Thrustmaster Universal Challenge Racing Wheel and GRID

A review of Guillemot Corporation's Thrustmaster Universal Challenge Racing Wheel (steering wheel and pedals (brake and gas)) installed on a PC (Windows, Intel Core 2 Quad) and playing Codemasters' Race Driver GRID.

The first thing that surprised me was the price. I have been shopping around for a video gaming steering wheel and pedals for quite sometime but refrained from buying. I am a very casual gamer so wasn't in a hurry to buy. Also, gaming wheels were more of an investment compared to joysticks and control pads such as the XBox 360 controller which I have had for a long time. I got the Universal challenge for less than $40 - a very encouraging price although I was seriously fearful of performance. A few days of playing set aside those fears. The wheel doesn't provide force feedback (unless I missed something; not sure if it would help my driving too) but all else is well worth the money. The product is officially licensed by Ferrari and does the license justice.

Setup was a very simple plug and play, drivers were already available by default on Windows Vista. The toughest part of installing and using the wheel was securing it to the table. Ideally, the table should have a flat underside with no lip of any sort for a good solid clamping. The pedals also tend to move during play if not secured properly which I solved by wedging a small tray between the pedal's frame and some solid structure AKA my desktop - even so I have to watch my pedal work and not be over aggressive.

In summary, from a race video game enthusiast perspective, the product is well worth the $37 (tax included).

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Thrustmaster
• Universal
• Challenge
• Racing
• Steering
• Wheel
• GRID
• Video
• Game
• Controller
• play

[purefatdude2]

does GRID have multiplayer?

[joefileman]

@purefatdude2 Yes, free over the internet.

[oxel132]

How many degrees can you turn the wheel?

[joefileman]

@oxel132 about 100 degrees each way.

[FoFGod]

hey! I got my Thurstmaster Ferrari GT Experience wheel + pedals today, but they doesnt work on GRID??? Can u help me pls?

[joefileman]

@FoFGod I don't know about the Ferrari GT but it was a bit of a trick to get the Universal Challenge wheel to work on Grid whose config screen is quite obscure.

[Si3z3]

@joefileman can you please give me the OEM name for the steering wheel? im trying to trick need for speed world into thinking my MC2 racign wheel is a thrust master

[FOXeye95]

the problem with not having force feedback on thrustmaster wheels or gamepads on windows 7 or vista (64 and 32 bit) is the fact most of those ar plug in play and deasigned to work on a certain OS. SO! You can download universal drivers @ the thrustmaster website. Thus enabling the force feedback. Thats what i did on my Dual Trigger 3 in 1 gamepad

[david12080]

what happens if you plug it in a xbox 360?

[qq481]

I read your review.. .. Is it gives some what vibration feedback? I know it doesn't give force feedback... But it should give some vibration feedback.. Is it?

[aklakrahman97]

@FoFGod you need to options. then driving options. then you have to change the settings e.t.c.

[ZupaTr00pa]

@aklakrahman97 no, it has cables that connect directly to your system via USB, PS2 port etc.

[aklakrahman97]

does this need batteries?

[MattySP34Ks]

universal-NOT TRUE-does not support XBOX 360!!! D:

[Skateralv]

@FoFGod if you want to play grid with ferrari gt wheel you first have to look at the manual or you can in the configure the controls in the game

[Dhruv1223]

I heard the wheel's very small. It doesn't look like it, but still does it feel very small? Obviously it won't be as big as a cars but still is it uncomfortable for moderately big hands to handle?