AVB Force Feedback Wheel

GC-FBW1**

USB Force Feedback Racing Wheel

**Manufactured By: AVB

Retail Price: $139**

Review Date:1-14-99

_I saw the AVB Force Feedback Wheel on their website and found it odd that instead of a typical, full-circle wheel they went with a "U" shape design. I thought for sure this would be uncomfortable since I usually drive my "real" car with my hands on the top of the wheel... There is no top to this wheel! _Now that I have tried the AVB Force Feedback Racing Wheel I realize in real life I drive a 1999 Toyota Corolla, rarely exceeding 55mph but in the computer world I drive exotic, high performance vehicles at speeds over 200mph. Lets just say you tend to hang on a bit different in the two situations.

The AVB Force Feedback Racing Wheel is a very nice product. If your not really an avid racer you might just become one after a few minutes of play. I enjoy my force feedback joystick for flight sims but it never did much for me in racing games. I have also had a number of non-force feedback wheels that added to the experience but didn't make me into the enthusiast I have become over the past few days. The transformation occurs when you combine force feedback with a well designed wheel.

The wheel itself is a nice size and the base in no larger than most non-force feedback wheels although it houses the mechanism that produces the forces. Unfortunately, the pedals are also similar in size and weight to pedals bundled with other wheels on the market; making them prone to sliding on all but deep carpets. However, the pedals have a nice feel and do not result in the typical cramping associated with most pedals thanks to the pivot action the manufacturer added. The 2 position shift lever is a nice addition to the wheel and can be programmed to other functions in games where you decide to go "automatic".

The 3 features that make this wheel so desirable are the price, the force feedback effects and the USB connection. This is the only USB only wheel on the market (other USB capable wheels also offer gameport support); you must have Windows 98 and a USB port to use it. The USB port allows communications of 1.2 million bits per second; something that a game or serial port can't come close to matching. I like the forward thinking here. The force feedback effects are delivered courtesy of the I-Force 2.0 drivers from Immersion Corporation. You can feel the wheels loosing contact with the road before a slide occurs and the impact of every crash thanks to the force feedback effects. Put this together with the unbeatable price of $139 and you have a winner.

Features -

• USB Interface
• 2 position shift stick
• 2 wheel buttons
• 4 center buttons
• 8 way hat switch
• variable angle foot pedals
• 3 lbs. force output
• desk clamps and/or suction cups to secure the unit to your desk

System Requirements-

USB port and Windows 98, Direct X 5.0 or higher

Price -

At $139 the AVB Force Feedback Racing Wheel comes in as one of the best priced force feedback wheels available! There are no bundled games with the package but it does include a demo of Ubi Soft's Monaco Grand Prix 2.

Performance -

I performs well. My only complaint is the size/weight of the pedals. You will need to find a method to keep them in place when you're driving hard and don't have a deep carpet to set them on. The 3 pounds of force exerted from the wheel's belt driven transmission keep you hanging on to the wheel without being over-bearing with the effects. As with most force feedback products the quality and realism of the force effects is dependent on the game's programming. In Need For Speed III, Monaco Grand Prix 2 Demo and Power Boat Racing the effects are spectacular and really show off the wheel's potential. Ultimate Race Pro played well but the force effects were minimal and did not add to the gameplay.

The 8 buttons are well placed around the wheel and its center. The 8 way hat switch in the center of the wheel can be used for views or other functions if the game allows function programming.

Setup -

Its a USB device so setup is simple. Connect the pedals to the wheel base via a telco cable, connect the power adapter to the wheel, plug the wheel in a free USB port and turn on the unit. Windows 98 auto-detects the wheel and asked you to insert the driver disk. Your ready to race.

The wheel base can either be secured to your desk with the suction cups on the base or by two screw clamps.

**Software -

The wheel comes with the necessary I-Force drivers (will be identified as an ANKO force feedback wheel in the Game Controller panel) on a floppy disk and a demo CD of Monaco Grand Prix 2 to test your new wheel and its force effects. The I-Force driver disk also installs test files that are accessible under the Window Game Controller properties panel. **

Documentation -

The brief manual walks you through the setup, operation and troubleshooting. The wheel setup is so straightforward that elaborate instructions are not necessary.

Overall Rating -

I recommend (just missing a "Highly recommended" mark because of the pedals) the AVB Force Feedback Racing Wheel to anyone in the market for a wheel. This wheel can be had for the price of a mid-range non-force feedback wheel!