Gran Turismo

[Brownie-uk7]

Hi all,

Have been really enjoying the GT5 TT.  The "ok, just one more lap" feeling was there into the wee hours of this morning.  I also had GT prologue but didn't get into it as much as this for some reason.   Maybe because GT5 TT it's sooo testing, you really need to learn each corner perfectly and it becomes very addictive.

Anyway, I was wondering, as I'm playing with the pad I wanted to ask a few questions to those of you that are really quick regarding the wheel:

How many seconds do you think you can shave off by using the wheel (as a new comer to the wheel)?

I have the traction control turned off but there's no way I think I could handle having the gears in manual too.  Can you be much quicker using the manual gears too?

What is the most common/"best" view?  I used the in-car in GT Prologue but am using the bumber one here as it's easier to judge the corners.

Any help you guys can give woulb be much appreciated.

PS. my best time in tuned is 141.312 - so not very quick as of yet, hence the post!

[EVO-Krymzen]

Hi Brownie!

Ok first off, I would like to say that yes, you can get quick times from using a wheel. But the reason for buying a wheel isn't to get quick times, the reason to buy one is for the driving experience. You can get quick times with a pad. You need to get accustomed to driving with both the analog sticks, but it is possible, on GT. But if you want a better driving experience, then do get a wheel.

Take it from me that making the move from the pad to the wheel isn't an easy one! You need to get a lot of things organised. You need to make a good racing setup. I have a desk, pedals on a shelf underneath. You need something solid to connect the wheel too, and you need to be in a good driving position. Otherwise you'll get bad RSI, like I have found out over the last few days whilst working out the best position for everything. There are lots of things you can connect a wheel too. Desks, wheel stands, ironing boards! You can spend the money on something like a Playseat too, if you have a decent sized budget. But whatever you choose, make sure you can get a comfortable driving position.

Secondly, you'll need to buy a good wheel. There are many good wheels on the market. The best two I know about are Fanatec and Logitech. Fanatec offer Porsche look wheels, that work on multi-platorm, including PS3. Logitech work on PC and PS3. Be warned that some of these wheels are expensive. The Logitech G27 for instance is £330 rrp. There are some wheels though that are very good for more than a third of that price, like the Logitech Driving Force GT for instance. But if you buy an expensive wheel, with a clutch, that will give you the best chance on quicker times. The wheel of choice for most GT gamers is the Logitech G25. The G27 is pretty much an upgraded G27, but the translucant compatibility issues, and price are putting many people off, for now.

After you have bought the wheel, and everything to make your racing setup, then it is down to your personal level of skill. It doesn't matter how much money you throw at it, you won't get quick times without the skill. Money wont = lap times basically. Practice practice practice. It is harder to drive with a wheel compared to a pad. You will spin the car A LOT more with the wheel. I've spun more times these last few days than I ever have in my GT career, of nearly 10 years now. So, the three Ps: patience, practice, and perseverance are the key to bettering your lap times.

You don't need to spend loads to get that driving experience btw. I have spent £120 in all to make my racing setup. Desk £45, Driving Force GT £75. That is not including the TV, and PS3 of course, I'm sure you have those already! You can spend a lot less than that too. A friend of mine, Raybrig, found a new Driving Force GT wheel for £55 I believe. He used his ironing board to bolt it too, and a fold away chair to sit on. It can be done cheaply. It all depends on how much you wanna spend. Of course, you could build yourself a cockpit, if you're good with the woodwork!

I'm sure there are many people on here that can give you tips and knowledge too. But do buy this stuff for the driving experience, not the lap times

Some links for you:

http://www.fanatec.de/

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/wheels/&cl=gb,en

http://www.wheelstandpro.com/

http://www.playseat.com/en

http://www.gamerscockpit.com.au/

[Brownie-uk7]

Hi Evo,

Thanks a lot for the in depth reply.  VERY useful.  Yeah, I wasn't imagining that simply by playing with the wheel one could magic an extra 3 seconds off any track so I realise that a lot of work may be involved.  But as I've been enjoying the physics and realism so much on this "demo" them am now starting to think that a wheel may be in order for GT5 (which is now a deffo on my list) to really get the most out of it.

I think I have a pretty good surface (a table right in front of the couch) although it may be a little low and I think the G25 sounds about right as a starter.  Not sure I could justify 330 squid to the missus or myself for that matter.

Anyway, really appreciate the thought out post and advice.

Best,

Brownie

[EVO-Krymzen]

The G25 is an expensive wheel mate, not G27 money but still more than £170 easy. I have seen them for around £100 before, but at the moment I don't know of anywhere that has them cheap atm. I'd look in the January sales though, they will most probably be expensive until the run up to Christmas.

If you want a clutch, and you don't mind spending that amount, wait for the sales. Otherwise, if that is too far off your budget, get yourself a Logitech Driving Force GT. Great wheel for the money. Brake pedal could be slightly better, in the fact its so sensitive, but otherwise brilliant for the money and the newcomer to wheel gaming. Racing on a budget can work very well

[Firedshot]

G25 £122 here out of stock at the moment!

[aphexstwin]

i have a dfgt like krym, but i have to agree with his, and reiterate, my feelings. namely, get yourself comfy. get yourself supported. get the wheel the right height, get the pedals adjusted properly. this will save your back and joints from a lot of pain. if you want inspiration, go to the homemade cockpit thread in the 'games: driving & racing thread, where you'll see my rig and no46's really impressive set up. next, i really recommend buying or restarting gt4 and doing all the licenses again. without using the blue line. learn throttle balance as well as steering balance and aim as high as you can, but minimum of silver. do the licenses before buying a car, and sell the cars that give you resale value. your first car is obviously your choice but i went for an fto, lots of power with front wheel drive. then race with no assists, learn throttle balance. as you add more parts you will feel what each part does, especially suspension and lsd's. this should really help your driving skill improve, but on a downside you may either hate it or love it to a degree where you will only use a wheel. like me really! but i think the single most important thing is practice. sorry for wall of words!

[phep]

Hi, I really dont wanna spend money on a wheel and was just wondering, would I still be able to do well on the single player with just a pad? Or will it get too difficult in the end? I'm talking about the career modes here btw, will I be able to win races at later stages?

[cloudsheaven]

ev0, aphex, Thanks for those detailed insights. im with the op on the fact that im loving the demo (a millions times more than prolouge) and was thinking of getting a wheel for the expereince.

phep- im pretty sure that the career mode will be achievable on a pad, more people will play the game with pads rahter than wheels. online may be a different story though, you will, i will, they will get whipped by some serious racers. but still online functionality will include matchmaking, and club features, so friends can race etc. im sure these forums will have a club (haha i made one way back when gt5p was release) and i should imagine settings so that races follow certain parimater (pads only etc). i hope.

[phep]

KK, thanks, looking forward to this

[bod_1973]

Just to add my tuppence worth......

I reckon you shouldn't play GT without a wheel but like others said, you need to be comfy.

On some cars it'll shave lots of time of your laps because you do have more control, but really it gives you a better feel for the car.

Pedals a really important too