Joysticks and LFS

[zer0mercy]

I played the demo of LFS for about a month or 2 off and on, nothing really hardcore. I played it with a saitek x52 joystick and im not half bad, i just get SMOKED by everyone else because i usually go to fast in the corners and spin out into a wall or something. Im thinking about getting a wheel but this is currently the only racing sim i play and i really enjoy it, anyone think i should stick with my joystick or get a wheel, if you suggest a wheel what one should i get? Sorry if this has been posted like 1123123 times already..

[P5YcHoM4N]

Most people recomend a Momo or a Driving Force Pro.

Never used either myself, but from what I have heard you'll be better off using a mouse then a joystick :P

[P1lot]

Big difference between joystick and wheel. I started with a gamepad at the beginning but eventually got a wheel even though it was my only racing game.

Never regretted it, it gives you more consistency in your laps, more emersive feeling in the sim, and of course faster speed :)

Logitech wheels seem recomended here, MOMO Racing or Driving Force Pro.
Whatever you get, make sure it has force feedback like the 2 above.

[Julppu]

It's all about learning. I use MS Sidewinder non-ff stick and I find it rather smooth. The fact that I get smoked a lot comes from the fact that I don't have enough experience. Wheel might or might not improve my times, but driving and training will surely do. Only problems with 'stick are that longer races with relatively few turns and braking points tend to tire my hand (I use y-axis as gas/brakes).

[danowat]

While using a wheel is no doubt more realistic and more immersive, I beg to differ on the consistency.
I have, and continue to use a dual analog pad, and I am pretty quick and consistant, it all comes down to what you are used to I guess.
Do not discount a pad, it can be as fast as a wheel, I would say a pad is a bit more easier to use than a stick.
A pad is a lot cheaper than a wheel, plus it takes up a lot less space.
There does seem to be a bit of "controller" snobbery :)

Dan,

[P5YcHoM4N]

While using a wheel is no doubt more realistic and more immersive, I beg to differ on the consistency.
I have, and continue to use a dual analog pad, and I am pretty quick and consistant, it all comes down to what you are used to I guess.
Do not discount a pad, it can be as fast as a wheel, I would say a pad is a bit more easier to use than a stick.
A pad is a lot cheaper than a wheel, plus it takes up a lot less space.
There does seem to be a bit of "controller" snobbery :)

Dan,
The wheel does add realism, but for me it also brings better lap times. And I find it better for long races as it's easier for me to eat and drink using a wheel then with anything else.

But I really love my wheel, nothing top shelf like someone the wheel porn here, but it does it's job, and 0 problems, bar a sqeak which after 3 strip downs has finally gone away.

Oh yeah (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000JDG9.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif), their software leaves some to be desired, but they do make nice hardware (well, they rebrand nice hardware anyway).

[zer0mercy]

I ordered a momo should be here in a few days, got it off newegg.com cheap :D

[P1lot]

While using a wheel is no doubt more realistic and more immersive, I beg to differ on the consistency.
I have, and continue to use a dual analog pad, and I am pretty quick and consistant, it all comes down to what you are used to I guess.
Do not discount a pad, it can be as fast as a wheel, I would say a pad is a bit more easier to use than a stick.
A pad is a lot cheaper than a wheel, plus it takes up a lot less space.
There does seem to be a bit of "controller" snobbery :)

Dan,
Just the way I see it, Danowat. I was capable of getting decent times with my analogue gamepad, but I would regularly mess up at least 1 turn. (this was back in 2003).
Got a wheel and it helped me to be consistently fast. :)

[Forbin]

I started playing LFS back in late 2002 with a non-FF joystick (the full fighter jet flight stick sort of thing that you grip with your whole hand) and was pretty decent with it once I learned how to make a setup that would compensate for the binary throttle and brake. Older guys around here knew that setup by the name Grippy. :) Mid-2003 I bought an Act-Labs Force RS.

[Julppu]

...was pretty decent with it once I learned how to make a setup that would compensate for the binary throttle and brake.

Hmm.. now, where was that pc-adapter for good ol' TAC-2... ;D

[mrbogeyman]

Older guys around here knew that setup by the name Grippy. :)

Ahhh grippy! The joy of being able to drive the GTT, but i had a wheel :doh:

and im not old.......

[Rtsbasic]

I used a joystick (Logitech Wingman Extreme 3D, now my gear selector) for almost a year of LFS, then i brought S1 and a wheel at the same time, and the wheel after a bit of pratice did make my laptimes a lot faster. Problem with joysticks is fatigue, and trying to be consistant in the corners.

If you don't have £70 spare for a Driving Force Pro, splash out £20 and get a 2nd hand Microsoft Sidewinder force Feedback. I have a non-FF one, used it for a long time and got very fast with it. Still use its pedals (I believe they have laser pots). For a bit more you can get the Logitech Momo Racing, never used one but apparently they're nice units.

[MrGrumpy]

I've got a Microsoft Sidewinder FF and I'm not that impressed with the FF. It feels sort of 'notchy'. I do want to try out a DFP to see different the 'feel' is.

The rubber grips on the wheel have started to come away from the plastic in the last few months too, but it has lasted me about 5 years of arcade games before LFS so I can't complain about it's quality.

[zer0mercy]

ive had my MOMO racing wheel for a week or so now and omg, it made such a difference, i have WAY more control that i do with a mouse and joystick and the force feedback is insane ! Its definatley improved my times and handling abilities.

[bjdbrad]

While using a wheel is no doubt more realistic and more immersive, I beg to differ on the consistency.
I have, and continue to use a dual analog pad, and I am pretty quick and consistant, it all comes down to what you are used to I guess.
Do not discount a pad, it can be as fast as a wheel, I would say a pad is a bit more easier to use than a stick.
A pad is a lot cheaper than a wheel, plus it takes up a lot less space.
There does seem to be a bit of "controller" snobbery :)

Dan,

I use both but there is no question in my mind that a wheel is far more consistent having the post on the controller just doesn't allow you to make the exact same move going into a corner just because of the nature of the pad and ummmm.....you were really digging deep with your reason of it taking up less room.....lol......a wheel is just plain fun and thats what games are about.......

Brad

[Tiny]

If you're used to using a joystick than it will be difficult switching from that to a new stearing wheel. I got a momo for christmas and it works great, only 100$ too :). It all depends on your spending range, the more money you pay the better the wheel performance. I reccommend getting the momo, and you should be doing good. As I said, going from a joystick or any other controller to a new wheel will be tough, but you will love the improvment in your skill and handling. Good luck in your decision, if you need any more help feel free to ask :thumb:

[Greboth]

I had used the mouse for all the time i was playing the demo, then i got S2 a few wjs ago and got my DFP yest.
With the mouse i was quite quick not as quick as the aliens but quick enought for middle of pack. Doing 5 lap races of blackwood int he XF Gti iw udl mess up at least one corner if not more.
Now i got the wheel im slower as i need to practice but ive done about 20 laps of blackwood without any trouble.
So really im just consistantly slower lol
IMO though wheels are better for lfs in every respect.

[bjdbrad]

I just went and picked up the new momo, my old one is fine but I just had a bug to get the one with the sequential shifter although I think the paddles are going to be the most efficient way to shift. I don't remember who the person was in this thread that mentioned he would like a wheel but couldn't afford one right now. I will make you a great deal on my used momo. I hope you live in the states I will give you the old one for $25 plus freight and to put your mind at ease about it being in good working condition I will have you just send me the frieght for right now and once you get the wheel and try it out you can send me the $25

As I type this I am wondering if selling is against the rules of this forum I hope not, I think its probably clear that I am not a guy who goes around trying to sell things on forums I am only trying to help out a fellow racer. I think all would agree that its a more than fair price, I was quite surprised to see the new momo for $100 with the shifter and it looks like better pedals. If I remember right I think I paid close to $150 when I bought the original momo I am selling now.

Hope I didn't break any rules just to lazy to read the rules of the forum. I live in Wisconsin I am guessing freight in the US would be in the $15 range but thats a rough guess.

Brad