Just thought I'd share my opinions on my Logitech Formula (non-force
feedback) wheel and pedal set I just got. I agonized over getting the force
feed back model, but since GPL is the only driving sim I like, and I've
heard some less-than-glowing reports on the state of FF at this time, I went
with the plain model. Plus I plan on modifying the hell out of it, and it
will likely be easier without the FF complications.
First, why I bought the Logitech: the wheel. The wheel itself is just about
perfect, and better for driving sims than fancy Momos with buttons grafted
on them, IMHO. The shift paddles are large and well place, it has 4
perfectly located buttons, and the wheel itself feels great - perfect
thickness and nice contouring.
I have been using a TM GP1 for about 4 months of heavy GPL use. I had
modified it for 270 degree rotation, removed the centering bungie entirely,
and made new clamps so I could still use my keyboard tray. The GP1, while a
bit cheap feeling and wobbly, works surprisingly well. The analog hand
clutch is excellent, and the thumb shift buttons, while not as nice as shift
paddles, work well. I had mated it to a pair of CH non-Pro pedals, with a
slit tennis ball strategically taped under the brake pedal, and they also
work quite well. The 270 degree rotation eventually fatigued all the wires
in the curly cord, and I thought shift paddles and some glance buttons on
the wheel would be nice.
The Logitech pedals aren't quite as bad as I thought they'd be, but they are
close. The travel is too short, they have little feel, and the position is
too vertical. The only thing that makes them useable is the adjustable
sensitivity in the Logitech control panel. Even adding some feel to them via
heavier springs, *** hoses, etc., can't get around the lack of travel and
poor position. I am going to splice in my CH pedals until I build some
better ones.
I am also going to increase the rotation of the Logitech to 270 degrees, and
lighten the centering (I hope, haven't actually seen how that works yet).
GPL needs the precision that the increased rotation provides, or at least I
do when driving it! I also hate fighting heavy centering for lap after lap
of road courses in GPL. I also hope to build a better base for the wheel,
with some real ball bearings to get rid of the slop in the steering wheel
shaft, and a clamp design that will work with a keyboard tray. Where do
these guys think your keyboard goes to?
The Logitech wheel is lovely, and I got onto the shift paddles in about two
laps. A split paddle on the left with an analog hand clutch would be
perfect, but I can live with an on/off clutch button since the GPL clutch
basically works that way in any case. The stock condition wheel feels more
precise while driving GPL, than the GP1. Even unmodified, it is a pretty
decent wheel. Too bad about those pedals...
Kevin Caldwell
Calgary, Canada