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Author Topic: Time to add a steering wheel  (Read 4545 times)

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TheShaner

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Time to add a steering wheel
« on: May 03, 2013, 10:01:37 am »
I think it is high time that I add a steering wheel to my MAME Abduction machine.  Any recommendations?

Fursphere

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2013, 10:08:15 am »
Recommendations on what type to add, or how to mount it to your control panel?

I suggest you read through this thread before you dive in...  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,105961.0.html

TheShaner

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2013, 10:14:32 am »
Im good on the mounting.  Im just looking for some up to date opinions on some steering wheel/pedal options.

bkenobi

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2013, 10:38:26 am »
BadMouth's thread is the most up to date and comprehensive place available to learn all the details on steering wheels.  That being said, I don't think there's been much going on that's "new" for quite a while.  If you are looking for general recommendations for components, you would probably be best off looking in that thread and picking an up to date version of whatever you like.  There are a few steering wheel/pedal combos that get used quite a bit and are probably readily available on ebay for cheap.

BadMouth

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2013, 10:59:20 am »
If you are just going to use a PC wheel as it is, a Logitech is the most hassle free.
Mainly because the profiler software allows you have settings automatically change on the fly when different emulators are launched.
The G27 is the current standard among PC racers.  I don't care for the shifter, but the wheel and pedals are great for the money.
If you didn't want to spend that much, there are software workarounds to use the sequential shifter on the Driving Force GT as a 4 speed.
The pedals it comes with aren't near as nice though.  Cheapest I've seen the G27 new is $204.

Other companies are making some sweet wheels, but they do not have profiler software than can change the settings or switch between combined/separate pedals on the fly.

If you want real arcade parts without FFB, the happ 270 degree wheel and pedals can be interfaced with an Ultimarc U-HID or old Logitech wheel hack.
I really like the spring loaded centering feedback on Ridge Racer control panels.  It's so good that a lot of people remember the game having ffb when it did not.

I'm assuming that you're not going to get into real arcade controls with ffb, as that would be an extremely bulky and heavy thing to add to your CP.

Personally, I wouldn't sink much money into adding driving controls to a stand-up cab.

TheShaner

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2013, 11:06:23 am »
Awesome BadMouth, that is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. 

I am going to probably reengineer my control panel to accept the steering wheel as a module that I can add or remove.  Kind of like the way I saw someone do a Star Wars Yolk on this site once before.

Eventually I will probably do a dedicated driving cab.

Fursphere

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2013, 12:34:33 pm »
Awesome BadMouth, that is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. 

I am going to probably reengineer my control panel to accept the steering wheel as a module that I can add or remove.  Kind of like the way I saw someone do a Star Wars Yolk on this site once before.

Eventually I will probably do a dedicated driving cab.

If you really want to add it to a standup cabinet - check out what this guy did...  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131808.0.html

Maximus

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2013, 12:57:04 pm »
Watching this one with interest Shaner. I never did like stand up driving games, I mean when do you ever stand up to drive anything? So looking forward to see how you attack this. Are you planning on any kind of roll-up-to-the-cab seating addon?

Fursphere

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2013, 01:03:16 pm »
Watching this one with interest Shaner. I never did like stand up driving games, I mean when do you ever stand up to drive anything?

Segways, ATVs, Motorcycles.......   ;)

Maximus

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2013, 01:08:13 pm »
Segways, - yes and don't we look like a tool doing it lol

ATVs, Motorcycles.......  At least they have seats  ;D

BadMouth

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2013, 02:33:26 pm »
I think he's going the detachable route.

Cheap two piece VESA monitor mounts on the front of the CP would work and would allow a wheel section to be dropped down in, but it wouldn't be pretty.


Since your CP has an overhang, you might be able to get some brackets up under it where they won't be visible.
That would require some kind of latch.

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2013, 02:52:20 pm »
I think it is high time that I add a steering wheel to my MAME Abduction machine.  Any recommendations?

I recommend you build a sit-down cab.  :cheers:
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

TheShaner

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2013, 03:11:13 pm »
I think it is high time that I add a steering wheel to my MAME Abduction machine.  Any recommendations?

I recommend you build a sit-down cab.  :cheers:

I will be when the timing is right.  I am running out of room in my gameroom! 

For now I just need to address the fact that I cannot play outrun, offroad, or my all time fav APB on my cab.  I have played those plenty of times on stand up machines and they are perfectly fun like that.  Of course nothing beats the experience of playing a good racing game sitting down with FFB, but that will come in due time.

I believe I know what I am going to do.  I need to go find the thread where I have seen it done before.  I will dig right now.

Fursphere

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2013, 03:14:47 pm »
I believe I know what I am going to do.  I need to go find the thread where I have seen it done before.  I will dig right now.

This thread?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131808.0.html

TheShaner

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2013, 03:18:20 pm »
No, there was a machine I saw a year or so ago (no telling how old the thread was) where the dude built his control panel.  Then he added some holes with metal threads in them to receive screws.  He then built a small base for the Yolk and added knobbed screws to it.  So when he wanted to use the Yolk, he placed it on his cp, screwed it on and tada!  It was a good idea.  Mine would be hollow enough to cover my trackball and the two buttons, and have felt on the bottom as not to scratch the cp.

TheShaner

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2013, 03:26:41 pm »
Here we go, it was from tony silveira's bArcade.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,102665.0.html

He actually takes two different approaches. 

1.  Slots:


2.  On the control panel


They are both pretty neat approaches. 

BadMouth

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2013, 03:33:52 pm »
For now I just need to address the fact that I cannot play outrun, offroad, or my all time fav APB on my cab.  I have played those plenty of times on stand up machines and they are perfectly fun like that.  Of course nothing beats the experience of playing a good racing game sitting down with FFB, but that will come in due time.

Offroad and APB are 360 degree wheel games and do not play very well with PC wheels.
If those are important to you, go with a 360 degree wheel.
Either get a used one off ebay and wire it to an Opti-Wiz/Opti-Pac, or get a spinner with a steering wheel attachment.
(actually I'd use a U-HID so it could also cover analog pedals, not sure if the nano version has enough pins for everything though)

There are workarounds to make the 270 degree wheel games work better with a 360 degree wheel.
It's not for the faint of heart, but I'm sure you can handle it.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2013, 03:35:34 pm by BadMouth »

PL1

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2013, 03:36:02 pm »
Are you thinking about 1UP's PAC-MAMEA with removable SW Yoke?






Scott

TheShaner

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2013, 03:38:17 pm »
I hadnt seen that one befor PL1, so no, but he is using roughly the same idea that I showed above on the bArcade.  I will probably steer in that general direction and see if there are any ways I can improve upon the mounting.   I am starting to wish I had some good storage room inside the cab to hold the different modular controls if I end up building them

SegaOutrun

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #19 on: May 03, 2013, 03:42:21 pm »
Im using a logitech momo steering wheel. it was $40 on craigslist for me and like 80 new. Its no g27, but i play arcade racer more than realistic racers so, it works well for me. 6 buttons (10 if you count the paddle shifter and the gear shifter)

Maximus

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #20 on: May 03, 2013, 04:37:02 pm »

Man you could fit a lot of cup holders in that control panel.

TheShaner

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #21 on: May 03, 2013, 05:20:41 pm »

Man you could fit a lot of cup holders in that control panel.
You could probably fit a touchscreen device of some sort too ... cupholders and touchscreens??  crazy talk!  ;-)

Maximus

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Re: Time to add a steering wheel
« Reply #22 on: May 03, 2013, 05:23:00 pm »
Disco laser...... anyone    anyone  ???