which PC wheel?

[radiator]

hey guys

there's a few eBay auctions on at the moment for various makes/models of PC steering wheels, but I can't decide which one to go for!

my initial thought was 'get the act labs wheel', as it's bound to be a quality product

but there's also the Thrustmaster and Guillemot wheels (which look the same - you know, the one with the Ferrari emblem) - and it looks like they're gonna go for around the same price

just wondering if anyone has had experience with the 2 wheels, and how they rate them...

I think I read somewhere that the ForceRS (actlabs) has the most powerfull force feedback (which IMO, is a good thing)

 

[clok]

I own the act labs wheel, have a friend with the Microsoft and thrustmaster wheels (the thrustmaster is the older one, not the new MOMO wheel). I read every review I could find at the time (almost  2 years ago). Now that I actually own and can get my hands on all 3 wheels ( like I said, this is the older Thrustmaster, I would "ASSUME" it has the same insides, but it may not).

Act Labs:
             PRO-
Strongest FF,  best stearing wheel, expandable with other plug ins for other systems, OK clamping system. Best pedels (weight wise, they wont slide around).
            CON-
The peddels push down, not like a car where they sorta push back on a tilt . The wheel is tight when you get it, seems almost "rough" but with use gets better, sorta a break in period.

Thrustmaster(old):
             PRO-
Good feeling wheel, good feeling peddels, good clamping system.
             CON-
Middle of road FF, is good, but I prefer the Act labs. Peddle base is to light will slide around on some surfaces.

Microsoft:
             PRO-
Good clamping
             CON-
Wheel holes are strange, so I feel the hand areas are restricting (this is an opinion thing, test the feel in a store). FF is the weakest of the 3, to weak for me. Peddel base is light and slides around, peddels are cheap feeling.



I feel the Act Labs is the clear winner, but if you are not ever going to use for another system ( so if the ablity to use same wheel for other systems doesnt matter, dont cont this). Best feeling wheel (I must say the thrustmaster wheel feels fine, I just prefer the Act Labs). Ability to add a shifter later if you want. I hated the slide around peddel bases of the other 2, but I liked the peddels on the Thrustmaster the best, But most of all I like the FF on the Act-Labs, though the Thrustmaster is second best in this area.


With all that said, NONE of these wheels works for a MAME cab they do not spin, they only turn a bit each way.

And the last thing, the Act labs costs a bit, so if price is no object get it. but if price is an object, here is a good place to get the MOMO Thrustmaster ( which I  HAVE never checked out) $75 here plus $8 shipping

http://store.yahoo.com/justdeals/logmomforste.html


Hope all that balbering helped in some small way

Clok
         

[radiator]

thanks very much, that was really helpfull

think i'l go for the ActLabs then

pretty certain it'll work with MAME though (its a 270

[Superdude]

I have the Logitech Wheel from ebay for 10 bucks.  I will be testing this for mame.  It should work with mame.

[SirPoonga]

hey guys
but there's also the Thrustmaster and Guillemot wheels (which look the same - you know, the one with the Ferrari emblem) - and it looks like they're gonna go for around the same price

Guillmot owns thrustmaster.  Actually, that wheel you are talking about I think is the Momo wheel.

[DeathMonk]

I have the Logitech Wheel from ebay for 10 bucks.  I will be testing this for mame.  It should work with mame.

This is the only wheel I have experience with.  It was pretty good, but then again, I have nothing to compare it to.  But for 10 bux, you won't be dissapointed.

[u_rebelscum]

... the ActLabs ...

pretty certain it'll work with MAME though (its a 270

[CitznFish]

... the ActLabs ...

pretty certain it'll work with MAME though (its a 270

[Dexter]

I had a thrustmaster force feedback but swapped it for the thrustmaster 360 modena wheel (non feedback) with the gas and brakes on levers under the paddle shift so you don't have to use the pedals if they're not comfortable in your setup.

It's by far the best wheel I found after a lot of searching and testing. Out run is a blast with it and thanks to the amount of buttons you can set it up for most analog stuff comfortably. SCI and chase HQ are more games I play frequently with this wheel. If you see one around, buy it. There are still some available cheap (I was told they have stopped production)

Dexter

[Magnet_Eye]

I too have a Logitech WingMan wheel I got on eBay for $9. It works great for 270 games. cant play the 360 games.

Works good though.

[clok]

sorry yes, I forget there are some *270 games (im a pole position, off road, sprint type of guy).  But as far as I know (choosing words more careful) the FF wont work in any game. If you are planning on using it for MAME only I wouldnt get the Act Labs as without the FF its sorta a draggy feeling wheel. I would recomend a NONE FF wheel for MAME. The Act Labs is not a very good wheel whenthe FF is off, it has to much drag. I cant tell you about the other 2 as I only used them in FF mode. I personally have an OLD OLD thrustmaster i plan on converting for mame, has a good sold feel, was easy to make into a 360, but that is far as I got (no I dont have it so it works with mame, I just butchered the wheel so it is no longer a 270 and it no longer works). I got it for 7 bucks at a flee market.

Clok

[radiator]

well, i went for the ActLabs Force RS

picked one up off eBay for