Saitek R440 Force Feedback Racing Wheel

Reviews: Peripherals

Accessories | Gaming Devices | Keyboards / Mice | Printers

Author:
Editor:
Sponsor:
Published:

Bradford Day
Kurtis
Saitek
Feb. 8, 2005

<< Previous

Next >>

Setup

Software driver installation is, of course, a must with the R440. Installation was pretty straightforward. After you finish clicking through the menus and your driver software is installed, you will be asked to test the wheel settings, button/pedal operation and force feedback output. After that, you are given the option to install the normal or advanced user software.

Selecting the advanced option will allow you to install Saitek's Smart Technology programming software. Smart Technology let's you assign specific profiles to each button. You can then save that profile to match your preferences for every game. Unfortunately the profiles will not load as the game is started so you will need to select and load your game profile before you launch each game.

Testing

After I installed the wheel, I found myself quite anxious to get to the "testing." For my rigorous reviewing regimen I called upon two driving games. The first was Richard Burns Rally. This game is a highly detailed and realistic rally driving game, which just happens to have some of the most aggressive force feedback of any driving game currently on the market. Rally games are my favorite type of driving sim so I took the testing very seriously and exerted myself for hours and hours to bring you the most thorough review possible. It's a tough job, I know.

I was extremely pleased with how well the R440 faired. The wheel was natively recognized by RBR and all the buttons mapped easily. I was also able to use the Smart Technology programming software in conjunction, allowing me to program a button to chat with my fellow racers over Ventrilo. I found the paddle shifters to be precise, requiring light pressure to operate while feeling resilient and strong. Even without the force feedback, turning the wheel takes a little muscle (you can adjust this tension in the software set-up). But when that force feedback does kick in, you'd better hang on! The wheel will literally jerk right out of your hand if you aren't gripping tightly. The rubber grips will help you keep your grip and you can adjust the level of feedback in the wheel's software set-up options. And even though this wheel only has 90° of rotation in each direction, I didn't find myself wishing for more. The clamp system did a great job keeping the wheel in place during even the most violent crashes...of which there were many. (Kurtis' Note: Brian and I saw Brad try his hand at Need for Speed Underground while we were at CES at one of the booths, and I can confidently say that he isn't joking about crashing often.)

Over bumps, hard turns, potholes or ditches, the wheel feels like it has a mind of its own. My forearms were actually tired from playing the game after an hour. I can't stress how much the gaming experience was enhanced by the outstanding force feedback. I found the force feedback % LEDs located in the center of the wheel little more than eye candy. They will light as the force feedback kicks in letting you know in 25% increments how much force is being exerted. But, considering that this wheel is always exerting force, the lights pretty much stay lit at 100%.

I found it difficult to get used to the red and yellow button positions at first. My large hands felt a bit too big for the wheel at times and I did manage to accidentally press a yellow button on occasion. The pedals also took some getting used to. Depending on your table and chair arrangement, it might take you some fiddling to find a comfortable position for the pedals. The pedal response is strong enough to feel realistic yet supple enough that you needn't wear shoes when its time to game. The pedals and wheel were receptive to fine tuning within the Richard Burns Rally in-game settings.

The second game I tested was Need for Speed Underground 2. This game did not have compatible force feedback, unfortunately. However, the wheel and pedals were recognized natively by the game and I was driving in no time. Force feedback or no, you can't beat the realistic feel of this wheel. Previously I had been using a game pad for NFSU2, but nothing comes close to the precision and feel of a good driving wheel and the R440 certainly fits the bill. Upshifts and downshifts are made much easier with the paddle shifters and it greatly improved my game play.

One thing that I did take notice of while setting up the wheel was the number of cables and cords involved. While nothing too bothersome, there are 3 separate wires that must be plugged in before you can use the R440. A USB cord, power adapter plug and pedal/wheel connection all converge at the back of the wheel base. They aren't overly bulky, but cable placement must be determined before you get settled in to race or you might end up flinging the whole setup across the room after getting up for that first bathroom break. Ask me how I know.

<< Previous

Page 3 of 4

Next >>

Page 1: Introduction / First Looks
Page 2: Taking a Closer Look
Page 3: Setup & Testing
Page 4: Conclusion

Subscribe to Gaming Devices [more info]

View All

Related Reviews

Razer Tarantula Gaming Keyboard

Gaming Devices December 19, 2006

Laser Mouse Roundup

Gaming Devices April 30, 2006

Logitech Force 3D Pro Joystick

Gaming Devices March 26, 2006

Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000

Gaming Devices February 9, 2006

Add Comment

4 User Comments

1 - Posted by J2T on February 8, 2005 - 2:56 pm

Good review. I have agree completely about the difference a wheel and pedals make in playing a racing sim. It just makes it that much more fun. I have the Logitech NASCAR racing wheel (hey, I found it for $12 at Wallyworld) and though it isn't great, its loads better than using a joypad or the keyboard.

2 - Posted by speedstream on February 17, 2005 - 10:04 am

heh, the pedals would make quite a bit of difference....that much closer to a vr

3 - Posted by Brian on February 17, 2005 - 10:38 am

I would like to have a good racing wheel setup but I don't play games enough to warrant one. I played NFSU with a Logitech wheel at CES. Was fun, but I sucked at it :-P

4 - Posted by Kurtis on February 17, 2005 - 12:30 pm

oh by the way... Logitech is sending Brad their MOMO racing wheel, so he's going to be able to compare them now :-)

Add Comment

To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields.