I've never really been one much for racing games. Really, just the Gran Turismos, and a few Arcade games every now and then.

But lately i've been playing LFS quite a bit (demo that is), and would like to purchase a wheel.

The DFP was the first wheel I looked at (considering the number of positive online reviews regarding it), and while it looks very tasty, it's REALLY pushing my budget, considering how casual I am when I comes to racing games.

My other options are to either purchase a Driving Force non-pro, Driving Force EX, or some other off PS2 wheel.

I REALLY want a wheel that will work fine with my PS2, so the MOMO is really out of the question atm (unless it DOES happen to work with the PS2).

So really, i'm asking, are the Driving Force and Driving Force EX really THAT much of a downgrade from the DFP? Considering that i'm nowhere near a diehard racing game fanatic, will I really notice the downgrade at all?

Consider this- the DFP can rotate 900 degrees while most others can do 200(or 180- I forget).

Quote from luftrofl :

Consider this- the DFP can rotate 900 degrees while most others can do 200(or 180- I forget).

Will that get in the way significantly for somebody who just plays casually?

I just found a MOMO mod that gets it working with pretty much ALL PS2 games, and I happen to know quite a bit about electronics.

Anybody know how successful or difficult the mod is?

Might get a momo if it works well.

from what i read you have to destroy a logitech force to get the momo working in the ps2, and you need to swap chips between pcb's, couple of momo buttons wont work, rewire the whole thing + pedals and for that kind of trouble why not get a dfp from ebay?

Quote from Barroso :

from what i read you have to destroy a logitech force to get the momo working in the ps2, and you need to swap chips between pcb's, couple of momo buttons wont work, rewire the whole thing + pedals and for that kind of trouble why not get a dfp from ebay?

Considering what I know and have done with my electronics knowledge, it really doesn't sound too difficult at all.

I'd gladly get a DFP on Ebay, but the auctions are just WAY too hot to get something worth being used. I saw a wheel for 40 dollars just yesterday end at around 70 today, and most all of the worthwhile priced auctions end in a day or two.

No thanks :P

I can find a momo ending in 20 hours for under 40 though.

Not to mention, the DFP, from the videos i've watched, seems WAY louder. Can anybody attest to this?

Unless i'm looking in the wrong places. Where do you guys shop for used electronics?

Quote from sinkoman :

Not to mention, the DFP, from the videos i've watched, seems WAY louder. Can anybody attest to this?

ya its loud

Quote from Barroso :

ya its loud

Could be a problem :\

Quote from luftrofl :

Consider this- the DFP can rotate 900 degrees while most others can do 200(or 180- I forget).

Momo etc do 240°

Quote from sinkoman :

Could be a problem :\

Only played with my dfp on lfs for which i wore earphones and never a problem

For a casual gamer, I'd say any wheel should be fine, as long as it has force feedback. The 900° rotation is nice and of course more realistic, but really a waste of money if you're not really into sim racing.

Quote from Greboth :

Only played with my dfp on lfs for which i wore earphones and never a problem

It's seldom the racer having a problem with the noise, rather the people that live with him

Quote from sinkoman :

[ snip ]

So really, i'm asking, are the Driving Force and Driving Force EX really THAT much of a downgrade from the DFP? Considering that i'm nowhere near a diehard racing game fanatic, will I really notice the downgrade at all?

I've only noticed 2 differences... DFP has 900 degrees of rotation and has a sequential gear level aswell as paddles (actually the paddles are crap on a DFP, much nicer on a DF non-pro).

My first wheel was a DF non-pro and a while ago got a DFP. I mainly drive street cars so is cool to use the gear lever even if not a proper h-pattern, but only within the last few weeks started using more than 270 degrees of rotation.

If you're not worried about the sequential gear lever and not fussed about having a large wheel rotation, I don't see any benefit of a DFP over a non-pro version and if you say you're only a casual player, I'm guessing neither of these 2 points would be a problem and would probably go for a non-pro version if "money's tight" so to speak.



Regards,

Ian

I have a Momo. I love my wheel. That's not to say I wouldn't like a DFP (or G25), just that I've never tried either. I have used a DF non-Pro and that wheel was a piece of junk in comparison. Though, for just a casual racer, it may do just fine. It is a piece of junk to the serious sim racer.

I had the very earliest of the driving force, not even the EX, I thought it was great, good quality wheel for about £15 new off ebay.

Then I got my DFP, and although it gets loud after a while, i've been told it's because I abuse it to much and the previous owner said it never got loud to for him. All you really need to do it keep the cogs greased up and the noise will be particularly quiet compared to the DF and the G25. (G25 sounds like it's sawing trees down in the woods )

As for the Momo noise, from what I heard it is quite noisey too, infact I havn't heard of any decent wheels that don't make some noise.

Like Bawbag, I had the DF non-Pro at first, then replaced it with a DFP (which I'm still using now). My DF was very rattly and felt cheap and badly assembled. It also had problems with the steering pot wearing out (which IIRC can't happen on the DFP because it uses an optical sensor for the steering).

If you want a good wheel for both PS2 and PC I think the DFP is probably your best bet. I can't recommend the DF because mine was unreliable. I do use some of the DFP's extra rotation (mine's set to 420 degrees) but really that's not a major benefit - the real plus is the better build quality.