I’m looking to get into driving games and would like to buy a wheel. Budget is not that much of a constraint, but it doesn’t need to be expensive for no reason.

Things that are important to me are:

  • Should be fixable to a desk without drilling through the desk, but still hold on tight even when force is applied.
  • Should be sturdy and have the feel of a real steering wheel of your average consumer car or racing car.
  • Should have buttons such that I can hold it with both hands and still use the hands for throttling and breaking, i.e. at least two thumb-reachable buttons. (I am not aiming at getting pedals right away)

Do you have any recommendations? Do you use a wheel yourself that you can recommend, even if it does not fit my points above?

Any input would be appreciated!

  • Overspark@piefed.socialEnglish
    6·
    2 days ago

    I’ve got a Thrustmaster T248 that I mainly use for trucking. It’s OK, but if I were to start over I’d get a Moza with a trucking wheel and stalks. And for racing you can get another wheel and easily swap between them.

    • Sibbo@sopuli.xyzOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      Having different wheels to swap is a nice idea, thanks! Then I don’t need to try to find a onefitsall solution.

  • Almacca@aussie.zoneEnglish
    6·
    2 days ago

    The Logitech G29 Is a nice solid wheel and pedal set that’s somewhat better than a budget wheel and won’t break the bank.

    If you want to spend a bit more, Moza has some reasonably priced direct drive wheels that are good quality. I went to an R5, 3 years or so ago after years of satisfied use of Logitech G27/29s. I’ve been adding further bits since with the loadcell pedals, shifter and handbrake. I’ve been very happy with their gear overall.

    I do recommend getting pedals as well, though. Trying to steer while using buttons for throttle/brake is a recipe for frustration.

    Hope that helps.

    • Sibbo@sopuli.xyzOP
      3·
      2 days ago

      Thanks! Seems like Logitech is also very good on Linux, which I forgot to mention.

      • Almacca@aussie.zoneEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        I believe someone wrangled a version of Moza’s Pithouse software to get them to run on Linux as well, but I haven’t tested it myself. I’m still a Win10 holdout.

  • SaneMartigan@aussie.zone
    4·
    2 days ago

    Speaking of the Logitech G29, a few years ago when I was learning I researched that there’s a G29 gear stick upgrade converting it to a full eaton-fuller, aka crash box, aka double-clutching required, full range 13-18 speed gearbox. If you’re into that aspect of trucking, I was learning to drive a truck.

    • Sibbo@sopuli.xyzOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      That’s cool. I don’t know much about trucking, but having played many hours of detail valley, I’ll probably try out euro trucking simulator at some point.