Review: Madcatz Officially Licensed Force Feedback Wheel

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Starfirebird

Starfirebird

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StarFirebird
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starfirebird
First off i want to say i will do no bashing or any of the sorts.There will be no bias towards this wheel so you will know i am truthful with what i'm about to say.The only other wheel i have used is a Logitech Diving Force GT Wheel so my review will also be based on my experience with that wheel.Those who have used a DFGT knows it's a great wheel.

Ok Where to start.Well first off i'll do a rating system from 1 to 5.I don't really have to explain this one do i? :)

What you get in box
Wheel,Pedals,Sequential Gear Shifter,Lap mounts(for putting it on your lap),Table Mount,Headset connector and AC Adapter.No batteries needed.

Force Feedback and Vibration - 3 out of 5
The Force Feedback is decent.It has a single motor and Dual Vibration.It does react well and feels pretty good.So you will get a pretty decent feel.

You go over bumps the wheel shifts like it would in a real car.You hit a bump in the road and you feel the wheel give a bit.Hit another vehicle and the wheel will react to it.However when your lose grip(when rear slides out from under you)You barely feel it.Not so good in this department.So all in all it's good but not great.

One other bad thing,not sure if it was just my wheel may have had a defect,but when you turned the wheel you could hear a grinding noise.It wasn't a good grinding noise either.

Pedals - 1 out of 5
Well this one has to be the worst part of the wheel.There is barely any resistance in the Pedals.The Gas is worse than the Brake.I can take my smallest toe and press the brakes and gas with ease.

Having hardly any resistance is also a big shot in the foot for throttle control as you will have none at all.I tried my best to control the throttle.It's either no throttle or all throttle,there is no in between.This is the same for the brake.No brakes or all brakes.

Sequential Gear Shifter - 3 out of 5
This one is not that bad.It is in an awkward position,but once you get used to it,it's not that bad.It's cool that you can use either right or left hand shifting,which was fun.

The shifter itself does feel a bit mushy and every other shift it made a cracking sound.Not so sure how reliable this would be through extended use.

Paddle Shifters - 5 out of 5
This is the best part of the wheel.The paddle shifters feel superb.They are very stiff,but so stiff you have to have bodybuilder muscles in your fingers to shift.I was very pleased and kudos to Madcatz for making these so good.

270 Degrees Steering - 2 out of 5
I've used 270 degree steering before in my Driving Force GT and this wheel is way too twitchy in this department.You can barely turn the wheel and feel like your not turning,turn it a bit more an you go for a ride(spinning out) or plow through the turn.It works ok for cars B class and below,but start going into higher classes and the wheel is just way to twitchy to be able to control at these high speeds.

Durability - 2 out of 5
I would have to say that the Durability would be decent,but not good.You have a Metal Faceplate on Steering Wheel.Very comfortable Grips.Awesome Paddle Shifters.The pedals are so resistance free that i would have to believe they would break eventually.Sequential Gear Shifter is part metal,but could have problems later.Force Feedback Motor may go bad,due to the sound(grinding noise) it makes when turning.

Price - 1 out of 5
Is this wheel worth the price?My answer is no.This wheel should be $150 for what you get.Due to the quality and how this wheel feels $250 is way way too much.

Summary

This wheel is an ok wheel,but nowhere near Fanatec or Logitech feel and quality.This wheel is not for the hardcore or enthusiast as you would be very very disappointed.This wheel,in my opinion, is aimed at those who have never used a wheel before.It would be a decent first wheel.

So there you have it.Hope you all found this review helpful.
 
Fair enough. I was waiting for your review to see how it compares to the DFGT. I recently picked up the Fanatec CSR with CSR Elite pedals. Coming from MS Wheel and DFGT, much difference. However, the DFGT wheel itself is one darn good wheel. Pedals, meh, but wheel is worth every penny and for it to be so cheap really gets me thinking ''What Madcatz is thinking?'' to put such a high price tag on this particular wheel.

But I also figured it was a wheel marketed towards first time wheel users.
 
MuchoJimbo
Fair enough. I was waiting for your review to see how it compares to the DFGT. I recently picked up the Fanatec CSR with CSR Elite pedals. Coming from MS Wheel and DFGT, much difference. However, the DFGT wheel itself is one darn good wheel. Pedals, meh, but wheel is worth every penny and for it to be so cheap really gets me thinking ''What Madcatz is thinking?'' to put such a high price tag on this particular wheel.

But I also figured it was a wheel marketed towards first time wheel users.
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Nice choice on the wheel.I heard it was a good one.

I am looking at getting the Porsche 911 GT2 Wheel with CSR Pedals.Before i spent a bit more money i wanted to try this Madcatz Wheel first.Luckily i can get a full refund on this wheel.

Yeah this wheel is targeted at First time wheel buyers.It is not for the hardcore or enthusiast minded drivers for sure.
 
Try putting a sponge under your pedals until you can return it. My bet is they launched it at $250 hoping to catch people by surprise and in a few months it'll be $99. Futureshop and Bestbuy were selling the DFGT for $99 before GT5 had even released. Then there was a wheel shortage and the price went back up!
 
LickitySplit
Try putting a sponge under your pedals until you can return it. My bet is they launched it at $250 hoping to catch people by surprise and in a few months it'll be $99. Futureshop and Bestbuy were selling the DFGT for $99 before GT5 had even released. Then there was a wheel shortage and the price went back up!
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I've seen that price hike before.It's sorta like gas in a way :lol:

Just got back from Wal-Mart and got my full refund for the wheel. 👍
 
LickitySplit
Awesome! Now log onto Fanatec.com and order away 👍
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This, I bought my set before Forza 4 came out and have not regretted it at all. Went all out, got the csr wheel, the elite pedals, and the shifter is a must have. Adds a whole new sense of immersion.
 
The OP should have adjusted some setting in-game in regards to the pedals. Microsoft wheel behaves the exact same way when everything is at default. After applying some settings that members of a group I race with suggested AND putting a cut up / tied up mouse pad strip under the brake pedal is was a night and day difference. And when I say night and day it's NO exaggeration.

I've since went Fanatec but I was very competitive with the MS wheel.
 
LickitySplit
Awesome! Now log onto Fanatec.com and order away 👍
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Just did man. :)

I ended up going with the Porsche 911 GT2 Wheel and CSR Pedals.I just love everything about that wheel.The CSR looked nice as well,but the Porsche Wheel is just right up my alley.

I'll probably go with the Shifter set at a later date,but since it's so close to Christmas i need that extra 60 bucks for gifts :)

Dopplegagger
Thanks for the review.
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You welcome man.It's a much better review than the bashing review in this forum.

t.o.
The OP should have adjusted some setting in-game in regards to the pedals. Microsoft wheel behaves the exact same way when everything is at default. After applying some settings that members of a group I race with suggested AND putting a cut up / tied up mouse pad strip under the brake pedal is was a night and day difference. And when I say night and day it's NO exaggeration.

I've since went Fanatec but I was very competitive with the MS wheel.
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I did work with the settings a bit,but nothing worked to make this wheel any better.Sad i know as i was hoping this wheel would be good.

I just went with Fanatec as well. :)
 
Good to hear you went with Fanatec. I am a newbie fanatec user and must say I am pretty darn happy with it. All day today I have been practicing the Heel-toe technique and though I have much to learn, I have noticed its benefit.

The wheel itself is great but what really made the difference to me is the pedals. Once you get yours, you will look at your DFGT pedals with disgrace, LOL.
 
MuchoJimbo
Good to hear you went with Fanatec. I am a newbie fanatec user and must say I am pretty darn happy with it. All day today I have been practicing the Heel-toe technique and though I have much to learn, I have noticed its benefit.

The wheel itself is great but what really made the difference to me is the pedals. Once you get yours, you will look at your DFGT pedals with disgrace, LOL.
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nice :lol:
 
MagpieRacer
Is this wheel seriously $250? Isn't the Fanatec CSR that price?
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Unfortunately yes.The Madcatz Wheel is $250 dollars.It's nowhere near worth this price in my opinion.

Both the Porsche GT2 Wheel and CSR are $250.Throw in some pedals and it's a bit more.I'd rather pay a bit more for something that has quality to it.
 

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