New to wheel

So after about a year of sim racing using my steam controller's gyros as a 'faux wheel' I've decided to treat myself to a proper one. Racing with FFB is great and the cars feel much more 'alive', but I'm finding myself a few seconds slower per lap now... please tell me this is just a learning curve and I'll make it back to being competitive again soon! Right now I'm a bit wary of using the MP servers.

 

It's always like that when you use a wheel. Don't worry, the speed will come back soon.

 

There is always some time needed to adjust to any changes to control methods especially if you got to a reasonable pace using your last method. Overall though getting a decent wheel in FFB makes driving games and sims so much more enjoyable and its clearly the best control option for any good sims.

 

Yup, your using a completely different set of muscles now, your brain needs some time to retrain them.

 

Thanks guys. That's most reassuring to read. Looking forward to shaving off the seconds. Now I just need to find some time to give it my attention.

 

Absolutely normal, was driving all my sims before with a joystick (GPL, GTR, GTL ....).Took about 2-3 weeks to get to my personal bests and after a month I was improving much.

 

I can relate. I finally dropped my X360 controller for a CSW 2.5 after a four-year hiatus without a wheel and at first I was feeling like a complete retard, miles off my controller pace, hovering around the track like a desperate soul in the River Lethe lol. But after a couple of hours, slowly but surely it started to come back.

The hardest part (for me) was to deal with the transition between braking into a corner and accelerating out of it. At first I just let the car go dead mid corner whereas I was much quicker to get back on the power with a pad. I just threw the car into the corner and mashed the throttle on the exit without having to think about steering angle, all I need was to push the stick as far as I could and play with the triggers. Wheel and pedals is a whole different story since you need to coordinate both your arms and legs, use more amplitude in your movements AND deal with the force feedback

Anyway long story short I’m still off pace but it’s getting there. It was VERY frustrating at the beginning but the more I practice, the more I love it. I have no doubt you’ll get the hang of it pretty quick And remember that smooth is fast!

 

^This^

I'm happy to report that after investing a decent few hours running practice sessions over the weekend that I'm clawing back some time. I'm not there yet, but I can feel improvement which is satisfying.

I actually feel that I have to be more assertive with the wheel and pedals than I imagined I would be due to the extra rage of motion allowed when compared to a controller. You have to be quick to go fast!

 

Just put it with a strong FFB setting a knife in your teeth, and when you go hard without making musts effort to turn the wheel, you ready to go.