Xbox steering wheel (which one to buy)?

[unclet]

I am in the market for an XBox steering wheel to clamp to my Mame driving cabinet and was wondering which one people like best.    

Let me know what you like/dislike about different steering wheels so it will be easier for me to make a decision.

Also, do they make steering wheels for XBox which do not need to use the gas/brake pedal?  If so, then are these types easy to use......I mean it seems you must keep a button depressed to use "gas" while you are turning the steering wheel left/right.   If they make these types, then how easy is it to use?

Thanks
UncleT

[SNAAAKE]

I got this...I rate it 10/10 !  
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=801490&affid=99999&sourceid=00290340477276586094(null)&bfinfo=105695878351358576
I am serious.
works for ps2,gamecube AND x-box.
The pedal is analog as well.yes pressure sensetive.

I think its only around $50 now.  
Saw it on eb games last friday.

[jakejake28]

yea, i bought that Mad CAtz specifically for auto modellista and sega gt2002, but it is so good i have bought 5 more racing games to play it with. seriously teh best wheel i have ever used. buy it if ya have the cash, def worth 65 bucks.

[REBIRTH]

Has anybody used one of these on a Mame cab?  How do you go about interfacing with the PC?

[SNAAAKE]

Has anybody used one of these on a Mame cab?  How do you go about interfacing with the PC?

That wont' be possible.
this one doesnt work with converter(link above).
I could be wrong but I have 3 different psx to pc/usb converter and didnt work.

but hey,screw old mame racers and play gran turismo 3.
Best racer ever created.
Can't wait for gran turismo 4.  

[unclet]

Found an EB Games which had 1 left for $49.99.   They are holding it for me and I will be picking it up today.  Thanks for the information.  

I (and my boy) can not wait to play these driving games.

I will post pictures when my driving cab is complete.   I am rapping up the final little things and then I need to wood putty it, sand it and paint it.....and of course wire it up.   Probably take me another month (got two kids and little time to dedicate to it).

Thanks again
UncleT

[jakejake28]

but hey,screw old mame racers and play gran turismo 3.
Best racer ever created.

no way, man. the best is either Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 or Midnight Club 2

[unclet]

OK, I got the Mad Catz Universal and I have a question before opening it (so I can return it if needed). .....

Is there a way to mount the steering wheel and brakes to my cab or does this type of steering wheel simply sit on a flat surface?   If I open the steering wheel to figure this out for myself, then I will not be able to return it for a refund, but only be allowed to get a store credit....which I do not want.    So, please let me know whether this steering wheel has clamps or something to allow it to be mounted to a cab.

[SNAAAKE]

OK, I got the Mad Catz Universal and I have a question before opening it (so I can return it if needed). .....

Is there a way to mount the steering wheel and brakes to my cab or does this type of steering wheel simply sit on a flat surface?   If I open the steering wheel to figure this out for myself, then I will not be able to return it for a refund, but only be allowed to get a store credit....which I do not want.    So, please let me know whether this steering wheel has clamps or something to allow it to be mounted to a cab.

It comes with some plastic thingy on the bottom and stay on control panel.
You have a big control panel right ?
It was designed for EXTREME play I would say.
open up the box.in case you wanna return.
just put it back and return.
they ask,tell em you never opened.
How would they EVER know...

AHHH..I feel like playing right now...

[gndprx]

Has anybody used one of these on a Mame cab?  How do you go about interfacing with the PC?

That wont' be possible.
this one doesnt work with converter(link above).
I could be wrong but I have 3 different psx to pc/usb converter and didnt work.

but hey,screw old mame racers and play gran turismo 3.
Best racer ever created.
Can't wait for gran turismo 4.  

Are you saying that it won't be possible to use an Xbox wheel on a PC?  I actually just ordered a cable to allow me to do just that.

It's Xbox to USB and drivers for the conversion are available on the net.  I forget the name of the website off hand (it's at work and I'm off for a week) but it's designed to interface any xbox controler and emulate a USB game pad for a PC or MAC.  So yes it would work with MAME.


And as far as mounting, here's pics of how I mounted mine...Only requires two screws and a threaded insert for the back of the CP.  I need to order some knobs for the bolts to make it easily removable with no tools.  Holds up very well and the only mod to the wheel was to open it up and screw through the base of the wheel into the 2 pieces of wood that in turn bolt to the cp top.

[SNAAAKE]

well this universel one MIGHT work using x-box to pc thingy(why not).
I meant with psx to USB converter.Won't work.
unclet:you wanna try to use it for PC ?  

[unclet]

Snaake: I already have other arcade controllers to use for Mame via the PC, so the Mad Catz will be used just for XBox right now.

gndprx:  How about a picture of the bottom of your steering wheel assembly so I can see the modification you are talking about.    The Mad Catz I just purchased has suction cups on the bottom of it so this will not be helpful when mounting to my driving cabinet control panel.   I was thinking about just simply using some rubber straps to hold it down on the board.

[gndprx]

Sorry, been a bit out of touch the last few days.  

Here's the pics you asked for...





I need to make some nice hardwood versions and route the edges to make it "pretty" but for now, it's functional.

Just screwed from inside the steeringwheel case into the wood and put the case back together.  Then the lip overhangs the front of the cp and the back corners screw down to the cab with some bolts and t-nuts.  Very sturdy when playing.

Mind had 4 suction cups as well, but I just removed them as they were worthless.

[unclet]

Problem with the Mad Catz Universal wheel, is that the bottom is contoured to fit over your thighs when you want to play while resting the assembly on your thighs (who does this??).  Basically, the only part of the bottom which is flat is where the suction cups touch the table.   Unlike you, I might not be able to simply screw flat pieces of wood to the bottom of the base of the assembly, unless there are screws directly under the suction cups.....I will check when I return home.

gndprx:  Which wheel do you have......do you like it?  did it come with gas/brake pedals?  how much?  where did you get it?

The picture here (although not a Mad Catz Universal) does show you the contours I am talking about and show how only the suction cups sit flat:

[eightbit]

I have an older version of this wheel that only works with the xbox. But I really like it. It works great for racing game sims like nascar and indy racing but not so well for games like project gotham or redline racer. The reason it doesn't work as well for those games is because you have to much range of motion and you can't turn the wheel fast enough from one direction to the opposite extreme.

If your serious about only using it for cabinet use get your dremel out and carve it to fit.

[unclet]

I figure I will just use some straps to hold it in place on the cabinet.  This way it will be detachable for use on another system or TV in the future.

[eightbit]

You could use velcro. If you use a big enough peice of it, you'll be surprised how well it will hold and how hard it is to get it off. There are also different grades of velcro with some having better gripping power and less spongy movement.

[unclet]

I like that idea .... probably will go with velcro

[gndprx]

Okay, sorry again for being slow to reply.



That's the wheel I have.  Appears to be the following brand and model:  Pelican Cobra TT Racing Wheel X-Box

I received it as a gift and honestly I think it's a bit sloppy.  The steering response does not kick in until you are about 1/4 turn and then it is way too touchy.  Makes it difficult to run rally cross or similar games.  The pedals leave a bit to be desired as well.  They suffer from the same problem as the wheel in that you have to press about half way before they register and then they are too sensitive.  

I don't recomend this wheel.

[blietzkreig]

I too have bought the Universal Madcatz and it is great - best wheel for xbox - thoroughly recommend it. The on-wheel sensitivity adjustment is fantastic.
The only minuses for me are:
1. No force feedback
2. They are a bit on the ugly side IMHO and
3. They are made from cheap plastic.

I am thinking of hacking the guts of this wheel and interfacing it with some higher quality components similar to this project:
http://www.gunpowder.freeserve.co.uk/wheels/pictures.htm

Anybody have any further thoughts / comments on this ?