View Poll Results: Which of the following 2 PDK wheel designs would you choose?
Current PDK wheel with buttons
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/polls/bar2-l.gif)
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/polls/bar2.gif)
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/polls/bar2-r.gif)
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/clear.gif)
42
42.42%
Optional wheel with "Left Down" & "Right up" paddles behind the wheel.
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/polls/bar3-l.gif)
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/polls/bar3.gif)
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/polls/bar3-r.gif)
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/clear.gif)
57
57.58%
Voters: 99. You may not vote on this poll
The Paddles vs Buttons
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So let's ask the question of potential PDK buyers. Given the choice between the current PDK steering wheel, and a steering wheel with simple "Left-down" & "Right-up" paddles behind the wheel, which would you choose?
Current PDK wheel
"Left-down" & "Right-up" paddles behind the wheel
Current PDK wheel
"Left-down" & "Right-up" paddles behind the wheel
#3
#4
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Current steering wheel is fine by me. I like the idea of able to shift up/down by both hands. IMHO it is easier to push/pull buttons than reaching for the paddles. But what do I know, I am only a regular Joe with a Porsche.
John
John
#5
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Paddles... just as long as the paddles are on the steering column and thus do not move with the wheel.
Last edited by JohnnyBahamas; 05-05-2009 at 04:00 AM. Reason: rem "...don't not..." WTF? Did I get my degrees online?
#6
Nordschleife Master
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The funny thing is that the new Z4 comes with left/right push pull buttons too. Same functions available on left or right, the difference being that push is shift down and pull is shift up.
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#7
Banned
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![hiha](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/roflmao.gif)
You don't suppose German engineers are on to something here, do you?
I mean, using simple buttons instead of antiquated levers like the Italians? (Disclaimer: bias intended)
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
What's automotive engineering coming to with these darn trend-setting Germans getting in the way?
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#11
Banned
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Maybe they'll offer it with user preference settings that you can program under user options. Maybe not. ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
But what I don't get is why people saying that the current setting is counter-intuitive? Why is push to downshift more counter-intuitive inherently? I don't get it.
I do get that pushing forward to go forward faster makes sense to me and certainly seems intuitive on that basis. But I really don't get the opposite as being intuitive at all.
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
But what I don't get is why people saying that the current setting is counter-intuitive? Why is push to downshift more counter-intuitive inherently? I don't get it.
I do get that pushing forward to go forward faster makes sense to me and certainly seems intuitive on that basis. But I really don't get the opposite as being intuitive at all.
![Confused](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
#12
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Again, I doubt any of the people that actually OWN a PDK car are even the slightest bit bothered by it. The G-forces are not so great as to not be able to upshift due to the 1,000,000,000 Gs we're pulling in acceleration...
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#13
Nordschleife Master
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
But now, even BMW is messing up with them. The new Z4 does not have L & R paddles - it has 2 identical paddles with push/pull commands, albeit push to downshift and pull to upshift.
#14
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The funny thing is when things are referred to as "intuitive" when they are man-made things like cars, guns, electronics. Intuitive things are like putting a cup to your mouth to drink, being drawn to light, etc. All things mechanical/electronic/technical are learned behaviors, thus never "intuitive".
For the last time, the PDK buttons ARE NOT DIFFICULT TO LEARN OR GET USED TO!!
For the last time, the PDK buttons ARE NOT DIFFICULT TO LEARN OR GET USED TO!!
#15
Banned
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Right. I suspect that the first sequential tranny was built with a 1st to 2nd, etc, pulling backwards. It has nothing to do with g-forces or intuition - it just happened. Then mass produced sequential trannys followed suit and the so-called "in-crowd" became used to it, meaning, they learned that design and proclaimed to the world that that design was the "intuitive" design. What those people will never admit is that their sclerotic brains cannot now adapt to something different. ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
But now, even BMW is messing up with them. The new Z4 does not have L & R paddles - it has 2 identical paddles with push/pull commands, albeit push to downshift and pull to upshift.
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
But now, even BMW is messing up with them. The new Z4 does not have L & R paddles - it has 2 identical paddles with push/pull commands, albeit push to downshift and pull to upshift.
They're basically confusing being used to with intuitive. It's like someone proclaiming that having the ignition switch on the right hand side is more intuitive than having it on the left. Come again?
For a new user never having known about any such shifting schemes, the current Porsche PDK shifting method is naturally more intuitive and easier to learn because of the push forward to continue going forward faster and pulling backward to go back down the geartrain or go back down in speed.