There are a lot of gamers out there who love playing racing games. If you’re one of them, then you may be wondering if it’s worth it to buy a racing wheel for your Playstation or Xbox. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of using a racing wheel to play racing games. We’ll also give you our opinion on whether or not we think it’s worth purchasing one. So, if you’re interested in finding out more about this topic, keep reading!
Racing wheels
A racing wheel is the name of a specialized type of game controller designed to provide a more realistic experience when playing racing video games. They are generally used in conjunction with a pedal set and are mounted on a stand or table.
Several brands manufacture racing wheels, such as Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec.
Features of Racing wheels
Most racing wheels come with a variety of features, such as input options, force feedback, vibration, immersion, and progressive resistance.
1. Input options
The racing wheel provides precise steering input for your car, The greater the rotation angle of the wheel the more precise you can be but it is much harder when you are using the gamepad because the margin of input of the control switch is small.
It is also much easier to use the throttle and brakes with the steering wheel than the gamepads.
2. Force Feedback
Force feedback is what gives you the feeling that you’re driving a car. It is an important factor in e-sport racing. It simulates forces on the wheel, such as when you’re cornering or braking.
Force feedback is most accurate when using a steering wheel because you can feel if your car is on the track or out of track (grass/dirt).
The wheel will also let you determine from which part of the car the feedback is coming from. It allows you to feel the track conditions and behavior of your car. This makes the experience more immersive and realistic.
3. Vibration
Some racing wheels also come with vibration features, which add an extra level of realism to the experience. when you hit an object on the track, your wheel will vibrate, just like it would in a real car.
4. Immersion
Racing wheels also provide immersion, which is the feeling of being inside the game. This is because you’re using a physical object to control your car, rather than just pushing buttons on a controller. When you’re sitting in front of a TV or monitor, it can be easy to forget that you’re playing a game. But when you’re using a racing wheel, it’s much easier to feel like you’re really in the race.
5. Progressive resistance
Progressive resistance is a feature that some higher-end racing wheels have. It simulates the way a car’s tires would behave in different conditions. For example, if you’re cornering hard, the wheel will get harder to turn. This makes the experience even more realistic and immersive.
So, now that we’ve covered the features of racing wheels, let’s discuss the pros and cons of using one.
Pros of using racing wheels:
There are some pros of using a racing wheel, they are:
1. Racing wheels provide more precise steering input than gamepads.
There are several pros to using racing wheels when playing racing games. First and foremost, they provide a more realistic experience than traditional controllers do.
Racing wheels give players the feeling that they’re driving a car. This is because they have buttons and functions that are similar to those found in real cars.
In addition, many racing wheels come with force feedback, which makes the experience even more realistic.
2. They allow you to use the throttle and brakes more easily than gamepads.
Racing wheels allow you the luxury of braking and throttling with your feet, which is a lot more realistic than doing it with your hands.
This also makes the game easier to play because you don’t have to take your hands off the wheel to brake or throttle.
3. They simulate track conditions and car behavior accurately.
Racing wheels come with force feedback and vibration features that help to create an immersive experience. This means that you feel as if you’re driving a car on a race track.
In addition, the progressive resistance feature makes it harder to pedal or push on the wheel the more you do it, just like in a real car.
Improve your lap times
Another pro of using racing wheels is that they can help you improve your lap times. This is because you’ll have greater control over your car when using a racing wheel. You’ll also be able to make more precise steering adjustments, which can come in handy on tight tracks.
Fun to use
Finally, racing wheels are a lot of fun to use! They add an extra level of excitement to the game-playing experience and can make you feel like a professional race car driver.
Cons of using racing wheels:
There are a few cons to using racing wheels as well.
1. Racing wheels can be expensive.
First, they can be expensive. While there are some cheaper options on the market, most racing wheels cost upwards of $100. In addition, they can be bulky and take up a lot of space. If you don’t have a lot of room in your home, this may not be the best option for you.
2. They require a lot of space to use.
Again these types of steering wheels take up a lot of space because it comes with all their functions which makes them big and bulky. so unless you have a designated gaming area or the living room is your gaming area, then it’s not for you.
3. They can be difficult to set up.
Another potential con of racing wheels is that they can be difficult to set up. This is because they need to be properly calibrated for them to work correctly
4. Requires a certain level of experience
Again another disadvantage of using racing wheels is that they require a certain level of expertise to use effectively. If you’re a beginner, it may take some time to get used to the feel of a racing wheel. In addition, if you’re not used to using force feedback, it can be easy to oversteer or spin out your car.
5. Some racing games don’t support them.
Some racing games such as Need for Speed (NFS) do not have steering wheel support which means you can’t use your steering wheel with the game.
6. Discomfort while using them.
Finally, some people find out that they experience discomfort while using racing wheels. This is because they require players to keep their hands in a fixed position for long periods. If you have wrist or hand pain, this may not be the best option for you.
Our opinion
After weighing the pros and cons, we believe that using a racing wheel is generally worth it for racing games. They provide a more realistic experience than traditional controllers do, and can help you improve your lap times. In addition, they’re a lot of fun to use and can add an extra level of excitement to your gaming experience.
That said, there are a few cons to using racing wheels as well. They can be expensive and take up a lot of space and also require a certain level of expertise to use effectively. You may also take some time to get comfortable with them.
All in all, we think that racing wheels are a great addition to any gamer’s collection. If you’re looking for a more realistic and immersive gaming experience, we recommend purchasing one. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t have a lot of space in your home, you may want to stick with traditional controllers. Thanks for reading!.
