Can anyone reccomend a steering wheel?

[alexanderbell2]

I currently use an Xbox 360 controller so am new to steering wheels.

Can anyone reccomend a steering wheel? Price isn't really an issue.

[Foxman]

If price truly isn't an issue then go with a Direct Drive wheel. You're talking USD1000+ though.

However, if thats too rich then your main options are Logitech, Thrustmaster and Fanatec. The key things to consider/compare about wheels are:

Angle of Rotation
You want 900 degrees minimum

Force Feedback - gear vs belt vs direct drive.
Gear drives (Logitech) are cheap to build and have a rougher, more clunky feel to force feedback. They're also a ♥♥♥♥ load noisier.
Belt drives (most Thrustmaster, Fanatec) are typically very smooth and have a much more consistent feeling. They are also significantly more powerful than gear drives.
Direct drive (Accuforce) wheels are top of the line in terms of both power and feel.

Motor - brushed vs brushless
Brushed motors will have more 'cogging' than brushless motors (a sort of notchy feeling when turning the wheel, irrespective of force feedback) but any non-direct drive wheel will have some degree of cogging. Main benefit with brushless is long term reliability.

Resolution
Higher = better. Most good wheels are 16bit so you have a high degree of accuracy. Lower resolution wheels are less accurate.

Rim Type
Most Thrustmaster and all Fanatec wheels are actually 2 parts - the wheel base, and the rim. Thus you can buy rim upgrades to suit your preferences. Logitech wheels are fixed units and cannot be changed without some major DIY work.


Go through this guide to get an idea of what the various mainstream options are.


Recommendations:
High end - Thrustmaster TS-PC/T-GT/TS-XW, Fanatec Clubsport 2.5

Mid-high end - Thrustmaster T300/TX, Fanatec CSL Elite

Expensive mid-range - Logitech G29/G920 (if you can spend this much, consider spending a little more for a much better wheel from Thrustmaster or Fanatec)

Second hand options: Logitech Driving Force GT, G25/G27


Other things to consider are pedals and shifters. If you're looking at the higher end Thrustmaster and Fanatec wheel bases then they don't always come with pedals and none of them come with separate shifters. So factor in ~300+ for the appropriate extras. Shifters aren't required but can make the whole experience much better.

Just a note on pedals - all Logitech, all Thrustmaster and the lower end Fanatec pedals use potentiometers which means that the response in game is based on how far you press the pedal. This is fine for the accelerator and clutch but not so much for braking.
More accurate braking requires a load cell which measures how hard you press the pedal. Thrustmaster pedals can be upgraded with a 3rd party load cell mod to allow for this and Fanatec have load cell brakes on their higher end pedal sets.

[TB-Death2-U]

There's one more drive type: Gear Belt Hybrid
Thrustmaster T150 uses this and comes with pedals.
I've had mine 1 year and love it.

[ChyonE]

Originally posted by Pythagoruse:

I currently use an Xbox 360 controller so am new to steering wheels.

Can anyone reccomend a steering wheel? Price isn't really an issue.

My TX Leather edition wheel and TH8A with the wheel stand elite pro with a price of 870 dollars It was 100% worth it.
I'd also recommend trackIR to go along with it

[YOGI]

Originally posted by Pythagoruse:

I currently use an Xbox 360 controller so am new to steering wheels.

Can anyone reccomend a steering wheel? Price isn't really an issue.

Take yer pick...if MONEY aint no Object? LINK; https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b&biw=1280&bih=632&tbm=shop&ei=8KH0W-7sH8690PEPo8eKgAU&q=the+MOST+expensive+gaming+steering+wheels&oq=the+MOST+expensive+gaming+steering+wheels&gs_l=psy-ab.3...23036.28856.0.29344.21.21.0.0.0.0.152.1087.20j1.21.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..1.6.383...0i13k1j33i10k1.0.LOfdOjs6H4g
Thing is.BUY a "BELT DRIVE" wheel...not the Gear Drive the El-Cheapo's most of us "POOR PEOPLE" use...if your a RICH person? You can even get Sim Wheels with Floating Chairs/Vibration sensors/G-force Cushions/etc if you OWN an OIL FIELD?

[YOGI]

BUT...i figure this MAY be what your kinda looking for maybe? LINK; https://www.playseatstore.com/playseat-sensation-pro.html
better bring the "Platinum Card" as this stuff is Seriously Expensive! (way above the Standard Gold Card prices)

[Manwith Noname]

It really depends on what you play in my view. Sure, a direct drive wheel would be great but it is almost entirely wasted if you just play ETS2. If on the other hand, you like sim racing and want to get the best money can buy, go for it.

My honest opinion would be to look for a G27 second hand at around £100 or less if possible. Try it and take it from there. They are not the best wheel around but you get a H shifter and 3 pedals. A Thrustmaster T150 is also a reasonable, cheap starter option but without buying extras you'll be limited to paddle shifters and 2 pedals.

[YOGI]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

It really depends on what you play in my view. Sure, a direct drive wheel would be great but it is almost entirely wasted if you just play ETS2. If on the other hand, you like sim racing and want to get the best money can buy, go for it.

My honest opinion would be to look for a G27 second hand at around £100 or less if possible. Try it and take it from there. They are not the best wheel around but you get a H shifter and 3 pedals. A Thrustmaster T150 is also a reasonable, cheap starter option but without buying extras you'll be limited to paddle shifters and 2 pedals.

Money aint no OBJECT the dude said...so find that SOLID GOLD steering sim wheel..and Show him the LINK I figured (his $$$..not mine?) seeya

[Manwith Noname]

When I upgraded from my 15 year old Logitech Driving Force Ex, money wasn't really an issue either. Things like space, what I clamp it to, the forces it outputs that determine if what I clamp it to is going to still be in one piece tomorrow and perhaps the biggest factor at that time, how long it was going to take for me to get it, were important. Just as important as all that was the games I expected to play and how much I expected to play them.

It's all well and good saying "hey, here's a motor for £2000, a rim for £1000, a pedal set for £1500...." but if they're expecting to clamp it to some PC desk from IKEA...

While they said, "price isn't really an issue", it might be when they realise exactly how much you can spend on these things.

[Foxman]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

While they said, "price isn't really an issue", it might be when they realise exactly how much you can spend on these things.

This is pretty much what invariably happens. Which is why I always link the reddit guide - it provides a very easy to follow comparison of where things stack up price and feature wise.

[YOGI]

Originally posted by Foxman:

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

While they said, "price isn't really an issue", it might be when they realise exactly how much you can spend on these things.

This is pretty much what invariably happens. Which is why I always link the reddit guide - it provides a very easy to follow comparison of where things stack up price and feature wise.

UH HUH you can DAM NEAR spend the price of a NEW CAR on some of the top of the LINE controllers on the marketplace nowadays, OUTTa this thread dude

[Manwith Noname]

Originally posted by Foxman:

This is pretty much what invariably happens.

There may be the occasional very serious person having a mid life crisis looking to build a replica truck cab in their loft but I imagine most who ask this question just want a fairly generic gaming peripheral that's better for driving than a joypad.

[Karlia]

Bang for buck pretty much any consumer level 900 degree force feedback will do you, Logitech Thrustmaster or Fanatec will probably do you a life time. While I could sit back and spend your money by recomending gear I have never tried..I cant, so all I can honestly say is I have had no issue with my Logitech G29 and shifter.... and the only time it is so called "noisy" is when it is calibrating on boot up..

What ever your choice I am sure you wont regret it..

Happy Trucking 🚚🚛🚓