Finally, a racing wheel that actually works
Written: Jun 12 '01 (Updated Jun 12 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to control, comfortable to use
Cons: A bit small for larger hands, cost
The Bottom Line: A great wheel that actually works well, much better than racing wheels in the past.
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| gerper's Full Review: Logitech Driving Wheel Force Pro 963293-0403 (0978... |
Face it, steering wheels have really gotten a bad rap from gamers, and for good reason, many of them stink worse than last weeks socks. Poor control, cumbersome features, and an overall lack of performance make these something gamers have almost always avoided. Many simply stick to using the standard controllers, as racing wheels are just a waste of money. Just once, it would be nice to have a company develop a decent racing wheel to enhance driving games, rather than create problems using them.
So, when I was in the market for a racing wheel for my PlayStation, a gaming friend of mine thought I was crazy. “Why don’t you just drive down the road and throw your money out the window? Don’t you know that racing wheels are a complete waste?!” Okay, see if I ever ask him for advice again. After doing some checking around, I found a racing wheel that performs pretty well and added to the overall experience of driving games. As for my friend, he was happily surprised also.
The Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel for the PlayStation is made by Pelican Accessories, a very reputable company that makes third party hardware for gaming consoles. At a retail price of $29.99, the Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel is pretty affordable and can be found at Target, Wal-Mart or just about any gaming stores. I have been able to find these wheels used for about $14.99, which is a great bargain if you are not a “hard core” driving gamer (like myself).
Features - Unlike many racing wheels that are “two piece”, meaning there is a wheel itself and attached foot pedals, the Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel is a one piece unit. The acceleration and brake pedals are “paddles” located just below the rim of the wheel, and are easy to access with the fingertips, even if you have small hands. Another feature that sets this wheel apart is the “grippy” red surface around the wheel, making it easy and comfortable to use for long periods of time. Sorry, the only color available is red.
Size - The first thing that you notice about the Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel is that it is a fairly small unit and that the top of the wheel is missing. This gives the user a feel of control, and since the unit responds to small turns of the wheel, the wheel is never completely turned (so the missing part at the top really isn’t an issue). The overall unit is nine by nine inches, and the wheel itself is eight inches in width and does lend itself to feeling “compact” as many race care wheels are in real life. Plus, the small size of this unit allows for easy storage.
Other details - Adjustable steering settings allow for a more “custom” feel, although I usually stick with the default settings. There is also an acceleration meter in the center of the wheel itself, showing when you are in the higher RPM zones while using the wheel. The smaller size of the wheel allows it to easily sit in your lap during use and there are suction cups on the bottom of the unit if you prefer to attach it to a table. The cord is a generous 90+ inches, so you can still sit in your favorite chair while using the wheel.
The test drive - As I mentioned, the compact size of this wheel really is what differentiates it from other racing wheels. The Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel actually does a pretty good job of controlling the car in the game, but does take a bit of getting used to, as control is a bit touchy. Finally, the GT2’s “Force Feedback” allows you to feel crashes and collisions during game play, similar to what the Dual Shock does for a standard controller.
Overall thoughts
Compared to other wheels that are larger and have foot pedals (that are often a hassle to use), the Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel performs quite well and does add to the overall gaming experience. Control is fairly good, once you get used to the Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel’s touchy handling. Still, the Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel is a much better wheel compared to other “full sized” wheels, and does offer better control. However, unless you play a great deal of driving or racing games, the $30.00 price tag is a bit much if you have gone this long using the standard controller. But if you “must have” a racing wheel, I highly recommend the Pelican GT2 Racing Wheel.
Recommended:
Yes
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gerper
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Member: gerper
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