Xbox 360 Speed Wheel Any Good?

[ronbo613]

I just got Forza 4, having a good time with it, but I notice it's hard to drive smoothly using the joystick. I was wondering if the Microsoft Wireless Speed Wheel is worth $60.
I understand it doesn't have right and left buttons for the bumpers, is that a major drawback?
I wonder if the wheel will work with Dirt 3, my other racing game? Have to check it out.
If you are an experienced Forza driver and care to provide a tip or two to help me get better; feel free.

 

[Nightrainsrt4]

I don't have one, but I don't see how that would be a pleasant experience, for me anyway. One or two laps maybe, but holding your arms in the air for an extended period of time would be uncomfortable. You don't get the feedback/force feedback from a standard wheel, nor any real increase in immersion.

But, if you can't have a wheel setup (even a cheap one), I guess it might be one of the only compromises and potential upgrades from a standard controller. All I can picture though, even after watching video reviews, is a slightly more responsive wiimote wheel. Definitely not for me, but it might work for others.

 

[ronbo613]

OK, got a 15% off coupon so I bought the wheel. I am a new Forza 4 player, my biggest problem was keeping my steering smooth, the Speed Wheel definitely helps out with that. I still use the steering assist until I get a little better at the game, I've switched to manual shifting, that's helped a lot. Shifting with the Speed Wheel is easy; left hand shifts, right hand trigger is the gas. Speaking of triggers, the triggers on this wheel have a really nice feel, better than the controllers.
Bumper buttons missing is an inconvenience, for sure. Downloading content means changing to the standard controller; gotta pop the battery door off the wheel to shut it down, then use the regular controller.
Biggest drawback so far; I have to control the body torque and just move my arms, if I twist around in my chair, the wheel looses contact with the console.
I think it's worth the $50 I paid for it. It's helped me in Forza 4, if it works with Dirt 3, I'll be stoked.

 

[reallyscrued]

I kinda agree with nightrain up there...I can't see how this would be anywhere near comfortable for gaming hours at a time.

 

[Tweak155]

I'll be looking at picking up one of these. Doesn't seem like the steering wheel options are any good, though. I wont play hardcore but the "good wheels" seem to break.

 

[ronbo613]

I'll be looking at picking up one of these. Doesn't seem like the steering wheel options are any good, though. I wont play hardcore but the "good wheels" seem to break.

I can't afford to spend $500 on a steering wheel setup for an Xbox game. If I win the Lotto maybe...

I can't see how this would be anywhere near comfortable for gaming hours at a time.

I ride mountain bikes and paddle my kayak, holding a game controller is not going to cripple me.

 

[clok1966]

I can't afford to spend $500 on a steering wheel setup for an Xbox game. If I win the Lotto maybe...

I ride mountain bikes and paddle my kayak, holding a game controller is not going to cripple me.

people miss the point.. yes muscles, we all have um, and it sounds like you have some to spare.. but even Arnold in his prime isnt going to hold his arms striaght out for an hour (of gaming).. its as they previous postes said.. not comfortble. This is one reason Kinect will never be "HUGE" certian body movements are not comfortble.. and when gaming for anyting over minutes.. it will be noticable.

The older Xbox 360 wheels are a dime a dozen in the game stores (or they where) i picked mine up for $25 used.. and its excellent controler.

 

[reallyscrued]

people miss the point.. yes muscles, we all have um, and it sounds like you have some to spare.. but even Arnold in his prime isnt going to hold his arms striaght out for an hour (of gaming).. its as they previous postes said.. not comfortble. This is one reason Kinect will never be "HUGE" certian body movements are not comfortble.. and when gaming for anyting over minutes.. it will be noticable.

The older Xbox 360 wheels are a dime a dozen in the game stores (or they where) i picked mine up for $25 used.. and its excellent controler.

It boggles my mind that this wireless speed wheel has a 4 star rating on Amazon. It has LOTS of reviews and everyone reviews it with a high rating; I'm beginning to suspect those reviews are planted. One guy even ended his review as 'thanks to Microsoft for making this!"

...seriously?

I'll be looking at picking up one of these. Doesn't seem like the steering wheel options are any good, though. I wont play hardcore but the "good wheels" seem to break.

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

And people wonder why racing sims have such a shitty adoption rate. I wouldn't be caught dead buying a 'gaming' chair with some metal attached to it for $250.00.

Jeezus, I could build that thing for less than 50 bucks.

 

[Tweak155]

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

And people wonder why racing sims have such a shitty adoption rate. I wouldn't be caught dead buying a 'gaming' chair with some metal attached to it for $250.00.

Jeezus, I could build that thing for less than 50 bucks.

Lol. Not all of us are tight on cash. It's worth it to me to avoid the hassle, since the time alone (a few hrs) would cost me $250.

 

[reallyscrued]

Lol. Not all of us are tight on cash. It's worth it to me to avoid the hassle, since the time alone (a few hrs) would cost me $250.

I clearly wasn't implying you are as poor as me, sir.

 

[Tweak155]

I clearly wasn't implying you are as poor as me, sir.

Maybe not, but one day you might see why someone might buy it. I always thought I would never understand why people buy certain things, but it all makes sense to me now (not that I can buy whatever I want, because I can't - but a $350 expense is at least a cheap splurge for me at this point).