Gamepad vs Wheel?

Discussion in 'Sim Racing' started by Norjak71, May 5, 2016.

  1. Norjak71

    Norjak71 Member

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    Does anyone in here actually thoroughly enjoy racing more with a game-pad than wheel or racing set up? I've owned a few over my time and they were pretty high quality I just could never get used to it and it felt so clunky and hard to maneuver through tight corners and jumps. With a game-pad a quick flick of the analog stick and I'm in business.
     
  2. krnd

    krnd Member

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    I like wheels a lot but they're rather difficult in comparison, to make full turns and what not takes a lot more effort. If I were to be given a choice and want to win I'd go for a gamepad, but the wheels are so much fun and people are so interested on seeing you play with a wheel I think it's the choice unless stakes are high :p
     
  3. erook7878

    erook7878 Active Member

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    I've had wheels and they are just way harder to play with than controllers. They are just uncomfortable to play with if you don't have a good seat and a table where the wheel can be at the appropriate height. The only times wheels are fun to play with are the ones at arcades.
     
  4. raceman998

    raceman998 Member

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    Yes, I agree with the fact that controllers are better than wheels. My hands are habituated on the controllers and I play all the games with controllers but I would like to try out the wheels.
     
  5. Wubwub

    Wubwub Well-Known Member

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    I like controllers a lot more. Lightly tapping on the dpad for me is much more accurate than using a wheel which is a bit more difficult to measure for me personally. I'm sure I can get used to it eventually but I don't like it enough to put in that much effort.
     
  6. pwarbi

    pwarbi Active Member

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    I think it's just a case of getting used to the wheels, and while I've never had one, I have friends who have and they say that after a while they're fine.

    I don't just play racing games though, so I'd be worried about changing back to a pad again from using a wheel.
     
  7. Denis Hard

    Denis Hard Member

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    Hard core sim racing fans always want to make racing as realistic as possible. They'll get the gaming seat, the racing wheels and pedals and to be honest that's as close to reality as anyone can get and I'm sure they enjoy the games more than those who use game pads.
     
  8. ZXD123

    ZXD123 Member

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    The wheel is much more better and you get more control over your driving over the game pad. It is much more convenient and brings out the pleasure of driving on the wheel anyway!
     
  9. erook7878

    erook7878 Active Member

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    The issue with controllers in racing games is you can't smoothly turn because you have keep tapping on the direction pad. Some racing games allow you to use the analog sticks which solves that issue. Overall, it'll always be easier to use a controller. The wheels are fun to use once you get used to the.
     
  10. erook7878

    erook7878 Active Member

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    That's part of the problem with the wheel. You have to find the right seat to get comfortable. Many of us don't get the seat and then it just feels weird using a regular chair with the pedal and wheel setup.
     
  11. erook7878

    erook7878 Active Member

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    It is just a matter of getting used to the wheel. It just feels so weird at first that you abandon it because the controller feels so much better. Once you use it and get used to it, it feels great to use.
     
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  12. pwarbi

    pwarbi Active Member

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    Anytime we change something when we're gaming, it always takes us time to get used to it, and changing from a controller to a wheel for the racing games won't be any exception.
     
  13. tgthewriter1

    tgthewriter1 Member

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    The gamepad is better then the wheel. The wheel reminds me of real time driving which sucks. So, I would recommend that you stick to the gamepad because it’s simpler than the wheel. The wheel is too much like real life. It also requires more work and thinking power. So, I would not recommend it. The gamepad is the best option.
     
  14. Denis Hard

    Denis Hard Member

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    But isn't that what sim racing is all about? To experience real racing without having to leave your house?

    I've noticed that with many sim racing games, they always recommend that you use a wheel. So while a gamepad might feel better the game won't feel as realistic as it should.
     
  15. Arvis

    Arvis Member

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    I've had very bad experience with cheap supermarket racing wheels. On the cheap end, gamepads do a lot better. If there is a wheel which feels like real one then I would take that over gamepad anytime.
     
  16. Denis Hard

    Denis Hard Member

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    You don't need to be scared of buying a wheel online. I've seen Logitech racing wheels on Amazon. Quite pricey though. You could buy refurbished, it's somewhat cheaper.
     
  17. pwarbi

    pwarbi Active Member

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    I had a Logitech racing shell and pedals, and I didn't pay all that much for them and it did make a big difference to the racing experience.

    Granted it did take a bit of getting used to initially, but once you had going back to the gamepad felt like you was missing out after using a wheel.
     
  18. spectre456

    spectre456 Member

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    I play with a gamepad, but if I could afford getting myself a wheel I definitely would. Having a wheel just gives you that sense of realism when you're driving that a gamepad will never be able to. I'm perfectly content with the gamepad for the time being though.
     
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  19. pwarbi

    pwarbi Active Member

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    The wheel does give a sense of realism you can't get with a gamepad, and if you can get the pedals and chair aswell then you're set up for any racing game.

    While they're not all that expensive, it's also a problem that they take up a lot of room aswell, and if you don't have a gaming room or a lot of space, it's not practical to buy the full kit, just for the sake of playing racing games.
     
  20. Arvis

    Arvis Member

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    I'm not scared to buy online, I've done that quite a lot of times. I'm just certain that most of the racing wheels in my budget won't give me the realistic experience I need. To fulfill my expectations I would probably need real car interior with moving chassis, clutch and a manual gearbox and VR setup. I've seen setups like that on YouTube, which would probably cost more than an actual car.
     

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