Force Feedback/MS SideWinder

I recently got a chance to try Colin McRae Rally with a Microsoft SideWinder force feedback wheel. I found the FEEL very life like, especially the sensation when driving on ice. My question to anyone who owns or has owned one; Are they worth $180 (US) & how do they hold up under moderate use? Dan

I have an additional question - what happens when the game does not support force feedbacK? Do you end up with a really light steering system? My point is that normal wheels provide mechanical resistance similar to that in a car by using springs etc. As far as I know, a force feedback one relies on software to provide this resistance. So, if the software does not support it - do you loose out and end up with a very artificial feeling wheel or does the MS driver software sort this out? The MS Force Feedback wheel is about 150 in the UK - quite frankly, that is a ridiculous price - but the Thrustmaster Force is a similar price too (129). That works out to be a 100 premium over a decent wheel (my thrustmaster Sprint was under 50 and I've found it very nice - although I accept others may disagree) - but good, non -force, wheels cost about 50 and at most 75. To put it into context, you could buy a Sony playstation AND a copy of Gran Turismo for 150 in the UK, since Gran Tusrimo never made it to the PC, buying these two probably represents better value in simulated racing than being able to feel the odd peddle in Colin McRae. Is this a fair comparison? Is it really worth spending 100 on one of these devices? I may be underestimating the immersive qualities of the Force Feedback - If so, I'd be keen to hear about them. Steven

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> I recently got a chance to try Colin McRae Rally with a Microsoft > SideWinder force feedback wheel. I found the FEEL very life like, > especially the sensation when driving on ice. > My question to anyone who owns or has owned one; Are they worth $180 > (US) & how do they hold up under moderate use? > Dan

Responses below It depends on the game, for instance in GPL and in SCGT, the wheel does provide realistic resistance, yet in Viper if I disable FF I have a very loose wheel. Most implementations of FF are not as well done as they should be for sims. If the FF could let you know about over or understeer for instance, or vibrated depending on the RPM, I would without question recommend one. However, FF is limitted to collisions and in some games road surface texture (if bumpy).

Quoted text (7 lines)

> > I recently got a chance to try Colin McRae Rally with a Microsoft > > SideWinder force feedback wheel. I found the FEEL very life like, > > especially the sensation when driving on ice. > > My question to anyone who owns or has owned one; Are they worth $180 > > (US) & how do they hold up under moderate use? > > Dan

I've had an MS Sidewinder FF Wheel since Xmas. Yes, it's fantastic with CMR! You feel the bumps, gravel, ice, banks, everything! It's soooo much nicer to play with this wheel than with anything else. In answer to the questions: - If your game doesn't support FF, then you just get the autocentering effect - this can be customised within the Sidewinder Control Panel utility to how stiff you want it. It's very good as a result with GP2. - I bought the wheel for 100 in the UK, new. Keep looking around. - I've used the wheel lots, on full resistance and force effects, and it still works like a charm 3 months on, with no signs of wear and tear. It is one robust piece of kit. Yours, Rehan