deal.

(Your time would also be greatly appreciated!)

$130 or less definitely sounds within my budget btw

I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your contributions
 
Deathbypizza245
Is the wheel top notch? Better than the G27?
Click to expand...

Yes, inside a reasonable price range. As said, I haven't tried the G27, but from what I've heard, yes it is.

Deathbypizza245
In that case im on the right track for wanting to buy the DFGT? Im assuming
Click to expand...
hall90
It all comes down to how much money you want to spend on a wheel.
Click to expand...
Exactly that.

The DFGT is the best wheel for starters, for sure :)


Deathbypizza245
First day.. first week.. month.. frustrations.. suprises .. likes.. dislikes.. difference in lap times.. general racing experience and what has changed.. anything? Was it worth your hard earned cash?
Click to expand...
I don't recall anything to be honest, and yes, it's worth it's price :).
 
DFGT: the good

  • Easy to setup.
  • Hard to learn for the first few days but once I got the timing down it was great.
  • After 2 years, I still haven't broken the force feedback motor or gears.
  • If race "pace" is important to you, this wheel will let you be just as fast as any other wheel. Some of the fastest guys use DFGTs.
  • Feels really nice with force feedback set to 5.
DFGT: the bad
  • It's not quiet.
  • It can feel cheap.
  • The shifters are junk. They broke a few months ago on my wheel.
  • If you want to take up drifting it will be harder than with a G27 but still can do the job.
 
Deathbypizza245
I have people in the house.. is it going to be extremely obnoxious?
Click to expand...

In a room with the door shut, fine.

In a main room of the house, fine but won't work well at night.

It's about as loud as a toy 1/10th scale remote controlled car (they use about the same motors and gears).
 
i went through all the what wheel stuff and found a g27 on craigs list for $100,now i'm looking for a stand and thats turning out to be as hard as the wheel.its a good day to go racing
 
Deathbypizza245
Do any of you have any sort of testimony regarding your experiences with this wheel? (DFGT) First day.. first week.. month.. frustrations.. suprises .. likes.. dislikes.. difference in lap times.. general racing experience and what has changed.. anything? Was it worth your hard earned cash?
A wheel is definitely worth the money spent. DFGT good for the $ to start.
I would love to read some, and itd definitely seal the deal.
I have a G27. You may find that there is about a 2-4 week learning curve. However, since you haven't been playing racing games for very long and are even new to GT you may not have much of a curve. Those of us who have played all of the GT franchise since the beginning had to lose some bad driving habits form the pad.
(Your time would also be greatly appreciated!)

$130 or less definitely sounds within my budget btw

I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your contributions
Click to expand...

Now you have to begin to develop your plan for a driving rig.
 
I have no driving experience IRL, went and bought a g27 2-3 months ago after playing with a controller since GT1, haven't regretted it once!

It's definitely worth getting a wheel. Not only does it make the game more immersive, but a lot more enjoyable.
Nailing a perfect line, drifting, or even a perfect shift left me with a sense of accomplishment that i'd never get with a ds3.
You will also feel how tuning or changing a setting affects the car more.

I'd say go straight for a g27 or better. Trying the DFGT as an entry wheel will only cost you more money, as i'm sure you'll want the extra from a g27 or t500 when you get hooked, and buy one of those anyway.
 
Racin-Rev
Now you have to begin to develop your plan for a driving rig.
Click to expand...

I was planning on using this piano bench to rest the wheel and mount it to a book or something. The pedals fit under the bench and i'd use my couch as a seat
 
Deathbypizza245
I dont know if there are any existing threads on the information I'm about to ask. I didnt see any, but then again I didn't look too hard.
Click to expand...
Moved to the whole forum we have on the topic...
 
Airetam
I have no driving experience IRL, went and bought a g27 2-3 months ago after playing with a controller since GT1, haven't regretted it once!

It's definitely worth getting a wheel. Not only does it make the game more immersive, but a lot more enjoyable.
Nailing a perfect line, drifting, or even a perfect shift left me with a sense of accomplishment that i'd never get with a ds3.
You will also feel how tuning or changing a setting affects the car more.

I'd say go straight for a g27 or better. Trying the DFGT as an entry wheel will only cost you more money, as i'm sure you'll want the extra from a g27 or t500 when you get hooked, and buy one of those anyway.
Click to expand...

I agree with you there. I again have no driving experience IRL. My dad bought a G27 and Wheel Stand Pro and he said it was very realistic and when I had enough money from my birthday (the bonuses of being 14 haha) I bought one my myself along with Wheel Stand Pro to mount the wheel, pedals a H-Box Shifter. The G27 is a bit more expensive but I really do think that it's worth it. The H shifter is such great fun in the slower cars compared to the DFGT's paddles and sequential gearbox I think. And make sure you can hard mount everything: wheel, pedals and shifter. It makes the experience when playing a whole lot better because you're not getting annoyed at everything moving. I recommend buying Wheel Stand Pro because it's really cheap (the cheapest one that I found before buying my wheel) and it actually does do a really good job at mounting and has varied adjustables which is really good. You could buy Playseat if you have the money because it has the seat but if you're tight on money buy Wheel Stand Pro and try to find a suitable seat. The great feelings I have had from nailing that lap and drifting that section like a pro is so much more than using a DS3. And as for the T500RS, I think that from what I have heard it's a great wheel but just so expensive! My whole rig (well sort of) cost me £320. The Thrustmaster is like £450 when I last looked which for me at least is just too expensive. Sorry if this has dragged on a bit too long but I personally think it's quite informative.
You NEED to get a wheel, it's the best thing I did with my console purchases and I never ever will regret buying it, and there's quite a lot of stuff that I've regretted buying! :)
 
HammerBlaster
The G27 is a bit more expensive but I really do think that it's worth it.
Click to expand...

Now it seems that the dilemma is i'm torn between the two :/

The GFGT is cheaper, and good for starting point racing. Good for people who dont know if they're actually committed yet.

G27 is clearly the better model. Upgraded feels.. more authentic to that of an actual racing wheel.. more stuff to mess with. but just a tad more expensive.. you guys tell me to get it because you claim I'll save money in the long run..

So .. whats the deciding factor here? Wheres the line between the two? You guys are killing me here
 
Last edited:
Deathbypizza245
I was planning on using this piano bench to rest the wheel and mount it to a book or something. The pedals fit under the bench and i'd use my couch as a seat
Click to expand...

This should work, just make sure the bench is high enough off the floor. Also, I recommend a chair that's not too cushy with back support. I find that I sink into sofas after sitting in them for a while, and as a result my technique (if you can call it that) becomes sloppy. Try to find a chair that's comfortable and also supports your sides like a real car seat. Otherwise you may find yourself rolling all over the place as if you were driving a '64 Impala with a bench seat.

Also, be sure to take care of the pedals. Try to keep as much lint and debris out of them as possible. Don't leave them out in the open and cover them with something when you're not using them. This goes for the wheel itself. If you take care of it, it'll take care of you. I've logged hundreds of hours on my DFGT without an issue.
 
If you use a wheel when playing GT5, you can actually feel that you're close to driving a real car. Well, that's just me, I guess.
 
Wheel gives you extra control over the car, it's far easier to be smooth and hit your lines with a wheel than a pad. FFB gives you more of a feel for the road underneath you and how the car is reacting. And if you already drive, using a wheel uses more of your natural responses to driving so it feels nicer.


I'm surprised no one has suggested you look at Fanatecs. DFGT is definitely the way to go if you're looking for a budget wheel, but in the $200-$300 range Fanatecs are also an option. The pedal options are some of the best in the market, before you start paying silly amount of money. The belt drive can be smoother and quieter than the rack+pinion drives in the Logitech wheels. If you ever play driving games on Xbox, you can get one that's compatible, if that makes a difference.

There's a lot of positives for G25/G27s too so it's by no means an easy choice, but you should be aware that the options exist. Read up on the Fanatec threads here to know more.
 
Imari
I'm surprised no one has suggested you look at Fanatecs.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I wondered about earlier, but didn't post anything. Personally I think I might like a Porsche or CSR wheel more than a G27 due to belt drive. Less mechanical deadzone, no firmware programmed deadzone and more silent way of transfering force from the motor to the wheel in your hands.

Than you have the tuning menu which gives you much more control over the FFB from GT5/6.

Besides, with the Fanatec wheel you can also hook up some nice pedals with a loadcell. So think CSR Elite or Clubsport pedals. Or go for the cheaper CSR pedals. The CSR and CSR Elite can even be inverted if desired.

Personally I can only see win with Fanatec over the G27, but... I am sure there are people who will disagree with me.

As a background for the OP. I owned a Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP first, than went to a G25, then a Thrustmaster T500 with F1 rim and TH8 shifter (later with Clubsport Pedals v1 on PC). Finally by being a lucky beta tester for Fanatec I got a Clubsport Wheel with both rims and the Clubsport pedals v2.
I wonder what my next wheel will be... maybe a ECCI, Frex or Leo Bodnar wheel? :crazy:
 

Latest Posts

Back