Racing Wheels

[NiX]

I've been on a binge with Racing/Simulator games and realized using either the mouse or keyboard is incredibly ass for steering. But, I can only see Logitech wheels around and they're $150 - $400 CDN.
I've looked at all the Canadian stores I can think of, but none have anything other than logitech listed online. Are there any other brands still around or do I just have to suck it up and hope to find a deal on a logitech?

[fuser]

The G25 I think is still the superior wheel of the Logitech line. I was going to pickup a driving force pro (best buy boxing day sale in Canada a year ago for $100). Now all the pricing is $150+ which is silly and too close to the G2x.

Another option to look at is Fanatec but some of the features are insane "Vibration motor on brake pedal to indicate blocking tires" and the price is on par with the G27 or slightly above.

[Sky]

Excuse me if this is obvious, but have you tried a gamepad? I like driving with thumbsticks and triggers for gas/brake.

[tgr]

Excuse me if this is obvious, but have you tried a gamepad? I like driving with thumbsticks and triggers for gas/brake.

Driving sim with a gamepad? You sick bastard.

I can personally strongly recommend the G25, though. It's almost even better than the act labs racing wheel I had prior to the G25.

[NiX]

Excuse me if this is obvious, but have you tried a gamepad? I like driving with thumbsticks and triggers for gas/brake.

I haven't, but I'd really prefer a force feedback steering wheel and moving the use of pedals to my feet so braking is a lot more intuitive.

I'm avoiding the G2X series because of the price point. I want a wheel, but I don't care about 900 degrees and all the other gimmicks they've thrown in.

[Falconeer]

Racing games Nix? 

Time to come out of the closet, buddy.

[NiX]

Racing games Nix? 

Time to come out of the closet, buddy.

I will ban you from Canada!

It's actually for my PS3 also, so I'm only in 50% denial here.

[Nebu]

Racing games have me considering my first console purchase in over 5 years.  Be nice to 'ol Nix. 

[BitWarrior]

If you don't want to spend too much money, what is preventing you from buying one of these no-name / likely crappy wheels?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=racing+wheel&x=0&y=0

Specifically looking at the Genius brand.

[Falconeer]

If you consider driving at 70 mph, when downhill, and without opponents, a racing game, then I'll be nice to Nix.

But yeah PS3. I had one Logitech cheap but nice wheel for PC since forever (got it in 2001 for Motor City Online). Then last year I bought a force feedback just for Gran Turismo 5 prologue and it really does the game justice. So yeah, wheels.

[Minvaren]

Thrustmaster also still makes a couple wheels.

Quality varies with price (price++, quality++ essentially).  Support...  Well, pray you never need it, from my experience.

[NiX]

If you consider driving at 70 mph, when downhill, and without opponents, a racing game, then I'll be nice to Nix.

But yeah PS3. I had one Logitech cheap but nice wheel for PC since forever (got it in 2001 for Motor City Online). Then last year I bought a force feedback just for Gran Turismo 5 prologue and it really does the game justice. So yeah, wheels.

Which wheel is it and do you use it on PC? If so, how is it?

[Falconeer]

The PS3 is a Logitech Driving Force EX. It feels good in your hands and feet for the price, but the force feedback is confusing at first if you never had a wheel with such feature. Then, after you get used to it, you can't do without. Or at least this is my experience with GT5.

The one for PC is totally out of production, still a Logitech, part of the Wingman® line. Again, good feeling and precision once you get used to it, even without the force feedback.

Harsh reality is I have no experience out of the two wheels I owned. With both I was disappointed at first, having a hard time adjusting my playstyle to the device, but ended up very happy with both of them. I certainly can't give serious advices about what to get, but I'd say that Logitech devices feel pretty cool in your hands and they do the job even at the ower price. I think there is no real point in getting a very expensive one (they go up to 300 U$D) unless you are into pro-gaming, or very rich, cause once you get used to your budget wheel you won't feel like you really need an upgrade.

I'd say yes, suck it up and go Logitech.
If I had to get one now, I'd get this. Isn't it just $105 CND?

Bargain?

[NiX]

Used from a 3rd party seller. Iffy.

If you don't want to spend too much money, what is preventing you from buying one of these no-name / likely crappy wheels?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=racing+wheel&x=0&y=0

Specifically looking at the Genius brand.

Amazon.com. I'm in Canada.