T2, why is it so much better than a joystick?

<<< Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. Anyone have any ideas on this? >>> I don't know the answer, but I know it does make a difference. I don't have a T2, but I did just go from a joystick to a Virtual Pilot Pro, and thus far I've improved my speeds at all the tracks I've tried it at. It just makes it easier to control... especially when the car feels like it's loose. Along the same lines, though.... I wonder if the pedals make such a big difference?? For instance, I thought my 96 and 97 mph laps at Martinsville were fairly good, but I still get dusted by guys with T2's and pedals on Hawaii. Is it the pedals, or are their set-ups just that much more superior?? (which is a very high possibility... :-) ...). Michael "MDunkin"

Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. Anyone have any ideas on this? Chris

It's simple, The throttle and brake are decoupled from each other with a wheel and separate brake. With the Joystick, it's difficult to make a throttle change without affecting steering, and visa versa. Gary Hamann Fremont, Ca "Piece a Cake"

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> Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. > That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how > it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems > like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems > to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. > Anyone have any ideas on this? > Chris

As a recently new owner of the T2, I can tell you that the response is indeed smoother than a joystick. Along with a smoother resopnse comes better times, etc. For example, with a joystick, whenever I tried swerving under yellow to heat up the tires, I frequently ended up spinnig out. With the T2, I can not only do this, but I've also found it easier to recover from spins when going 150 mph!

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> Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. > That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how > it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems > like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems > to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. > Anyone have any ideas on this? > Chris

wheel and pedals. *Billy*, are you a licensed driver? If you were this would be obvious. Another answer is that having the throttle/brake separated from the steering makes the car much more stable and predictable. If you can't afford the necessary wheel/pedals right now, try using two keys on the keyboard for thottle/brake. That may be faster. Just kidding about the licensed driver crack, everybody starts out young. Dana Bailes

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> <<< Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your > simulated car. > That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand > how > it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It > seems > like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems > to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. > Anyone have any ideas on this? >>>

The joystick does move the car quicker and easier. That is the reason not to use it. More lateral movement means tire scrub and lower speeds. The car should look like it riding in a track "ala slot car", for the fastest way around any track. Many minute movements rather than one large correction. Terry Henne MrMcGoo ----

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>Subject: T2, why is it so much better than a joystick? >Date: 17 Jun 1996 00:34:04 GMT >Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. >That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how >it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems >like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems >to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. >Anyone have any ideas on this? >Chris

I can't comment on the T2, but I have a T1. Made a WORLD of difference with ICR1 at Laguna Seca. I couldn't complete 2 laps in a row with a joystick. With the wheel I can actually PASS the AI cars...<g> NCR at Bristol is another story... ________ Eldred Pickett I am NOT paranoid. And why are you always watching me?!?

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>Subject: Re: T2, why is it so much better than a joystick? >Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 02:50:51 GMT >It's simple, The throttle and brake are decoupled from each other with a wheel and separate brake. With the Joystick, >it's difficult to make a throttle change without affecting steering, and visa versa. >Gary Hamann >Fremont, Ca >"Piece a Cake"

Nah, I used the buttons as throttle and brake. No variable control, but at least I didn't have to worry about my steering affecting the throttle. ________ Eldred Pickett I am NOT paranoid. And why are you always watching me?!?

> For example, with a joystick, whenever I tried swerving under yellow >to heat up the tires, I frequently ended up spinnig out. Please don't do this on Hawaii... the little heat you generate in the tires does nothing for the car and you will end up crashing n the pace lap....probably taking me out with you. Gene

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>> For example, with a joystick, whenever I tried swerving under yellow >>to heat up the tires, I frequently ended up spinnig out. > Please don't do this on Hawaii... the little heat you generate in the > tires does nothing for the car and you will end up crashing n the pace > lap....probably taking me out with you. > Gene

Was the word HAWAII in my post anywhere???? Did I tell this guy to get a T2 so he could cause better wreaks on Hawaii??? I don't think so! So how about staying on topic stop blaming everyone for what goes on on Hawaii. Thank you, Brian

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>Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. >That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how >it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems >like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems >to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. >Anyone have any ideas on this? >Chris

Just my two cents worth... I have a T2 as well as a joystick (Gravis - excellent!) and find that it is easier to do more consistent laps with a steering wheel and pedals, but I can achieve a faster lap time with my joystick. So if I wanted to set a lap record I would use a joystick - not that I have much of a hope of setting any records (Laguna - 1:09 ??). But as I play to race in actual races I stick with my T2. I wouldn't say a wheel/pedal combo is any better than a joystick. It depends what you are wanting to achieve. The majority of the world lap records are set with joysticks, aren't they?

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> >Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. > >That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how > >it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems > >like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems > >to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. > >Anyone have any ideas on this? > >Chris > Just my two cents worth... > I have a T2 as well as a joystick (Gravis - excellent!) and find > that it is easier to do more consistent laps with a steering wheel and > pedals, but I can achieve a faster lap time with my joystick. > So if I wanted to set a lap record I would use a joystick - not > that I have much of a hope of setting any records (Laguna - 1:09 ??). > But as I play to race in actual races I stick with my T2. > I wouldn't say a wheel/pedal combo is any better than a joystick. > It depends what you are wanting to achieve. The majority of the world > lap records are set with joysticks, aren't they?

This sounds silly to me. I couldn't even drive a sim with a joystick let alone set a track record. Why do you think you can set faster laps with a joystick. Is it because the joystick counteracts the natural tendency to not abuse the car (tires) ? Dana Bailes

The T2 gives you MUCH MORE play in the lateral movement therefore giving you more accurate steering. I've found that if the pedals are not calibrated precisely you might not be achieving MAXIMUM speeds because your pedal movement maxes out before the game has achieved top acceleration. I usually recal each time I start ANY of my sims - flight or driving....

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>Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. >That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how >it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems >like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems >to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. >Anyone have any ideas on this? >Chris

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>Ok, I'm sure it's cool to have a steering wheel to control your simulated car. >That makes sense that it'd add to the simulation. But I can't understand how >it causes you to do so much better. Better times. Better racing. It seems >like you'd have more control using a joystick. The back and forth seems >to be much quicker and easier. Maybe you do better because you feel real. >Anyone have any ideas on this? >Chris

I guess you could just as easily drive a real car with a joystick but the real difference I find is with the pedals. The fine control I have with the throttle in the turns makes all the difference. Craig ****************************************************************************** Canberra, Australia IVL Toys-R-Us #43 Pontiac - Rick Higbee Motorsports http://www.ozemail.com.au/~hoppy1 ******************************************************************************