Hi

I drive LFS with keyboard (I know!), and have done since I was demo user.

In fact, I've been a keyboarder since I first got a Sinclair ZX81 (which was after leaving my teens behind); so it's been a while that I've raced with keyboard.

Anyway, saved up and treated myself to G25 at xmas (much to my wife's disgust - meant I didn't have money to buy her expensive jewellery she was after).

I can't use the G25 with main computer because of layout of where it sits (see diagram), which is very tight fit with my fat gut as it is (so much so, that I had to take back of swivel chair off so I could sit in it).

However, I digress.

Finally got round to connecting everything to my son's pc, but having problems.

The computer layout, wheel layout, pedal layout and angle (too vertical for me), things sliding, slow computer, etc., I am dealing with, but having real problems with the gear shifter.

In all the cars I've ever owned (dogs all, including Ford Fiesta, Ford Escort, Renault 19, Astra Estate, and now Mondeo Estate), and all the other cars I've ever driven (admittedly, not many), there has been/is some positive force needed to put car in gear, and to change gears. Not something you could do with your pinkie finger and clutch pedal not depressed.

However, the G25 gearstick just seems to go into any slot without any force or resistance at all (in fact, it's something a one year old baby could manage without effort).

Because of this, I'm having problems changing gear and even knowing, without looking at screen or engine sound effects, what gear i've gone into. Feels like I'm fishing for gears all the time.

Is it just my technique, or lack thereof, or is this normal for the G25 shifter? Or is it just my shifter?

Should there be some minimal forcefeedback type resistance when using gear shift?

If that's lacking, is there any mod to give more positive feedback when changing gear?

Don't advise that I tie bungee cords to something. Thought about it, but gear lever looks too flimsy to take strain.

It's normal, and you can't really do anything about it.

Or sell some of your wife's jewellery and get the G27. It has a better H-Shifter. The one that comes with the G25 is plastic rubbish.

http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_153b.html (bottom)

After almost 30 years of using keyboard, I buy a wheel that everyone raves over (and it is a good wheel), but it's really let down by the shifter.

Would be nice if Logitech could make a shifter that used a ff motor.

Maybe I can do something with some elastic bands or some sticky back plastic.

I agree with you. The quality of the G25 wheel and pedals are great but the shifter is nothing but a plastic POS; I never use it.

BTW, my first computer was an Apple ][+ so I know what it's like to play with keyboard only. But when playing racing games nothing beats a wheel. I still believe my G25 was well worth the investment, though now I'd much rather have the G27, even if its just for the extra buttons on the wheel.

lol it doesn't feel realistic, but i can tell which gear i'm in from the feel of where the lever is. I usually use a couple fingers to shift it, and yeah i can just feel where it is. Just practice with it, but be gentle, they can be a bit fragile (according to other people who have broken theirs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCyt_4luwF0

If your game but it will void the warranty.

The other problem with gear lever is that I need to find better position for it rather than the top of a desk.

After 30years of driving, I'm used to having gear lever down by my left hip, not at just above elbow level with wheel almost in the way - this is due to bad ergonomics of layout where I can actually put wheel. Hopefully in time this can be resolved and I can put in better position.

I'm currently at work while replying to posts, and I'm most definately not allowed to go on games/torrent/facebook type/youtube type sites, so will look at link later.