Best Steering Wheel for X-Box

[geomartin]

Just looking for your opinions on Steering wheels for the X-Box.  I want to build a sit-down cabinet for racing games using the X-Box.  Is there any wheel that allows full 360 degree movement?

Geo

[Minwah]

Is there any wheel that allows full 360 degree movement?

Nope.

I'd be interested to hear opinions on this too, but I think this may have cropped up before so try a search.  I'm probably going to use the electronics from one to connect up to an arcade wheel at some point.

[JONTHEBOMB]

Just looking for your opinions on Steering wheels for the X-Box.
Geo

I bought a Mad Catz wheel a little after the system launch.  The wheel was ok but I think if I would have waited I would have gone with a different wheel.

Here's a site that should give you some good opinions

http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-x-1917-28-33-x

(Scroll down some to get to the wheels)

[PacMon]

Thanks for the link JONTHEBOMB.

I didn't realize the was a high quality wheel released for the xbox.

[JONTHEBOMB]

I am unsure if Gamestop ships to Canada. 

I think Gamestop ships to many other countries including Canada.
Below is a link to Gamestop's order form.  If you click on the drop down arrow right next to the word country, Canada is in there.  Also, I think you will want to go with International Economy for your shipping. (which looks like will set you back another $14.99)

https://www.gamestop.com/addrform.asp

Hope this helps

[PacMon]

Thanks for the link.  It looks like I'll be sinking more money into my cabinet.   

[adonis_minus_20]

I wound up getting the Fanatec one: http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-17011-1883-x-x-x.

[versapak]

I also have the Fanatec, and it is indeed the best wheel available for Xbox.

That being said...


The force feedback is VERY fake. By this I mean... It uses the same signal that tells any regular controller to rumble, and it makes your steering wheel shake. It is not true force feedback, in the sense that it is actually responding to what you are doing.

Real force feedback controllers are sent MUCH more detailed information, and respond much more naturally. Also, in many cases I have had to turn the forces response down on the Fanatec wheel, because when it shakes it will give the same sense of traction loss for tiny little rumbles, that would be more realistically suited for had you gone off road. Fortunately, the wheel does allow such customization. You can tweak a large number of things, and this allows it work excellently with just about every racing title out there (on Xbox obviously).

If you want to have the best for Xbox, then do get this wheel, but first know that it is WAY overpriced, and it is FAR from being a great wheel, when compared to other true force feedback wheels, such as the the Logitech Driving Force Pro, which works on PS2 and PC, cost less, and destroys the Fanatec wheel in every way performance wise.

[PacMon]

The force feedback is VERY fake

I thought that was because it was a limitation of the x-box hardware, not the wheel itself.  ie:  Cannot simulate proper force feedback. 

As far as high quality wheels for the xbox, this might be the only option.  I would love to be able to convert a higher end ps2 or pc wheel, but from what I read, this might be too much of a headache.  Also, joystick adapters have generally been known to not work for steering wheels (from what I can recall).  The x-box would not be able to produce proper force feedback anyway.

Back to the original questions, I think my Mad Catz MC2 wheel is good for the price.  The reviews don't seem to reflect it however.  I like the fact that you can program how 'tight' the wheel turns and the 'acceleration' light on the unit itself is pretty nice.  My father in-law raced quite a bit in his lifetime and he thought it was pretty good.  As long as you can program the wheel, as each game seems to need a bit of tweeking to get a proper feel.

That being said, I still plan to get the Fanatec wheel anyway just because I really enjoy the driving games on the xbox.  Looks like my planned Ultimarc order will have to wait AGAIN.  This hobby sure can get expensive.

[versapak]

Yeah, like I said...

It is indeed the best wheel available for Xbox, and the only one that offers any sort of force at all.

I have mine and love using it, but I also have the Logitech DFP (which can't be adapted for use on Xbox ), and unfortunately can't help but compare them.

Yes, the lack of true force feedback is a limitation of the Xbox for some strange reason, so I can't really blame the makers of the Fanatec. In fact... I actually applaud them for bringing us the only option that is even close, and it is a VERY well built wheel. It just feels very overpriced, when compared to a wheel that cost less, is built just as well, and outperforms it greatly, due to whatever reasons.