FFB versus non-FFB Wheel?

[jztemple]

I'm using a controller right now, but back in the dark ages of PCs I have used both a FFB wheel and a non-FFB. Back then the FFB (sorry, I don't remember which one it was) didn't feel "right" to me. I accepted that while the non-FFB didn't have the feedback, it still seemed more enjoyable to use.

Jump forward to today and three questions:

1. For a more casual racer like myself, is it worth investing in a FFB wheel?

2. Is it significantly more "immersive" than using a non-FFB wheel?

3. Probably the more important question, will using a FFB wheel make me a better rallyer than a non-FFB?

Thanks for any input on this. I'm really a babe in the woods now-a-days on peripherals and can use any worthwhile opinions.

[Eduardo]

FFB in D:Rally is still not perfect even after FFB udptate, but I must say that it is much more enjoyable than it was before (when FFB was almost not working at all). It also made me a much better and faster driver since now, thanks to working FFB, I know what my car is doing, which way does it want to slide, and thanks to that I can do scandinavian flicks much easiery and always know when the car is driving on the edge and losing grip on tarmac tracks.

So yeah, FFB is a must if you want to have really good times and yes, it is VERY immersive. I didn't have a wheel before this game, I only bought it because of Dirt: Rally and it's the best gaming decision I did in last few years. I did have good times even with gamepad, but it's a completely different game when you use a wheel (with FFB).

[TemplarGFX]

Originally posted by Eduardo:

FFB in D:Rally is still not perfect even after FFB udptate, but I must say that it is much more enjoyable than it was before (when FFB was almost not working at all). It also made me a much better and faster driver since now, thanks to working FFB, I know what my car is doing, which way does it want to slide, and thanks to that I can do scandinavian flicks much easiery and always know when the car is driving on the edge and losing grip on tarmac tracks.

So yeah, FFB is a must if you want to have really good times and yes, it is VERY immersive. I didn't have a wheel before this game, I only bought it because of Dirt: Rally and it's the best gaming decision I did in last few years. I did have good times even with gamepad, but it's a completely different game when you use a wheel (with FFB).

Completely agree. I too purchased my G27 for Dirt Rally after already putting about 40 hours in via game-pad. Im not a car guy and really only *used* to play casually. Im completely hooked to the immersion the entire wheel / peddle / cockpit / FFB / Surround Sound combination creates. Especially thanks to using my 64" TV just behind the wheel to fill most of my vision!

[Meszes]

Without FFB you just can't tell what's happening to the car, you need to rely solely on visuals and audio.

If you're tight on cash, I'd suggest picking the Logitech DFGT as that's a fine entry level wheel, offering 900 degrees of rotation, decent FFB levels and plenty of buttons. Next step up is a G25/G27, both definitely worth at their price points.

The stock FFB is fine since the recent update, but Templar's Impact FFB takes it to another level.

[TemplarGFX]

Originally posted by Meszes:

Without FFB you just can't tell what's happening to the car, you need to rely solely on visuals and audio.

If you're tight on cash, I'd suggest picking the Logitech DFGT as that's a fine entry level wheel, offering 900 degrees of rotation, decent FFB levels and plenty of buttons. Next step up is a G25/G27, both definitely worth at their price points.

The stock FFB is fine since the recent update, but Templar's Impact FFB takes it to another level.

I was thinking of going the DFGT instead of the G27 due to cost. But my friend convinced me to get a G27 along with him (he also got one just for Dirt Rally!) and it was a great decision. Even just that leather and steel feel on the wheel is worth it! I've never used a DFGT so I cant compare them in all honesty, but I am overjoyed with the G27's quality for price-point.

[Anus RectorSeal]

Another shameless plug for the G27. Mine is about a year old. I play almost daily and all the pieces still feel brand new. I did print out numbers and attach them to the corresponding buttons, however.

[[BOBFAM]_DaGuRu]

I still have DFGT and G27 wont sell the DFGT as its s great backup wheel however if you got the extra cash its the G27 every time, you get a much better pedal setup inc clutch also an H shifter with a couple of rubber bands it coverts to a sequential shifter that can be mounted anywhere you like and last to answer the main question FFB is a must for this and any other sim you might get in to later on (when you get the bug lol )

[TurdSmurfVR]

iv got a G27 its ace i only bought it for pcars and the oculus and then this came out and its by far the best car game ever, i couldnt get on with the size of the steering wheel tho when i 1st bought it and changed it for a full size MOMO drift rim and extended paddles its just so good now i love it, car games are really starting to get good nowadays with physics, graphics, handling and speed and ffb so if its car games that you play then a wheel is worth investing in nowadays and i read loads of stories bout how ppl have had there g27 for like 5 year and loads of hard use everyday an never breaking so thats y i went for 1 seems they last forever and quite cheap if they lasting 5+ yrs of being well abused everyday. i will save up for a fanatec tho in the far off future.

[Axe]

I would invest if I was in your position and you have the finances now - or you may regret it when you don't.

I have G27 too and it's Dirt Rally that has made me appreciate it more than ever being a 'casual' racer myself.

Casual means not seriously into online or leaderboards etc.

The more you can do to make yourself a better driver I would heartily recommend with Dirt Rally as you will need all the help you can get :-)

Just think of all the other racing games you have to explore again with the benefit of a wheel.

[Sergey Tokarev]

I've bought mine G27 for a DiRT Rally, Asetto Corsa and GT6 . Man, it's worth it. FFB is a must-have for these games.

[Case]

Given that there's really not that big of a price difference between non-FFB wheel and FFB wheel, there's really no reason to go the non-FFB route. Even an ancient FFB wheel like mine still offers much better experience than any non-FFB wheel can. You're no longer guessing what the car is doing, you can feel it.

[Simon said EAT DUST PLAYER_1 !]

Especially in simulated Rally-racing you want that extra bit of information: the car's attitude, the moment when the tyres leave the ground, the moment they touch the ground again and the moment of most-compression inside your car's suspension: these things can be felt inside modern sims' ffb. And even if you do not see the point at first: these things do help with understanding the "car". That's why peoples' driving-style generally benefits from having ffb.

Given the fact that most modern wheels with 900° of rotation (or more) are designed with ffb-mechanisms from the get-go: there really is no point in debating the physical capability. You can of course switch off any forces being relayed to the wheel - should you not want them.

[jztemple]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it! I'm going to check out that G27, looks like a winner to me.

[Axe]

Excellent. Join the club.

The best thing is you have decided on a wheel that is well supported in almost all, if not all, the racing games whereas some are less supported and that is worth the price alone. That adds to the value of choosing correctly.

[mittens]

ffb wheels rule . <- period

I have t300rs and love it. G27 has massive fan base and I'm sure you can't go wrong with that either. It's great value for whole kit.

[Madhun67]

g27 here too