What's a Good and decently cheap racing wheel? (For intermediate driver skill)

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Manasseh257NSX

Manasseh257NSX

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Congo Kinshasa
The Motherland
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Manasseh257
I'm not getting a PS4 anytime soon (mid to late 2016 is when I MIGHT get one) and I want to know, what good wheels can I use within a $120 range. I don't want anything fancy (G29, G27, etc.) Just something that will give me a good experience, help me get faster, and has decent force feedback.

I have a cheap $50 wheel that my dad bought when I was 15 and I HATE it!! Has no force feedback, pedals have no resistance and are crap, there's about a 35° left and right dead zone when you turn, and it's pretty confusing to program.

What's a good, decent wheel I can buy within a $120 range? I was thinking about getting a Logitech driving force GT but I'm not too sure. What do y'all suggest? And where should I buy it from?

Thanks in advance.

By the way, I'm a serious racer but not exactly full out Sim serious. I just want to improve my driving and become faster and I know that a wheel will help my turning input a lot.
 
coryclifford
The DFGT is great. Logitech combined it and the G27 to come up with the G29. I guess. The pedals are the shortcoming but additional spring tension could fix that, but I don't mind them being butter soft actually.
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I've heard a lot of good things about the DFGT. a lot of my friends on PSN say, for it's price it's a good wheel for anybody looking to get better and get a more realistic driving experience. However, they say the best wheel overall for PS3 is a G27 but I can't afford that.
 
I agree, you can't really go wrong with the Logitech DFGT for a good introduction to a force feedback wheel. The trouble is it doesn't work with the PS4. So that maybe something to consider.

A second hand G25/27 might just be in reach of your price range. Because of the PS4 problem they are being sold by some. Try a used game store - might have a few in stock

What ever you get you'll need to mount it on something also. A good sturdy desk would do otherwise you'll need a wheel rig of some sort - which would add more expense.

Edit. I should add I have both DFGT and G27
 
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Manasseh257NSX
I've heard a lot of good things about the DFGT. a lot of my friends on PSN say, for it's price it's a good wheel for anybody looking to get better and get a more realistic driving experience. However, they say the best wheel overall for PS3 is a G27 but I can't afford that.
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If you can not afford a G27, then a DFGT is the one to go for 👍.
 
Get a DFGT and make the spring on the brake stiffer. There are always gluts of them used anywhere from $50 to $80, even in brick and mortar stores, so if you don't like it you're not out too much anyway.
 
Thanks you guys! Really appreciate the feedback and help. From what it sounds like, it sounds like it's a wise idea to get a Logitech DFGT. Was my original idea to get one, but you guys know if it is wise. Again, really appreciate all of y'alls help and recommendation!
 
If you absolutely have to stick to your budget then the DFGT is really the best choice at that price. But last time I checked, the G27 could be had for $200 in Canada so it should be close to that in the U.S. I'd work an extra shift or do whatever I had to do to scrape up the extra $80-100 to get the G27 because it's worth it. I have both wheels by the way.
 
Johnnypenso
If you absolutely have to stick to your budget then the DFGT is really the best choice at that price. But last time I checked, the G27 could be had for $200 in Canada so it should be close to that in the U.S. I'd work an extra shift or do whatever I had to do to scrape up the extra $80-100 to get the G27 because it's worth it. I have both wheels by the way.
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Yeah I'm about to get a 2nd job at the right now due to my current job not supplying adequate hours. But they pay me every week. And right now I have a good $300 to spend. So really it will all depend on how the job situation goes cause I might in fact end up getting a G27 racing wheel.
 
Manasseh257NSX
Yeah I'm about to get a 2nd job at the right now due to my current job not supplying adequate hours. But they pay me every week. And right now I have a good $300 to spend. So really it will all depend on how the job situation goes cause I might in fact end up getting a G27 racing wheel.
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If you got $300 to spend then I go for a T300RS or a Fanatec.
 
Something like this deal would suit you. Stand included.

Really just shown as a price point for pre-owned units. Without the stand you'd expect to pay less.
 
Manasseh257NSX
Thanks you guys! Really appreciate the feedback and help. From what it sounds like, it sounds like it's a wise idea to get a Logitech DFGT. Was my original idea to get one, but you guys know if it is wise. Again, really appreciate all of y'alls help and recommendation!
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As a beginner wheel the DFGT is great for it's price if you don't have too much to spend. I certainly didn't expect that it would be as good as it was. Of course though of you have a little more to spend the G27 would probably be the top of the range for its price but it is significantly more and then theres the Thrustmaster which from what I've heard is very very good but to have the pedal set with clutch and proper 6 speed it will cost a lot. Thats what I'm hoping to upgrade to soon

Thanks @lxmmy and @Sick Cylinder :)
 
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Manasseh257NSX
Yeah I'm about to get a 2nd job at the right now due to my current job not supplying adequate hours. But they pay me every week. And right now I have a good $300 to spend. So really it will all depend on how the job situation goes cause I might in fact end up getting a G27 racing wheel.
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Hi Manasseh - I agree with people about getting a DFGT - an excellent wheel with adequate pedals.

However the reason why so many wheels sit unused in lofts or closets is because most people don't budget for a decent stand or rig to fit them on. this is also why a lot of people don't successfully transition from a controller to a wheel. If you are going to use a wheel you must be able to mount it in an ergonomically perfect way for your style of sitting and driving - you could be spending hours driving and if it is not mounted in the perfect position you will get neckache, backache, rib ache, armache and aches in muscles you didn't even know you had.

My advice therefore is, if you can't have a rig due to space considerations buy a Wheelstand Pro. Get the model for the Thrustmaster T500RS because it is the most sturdy and you can mount any of the other wheels on it - You may need to drill it or ask for a different top mount to suit another wheel.

Then get a cheap DFGT which will teach you how to use a wheel and will last you until you get a PS4. Then review your budget and decide what's next e.g. Thrustmaster T300RS or Logitech G29 etc.

I can't stress how important a good stand is - I've had 2 Wheelstand Pros - the first for a DFGT and the next for a T500RS and at times I have had marathon drives without getting any muscle aches (9 hours of Tsukuba and the other endurance events on GT5).

I'm pretty handy with tools and tried to make my own stand - after much effort and time the result was something non-adjustable which was simply too painful to use for more than 20 minutes!
 
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Sick Cylinder
Hi Manasseh - I agree with people about getting a DFGT - an excellent wheel with adequate pedals.

However the reason why so many wheels sit unused in lofts or closets is because most people don't budget for a decent stand or rig to fit them on. this is also why a lot of people don't successfully transition from a controller to a wheel. If you are going to use a wheel you must be able to mount it in an ergonomically perfect way for your style of sitting and driving - you could be spending hours driving and if it is not mounted in the perfect position you will get neckache, backache, rib ache, armache and aches in muscles you didn't even know you had.

My advice therefore is, if you can't have a rig due to space considerations buy a Wheelstand Pro. Get the model for the Thrustmaster T500RS because it is the most sturdy and you can mount any of the other wheels on it - You may need to drill it or ask for a different top mount to suit another wheel.

Then get a cheap DFGT which will teach you how to use a wheel and will last you until the PS4 comes out. Then review your budget and decide what's next e.g. Thrustmaster T300RS or Logitech G29 etc.

I can't stress how important a good stand is - I've had 2 Wheelstand Pros - the first for a DFGT and the next for a T500RS and at times I have had marathon drives without getting any muscle aches (9 hours of Tsukuba and the other endurance events on GT5).

I'm pretty handy with tools and tried to make my own stand - after much effort and time the result was something non-adjustable which was simply too painful to use for more than 20 minutes!
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Are wheelstand pros really that good? For my next build I'm considering the full T300RS build but I'm not sure the table I use my DFGT will work that well as I already have my knees in the way and quite bad posture in the current position. Although I only have a regular couch so would that work with the T300RS with shifter?
 
Thomas2012
Are wheelstand pros really that good? For my next build I'm considering the full T300RS build but I'm not sure the table I use my DFGT will work that well as I already have my knees in the way and quite bad posture in the current position. Although I only have a regular couch so would that work with the T300RS with shifter?
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I would get a wheelstandpro if space is quite restricted. But if you are using a regular couch with a table then you would need a shift mount.
 
Thomas2012
Are wheelstand pros really that good? For my next build I'm considering the full T300RS build but I'm not sure the table I use my DFGT will work that well as I already have my knees in the way and quite bad posture in the current position. Although I only have a regular couch so would that work with the T300RS with shifter?
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The wheelstand Pro will work well with a couch. I use mine with a leather sofa. It comes with a shifter mount, but I wasn't happy with the position of the shifter - it's very similar to the shifter position in a modern Ford Transit van i.e close to the wheel. Some people may find that it is fine, but I wanted a shifter position that replicated the cars that I drive (not the vans) - so as lxmmy has suggested I made a custom shifter mount.
 
I can't use a wheel stand that has the vertical pole right in the middle. Right now I have my DFGT mounted to a crappy wooden TV tray type of table. Some day I'll get an actual rig and then it'll be a proper setup.
 
I'm on my second homemade stand since GT4 and recently decided to get a proper stand. Based on recommendations of others, my research & priorities I decided on the GT Omega Steering Wheel Stand. < $150.00 USD with free shipping, due to arrive in Sep.

http://www.gtomegaracing.com/gt-omega-steering-wheel-stand

Most importantly to me this stand is compatible with all the next gen wheels and my current DFGT so I have one less thing to replace when I upgrade to a PS4 & new wheel.
 
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I have a DFGT but would not recommend any Logitech wheels since they are not playable on PS4 and Logitech doesn't plan to add support in the future.
 
JadeRaven
I have a DFGT but would not recommend any Logitech wheels since they are not playable on PS4 and Logitech doesn't plan to add support in the future.
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Does the G29 count?? :p

On your budget, I would say the DFGT. I never tried one (Although I tried G27 before) but based on what people say, it's pretty good wheel to buy for beginners.

I'm planning to get a G27 but sadly the cheapest G27 I found costs almost $213. If anyone of you thinks that's bad then you haven't seen most of G27 sold here costs around $278...
 
@RuddRacer : I am using that stand for a year and a half now and its still great, its adjustable enough to fit most persons and quite sturdy. I think you wont be regret your purchase :)
 
I use a driving force pro and absolutely love it! I got it for 50 bucks off ebay so they're relatively cheap. But if you can get the driving force gt, I would probably recommend that.
 
If you search around, you might be able to get a G25 for about $120. I got one last year for £75 including postage from eBay ($113.81). The DFGT has rubbish pedals, avoid it!
 
The DFGT pedals are loose. But nothing a bungee cord or foam rubber won't fix.
But the price can and will flux on them when I looked around couple days ago for paddle shifters I was see them for $200-$250 USD on Amazon but a month ago they were ~$100 USD.
But if you dig up a G25/27 with in budget get it. Much better quality. As for thrust master variety I dunno tbh I know the T80 is PS4 compatible but has linear resistance not true force feedback. After that you're looking severs hundred for a wheel.
 
Otaliema
The DFGT pedals are loose. But nothing a bungee cord or foam rubber won't fix.
But the price can and will flux on them when I looked around couple days ago for paddle shifters I was see them for $200-$250 USD on Amazon but a month ago they were ~$100 USD.
But if you dig up a G25/27 with in budget get it. Much better quality. As for thrust master variety I dunno tbh I know the T80 is PS4 compatible but has linear resistance not true force feedback. After that you're looking severs hundred for a wheel.
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I modified the spring of the brake pedal so it gives more resistance. Added a bit of material underneath the end of the spring to push it up slightly:

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A bungy chord or foam rubber is probably easier though, but I had to open up the pedals anyway to fix the sticky brakes problem.
 

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