Concensus on best way to efficiently steer a vehicle?

[crasher]

Not whining: I'm taking a humorously-defeatist view of my vehicular Karma here.

I use a gamepad, I just got a G13 a few days ago.
Before that I had a Saitek Cyborg Command Unit for years that I used in many games (never drove/flew with it, I had flight gear for that), until it broke a wire in the joystick. I got the Nostromo a few times over the years but the response lag was noticeable and seriously frustrating. I used all 3, starting with the Saitek, in this game.

Many of the gamepads use a digital switch, the Saitek had 'zones' you could adjust in the software for where the stick would consider 'motion/no-motion' movement of the stick for control. I don't hold the stick in a position, but instead feather it with light 'taps' for forward/left/right steering.

I've been maxed on the ATV and 'Growler/golfcart' for a while now, so it's not like I haven't put in some time moving around, but dang that thing won't pass a tree without making for it.
I swear it veers whenever an obstruction is in sight. If I'm cruising through one of the cornfields anywhere near one of those bulldozer/tractors, I already know I'm going to hit it.

I can't drive out of Muir and make the right at the top of the entrance, (or cut the corner to the right of the ammo cache) without slamming into that log or rock on either side once I get on the road. I can't drive through the opening in the fenceline into the cornfields 2/3 times without hitting one side - backing up- hitting the other side.....

One of those codemonkeys put one of those '1.05%' factors into the ATV code for random collision avoidance and it fluctuates between '+' and '-' all the time. I'll bet internet beer on it. It's got to be just like the +/- on the scopes, or spinning around to face your attacker when you get hit by something.

I'm not an expert, just a random player, I can drive a nail without bending it, I have in the past re-written a mouse driver when they got a minor piece of code wrong. I should be able to drive this stupid ATV for 40 consecutive feet without looking like a drunk snake on crack crawling through a hedgerow....


tl;dr - It's faster for me to walk to an arkfall...

[Zeliska]

I tried so hard to work it out with a keyboard and just couldn't get the feel and timing down for drifting through turns and alternating between braking and boosting.

I decided to use a PC Xbox 360 controller and was able to gold all of the time trials. The controller just seemed to have a better tactile report for how I was controlling my ATV through the courses.

Maxing out an ATV does give you a lot more response and control, so try to find whatever input device that makes the most sense and comfort for you.

[crasher]

I was thinking about trying an XboX controller just for that, as you say.

I don't own a console of any type, so it's new territory for me equipment-wise.

[Zeliska]

I was thinking about trying an XboX controller just for that, as you say.

I don't own a console of any type, so it's new territory for me equipment-wise.

It took a bit of practice to be sure, so if you do invest in one, don't be frustrated that it isn't giving you the results that you may immediately expect. But once you have your finesse dialed-in, it really is a very responsive device that makes the trials a lot of fun to complete and makes the experience just better overall. You may even choose to use it as your overall playing device over the keyboard and mouse, since the UI is truly more skewed for console format than a PC format.

[Kibblehouse]

So Glad someone finally created this thread, I feel I am no longer alone! I suffer the same obstacle seeking behavior while driving, in my case I assumed it was just me, and my connection induced lag. Its probably a result of the whole cross-platform thing, but I always wondered why they didnt just use the mouse to turn scheme they use when we run? Anyway I get by, but if I get within 200m of an arcfall its usually easier to run.

[Vella]

When using keyboard, semi-rapid taps of the direction you want to turn can give more control than holding down the key. Experiment with it if you haven't tried that yet. Seems the longer you hold the turn key, the stronger you turn, so by releasing and pressing it again multiple times during a turn, you can make a more controlled turn.

Don't use the e-brake for anything other than doing a 180 or powersliding for pursuits (or stopping I suppose).

This is solid advice. I had a hard time dealing with the runners when I first started until I figured out this method. The rollers are all awful for steering though, I agree. Good luck.

[Blak]

Soon as I switched TURBO from Shift and made it Mouse 4 my world became so much better.

W A S D to steer, Space Bar E-Brake, Mouse 4 Turbo and just practice practice practice.

You could use a controller but I find that jumping off the ATV then tossing your controller to the side and grabbing your mouse and keyboard is a bit much, but some people just play with the controller on their PC ( I know right )

Also, and I am just guessing... but you may want to look into a better keyboard that is analog and not digital. This will let you press on the keys lightly and the vehicle will go slowly forward... push on the keys harder or smash them and it acts just like you smashed the gas down in your car. Some people will argue that this isn't a big deal..... then I would argue back "Why the hell is the PS3 controller so great, analog functionality! BLAM'O!)

[ironhands]

try using a controller for driving, Ive heard some say it helps lots

xoxoxo

controller for races, otherwise, keyboard is sufficient with practice.

[ironhands]

but you may want to look into a better keyboard that is analog and not digital. This will let you press on the keys lightly and the vehicle will go slowly forward...

... analog...keyboard? wha? where? I think they're made by Skittlebrau

[Elandriel]

Left and right mouse buttons for steering left/right helped me the most. That way I always have my hands on keyboard and mouse and can even look around to some degree while driving.