[speedy4500]

I've decided to invest in a PC gaming steering wheel/pedals set. I'd like to spend no more than $80, and would like to have force feedback. Any recommendations? I've read all the online reviews and they have not really helped me much as most of them are the typical "It is great! It helped my shave 1.3547 seconds off my lap time in Super Rally Racing game! 10 stars!". And my local CompUSA only has 1 cheap-o wheel available for purchase. So I'm asking the gaming population here for their thoughts. Thanks.

[ptwearnhardtfan]

The Logitech Momo is a great wheel. They have a cheaper model now around 70-80 bucks. I got a Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP from www.justdeals.com off Ebay for 30 bucks. For that money this wheel is an exceptional deal.

[SpaceyWilly]

i've got the precision pro wheel by M$. It Bill Gate's cheapest model, but I couldn't be happier with it. The one I have is not force feeback, but there is one available with force feeback. What I like most about it is the software. It allows you to adjust sensitivity, dead zone, pedal configuration, and key assignments on the fly, so you dont have to quit your games. It also allows you to save settings for individual games, so that you can easily switch between games without having to play with the configuration. My only beef with this wheel is that the shifter buttons on the back of the wheel squeak when used. I don't use them often, though, so it isn't a big deal. I highly recommend this wheel as the best value wheel out there.

[SpaceyWilly]

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...+racing+wheel+

there's the force feedback one on froogle. Cheapest there is $65.

[speedy4500]

Alright, after reading your responses I've narrowed down to the following two:

MS Sidewinder Force Feedback

Logitech MOMO Racing

And right now I'm leaning towards the MS because previous MS Sidewinder products I've used were excellent, and it's also $20 cheaper.

[amdperson]

if you plan to get the logitek i sujest you sped a little bit extra and get the logitek momo force not themomo racing force.

heres why.

the momo force of better build quality:

aluminim peddles and shifters.
leather steering wheel
advanced for feedback technology
better design

the momo racing has got a rubber steering wheel which will get sticky worn after a while, whereas the leather steering wheel will last much longer and it got a better feel.

just a tip, dont have to follow my advise, but see for your self an www.logitech.com

[minoukat]

donno about the Logitech one, but MS doesn't have software that is completely compatible with Win2k/XP yet. This means that the Force Feedback is not gonna be as strong/powerful/enjoyable as if you were using Win98 (which the software was designed for). I own a MS force feedback wheel, and I can't feel the feedback in most of my games, though it works extremely well in Win98.


edit : http://microsoft.com/hardware/sidewi...fb.asp#OS_Info

[Grande Juan]

I would recomend the logitech formula force gp also, its inexpensive, works well and has xp support (something the MS wheel doesn't have and never will). The momo is a good one to but cost a little more. I really like the feel of the logithech wheel, it's fat.

[SpaceyWilly]

in that case, I would also recommend the Logitech. I have never used one, though, so I can't comment on the quality.

[GLB420]

I'd go with the formula force gp. I've got one and its got good force feedback, and all of the games I've played support it. Also cheaper than the momo. No shifter, but the paddle shifter buttons on the back work very well.

[harderclock]

i have been using the same thrustmaster force feedback racing wheel for 2 years and have had a great experience both with support and quality of the wheel. i went and did some racing simms at the formula 1 open day in montreal 2 years ago they were using them so i bought one,since then i have had a great time in all the nfs all the f1's and all nascars and it works great with all the ms operating systems(dont know about millenium). and best of all they way cheap now i bought mine for 219Can znd now they are at 129Can.

[speedy4500]

harderclock, can you post a link to a manufacturers site or place to buy the wheel you were talking about? I think I know the one you're talking about, but I'm not 100% sure.

How can MS design a product that doesn't work well with their more popular OSes? I run Win2kPro, and I gather that if it doesn't work with XP well, then I should forget it for 2kPro.

THe Logitech Formula Force GP I looked at a bit. My bro has the non-force feedback Formula GP. It's an ok wheel in my opinion, as I'd much rather have actual paddles rather than buttons, and the pedals don't suit me too well, altho if it's really cheap then I may have to consider it.

[TollPhree]

=( never pick a product becasue its 20bucks cheaper, ull be sorry in the end if you do

[ptwearnhardtfan]

Well I can vouch for the Formula Force GP. Like I said earlier, I got one cheap on Ebay (refurb from justdeals.com). Actually I got 3 of them. I can sell it for what I paid for it any time so it was a low risk purchase. I've bought numerous items form this place so I can vouch for them also, although shipping is steep, the price of the items is cheap so it kinda evens out in the end.

[Legend911]

Yes I vouch for the Logitech Formula Force GP Wheel. I have used it for 2 years with no problems in my Nascar 2002/2003 racing league and F1-2001/2002 leagues. I love the wheel and i paid 40 bucks for it back then. It fits well within your price range. But if you can find a good price on the momo version I would get that a bit more quality. I would love to get a THOMAS wheel though. Those are AWESOME!!!! Just EXPENSIVE!

[SpaceyWilly]

yeah, I can see no pedals being a huge downside. Those are half the fun!

[TUK101]

Originally posted by speedy4500

How can MS design a product that doesn't work well with their more popular OSes? I run Win2kPro, and I gather that if it doesn't work with XP well, then I should forget it for 2kPro.

Well I have the Sidewinder Freestyle Pro gamepad (motion sensing one, and great for MM2) and it was a much better pad when I was on Win98 than it is on XP or 2000. For one thing, it had actual drivers for Win98 and only has generic drivers for XP so it just flat out works better in WIN98. Not only that but it has customizable software for use in WIN98 that doesnt work in XP. I think that they have pretty much given up on advancing a lot of thier input devices and are focusing more on their software division since there are so many more aftermarket dealers offering descent input devices nowdays. If you look, you will see that most of their Gamepads, joysticks, and wheels are the same ones that they where offering 5-6 years ago when Win98 was the main operating system. I myself have been looking at a wheel and will follow this post to see what decision you make and how happy you are with it. It tuff to justify $50-$150 for a wheel just for a game, but I just might do it with Collin Mcrae's new racer coming out and I also have Rallisport Challenge that is just tuff to get into with a gamepad.

[harderclock]

i live in montreal and usually shop at microbytes.i still see the the ferarri force feedback steering wheel in the store for 129$ but its no longer on the web site.ill post the link to the thrustmaster site and steering wheel,im sure you can find one at any big computer store. http://us.thrustmaster.com/products/...2&skin=Ferrari

[speedy4500]

ARGH! Too many decisions....want a good wheel, but don't want to spend a fortune! Stupid MS, their SideWinder FF wheel was lookin good at $56, but now I'm having doubts about the drivers/software with Win2kPro. Then there's the lower price Logitech FF GP whose non-FF little bro I wasn't too excited about, and then at $80/$90 there's the Logitech MOMO Force and Thrustmaster Ferrari Force, respectively. I'll have to make a trip to Best Buy, EB, and maybe the GameStop in the mall this week and see if they have any on display for me to try out. I hate buying interface devices without trying them first-hand.

[ptwearnhardtfan]

Well, if you buy it at Best Buy or a place similar, you can try it, and if you don't like it you can just take it back.