Racing wheel
Encyclopedia
A racing wheel is the preferred method of control for use in racing video games, racing simulators
, and driving simulator
s. They are usually packaged with a large paddle
styled as a steering wheel
, along with a set of pedals for gas, brake, and sometimes clutch
actuation, as well as various shifter controls. An analog
wheel and pedal set such as this allows the user to accurately manipulate steering angle and pedal control that is required to properly manage a simulated car, as opposed to digital control such as a keyboard. The relatively large range of motion further allows the user to more accurately apply the controls. Racing wheels have been developed for use with arcade game
s, game consoles, personal computer
s, and also for professional driving simulators for race drivers.
Note 1: Includes two separate analog paddle axis.
Note 2: Components may be packaged together in some cases and sold as a bundle.
Note 3: Includes hub mechanism only; wheel and adapters not included.
Note 4: Prices converted from Japanese Yen.
Note 5: Utilizes fluid dampening.
Note 6: Prices converted from NZD.
Note 7: Future FFB addon possible.
Sim racing
Sim racing is the collective term for computer software that attempts to simulate accurately auto racing , complete with real-world variables such as fuel usage, damage, tire wear and grip, and suspension settings...
, and driving simulator
Driving simulator
Driving simulators are used for entertainment as well as in training of driver's education courses taught in educational institutions and private businesses...
s. They are usually packaged with a large paddle
Paddle (game controller)
A paddle is a game controller with a round wheel and one or more fire buttons, where the wheel is typically used to control movement of the player object along one axis of the video screen...
styled as a steering wheel
Steering wheel
A steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
, along with a set of pedals for gas, brake, and sometimes clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
actuation, as well as various shifter controls. An analog
Analog signal
An analog or analogue signal is any continuous signal for which the time varying feature of the signal is a representation of some other time varying quantity, i.e., analogous to another time varying signal. It differs from a digital signal in terms of small fluctuations in the signal which are...
wheel and pedal set such as this allows the user to accurately manipulate steering angle and pedal control that is required to properly manage a simulated car, as opposed to digital control such as a keyboard. The relatively large range of motion further allows the user to more accurately apply the controls. Racing wheels have been developed for use with arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
s, game consoles, personal computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
s, and also for professional driving simulators for race drivers.
Force feedback
Racing wheels started off as simple plastic wheels hooked up to a rotary potentiometer, which were sprung by springs or bungees. Eventually manufacturers began to use electric motors in the controllers, in place of springs, in order to achieve a level of force feedback, first seen in Microsoft's Sidewinder wheel. At first this technology simply provided the centering force and other artificial effects such as shaking the wheel in a crash or other vibrations. However, as driving simulations have evolved, their physics engines have become more accurate and the developers have linked their in-game physics more closely to the force feedback. This allows the user to truly feel what forces go through the steering rack, instead of just artificial effects, and genuinely enhance the realism of the game. Despite this, some high end manufacturers believe that force feedback has still not been perfected, and therefore companies such as ECCI and Thomas SuperWheel have not adopted a force feedback system in their products. Frex, on the other hand, has gone the other way and equips their high-end Simwheel with powerful force feedback and no mechanical centering device.Comparison of racing wheels
| Manufacturer | Product | Max Rotation (Deg) | FFB | Clutch | Shifter | Brake Sensor | Pedal Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
G25 Logitech G25 The Logitech G25 is an electronic steering wheel designed for Sim racing video games on the PC, PS2 and PS3. It uses a USB interface.It features:* A wheel:** 270 mm, leather wrapped steering wheel.** Range of rotation adjustable up to 900 degrees.... |
900 | Paddles, H-shift, Sequential | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
G27 Logitech G27 The Logitech G27 is an electronic steering wheel designed for Sim racing video games on the PC, PS2 and PS3. It uses a USB interface, and is based upon the previous G25, with some new features.-Specifications:It features:* A wheel:... |
900 | Paddles, H-shift | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
MOMO Racing Force | 240 | Paddles, Sequential | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
Driving Force Pro | 900 | Paddles, Sequential | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
Driving Force GT Logitech Driving Force GT The Logitech Driving Force GT is an official racing wheel peripheral intended for use with racing games on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. It is manufactured and distributed by Logitech International S.A of Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. Released on December 13, 2007... |
900 | Paddles, Sequential | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
MOMO Force (Red MOMO) | 240 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
Formula Force | 180 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
Driving Force EX | 180 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Thrustmaster Thrustmaster Thrustmaster, is a designer and developer of joysticks, game controllers, and steering wheels for PCs and video gaming consoles alike. It has many licensing agreements with third party, prestigious brands such as Ferrari, TOP GUN, Beretta and Splinter Cell as well as licensing some products under... |
Ferrari F430 | 270 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Thrustmaster Thrustmaster Thrustmaster, is a designer and developer of joysticks, game controllers, and steering wheels for PCs and video gaming consoles alike. It has many licensing agreements with third party, prestigious brands such as Ferrari, TOP GUN, Beretta and Splinter Cell as well as licensing some products under... |
RGT FFB Clutch 1 | 270 | Paddles, Sequential | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Thrustmaster Thrustmaster Thrustmaster, is a designer and developer of joysticks, game controllers, and steering wheels for PCs and video gaming consoles alike. It has many licensing agreements with third party, prestigious brands such as Ferrari, TOP GUN, Beretta and Splinter Cell as well as licensing some products under... |
Ferrari GT 3-in-1 | 180 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Thrustmaster Thrustmaster Thrustmaster, is a designer and developer of joysticks, game controllers, and steering wheels for PCs and video gaming consoles alike. It has many licensing agreements with third party, prestigious brands such as Ferrari, TOP GUN, Beretta and Splinter Cell as well as licensing some products under... |
FGT 2-in-1 Force Feedback | 180 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Thrustmaster Thrustmaster Thrustmaster, is a designer and developer of joysticks, game controllers, and steering wheels for PCs and video gaming consoles alike. It has many licensing agreements with third party, prestigious brands such as Ferrari, TOP GUN, Beretta and Splinter Cell as well as licensing some products under... |
T500 RS | 1080 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing/Hanging | ||
| Saitek Saitek Saitek is a designer and manufacturer of consumer electronics founded in 1979 by Swiss technologist Eric Winkler. They are best known for their PC gaming controllers, mice, keyboards especially the Eclipse series of back-lit keyboards, and their Flight Yoke System.- History :Saitek was founded in... |
R660GT | 180 | Paddles, Sequential | Potentiometer | Hanging | ||
| Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions... |
Sidewinder | 240 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions... |
Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel The Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel was developed by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 and was introduced at E3 2006. Released in November 2006, the force feedback steering wheel controller includes the standard gamepad buttons along with floor-mounted accelerator and brake pedals... |
270 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Fanatec | Le Mans SE | ? | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Fanatec | Speedster 2 | ? | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Fanatec | Speedster 3 | ? | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| Fanatec 2 | Porsche 911 Carrera Wheel | 900 | Paddles | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | Porsche 911 Turbo S Wheel | 900 | Paddles | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | Porsche 911 GT3 RS Wheel | 900 | Paddles | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | Porsche 911 GT2 Wheel | 900 | Paddles | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | Forza Motorsport CSR Elite Wheel | 900 | Paddles | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | Forza Motorsport CSR Wheel | 900 | Paddles | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | ClubSport Wheel | 900 | Paddles | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | Standard Pedals | Potentiometer | Standing | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | CSR Pedals | Potentiometer | Standing/Hanging | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | CSR Elite Pedals | Load Cell | Standing/Hanging | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | ClubSport Pedals | Load Cell | Standing | ||||
| Fanatec 2 | Porsche Shifter | H-shift, Sequential | |||||
| Fanatec 2 | CSR Shifter | H-shift, Sequential | |||||
| Frex | Simwheel 3 | 1080 | |||||
| Frex | Sim2Pedal | Hydraulic w/ Load Cell (HydroBrake) | |||||
| Frex | Sim3Pedal | Hydraulic w/ Load Cell (HydroBrake) | |||||
| Frex | HShift+ | H-shift | |||||
| Frex | Shift+ | Sequential | |||||
| ECCI | Trackstar 6000 Series Wheel/Pedals | 270 | 5 | Paddles | "Pressure Modulated" | Standing | |
| Thomas SuperWheel | TSW Wheels, Pedals | 720 | Paddles, Sequential | Load Cell optional | Standing | ||
| A1 | A1 GT Pedals | Potentiometer | Standing | ||||
| A1 | A1 Pro Pedals | Load Cell | |||||
| A1 | GearBox | H-Shift | |||||
| A1 | A1 GT Wheel | 500 | 7 | Paddles | |||
| Act Labs | RS Shifter | H-shift | |||||
| Act Labs | RS Pedals | Potentiometer | Standing | ||||
| Act Labs | RS Force Wheel | 270 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| BRD | Sim Pro Wheel, Speed7 Pedals | 290 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| VPP | Wheel, Hyperreal Pedals | 270 | Paddles | Potentiometer | Standing | ||
| CST (Cannon Simulation Technologies) | Pedals | "Pressure Sensing" | Hanging | ||||
| Redline | Pedals | Potentiometer | Hanging | ||||
| REVZALOT | P36 Pedals | Load Cell | Standing | ||||
| Defender | Extreme Turbo (PRO) | 180 | Sequential | Standing |
Note 1: Includes two separate analog paddle axis.
Note 2: Components may be packaged together in some cases and sold as a bundle.
Note 3: Includes hub mechanism only; wheel and adapters not included.
Note 4: Prices converted from Japanese Yen.
Note 5: Utilizes fluid dampening.
Note 6: Prices converted from NZD.
Note 7: Future FFB addon possible.