Worth Buying Steering Wheel?

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sk84fun2

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sk84fun2
I've recently come across some money. And I was wondering if It was worth it to buy the G27 racing wheel. I've become fairly proficient with the Duel Shock, and I want to take a step up. I would like to get some comments from people who started with a controller and bought a wheel. Thanks.
 
Definitely. I used to think driving with a controller was just great back in the GT2 days. Then I got a wheel and never looked back after getting used to it. It was a little bit of an adjustment at first, but it makes things so much more precise and fun. It brings the immersion factor to a whole different level for me.
 
sk84fun2
Any suggestions on wheels? Or is the G27 the way to go?
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If you have the money, you should look into the Thrustmaster T500. If you also want a wheel that works on the Xbox in addition to PCs and PS3s, you should look into Fanatec wheels.
 
Once you start doing a track like Nordschleife you may find the Dual Shock to be limiting.At least that was the case for me.

I started out with an entry-level wheel because I did not want to go "all in" until I spent enough time on the wheel to make up my mind if it was something I really wanted to pursue. The G27 is a very reasonable price for what you get.

The wheel might be frustrating for you at first, especially with rear-wheel drive cars. The physics in GT5 will be different with the wheel even using the same aids you do with the controller.

My advice is start out on a tracks that are forgiving with bowled or slightly banked turns like the High Speed Ring in GT5.

Once you start to get comfortable with the wheel, gradually begin dialing back the aids, that will help you if you decide to transition to PC sims later.
 
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sk84fun2
Any suggestions on wheels? Or is the G27 the way to go?
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Depends on your budget, mate. The G27 is actually the best logitech steering wheel that I have seen, IMHO. However, it has some niggles though. The price is just too high to justify and some would even cost more than 250 bucks, some twice the cost of the older Driving Force GT. But if you have the budget for it, then I suggest you go for it. Another one is that, well, it might take time for some to learn about using it but once you've learned enough, you might appreciate the realistic feel whenever you play the game, which is a nice thing about it, especially since you mentioned that you got rid of playing Gran Turismo with your PS controller. As for the other steering wheels, I am not sure about them but buy the best one that you like. If you really want a new unused Logitech G27 steering wheel but is out of your budget, then try to consider a used one but not "abused". Might be cheaper and easier to buy.

Good luck!
 
I'd say if you're only playing GT5 then a DFGT is perfect; you've got all the buttons under your thumbs and although the pedals suck (you could get some G27 pedals as replacements though, but the clutch won't work, more on that in a second) it uses the same gear set as the G27 but lacks one motor; some people say that pretty much makes no difference and the DFGT has stronger feedback. It's also cheaper by quite a long way.

The G27 on the other hand has the shifter, but GT5's implementation of the clutch sucks, a lot. It's easy to mis-shift and if you do it takes a second to work out how to correct it, your lap times take a hit even if you shift correctly so you'd end up using the paddles in races anyway and there are only six buttons under your thumbs though that may not bother you. It's a pretty great wheel for PC sims though, I have one, but for your first wheel (you may find you don't use it as much as you thought you would) I'd get the DFGT and go from there.

Also be prepared to completely re-learn how to drive, if you're into the whole drifting thing it'll take some time to pick that back up again because instead of moving a stick maybe half an inch either way from lock to lock, you've got 900 degrees of rotation and a (if I remember correctly) 11-13inch wheel to turn. Not a problem when racing, but yeah, drifting is a bit of a workout. Far more fun though and it encourages you to start small and work your way up which I found to be quite fun.
 
^^Yes.

I think you don't even need a clutch no more if you just want to play the game with a steering wheel and pedals.

The Driving Force GT is also much cheaper than the G27. Only problem with it though is that it doesn't have any paddles; you still have to buy the paddle shifters and you will also miss those features found in the G27, like aluminum pedals, six speed gear box, the leather wrapped steering, etc.
 
Buy one.

I went from DS3 to Wheel during GT5 and it is so much more fun!

You may have to factor into price how your going to run your wheel, I had nothing to connect it to so I bought the wheel stand pro aswell.

Some people run them on desks but I guess it depends on where your tv is and how much space you have.
 
Go for it!

I will personally recommended the DFGT and the T500 RS. The G27 and the Fanatec wheels should be good as well, but I haven't tried either, so I can't really tell.
 
GTV0819
Only problem with it though is that it doesn't have any paddles; you still have to buy the paddle shifters and you will also miss those features found in the G27, like aluminum pedals, six speed gear box, the leather wrapped steering, etc.
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It doesn't have actual paddles per se but it does have buttons on the back of the wheel where you'd expect to find paddles, just to make that clear; the stuff you can buy are entire optional aesthetic upgrades as far as I can tell. There is the awful clicky sequential stick too but that sucks. I've always said that the very best mod you can do to a DFGT is replace the pedals with a set from a G27, that's because all the other pedal mods tend to look hacky and don't work as well as the G27 pedals, which you can also upgrade with a load cell and/or stiffer springs should you wish to go crazy. You do have to rewire the G27 pedals but that's pretty much trivial if you own a screwdriver and know how to read!

Yes, you lose the shifter (but for GT5 with the terrible clutch that's no big loss, to be honest, but for PC sims I would take the G27 over the DFGT any day of the week for this reason alone) and the leather wheel, but it's cheaper for a reason. The basic feedback mechanism is largely the same though so you're at least getting that much from the G27 with the DFGT.
 
From the look of it, I think im going to go with the G27. All of the wheels mentioned I can actually buy. But for my first wheel I think im going to go with the G27. I can always buy a new steering wheel, or new parts, ect, when I feel the need.
 
G27 is fantastic, fully supported in GT5, and is by far the least you will pay for a complete set up with clutch pedal and shifter. It is also practically bulletproof. You can get better for more money... but you really don't have to!
 
I have has a G27 for years, and I have had a lot of fun with it. I recently got a T500RS. I got a deal when Frys was selling them cheap, but now they're $600, and if you want the shifter it's $150 more. Its bigger and stronger to be sure, but for over double the money is it twice as good as the G27 fun wise? I don't think so... plus on PS3 the T500 has limited compatibility where the G27 works with pretty much everything. I'm not saying don't spring for a T500... it IS better and very awesome, BUT the G27 is way more value for money. As for the Fanatec wheels, they have their ups and downs, but as I have never owned one I will leave that alone.
 
neema_t
It doesn't have actual paddles per se but it does have buttons on the back of the wheel where you'd expect to find paddles, just to make that clear; the stuff you can buy are entire optional aesthetic upgrades as far as I can tell. There is the awful clicky sequential stick too but that sucks. I've always said that the very best mod you can do to a DFGT is replace the pedals with a set from a G27, that's because all the other pedal mods tend to look hacky and don't work as well as the G27 pedals, which you can also upgrade with a load cell and/or stiffer springs should you wish to go crazy. You do have to rewire the G27 pedals but that's pretty much trivial if you own a screwdriver and know how to read!

Yes, you lose the shifter (but for GT5 with the terrible clutch that's no big loss, to be honest, but for PC sims I would take the G27 over the DFGT any day of the week for this reason alone) and the leather wheel, but it's cheaper for a reason. The basic feedback mechanism is largely the same though so you're at least getting that much from the G27 with the DFGT.
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Yes. The DFGT is a cheaper and simple-yet-better wheel in playing GT5 if that's the case. I just don't know how it feels if you press those buttons in the back of the wheel as paddles but like you said, you can buy an option for it.

The Logitech G27 is really much better in sim PC games, such as the 18 Wheels of Steel series that I have seen being played with the wheel in YT.

And for me, I wouldn't mod a wheel if I have one and that's something complicated to do unless I learn everything 'bout it, lol. Basically, the only reason why I'll use the wheel is because I/we might want to play the game with a realistic feel, which somehow makes the game fun and also opens up a new world in the game, as someone else mentioned.

It will be worth it, if granted that gamers love playing racing games like I somehow do.
 
sk84fun2
How much better, for how much more?
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This is a hobby in which pretty much the sky is the limit, with setups that cost more than $10,000.

The g27 is the go-to wheel because it has everything bundled in for quite a nice price. It's the entry level three pedals wheel that's still being produced.
 
I would say that if you want a cheap solution for PS and PC the DFGT is a good buy. I have one and I like it very much but I found myself wishing it would work with the XBox which of course it does not nor does the G27 so I ended up with a Fanatec. If there is any chance at all that you will be wanting to play Forza or other racing games on the Xbox then the Fanatec is the only choice and you should also go for either the elite or club sport pedal set as the brakes work much much better on games like forza due to the pressure sensitive adjustment on the pedal.

Also keep in mind that there is a learning curve with a wheel. If you are good with a controller you will likely find that you are a bit slower with a wheel. You just have to commit to it and keep trying. After a while you will be zipping around the track and enjoying it much more than with a controller.
 
If possible try some wheels out. Some local friends tried out a G27 and changed their minds after hearing the clatter it can make on some games due to gear lash. It can wake a person up down the hallway. It's a good wheel though. Personally I suggest belt drive and if you have time there is a rumour that a new Logi wheel may be announced fairly soon, maybe next month.
 
RacerXX
If possible try some wheels out. Some local friends tried out a G27 and changed their minds after hearing the clatter it can make on some games due to gear lash. It can wake a person up down the hallway. It's a good wheel though. Personally I suggest belt drive and if you have time there is a rumour that a new Logi wheel may be announced fairly soon, maybe next month.
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Yeah, for me the gears are the killer.
 
RacerXX
the clatter it can make on some games due to gear lash.
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Although it makes no difference as the end result is the same, that's not gear lash. The G27 uses helical gears so they're always in contact, hence no lash (or very little), the clattering you can hear is the gear axles. Because of the helical shape there's a bit of lateral movement and when you turn the wheel quickly they tap against the wheel case. Gear lash is more like a whirring sound anyway.

But like I said, it's still loud, I'm just being pedantic. And even without the clatter from the wheel itself I find the pedals make far more noise anyway!
 
The Fanatec wheels are very quiet. If you set the feedback high you may get the occasional light squeal from the belt but for the most part that amount of feedback is more than most users would want, especially those who have not used a wheel before.

I generally keep my feedback set to 100% in game and on the TurboS wheel I have the wheel set at 60% and on the Elite wheel I have it set at 40%. Initially I had the TurboS wheel set at 100% and I found that in some cases it was causing the wheel to overheat a bit and would kick at random spots on the track. Setting the feedback lower stopped this from happening. Also at 100% the wheel can hurt you if you are holding it wrong and hit something.
 
HBR-Roadhog
The Fanatec wheels are very quiet. If you set the feedback high you may get the occasional light squeal from the belt but for the most part that amount of feedback is more than most users would want, especially those who have not used a wheel before.

I generally keep my feedback set to 100% in game and on the TurboS wheel I have the wheel set at 60% and on the Elite wheel I have it set at 40%. Initially I had the TurboS wheel set at 100% and I found that in some cases it was causing the wheel to overheat a bit and would kick at random spots on the track. Setting the feedback lower stopped this from happening. Also at 100% the wheel can hurt you if you are holding it wrong and hit something.
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There have been a lot of posts explaining that the % FFB set on any Fanatec wheel is not a scaling factor, it's a peak force limiter. For that reason, it's recommended to scale force in game (if possible, GT5 isn't a good example) and leave force on wheel at 100%.

After plenty of testing, I therefore have my GT2 wheel at 100% on wheel for PC or Forza(Xbox). I have it set lower (80%) for GT5 simply because unlike most sims changing FFB force in game inside GT5 doesn't linearly reduce feedback strength. I've had no issues with overheating, but then my wheel is a later generation than your Turbo S.


As for wheel versus controller: personally I am crap at driving sims with controller, so for me a wheel is a no brainier. I have a DFGT, G25 and Fanatec GT2. For me the DFGT is a decent wheel, but the pedals and paddles let it down. The G25 (almost identical to the G27) is decent (fast spin speed, light and easy to handle) and has compromises due to using cogs (most importantly noise and a rattle which prevents feeling small nuances as easily as a belt drive wheel). The Fanatec GT2 likewise has belt drive compromises (slight delay in reaction due to the belt), has a heavier wheel face, but the wheel feels more realistic, offers more nuance and the on wheel configurability is very handy for console use (plus the Clubsport pedals I bought with it are awesome). Thankfully Fanatec has "drift mode" which helps increase spin speed to levels not too far off the G25. I find that it manages this without feeling unrealistic.

I use the Fanatec exclusively of my three wheels, mostly because it's the only one which has Xbox support for Forza 4 and because the Clubsport pedals are far superior to the G25 ones (and light years ahead of the DFGT ones).
 
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