Racing game steering wheel suggestions

[NickThissen]

I recently installed my old copy of DiRT on my PC again, because I found a very old and crappy steering wheel in the attic. I didn't really like the game before, when I was playing it with my keyboard, but it's so much fun with a steering wheel!

Unfortunately, this thing is like 15 years old, if not more. According to windows it's a Microsoft Sidewinder something something (although knowing windows that may be completely wrong). It has no force feedback at all so it is quite hard to control the car in the game (you've got no idea if you're sliding or not, it feels like you're driving on ice all the time). Also, it can only turn about 120 degrees, so you never have to let go of the wheel in sharp corners. In fact, you can comfortably steer your rally car around a 90 degree hairpin using one finger on the hand that you are holding your drink with, and your other hand in a bag of sweets.

So, I'm basically looking for a good steering wheel, which is also not too expensive. I know the G25 racing wheel, that seems awesome with a clutch and all, but I'm not going to spend that much money. After all, I (currently) own only this one racing game so it seems a bit stupid to spend much money on something I might never use when I complete the game lol.


So, does anyone have an 'experience' with racing wheels? It must have decent force feedback, and if I can use it on my Xbox360 that would be a pro (even though I currently don't have any racing games on it). Doesn't have to have a clutch + shifter, but if you know one for a decent price then that would be awesome (I doubt it though...).

I just googled 'racing wheel' but predictably I found way too many to be able to choose one... So I'm looking for someone who owns a steering wheel, or has played with it, so that I know it is a decent one and won't fall apart when I get frustrated for screwing up the same corner 6 times in a row

[baja_yu]

Logitech Momo (Force Feedback), worth every cent. The feedback is so strong I keep it well below default level. And since it's an older model you should be able to find it for a good price.

[NickThissen]

I'm seeing very varying prices on that one. Ranging from €90 to €150 for a brand new set, and from as low as €35 to about €60 for used...

How is the quality on that? If I buy a used set, one of these €35 ones, will it probably be alright or will it be basically fubar'd? I think the price range is strange, especially for second hand sets. Why would someone sell theirs for €35 if others are selling them for €60? Either there's something wrong with it or they just didn't 'research' their price enough hehe.

[baja_yu]

I'm not sure about the price range, but the build quality is superb. Very hard and sturdy, when you buckle it down good and play hard, expect your table to move if it's not very heavy

But expect a very different gameplay (if you never played with one before). It takes some time getting used to, and be sure to set the feedback strength to what you are confortable with or you'll get tired very quickly. When I first tried it, it was so different I though I wasted the money buying it. But as you keep playing you will see that you can achieve much better results than with a keyboard.

[NickThissen]

when you buckle it down good and play hard, expect your table to move if it's not very heavy

That could pose a problem hehe. My table isn't too sturdy, as it's basically a sheet of wood on top of two vertical sheets

=============
 |         |
 |         |

Right now, I have a quite heavy CRT monitor right in the middle (as well as the computer case itself to the left, and a LCD monitor to the right), and the table is visibly bending down the middle. In fact, I have to place a folded sheet of paper underneath the LCD monitor to keep it horizontal, otherwise it is noticeably tilted, haha. It's only a matter of time before it buckles I'm afraid xD

Oh well, I can always move my case to the ground and move the CRT to the side so the load isn't in the middle anymore.

I'll wait for some more opinions and then I might try to bid on some cheap second hand ones, see how low they want to go

[baja_yu]

I've played a lot of games with mine, but the best use of the force feedback in regards to effects definitelly goes to Mafia. You can actually feel like you are driving over a wooden bridge or cobblestone road, or when you are going over a railway crossing.

[homer13j]

I find force feedback to be distracting and not at all helpful in decreasing my lap times... And I'm still using the same Sidewinder wheel I bought when Papyrus' Nascar Racing 4 was released in 2001. Still works great - no mechanical pots to replace.

[NickThissen]

Well I only ever played with force feedback one, and that was like 10 years ago, in the game Driver... So I've no clue if it's helpful or not, but I suppose it is a little more realistic. Right now the steering is just too easy (not meaning the game is too easy, on the contrary..).

I'm really enjoying DiRT now by the way, I might even consider getting DiRT2 after this if my pc can run it properly. I try to do all races without the map and with the in-car camera, quite difficult. I try to listen to my buddy sitting next to me (he shouts out the coming corners etc) but sometimes it's just too much....
"40, left 3, right 3, right 4, left 3 into crest, big jump, right 1 opens"
"wait, can you repeat that middle paa AAAAAAA Ok that was the big jump" *reset car*

[I_Love_My_Vans]

I can't afford a force feedback wheel, so I use the xbox controller on my PC. To simulate force feedback I get my girlfriend to violently shake my office chair when I crash.

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

Don't be silly, you don't have a girlfriend.

[DeanMc]

I use the xbox360 wheel for Forza 3 and have no complaints. I even manually shift now....

[I_Love_My_Vans]

I play Race 07 (known as GTR Evolution) and the xbox controller works well, auto shifting is for the weak...