Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel ?

[CavernDigger88]

I know this wheel is older than dirt. But has anyone used it with Steam on Linux?
Steam sees it as a gamepad controller and not a steering wheel. Is there anyway to force it?

The wheel is recognized by Linux just fine. It works great in supertuxkart. I can use jstest and everything looks to be operating as designed.


Bus 001 Device 004: ID 045e:0034 Microsoft Corp. SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel


jstest /dev/input/js0
Driver version is 2.1.0.
Joystick (Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB)) has 3 axes (X, Y, Rz)
and 9 buttons (Trigger, ThumbBtn, ThumbBtn2, TopBtn, TopBtn2, PinkieBtn, BaseBtn, BaseBtn2, BtnDead).
Testing ... (interrupt to exit)
Axes: 0: 0 1: 32767 2: 32767 Buttons: 0:off 1:off 2:off 3:off 4:on 5:off 6:off 7:off 8:off

Axes change numbers when moving wheel and pedals. The various buttons go off and on.

[x_wing]

Here someone mentioned some success: https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxhardware/comments/ee435k/does_the_old_microsoft_sidewinder_ffb_wheel_work/

I have the Sidewinder precision pro and FF version, both work alright but I was never able to get working FF (the last thing I recall is that there is a bug in the driver). Anyway, the driver for your wheel is completely different so you may have success with FF in your wheel.

Edit: You can setup your controller in Steam -> Config -> Controller -> "General Controller Setting". You will also be able to calibrate it and (hopefully) test the FF.

[CavernDigger88]

Thank you. I decided to take a step back and think about this again...


So I am now using the wheel with Classic Racers. I configured the wheel (Axis 0) to the Left Stick X and the other buttons to the front 6 buttons. The pedals do not work because the game is set for analog on the throttle and brake. So I configured the two buttons behind the wheel for gas and brake. (Right and Left triggers)


Its not perfect but it works. There is a slight delay in the wheel turning in the game.
I decreased the dead zone in the calibration section and that seems to have helped a little.


I have already taken 6 seconds off my time on one of the tracks versus the xbox one controller.

[x_wing]

Originally posted by CavernDigger88:

I have already taken 6 seconds off my time on one of the tracks versus the xbox one controller.

Spam: If you like car games, keep a eye on DRAG.

[Marlock]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/0/1694969361100777223/

Oversteer (linux app for tweaking Steering Wheel controller settings):
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/the-handy-steering-wheel-manager-oversteer-has-a-new-release-out.15150

edit:
Alternatively, there is also pyLinuxWheel:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/pylinuxwheel-has-a-new-build-adding-support-for-more-logitech-wheels-on-linux.15313