SteelSeries Simraceway S1 Steering Wheel Review

Others/Miscelleneous by stefan @ 2012-06-18

The Simraceway S1 Steering Wheel from SteelSeries is a unique peripheral made for people that do not have enough space in their gaming room to keep a full racing setup. The wheel comes with shift, throttle and brake paddles in the back and enough programmable buttons on the front for delivering a much better experience than using a regular Xbox360 controller. A nice addition is the RPM LEDs, but these will function only if the games also support it (F1 2011, Simraceway). The S1 also supports an optional wheel stand, which hopefully will become available in the near future.

  • prev
  • next

Product Specifications

Ready. Set. Race.

 

The Simraceway® S1 Steering Wheel is a high-performance, handheld PC racing wheel co-designed by SteelSeries and Ignite Technologies. The portable, motion-sensor wheel features a patented throttle and brake lever system that offers a fully simulated racing experience within hands reach. We’ve collaborated with and tested the SRW-S1 Wheel with top ranked Indy 500 race car drivers and Simracing World Champions.

 

Stay in control

 

Everything you need, from brake balance controls to assist setting dials, are always in reach. No other wheel on the market combines this level of customization and functionality.

 

In your hands

 

The wheel’s unique design means you can take it everywhere and use it anywhere. There are no pedal sets or bulky seats. The Simraceway S1 is a handheld joypad and wheel combined that brings a true-to-life race set-up to your laptop or desktop computer.

 

Full Range

 

You can experience full-range acceleration and braking on the back of the S1 Wheel. The right paddle – for acceleration/throttle – allows you the ability to vary the amount of throttle input, from feathering to fully depressing it for maximum acceleration. The paddle on the left – for braking/stopping – allows you the ability to vary the amount of braking input from, feathering to fully depressing for full braking force.

 

Brake Balance Control

 

Brake balance control (aka “brake bias”) allows you to change the brake balance to the front or rear of the vehicle. If a driver were to hit the brakes with a rear brake bias, he is more likely to spin out of control. However, if a driver were to hit the brakes with a front brake bias, his is more likely losing his ability to steer into a corner. A balance must be found. We have a button for that.

 

Plug-and-race

 

Plug it in. Choose your game. Play. Sure, you can customize every button, but only if you want to. There is no complicated configuration required when used with Simraceway™ and most PC racing games.

 

What’s your style?

 

The SRW-S1 wheel adapts to your driving style based on the way you steer. You’re going to do it in 1 of 3 ways: Over-steer, under-steer and neutral.

 

OVER-STEER

Drivers who prefer over-steer like to have the rear of the car loose and the front dialed in. This allows drivers to use the throttle to correct their driving line or to use it to aid in steering. It also means there is more risk of losing control.

 

UNDER-STEER

Drivers who prefer under-steer like to have the rear of the car dialed in and the front loose. While it becomes harder to make a turn at higher speeds, it does provide stability and reduces the chances of losing control.

 

NEUTRAL

Drivers who prefer a neutral setup like to have both the rear and the front of the vehicle dialed in. This allows drivers to compromise between over-steer and under-steer.

 

Where to?

 

Everywhere. The Simraceway® S1 Steering Wheel can be used with all PC racing games including:

• iRacing

• F1 2011

• Simraceway®

• GTR

• Live for Speed

• DiRT

• DiRT 2

• GTR 2

• Test Drive Unlimited

• Need for Speed Shift

• Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit

• Need For Speed Underground

• Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition

• Blur

• + Any other PC racing game on the market.

Some features, including the Assists dials and the shift indicator LEDs, may not be compatible with certain titles.

 

Get a grip

 

The rubberized wheel grips have an ergonomic shape that allows you to keep a comfortable grasp to steer as you move around the controller to brake, accelerate, shift, look back, request a pit stop and everything else in order to drive and win.

 

Total Flexibility

 

While the wheel comes preconfigured to operate seamlessly with Simraceway®, many of its controls can be customized*, so you can program them to match your driving – and gaming – preferences. Find out more about the simulated racing experience at www.simraceway.com.

 

Used by the pros

 

The SRW-S1 Steering Wheel has been tested and approved by professional racing drivers including four-time IndyCar Series winner, Dario Franchitti and double Indy 500 Champion, the late, great and much missed, Dan Wheldon as well as SimRacing stars, David Greco and Bruno Marques.

 

  • prev
  • next

No comments available.

 

reply