Thinking....

[lewi]

I was contemplating thinking about getting meself a steering wheel for the PC.

I'm not looking for a super-duper, top of the range wheel, I am just in need of a durable, decent quality wheel. I can't spend too much either, over $150 would be a lil' too steep for me.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

Cheers

Lewi

[[SK]FR2]

I have a MS force feed back wheel and i truely like it, cost around 100 us dollars not bad at all for the price. Remember not the wheel but the hands that lay upon it. :HB:

[D_Man]

MSFF wheels are not being made anymore and are getting harder to find. Logitech have a couple of options to consider - the MOMO Racing wheel isn't too bad and some guys seem like the new wheel made for GT4 which has the option of 200 degrees rotation or 900 degrees. It is suitable for both PS2s and PCs.

I personally don't like the Guillemot wheels as their build quality seems a bit shabby, but many guys swear by them.

Good luck

Dave

[Wazza]

If you can shell out an extra AUD$50, maybe try a MOMO Jnr.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/AU/EN,contentid=6030,CRID=13,detail=4

Or even at some places, you could get it cheaper I guess.

Of course, a MS, is a bit cheaper, but finding one would be difficult. I've only seen one in NZ in the last year, but Lots of MOMO Jnrs. :)

An older wheel I had was the Logitech Wingman Formula Force; I see that site has a non Force FFB, for only $79.95, so force could be perhaps $120 if you can find one. They aren't the best in quality, but will do the job. I would much more recommend a MS FFB or MOMO Jnr, for that sort of money.

[monaro]

i was thinking the same thing lewi, read my mind.

i had a look at a momo 'jnr' the other day, didnt look bad at all

[VQ]

I got my Momo Racing wheel for $80 when it was pointed out ont he forum that dicksmith had em for that cost a while ago, but I wouldn't mind that 900 degree wheel with leather stiching and stuff like the better momo wheel.

Get the Momo Racing basically....

[Commander]

I have been keeping an eye out for wheels as of late, and I have realized that the MOMO sr. I have now is basically an antique. Having broken two Logitech FF wheels in the past, I have since learned to ease up on the wrenching I have exposed my wheel to in the past. I am thinking on putting my MOMO original wheel in a glass case since it is now so seemingly hard to find. :p Anyway, what I am getting at is that if you want a real wheel, you might be able to find some sap who is selling a MOMO sr for cheap. If you get that wheel however, treat it like gold, because it IS friggin' gold! Otherwise, hit your local PC shop once every 6 months and snake a cheapie that you won't feel bad about destroying.

[lewi]

Hmm, 1st up, thanks everyone :)

Now, how important is FF in a wheel in your opinion? Does it make it easier to drive & control? Cos I like the idea of the Logitech® Formula™ GP non FF wheel, cos its only $80 :D

lewi

[Chaul]

Now, how important is FF in a wheel in your opinion? Does it make it easier to drive & control? Cos I like the idea of the Logitech® Formula™ GP non FF wheel, cos its only $80 :D
lewi

It's personal preference.. For some simulations it might actually make the car easier to handle.. in theory. But it depends on the game. And the FF strength varies between different wheels. For some mediocre games I have seen it doesn't help and might actually hurt your driving. You certainly need good arms if you keep it switched on all the time.. At worst FF is used only as some sort of rumble-effect. One game demo I tried years ago I got the exact same wheel shaking no matter in which angle I hit a wall. I haven't seen this kind of rumble-effect racing after this any more.

Another thing you might see is the zig-zag effect if you have the recentering spring set. Turn the wheel, let go, and the wheel would keep turning on itself left-right-left-right and the car would do the same on screen until you grab the wheel. Eh.. funny.. but not very realistic.

At best FF is fluid and believable. I can't give you any examples but simulation games these days are generally good. FF in racing games works if it is bound to the physics engine, and it's not just a series of rumble-effects.

Most of the time I have raced I have had the FF switched off. But I still buy FF wheels for the option of giving it a try one day. I have only had 2 wheels all this time racing PU. The red Logitech was in "ok" shape for 3 years for me and it still works but might need some replacement parts.

[lewi]

So, in your opinion, the Logitech® Formula™ GP wheel would be a semi decent wheel (Im not a serious sim racer, i just want a wheel) for any game?

cheers

lewi

[D_Man]

lewi, I have the MOMO and MOMO Racing wheels and I don't use FF anymore. After using my Hyperstim for 6 months and going back to the MOMO wheel I realised how unrealistic FF actually is. The really top notch wheels like TSW and BRD are not FF wheels.

Dave

[Chaul]

There were several versions of this Logitech wheel. The first one that came out, the red Formula Force wheel was very durable. It was steel cable driven and all. My only problem with the wheel was when something broke inside the mechanism and the thing holding the cable got misaligned somehow. It still works and after using it a while it became smoother to turn again. But after a while I finally bought a new wheel from the same company. Then came the GP wheels which are in my opinion lower quality but still ok wheels.

Then again, Logitech released a high class Momo wheel which was followed by slightly "lesser" and cheaper Momo Racing wheels. Both Momos have steady and accurate steering. I have only used the original red Logitech wheel and the Momo Racing wheel and been happy with both. I could use new potentiometers on the pedals though. Anyways, I would definitely prefer the Momo Racing over the GP wheel because the Momo Racing was released more recently and because of the wheels accuracy.

Someone else might have more experience on the other wheels from this or some other manufacturer. I don't know how durable the GP wheels were. I guess they will last a while if you are not too rough with them. Naturally this is true for any wheel, eh..

[wello]

have a look at these links Lewi
there all brand new wheels
starting from $50-$159
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31215&item=5114938758&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31215&item=5114473633&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31215&item=5115333807&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31215&item=5115160328&rd=1

[DC_Geezr]

I'm still using my dependable 2 year old MS SW wheel.No FFB,but I've never had it,so i don't miss it.Correct me if I'm wrong ppl,but doesn't FFB use system resources to a point where it could affect frame rates in game?That is unless you have a very fast PC. :cool:

RICamundo :beer:

[Justin Martin]

So, in your opinion, the Logitech® Formula™ GP wheel would be a semi decent wheel (Im not a serious sim racer, i just want a wheel) for any game?

If you want a cheap wheel, that one is probably the best bet. For arcade games like the NFS series, I don't think that most racers would get much of an advantage out of a better wheel. The Momo would feel higher quality, but I don't think there would be much of a lap time advantage. Since you've never had a wheel, I think you'll be happy with it.

But for sims, a Momo would definitely be better. You can get by with a GP in sims, but I think most racers would be able to feel the difference. Basically, it comes down to whether you want to spend about USD $40 on a wheel or about USD $100 on a wheel. If you can easily spend USD $100, i'd go with a Momo or the 900' PS2/PC Logitech wheel. (which is what i'd buy)

[lewi]

Yeah, sounds good. mIght get one in the near future :)


edit- one thing, this is a cheap wheel, how do u think it will go as far as sensitivity? Eg: A slight turn on the wheel might deliver nothing, then turn a bit more and then the car jumps sideways cos too much lock?

[D_Man]

Most analogue controllers have progressive actions through the potentiometers they use and many games allow tweaking of the sensitivity/linearity.

Dave

[lewi]

Sooooo, i spose that means it's ok then :P