MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question

[ponyboy32]

I am in the process of building my first MAME cabinet and I would like to incorporate a detachable steering wheel to the control panel.  If I got a PC USB steering wheel and pedals could I plug that into the PC USB port and configure it through windows/MAME or would I still need to use an encoder card? I was thinking I attach a 4-port USB hub to the control panel and then plug the steering wheel or even USB gamepad into that if they can be used by MAME.  Thanks in advance.

[Tailgunner]

A USB based PC wheel would plug in directly to the computer or hub. If you were using a wheel from a Pole Position cab, you'd need the encoder or a mouse hack.

I would point out that PC wheels are usually 270 degree wheels, where the majority of arcade wheels are 360 degree wheels.

[ponyboy32]

Thanks for the response. That clears things up a little for me. Another question, are there any PC USB wheels that can be used as both 360 and 270 degree wheels by flipping a switch or something?

[Gunstar Hero]

Nope. 

The only home use 360 wheel I've ever seen was for the Colecovision.

[ponyboy32]

Ok thanks. Is there a list of driving games and what type of wheel they use anywhere? I would to just implement the 260 degree wheel but if all the games that I want to play use the 360 degree wheel then I may do both. Thanks for the info guys.

[SirPoonga]

Well, the closest you are going to get to know which games use what controls is this:

Note this is not complete, however it does contain almost everything that has resource.  I will be trying to update the site to the currect version of mame soon.

http://fe.donkeyfly.com/controls/gamesbycontrol.php

There's a control type thread in everything else I think.  I know one was started but I don't remember exactly where.  Check the stickies in each forum.

[Chris]

Nope.

[JODY]

Did it velcro to the center of the wheel so when you turned the wheel it turned the mouse ball?

[quarterback]

Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?

[Chris]

Did it velcro to the center of the wheel so when you turned the wheel it turned the mouse ball?

Yes.  With the tail pointing toward you, if I remember right.

[JODY]

Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?

Had heard of that, but I'd be afraid it would bend my spinner's shaft or something.

[Tailgunner]

Arcade spinners typically use a 1/4" shaft, 360 degree arcade wheels typically use a 3/4" shaft.

[Minwah]

I would point out that PC wheels are usually 270 degree wheels, where the majority of arcade wheels are 360 degree wheels.

I think it's more 50/50, maybe with ~270deg wheel games overtaking in recent MAME versions.

[NoOne=NBA=]

The general trend is that there are more MULTI-player driving games in the 360 lineup, and more SINGLE player games in the 270 lineup.

For a single player only cab, you can go with whichever best supports the games YOU want to play.

For multi-player, I'd definitely go 360 though.

[Dougmeister]

Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?

This places does

[quarterback]

Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?

This places does

I knew I'd see it somewhere before.  I'd have the same concerns expressed by others: that the spinner wouldn't take it and I'd bend it all out of whack