Trust Force Feedback Race Master - wheel and pedals set

Oh yeah. The Thrustmaster Force Feedback Racing Wheel sure is a stunner. I'm not sure why I spent all of £82 of my hard-earned on it in the first place, but that didn't seem to matter. I coupled it with Midtown Madness 2 (which only just came out, I pre-ordered it for £15!) and began to enjoy pleasure. My friends say "this game wouldn't be fun without the wheel" to almost every driving game with the wheel, signifying two things: that they ...
...rules. Which it does.

I installed it on a Windows 98 SE system, and using the provided installation CD, used my USB port to plug in. Worked flawlessly, a little playing around in the Test Forces tab later, I was ready to go. There is also a serial option on the cable, however I have not used this. A little niggle about installation is the el cheapo transformer. I could not imagine plugging it in to a vertical wall socket at all, like ... more

Oh yeah. The Thrustmaster Force Feedback Racing Wheel sure is a stunner. I'm not sure why I spent all of £82 of my hard-earned on it in the first place, but that didn't seem to matter. I coupled it with Midtown Madness 2 (which only just came out, I pre-ordered it for £15!) and began to enjoy pleasure. My friends say "this game wouldn't be fun without the wheel" to almost every driving game with the wheel, signifying two things: that they don't like driving games much, and of course the wheel rules. Which it does.

I installed it on a Windows 98 SE system, and using the provided installation CD, used my USB port to plug in. Worked flawlessly, a little playing around in the Test Forces tab later, I was ready to go. There is also a serial option on the cable, however I have not used this. A little niggle about installation is the el cheapo transformer. I could not imagine plugging it in to a vertical wall socket at all, like all wall warts. I wish it had been built into the pedal unit, to add more weight, and to provide that nice overall sheen to the package.

I am now using Windows XP, and after downloading the 2000 drivers from the website, it works fine, just like in the 98SE days.

Still, it's about the wheel, not my OS. I like it's feel, and the gear change looks class. It has a proper Ferrari horse on the centre of the wheel, and a plethora of buttons, including a point of view hat, for looking from different windows, etc. It has four paddles on the rear of the wheel, the two top ones act as the F1 style paddle change, where as the bottom two are analogue, and only operate once you have unplugged the pedals, as an alternative. However, don't bother, because the pedals are just fine. OK, so everything is plastic, but they are pretty tough for what they are. Clad in silver, the base has little notches to keep your heels still if you are wearing shoes (however playing with socks on I find gives the best effect). It doesn't move about too much as long as you apply reasonable downward pressure through your feet.

The main wheel clamps onto most desks. Believe me I have a really cheapo Argos mahogany veneer wobbbly self build joblet, and it is wobbly. And when this wheel delivers it's powerful feedback, boy does it wobble even more. No, seriously, my monitor shakes a bit too. All part of the realisitic effect I guess :-)

Of course, the feedback is most excellent, especially in my recently purchased Mobil 1 Rally Championship. You really can feel the ruts and bumps. Believe me, a non-force feedback wheel is a drastically different and less tactile (and enjoyable) experience.

Conclusion:
A great force feedback wheel, with good pedals, feel and everything. Downsides: pricey. My gear paddles are flimsy and don't click as well as they should, but sure as hell still work. 

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