To wheel or not to wheel?

[jwhite1347]

Just checking what the thoughts are on using a steering wheel? Initial reports said it was easier without using one? What is everyone doing now and thoughts?

[TCrouch]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

After a couple weeks of nonstop play, I went back and forth on the subject. My problem is that I'm getting too old to hold a trigger at full for long periods of time (a 25% race, for instance), so my fingers actually hurt after a Daytona race or something.

However, when using the wheel, the game doesn't adapt. The entire center of the wheel is very insensitive, and it's still set up for a "gamepad" control scheme...the center is dead, whereas the extreme edge of the turning radius produces a drastic cut. Even using the MadCatz where I set the deadzone to nil and the sensitivity to max, it still didn't respond very well at top dead center. I'd move it a bit and have very little response until I moved it more...on default dead zone, don't even bother.

What it amounted to was cranking the wheel a lot and fighting the car...while it felt very cool, with all the aids off, I ended up more of a hazard than a racer. I've since gone back to the controller and held a smoother line, better throttle control, and a better result overall. I'm sure the wheel CAN be done, but I want very precise control from a wheel...not to be at a disadvantage because I can't make the slightest correction down the backstretch without weaving all over.

[TCrouch]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

After a couple weeks of nonstop play, I went back and forth on the subject. My problem is that I'm getting too old to hold a trigger at full for long periods of time (a 25% race, for instance), so my fingers actually hurt after a Daytona race or something.

However, when using the wheel, the game doesn't adapt. The entire center of the wheel is very insensitive, and it's still set up for a "gamepad" control scheme...the center is dead, whereas the extreme edge of the turning radius produces a drastic cut. Even using the MadCatz where I set the deadzone to nil and the sensitivity to max, it still didn't respond very well at top dead center. I'd move it a bit and have very little response until I moved it more...on default dead zone, don't even bother.

What it amounted to was cranking the wheel a lot and fighting the car...while it felt very cool, with all the aids off, I ended up more of a hazard than a racer. I've since gone back to the controller and held a smoother line, better throttle control, and a better result overall. I'm sure the wheel CAN be done, but I want very precise control from a wheel...not to be at a disadvantage because I can't make the slightest correction down the backstretch without weaving all over.

[BengalTiger]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

After a couple weeks of nonstop play, I went back and forth on the subject. My problem is that I'm getting too old to hold a trigger at full for long periods of time (a 25% race, for instance), so my fingers actually hurt after a Daytona race or something.

However, when using the wheel, the game doesn't adapt. The entire center of the wheel is very insensitive, and it's still set up for a "gamepad" control scheme...the center is dead, whereas the extreme edge of the turning radius produces a drastic cut. Even using the MadCatz where I set the deadzone to nil and the sensitivity to max, it still didn't respond very well at top dead center. I'd move it a bit and have very little response until I moved it more...on default dead zone, don't even bother.

What it amounted to was cranking the wheel a lot and fighting the car...while it felt very cool, with all the aids off, I ended up more of a hazard than a racer. I've since gone back to the controller and held a smoother line, better throttle control, and a better result overall. I'm sure the wheel CAN be done, but I want very precise control from a wheel...not to be at a disadvantage because I can't make the slightest correction down the backstretch without weaving all over.

I have to agree with Terry on this. I tried my wheel, and there was too much inconsistency with it. Even with the deadzone set to nil, I had too much play in the wheel, then all of a sudden my car makes a huge cut putting me into the wall or another driver. I'm not very good with the controller, but I'm having to adapt. My biggest problem with the controller is my twitchy thumb on the left stick as I tend to overcompensate too much. But it's getting better.

[BengalTiger]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

After a couple weeks of nonstop play, I went back and forth on the subject. My problem is that I'm getting too old to hold a trigger at full for long periods of time (a 25% race, for instance), so my fingers actually hurt after a Daytona race or something.

However, when using the wheel, the game doesn't adapt. The entire center of the wheel is very insensitive, and it's still set up for a "gamepad" control scheme...the center is dead, whereas the extreme edge of the turning radius produces a drastic cut. Even using the MadCatz where I set the deadzone to nil and the sensitivity to max, it still didn't respond very well at top dead center. I'd move it a bit and have very little response until I moved it more...on default dead zone, don't even bother.

What it amounted to was cranking the wheel a lot and fighting the car...while it felt very cool, with all the aids off, I ended up more of a hazard than a racer. I've since gone back to the controller and held a smoother line, better throttle control, and a better result overall. I'm sure the wheel CAN be done, but I want very precise control from a wheel...not to be at a disadvantage because I can't make the slightest correction down the backstretch without weaving all over.

I have to agree with Terry on this. I tried my wheel, and there was too much inconsistency with it. Even with the deadzone set to nil, I had too much play in the wheel, then all of a sudden my car makes a huge cut putting me into the wall or another driver. I'm not very good with the controller, but I'm having to adapt. My biggest problem with the controller is my twitchy thumb on the left stick as I tend to overcompensate too much. But it's getting better.

[b_assassin]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

I've had the same experience as Terry when it comes to racing with a wheel on consoles. I've also used the MadCatz wheel and fought the sensitivity problem (mostly with Nascar Thunder). I discovered quite quickly that until someone designs a better wheel, or wheels start getting better support in console games, I'm not going to use one. Additionally, I've found it very difficult to get a wheel set up in my living room where it is actually comfortable to use and the pedals don't slide all over the place. Most of them you can set in your lap, but that has never felt all that comfortable to me.

[b_assassin]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

I've had the same experience as Terry when it comes to racing with a wheel on consoles. I've also used the MadCatz wheel and fought the sensitivity problem (mostly with Nascar Thunder). I discovered quite quickly that until someone designs a better wheel, or wheels start getting better support in console games, I'm not going to use one. Additionally, I've found it very difficult to get a wheel set up in my living room where it is actually comfortable to use and the pedals don't slide all over the place. Most of them you can set in your lap, but that has never felt all that comfortable to me.

[jwhite1347]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

Well after using the mad catz wheel I can tell you either I stink with it or its awful.. Cant hold a darn line plus the shifter cant be used with the 4 standard Nascar configurations... Uugggh...

[jwhite1347]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

Well after using the mad catz wheel I can tell you either I stink with it or its awful.. Cant hold a darn line plus the shifter cant be used with the 4 standard Nascar configurations... Uugggh...

[SportsAce]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

Just checking what the thoughts are on using a steering wheel? Initial reports said it was easier without using one? What is everyone doing now and thoughts?

Im going to get a little more used to the game then I'll switch to a wheel.

[SportsAce]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

Just checking what the thoughts are on using a steering wheel? Initial reports said it was easier without using one? What is everyone doing now and thoughts?

Im going to get a little more used to the game then I'll switch to a wheel.

[jwhite1347]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

Well after a couple of days I am a convert.. It seems my biggest problems were with just using the default set ups... Once adjusting the car set ups I am now running much much smoother..!

[jwhite1347]

Re: To wheel or not to wheel?

Well after a couple of days I am a convert.. It seems my biggest problems were with just using the default set ups... Once adjusting the car set ups I am now running much much smoother..!