Recommend a steering wheel?

[onelifecrisis]

Can anyone recommend a good, not too expensive steering wheel for use on the PC? Must be force-feedback! Thanks :DL

[nikbear]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GC-016-LG&groupid=702&catid=288&subcat= Its £120,but its very well built and if you shop around you should be able to get it cheaper:03: It really is a quality Item which will last you years:up:

[Lionclaw]

The Logitech Formula Force EX is quite good for its price.
The only problem I had with it is the shifters, button-like shifters instead of paddles. :confused:
Not as comfortable as paddle shifters.

[danlisa]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GC-016-LG&groupid=702&catid=288&subcat= Its £120,but its very well built and if you shop around you should be able to get it cheaper:03: It really is a quality Item which will last you years:up:

^ Win! (Just be sure to fix it to a sturdy surface)

(Also works on the PS3)

[CaptainHaplo]

I was going to suggest the one in your car - till you said for a PC. If it weren't for that, the car ones work great - and boy are they realistic. If I sit in the car, I can turn it on, and all thats needed when I turn the wheel is to make the schreeching of tire sounds.

[onelifecrisis]

That G25 looks drool-worthy but I don't have that sort of cash :(

The Logitech Formula Force EX is quite good for its price.
The only problem I had with it is the shifters, button-like shifters instead of paddles. :confused:
Not as comfortable as paddle shifters.

That's more like it. What are the pedals like on that? Annoying? Stable? Good angle?

[DeerHunter UK]

That G25 looks drool-worthy but I don't have that sort of cash :(



That's more like it. What are the pedals like on that? Annoying? Stable? Good angle?

Ok, you might not be able to stretch to a G25 (it's a very good wheel though). I can recommend an alternative, which is also from the Logitech stable. For £75, I recommend the Logitech Driving Force GT (I own it's predecessor, the Pro)
http://www.darkplanets.co.uk/ps3/logitech-driving-force-gt.asp?ref=frg&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=PPC
If you shop around a bit, you should be able to find it cheaper.

[onelifecrisis]

Ok, you might not be able to stretch to a G25 (it's a very good wheel though). I can recommend an alternative, which is also from the Logitech stable. For £75, I recommend the Logitech Driving Force GT (I own it's predecessor, the Pro)
http://www.darkplanets.co.uk/ps3/logitech-driving-force-gt.asp?ref=frg&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=PPC
If you shop around a bit, you should be able to find it cheaper.

Looks nice, thanks for the link. I actually saw an advert for that wheel, but the ad suggested it was designed specifically for GT games on the PS. Indeed, the link you posted says "PS2 or PS3" but doesn't say anything about PC compatibility. Does it work on a PC? Also, is that one of those gearshifts that you push up to change up and down to change down?

[Lionclaw]

That G25 looks drool-worthy but I don't have that sort of cash :(



That's more like it. What are the pedals like on that? Annoying? Stable? Good angle?


The springs don't have much resistance so it takes almost no effort to press down the pedals. They are made of plastic so I guess they can break if you're too rough with them.

You get used to the pedals after some time. I had my Driving Force for 3 years (same pedals as on the Formula Force EX), never had problems with them.

[onelifecrisis]

The springs don't have much resistance so it takes almost no effort to press down the pedals. They are made of plastic so I guess they can break if you're too rough with them.

You get used to the pedals after some time. I had my Driving Force for 3 years (same pedals as on the Formula Force EX), never had problems with them.

Okay thanks.
I just checked logitech's website and it says the EX is not windows compatible!? :-?

[AVGWarhawk]

Windows is all Logitech does if I'm not mistaken. :hmmm:

[onelifecrisis]

Windows is all Logitech does if I'm not mistaken. :hmmm:

No, they do PlayStation and Wii stuff as well.
See here:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/wheels/&cl=gb,en

[AVGWarhawk]

Sure do as you pointed out! I do see the Windows compatible one for $39.99. Could be the one for you! I like Logitech. I think their products a good.

PM Stabiz, he is into the race car type games. He might have a good one for you to consider and compare.

[onelifecrisis]

Sure do as you pointed out! I do see the Windows compatible one for $39.99. Could be the one for you! I like Logitech. I think their products a good.

PM Stabiz, he is into the race car type games. He might have a good one for you to consider and compare.

The £39 one is only "vibration feedback" not full force feedback.
The EX looks perfect but it vanishes from the list when you filter by "windows compatible". However, I know that some Logitech wheels do work on windows even when they say they dont... I just need to find out whether this is one of them. Someone on eBay is selling EX's at £30 not 5 minutes walk from my house. If I can confirm they're PC compatible, I think I'll get that one. I'll ask Stabiz if he knows, thanks.

[Lionclaw]

Maybe the EX is an PS2 wheel, I borrowed one from my brother when I sent my G25 for RMA, but it worked on PC. :)

My Driving Force was one I bought for the PS2 but with the Logitech Gaming Software it worked on PC as well. :up:


http://www.wingmanteam.com/latest_software/latest_soft_main.htm#Logitech%C2%AE_Gaming_Softwar e_5.02

[onelifecrisis]

Maybe the EX is an PS2 wheel, I borrowed one from my brother when I sent my G25 for RMA, but it worked on PC. :)

My Driving Force was one I bought for the PS2 but with the Logitech Gaming Software it worked on PC as well. :up:


http://www.wingmanteam.com/latest_software/latest_soft_main.htm#Logitech%C2%AE_Gaming_Softwar e_5.02

Awesome :D
Thanks!

[DeerHunter UK]

Looks nice, thanks for the link. I actually saw an advert for that wheel, but the ad suggested it was designed specifically for GT games on the PS. Indeed, the link you posted says "PS2 or PS3" but doesn't say anything about PC compatibility. Does it work on a PC? Also, is that one of those gearshifts that you push up to change up and down to change down?

Ah, that's the beauty of the DFP. It was designed for PS2's, but Logitech released drivers so it could also work with PCs. Works perfectly well with my PS2 and my PC, TBH I think it works better with the PC (great drivers) than it does with it's native PS2 because the PC drivers are infinitely customisable. The GT is designed to work with the PS2, PS3 and PC.
Oh and it does have a stick shift, push forward for downshift and back for upshift. If you don't like it, you can customise the shifts in the profiler software. If you don't stick shift gears, you can use the paddle shifts (can't stand paddle gears myself) instead.

[onelifecrisis]

Ah, that's the beauty of the DFP. It was designed for PS2's, but Logitech released drivers so it could also work with PCs. Works perfectly well with my PS2 and my PC, TBH I think it works better with the PC (great drivers) than it does with it's native PS2 because the PC drivers are infinitely customisable. The GT is designed to work with the PS2, PS3 and PC.
Oh and it does have a stick shift, push forward for downshift and back for upshift. If you don't like it, you can customise the shifts in the profiler software. If you don't stick shift gears, you can use the paddle shifts (can't stand paddle gears myself) instead.

I'm sold!
But... it's an extra £40...
Musssst resissst....

[FIREWALL]

You don't want much do you OLC. :haha:

Ebay or Amazon is where you should be shopping. :yep:

[SteamWake]

Actually I have a FF wheel and pedal set that I might be persuaded to sell at a reasoble price. The only catch is I'm not sure where the power supply for the wheel is.

I will post details and pics tonight.

[FIREWALL]

Actually I have a FF wheel and pedal set that I might be persuaded to sell at a reasoble price. The only catch is I'm not sure where the power supply for the wheel is.

I will post details and pics tonight.


I think the Keyword was " CHEAP " :har:

[onelifecrisis]

What's gotten into you recently, Firewall? Puberty? :hmmm:

Thanks SteamWake, but I went ahead and bought the Driving Force EX. It's pretty good, for the price, though I must say the placement of the gear change buttons is odd. I have longer than average fingers and yet even I can't reach the "paddles" (buttons) comfortably. No problem though - I don't mind racing on an auto gearbox. The build quality is solid enough, the pedals are better than I expected, and the FF is good enough that I can "feel" my way around the track, so I'm pretty happy with it. :)

Thanks to everyone who posted suggestions :)

[FIREWALL]

Just haveing a little fun OLC. :D

Happy for you on your purchase. :DL

btw What Racing games do you play ?

Gran Prix Legends here.

[onelifecrisis]

Grand Prix Legends!? Wow, that's going back a ways.

I'm afraid I have succumbed to the power of the dark side: I bought GRID, and my sister is getting me DiRT for xmas.

GRID is a mixed bag. I don't like the lack of practice laps, the lack of qualifying sessions, the "oiled" walls, the forgiving damage model, or the extremely short races. And I especially don't like the way the AI treats every event like demolition derby! But I must say that with all the driving assists turned off it does feel like a pretty "realistic" driving experience, and I can't deny that all that muscle car drifting and tail-wagging is GREAT fun. :D

Have you by chance played F1 2009 by CodeMasters? What's it like?

[onelifecrisis]

Bah... I just found out that it's not available on PC.

Urgh... and from the reviews it sounds like I didn't miss much.

[VipertheSniper]

Codies and driving sims? what did you expect? If you're still looking for a wheel I'd recommend the Driving Force Pro (the one that was kinda developed for GT4) by Logitech, got 900° steering angle and 3 pedals and a stick shift I think. It might say it's for PS2 only but it works on PC, trust me, I know a few guys who bought it when it came out, because back then, it was hands down the best mass produced steering wheel for PC/consoles out there.

[SteamWake]

Grand Prix Legends!? Wow,

I cut my teeth on papys nascar racing, drove GPL as well. Was in a league online the whole nine yards.

It's all past history for this old man but I do have a quality FF Steering wheel and pedals.

Its a damn good FF wheel and plenty strong if a bit small.

Too lazy to take pics of my set but this is it. BTW I found a power supply that I think will work with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-WingMan-Formula-Force-Pedals/dp/B00004VUFG

Maybe someone in Subsim is interested.

[CaptainHaplo]

After seeing just the topic while in a bit of a haze - I have to simply respond with:

Yes - I recommend a steering wheel. Especially when driving.:yeah:

[onelifecrisis]

I cut my teeth on papys nascar racing, drove GPL as well. Was in a league online the whole nine yards.

It's all past history for this old man...

My own "serious" PC racing days began with Formula One Grand Prix (1992) which I played on an analogue joystick (analogue! the dogs bollocks!) religiously. I'm not so much surprised that some here have played GPL. Rather, I'm surprised that some are still playing it. :o

[FIREWALL]

What urks me is they make $300.00 wheels but no one makes a modern FF GPL\Indy car sim. :stare:

[onelifecrisis]

What urks me is they make $300.00 wheels but no one makes a modern FF GPL\Indy car sim. :stare:

You don't fancy SimBin? It's not F1, but it's supposed to be very realistic.

[SteamWake]

What urks me is they make $300.00 wheels but no one makes a modern FF GPL\Indy car sim. :stare:

This... I shed a tear the day papy sold out.

[CaptainHaplo]

I still have nascar 4 from Papyrus. I also have a number of the ea nascar "sims", but they don't deserve to be called that. The one thing about the nascar series from P was that the physics were truly realistic. The ea versions have downforce entirely too overdone. Cars simply cannot leave their wheels, regardless of the impact forces. The cars also drive like they are on a bubble gum track - there is no feel of balancing on a razors edge when your running around a corner as fast as possible. One second the tail end is firmly planted, the next its swapped ends without any way for the driver to adjust or know they were too near that fine line. Such a pity.

Although its not Nascar or F1 - I highly recommend the DIRT series. I personally enjoy the variations of track and vehicles, and the physics are very reasonable, though of course not exact. Damage modelling scales with difficulty also, so once you get to a certain point, its not a learning curve, but a challenge curve that keeps you playing.

[VipertheSniper]

This... I shed a tear the day papy sold out.


Ever heard about iRacing? That's by the old Papy guys... I think it's out already, so I think maybe you should give it a go. I've heard it's pretty pricey tho.

[SteamWake]

Ever heard about iRacing? That's by the old Papy guys... I think it's out already, so I think maybe you should give it a go. I've heard it's pretty pricey tho.

No but Im off to check it out.. thanks for the heads up.

[onelifecrisis]

Wow, that iRacing looks amazing!