Features:
- Gas and brake pedals with realistic spring forces
- Exclusive I-Force feedback steel-cable drive technology
- Comfortable rubberized steering wheel
- Programmable European-style paddle shifters plus 4 buttons
- Nonslip pedal assembly with "dead pedal" footrest
Description:
If you've been waiting for a force-feedback wheel that's worth its salt, the wait is over. Logitech's WingMan Formula Force is the perfect driving system for casual and hardcore gamers alike. Based on Logitech's I-Force technology, the WingMan Formula Force doesn't feel gimmicky like other force-feedback wheels. Where other devices add effects that are strong but unrealistic or inappropriate, the forces experienced with the Formula Force are decidedly subtle and apropos. And herein lies the difference. As it stands, it's impossible to perfectly simulate the experience of driving a car while sitting in front of a computer. You get the feeling that Logitech was less interested in making us think that we were actually driving a car and more concerned with enhancing the experience of playing a driving simulation. We tested the Formula Force with two games that support force feedback: Electronic Arts' Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed and Colin McRae Rally from English developer Codemasters. We played both games with and without the feature turned on. Driving on Need for Speed's varied courses, the Formula Force did a good job of giving us the sensation of driving on cobblestones or across wooden bridges. Likewise, driving on gravel in Colin McRae Rally caused consistent vibrations that really gave us the feeling we were driving on the rough surface we saw onscreen. Most force-feedback wheels are absolutely horrible with games that don't support force feedback--but not the Formula Force. With the force feedback turned off, the Formula Force was a great, standard driving system. The Formula Force boasts two European-style paddle shifters and four buttons, all six of which are customizable. The Formula Force also has a shift button, thereby doubling the number of programmable buttons to 12. The wheel itself is rubberized and sturdy as hell, and the mounting system locks on tight. This all came in handy while sliding off the course in Colin McRae Rally and holding on for virtual dear life. If you're in the market for a racing wheel, Logitech's WingMan Formula Force is great. With its easy-to-use USB interface, getting the wheel up and running takes a matter of minutes. There's one caveat however: while the Formula Force is decidedly one of the best wheels we've tested, force feedback is nowhere near a perfect simulation of real driving. --Julian Strate Pros:
- USB interface eliminates need for a game port
- Rubberized wheel is sturdy
- Pedals feel realistic
- Mounting system is intuitive
Cons:
- Footrest is bulky
- Requires power supply
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