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R440 Force Feedback
Score: 90%
Developer: Saitek


Function:

When you pay 80 dollars for the R440 Force Feedback, you actually get what you pay for, and then some. The price is relatively cheap for what you get compared to the more expensive Logitech models. The TouchSense Technology that is used in the force feedback is stunning; you will feel EVERYTHING. It's much lighter than other wheels, which in my opinion is good since it doesn't throw you all over the track, so the range of impacts it can deliver is astonishing.

The R440 Force Feedback also comes with 4 wheel mounted buttons, 2 shift buttons and brake and gas pedals, all of which are astonishingly well placed. The pedals are especially nice since they come with an added floor pad that keeps your heels firmly planted in front of those buggers. There is also a desk adaptor that, despite its complicated look, will let you connect this wheel to almost any desk imaginable.


Performance:

The TouchSense Technology works like a charm. Some people may scoff at how light the feedback is, but you get accurate force feedback while maintaining complete control over your vehicle. The extra pedal mount also allows you to throw your feet around while hardly moving the pedal unit an inch. These pedals also have some of the best sensitivity I've ever experienced in wheel units of this kind. Very nice.

The whole unit itself may look a little bit weird, but once you take it out of the box it's a snap, or rather a twist, to put it together. The desk clamps screw down easily on almost any type of desk, and the entire unit is very mobile for its size. Someone definitely looked into some ergonomics when making this wheel. It's made so well that you'll find yourself looking for flaws.

The biggest kicker is the price. For all the features and performance you get with this bundle, you only have to shell out 80 dollars (a measly sum compared to other wheels of its kind). There are enough features on this thing to merit a sales price well over that number.


Features:
  • TouchSense Technology
  • 2 Gearshift Pedals
  • 4 Wheel-Mounted Buttons
  • Gas and Brake Floor Pedals
  • Ergonomic Design
  • Easy Mobility
  • Low Price of 80 Dollars

Drawbacks & Problems::

There is practically nothing to complain about with the R440 Force Feedback. The only drawbacks that could possibly come out of this set are the light feedback (which I've already said works like a charm, but there are some weirdos out there), and what it's made of. The entire plastic shell may feel a little bit 'hollow' to some. The lack of a completely solid feel will only last the time it takes you to get into a game though. This negative feature is easily forgotten once you experience everything the R440 Force Feedback has to offer.

-Snow Chainz, GameVortex Communications
AKA Andrew Horwitz
Minimum System Requirements:

PC Pentium 133MHz or higher with USB port, Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, DirectX 8.1 compatible
  Test System:

Windows XP, 1.4GHz AMD Athlon, GeForce FX 128 MB video card, 40 gig hard drive, 56x CD-ROM, 256MB DDR Ram, Sound Blaster Live! sound card, Cable Modem Internet connection

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