Does anyone rate steering wheel's?

[DamnFineChim]

Maybe I haven't been devoting enough time to it's perfection but using a steering wheel with pedals from racing games - GT4 and Colin McCrae 2005 in particular - seems to hinder performance...

What are others thoughts/experiences. I think the one I bought was the Speedster 3 digital, force feedback speccy one...? Will have to have a look when I get home to be sure.

Cheers,
Kempy

>> Edited by DamnFineChim on Thursday 17th November 15:13

[Shirkin]

Have to agree to be honest. Find them a bit of a pain in @rse

[MarkBarton]

For console games? No. They're not really designed with them in mind (even GT4 I'm afraid, despite the marketing) as the vast majority of paying customers play with the controller. Modern PS2 controllers are analogue in as much as they're pressure-sensitive, but you don't exactly get any precision.

For (the more accurate) PC games though, a wheel is essential to be able to control the thing at all without resorting to having the comp control most of your steering, braking etc. Because of this, you'll also need one to go even remotely quickly enough to be able to compete with other people rather than just the AI.

Last but not least, if a game has been designed with a wheel in mind (and all of the better PC driving games have - GPL, GTL, GTR, netKar, etc.), the cars are more controllable with a wheel, and therefore more satisfying and ultimately more fun to drive using one.

I don't use my console much these days...

[r988]

You also tend to use a PC while sitting at a desk rather than a couch with consoles. This helps the locating of the wheel immensely

[Mr Whippy]

MarkBarton said:

For console games? No. They're not really designed with them in mind (even GT4 I'm afraid, despite the marketing) as the vast majority of paying customers play with the controller. Modern PS2 controllers are analogue in as much as they're pressure-sensitive, but you don't exactly get any precision. For (the more accurate) PC games though, a wheel is essential to be able to control the thing at all without resorting to having the comp control most of your steering, braking etc. Because of this, you'll also need one to go even remotely quickly enough to be able to compete with other people rather than just the AI. Last but not least, if a game has been designed with a wheel in mind (and all of the better PC driving games have - GPL, GTL, GTR, netKar, etc.), the cars are more controllable with a wheel, and therefore more satisfying and ultimately more fun to drive using one. I don't use my console much these days...

GT4 is well good with the wheel. Infact the Driving Force Pro is setup perfectly in that.

OK, times may not be much better, and it doesn't get around the fact alot of GT4 physics is bodged, but you can feel what the cars are doing, and find the limits of grip in different ways. You can play visually and audibly, but with a good FF wheel, you can *feel* the grip and cambers too.

Only thing that lets it down is the FF speed. I'd prefer it to be able to rotate twice as fast and have half the strength, since it's bloody strong enough for a small wheel.

Dave

[JonRB]

Considering that the Logitech Driving Force wheel (not the Pro, though) is now £24.99 at Amazon, the real question is why you wouldn't use one for GT3 and GT4. It's simply more fun and feels more natural.

[lockstock2sb]

Its like playing a fighter plane sim on keyboard - it can be done - but its wrong.

Get a wheel - you wont regret it !!