I am considering investing in a racing rig - force feedback wheel wheel, pedals, shifter and cockpit. It’s not cheap and I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’m estimating a $2K outlay all up, which is on the cheaper side, but I think I can get good quality gear and a monitor for that via Pagnian Imports and JB HiFi. I’m interested to know if there is ANY latency by using say a Thrustmaster TX 458 Italia or similar wheel with the upgraded pedals and shifter as compared to a controller? Also, if I were to use an extension to the USB cable, would this potentially add latency (I have a gaming/music studio computer so I want to run the game off of that to the Cockpit rig)? I once tried a cheap wheel and the latency put me off immediately, which is why I have some concerns - do not want to committ serious funds if the experience is going to be amything less than awesome. Thanks
Forza is designed for the controller. A wheel will not make you faster and will take you a bit to find a setting that’s acceptable. Even then you’ll probably still be faster in a controller.
You basically buy the wheel for every serious racing game except Forza. Dirt (not sure about dirt 2) is hard with controller but apparently feels good with a wheel. I spent most of my time trying to not wreak vs going fast in dirt with controller.
if you decide to get a wheel try forza 5 before buying 7 and then try dirt. you should be able to tell pretty quickly. also just have a quick look around the forums and you may find more details.
I bought a wheel an gubbins for forza, I don’t regret it, yes im sure the ffb on other titles is better more realistic, however I enjoy it im not fast not very good but I enjoy it. if you want realistic driving/racing then thryre prob right, but then if that’s what you want you prob wouldn’t be asking here ! with a lil imagination an take it for what it is imo its miles more enjoyable than using a controller, an theres always other titles that you can use it with as well
I cant comment on latency stuff I have no idea, sorry
As far as the wheel goes I’ve had the thrustmaster and now I have the logitec G920. The logitec wheel is a better wheel plus it comes with a clutch pedal without upgrade I was going to get the Fanatec but just could see spending the 700.00 dollars ( I do have a fanatic for the 360 great wheel I might add ) with that in mind I don’t think that the controller can even compare to the fun level of a wheel I would highly recommend it. As far as which is faster yes the controller is faster but not by much and on any given night I can run with just about anybody, but I know I’m having more fun with my set up Logitec G920 with a playseat.
Some really interesting feedback here. I have heard that Forza 7 is going to have much better wheel support and integration. They have a ‘wheel guy’ who has had a lot of input apparently - anyway I’m keeping an eye on the F7 thread on this topic as well. If it is all good then the wheel is going to be a must have - I really like the idea of a bit more realism. Using the controller I can usually match it with most in Elite lobbies (on a good day), but there are always those guys I can’t get near and I’m thinking that part of this would be they use full clutch and or no assists (not to mention racing their own no doubt amazing tunes). It is hard to get the level of control needed for no assist with the controller, and I find the full clutch very clunky and unnatural - surely pedals would be great. Talent is the other part of it fair enough, but I want to be able to match it with the best.
It seems like other titles like Project Cars 2 etc will make the investment worthwhile even if Forza 7 comes up short. It’s not really a question of money - you only live once and need to pursue your interests 100%, so if that means having to save harder for 3-4 months then so be it.
Clutch is only clunky if you leave controller mapping at default. Just about everyone switches clutch to A button and ebrake to LB. Solves the crab finger problem and also helps with refocusing on no assist driving.
Get used to that and you’ll find the top guys in Elite really aren’t that fast. Good racers, sure but not unbeatable lap times. They are making big making mistakes or aren’t driving the car to it’s fullest extent. Trust me.
Plus if you stick with the wheel, eventually you get quite good. One of those practice makes perfect scenarios. Pretty much applies to controller as well.
Thrustmaster TX wheel with T3PA-Pro. Just make sure you tune it and add the latest firmware with a pc. Even with all the updates the wheel has a left pull glitch that happens during racing. Force feed bugs all over the place. Just check the forum and you can see for yourself. I’m not as fast as RPM Serve but I use simulation steering, always cockpit cam, and no assist except auto clutch provided by my wheel. But it’s a REAL PAIN if you want to be on the 1% leaderboard times or in the hardcore section using Wheel. But will warn you that wheel drivers cannot use all the tunes that the fastest pad drivers use. If you race in lobbies and get bumped you will spin into eternity. If you touch the grass the car is harder to get back on tarmac unlike pad. Also don’t abuse the wheel if you get frustrated I did that and I had to buy a new one so I learned my lesson on taking my anger out on the wheel. I don’t have any wheel user friends so I honestly cannot tell you if I’m fast. Your welcomed to compare my times on A class B class S class and certain R, P , and X class tracks. I was excited to win Aston Martin car at Brands Hatch using wheel/cockpit cam going against RBW Triton. So as for me it’s way harder to use a controller I don’t know how those fast guys do it but I’m sure it all about practice and skill.
I use the tunes from the top runners on a wheel in Forza with no issues, there isnt any specific things that are changed for one controller input method over the other. Just differences that are based on how the person tuning the vehicle in question for themselves feel it needs to be for them. I have use JSR Craviator tunes on a wheel, as well as Raceboy 77’s and other tunes made by people higher up on the LB. The thing with using tunes made by others, is that you need to learn how to drive those tunes; whether using a wheel or a control pad.
Hey lalyrn nice to hear from you. You are correct but JSR Craviator tunes are very difficult for me. I had a hard time trying to keep up with you in B Class on the Nurburgring Green Hell track. Man you are fast and smooth driving you have. I could not believe how fast someone could be using a wheel until I meet you. Job well done and you made me a firm believer that some wheel drivers can be quick. Maybe not as quick as pad users but hey your up the fast category. Practice makes perfect and yeah so many great tunes on FM6 I’m really gonna miss it. I forget to mention Raceboy77 tunes are very manageable using the wheel. Cheers👌
The only problem i found with tunes playing with a Wheel are related to the brake: Some people just pump the pressure Too much and it’s hard toget rid of it but not impossible. I only play with Wheel Too G920.
I had the same problem with Thrustmaster stock pedals but upgraded to the T3pa pro pedals and I would say brake and acceleration feel on FM6 are spot on.