Possibilities of top 10 time placement with wheel. I have read a few of the previous posts about wheel vs. controller but I want to know if anyone consistently in the top 10 uses a wheel? I am aware of the fact it is far easier with a controller to be top 10 fast but I want to know what’s average for a wheel user?
I cannot justify using a controller in a racing simulator to get the fastest times because no real car comes with a video game controller, so the time spent is all but wasted if you were to attempt to use experience from one, on the other. I am in no way saying it isn’t possible, but let’s be honest racing with a wheel on a video game will give you much more confidence in a racing car than a controller will. Professional race teams test with a wheel in a racing simulator so from the start of me playing these racing games, I have always used a wheel.
I want to get with more wheel users because the playing field is more level, so send me a friend request if you want to do some wheel to wheel racing.
Don’t think the playing field is handicapped. You just need to get better.
I doubt you’ll hear of many guys running at the top with wheels because the price is high and you’ll be as fast as you were previously ± a few tenths.
This isn’t a testing simulator the pros use and the wheels for sale are probably nothing close to what you’d fine in one of those rigs. Its not really and apples to apples comparison.
And there’s nothing easy about running top 10s with or without a wheel.
I think you’ve misunderstood the purpose in referring to professional racing teams use wheels in their simulators. I’m very, very well aware of them not using forza 5 to test their multimillion dollar race team’s drivers, setups, and vehicles. I am saying that them using a simulator (video game) setup with a wheel is why I began using one in the first place. The skills are transferable. However other than lines and braking points, the controller isn’t going to teach you muscle memory for vehicle control.
I am also well aware of the fact it isn’t easy to nail top 10 times, my questions were: “if anyone is consistently in the top 10 uses a wheel?” And: what’s average for a wheel user?"
I’ll look up some of the FRS guys to see if I can race with them. I absolutely love racing with the wheel, the controller is too bloody boring. I’ve not experienced any bugs or weirdness with the wheel yet. I have to run other cars at different settings on rotation compared to the F1 car. But I love that one the most. I can’t wait until an F1 game comes out for the one! I will be very excite!!
I have a top ten currently in x class one one track which hardly makes me an expert. That being said, the primary issue with the wheel is the quickness at which you can turn relative to controller, in my opinion. There’s a larger range of motion in turning a wheel than pushing the stick. However, using a wheel is just plain fun and a lot more immersive.
To get into the top 25 on a track requires a tremendous amount of work, running lap after lap, trying subtly different approaches to try and shave off a fraction here or there. You can go weeks without moving on the board.
It may be more effective with a controller but what really makes or breaks it is wether you are having fun doing it. With a controller, I personally could not do it because I would find it annoying and dull and there desire to try “one more lap” just wouldn’t be there.
Soo controller is probably better if you have leaderboard aspirations but in my mind it’s not enjoyable.
On the con side, the wheel is quite buggy and prone to all sorts of weirdness. And pretty much every car other than the lotus e21 feels horrendously wooden with the wheel.
I’m definitely not a “top 10” guy, but I’m very much a wheel guy. I have a condition that affects fine motor control, so I can’t use the sticks properly (without modification, anyway - before getting the wheel I created my own stick extension that worked rather well).
Anyway, what I want to add to this conversation is this: No matter what anybody says, until you’ve played with a wheel in Forza 5, don’t make any assumptions. It’s practically a different game. Every so often, just out of curiosity, I attach my homemade stick extension to the controller and try a few laps. The more experience I gain in Forza 5, the more I can see the difference, and there’s so much “magic” being done in the controller steering that it’s kind of shocking after using the wheel daily.
Despite the condition affecting my fine motor control, it’s so much easier to deal with certain challenges when using the controller. You’re less likely to spin out. Opposite-lock is practically a freebie. If you want to experience something similar to the wheel, set your steering to Simulation when using the controller. I play with a group of pretty talented guys, and when they switch to Simulation, they lose some of the “magic”, and I suddenly see them losing control in ways that look familiar to me (as a wheel user).
People say that it doesn’t matter which you use; as long as you’re a good driver, you should be able to post similar times whether using a controller or a wheel. That might be true for a few people, but it’s not going to be true for most. It’s just not.
Even if your steering is set to Normal when using a wheel, it resembles Simulation on the controller (you can kiss the “magic” goodbye). And when using Simulation with a wheel, despite it being intended for wheel users (as far as any of us know), it’s almost like taking the Simulation steering setting and making it even Simulation-er. It’s similar, but even harder. For wheel users, Simulation mode should be called Yes-I’d-Like-to-Spin-Out-on-Every-Corner-Thank-You-Very-Much mode.
The one place I think the wheel does have a huge advantage is X class. It feels like the Lotus E21 and the wheel were made for each other. I can spend an hour doing laps, and there’s a smile plastered to my face the entire time. It’s magnificent, and the precision suddenly makes perfect sense.
Apologies for being long-winded. I usually am, but… this is a topic I’m very interested in.
So, while I’m not a “top 10” guy, I’m not half-bad, and I would argue vehemently that the wheel can make it harder to post crazy times because it is more realistic (when properly configured). I watch top 10 replays and see drivers doing things that are so sloppy I’m not even sure they could be replicated with a wheel. The “magic” rescues them from their mad maneuvers to post those times.
To be absolutely clear: I’m not complaining. I love the wheel. I love Forza 5. I love both so much that I bought a spare wheel in case my main one goes wonky and has to be sent in for service (I play every day, and I never want to have to return to the controller). Although it’s off-topic, I just want to say that I’ll take the fun and feel of the wheel over the potential for impressive LB times with a controller any day. The combination of the wheel and Forza 5 has been the single most destructive thing to my meatspace social life I’ve ever encountered, and I couldn’t be happier.
Wheel user here.
Yes, it’s possible to top 10 with a wheel, pretty consistently. I only have a couple top 10 times set in hardcore (no assists), so I am no expert. With that said, I believe the guys who set top 10’s with a controller have the skill-set to set them with a wheel also. Those guys are focused and have the DNA to be quick.
And agree, the controller must take away from a sim-like driving/racing experience people like you and I seek in this game. Can’t imagine driving my vehicles without a wheel in real life…
Both peripherals offer their pros and cons. You can be smoother with a wheel but the pad offers better quick directional changes. If you are after a proper racing experience though I feel your wheel is wasted with Forza. iRacing would be a better use of your time imo.
To answer your initial question though, some of the fastest guys ever to grace Forza have used a wheel.
Wheel user here,
I mostly race R class, its definetly possible to do
Top 10 Times’ with wheel. In my opinion and its my
Personal opinon its what you r used to and what skill
You develop with it. I m used to race with wheel
I have Done it for many years so its become second nature for me… If i race with controller i wouldnt hit even top 1000:) But with wheel i have one top #2
One top#3 and couple #5 to #10 on most tracks in r class… So yes its Very possible. Keep on racing and practise its The key, good luck.
Not sure this thread demands a response only from the top 10 crowd. With previous Forza titles - prior to Forza Motorsport 5 - I have owned a Fanatec wheel. I was consistently in the top 1% (never a competitor for the top 10), but I know that having a wheel does not exponentially increase your skill. It simply increases your steering smoothness and ability to better modulate the throttle/brake.
Additionally, finding an “average” of something for racers with a wheel is nonsensical. Firstly, the plotting of said gamers would be so skewed with a great amount of outliers to throw off any value you are looking for. Secondly, not everyone with a wheel is trying to be competitive. Thirdly, with over one-million Forza Motorsport 5 owners and the fact that wheel and controller users are lumped into the same leaderboards, the likelihood of you scoring a top 10 time is just as likely with either peripheral: slim.
The mindset that a wheel and pedal setup makes things more realistic than a controller and that you will instantly be a competitor for the top 10 is ludicrous. Those in the top 10, regardless of wheel or controller, are undoubtedly putting in more time and talent into their driving - something no amount of money will be able to buy. Furthermore, the comparison of real racing simulators (what the professionals use) and a videogame system is laughable. Be weary of that mindset as any attempt to throw your wheel ownership around as something to place you above your controller-wielding brethren is a mistake.
In short, the top 10 is what it is. It is a place where the uppermost tier of virtual drivers fall amongst others and, whether their tool of choice is wheel or controller, the reason they own those spots is because of their determination and talent. There is some sound advice in this thread already, but let the largest takeaway be that owning a wheel and being a great virtual racer does not correlate. If you just happen to be good enough to fall into the category of the top 10 - great. Otherwise, do the best you can and keep doing so in order to get better.
