Steering Wheels
Author
Discussion

halo34

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

219 months

Tuesday 1st November 2022
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Probably been done before. But with a budget of £250 I wish to get a FF steering wheel.

There are loads of the G927 for sale (using PC) but I wondered if there were other viables within that range.

Whilst not a serious gamer and for the odd use, I know the feedback isnt as hefty as some might like and its gear driven.

J2daG1990

1,213 posts

146 months

Tuesday 1st November 2022
quotequote all
halo34 said:
Probably been done before. But with a budget of £250 I wish to get a FF steering wheel.

There are loads of the G927 for sale (using PC) but I wondered if there were other viables within that range.

Whilst not a serious gamer and for the odd use, I know the feedback isnt as hefty as some might like and its gear driven.
Wait until Black Friday or whatever it's called at the end of November, they'll all be discounted.

BillyWhizz888

959 posts

173 months

Tuesday 1st November 2022
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Without spending loads on a fanatec

And depends on what you use it on pc/ps4/ps5 thrustmaster t300rs

Xbox/pc thrustmaster tcpc

Basically same bases just not interlink between xb and ps. I've had 2 when started out in sim and.both great and reliable. And bonus you can swap the wheels so can have the f1 style wheel then swap it round for a round wheel depending what your driving

Terry Tibbs

285 posts

69 months

Wednesday 2nd November 2022
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The Logitech g series are ok, but being gear driven the force feedback can be quite notchy (and loud too at times).
I had a g923 for about a year as my first wheel and I enjoyed it but looking back now I wish I had gone for a belt drive set up like the Thrustmaster T300rs. This will give you a bit more power, better (smoother) feedback and the option to swap wheels around if you want to.

The logitechs are very reliable though, which is something the Thrustmasters struggle with a bit. I’ve since moved on to a fanatec direct drive set up which is an amazing piece of kit but more than double the price.

SturdyHSV

10,315 posts

187 months

Thursday 3rd November 2022
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If it's only for PC (no console use) and you're not sure you're even going to like it / use it much, get used Logitech G27 or something from ebay. If it's not for you, sell it back on.

My G25 is still going strong after 14 years, I was tempted to upgrade to a Thrustmaster for many years but all I heard were reliability issues, whereas I'd never even considered reliability was a thing with the G25...!

Unless you want to game whilst people are sleeping nearby, as yeah, the gear driven wheels are a bit noisy hehe

LukeBrown66

4,479 posts

66 months

Thursday 3rd November 2022
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Another long term 25 user here, all I have had to do is oil the pedals now and then and clean them to prevent throttle creep and it still works perfectly on most games.

I was lucky, got the whole lot for about 100 quid 15 or so years ago and it is still going strong.

If you are serious which you can't be with that budget (sorry) then a normal wheel will do you fine, a proper one will only benefit you in the very edges of your skill and most people them as they have nothing else to spend their money on!

Lucas Ayde

4,038 posts

188 months

Thursday 3rd November 2022
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LukeBrown66 said:
Another long term 25 user here, all I have had to do is oil the pedals now and then and clean them to prevent throttle creep and it still works perfectly on most games.

I was lucky, got the whole lot for about 100 quid 15 or so years ago and it is still going strong.

If you are serious which you can't be with that budget (sorry) then a normal wheel will do you fine, a proper one will only benefit you in the very edges of your skill and most people them as they have nothing else to spend their money on!
Likewise - got mine from Play.com back in the days when they were a serious competitor to Amazon. Around a hundred quid IIRC, amazing value - they were selling off the G25s as the G27 was released I think.

I got a wheelstand for it and everything. Haven't used it in a couple of years though, must see if I can get it set up. It's quite tricky to clear space near the computer (I originally got it for PS3 in the living room).

halo34

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

219 months

Thursday 3rd November 2022
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Thanks guys and no offence taken at the budget side. Its really only for the odd blast if I am honest, I don't have time to enjoy investing more.

If I did it would be on a warthog for the DCS side of things anyway!

Think the logitech is way to go, maybe evaluate again if later down the line feel I need more.

Chunkychucky

6,094 posts

189 months

Friday 4th November 2022
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SturdyHSV said:
My G25 is still going strong after 14 years, I was tempted to upgrade to a Thrustmaster for many years but all I heard were reliability issues, whereas I'd never even considered reliability was a thing with the G25...!

Unless you want to game whilst people are sleeping nearby, as yeah, the gear driven wheels are a bit noisy hehe
FWIW had a DFGT, G25 and G27, kept each for a couple of years but as you say got sick of the gear-driven system and how it chewed/bound up when going from lock to lock quickly. Got a belt-driven Thrustmaster TX wheel 6 years ago and it's a revelation, would never go back to gear-driven and don't see the need for the extra fidelity/forces DD wheels provide..

halo34

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

219 months

Friday 4th November 2022
quotequote all
G920 and seat aquired 2nd hand. Yes you can feel the gears but after a few laps on the ring didnt bother me.

See how long it gets used before doing anything else (tho I can see why belt would be far better)

halo34

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

219 months

Monday 7th November 2022
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Well bit of time on the wheel now.

Firstly its ok at best and being honest I can see why people switch so quickly. The feedback is notchy, its not that strong. I think the major difference is being able to place the car better over a controller.

Secondly each game seems to have different dynamics. I wasnt getting into it at all with Project Cars or AC seemed a bit sterile. Then I tried the ring on the xbox 1 with Forza 7 (Porsche GT3) and it started to make sense.

I made actually quickly dip into Fanatec as doing that was immersive. Just need to figure out the differences in terms of losing rumble etc and see if over the next months I stick to it.

Not complaining at the wheel, but I can see why people said go for better straight away now.

Terry Tibbs

285 posts

69 months

Monday 7th November 2022
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The jump up to direct drive is worth it in my opinion. I couldn’t believe the difference when I got my fanatec csl dd.
Having said all that though I’ve taken my dd off my sim rig and boxed it up ready to list for sale. Any spare time I get for gaming I fire up dcs or il2 and having a dedicated flight sim rig is pretty much a dream come true for me.

BillyWhizz888

959 posts

173 months

Monday 7th November 2022
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Csl dd is a good buy. That's what I have after upgrading from a t300 rs and a decent entry level price to the dd world. The feedback in amense.

8mn is more than enough for me and I can easily race with friends in there 1k+ dd1/dd2 and simecubes ect.

But good solid rig makes the difference also.

Talking fanatec then you may be starting ti get the bug and invest more into it.

Pedals make a big difference with a loadcell brake pedal so can avoid locking brakes

I use heusinkveld sprints and not only can tune the brake but throttle response and clutch if you want to push for they extra tenths

halo34

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

219 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
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Terry Tibbs said:
The jump up to direct drive is worth it in my opinion. I couldn’t believe the difference when I got my fanatec csl dd.
Having said all that though I’ve taken my dd off my sim rig and boxed it up ready to list for sale. Any spare time I get for gaming I fire up dcs or il2 and having a dedicated flight sim rig is pretty much a dream come true for me.
Yeah - I have DCS and love it but dont get time for everything, probably going the other way now!

Scanning 2nd hand market now (tho I get confused between what you lose e.g. rumble vs what you gain) DD is probably out of my budget reach even second hand....but the clubsport v2.5 base can be had if you look carefully for relatively ok money.

halo34

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

219 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
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Well it was short lived - I had so much fun I sold the wheel and am moving to Fanatec. Got some CSL Elite pedals coming second hand.

Just tracking down a decent xbox wheel (WRC one) and base.

Weirdly lots on facebook marketplace but lots of sellers dont even read messages!

halo34

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

219 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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Just to finish this off.

Bagged a set of Fanatec pedals with loadcell, second hand clubsport 2.5 (cheap and local) and finished it off with a black friday sale wheel.

My rig now needs more strength but this is the experience it should be. Amazing difference and hooked now!