Main > Driving & Racing Cabinets

What Wheel?

(1/5) > >>

EssexMame:
Hi

I'm looking at steering wheels, what's available and the features of each. Thus far, I'm leaning towards a Logitech G27/G25 over various Fanatec ones and Thrustmaster T500, but am happy to be persuaded otherwise.

Now, originally I thought G27. However the G25 appeals over it as it has a switch to change the 6-speed "H" to an up/down shifter which would be great. They both have paddles for this but the up/down would be more realistic I'm sure (and I like how they've done it like a heater switch too!). It does mean there would be no LED rev counter but then that. However I'm not sure its much/at all cheaper than the G27 and any I get will of course be older equipment. What do people think? There are 6 (over 2) buttons on the wheel also but again I don't see that as a problem either way.

Fursphere:
I have a G27.   Steering wheel buttons on somewhat useless in most games, due to the fact that they are tiny and most games require a lot of wheel movement, so finding the "right" button is difficult.  I normally only use the top two.

The G25 is discontinued, but I've seen them on craigslist locally for $90.  (I should have bought it)  I think you'll be fine with either one.

I don't know what you're budget is, but you can get a G27 for $200 new.  The Thrustmaster is like $500+ *without* a shifter.  And it doesn't have the Logitech profiler software (or an equivalent, although there is a home brew solution available).

The Thrustmaster has more options though.  (the F1 wheel for example). 

There are also ultra cheap options if you search ebay for like a Logitech MOMO or something. 

EssexMame:
A friend actually has a MOMO for sale, but I wasn't sure - only an up/down shifter and I don't think it separates from the wheel? most I will play though will be up/down BUT I might want Hard Drivin' and PC/PS2/PS3 games also so a 6 speed shifter would be good for them.

I had discounted Thrustmaster for the cost, which is why I was G25/G27. Thanks for your info. Can you tell me on the G27 - can you set it up to be up/down shifter (without using paddles)? i.e. can you set, say the middle gears 3 as up and gear 4 as down without any problems (via mame for instance?). The only reason I'd go G25 is for the up/down switch. It doesn't seem much cheaper if at all second hand and I expect the LED's are cool!

Fursphere:
You can use it as an up down sifter, but it doesn't ratchet / return to center.   Each shift point is a separate "button" in Windows, just assign them out as needed.

The LEDs are neat, but small and few games support them.  And they are in the wrong visual location - you look at the screen, not the wheel while playing.  :)  And above and beyond that, a lot of games don't' even support the shifter (see Logitech's list of officially supported games that support ALL of the G27's features:  http://www.logitech.com/en-us/game-gear/articles/6475 )

I'm assuming you've read this?  Badmouth has put a lot of effort into defining the challenges with driving games (and cabinets)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,105961.0.html

BadMouth:
Go with Logitech.  The profiler software it comes with is helpful when it comes to setting up various games and emulators that require different settings, such as separate/combined pedals which you have to manually change in the windows controller config panel for other wheels.   I really like the design of some of the other wheels on the market, but until they come with similar software, I'm sticking with Logitech.

I don't know the specifics, but from what I read online there were some design flaws on the G25 that were corrected on the G27.
On the G27, the shifter can't be set to Up/Down (sequential) mode like the G25.  If the game allows, you could map the gears to use it that way, but it isn't going to return to center without you manually pulling it back.

I still like my little MOMO wheel, but I think the current prices for used ones are way too high.  I paid $40 shipped for mine brand new from Logitech when they were discontinued.  If you get a wheel without an H shifter, you can always add an arcade one wired to a keyboard encoder.  I haven't come across a game yet that doesn't accept input from both the wheel and a keyboard.

There is also the Driving Force GT for around $130, but I'd recommend spending the extra on the G27.  You'd get MUCH better pedals, a nice metal wheel trimmed in real leather, and a 6 speed shifter.  I'm not the biggest fan of the shifter because it feels more like a game controller than an arcade or real shifter, but if you want plug and play the G27 is the way to go.  Newegg.com had it for $204 a couple times last year, but I haven't seen it for too much less than $230 lately.

Keep in mind that none of the old arcade games that originally had wheels that spun all the way around are going to play very well with a PC wheel.  In the case of pole position, it resets the center position of the wheel when you crash, so if you had the wheel turned all the way left when you crashed, that is the new center...and you can't turn any farther left.  I keep Ivan Stewarts Offroad on my cab and it's playable, although far from ideal.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page