Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB)

Rating:
Summary: A good result for the truly dedicated
Review: The value you get from this product will depend upon your dedication to race gaming.

I bought it for my sons who would be using the machine for an hour or two a day. Whilst initial enthusiasm was expressed by all the reality is that the computer is still used as much as it was, but this wheel has not been out of the closet since April. Here are the facts (at least according to us):

a) The base of this unit is huge, so when attached to a fairly standard computer desk with sliding keyboard drawer there is no room for the keyboard too.
b) The unit has three different wires which come from the back of the unit, so these either have to be threaded over the back of the desk each time, or wrap around the front getting caught up in the kids legs.
c) On many of the games we tried the force of the force feedback was much stronger than in typical arcade games, too strong for my 7 year old to handle. (Some games allow this to be altered, but not all)
d) Most games require the wheel to be re-callibrated for each use, perfect for perfectionists but again it means significant 'daddy intervention' when the kids want to switch games.
e) The power transformer is directly welded into the plug prongs, so this beast takes up three slots in a normal power block, thus requiring its own power block.

Now, on the up-side. When I use the properly installed wheel you can callibrate things so that it does handle like a real car. So if you can set things up properly, and leave them set up, then I suspect this is a very good piece of kit.

But for the casual user, too bulky, too messy and too much like hard work to be used frequently.



Rating:
Summary: great wheel
Review: this wheel has the feel of u bein rite ther in the race man. its all good. wit dis weel its great stuff man. by da way waz up.

Rating:
Summary: Easily the best value racing wheel around.
Review: Trust me, you won't be disappointed by this wheel. Cheaper steering wheels are flimsy and don't work as well... this wheel is very solid, works perfectly, and the force feedback is extremely well done. Nothing cheaper is worth the money, and nothing in the same price range is as good as the Microsoft Force Feedback Wheel. Unless you're gonna go nuts and spend [a lot] on one of the super high quality wheels, there's no reason to get any one other than this wheel.

Rating:
Summary: Great Wheel. but..
Review: Very good wheel, great in ergonomics design.
Quality is good. But the game software was very old.
It was designed for Windows 98, a minor force feed back problems (related to the old game software) and a little tired, if you sit of a hour.
But i still recommend to most users. Great price too.
Want a better one? Logitech MOMO. but $$