GTO Wheel
Score: 70% Developer: Logic 3 Device Type: Controller
Function: The GTO Wheel by Logic 3 is very small when you first look at it (8? diameter). But its quality, not quantity, right? Actually, the smaller size allows for more control when mounting it to your desk. And with the ?G-Clamp? anchor, you will easily and very effectively have a sturdy mount for your driving excitement. Because the GTO Wheel is only a steering wheel (and no pedals), there are two analog buttons for acceleration and braking, along with six other buttons.
Performance: The GTO Wheel by Logic 3 is solid in design, but I sometimes felt the need for ?footfeet? (pedals) instead of the analog buttons on the wheel itself. I tend to drive one-handed, and with two hands on the wheel (buttons are on opposite sides), I was taken back to vivid memories of Driver?s Ed. However, eliminating the use for pedals also reduced the retail cost to you when you buy, so I guess it?s a tradeoff. There are also two ?flick stick? levers that are great for those of you who like racing with a manual transmission, making it easy to shift gears. Finally, there are four small buttons on the back of the wheel for whatever you need them for. Unfortunately, these four buttons only corresponded to two buttons in all four of the racing games I tested, as well as in Windows? ?Game Controllers? testing screen. So, here?s the scoop. As long as the game you want to play will allow you to set up the buttons via an options screen, you are set. If not, you are stuck with whatever buttons you are assigned. In addition, I was a bit frustrated with the games that didn?t allow me to set the sensitivity, because sometimes I would have to swing the wheel all 135 degrees to the side in order to fully turn (the wheel has a 270 degree rotation). Other than that, the wheel performs very well. Installation was a snap. Turn off your system, plug in the wheel, and re-boot. Then just follow the short directions in the instruction manual and you should be set. I did experience a problem with my system locking up on the initial re-boot, however. I then shut it off and re-booted again. The computer wanted me to boot in safe mode, but I choose normal instead, and everything was fine... so I don?t know what happened exactly, but my guess was a conflict in drivers.
Features: Dedicated driver for Windows 95/98 8 inch diameter steering wheel Four fire buttons on the wheel (although only two work for me) Twin analog buttons for acceleration and braking 270 degree wheel rotation ?Flick Shift? sequential gear selection ?G-Clamp? anchor
Drawbacks & Problems:: Initially, the GTO Wheel locked up my system from the get-go. This was easily overridden, but there seems to be some form of setup with some of my games (like disabling the USB gamepad in Die Hard Trilogy 2) or the wheel wouldn?t work. Also, for some unknown reason, there are four fire buttons, but two corresponded to ?button 3? and two for ?button 4? in both Windows and in the games themselves. This limits the programmability (in game) of the wheel. Finally, with the lack of pedals, you may have to get used to using the buttons on the wheel for acceleration/braking (however, they are analog, so this is good). Overall, I think that the GTO Wheel has a solid design, but make sure you can program in-game or you will be disappointed when you pull this bad boy out of the box.
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
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