Saitek R4 force feedback and other FF wheels

I have a Saitek R4FF, pretty good once you have adapted yourself to the "short" brake pedal. I really like the choice this wheel have to use paddle shifters or stick. But with FF in GPL nowadays I cannot afford to drive singlehanded as required to use the stickshifter.... The paddles are very nicely positioned too... As for pedals on split axis, I think most FF wheels support that, I know the sidewinder does, it's just not so obvious (hidden deep in some kind of "profiler" whatever that is....) In short, I like it... I like it even more since GPL 1.1, thanks Papyrus!!! /Bj.O.rn

I just got a Saitek R4 FF myself. It looks VERY sturdy. The wheel is extremely smooth, although I haven't been too impressed with GPL's FF effects. When you try to apply opposite-lock the wheel "fights" you, and makes you crash more easily. Other effects are nice though. That said, it uses Microsoft's FF technology, not Logitech's. Maybe Logitech's is better? Anyone out there who can compare the two? The adjustable tension in the pedals is nothing but a gimmick, since I can't imagine anyone using anything but full tension. Brake pedal is too weak. The accelerator pedal is just fine, though. And if you stick a raquetball behind the brake pedal and duct-tape it to the base, it feels awesome! It sounds cheezy, but I've been using the raquetball for a week, and it shows no signs of coming loose. I also have to add that the pots in the pedals are as smooth as can be, which is the most important thing. The base will slide around a bit. I recommend getting a heavy board and duct taping it to it. God I love duct tape! Buttons and shifter knob are just fine, and it has those cool f1 style paddles. Unfortunately, the paddles seem to be designed for a child, or someone with extremely short fingers, but once you get used them you won't keep getting your fingers caught in them. On the whole, a little disappointing, but I'm content with it, and I think I'll get lots and lots of use out of it. I also have to add, that I don't know of any other wheels that don't suffer from many of the same problems I mentioned. I'm sorry, but I have no idea what I-force is.

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> Does any one have one of these Saitek R4 force feedback wheels or >heard good or bad things about it? I believe this wheel does not use >I-force , it this a bad thing? >One thing it does have going for it is that it can have dual axis >accelerator and brake, and adjustable tension on brake and accelerator. > I have just decided to get a new wheel as my Trusty Thrusty T1 is >getting more than just a bit old now, and has had too many repairs and >mods done to it to be reliable any more. > Also could someone point me in the direction of other good FF wheels >with dual axis pedals so i can read reviews and try out at the local >Games Store. >Thanks in advance >Jeff Male

I have one too, I like it, but sturdy is not what comes to mind ! I already broke the accelerator pedal spring (had them send me a new one), and the "tool" is stripped (no allen wrench I own seems to match their thread anyway), and it seems to me the center point is not as tight (sloppy wheel centering). But as far as FF goes, it's pretty cool and the paddles are nice ! Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

Here is a review comparing three different FF wheels. http://www.gamersdepot.com/rev-force-wheel.htm -- /M Lindqvist Spamguard: Remove .ajabaja in e-mail

Does any one have one of these Saitek R4 force feedback wheels or heard good or bad things about it? I believe this wheel does not use I-force , it this a bad thing? One thing it does have going for it is that it can have dual axis accelerator and brake, and adjustable tension on brake and accelerator. I have just decided to get a new wheel as my Trusty Thrusty T1 is getting more than just a bit old now, and has had too many repairs and mods done to it to be reliable any more. Also could someone point me in the direction of other good FF wheels with dual axis pedals so i can read reviews and try out at the local Games Store. Thanks in advance Jeff Male

I have one -- check out my review: http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/sims/saitek/ A pretty decent wheel, IMO. I'm still not a full convert regarding Force Feedback, but that's no fault of the Saitek wheel. FF effects in Viper Racing are great (haven't tried GPL with FF yet), but FF still seems like more of a distraction to me. Then again, maybe it's just that I love my TSW2 too much . . . <G> Enjoy! -- JB

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> Does any one have one of these Saitek R4 force feedback wheels or >heard good or bad things about it? I believe this wheel does not use >I-force , it this a bad thing? >One thing it does have going for it is that it can have dual axis >accelerator and brake, and adjustable tension on brake and accelerator. > I have just decided to get a new wheel as my Trusty Thrusty T1 is >getting more than just a bit old now, and has had too many repairs and >mods done to it to be reliable any more. > Also could someone point me in the direction of other good FF wheels >with dual axis pedals so i can read reviews and try out at the local >Games Store. >Thanks in advance >Jeff Male

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>> I just got a Saitek R4 FF myself. It looks VERY sturdy >I have one too, I like it, but sturdy is not what comes to mind ! >I already broke the accelerator pedal spring (had them send me a new >one), and the "tool" is stripped (no allen wrench I own seems to match >their thread anyway),

FWIW, the "tool" is a metric size, not a standard SAE size hex tool. Can't remember WHICH metric size, though, but when I went to my metric hex drivers, I found one that fit. -- JB

> What do you use in your core.ini and control panel for forcefeed back settings? I can't seem to "feel" the road or the vibration of the engine in mine. Another thing I've noticed is that the feedback tensions drops off when I have the wheel turned past 50 degress left or right of center. Thanks... -- Dream High, Aim High, Fly High--U.S. Air Force -- *****The WINGMAN*****

Theese are the settings I'm currently using [ Joy ] allow_force_feedback = 1 ; Use FF if device has it force_feedback_damping = 60.000000 ; force feedback damping coefficient force_feedback_latency = 0.06500 ; force feedback latency (secs) max_steering_torque = 275.000000 ; steering torque in N*in giving max device force I never felt any engine vibes in GPL either... Is it used in GPL FF? In control panel i have "force gain" set to full and "return to center spring set to zero. "map X to Y" is unchecked and "separate axis" is checked... /Bj.O.rn