Looking for a Racing Wheel.

Post by **suiken_2mieu** » 19 Sep 2009, 15:20

I'm looking for a racing wheel with force feedback and can be mounted on a desk using a clamp that comes with it. I know this fairly standard now, but I'm looking for quality. I prefer a stick shifter rather than F1 style shifters, but both would be nice. One more thing, if it works with the Xbox 360, that would be a plus. Also if i could get at least 240 degrees of range or more. I'd like it to go around twice in either direction, but it's not needed, nor do i think they make any with more than 360 degrees of rotation. Thanks guys for the input.

Cynagen · Post by **Cynagen** » 19 Sep 2009, 17:22

The only thing you're going to find close to any of the specs you're asking for, is the Logitech G25. Only steering wheel setup I've seen with an actual shifter. Look at Logitech's lineup for other possible options.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 19 Sep 2009, 18:38

Yes, G25 hands down. It's pricy, but no other wheel comes close.

Mesh · Post by **Mesh** » 19 Sep 2009, 20:16

Which is a shame really, I've sworn off logitech for just about anything except maybe mice. I've had keyboards, a wheel w/ pedals, multiple gamepads, and a harmony remote. All of which had the same issue with low quality parts and severely lacking quality control.

I miss the days of thrustmaster, I use to have a flightstick from them that was so tough it lasted long enough to still be usable today, just as long as you have the old style analog joystick port.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 19 Sep 2009, 22:29

The main problem with wheel sets is extreme polarization between quality and crap. You can get ones in a fairly affordable price range that have good wheels, but they all have crap plastic pots in the pedals, many of which aren't even mounted securely. Thus you get problems with the pedals going out of calibration or the pots just wearing out or breaking prematurely.

I really wish Logitech would make a more affordable version of the G25 without the clutch and H shifter, esp since most race games don't support either feature anyway. I've considered getting MS' 360 Wireless Wheel, which seems to have a bit better pedals than Logitech's non G25 models, but my guess is even those use plastic pots. I've also considered getting a used G25, which can sometimes be had for about $150.

phantom · Post by **phantom** » 20 Sep 2009, 01:13

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Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 20 Sep 2009, 01:19

Most current PC-based racing titles DO support Clutch and H-shifter.

Some verification to support that please? I can believe maybe most SIMs do, CURRENT SIMs anyway, but traditionally arcade racers or even those part arcade part SIM do not. And I hate to think of what that German wheel would cost, or even the G27 for that matter. A lot of nice pics but little info other than more buttons and a different shifter.

phantom · Post by **phantom** » 20 Sep 2009, 02:04

suiken_2mieu,

I hope my post above is a helpful start w/ good visual info and references to start you on your way to choosing a wheel that matches your needs.

Frag Maniac,

I do not care to get into a pissing fit with you. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 20 Sep 2009, 03:00

Not pissing, just pointing out some obvious facts you neglected to. If anyone's pissing it's you with your all caps ranting. Since when does buying a wheel automatically mean one only plays SIMs? A lot of non SIM titles either don't support clutch or fail to properly recognize some wheel's clutch feature.

As for the Fanatecs though, I was quite frankly surprised at the price of their GT3 set, esp given the quality of pedals. I'd also rather have the H shifter as an option vs having to pay for it being included. They definitely need to work on plug and playability though, which also makes me wonder just how many titles it supports and how well.

I tried emailing Fanatec regarding the GT3 title support list, which their website does not indicate, and after filling out all the required fields the message doesn't send. I get the feeling these guys aren't that great at communicating with consumers, but of course it's my lack of "research" as you put it. LOL

I also found the iRacing ad in the review to be quite suspect. It may be one of the best SIM software but advertising it as having only NA racing tracks then saying it has a "world championship" is an exaggeration at best on the verge of being laughable no matter how many pros they say are involved in it.

Post by **suiken_2mieu** » 20 Sep 2009, 04:03

Thanks guys, I've been needing to buy a new wheel since i've been using a wheel I've had since the original xbox came out (consequently Windows 7 doesn't have drivers for original xbox controllers in which my wheel is based.). I forgot about M$ having an official wheel, i'll also look into that since it has built in drivers for both platforms i play.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 20 Sep 2009, 07:04

If you want Xbox compatibility, the G25/27 don't have it and it's extremely expensive to get it from Fanatec. The 360 wireless wheel supposedly has very fast response and the pedals are designed fairly well for an inexpensive set. You can also use it wired vs wireless if you want.

Post by **Abram** » 20 Sep 2009, 08:12

Well i gotta toss in my two cents and tell ya that the x360 wireless wheel is a p.o.s. I tried it a couple times, then went back to the controller.

But i guess you get what you pay for. If you're hard-core about your racing and want the best experience, you'll find your way to a high quality wheel. If you just want to screw around the track every once in a while then buying a fancy-pants wheel would be a waste. And if you're still very casual about racing adn still want to spend so mcuh on a trinket, then put your money to better use.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 20 Sep 2009, 08:20

There have been a lot more comments here stating otherwise regarding the 360 wheel, but then again they were aware of what else is available in it's price range rather than expecting something 300 dollarish. For you to trash it as worthless then mention you prefer a controller makes it a bit obvious maybe you're more used to a gamepad and can't adapt to a wheel as well as some.

In fact if you're still using a pad that tells me there are either a lot of wheels you've tried you didn't like or have only tried that one and have nothing to compare it to to even be rating it. Your words would have been a lot more credible had you said what you didn't like about it and what other wheels you've tried.

Post by **Abram** » 20 Sep 2009, 11:09

Nah, i've used a few wheels and I was really cheesed at the overall quality of the x360 wheel. But, being a LOT cheaper than nice wheels, I didn't expect much.

01Boxer · Post by **01Boxer** » 20 Sep 2009, 16:05

My main beef with the Microsoft 360 wheel is that it's sold 99$ and has the build quality of a 29$ wheel. The pedals were badly designed and uncomfortable while the main piece has way too much play. The limited rotation of the steering wheel made playing Forza 2 a bit weird. It was still better than using a controller but i kept wishing for a 360 compatible version of the Driving Force Pro.

It's unfair to compare the Microsoft wheel against the Fanatec or the G25. But even when looking at wheels in its price range (Logitech DFP, Thrustmaster F430 wheel), it still sucks.

packerfan · Post by **packerfan** » 20 Sep 2009, 16:56

About the clutch argument.

Grid and Dirt dont have a clutch bind as far as I remember, though one of them has buttons for like 1 2 3 4 5 6 gear (grid I am thinking) so depending on how the shifter works you could clutchless shift.

GTR I think does actually support clutch.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 20 Sep 2009, 18:18

About the clutch argument.

Grid and Dirt dont have a clutch bind as far as I remember, though one of them has buttons for like 1 2 3 4 5 6 gear (grid I am thinking) so depending on how the shifter works you could clutchless shift.

Yes. You can set positions on the H-shifter to different gears, but there's no clutch.

GTR I think does actually support clutch.

As do GTR2 and GTR Evo.

Post by **suiken_2mieu** » 20 Sep 2009, 21:06

Well I'm seriously building this setup on the cheap (hell i've been using a madcatz wheel for eons), So in your guys opinions, how much should a mid range wheel cost?

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 20 Sep 2009, 22:10

I was speaking specifically of H shifter support on the shifter, and clutchless shifting, well, why buy a $300 wheel with a clutch if a lot of your games use clutchless shifting?

On the quality of the 360 wheel vs the Logitechs in the same price range, I've seen numerous complaints accompanied with photos of why the pedals on the Logitech ones fail. They have plastic pots that aren't even held securely in place.

There are lots of mods with O rings, putty, etc, just to try and keep pedal calibration from disintegrating, dirt, hair, etc from fouling them and torque on the loose pots from breaking them. I don't exactly call that well built.

Seems most of the complaints I hear about the 360 are not of quality but preferring a different design and/or features of a much more expensive wheel, which is not the same at all. These complaints are often filled with contradictions too.

The 360 is certainly not the perfect wheel set, none in that price range are, but at least you don't hear of numerous complaints of the pedal pots failing, so you can at least continue to use them rigorously without fail, unlike the $100 Logis.

phantom · Post by **phantom** » 21 Sep 2009, 01:42

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