Xbox 360 Steering Wheel – There’s Something For Every Budget

Posted by on November 18, 2011 No comments

The Xbox 360 steering wheel is the accessory that every gaming fan should have if he or she considers playing racing games on his or her favorite console. The Xbox 360 steering wheel will change the way you experience your game console. You will be able to dive into the world of the racing game you are playing, maneuvering the car that you are driving as you zip by other racers on the race track. You can experience the racing games that you have bought on a whole new level when you rev up your engines with an Xbox 360 steering wheel.

There are several brands and types of steering wheels that you can use when you are looking for an Xbox steering wheel. The following you will find a short comparison of the currently available Xbox 360 racing wheel models.

1. Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

Microsoft Xbox 360 Racing WheelThe Xbox 360 is well known for its superior graphics and one of a kind gaming experience. You can further add to that experience with the original Microsoft Xbox 360 wireless steering wheel. Thanks to the wirelss technology you will no longer have to worry about bothersome cables that tend to be messy. The first thing that hits you when you take a closer look at this accessory, is how solidly it is built. You won’t find any cheap plastics here, and you will definitely appreciate the quality and sturdiness of this Xbox 360 racing wheel. The steering wheel is responsive and the reaction time for every action is crisp and smooth, almost as if you were driving a real car. The controls are also easy to use, making for an unforgettable experience as you zip through each race course. The only drawback of the Microsoft Xbox 360 steering wheel is its price. At the price of nearly $600, this is the most expensive wireless racing wheel currently available.

Features:

1. Force feedback
2. Rumble feedback
3. 2.4 Ghz wireless technology
4. 30 feet range
5. 10 inch wheel
6. Lap mount and detachable desk mount

2. Mad Catz Xbox 360 Wireless Force Feedback Racing Wheel

Thanks to the force feedback feature, this Xbox 360 steering wheel with clutch and shifter will make you feel every turn and maneuver you do on the race course. This Xbox 360 steering wheel will offer real resistance that can challenge your driving skills. The wheel is solidly built and is a good alternative to the Microsoft original. Unfortunately, it is not a very popular product, and if you purchase it through Amazon.com, you will have to allow approximattely 2 weeks for delivery. The Mad Catz Xbox 360 Wireless Force Feedback Racing Wheel is priced at around $235.

Features:

1. Force feedback
2. Vibration technology
3. Upgradeable firmware
4. Wireless connectivity
5. Non-slip pedal system that helps you slow down or speed up

3. Mad Catz Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

Mad Catz Xbox 360 Wireless Steering WheelThis is another Mad Catz racing wheel licensed for Xbox 360 that can be successfuly used to amplify your gaming experience. This product comes complete with a rubber grip steering wheel, non-slip pedals, and an interchangeable gear shift. This is the most popular Xbox 360 steering wheel, thanks to its price and solid quality. While it does not have the force feedback feature, this Xbox 360 wireless racing wheel does offer a very good gaming experience, which is backed up by a multitude of positive user reviews. At the price of $150, this product seems to be a perfect compromise between quality and affordability.

Features:

1. Wireless connectivity and lag free response time
2. Interchangeable gear shift
3. Two mounting options for drivers
4. Rubber grip steering wheel

4. Mad Catz MC2 Xbox 360 Wired Racing Wheel

Mad Catz Xbox 360 Wired Steering WheelIf you are on the lookout for an affordable Xbox 360 steering wheel, this product is likely to catch your attention. While it is not a wireless accessory, it does offer a memorable gaming experience thanks some of its features. The double injected steering wheel comes wih a rubber coating, and is specially designed to provide optimal vibration feedback. It comes with the vibration feedback feature (not to be mistaken with force feedback). At the price of $87, this Xbox 360 steering wheel seems to be a great option for those looking for a memorable gaming experience without the need to shell out big bucks.

Features:

1. Vibration technology
2. Double-injected steering wheel
3. 10 high powered action buttons to give you full control
4. Retractable leg supports
5. Vertical vector design for full driving experience

5. Mad Catz MC2 MicroCon Racing Wheel

Mad Catz Microcon Xbox 360 Steering WheelThis is a scaled down version of the MC2 racing wheel. It offers similar features, but is actually 15% smaller than the original, which might prove to be a good option for kids. If the size doesn’t bother you, it can also be a great choice for adults, especially at the price of $69.

Features:

1. 10 action buttons for superior control
2. Dual paddles for both gas and brake
3. 15% smaller than previous model
4. Vertical vector design for excellent driving feel when you throttle the gas and speed up

These are the five best steering wheels that you can use on your Xbox 360. Each steering wheel will offer a slightly different kind of gaming experience. There is also something for every budget. If you consider yourself a racing games fan, you definitely need to have a good quality, reliable Xbox 360 steering wheel, such as one of those described above.

Xbox 360 Steering Wheel Comparison – Microsoft Vs Mad Catz

Posted by on November 18, 2011 No comments

The Xbox 360 has its share of racing games to satisfy even the biggest racing game enthusiasts. Even so, their gaming experience isn’t complete without an actual Xbox 360 steering wheel in their hands to add credibility to their experience. This article takes a look at two products that are marketed as the best Xbox 360 wireless steering wheel today: the Microsoft Xbox 360 steering wheel and the Mad Catz Xbox 360 wireless steering wheel.

A look at the Microsoft Xbox 360 Steering Wheel

The Microsoft Xbox 360 racing wheel is the game console’s own release of the steering wheel for Xbox 360, so you can bet that they put in a lot of effort to make a good product. Its appearance will already tell you that Microsoft didn’t skimp on resources when they designed this steering wheel, as it is sturdily built and made of prime materials. You won’t find cheap plastic details here. The Xbox 360 steering wheel can be used practically straight out of the box, and its ease of use and maneuverability make it arguably one of the best game console controllers to date.

The sad news is that Microsoft eventually discontinued the project. While it’s still possible to find the controller in the market, this Xbox 360 steering wheel is pretty much relegated as a collectors item, and even the used controllers come with a pretty hefty price tag.

A look at the Mad Catz Xbox 360 Steering Wheel

The Mad Catz wireless racing wheel is only one of the several steering wheels released by Mad Catz for the Xbox 360. Promoted as being the most realistic Xbox 360 steering wheel in the market, this controller not only comes with the steering wheel itself, but also pedals to make you feel as though you’re zipping through the streets as you race against your competitors.

Comparing the Xbox 360 Steering Wheels

In order to understand which Xbox 360 steering wheel is the better deal, it’s a good idea to compare these controllers side by side to see which one is the superior product.

  • Build and design. The design and build of both steering wheels are pretty impressive. Microsoft’s steering wheel has been designed to resemble the gaming console itself, so you get an Xbox 360 steering wheel that’s sleekly designed and comes with a cream-and-gray finish. All of the buttons can be found at the central handlebar of the controller, allowing you to easily access these controls. This controller has been designed to be propped up on a table, although you can also put it on your lap. The weight is a little too heavy and the steering wheel a bit too large, but it’s nothing that you can deal with, although it may take some time for some users to get used to it.

The gray-and-white Xbox 360 steering wheel of Mad Catz is similar to the Microsoft racing wheel in that the buttons are also centralized on the center of the wheel for easy access. Unlike the Microsoft steering wheel that’s been designed to be propped on the desk, the Mad Catz wheel is designed to rest comfortably on the lap. This is a pretty good design choice, considering that a large number of gamers are more comfortable having the steering wheel propped on their laps instead of having to place it on a table. The steering wheel itself is encased in rubber, allowing you to get a good grip on it. The Xbox 360 steering wheel of Mad Catz does have a flaw, and that is the uncomfortable distance between the two pedals. Some users have complained that the space between the two pedals is too small, making it a little difficult to use, especially for tall users.

  • Compatibility. When it comes to compatibility, the Microsoft Xbox 360 steering wheel is the clear winner, as the Mad Catz racing wheel doesn’t work with some racing titles for the Xbox 360.
  • Ease of use. Both controllers are quite easy to use, with the wheels very responsive. The Microsoft Xbox 360 steering wheel also has the added feature of the wheel automatically returning back to center so that you don’t have to manually readjust it.  The downside of this gaming wheel, however, is that contrary to its name, it’s not actually wireless, at least, not if you want to enhance your gaming experience with force feedback. You will need to connect the Xbox 360 steering wheel to the pedals in order to get the Rumble effect that you’re looking for. While the cord isn’t that bothersome, it can still restrict freedom of movement. If the cord is too much of an annoyance for you, you can disconnect it to the pedals and still use it, but you will also have to do away with the force feedback feature of the controller.
  • Wireless connectivity. As mentioned earlier, the Microsoft Xbox 360 steering wheel will need to be plugged in if you want to experience force feedback. The Mad Catz Xbox 360 steering wheel wins this round, as it offers a wireless range of 40 feet, allowing you to play your favorite game just about anywhere in the room.
  • Force feedback and Rumble features. The Microsoft steering wheel does have force feedback and Rumble features, but only if you connect it to the pedal. Once connected, the force feedback is pretty good, adding an extra dimension to your gaming experience and making it more realistic. Make sure that you keep a tight grip on the wheel, otherwise you may just end up losing control of your car in-game. The Mad Catz steering wheel does not have Rumble settings.
  • Cost. Because the Microsoft discontinued their official steering wheel, expect to spend hundreds of dollars if you want to purchase one of the remaining controllers available in the market. In this regard, the Mad Catz steering wheel is the better option for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a collectors item and only want to get a good racing wheel for the Xbox 360.

The Microsoft racing wheel and the Mad Catz Xbox 360 steering wheel have their shares of pros and cons. Ultimately, the choice of which one is the better controller will depend on buyers. Try to evaluate what you’re looking for in an Xbox 360 steering wheel (as well as your budget) so that you will be able to choose the best controller for you.