What's the best way to use a controller?

I had a small tragedy this afternoon: my power supply hooked up to my GT2 wheel died so I thought I'd give the controller a go.
Man it was real bad. I play like a complete beginning noob. Locking up brakes. Taking corners wide. Oversteering. Sliding. You name it.
I need some quick tips on how to best use the controller. How do I best apply the brake. How do I turn? Small movements or full lock? Do I use the knob to steer or the direction buttons.
I might just get used to the controller so I can race with both. Plus the info would be handy for others maybe just starting the game.

Best to start with the default setup. You can swap buttons and this is the setup I always use. Even though I hate using a button for a clutch I have it set to A just for when the host demands it.

Throttle: Right trigger
Brake: Left trigger
Up shift: B
Down Shift: X
Clutch: A
Steer: Left stick
Handbrake: Left shoulder
View: Right shoulder
Look: Right stick
Look behind: Y
Rewind: Back
Damage and tyres: Right stick click
Car info: D pad up or down
Pause/Menu: Start

Have the steering set to normal to start with. It will not full lock at speed as the stick does not move as far as a wheel but a small movement on the stick will be a small movement in the steering.

The brake and throttle as triggers gives you almost 10mm of play. Easy to ease them on but also easy to press too far and lock up or burn out.

Just practice.

Edit:
Using the controller for driving is great when needing to take photos. Being able to drive your car, hit the corner as you want or just be able to move your car around to get the best position. I have never used a wheel to get photos but needing both sticks I can't see it being an easy task.

crimson eagle73 wrote:I had a small tragedy this afternoon: my power supply hooked up to my GT2 wheel died so I thought I'd give the controller a go.
Man it was real bad. I play like a complete beginning noob. Locking up brakes. Taking corners wide. Oversteering. Sliding. You name it.
I need some quick tips on how to best use the controller. How do I best apply the brake. How do I turn? Small movements or full lock? Do I use the knob to steer or the direction buttons.
I might just get used to the controller so I can race with both. Plus the info would be handy for others maybe just starting the game.

The best way to use a controller?
With your hands

Throttle: Right trigger
Brake: Left trigger
Up shift: B
Down Shift: X
Clutch: Left Bumper
Steer: Left stick
Handbrake: A
View: Back
Look: Right stick
Look behind: Y
Rewind: Back
Damage and tyres: Right stick click
Car info: D pad up or down
Pause/Menu: Start

As a controller aficionado I'm happy to share my sexpertise, oh yeah.

Firstly I use no assists except braking line which means braking and throttle need to be smooth or timed not mashed. Personally I find this satisfying and would encourage everyone to turn off assists when they feel comfortable to do so. The longer standing fast guys on the forum gave me this advice and it’s well appreciated now.

Breaking : As a base tune setting for a front engine rear wheel drive car I use 45% to rear and 115% pressure. Applying brakes at the breaking marker or line I pull half trigger (brakes) and apply more or less depending on how well I’ve timed it. Depending on the car you will find the lockup point and you should be able to turn into the corner under breaks if needed. I try to do my breaking before the apex so I have time to pick up the throttle out of the corner.

Throttle : If I have hit the apex I pull half throttle on corner exit until the car is straight then flatten it. Again it depends on the car, how well it puts power down and your diff settings. Generally my style to corner is slow in fast out .

Steering : Controllers tend towards full lock because of the small thumb movement needed to get it there. Over time I’ve made getting to and from full lock more gradual that’s just practice. In the beginning it helps to know the gear your taking the corner in get your breaking done before the apex, start wide, slow and look to the exit. If your diff settings are good you can let the engine to the final bit of breaking and throttle control will get a nice exit.

Gear Changes : Mashing down gears too fast with game damage on will damage your engine so a timing change down is important. I prefer manual with clutch set to clutch : A button, change up/down X and B buttons. You can rest your thumb on the A/clutch and just do one movement to clutch, change gears. The control config settings can be edited in the options menu. Some people (Clarkson you stupid barstard) use the control bumpers I find that awkward.

Hope that helps and try and keep it clean and respect other drivers…

crimson eagle73 wrote:I had a small tragedy this afternoon: my power supply hooked up to my GT2 wheel died so I thought I'd give the controller a go.

Thats the exact same thing that happened to my Turbo S. If you go to get it fixed make sure that the guy you're talking to absolutely 100% knows that the Power Supply is at fault, and make sure he makes a note of it.

I am finding it really hard to go back to the controller so no online racing for me till I get it sorted. I feel like a complete newbie.

stick with it, even put on TCS and turn off sim steering whilst you do

Yeah sim steering is a bit cr@p, i still don't use it.
Maybe ABS and forget the rest of em

I think there is also alot of settings that can help with the controller, be interesting to see what some are using?

By settings I mean Profile, Controller, Advanced Settings, and the adjustments that are there with your deadzones.

I have messed around with these heaps and think it feels better but would be interested to see what others use to see if I'm on the right track.

I haven't changed any settings except for the buttons to change gears. I think sim stearing is nice, the full tank slap really does it for me.

If you want to sell your wheel I might be interested

Lol Never mystery. Not my Fanatec. I'm getting a new power pack next week some time from Pagnian Imports free of charge. Those guys are awesome.

On another note, I am starting to get used to the controller, but I am still really slow. I'm going through the ofline career with it. I'm actually having fun close racing where when I had the wheel I was destroying the AI constantly.

I would also be interested in those who have played with advanced deadzone settings for the controller.

Like G, I have only switched the handbrake and clutch around... But normal steer FTW

Same as G man ... No mucking around with deadzones etc & my controller is getting pretty 2nd hand too, on f1 last night I noticed it sometimes turns to the left when its supposed to be dead centre.

Original Reapr wrote:Same as G man ... No mucking around with deadzones etc & my controller is getting pretty 2nd hand too, on f1 last night I noticed it sometimes turns to the left when its supposed to be dead centre.

Maybe the merc needs a wheel alignment ... Lol

Dazza4610 wrote:

Original Reapr wrote:Same as G man ... No mucking around with deadzones etc & my controller is getting pretty 2nd hand too, on f1 last night I noticed it sometimes turns to the left when its supposed to be dead centre.

Maybe the merc needs a wheel alignment ... Lol

Used the "kerrbs" too much?