Before I purchased an Attack 3 I knew that the next itch would be for rudder pedals because the Attack 3 doesn't have twist function. Incidentally, I also wanted to have a steering wheel for some driving action. The logical choice regarding availability here is the Logitech (again) wheels but they feel too expensive for me considering that I may tire eventually of using it. I looked at the nearby shops and found only Logitechs and the high end one at that (G27). So out of desperation I went looking in game console shops (found none) and eventually SM Toy Kingdom! :-) Here I found two wheels - a Logitech Driving Force GT and a Datel Super Sports 3X, prices are P5899 and P2499 respectively. I went home and researched the Datel and found that those who bought it gave generally favorable reviews and the main selling point appeared to be the programmability.

Going back to my needs, I wanted a steering wheel and pedal set that can double as rudder pedals. Reading the PDF manual of the Super Sport 3X I found that the pedals can be programmed to act as buttons or axes including linking to a single axis! OK I'm sold.

I went and bought it and when I got home I was a bit expecting to be disappointed because after all it is just an Xbox 360 controller in the body of a wheel. But to my surprise the thing is well worth the money spent! Ok some details:

1. Build quality - above average build for the wheel (nice rubbery sides) and I would say average for the pedals (though i like the nearly symmetrical pedals because of my rudder pedal needs).

2. Gameplay - very responsive and is well suited to driving! (and also flying as rudder pedals)! I was fearing a large deadzone in the center but to my surprise the deadzone is very very small - unnoticeable during gameplay. Turning angle is 180 degrees - thought it would be tight but didn't notice it when actually playing.

3. Feel - wheel centering spring feels slightly stiff but the pedal springs are a bit light to my foot. The two  shifters (paddles and sequential stick) have a very loud "click" sound that may annoy sleeping spouses at midnight gaming sessions :-) But I like their tactile feel and besides you can also program the other buttons as shifters for silent mode gaming :-)

4. Vibration feedback - not like real force feedback but works great for the price. Reasonably strong though you may have to install this extra driver: http://lavendy.net/special/driver/xi/index.html  after normal installation to get vibration in older games.

5. Mounting - here is where it is bad. Instead of a table clamping mechanism for the wheel, there are just suction cups for it and just rubber feet for the light plastic pedal set. I had to add mounting straps to my table and floor just to have a stable platform.

6. Programmability - works as advertised but I just wish it doesn't need to be unplugged and plugged for mode changes (between normal and program mode)

I've had it for two weeks before I wrote this and the Datel Super Sports 3X still works good and I enjoy driving games more now. No more gamepad! (well except for motorcycle gaming - hope someone comes out with a proper controller for those too! listening Datel?)

I know it is no Logitech but at less than half the price it is way better than the cheaper no name china wheels. I recommend it to anyone who wants to drive. Remember that it can also double as rudder pedals in flight sims, just remember not to step on both simultaneously.

Overall a good purchase.

Product Page

Hide

I fondly remember the good old days of PC gaming. Playing X-wing, Tie Fighter, Advanced Tactical Fighters were among my most memorable experiences.

Back in the day I had a Microsoft 3D Pro joystick, it had optical sensors, rudder twist, throttle and hat switch. It had everything you needed for these games. But then they phased out the gameport connector :-( .

When this happened, I went and bought a cheap china-made joystick from CDR-King, unfortunately it was a waste of money for me because of a very large deadzone at the center (though some people like these CDR-King sticks - maybe a bad batch I bought). That was back in 2007 and have lost interest because of the bad purchase.

Recently I was in the mood for flight simulators again. I looked at what was available in the local market. To my surprise joysticks were no longer readily available except for Logitech brand ones. You had to go to specialized gaming stores for Thrustmaster, Saitek and the like.

Knowing my interest could pass I opted to save money and just go for a Logitech stick. I wanted an Extreme 3D model but it was not available so I went for the Attack 3 model - the cheapest Logitech joystick at the moment :-)

I've used it several times now and am quite happy that there is no deadzone in the center. The spring is a bit stiff though.

Overall feel of the unit is solid and you feel the quality compared to a cheap china-made stick. There are 11 buttons and a throttle. All feels nice considering the price. Some slight mechanical bumps in the gimbal system but I would expect that for a cheap joystick (fixed it with some spacer inserts).

On the downside, it does not have rudder-twist and a hat switch. One can assign rudder to any of the buttons or to keyboard keys. Alternatively for a DIY guy, I can convert the china-joystick to a rudder pedal set. Or just buy a wheel pedal combo.

The hat-switch's most common use is for cockpit views which can be emulated quite realistically by using head tracking tech like FreeTrack and FaceTrackNoIR. You just need a good webcam and some patience setting it up.

Going back to the Attack 3, I am pleased with the purchase and just hope it lasts long too. My old MS Sidewinder still works but is no longer supported - sad that Microsoft left the joystick market.

Hide

Hide