Logitech unveils new wireless force feedback Racing Wheel for PS3
Console manufacturers and games publishers aren’t the only ones living it up at E3. Accessory-makers are out in force too, including Logitech. It has a load of new goodies for console owners including this Driving Force Wireless Racing Wheel for PS3.
Setting up a racing wheel is always a bit of practical nightmare given that they really need to be fixed to something. A conveniently placed coffee table is usually best but not ideal. Of course the best place would be the dashboard of a car, but I’ve always found the wife to be rather dismissive of my plans to insert the front end of a burnt out Ford Cortina into the living room. Logitech has tried to find a way around the issue entirely by developing an expandable lap rest to eliminate the need for either table or vandalised car chassis.
The Driving Force Wireless includes controls for gas, brake, shifting and menu navigation. Connectivity is handled by 2.4 GHz wireless technology for lag-free play, up to a range 10 metres and utilises a separate Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the PS3. While you’re not actually tethered to the console itself, you should bear in mind that you won’t be utterly free from cables – you’ll need to plug in a power cable to get it working.
Logitech points out that Force Feedback technology is supported by more than 80 PS2 and PS3 titles. I think at least 75 of those are PS2 titles. Still, you’ve got Gran Turismo 5: Prologue to enjoy already, and by the time the wheel launches in August, you won’t have a long wait until Motorstorm: Pacific Rift. Midnight Club: Los Angeles looks quite promising too, but proper Gran Turismo 5 looks like it might be a very long wait.
The Driving Force Wireless Racing Wheel will go for £59.99.
Logitech also showed us some shots of a new wireless keyboard for Wii. These seem to be increasingly popular at the moment. As you can see it’s a pretty standard keyboard, but does look very swish in the Wii white. Because it’s designed for Wii, it has special Zoom In/Out, Forward/Back, Quit and OK buttons.
It also works with 2.4 GHz wireless technology, and the receiver conveniently snaps into the back for easier storage. The keyboard launches in Europe in August for £24.99.
And finally, PSP and DS owners will be able to pick up hard cases for their respective consoles at £7.99 a piece. They feature polycarbonate armoured casing to protect your console from accidental droppage and over-excited baggage handlers. The twist is that you can customise the look of these babies – an accompanying template lets you cut out artwork to slip inside a translucent layer on the outer shell. They also include spaces to store your handheld game cartridges too.
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