Which reasonably priced but still GOOD steering wheel for PC

[TameRacingDriver]

Hi all, as part of my never ending gaming PC project, the other day I decided to grab Project Cars. Seems like an excellent game but I think it would be better still using a proper steering wheel and pedals rather than the Xbox controller I'm currently using.

So I've been looking at some Logitech offerings but even second hand some seem quite expensive. I'm just wondering if anyone on here had any recommendations?

Also how does it work? I've got a desk, does the steering wheel simply clamp to the desk or do I need a proper stand?

[TameRacingDriver]

Thanks for the recommendation, I just bidded for one on ebay but lost... but given what prices they're going for I noticed my local CEX has them for not a lot more and give a warranty, £62 for the steering wheel mentioned, not too bad given what the likes of the G27 goes for (which is overkill for me at this stage).

I'll try on the desk first but if that's unsatisfactory I will get the stand.

[TameRacingDriver]

G27's are about 3x the price, can't really justify that at the moment, nice bits of kit though. I'd rather put the money towards a monitor + graphics card upgrade.

[TameRacingDriver]

I'm going to buy one from CEX at lunch time, I'll see how I get on with it just clamped to desk.

[TameRacingDriver]

Bullett said:

In the world of sim racing (and probably real racing as well).

Buy a cheap wheel
then buy a good wheel
then buy a better wheel
then modify it
they change the pedals to better ones
then upgrade the steering
then buy a race seat
then upgrade to 3 screens or VR
then start thinking about a motion system

probably right, although that seems to be the case with PC gaming in general, my rig is already worth double what I had intended it to be when I started and I still keep looking at things like 34" 1440p monitors, 980Ti's and I'm not even what you call a hardcore gamer!

I may end up buying something better in the end, but for now, I just want to see how I get on with the arrangement. I can quite happily stomach losing £20 or so over a few months just to see if I like it before committing to something better.

[TameRacingDriver]

So just got it home.

Very disappointed.

Downloaded Logitech Gaming Software - doesn't actually appear to install any program that I can use to configure it.

Device appears in Devices and Printers

First time I plugged it in it turned to the left and right, then centered, solid white logo.

Put project cars on, totally uncontrollable, just wants to steer right all of the time. Gear shifter doesn't work. Trying to assign the gearshift to the shifter doesn't seem to recognise it. Tried to calibrate, makes no difference.

Unplugged it and plugged it back in and now the logo just flashes.

Any ideas before I take it back to the shop?

[TameRacingDriver]

I dont know about the force feedback, I couldn't feel it forcing it to do anything. In fact it basically does nothing at all. The pedals and buttons work but the steering doesn't and it just flashes away. The first time the car just steered itself (the wheel itself didn't even move).

Annoyed because I'm sure IF it worked it would add a new dimension to these sorts of games, but it was totally and utterly unplayable.

[TameRacingDriver]

It did the first time (and the light was solid afterwards) but once I unplugged and plugged it back in, it just twitches pathetically to the left a couple of times and the light flashes constantly.

I found a different download for the drivers, but it just says no device detected (tried in many different USB ports). It's still listed in Devices and Printers though. When calibrating from the game its now not responsive at all to the wheel.

[TameRacingDriver]

Bullett said:

Project cars is a bit of a bugger for calibration.
I have to remap my controls every time I change something.

Although it does sound like you have a duff wheel.

I've uninstalled all of the hidden devices from device manager and the logitech SW.

CBA to try again tonight but will try again tomorrow. I reckon it's a duff wheel, I've seen a fair few reports of similar issues, resolved in many cases by replacement hardware, but I'll give it one more chance. It doesn't exactly look a young wheel either.

[TameRacingDriver]

born2bslow said:

There are two logitech gaming drivers just to confuse things. I think the 521.1 version is the right one for DFGT and G27, just double check it, it should have a blue icon not the black icon of the later drivers.

I started with a DFGT, and within 3 months play.com had a half price sale on G27 so I picked one up for £180...it makes the DFGT seem a bit lightweight and plasticy in comparison, especially the metal pedals, the steering movement is less like a cable tie moving and the H-shifter makes you want to learn to heel n toe. Genuinely if you can spring for the G27 get that you won't regret it. Unfortunately with all the new driving games around wheel prices are holding firm with deals hard to find.

I'm saving for a VR headset when Rift comes out early next year. There are lots of benefits of PC racing, when you have a young family, over buying a real race car, no hours plodding up and down motorways at the weekend after work all week, hit reset if you crash rather than a trip to A&E and/or the bodyshop, only paying out once rather than continuously on consumables, pick any car and any track (almost), ...ok it's not the real thing but you can get a real buzz from a good close battle.

So many great driving games right now, we really are spoilt for choice.

Thanks for the advice. I really do want to get it working one way or another. I hear what you're saying about PC racing v the real thing, if I could get it working properly it would *almost* make me question if I need the real thing - OK I know its not the same but like you say it could still be enjoyable.

[TameRacingDriver]

Tried again. Definitely got the right driver this time (didn't before by the looks of it, despite selecting the 64-bit one yesterday that's not what was downloaded?!). Plugged wheel in, solid light. Great, getting somewhere. As soon as the driver was installed, it detected it, then it sits there blinking at me again. According to the profiler, every single control works bar the wheel, so I guess it's goosed

Not sure I'll bother with Logitech stuff again, its always well reviewed but I never seem to have any luck with any of it. Also people have complained of their poor customer service. Maybe the thrustmaster stuff is worth a look (pricey though).

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Tuesday 10th November 19:24

[TameRacingDriver]

It does look good, but I do feel quite wary of the whole Logitech thing right now (whether that is justified or not).

[TameRacingDriver]

I'll keep my eyes peeled.

I quite like the look of the thrustmaster stuff, seperate wheel, pedals and a gearbox, along with a decent stand would run me ~ £500 - expensive, but I'm starting to think I'll use it more than my actual car

[TameRacingDriver]

Thanks for the offer mate, but like you say a bit far away.

I am actually looking at that class of steering wheel now, the G27 / Thurstmaster T300RS type of thing... it seems you do get what you pay for here from what I've read.

It seems the G27 is an old model and has been superseded by the G29 which itself has been superseded by the G920?! So does that mean the latter is now the one to go for? The Thrustmaster seems to have its fans too and it seems their customer service might be better?

I even looked at the T500RS with the gearshifter, pedals and stand but the price is terrifying just for playing games

[TameRacingDriver]

Well I've gone and bought myself a G27 based on recommendations here. I was reluctant to buy second hand from a third party (sorry Rebuilda) after the issues I had with the GT so I found a local CEX that had one who claimed to offer a 2 year warranty. Cost me £170. Haven't tried it yet (fingers crossed this one works) but it certainly looks much nicer than the Force GT wheel I had before, not to mention, it looks like its in far better condition too.

Hopefully I wont be back here in a couple of hours complaining it doesn't work!

[TameRacingDriver]

Well I've hooked it up, and well, wow, this one definitely works. I don't know what was up with the other one. So I've played a couple of games of project cars, and its great fun, but I'm absolutely terrible at the game!

I also really thinking that I need a stand for it as clamping to the desk was very cumbersome, and my desk isn't really stable enough (or thick enough to clamp the gearshift to properly), I also reckon a stand will help get a good driving position?

I'm now also really tempted by a 34" ultrawide monitor (1080p only for cost reasons - I don't have £500 to blow on a GPU and £750+ on a monitor!).

[TameRacingDriver]

I'm after this stand.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/GT-Omega-Steering-suitable...

This looks nice, but its quite expensive (not as expensive as that predator monitor but still), and I doubt my GPU (GTX760) would power this thing properly?

http://www.debenhamsplus.com/DE_LG_Monitors_23_Plu...

That simulator above is insane, but $22K

This is good but its still nowhere near the real thing, obviously I guess, its definitely fun though.

[TameRacingDriver]

Don't like the fact that has a bar in the middle. The one I'm looking at has an unobstructed access to the pedals.

I'm starting to get the hang of it now.

I'm absolutely blown away by how fun it is. Like having an arcade machine in your home. I've got a fairly expensive headphone system plugged into my PC and the sound I just heard from the Aston V12 hooning around the 'ring had me grinning from ear to ear.

Definitely gonna get me a better screen for the immersion. This is going to get expensive I feel!

[TameRacingDriver]

I'm curious about the Oculus Rift but dunno if its for me really. Can't imagine the sound being as good as what I have now for starters, and it seems a bit unnatural, though I admit I haven't tried it. Will probably still go for a big monitor. I can imagine it being fun, but having that strapped to my head... unsure!

I am addicted to this wheel now. Fantastic fun. Can't wait to try some different games with it - Project Cars is good but I can imagine other games are just as good fun too.

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Sunday 22 November 21:58

[TameRacingDriver]

This is probably going to sound mad, and I should maybe hand in my PH membership on the way out but I actually think having had a weekend playing on this, I find it just as much if not more fun than actually going out for a little blast around the block in the car.

Its actually got me seriously questioning myself as I was prepared to pay up to £10K for an every day but enjoyable car, but I'm now starting to think I might just go for a cheap little runabout such as an MR2 and save my cash. Seriously. I don't really do track days (can't afford) and I hardly ever go out for the fun of it. I can use this whenever I like, drive whatever car I like and on any road or track I like.

Basically, its not the same, but it is utterly involving, fun and I am totally addicted to it. Thanks for the recommendations!