rec.autos.simulators

  When I first got a wheel, I lost time too.  It was very humbling.  Keep in
mind the in-game settings are usually different for a wheel vs a joystick.
You may want to poke around the controller setup screens.  Haqsau & Fat n
Slo have come up with some good settings for F1 2001,  I don't know how
they translate to 2002 yet tho.  Try putting all the sensitivity sliders to
50%.  Reduce your speed sensitivity to zero and then in EACH individual
setup, reduce the steering lock from th 19 to 24 degree range to 10 to 12
degrees.  (Monaco might need a little more for the hairpins)
  Good luck.
oh and some of the fastest guys in world use joysticks in gpl, but some
others use wheels...it's just a matter of what works for you.
dave henrie

That said, I played GPL for nearly a year with the keyboard.  I lost
several seconds at each track when I first got a wheel.  Just keep
practicing and you'll be fine.

Jason

Being fast is fun but having the impression of controlling a "real" car, is
even better.

Which is why I prefer a "sim" over an "arcade" game.

Denis

IMHO, it depends on your reason for simming:

* Is cutting the absolute, fastest lap possible, your top and only
priority? If so, then run what yields that result. (After giving the
wheel a fair amount of time, and doing some "tweaks" as suggested.)

* Is immersing yourself into a racing simulation and overcoming
challenges similiar to what an actual race car driver faces your top
priority? Then a wheel is the only answer.

I switched to a wheel in '96 and NO WAY would I EVER think of going
back. (I fall into the latter category above.) Yes, there was a new
learning curve, but it added so much to the "immersal factor" when
simming that I was hooked on a wheel immediately. In fact, if I could
not have a wheel/pedals... then I couldn't care less about any auto
racing simulation. For me, I choose to use a wheel even if I'm seconds
per lap slower. Why? For the "immersal factor".

So in recap, what's your priority in simming? To play a racing game
and have fun trying to be the fastest? Or, to attempt to simulate as
closely as practical the wonderful world of auto racing?

Neither approach is "wrong", neither is "better"... just different.

Your call.

Andre Ming

hmm, maybe i should approach a F1 team about this :)  hope theres nothing in
the FIA rulings that says drive-by-wire is illegal?

As long as you put the joystick back after leaving the car... :)

There have been experiments done at some car manufacturers. For example,
SAAB had an fully working, joystick-driven concept car in the eighties. I
don't think it got very far beyond the factory walls though.

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Jason

Yeah, I was much faster with a joystick than I am now with a wheel, but
then it's not just about being fast, is it? :)

Gave up using joystick over a year ago.  Best thing I ever did.  Well...
almost.  <BG>
--
Peter Ives
Remove ALL_STRESS before replying via email
If you know what's good for you, don't listen to me
GPLRank Joystick -50.63 Wheel -21.77

I'm pretty sure that drive by wire is illegal in F1, but it doesn't have to
be electronic, early planes weren't.

Chris

It wouldnt work because of the lateral Gs. Works in planes cos the
accelleration is vertical, the plane of movement in which the joystick
doesnt move.

steve