Enhance Your Gaming with Vista-Friendly Peripherals - Part 2
Steering WheelsOnce fronting a very prolific field, PC-based racing controllers are a slimmer category these days, especially when focusing in on high-quality, consumer-level offerings that include shifters and separate pedal assemblies. Unfortunately, the level of interest simply isn't as high as it once was. But, some great options still exist for PC racing enthusiasts wanting to spin digital doughnuts with a realistic wheel-and-pedal controller. Notwithstanding, it's best to avoid low-end racing wheels as they tend to be poorly made. A good gamepad will serve you better than an inexpensive wheel (and cost a lot less, too). Logitech G25 Racing Wheel | Average Retail Price: $265 / £155 Logitech G25 Racing Wheel Logitech has long been a "driving force" in force-feedback racing wheels for years and that still holds true with their newest entry in the field, the G25 Racing Wheel. Racing fans looking for realism in their road and track experience will find a well-constructed controller wrapped in real metal and leather, one that offers high-end racing at a mid-range price. Features include simulator-grade force feedback technology, a wheel with 900 degrees of rotation, sequential six-speed shifter, leather-wrapped steering wheel and stainless steel pedals – gas, brake and clutch to be exact. It's as close as you'll get to the real thing without going bankrupt (to reach the next plateau in racing, you'll need to spend in excess of $1,000). Force feedback effects are strong, though you can disable them if you prefer, and, unlike many competing wheels past and present, the foot pedals stay put under the stress of racing. The G25 offers an excellent racing experience for less than three bills!
Logitech MOMO Racing Force Feedback Wheel | ARP: $80 / £80 Logitech MOMO Racing Force Feedback Wheel If $100 plus racing wheels are outside your budget, Logitech's MOMO Racing Force Feedback Wheel is a compelling alternative. Offering high-end aesthetics at a value-oriented price, this stylish racing controller features a comfortable, full-rubber wheel with 240 degrees of rotation, six programmable buttons, a pair of paddle shifters, a built-in sequential stick shifter, triple clamping system (that stays out of leg’s way) and gas and brake pedals mounted on a stable, non-slip base with a unique and effective carpet-gripping system. While it lacks some frills of more costly controllers, its compact size is a plus for small desktops, it incorporates a stick shift (missing on most price-conscious wheels) and the force effects it packs are both powerful and precise. The MOMO Racing Force Feedback Wheel offers an excellent design at an exceptional price and gets almost everything right in the process.
Thrustmaster Rally GT Force Feedback Pro Clutch Edition | ARP: $122 / £80 Thrustmaster RGT Force Feedback Pro Clutch Edition Thrustmaster, another long-time contender in the racing arena, has a sweet ride in their Rally GT Force Feedback Pro Clutch Edition, a wheel-and-pedal combo packed with features. Exclusive to this wheel are five axes modes comprised of wheel, accelerator, brake, clutch (or Left cockpit progressive view) and handbrake (or right cockpit progressive view). The pedal assembly sports aluminum pedals with resistance on the brake, two pedal positions (double-cutch or cockpit) and heel-and-toe downshifting. Meanwhile, the wheel assembly offers a 270-degree turning angle, ten actions buttons, a D-pad, twin wheel-mounted progressive levers and sequential levers, full rubber grip, a large, sturdy clamping system, attached sequential shifter, ball-bearing steering mechanism and belt-driven gear system. Force feedback technology, licensed from Immersion, provides powerful force effects and can be toggled on and off with a single button press. Overall, it's a good, mid-level racing wheel with few drawbacks. Construction is mostly plastic, pedals are a bit tightly spaced for gamers with larger shoe sizes and the pedal assembly slides around too much on carpeted surfaces, but that's about it. If you want a three-pedal controller and money’s tight, it’s worth considering.
Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel | ARP: $120 / £150 Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel If you want a multi-system racing alternative, Microsoft's Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel is a good option and, as the name implies, is wireless to boot (at least with regards to input, it still requires an AC power connection). Using an Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver (available for $20), it allows you to hook the console controller to your PC. And, for those with an Xbox 360, it’s a great dual-purpose racing wheel, saving you the cost of buying two separate controllers while providing a unified gaming experience. Features include simulated resistance and force effects, paddle shifters, a two-pedal gas and brake assembly, and an add-on desk clamp. Performance is good, though not all games recognize it as a force feedback controller. Still, it offers a solid, sturdy feel and the pedals stay put (for the most part) on carpeting. Dedicated racing aficionados are better served by a high-end wheel-and-pedal combo. But, for casual fans, this controller’s a good choice, especially if there's an Xbox 360 in the house.
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