Playstation 2 Driving Force EX Racing Wheel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although the wheel has quirks with both the PS2 & PS3, the wheel is still definitely worth its price! With a full day of trials & errors, I was surprised that the force feedback was equally inconsistent with the PS2 and PS3. Sometimes I started the game and the wheel worked fine with force feedback; sometimes the wheel worked but the force feedback didn't; sometimes the wheel only worked for multiplayer mode but with no force feedback; and sometimes the game didn't work at all - all this for the SAME game. As you can see, quite frustrating, but when it did work, it's was SOOO awesome that I decided to experiment all day with it. I did more testing with the PS3, so I'll focus on that. For the PS2, some games do state that you must plug the USB into the top port (for older systems - for newer PS2 systems, I don't know which is the preferred port). Similarly, the PS3 has a preferred port.

THE BEST CONFIGURATION FOR THE PS3 IS: 1. plug the USB into port #3 (port #1 also works, but I had more success with #3), 2. turn on the system manually - DO NOT use the PS3 controller to turn it on! This allows for the wheel to be assigned to controller #1 - MOST driving games can not be played in single-player mode when the wheel is assigned to controller #2. Unfortunately, the wheel does not have a PS button to re-assign the wheelor quit the game. If your system was on and a controller was previously assigned to #1, then the wheel usage will be inconsistent. Therefore, it's best to plug in the USB in port #3 and turn on the system manually. This way, I was able to reliably play games with the wheel with force feedback.

GAME COMPATIBILITY: Currently, I only have 8 driving games. The most reliably were Burnout 3: Takedown and Midnight Club 2 (I would assume later games in the series would also work, but not sure about earlier games). Gran Turismo 4 and Need for Speed 2 also worked fine, but it sometimes took several attempts to start the game. Like plugging new USB devices into a computer, sometimes the drivers load correctly, sometimes they don't, so try several times. These 4 games all worked with the wheel with force feedback.
MotoGP3 and Tourist Trophy worked with the wheel, but without force feedback AND it required Pelican's PS2 USB adapter ($15) to be plugged in also. Pelican's PS2 USB adapter is worth it though 'cause it was the only way I could adjust the sensitivity of the wheel. Once the sensitivity is adjusted, it should remain the same as long as the system is on (you can change games and have the same sensitivity). However, I am not sure if the wheel returns to default sensitivity once you turn off the system.
Dirt for PS3 worked wonderfully - great force feedback and a joy to drive! However, World Rally Championship was the MOST inconsistent (even though Logitech stated that it's compatible). Sometimes it worked with the wheel, and sometimes it didn't (actually, when I got this game to work, Gran Turismo didn't work).
You can see the full list of supported games (up to end of 2005, they haven't updated the list) on Logitech's website. The manual really sucks.

As for people deciding between this wheel (EX) and the Driving Force Pro, the main difference is that the Pro has 900 degrees turn for SOME supported games (see Logitech's site). While 200 degrees turn for the EX model is arcade-like driving, 900 degrees turn is kinda overkill. Some purists say that 900 is like simulating a race car, but you can only comfortably turn the wheel 270 degrees in each direction (try it for yourself and you'll see) - therefore, 540 degrees would have been more ideal. I think this is a practical observation since several reviewers indicated that it was hard to adapt to the Pro wheel. Besides, the blue rubber of the EX model looks cool and the stick shifter of the Pro model looks bulky (EX's paddle shifter works fine). The final difference between the 2 models (besides price), is the vibration/ resistance motor. The EX model weighs in at 9 lbs, while the Pro weighs in at 15 lbs - that 67% heavier because of it's stronger motor. You may get better vibrations with the Pro model, but many reviewers complained that it was noisy. I did not find that problem with the EX wheel.

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Product Description:

Product Name: Driving Force EX
Marketing Information:
Combining industry-leading force feedback technology with a standard PlayStation2 racing wheel, the Logitech Driving Force EX gives you unprecedented control for all your driving games. The Force feedback technology provides realistic directional resistance as you encounter bumps, ridges or potholes on your way to victory lane. Even in games that don"t support Logitech force feedback, the controller port connection will keep you on the starting grid. Comfortable rubber grips, responsive gas and brake pedals, and wheel-mounted shifters round out the most complete racing wheel available. The checkered flag will be yours!Product Type: Steering Wheel
Technical Information

Connectivity Technology: Cable
Buttons & Controls: 1 x 8-way D-pad
Buttons & Controls: 4 x Action Button
Buttons & Controls: 2 x Pedal
Interfaces/Ports

Interfaces/Ports: 1 x 4-pin Type A USB

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XL20 Xlerator Regular Adjustable Stand for Logitech G25/27 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I already owned the 360 wheel stand from Xlerator and have been using this new one with my Fanatec Porsche 911 wheel for 2 weeks now.

This stand is perfect if you play on a couch and want maximum stability:
- no matter what level of force feedback you select, the stand never moves thanks to the 2 contact points on the floor and the 2 contact points on the couch. There's no forward sliding either, even on carpet (the contact points have rubber caps).
- the gear stick attachment is very sturdy (so much better than fanatec's default design with those 2 flimsy rods).
- the whole thing folds up instantly when you need to get up. Once vertical it's pretty stable and won't topple easily (esp if you own the heavier metallic pedal set).
- when it comes to storage space, you really can't make anything tighter than this.
- it just takes seconds to take the stand out of the closest and set it up. You can tape all the wires between the wheel/pedals/stick to the frame itself, so the only thing that's hanging is the power cord.

Short of setting up a full cockpit, that's simply the best solution.

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Product Description:
This is the new XL20 Regular Xlerator Wheel Stand for the Logitech G25 and G27 steering wheels. Redesigned from the ground up from the regular stand. This stand has an extra stand-up leg for greater stability while standing up. New adapter plate that bolts wheel and shifter to the stand. New larger pedal pan that accepts larger pedals with clutch and still fold up for easy storage. New clamps that hold stand better than push button. Regular stand has adjustable lap bar extension legs like the Big Boy stand. Stand is made from 1" 16ga steel tubing, sheet metal and 3/16" flat steel. Stands are powder coated gloss black for a long lasting durable finish. Stand is fully adjustable for leg length and lap bar height. Lap bar width is 18 ½" inside and will fit up to 6'2" and 220lbs, over that size and you will need the XL21 Big Boy Stand that will go up to 6'4" and 290-300lbs. These stands are hand made in the USA and are very cool. Will be available in very limited quantities. If out of stock please check back.

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Logitech G25 Racing Wheel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm not an eloquent guy, and certainly not a frequent Amazon reviewer, but I just thought I'd clear up questions if anyone else is in the same boat I was (PS3 owner looking for a wheel).

I love driving sims for PS2, and thought the G25 would be a great way to get my dad to play some games too. I wasn't sure how the G25 would work with the PS3, but lo, it's flawless. Hooked up via USB, the wheel can fully mimic the function of the Driving Force Pro, so Gran Turismo and ToCA give you everything they've got. It also has a lot of future potential with the Gated gearbox and clutch-pedal that most current games don't use. The only reason you might keep a sixaxis handy is for the "home" button to quit to the XMB (ps3 OS).

"Feedback" is an understatement, as the word makes me think of the N64 rumble-pack. Most of you potential buyers are already aware of the wheel pulling you out of turns, or giving enough feedback so you know just when you're about to lose grip through a corner. But the G25 can be so subtle that it almost creates a "3D" feedback map. I'm not sure how to explain it, but when your in-game left rear tire hits a rumble strip, it feel like that specific tire has really hit a rumble strip. I have no idea how they do this with just two force motors in the G25.

In any event, the quality of the road-response is absolutely worth the price, which is already pretty decent here with free shipping. The DFP was tempting, as I've tried it on a PS2, but this wheel is much more subtle, much better looking, and will be the gold-standard for future driving games. No regrets here, just a happy father-son bonding experience and less wear on our real-world cars.

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Product Description:
Real metal. Real leather. Real racing. Premium materials. Hand-crafted components. A team of racing fanatics dedicated to providing the most realistic driving experience possible. With the G25 Racing Wheel, Logitech is taking sim racing controls to the next level, and we'd like you to come along for the ride.The G25's unique dual-motor force feedback transmission delivers powerful, high-fidelity force effects to the hand-stitched leather wheel, so you can feel under-and oversteer before you're on the barrier.

Sit down, turn off the lights, and crank up the sound. You're not playing games anymore; with the G25, you're racing.


Features:

Six-speed shifter with push-down reverse gear
Choose exactly the right gear for the turn. Plus a leather-wrapped shift knob so you can drive in style! Sequential shift mode
Provides backward compatibility. Logitech's exclusive carpet grip system
Holds fast to the carpet to provide a realistic driving experience. Dual-motor force feedback
The mechanism is smooth, quiet, and powerful. Stainless steel gas, brake, and clutch pedals
Eliminates flex from the pedals, so you can brake and accelerate with more precision. The clutch pedal makes heel-and-toe downshifting possible, keeping your gear changes quick and your RPMs high. 11" leather-wrapped steering wheel rim
With the 900-degree wheel rotation and hand-stitched leather, the wheel providesa realistic driving experience.
System Requirements:

PC with Pentium processor or compatible
256 MB RAM
20 MB of available hard disk space
CD-ROM drive
USB port
Windows XP or Windows Vista

or

PlayStation 2 or PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system
Games that support Logitech Force Feedback

Package Contents:

Logitech G25 Racing Wheel (steering wheel)
Shifter module
Gas, brake, and clutch pedals
Power supply
Software CD-ROM
User documentation
1-year limited warranty

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Logitech MOMO Force Feedback Racing Wheel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)One of the most impressive things about this wheel is that within 10 minutes of removing it from the box, I had it installed on my computer and was using it in a game.Logitech scores again with rock solid software that is easy to install and use.
Once I started to use it, the other good parts about the wheel became apparent within a very brief amount of time.
FORM FACTOR:Compared to other force feedback wheels, this takes up a surprisingly small abount of desk real estate.Once clamped onto a desk, the unit only takes up a 7 inch by 14 inch area of space.The clamping mechanism is notable for not extending very far below the desk.This means there is less for you to bump your legs on and it makes it possible to clamp it in a wider variety of locations.
PEDALS: In my previous wheels, the pedal unit would slide all over the place on my wood floors.This unit, though has a big enough base that there is absolutely no sliding whatsover.In addition, there is a little traction device you can turn on, so that on carpet, the base will stick even more.
FORCE FEEDBACK: To set up the wheel, you can use the default Windows Game Controller set up.Force feedback can be set from 0-150% strength.For my game, Rally Trophy, I found that anything greater than 20% was too strong and I ended up using 14%.This is a sign of quality, because it indicates that the wheel has a full range of power available.The fact that at 14% power, the wheel delivered a nice range of subtle in-game effects proves to me that this wheel has been put together solidly.
This wheel met all my expectations and for me was a MAJOR step up from the little game pad I was using.It has taken me about 2 days to really get the hang of driving with it, but now that I have figured out the right settings, there is really no comparison.Before I was just goofing around with a video game.Now it feels like I am actually using an advanced driving simulator.Very cool!

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Product Description:
Turbocharge your driving with the authentic feel and precision performance of the Logitech MOMO force-feedback racing wheel. Designed by the racing professionals at MOMO, the full-rubber wheel, stick shifter, and racing pedals feel just like the real thing. And with advanced force-feedback technology, you'll experience the road like never before. Strap yourself in and drive into the action!
The Logitech MOMO racing wheel is compatible with PCs running Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP, with an available USB port.

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Sports Car GT Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This game is like 100 years old but I still play it from time to time, even today. The graphics are good, the soundtrack is incredible and the controls are precise. You'll need a good analog controller (or a wheel) to drive the fastest cars as they are almost undrivable with digital control (you'll spin out of control as somebody else mentioned)

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Product Description:
GT racing comes to the PC. Get behind the wheel of the fastest incarnations of the hottest cars on the road. Race actual cars on real-world courses throughout North America and Europe. Tune and customize you car for ultimate performance, then compete against computer-controlled opponents designed to simulate the driving styles of the real-life drivers.

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GTR 2: Realism Redefined Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Tech Stuff:This game pushes my X800Xl card to the max, and I'm stunned by this.I can only run it smoothly at 1000x800 with AAx4, compared to Toca Racer3 at 1200x1000 on AAx6.This game uses close to 2gb on your hd, and you better have a nice setup to get the most out of this game.Perhpaps there will be some patch in the future, but I'm stunned that this game pushed my 3.2 ht 1.5 gb of memory so hard.
Graphics:The graphics on this game aren't overwhelming, until you start to notice all the small details:building, stands, stadium seating in the stands, dust flying.Overall the graphics aren't close to Toca3, but the cars and tracks are nicely detailed.
Sound:This is where it hits a homer!Whether in car or out of car, the engine sounds sound so real!Shifting, braking, or throttling up, the game scores huge points on realism.Even when you are pumping the brakes, you can hear and feel the action of the car.
Sim Racing:This aint no easy game by any standards.You really have to know how to enter and exit corners on this game.You just can't drive thru them, because you'll end up off course.Thankfully there is an extensive training guide to assist the average racing fan like your truly.You can practice so many aspects of the game, that it will help alot.You start out with about half the tracks unlocked and about half the cars.You unlock them by winning or accumulating points.Online play is the best, and I really enjoy it.There are literally hundreds of people online worldwide at any time of the day or nite.I work a third shift job, so I unually race around 2:00pm.Still there are hundreds of folks online.
Summary:
This is one of the finest pure sims out there, and maybe to date.I don't enjoy it as much as Forzo(xbox), Test Drive LeMans(dreamcast), but I do like it better than Toca.Toca has too many racing dune buggies and crazy vehicles, and this game centers on my euro-style racing and GT cars.Get this game if you have a nice system.I have a 3.2ht with 1.5gb ram, and my x800xl.the game runs smooth on it at reduced settings, but you need to have good specs to get the most out of it.Wish the game could have been easier for an average racer as myself, but overall I can't complain.Nice game!

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Product Description:
The World's Most Realistic Racing Simulation.Just Switched Into High Gear!Gear up and hit the open road as you take on the world's most realistic racing simulation. Featuring over 140 exquisitely detailed cars and 34 unique track-layouts, GTR 2 thrusts you into a hyper realistic racing environment with breathtaking real-world effects. With a revolutionary Driving School Mode you'll gain the experience to tackle the challenges of professional racing.

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Logitech Playstation 3 Driving Force Wireless Force Feedback Wheel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this wheel at GameStop and, although the box was marked as $99 it rang up as $49.The clerk checked twice.At any rate, even at $99 this wheel is probably worth the money.For what I paid, it is a great addition to the realism of driving on the PS3.

My home system has a 42" LG LCD television connected via HDMI cable and the sound is routed through my Yamaha RX995V stereo home theater receiver and Klipsch speakers all around. Needless to say, this setup provides outstanding realism and ambiance.Now the addition of the wheel makes driving GT5P, F1 Championship Series and Grid that much more immersing.

Sure, the Driving Force GT wheel is better in some ways, but it also $100 more and has it's own flaws.I know because I originally bought the Driving Force GT thinking it would be wireless between the unit and the PS3 but not so.My PS3 is on the other side of the room and I don't really want a ton of wires laying around everywhere because my dog would be knocking things over left and right.The other problems aside from the wires with the Driving Force GT wheel are a) you need a table to attach it to and b) even with a table, you will be very uncomfortable sitting on the edge of your average couch to get close enough to the table to actually race.

The Driving Force Wireless on the other hand sits very comfortably on your lap while you sit back in your favorite chair.No wires laying across the room, although it does require a wall outlet nearby.The force feedback on this unit is surprisingly good.You will feel every bump and whack along the way.The paddles that sit behind your hands onthe wheel work effectively as accelerator and brakes, plus the L1/R1 buttons (used for shifting in GT5P) are right there under your thumbs.It took me maybe two races to get the feel down cold.

So hey, if you like to race and you think there is something better out there than the Six Axis Controller you are right, and this is it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Playstation 3 Driving Force Wireless Force Feedback Wheel

Product Description:
Driving Force Wireless Force Feedback Wheel for PS3 - The LogitechDriving Force Wireless is a one-piece, force feedback racing wheel that cuts down on clutter. Easy to set up and store, it provides comfortable, lag-free control from up to 30 feet away from the console. Features include 2.4 GHz wireless technology, and an expandable lap rest, built-in gas and brake controls.

Get 42% OFF

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