PS3 Steering Wheels?

[JP]

I've been thinking on and off about buying my first steering wheel and I've started thinking about it again and what to know about wheels that people on here use and their good & bad points.

I've had a good look around online and there seems to be loads available and so many contrasting opinions about each one.

If I do get one it'll only be used on my PS3 and on my lap so they are the main considerations.

I want it mainly for GT5, Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli as well as maybe more arcade style games such as Grid, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift & Burnout Paradise.

These are the wheels that I've been looking into so far:

FANATEC PORSCHE 911



LOGITECH G25



LOGITECH DRIVING FORCE GT

If anybody uses any of these or a different model then I'd be interested to hear what you think about them.

I'm really not sure whether I will be buying one yet as I'm not convinced that it wouldn't spend most of it's time in the cupboard and spending +?100 just on a controller is a lot of money.

Thanks!

[NeoStuey]

Can only comment on the G25 but it's a quality product alright. Real leather on wheel and the gator on the gearstick. The wheel is comfortable and well laid out. Also being able to position the gearstick independently to the wheel is a nice bonus.

Works great with GT5, full shifting with clutch if you want it. No experience of the other games I'm afraid, but the sequential shifting worked well with Initial D with either the stick or paddles, you could even have conventional shifting albiet without having to engage the clutch (no support for the function in the game).

One thing I will say is that you won't be able to use it on your lap as the motors in it are far too strong. I had mine on a portable folding table and the rivets in the hinges have been loosened as a result of the vibrations going through them.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Do you have the space between chair/sofa to TV and somewhere to store the steering wheel and right table to hold them.

I got a Logitech one for PS2 but I don't use it often enough due to lack of space.

[Kubrick]

I'm not convinced that it wouldn't spend most of it's time in the cupboard

I predict this is exactly what'll happen!

[tom-nook]

I predict this is exactly what'll happen!

+1

My 360 wheel stays pretty much in permanent cold storage. Whilst it works very nicely with the more serious racing games a lot of the arcadey games play much better with a pad imo.

Might just be me but I usually find that my lap times are a second or two quicker with a pad. With the right game a force feedback wheel does add a lot to the experience though.

[Number45]

I bought a wheel for the original Xbox when Outrun 2 came out (Which was stupid in itself, of all the games to buy a wheel for) and it hardly ever got touched. Every time a new racer is released I toy with the idea of getting a G25, but I've been able to hold off so far.

PSEye? Gathering dust. VSHG? Gathering dust.*

I've grown up with pads, I really should accept that's the only way I can play effectively.

* - waiting for SF4/THD.

[charlesr]

The only game I've found where a wheel was better than a pad (in terms of laptimes, not experience) was R:Racing Evolution.

[JP]

Can only comment on the G25 but it's a quality product alright. Real leather on wheel and the gator on the gearstick. The wheel is comfortable and well laid out. Also being able to position the gearstick independently to the wheel is a nice bonus.

Works great with GT5, full shifting with clutch if you want it. No experience of the other games I'm afraid, but the sequential shifting worked well with Initial D with either the stick or paddles, you could even have conventional shifting albiet without having to engage the clutch (no support for the function in the game).

One thing I will say is that you won't be able to use it on your lap as the motors in it are far too strong. I had mine on a portable folding table and the rivets in the hinges have been loosened as a result of the vibrations going through them.

Thanks.

I've seen the G25 that you're selling on here and spent ages staring at the listing and being tempted while reading reviews of the wheel.

One reason that I haven't given in to it is because, although you've dropped the price a lot, paying ?100 is still a lot for any controller. Not saying you've not set a fair price but either way it's still a lot of money.

A second reason is that from what I've read in reviews the Logitech Driving Force GT is really the wheel to go for as it's the same hardware inside the wheel as the G25 (Without the clutch) but it's also a lot cheaper too.

I've not ruled yours out yet but I need to make sure that I really want it before I decide to start discussing sales with you. I'm close to saying yes but I'm going to be cautious.

Do you have the space between chair/sofa to TV and somewhere to store the steering wheel and right table to hold them.

I got a Logitech one for PS2 but I don't use it often enough due to lack of space.

I do have a table which would probably be perfect for a wheel, I was hoping to have it on my lap though but everywhere keeps saying that it's not a good idea so I'm probably going to use the table.

I know, I'm really not expecting it to be used each time I play a driving game and I'd be surprised if lap times were improved as it's pretty much a matter of learning the whole game again and moving away from a type of controller I've been using for years.

Usually when I play driving games that aren't along the lines of Burnout, Motorstorm & Grid then I spend most of my time just burning laps and trying to find the perfect line and just working out how each car needs to be treated on the track. Doing things like that I do feel that a good wheel will add to the experience for me even though it may not do anything for my lap times.

[kernow]

I will say one thing, even though its a pain dragging the thing out and setting it up, playing GT5p with a wheel is fantastic fun.

[Rossco]

Yeah its ace. I use the Logitech GT3 wheel still and is still fantastic to play with GT5P. Any of the recent Logitech ones with Force Feedback etc are great if you wanna pick one up cheap instead of the newer £100 ones if your unsure.

[jamesy]

I have one that is very similar to that driving force gt. Might be called a pro, not too sure. The wheel itself i find is great but if you think you would be into using the gear stick the attached ones arent so good. I find that they are in a pretty poor position. Wrong side for a start.
I myself personally just use the little buttons/paddles. They seem to do the trick much better. Just something to consider tho.

[Dazzyman]

If you must get one get a GT25 their the best ones not only that you can use em to great effect on the PC.

Steering wheels seem to be better at working on the right games on PS3 than 360. 360 theirs really only Forza that its worth getting one out for as PGR4 and the other games are way too arcadey and actually increase your times. Id still personally wait till GT5 gets released though.

Forget using it on Grid and buronout though their arcade games so your deadzone and analog travel is going to play havoc on your turns.

[JP]

Thanks everyone.

The reviews I've read which compare these wheels always say that the GT Force Pro uses an improved version of the G25 and that although the build quality of the pedals isn't as good, everything else is better.

It seems that the deadzone from the G25 has also gone completely in the GTFP and apparently, the force feedback is more accurate and allows you to feel the road better.

I've not ruled out the G25 yet as it's still a good wheel but twice the price of the GTFP and certainly not twice as good according to the reviews. So I'm down to a choice of the G25 with full clutch, looks nicer and has better pedals or the GTFP which seems to work better, is cheaper and also has a GT branded horn in the middle of the wheel which will be really useful!

[Number45]

If the horn doesn't auto-insert the Dukes of Hazzard sound into all games I don't see it as a selling point to be honest.

[JP]

Pfft if it did a Dukes of Hazard type horn then I wouldn't need any games, I'd be happy with that!!!