X arcade owners: options for steering wheels?

[delt31]

Just built my Mame cabinet and interested in adding a steering wheel to play games like super off road, cruisin USA etc.  What options do I have/best recommendations?  Any with feet pedals or do I have to use buttons for gas.

EDIT - Update on what I bought:

Got a used Logitech Driving Force GT wheel for 40 bucks and couldn't pass it up at that price (I also don't want/need a sim set).  Just want it to play arcade games.  Although I haven't teaked the settings, the rumble or centering effect that one of the posters mentioned here REALLY makes it feel arcade authenticate and having a great job with it thus far.  I connect it by lifting the tank stick and attaching directly.  Looks good still and still enables the tankstick to be flat so I can play non racing games on p1. very happy so far.

[dashingw]

google Logitech, you can get just a nice USB Steering wheel with mount that has gas and brake right on the wheel or Wheel and pedals, pricy though at $250.

http://www.amazon.ca/Logitech-941-000045-G27-Racing-Wheel/dp/B001NT9TK4/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Ultimarc has Steering wheels for their spinners but dont know if that would help you if your using xarcade.

Im looking towards the Logitech Wheel with brake and gas on it. works with PC and PS3 I beleive

http://gaming.logitech.com/en-ca/product/g27-racing-wheel

[delt31]

Thanks for the suggestions.  Couple of questions:

1)  Logitech wheel - how does that work?  Do I just connect it via USB and somehow hook the wheel onto my xarcade board?  Def pricey - wonder if they make a less fancy version.  I plan on standing up using this so having gas on wheel is prob best

2)  I noticed some of the wheels on Ultimarc say 270 degrees.  Is there a true diff b/w that and the normal one they list (where degrees is not mentioned)?  I would just want to buy the one most compatible with the old arcade games.  Do they just use the spinner install or how would these be installed?

[Malenko]

270 is 3/4th of a circle, in the middle its like this ---  to the left its like this / and to the right its like this \  (center line)
The ones where degrees arent mentioned spin endlessly but are aka 360 degree wheels.

Games that used a 360 wheel, like pole position, cant use a 270 wheel. games that use a 270 wheel go apeshit when you spin too far or have other issues.

[delt31]

wow - OK so it seems like there isn't a one wheel fits all thing. I guess next steps is to determine which games I care about support which wheels.  I'm all about the late 80s and after club (like super off road, out run, cruisin USA, rush, etc).  I guess I'll try and track down a list of what supports what.

Edit - found one. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pJLy8JgRF7dL1X3CcDyDLKOLSIJs4gYZY4DLI0pmnmE/edit#gid=0

Seems like the ones I care about say "Pot"......interesting.

Any idea how that logitech wheel would fit on my mame cab?  I'm using a xarcade board - wasn't sure if it just clamps on or if there are cheaper alternatives.

[Malenko]

you'll get more help and answers in the driving section. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,55.0.html
Pot is potentiometer , mostly commonly found on 270* games. Turning the wheel changed the resistance on the pot, to tell the game how far it was turned.

Many people use Logitech Wheels for MAME.

[DarthMarino]

I wouldn't put gas on the wheel. Just put the pedals on the floor.  It works fine standing up. Games like the upright Pole Position and Super Off Road were set up this way. Turbo Twist 2 from GroovyGameGear is an easy add on for 360 degree games. You can just replace one of the buttons with the spinner or drill another button sized hole and they have steering wheel options.  You will then also add spinner capability on your cabinet for games like Arkanoid or Tempest.

[DarthMarino]

There's plenty of cheaper alternatives to the G27 for 270 degree games but obviously the quality won't be as good. Really any PC steering wheel will work with MAME. The cheaper ones are not likely to include the mount though.

[delt31]

Thanks guys - so if I want to play cruisin USA and sanfran rush, what wheel should I buy?  Little confused b/c originally thinking a 360 but they say pot so maybe 270?  Or will the logitech wheel take care of all of these games, including super off road?

EDIT -didn't know there was a wheel subsection.  I will make the topic over there. 

[DarthMarino]

270 Degree Wheels:
Cruis'n Games
Virtua Racing
Daytona USA
Sega Rally
etc

360 Degree Wheels:
Pole Position
Super Off Road
Super Sprint
etc

[dashingw]

Looks like to me the Logitech wheel has a mount that might slide over the front of a control panel and clamp on. I think these would work for everything and its simply plugging into the USB of your PC. The Ultimarc ones I believe are only good with the spinners.

I would like pedals on the floor with the steering wheel but not at $250, I have seen the steering wheels by themselves on sites like kijiji used for like $50
 

[delt31]

270 Degree Wheels:
Cruis'n Games
Virtua Racing
Daytona USA
Sega Rally
etc

360 Degree Wheels:
Pole Position
Super Off Road
Super Sprint
etc

OK this is helpful.  Problem is I want to play games from both lists.  Does that mean I need to buy two wheels or does the logitech wheel take care of both?

EDIT - based on the post above, seems like the logitech will work with everything.  Might be the best way.  250 is expensive though.  If anyone has any other solid alternatives, lmk. 

[DarthMarino]

I wouldn't expect the 360 degree games to work that well with the Logitech. You can always play around with the settings to see if you can get something you like. Try using a PC controller with an analog stick for Pole Position and Off Road. That will give you an idea how they will work with the Logitech wheel.  After all, 270 degree wheels are essentially large analog sticks that only go left and right.

[ABACABB]

I have an X-Arcade mounted to my cabinet and also wanted to be able to play racing games.  I decided to go with the Logitech MOMO racing wheel.  Pretty solid and works well, less expensive than the G25/G27.  I have a 3/4" piece of MDF mounted so that my Tankstick sits on top of that and is clamped down for stability.  When I want to play racing games, the Tankstick comes off then I have this large piece of wood to mount the racing wheel to.  The height actually works out really well too for standing up.  The clamps that hold the wheel on to the wood are quick and easy to adjust.

On a side note, I occasionally play super sprint and use the trackball on my Tankstick (it essentially works like a 360 degree wheel).  It is not a bad option in my opinion so don't count that out.

[DarthMarino]

The wheel I have has been discontinued for a while but I could suggest it.  It's actually the original XBOX 360 wireless wheel (not that weird tilt thing).  Looks like you can get for around $100 on Amazon used.  It has a table mount and is well built.  Obviously it works on XBOX 360 as well. It doesn't have a clutch pedal but that's fine for most arcade games.  Note: you also need an Xbox 360 wireless receiver for your PC but they only run about 10 bucks or so these days. 

[BadMouth]

The wheel I have has been discontinued for a while but I could suggest it.  It's actually the original XBOX 360 wireless wheel (not that weird tilt thing).  Looks like you can get for around $100 on Amazon used.  It has a table mount and is well built.  Obviously it works on XBOX 360 as well. It doesn't have a clutch pedal but that's fine for most arcade games.  Note: you also need an Xbox 360 wireless receiver for your PC but they only run about 10 bucks or so these days. 

I wouldn't spend $100 on a wheel that doesn't have force feedback when used with a PC.
Granted, there is no ffb in MAME, but having an active centering spring improves the feel of the games greatly.

[delt31]

The wheel I have has been discontinued for a while but I could suggest it.  It's actually the original XBOX 360 wireless wheel (not that weird tilt thing).  Looks like you can get for around $100 on Amazon used.  It has a table mount and is well built.  Obviously it works on XBOX 360 as well. It doesn't have a clutch pedal but that's fine for most arcade games.  Note: you also need an Xbox 360 wireless receiver for your PC but they only run about 10 bucks or so these days. 

I wouldn't spend $100 on a wheel that doesn't have force feedback when used with a PC.
Granted, there is no ffb in MAME, but having an active centering spring improves the feel of the games greatly.

No force feedback in Mame?  Really?  That sucks.  What do you guys use to emulate the classics with force feedback (like rush, cruising, etc)?

[DarthMarino]

I wouldn't spend $100 on a wheel that doesn't have force feedback when used with a PC.
Granted, there is no ffb in MAME, but having an active centering spring improves the feel of the games greatly.

That is a downside which is annoying since it works on the console but like you said it doesn't really matter in MAME.  The problem is that they have a bunch of crappy $40 wheels with no mount that will break by the second or third lap and then they have good ones at $250 and up.  There's hardly anything available in the middle.

[BadMouth]

No force feedback in Mame?  Really?  That sucks.  What do you guys use to emulate the classics with force feedback (like rush, cruising, etc)?

Just play them without ffb.  There is an ancient PC version of rush that has ffb, but it's borderline unplayable and the ffb is mostly just a constant rattle.
There really isn't any solution at this point.

Like I said, having default centering feedback (as most wheels do) makes a big difference in the feel of things that don't have any ffb.

At least the classic sega games have ffb with model 2 emulator.

[Malenko]

that xbox wheel is the pits.

[delt31]

No force feedback in Mame?  Really?  That sucks.  What do you guys use to emulate the classics with force feedback (like rush, cruising, etc)?

Just play them without ffb.  There is an ancient PC version of rush that has ffb, but it's borderline unplayable and the ffb is mostly just a constant rattle.
There really isn't any solution at this point.

Like I said, having default centering feedback (as most wheels do) makes a big difference in the feel of things that don't have any ffb.

At least the classic sega games have ffb with model 2 emulator.

Does the Logitech MOMO have this centering feedback?  Not really sure what that is so if you can explain, it would be appreciated.

[jeremymtc]

Does the Logitech MOMO have this centering feedback?  Not really sure what that is so if you can explain, it would be appreciated.

Yes, the Logitech MOMO has centering feedback. As long as it's powered and connected, the wheel provides an adjustable amount of resistance and return-to-center strength, even when using software that does not provide force-feedback.

[DarthMarino]

So wouldn't the Xbox wheel I have be the same thing? When you plug it in, it adds resistant and automatically centers.

[BadMouth]

So wouldn't the Xbox wheel I have be the same thing? When you plug it in, it adds resistant and automatically centers.

I don't have any personal experience with it, but there aren't any PC drivers for the xbox wheel.
Not sure if it shows up as a generic controller or xbox controller, but it's not recognized as a ffb device.

It would have to be built into the wheel.

[DarthMarino]

It recognizes it as an Xbox 360 wheel specifically but I guess Microsoft never bothered to implement the force feedback for PC's. When you plug in the power, the resistance kicks in and the wheel centers itself no matter what.  The full force feedback only works on console games that support it like Forza, Dirt, etc.

[BadMouth]

It recognizes it as an Xbox 360 wheel specifically but I guess Microsoft never bothered to implement the force feedback for PC's. When you plug in the power, the resistance kicks in and the wheel centers itself no matter what.  The full force feedback only works on console games that support it like Forza, Dirt, etc.

Yup, same thing then.  Thanks for providing the info.
The Logitech centering would be adjustable, but on my MOMO I always left it on max anyway.

Some of the centering springs in the old arcade games had a convincing feel to them.
Lots of people swear Ridge Racer had ffb when it did not.

[ark_ader]

why not add a spinner to your Xarcade and use that for the wheel?

You have room between player two button and player two joy.  Besides it would make the game more challenging.

[delt31]

why not add a spinner to your Xarcade and use that for the wheel?

You have room between player two button and player two joy.  Besides it would make the game more challenging.

I might do that - although not sure the challenge of installing as I'm sure I would need to drill my own hole right?

[Malenko]

its not hard to drill a 1 1/8" hole

[knightrdrx]

I'm happy with the groovy game wheel / spinner combo for super offroad, 1000m igilia, poloeposition..etc even though you have to driv3e like a bus driver..sorry fotr the misspellings my dog is sitting in front of myt keyobard....i couldn't get cruisin usa to work anyway....if i want to play one of those new racing games the right way i'll get a wheel for the ps3 and sit in front of the tv.

[Djmadmic]

So does anybody have the X arcade Tank stick with 2 spinners installed with the mini wheels? Not installing them yet but just looking for options/ locations. Would like to have the mini wheels for some driving games.
Thanks for any input.
 

[knightrdrx]

I think this is perhaps the only way to go that doesn't get in your way of your wrists. I usually keep the spinners on. i'm pretty sure these are the 6 inch ones..the middle sized.