Saitek R440 Force Feedback Racing Wheel

Reviews: Peripherals

Accessories | Gaming Devices | Keyboards / Mice | Printers

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
Saitek
Feb. 8, 2005

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Introduction

If you are serious about computer gaming, chances are that you have at least one specialty input device. Whether it be a game pad or uniquely designed mouse, getting the edge over the competition sometimes requires a little help from the hardware gods. In my experience, no other gaming genre benefits from specialty hardware as much as driving simulators. Playing driving games with a game pad or keyboard can be a downright frustrating experience. The more realistic the driving physics, the harder it is to respond with only a mouse and a keyboard in your arsenal.

Of course, many companies have answered the call of the driving sim enthusiast over the years. Racing wheel input devices have been around for a while. Some of the newer models are complete with pedals, stick shifts, and my favorite feature - force feedback. Today I have in front of me one of Saitek's entries into the force feedback racing wheel market, the R440 Force Feedback Wheel. Let's take it for a spin, shall we?

First Looks

Keeping in line with their other gaming input devices, the product packaging on the R440 wheel is simple, straightforward and very informative. Product shots and technical drawings adorn the square box while multi-lingual descriptions also decorate the facets. But to get a good look at the wheel, we'll have to rip the box open.

Inside the securely packaged container, you will find the wheel and pedal set, a clamp, a power adapter, Ethernet-style connection cable, instructions and the driver CD. Let's examine further!

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

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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 :-)

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