Manual vs Paddle shifter: Which is better for sim racing?.What Are Paddle Shifters?

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Manual vs Paddle-Shift Gearboxes.Manual vs Paddle shifter: Which is better for sim racing?

  WebAug 8,  · The manual gearbox is being killed off by paddles. The, um, shift away from manual-equipped perform­ance cars actually began when top-level race cars, particularly . WebMar 17,  · The nice thing about paddle shifters is that you get to keep both hands on the wheel. Very helpful for road track racing. Usually when I shift my 69 Camaro on a . WebYou have to take your hand off the wheel while braking from over mph, while sliding the side of your foot over to the gas paddle to blip the throttle just the right amount while .  

Paddle shifters vs manual

 

The alternative is a manual gearbox, which, in Logitech's case, would be this Logitech Driving Force Shifter. It comes in the commonly used H pattern and is more akin to what you'd find in most road cars and older vehicles.

The advantage of using a stick is that it gives you more control over your gear selection. For rally-based games like DIRT , you may find you need to downshift from fourth to second when entering a corner due to the immense speed your traveling across very uneven and unpredictable surfaces.

This would not be possible using paddle shifters as they pre-select the gears for you, therefore giving you less control over what you're changing into. If you enjoy the idea of paddle shifters but like using a gear stick, then a sequential gearbox may be the answer as it is essentially a combination of the two. This Thurstmaster Sparco Shifter , for example, only allows you to change up or down a gear which should be a time-saver compared to an h-shift gearbox, allowing you to produce quick, snappy changes while you focus on the road.

While paddle shifters may result in slightly improved performance, they may not be realistic for the car you're driving. For example, if you're driving an older car, then you'll probably find it uses a manual gearbox. Therefore, using a paddle shifter isn't an accurate simulation of your vehicle. This is only a minor factor to take into account, however, if you're looking to emulate the real racing experience as accurately as possible, then it may be worth selecting the gear system that parallels the car you're driving.

The answer to this question will ultimately come down to personal preference, and, as mentioned above, you may find switching between the two depending on the car you're driving to be most enjoyable. No wonder that consumer demand for manual gearboxes has dwindled. And with take rates in the single digits, killing a variable as expensive as a transmission is a windfall for product planners.

Like it or not, the rise of paddle shifters and the fall of the manual gearbox follow the ongoing shift from analog to digital cars, where launch control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, and semi-autonomous systems do a lot of the hard work for you. But that's not always a good thing. In our worldview, you should be the master of your car, not simply the operator. We lionize skill and driver engagement—we're the "Save the Manuals! But as technology forges forward, something's gained and something's lost.

Despite our plaintive protestations, the manual transmission is dying and may soon be gone altogether. You can thank paddles for that. Every Ferrari Lego Ever Made. Car and Driver, January Issue. Buyer's Guide.