Gaming wheels

[8bit]

What are the options worth considering for a gaming steering wheel and pedals setup for PC just now? A friend loaned me his older Logitech one, it was good but had to be used with the shift stick and I haven't got space for that with my desk setup so I need one that just has the wheel (with gear paddles) and pedals. Ideally something that's easy to set up and put away too as I can't just leave it attached to the front of the desk permanently.

[ROSSinHD]

I would recommend avoiding Logitech stuff old tech, I started with one and it quickly got sold.

What is your budget?

[mp3manager]

I think the stock answer is a G27, if you can find one.

[Bullett]

Logitech - used to be the go to in the G35/27 era the new G29 not as highly respected and pricey for what you get.
Thrustmaster - various models and prices T150 entry level, t300 much improved then t500, getting pricey.
Fanatec - very nice but expensive, various grades
then we get to the silly expensive stuff, direct drive wheels, load cell pedals etc.

What games are you playing, any interest in using on xbox or PS?

The great thing about PC stuff is you can mix and match pedals and wheels from different manufacturers, so you can start at the cheaper end and move up piecemeal.

Then you get into triples and/or VR.
GPU upgrades
butt kickers
motion rigs
button boxes

anyone seen/backed this - https://feelvr.game/

[8bit]

Thanks all, useful stuff.

I'm not sold on Logitech, bought a Logitech mouse recently and compared to my old G5 the quality feel just isn't there now. And the price of the current Logitech wheels puts me off a bit. I didn't have a budget in mind but over £300 seems a bit steep.

Games-wise, Project Cars, Assetto Corsa and I have some of the WRC games. I already have an Oculus Rift (altho just the DK2 at the moment but plan to get a better headset sometime soon) so I'm already way down that slippery slope... No need for console support really, have a PS3 I never play and no desire to buy a newer console.

Feel VR looks interesting - am I right in thinking it's "just" another direct-drive model but from a smaller company with lower overheads so not as expensive as those from the bigger names?

[ROSSinHD]

8bit said:

Thanks all, useful stuff.

I'm not sold on Logitech, bought a Logitech mouse recently and compared to my old G5 the quality feel just isn't there now. And the price of the current Logitech wheels puts me off a bit. I didn't have a budget in mind but over £300 seems a bit steep.

Games-wise, Project Cars, Assetto Corsa and I have some of the WRC games. I already have an Oculus Rift (altho just the DK2 at the moment but plan to get a better headset sometime soon) so I'm already way down that slippery slope... No need for console support really, have a PS3 I never play and no desire to buy a newer console.

Feel VR looks interesting - am I right in thinking it's "just" another direct-drive model but from a smaller company with lower overheads so not as expensive as those from the bigger names?

Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari GTE - you are getting a great base unit, a good enough round rim and pedals. £279.99. Gives you scope to change out rims to the F1 rim for example. Only down side is the pedals, they will work but they are not great. With this you will have a brilliant race experience with nice feedback.

I was bitten hard by the hobby. My rig is currently a Thrustmaster TX base with a variety of rims (28 GT, Ferrari and F1) Thrustmaster Pro Pedals (look good but not great performing so looking at fanatec or Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Pro), Fanatec H / Sq shifter and a Handbrake on a GT Omega. I had a Oculus CV1 but didn't seem to gell with racing so I bought three screens, I gave the CV1 one last go before listing it and I ended up listing 2 of my screens. The graphics are not great but the immersion feeling just cannot be beat.

If you play rally games and can fit in a handbrake anywhere, get one. I would say get one over a shifter.

My rig sits on a GT Omega Wheel stand and I curently use my office chair with no issues. It could all fold away and be put in a cuboard within 5 minutes so you have options if you wanted for a decent rig that can be hidden when needed.

Sorry about the rotation I cannot get it to upload straight.

Edited by ROSSinHD on Thursday 12th April 19:18

Edited by ROSSinHD on Thursday 12th April 19:24

[mp3manager]

Don't worry, it's an iphone thing when taking pictures in portrait mode.

[Hoofy]

I picked up a cheap, small (8" diameter?) Trust GXT27 for my PC because like you, I want something you can put away quickly. I do have a Logitech Driving Force GT which is decent enough but heavy. This cheap wheel doesn't have FFB and feels cheap (it's just plastic whereas the Logitech feels hefty), and with only 180 degrees lock to lock it isn't as good but it's a great compromise as I can play AC and then put it back in the box after 30 minutes. It has little flappy paddles that also feel cheap but are just the trick and a clamp to keep it fixed in place.

For my FFB immersion thrills, I use the DFGT on a stand with the PS3 on a big TV. Just picked up GT5 and Dirt for about £6.

[8bit]

Thanks chaps. I'll look into that stand as that may help matters a bit. Good info on those wheels too, thanks again.

[Bullett]

8bit said:

Feel VR looks interesting - am I right in thinking it's "just" another direct-drive model but from a smaller company with lower overheads so not as expensive as those from the bigger names?

The big names all use belt or indirect drive. You are looking at accuforce ($1300+) Ricmotech ($1500+) OSW (at least $1000 for a kit or pile of bits). It's very cheap for a DD wheel. This in itself has caused some concern.

Another option for use at a desk is the wheel stand pro. Some people don't like this due to the central support but it never bothered me. I use a Playseat Challenge these days as it folds up and I can use it anywhere.