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For casual players, GT7 is highly enjoyable with a standard PS5 controller. But for driving simulation enthusiasts seeking maximum realism and performance, investing in a high-end racing wheel setup pays huge dividends. Let‘s dig deeper into the pros, cons and what to consider.
Driving wheels 101
Before deciding if an upgrade is worthwhile, it helps to understand what sets specialty racing wheels apart from regular gamepads.
Racing wheels aimed at sim drivers are precision controllers crafted to mimic real race car feel. The wheel base houses force feedback motors that add dynamic resistance when turning, recreating realistic steering weight and road textures. This is paired with a set of pedals for granular acceleration, braking and clutch control.
Higher-priced wheels feature stronger force feedback, sturdier build quality, and premium materials like leather or Alcantara for superior grip. Many also offer manual gear shifters, console compatibility, quick release systems and deeper customization of force feedback and steering angles.
Why a wheel improves GT7 performance
Compared to gamepads, racing wheels offer serious driving fans tangible benefits:
Superior control
The full rotation range and responsive pedals allow more subtle steering, throttle and brake inputs for greater control. This helps enormously when catching slides or managing weight transfer through corners.
Realistic force feedback
Advanced feedback motors in the wheel replicate the feel of traction loss, suspension load and road bumps to immerse you in the driving experience. This information lets you react faster to grip changes.
Better ergonomics
The seating position and adjustable wheel placement reduce fatigue versus hunching over a controller during long races or endurance events.
Immersion
The lifelike force feedback, comfortable position and manual gear control gives an incredible sense of presence in the driver‘s seat, fully immersed in the simulation.
Evidence wheel users are faster than controllers
Objectively, the precision inputs and realistic force feedback mean experienced wheel users can achieve faster lap times compared to controllers:
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According to GT Planet tests, wheel users were 2-3 seconds per lap faster than controllers around complex tracks.
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Professional sim racers are consistently quicker using their racing wheels based on leaderboard times.
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Top esports teams like Red Bull only allow racing wheels for events like the FIA Gran Turismo Championships.
So for serious players chasing quick lap times, especially in online lobbies, a performance wheel provides a clear competitive edge.
The cost – budgeting for a racing wheel setup
There‘s no denying that racing wheels represent a hefty investment over a standard controller. Here are typical costs to budget:
| Product | Cost |
|---|---|
| Entry-level wheel | $200 – $300 |
| Mid-range wheel | $400 – $700 |
| High-end direct drive | $1000 – $2000+ |
| Pedals | $100 – $500 |
| Gearstick | $150 – $250 |
| Cockpit rig | $200 – $1000 |
Total setup cost: $1000 – $4000+
Additional accessories like VR or motion platforms also complement wheels for the ultimate experience but add substantially more cost. Casual players need to decide if the added realism warrants this premium expense.
Customizing for realism with wheel settings
Racing wheels paired with simulations like GT7 allow fine tuning of steering angle ratios, force feedback gain and other parameters to precisely match the handling of different real-world vehicles.
As a professional driver, I find this ability to calibrate the steering rotation, feedback intensity and damper effects to perfectly match each car‘s unique character adds enormously to the realism and takes skill to master.
This level of customization simply isn‘t possible using a standard gamepad.
Better ergonomics reduce fatigue
The adjustable seating position and wheel placement of a dedicated rig provides a more comfortable experience over long races compared to hunching over a controller.
In my experience driving endurance events upwards of 2 to 3 hours, the ability to rest your arms on the wheel instead of suspending them to grip a small controller has physical benefits. It reduces fatigue in your arms, shoulders, neck and back.
This ergonomic advantage keeps concentration higher and driving consistency better over longer stints – important for both performance and comfort.
Gaining an edge in online competition
On the PS5 specifically, the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller arguably provide the best gamepad experience yet for racing titles.
However, across competitive online leaderboards and esports events, the vast majority of top times are still set by experienced drivers using high-end racing wheels.
The increased fidelity and control means wheel users almost always have an edge over gamepad players. So investing in a capable force feedback wheel is a must for anyone pursuing competitive online sim racing.
Potential limitations to consider
While immersive and high-performing, racing wheels also come with some limitations to factor:
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Many wheels only work on certain platforms like PC or PS4. Compatibility with next-gen consoles is still limited.
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Wheels demand a fixed rig or desk mounting point – you can‘t just use them portably like a controller.
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The premium cost makes them prohibitive for more casual racing fans.
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They‘re designed specifically for hardcore simulations, not arcade racing or other genres.
For gamers wanting to enjoy GT7 casually from the couch, these limitations may outweigh the benefits of a performance wheel. But for dedicated driving sim enthusiasts, none of these downsides present significant barriers given the heights of realism possible.
My verdict as a sim racing expert
As both a professional driver and hardcore racing simulation fanatic, few gaming experiences immerse me like firing up GT7 with my direct drive wheel, pedals and VR headset.
The unparalleled control, realistic force feedback and deep customization options allow me to tweak every car to feel like a real-world counterpart. For players seeking the pinnacle of immersion to truly feel like a race car driver, a high-end racing wheel setup is a must.
For more casual GT7 fans, controller support is excellent and provides highly enjoyable racing. But players looking to become deeply invested in the pursuit of quick lap times will find a capable force feedback wheel transformative.
So while not essential for the average user, for dedicated sim racers chasing realism, performance and competitive times, investing in a racing wheel can unlock GT7‘s full potential for an unrivaled vicarious driving experience.
