Momo Racing Force Feedback Wheel
Score: 90% Developer: Logitech
Function: Logitech's Momo Racing Force Feedback Wheel is a monstrous, incredibly sturdy device. The main wheel assembly has a stick shift that can be attached either to the right or left of the wheel, three clamps, six buttons on the face of the wheel itself, and two paddles behind the wheel. The pedal assembly has an optional carpet grip system to keep it from moving on carpeting. Setup for such a behemoth is of course somewhat involved, but it's really just a matter of plugging it into a USB port and connecting the pedals and power supply to the main assembly. The supplied CD-ROM provides the appropriate drivers and installs the profiler software. The clamping system works especially well, and provides a very stable mounting system. I wasn't able to test the pedals' carpet grip system, but they didn't move around too much on our wood flooring. The paddles are mounted in a convenient location behind the wheel, and are comfortable to use even for my small hands.
Performance: Setup within games is generally straight-forward, and the Momo Racing Force Feedback Wheel worked well in a number of driving simulations, including Total Immersion Racing, Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed, F1 Championship Season 2000, and F1 2000. I was never able to get the shifter working in Grand Prix 4, with or without using the profiler software, but otherwise it worked well in the game. The force feedback system provides suitable vibration as you drive over bumps, or over different surfaces like grass or dirt. The wheel and stick shifter feel firm and move smoothly, and the wheel's rubber padding feels comfortable. Overall, this is a very nice, well working controller, and is highly recommended.
Features: Sequential stick shifter Paddle shifters Optical sensor for precise steering control Triple clamping system Carpet grip system Force feedback Profiler software Full rubber wheel 6 programmable buttons 240 degree wheel rotation
Drawbacks & Problems:: Outside of the fact that I couldn't get the shifter to work in Grand Prix 4, which I assume is a problem with the game, not the wheel, I encountered few problems. Like most wheel systems, the angle of the pedals doesn't quite seem right, and it is somewhat awkward to use them. Having to deal with yet another power supply is also a problem, so you should confirm you have enough power outlets available before you expect to hunker down and do some gaming. Excepting these minor annoyances, the Logitech Momo Racing Force Feedback Wheel is an awesome wheel system. It is very sturdily built and comfortable, and works well with most car driving simulations. The included profiler software allows unlimited customization, and includes profiles for many popular games. If you are interested in getting a steering wheel and pedals for your PC, then I recommend you check this one out. You will likely fall in love with it.
-Gordy, GameVortex Communications AKA Gary Lucero
Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick Blaster