Affordable wheel?

[jhansman]

Now that I've played Trackmania (serious fun!), I think it's time to get a wheel. The selection on Newegg is a bit sparse, so would those of you who use one for your driving sims say why you made that choice? I am not up for spending hundreds, so you high-enders can skip this thread. Thanks for your help.

MODS: Just realized this should probably have gone into PC Gaming. Please move, if so.

 

[Costas Athan]

Now that I've played Trackmania (serious fun!), I think it's time to get a wheel. The selection on Newegg is a bit sparse, so would those of you who use one for your driving sims say why you made that choice? I am not up for spending hundreds, so you high-enders can skip this thread. Thanks for your help.

MODS: Just realized this should probably have gone into PC Gaming. Please move, if so.

You mentioned newegg, so I will give a link of a newegg listing of the wheel:

Thrustmaster Ferrari F430 Force Feedback Racing Wheel PC

And at Thrustmaster's website you can find the product's description: http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=151&PlatformID=5

edit: Here is a review by InsideSimRacing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lwfSUKnmqI

It lacks a clutch pedal and has only 270 degrees of rotation but I guess it is OK for its price.

 

[jhansman]

Right, that was the one I had my eye on. Sounds like it is a decent wheel for the $$. I wondered if gamers here have found any others in that price range (around $50) they like.

 

[Costas Athan]

Right, that was the one I had my eye on. Sounds like it is a decent wheel for the $$. I wondered if gamers here have found any others in that price range (around $50) they like.

Microsoft had some cheap wheels but I'm not aware of their quality.

Another option could be Logitech Driving Force GT. Have a look at some prices: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/wheels/devices/4172

It is a wheel for PS3 but you can download the latest driver from Logitech's site and connect to your PC. It has 900 degrees of rotation.

I have a G25 for 2-3 years now and I haven't any issues with it. I hope that Driving Force GT is of the same quality.

 

[jhansman]

I'll take a look at the M$ offerings, thanks. 900 degrees of rotation? Who knew there were that many? Nice, but a tad out of my price range (although I may have to just save up). I really like Logitech hardware, though.

EDIT: Found the Logitech at B&H Photo for $120 shipped. Good reviews, all around. Must resist....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...GT_Racing.html

 

[Costas Athan]

I'll take a look at the M$ offerings, thanks. 900 degrees of rotation? Who knew there were that many? Nice, but a tad out of my price range (although I may have to just save up). I really like Logitech hardware, though.

EDIT: Found the Logitech at B&H Photo for $120 shipped. Good reviews, all around. Must resist....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...GT_Racing.html

Well you are the only one who knows how much you can afford to spend for the wheel.

And of course it depends with what games you are going to use it... If you are planning to play LFS, rFactor, iRacing etc. maybe you want to buy a better wheel than the one you would buy for arcade games.

As for the 900 degrees you are rarely use them all when racing. The most possible thing is that you'll set the wheel to less degrees.

 

[jhansman]

The main reason I don't play racing games anymore is because trying to control a racing vehicle with a keyboard (or a game pad) is, for me, nearly impossible. They are fun, but only if you can really control the car. Trackmania is the most fun I've had in a game in years, so if I can fine tune my driving with a wheel, it will be a good investment. I may even move on to other racing games, who knows? But for me, it has to be as much fun as it is challenging.

 

[goobernoodles]

I'll take a look at the M$ offerings, thanks. 900 degrees of rotation? Who knew there were that many? Nice, but a tad out of my price range (although I may have to just save up). I really like Logitech hardware, though.

EDIT: Found the Logitech at B&H Photo for $120 shipped. Good reviews, all around. Must resist....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...GT_Racing.html

My roomate has this one and we use it for GT5. I haven't had any experience with other wheels, but I think it works well. The shifter is retarded, but that's about it. Logitech makes a pricier one with a 6sp shifter and clutch pedal.

 

[jhansman]

Logitech makes a pricier one with a 6sp shifter and clutch pedal.

Well, I'm all for realism, but six speeds and clutch may be overdoing it a bit. I just gotta figure out an answer when my wife comes in the den, sees this thing clamped to the desk, and bleats "What the hell is that? What are you, 14?"

"Well, part of me is...."

 

[Costas Athan]

If you want something really good and want to save money and of course you haven't got a problem buying a used item go for a G25 or a G27.

- They both have 900 degrees of rotation. (You won't really use them but they may be better for some games like truck and bus simulators).
- They both have clutch pedals which of course you aren't forced to use when driving. Simracing games give you an option to choose between manual gearbox, automatic gearbox, or sequential (which means you can change geras without using the clutch pedal).
- They both have strong FFB (Force Feedback) which makes the wheel feel like a real one and transfers to you the sensation of the road and everything else that happens to the car (e.g. understeering).

- G25 has paddle shifters on the wheel.
- G25 has also shift stick that can be set to sequential (changing gears by moving it forth or backwards) or to H-gated.

- G27 has more buttons on the wheel.
- G27 has also both paddle shifters and a shift stick, but unlike the G25 the shift stick is only sequential and this is the only thing that lacks compared to G25.

Simracing isn't just gaming. It takes practice. You have to prepare before a race, test settings, get familiar with the race track. You have to be ready to battle with your competitors. And this process is sure entertaining if you have time to spend on it.

 

[bobdole369]

Microsoft had some cheap wheels but I'm not aware of their quality.

Another option could be Logitech Driving Force GT. Have a look at some prices: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/wheels/devices/4172

It is a wheel for PS3 but you can download the latest driver from Logitech's site and connect to your PC. It has 900 degrees of rotation.

I have a G25 for 2-3 years now and I haven't any issues with it. I hope that Driving Force GT is of the same quality.

I've used the DF:GT and see nothing but awesomeness, though thats a narrow view. I've only used it for GT5 on PS3.

Now that the PS3 is going away - (selling it all) Going to use it on the PC though.