Xbox 360 wheel vs Sidewinder FFB

[ScAtTeReD_thoughts]

Hi! I am a typical broke college student, and I am currently using a Microsoft Xbox 360 wheel that I used to play forza with. However, the force feedback doesn't work on the PC. Also one of the paddle shifters is going out and will sometimes double shift, which is annoying to say the least. I have looked at possible getting an old Sidewinder FFB wheel. So my question is, how would the sidewinder compare to my current wheel? Would it be a worthy budget substitute for the Xbox wheel? Thanks!

[SMIFFY]

I have no idea what the xbox wheel is like but I do own a Sidewinder FFB wheel.

The sidewinder is very old now and although it will work with this game (and pretty much all racing games I own) it may need a little extra tinkering of the in game setting to get it working correctly but it's never been a major problem for me.

The wheel is quite chunky and is very comfortable in my hands, it has 240° of rotation and has 6 well placed buttons on the front and 2 small paddles at the back. The pedals are a bit cheap and don't give much resistance when pressed but they do the job well enough and are comfortably positioned.
The force feedback is excellent when set up right, its accurate and very strong but won't deafen eveyone in earshot like the Logitech G27.

Based on my 15 year experience with this wheel I would definately recommend it for people looking for a wheel on a budget.

If you do decide to get one do make sure its the USB version, not the game port version.

[ScAtTeReD_thoughts]

Thanks. It sounds like they are pretty tough wheels as well. I shouldn't have any worries with a used one, right? (not that I could get one new anyways).

[Matthew]

I have the MS Sidewinder, had it since launch. I also had the XBox360 FFB wheel, considering they released by the same company, I couldn't believe how cheap the build quality of the 360 wheel was.

Hence the 360 wheel lasted about 2.5years, then needed the the internal mounts rebuilt. The paddles lasted about 2 years, before needing elastic bands to hold them.

The sidewinder is still going strong, the only issue is the buttons on the front need a lot of force, or some key bounce abit.

The 360 FFB was ok, the Sidewinder has pretty good FFB certainly better than the 360.

You'll find you will be spending sometime in config files for the sim your using as the update rate is low (i've seen 60hz mention, but using wheel testing software, I can get mine upto 183hz before noticing lost detail) I tend to run it at 120hz as it's a multiple of the fresh rate of my videocard.

Also because the driver software is incompatible with most modern windows versions, the software was designed for XP and DX8. It will auto install as a HID device, and may need calibrating before use.

As SMIFFY says, just make sure it the USB version, not gameport.

[SeriousSpy]

Only thing I can help you with is the double shifting, there is an option to have a limiter on the shifter, so it can't double shift, I believe it's set to 100MS (0.1 second) normally.

[ScAtTeReD_thoughts]

Thanks everyone!

[ScAtTeReD_thoughts]

lol, ok you caught me. I've been racing Forza for the past few years and I'm wanting to get into PC sims so I've been trying out R3E and the rFactor 2 demo. Assetto Corsa has been on my wishlist for a while now. Just wanted some honest help. Oh and I meant that I probably wouldn't be able to find a new Sidewinder wheel ;)

[tommytuc79]

get logitec gt or driving force pro

[pennarguy]

♥samantha♥님이 먼저 게시:

ScAtTeReD_thoughts님이 먼저 게시:

Thanks. It sounds like they are pretty tough wheels as well. I shouldn't have any worries with a used one, right? (not that I could get one new anyways).

Even though you claim you're a broke student, if you can afford a new or used wheel surely you can afford to purchase Assetto Corsa.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/244210

How much is Kunos paying you to dish out your moronic sarcastic remarks, along with the "Buy Assetto Corsa" bit; he said he is a typical broke college student...nuff said.

[pennarguy]

♥samantha♥님이 먼저 게시:

Pete님이 먼저 게시:

How much is Kunos paying you to dish out your moronic sarcastic remarks, along with the "Buy Assetto Corsa" bit; he said he is a typical broke college student...nuff said.

What's it to you sailor, try stoping me, you can moan until the red meat you eat seeps out of your varicose veins, I'll keep pointing those out that havent purchased assetto corsa, try stopping me, if you cant keep sailing on captain, and shut it.

No varicose veins, still run 50 miles a week (in my dreams) and I never sailed a ship in my life ; I was an engineer.
It's rude to say "shut it" missy, get some manners and a bit of class in your outpourings on these here forums.
I also eat salad. :)