Thinking Of Getting An XBox and Forza, Need Some Imput

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slick1ru2

slick1ru2

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slick1ru2
Because of my new found love of cars after getting GT5 last Fall, and because I don't see GT6 coming out soon, I am considering getting an XBOX 360 and Forza 3 and 4 when it comes out. I was going to get the Madcatz XBOX wheel. I currently use paddles for pedals and would like to do that with Forza and this wheel. Is that possible? I am not a super hardcore racer, so I use AT. And if I am not going to race online, do I still need to get an XBOX Gold account for DLC or updates? Thanks guys!
 
slick1ru2
And if I am not going to race online, do I still need to get an XBOX Gold account for DLC or updates? Thanks guys!
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You don't need Gold for DLC or patches, but you would be missing out on a large chunk of the game as you do need it for the Auction House and Storefront.
 
slick1ru2
Because of my new found love of cars after getting GT5 last Fall, and because I don't see GT6 coming out soon, I am considering getting an XBOX 360 and Forza 3 and 4 when it comes out. I was going to get the Madcatz XBOX wheel. I currently use paddles for pedals and would like to do that with Forza and this wheel. Is that possible? I am not a super hardcore racer, so I use AT. And if I am not going to race online, do I still need to get an XBOX Gold account for DLC or updates? Thanks guys!
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I played GT5 for a bit, hated it, and have been playing Shift2, and Ferrari Challenge on the PS3. I was also looking at what else was out there and got an XBox this past Friday (craiglist deal that was too good to pass). So of course I went and got Forza3 and Race Pro. Also picked up a wireless Microsoft racing wheel, after looking at new and used Madcatz ones.

Personal opinion is, the Madcatz wheel isnt worth the money. No force feedback, and seems as if it will fall apart in a short time. The pedals are very wonky and small but that might not even matter to you. It has the paddle shifters but they are on/off unlike the triggers on a contoller. The MS wheel while not the best by a longshot trumps the Madcatz one.

I would suggest:

1. Looking for a used MS wheel locally first, if not then EBay.

2. Used pedals :). Even if you use AT it is still way better.

3. From what I gather, you can get a free Xbox Live account that gives you access to patches, the marketplace and DLC, but you cannot play online with others. I have not hooked my Xbox up to the net yet to check yet, but thats the information I found.
 
You don't need XBL Gold to download patches or buy DLC, it works just fine with the regular version. Such a regular version is completely free of charge, of course. However, XBL is roughly 60$ a year, I'd consider getting it. The auction house on Forza alone is worth it, in my opinion.

On the wheel bit, I'd think you'd be better of playing with the controller for starters. Once you know whether the game is worth it to you, try and get your hands on a good wheel. Buying a wheel in advance, then playing the game and not liking it is, well, seriously sucky. Happened to me, at least.
 
Vaxxtx
I played GT5 for a bit, hated it, and have been playing Shift2, and Ferrari Challenge on the PS3. I was also looking at what else was out there and got an XBox this past Friday (craiglist deal that was too good to pass). So of course I went and got Forza3 and Race Pro. Also picked up a wireless Microsoft racing wheel, after looking at new and used Madcatz ones.

Personal opinion is, the Madcatz wheel isnt worth the money. No force feedback, and seems as if it will fall apart in a short time. The pedals are very wonky and small but that might not even matter to you. It has the paddle shifters but they are on/off unlike the triggers on a contoller. The MS wheel while not the best by a longshot trumps the Madcatz one.

I would suggest:

1. Looking for a used MS wheel locally first, if not then EBay.
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This. The MS wheel should come with the pedals. Either that or wait for the new wheels to come out.
 
zr1chris
This. The MS wheel should come with the pedals. Either that or wait for the new wheels to come out.
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I don't think he wants to drop Fanatec kind of bread on new wheels and , to be honest we don't know what the track record is going to be on the budget wheels. In my experience the M$ wheel is really good for his application. He says he's an automatic transmission guy and if the Microsoft wheel has one weakness it's the paddle shifters, since he wont be using them he'll be ok. Hopefully once he gets to the point that he's using them then he's probably already hooked and at that point will look to move up to better wheels. Especially when after using the paddles he likes it and knows a stick shift and clutch pedal is nothing but a credit card (or paypal) away.

At least that's pretty much how it happened for me ;) lol
 
I wouldnt suggets buying an entire console for the forza series.
I suggest trying out GOW1&2, and maybe something like a Race Pro.
Black Ops too, since its so different than the PS3.
 
HELLAFLUSH240SX
I wouldnt suggets buying an entire console for the forza series.
I suggest trying out GOW1&2, and maybe something like a Race Pro.
Black Ops too, since its so different than the PS3.
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Also the Mass Effect series(PS3 doesn't have the first one) as well as PGR 3&4.

If you can find a new Xbox wheel they come with a copy of PGR3.
 
I'm using the Logitech Wireless Driving Force and am totally fine with it. I've got a herniated disc so using peddles is out, they kill my back. I wish they made a DFW for the XBOX 360, its perfect for what I want. I read that the FF for the Microsoft wheel was too much, and that the MadCatz isn't. The one question I need answered is that in Forza 3, can I set up the paddles to work as peddles. That is what I really need to find out. And if yes, what's the best sit in your lap wheel that you can use the paddles as pedals. I'm as much into the visuals as racing so that's why I don't need some high end race setup, but appreciate the input. Thanks again.
 
I am pretty sure you can map the throttle and brake to the paddles in F3.

The Microsoft wheel has pretty weak force feedback and can be turned off all together.

Wouldn't recommend playing with a wheel in your lap but. With that said the Microsoft wheel comes with a lap mount. So for your predicament should work well.
 
Spagetti69
I am pretty sure you can map the throttle and brake to the paddles in F3.

The Microsoft wheel has pretty weak force feedback and can be turned off all together.

Wouldn't recommend playing with a wheel in your lap but. With that said the Microsoft wheel comes with a lap mount. So for your predicament should work well.
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The MS wheel is going to cost more used then the MadCatz and there are plenty of reports on Amazon talking about how short they last. A new one is several times the cost of an XBOX 360. I am going to spend over $300 for the wheel, XBOX 360, and the game. I would really like someone to set it up and say yes, it works vs, it should work. There are several posts here about people loving the MadCatz wheel, but they don't answer the question about using the paddles as the gas and brake. Same with Amazon, lots of good reviews but no one says that yes, they have tried it. If someone has the wheel, the game, the XBOX 360, could you please try it if you haven't already and let me know? Thanks!

http://forums.testdriveunlimited2.com/showthread.php?t=55024&page=2
 
Right I can't set it up right now but have you considered the hold it yourself one.

Apparently it works really well. It might look like a double ended dildo but at least you gain analog throttle and brake instead of digital.

Also it's a wheel specifically designed to work without pedals so all software will work.

That sounds like your best bet.
 
slick1ru2
If someone has the wheel, the game, the XBOX 360, could you please try it if you haven't already and let me know? Thanks!
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Whether you can or can't has nothing to do with the wheel and everything with the game.

Saying that I will try it with my Microsoft wheel tomorrow(have to go to work in a few minutes) unless someone tries it beforehand.
 
Justin
You don't need Gold for DLC or patches, but you would be missing out on a large chunk of the game as you do need it for the Auction House and Storefront.
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Yeah you really need gold to appreciate all the extra features Forza has to offer. Most of their game features are all based off of community imput and feedback. Very community inspired game. Without gold you would really only be able to enjoy a very small portion of the series.
 
Justin
Whether you can or can't has nothing to do with the wheel and everything with the game.

Saying that I will try it with my Microsoft wheel tomorrow(have to go to work in a few minutes) unless someone tries it beforehand.
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If the paddles on the MadCatz wheel act like buttons, then its also a wheel issue, I would think. That's why I am trying to get the same setup. But sure, if you try it and it works with the MS wheel, I can always look again for one. But 1 post I read said that it had an issue with the slim model, they never released new drivers for it, I don't know if that is true or not. I would be getting the latest, new XBOX model.
 
CAMAROBOY69
Yeah you really need gold to appreciate all the extra features Forza has to offer. Most of their game features are all based off of community imput and feedback. Very community inspired game. Without gold you would really only be able to enjoy a very small portion of the series.
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OK, thanks.
 
Spagetti69
Right I can't set it up right now but have you considered the hold it yourself one.

Apparently it works really well. It might look like a double ended dildo but at least you gain analog throttle and brake instead of digital.

Also it's a wheel specifically designed to work without pedals so all software will work.

That sounds like your best bet.
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The sit in the lap, use the paddles as gas and brake works great with GT5 and many other games I have. I have force feedback with it, something that the hold it yourself doesn't have. Plus holding up the controller for hours? My back is a bad as my neck, lol. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
Hang around 10 minutes I'll find out for definate. The football has just finished.
 
There are 5 pre set wheel configurations in Forza 3.

Option 5 maps throttle and brake to the paddles.

I would suggest traction control too lol.
 
After looking all over the net, lol, the Fanetic wheel doesn't have paddles because it has the shifter attached. But I found out that MadCatz is coming out with a FF wheel due this "holiday". Looks just like the non-forceback. So I will get the non-forceback for now, and if I don't like it, will get the FF when it arrives, just trade it for something at GameStop. http://www.madcatz.com/wheel Thanks for all the input, off to order!
 
slick1ru2
After looking all over the net, lol, the Fanetic wheel doesn't have paddles because it has the shifter attached. But I found out that MadCatz is coming out with a FF wheel due this "holiday". Looks just like the non-forceback. So I will get the non-forceback for now, and if I don't like it, will get the FF when it arrives, just trade it for something at GameStop. http://www.madcatz.com/wheel Thanks for all the input, off to order!
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Fanatec does have paddles.
 
zr1chris
Fanatec does have paddles.
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Not the one that sits in your lap that has the shifter coming off the side. It would be great if they made a new version of the Speedster 3, but they don't.


This is the only sit in lap one they make. And it appears they don't sell it in the U.S.. I just find it so weird with so many choices for the PS3, there is only a couple for the XBOX 360.

51_2.jpg
 
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slick1ru2
Not the one that sits in your lap that has the shifter coming off the side. It would be great if they made a new version of the Speedster 3, but they don't.
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Oh... the Speedster... I forgot about those. I'm not too familiar with the Speedster.
 
zr1chris
Oh... the Speedster... I forgot about those. I'm not too familiar with the Speedster.
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I'm not either, but I bet its better then the MadCatz although, the MadCatz got good reviews and doesn't seem to be the usual junk they put out. Of course its $130 so it should.
 
Thanks for all the input. I got everything today, set it up. Ran into the snag that you HAVE to complete the first race with the controller and have no access to the menu to set up the wheel until you do. But after that, it was all a breeze. I may bet Test Drive Unlimited too. I have it for the PS3 and there has been a patch and ton of free DCL content coming forever. Its finally going to arrive for XBOX next week but still now word on PS3. It came out in March on the PC.
 
slick1ru2
Thanks for all the input. I got everything today, set it up. Ran into the snag that you HAVE to complete the first race with the controller and have no access to the menu to set up the wheel until you do. But after that, it was all a breeze. I may bet Test Drive Unlimited too. I have it for the PS3 and there has been a patch and ton of free DCL content coming forever. Its finally going to arrive for XBOX next week but still now word on PS3. It came out in March on the PC.
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What wheel did you get? Feel free to review it... I'm in the market for one.
 

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