To all Wheel Users

  • Thread starter Thread starter MarshyTVR2
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MarshyTVR2

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Hey, I'm new, but I've been playing GT for a long time yadayadayada, enough of the introductory waste-my-time rubbish.

I've been playing gt with a Joypad since it first came out, and I have to be honest I consider myself as been quite a quality driver (although, compared to most of you guys..I suck). I discovered this site a couple of weeks back, and read a completely random topic in the GT4 forum about steering wheels.

I realised that I have NEVER used a steering wheel in GT, being the car enthusiat that I am, I thought I would try it out, so I picked up a cheap £20 "Speedster Pure" wheel from my local Game. I've been driving around for a while in the steering wheel.

The point of my topic is, when you first used a wheel (thats if you did use the joypad first, then switched), did it take a bit of time to get used to the wheel? And now you are complete pro racers with it? I'm just worried because I seem to have found alot of things wrong with my driving style with the wheel, braking seems to be much looser: ie; I have to brake earlier or I'll drive straight into the wall, and also I can't seem to get my car in a straight line, I keep slightly turning the wheel from left to right to get it straight, and by the time its straight you have the almighty downhill-to-first-corner of SS11 to deal with.

Also, I feel very ..erm..how should I put it.."Camp" sat on a chair with my legs clamped together with a wheel on my lap, do most of you use the proffesional racing seat plus wheels?

Sorry for the long post, I could talk for years (or should I say "type")

I bought such a cheap wheel because I am expecting a brand new GT-Force wheel in the post by Friday, I thought I may as well get a cheap wheel to get used to driving with one, before the real wheel comes.

Speech over, any replies? :dopey:
 
well, it took me about a month to get my times to my dual shock ones. now i cant drive without the wheel lol. i use the Dual Force Pro though, mounted on a table. just an added touch of realism for me lol.

but yes, to answer your question, it will take time to learn how to drive with the wheel, but im sure once you do, you wont wanna go back to the controller.
 
IT does take time to get used to a wheel.

One thing that would help the most, is a solid and secure mounting and seating spot. As for Braking, there was a known glitch with the Blue Logitech, in that it had 75% braking power. It may be similar software in your wheel.

You'll enjoy the FOrce Pro much more.

AO
 
MarshyTVR2
The point of my topic is, when you first used a wheel (thats if you did use the joypad first, then switched), did it take a bit of time to get used to the wheel? And now you are complete pro racers with it? I'm just worried because I seem to have found alot of things wrong with my driving style with the wheel, braking seems to be much looser: ie; I have to brake earlier or I'll drive straight into the wall, and also I can't seem to get my car in a straight line, I keep slightly turning the wheel from left to right to get it straight, and by the time its straight you have the almighty downhill-to-first-corner of SS11 to deal with.

Also, I feel very ..erm..how should I put it.."Camp" sat on a chair with my legs clamped together with a wheel on my lap, do most of you use the proffesional racing seat plus wheels?
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Hey welcome to GTP... i agree this site is addictive :sly: Anyway, funny you had a thread like this... i too was a long time DS2 player even 100%ing and all golding every NTSC version of GT so far (1/2/3). Through these forums i got a lot of good input about the benefits of the wheel and how much better it was to enjoy what GT really has to offer. So based on what was going on here and in anticipation of the ultimate GT4 I picked up a DFP... and let me tell you... WOW! Soooo much better.

I had an adjustment period as well and i think this is natural. I mean, you learned how to drive GT with a pad... obviously response time from lock to lock in steering is unrealistically fast, and while the controller does have sensitivity to pressing the buttons, it's hard to control the throttle and brake like you can with peddles. I also found that you had to be much more careful with braking and acceleration points, mostly b/c you can't countersteer as quickly (it's actually more realistic this way). There's still some problems where you can't countersteer enough to bring it back around, but from what i've heard 900 degree mode in GT4 eliviates this. Also, to your point about constantly steering... you have to do this in real life too... driving at 150mph is unstable... even in a race car... you will always be making at least minor steering corrections.

Overall i feel that you've never really played GT until you've used a wheel... and i can't wait for even more improved feel in GT4.

As far as a racing seat goes... i have a "homemade" setup, but it's 1000x better than clamping it to a coffee table and sitting on a couch :sly:
 
Hey, clamping it to a coffee table? My current wheel has these handy leg clamps...hehe?

But seriously, my GT-Force wheel is coming on Friday, do they come with any possible way of "clamping" it on your lap? Or is the only way to make the steering wheel sit steel is to clamp it to a table..
 
Kind of off topic in this thread, but does anyone know where I can get a Driving Force Pro for cheap (and preferably in Canada)? I've found one for $100 US, but the jerks want to charge me another $100 US for shipping. I can't find any on Ebay, and the average price seems to be around $140 US + shipping, which is too much for me.
 
Funny, I was just talking about this the other day in another thread ...

Luxy
Before I got my DFP, I used both analog sticks on my DS2, so it's not an exact comparison but ...

In terms of steering control, the DFP is definitely faster for me in road cars, where you don't have a lot of downforce. It's much, much easier to turn in gently and not let the tires brake away. It also helps a lot in long sweeping corners (like the tightening circles at Complex String), because you can steer just the right amout, rather than tap-tap-tap and the car responds better.

In terms of gas and brakes, the DFP wins hands down for me. Throttle control is much better than the analog sticks (and miles ahead of the buttons, I would imagine). The bigger difference for me though has been left-foot braking and trail-braking. I couldn't do either very well with the DS2, and both have made me a lot faster (knocked 0.400 off my T1 running an arcade RGT @ SSR5-II by trail-braking the first corner and steering smoothly).

Overall, the biggest advantage is in slower road cars. I find that I'm as fast or faster with the controller in high powered race cars, because having instant steering response offsets being less smooth when you're moving so fast. Exactly how much faster is hard to say, it really depends on the combo ... But after a week or two, it's at least as fast and way more fun 👍 Just make sure to budget / plan a good rig to put the wheel on, and be patient getting up to speed. If you get it, you won't be disappointed :)

Oh, and don't worry about getting laughed at. My wife laughs at me about it all the time, especially when the phone rings, and I can't get un-strapped from my rig fast enough to answer it :lol: :dunce:
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Luxy
Here's the setup I came up with:

dfp_01.jpg

dfp_02.jpg


A Poang chair from Ikea, a bit of wood, some clamps and an afternoon with my Dad :) It had to be hideable when company comes over to keep the Mrs. happy, so the whole thing detaches from the chair to go in the closet. Only downside is that it takes a bit to get in and out of (have to do/undo all four clamps).
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Dad said we can get a DFP (900 degree one) when we get GT4 woot, thanks for the pics luxy, im hoping to set up something similar when i get my wheel.
 
Slicks
Kind of off topic in this thread, but does anyone know where I can get a Driving Force Pro for cheap (and preferably in Canada)? I've found one for $100 US, but the jerks want to charge me another $100 US for shipping. I can't find any on Ebay, and the average price seems to be around $140 US + shipping, which is too much for me.
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Logitech Canada has an online store.
 
Slicks
Kind of off topic in this thread, but does anyone know where I can get a Driving Force Pro for cheap (and preferably in Canada)?
Click to expand...

I recently got mine from these guys. And yes, they copy & pasted the wrong product description, but you'll get the DFP.
 
Luxy
Funny, I was just talking about this the other day in another thread ...
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I don't know if you guys have WalMart's in Canada, but they have this cool plastic gaming chair that actually looks like a Recaro Racing seat. The only draw back is that it is kinda rounded on the bottom like a rocker. But I use this to rock slightly back and get a good laid back feel. It's quite comfortable for a couple of hours, but I'm sure when I get to endurances I'll have to pad it a little. LOL

Almost forgot. Really cool setup man!!
 
CrackHoor
I recently got mine from these guys. And yes, they copy & pasted the wrong product description, but you'll get the DFP.
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$180 total. That's the best deal in Canada yet.
I've found cheaper in the US, but they either wont ship to Canada, or charge too much for shipping (I got a shipping quote from Compuplus for $100! That's actually more than the cost of the wheel!).
 
Slicks
$180 total. That's the best deal in Canada yet.
I've found cheaper in the US, but they either wont ship to Canada, or charge too much for shipping (I got a shipping quote from Compuplus for $100! That's actually more than the cost of the wheel!).
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Haha, yup. And then you've gotta deal with duty & customs & brokerage & UPS (many vendors will only ship by the evil, evil UPS) on top of that. I've ordered a lot of car parts & stuff from the US - that cross border stuff can be a real pain... :yuck:

And on-topic: after just a couple weeks with the DFP, I've snagged gold on some license tests that I'd given up on, and my lap times are still going down... I love it. 👍
 
I already have a wheel, but it's not working anymore. Nothing I have done can convince it to function properly. But I'm still not sure if I can afford to spend $180 on a wheel. Or if I really need a $180 wheel. If I get a job for second semester, I definitely will then.



EDIT - And I know I can't afford to buy GT4 (feb. 22) and a wheel at the same time. I guess I'd better make up a resume.
 
Well I got my GT-Force this morning, Its kinda hard aint it? I'm having trouble on deciding which mode to set it (beg, pro, sim). I keep oversteering and spinning alot, not sure if its the wheel or my crappy camaro setup. It just came with the whel and pedals, so I'm having to somehow hold it on my knee's, (no lap restraint!).

Anyone else have alot of driving problems with the wheel at first?
 
MarshyTVR2
Anyone else have alot of driving problems with the wheel at first?
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I found the easiest way to get used to the handling was to drive stock (or near stock) cars for the first bit. I'd just Free Run in Arcade to get used to the feel and sensitivity of the steering, and the throttle control that's required when using the pedals. There's a certain amount of precision needed, and I doubt you'd get that while you're trying to hold the wheel on your lap. I've just got a ghetto-style setup now, with the wheel clamped to a wooden TV traytable sitting in front of my couch, but it seems to work OK.

As for the mode setting, boombexus' Drifting thread has a description of the behaviour of the different settings in the 'Control' section. I'm using the Pro setting myself.
 
I used to compete in the weekly race series on this site. I think I was pretty good. I was in division I and would usually come in the top 10, getting a podium on occasion. Then a bought a wheel (driving force pro).

I was so pathetically slow with the wheel that when I was running the WRS (which is where I did most of my practicing) I found that I was wasting my time with the wheel, I’d never make a respectable division I time even after a week of practicing if I was using the wheel. So the temptation to go back to the dual shock was tremendous, but if I went back, I’d never get good at the wheel.

So I quit the WRS.

I told myself that I would get good with the wheel when GT4 came out. I promised that I would never play with the dual shock controller as I was going through GT4 and eventually (after enduros and license tests) I would be almost up to par with the dual shock controller.

That was six months ago. I’m still way behind my dual shock alter ego when I use the wheel and I fear that I’ll never be as good.

That having been said, I love my wheel. It makes the game so much more realistic and fun to play. It’s just that it torpedoed all that training I did on the DS2.
 
Oh god, I've been practising with my wheel all day, and I realised that there is no Force Feedback! Come to think of it, I'm guessing force feedback is similar to the vibration function with the dual shock. And my dual shock vibration has NEVER worked, well, since I can remember.

When driving with my wheel, when I turn it quickly it makes the sort of noise an RC car makes when it accelerates (i think thats the best way to put it). I sorta feel really bad now, having looked forward to getting my wheel all week.
I've emailed Sony, But I guess the main problem is that my PS2 isn't sending any signal to the controller/wheel at all, to either vibrate or "force feedback".

Hm, Any Ideas?
 
MarshyTVR2
Oh god, I've been practising with my wheel all day, and I realised that there is no Force Feedback! Come to think of it, I'm guessing force feedback is similar to the vibration function with the dual shock. And my dual shock vibration has NEVER worked, well, since I can remember.

When driving with my wheel, when I turn it quickly it makes the sort of noise an RC car makes when it accelerates (i think thats the best way to put it). I sorta feel really bad now, having looked forward to getting my wheel all week.
I've emailed Sony, But I guess the main problem is that my PS2 isn't sending any signal to the controller/wheel at all, to either vibrate or "force feedback".

Hm, Any Ideas?
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make sure the Force Feedback setting is turned on. It's in the option menu. Also, if you set the wheel to SIM mode FF is stronger than if you selected beginner.

The noise of the wheel is b/c it uses gears to apply the force feedback.

There is a lap extension that logitech makes, but it's a separate accessory. My advice though is to build even a ghetto racing cockpit *ie a chair and something to clamp the wheel to that is not your lap
 
In response to your post #4, what's your setup like? I just got the DVP today in anticipation for GT4. You better damn believe that once I got home, I plugged it in and was racing away in GT3 immediately. After getting over this "new" experience I realized that my setup is just horrible. I'm in a love-seat with my wheel mounted onto one of the rickety lunch trays with the folding legs. This thing is uncomfortable and unstable and I'm looking for something new that works. Any ideas...any one?
 
You're not going to have any fun with that wheel until you clamp it down properly. Use a TV tray table, old end table, ironing board, old desk, dining room table, or SOMETHING to clamp it down firmly. Why spend all that money for a wheel, when for 5 or 10 bucks (or maybe for free) you can find a way to clamp it down? Look in the cheap cockpit thread in the GT4 forum, you can get some ideas there.

Don't worry about the gear noise, it's perfectly normal. Have fun.:)
 
I've found an old picnic table to clamp it to, but while using the DF, it just seems to feel like any other wheel. I'm not exactly sure on what I'm meant to be looking for when the Force Feedback reacts, what does it do?
 
Der Alta
IT does take time to get used to a wheel.

One thing that would help the most, is a solid and secure mounting and seating spot. As for Braking, there was a known glitch with the Blue Logitech, in that it had 75% braking power. It may be similar software in your wheel.

You'll enjoy the FOrce Pro much more.

AO
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Does the blue logitech really just have 75% breakin power. I thought the brakes were a bit off from normal meaning i always breaked earlier.And hade to drive like a bit of a granny. Is this in all blue logitechs or was it fixed in the later versions because I got my DF a month before DFP came out.
 
MarshyTVR2
I've found an old picnic table to clamp it to, but while using the DF, it just seems to feel like any other wheel. I'm not exactly sure on what I'm meant to be looking for when the Force Feedback reacts, what does it do?
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The force feedback is the force pushing against you as you steer. When you turn your ps2 on you will see that the DF can move on its own accord.
 
I'm driving an old Mclaren wheel on GT3 and the braking is stronger then on the DS2 but I'm 2 sec. slower then with a DS2.But I've only driven it for a few days 👍



Cheers,
 

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