Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Wheel & Race Sim Chassis talk

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Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Wheel & Race Sim Chassis talk

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Oner

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16 product reviews

31. December 2007 @ 15:44

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Just thought I would share my recent purchase with everyone here and give it a brief overview with some pics, testimonials & links. During the weeks leading up to Christmas '07 I was really feeling down as I would not be spending the holidays with family and was thinking about what kind of a present would help tide me over during this period. When it hit me while making a Japanese account to download GT5 Prologue Demo...a racing sim chassis & steering wheel setup!

Now, I had tried this once before and was EXTREMELY disappointed. But that was way back around the launch of the PS2 (at that time there where no force feed back type wheels available). So I decided to give it another try as advances in technology and gaming has progressed so much with titles like Live for Speed, GTR2 & rFactor for PC not to mention others for consoles like GT 3, GT4 Prologue & GT4 plus Forza for 360.

Now I had to decide what wheel I wanted to go with first, so off to Google and Youtube I went to actually view how these look, work and may feel during actual game play before dropping $200+ on one! Well one of the first links I found was this one followed by this one. Now the later is a Driving Force Pro by Logitech and the first a G25 again by Logitech. Both seemingly good choices so far by the way they seemed to totally immerse you into the game with a dimension I have been so longing to find in driving games.

Now before I go on I have to say I know that on the net Polyphony Digital's GT line of games is said to be inaccurate in it's depiction of being a sim of "real life" racing and the same for Forza has been said...for me as I always say to each his own as from the day I bought my first copy of GT on my PS1 I was hooked! Even with a hand controller I was amazed as to how good it was (at least in my opinion of it's feel). Anyway, back onto topic of the Logitech line of wheels, looking at the second video linked above of "GT4 vs Reality" I was amazed at how the person on GT4 with the addition of FFB using his Logitech DFP was able to have a high level of immersive experience on just a PS2!

But when compared to the first video of the Logitech G25 and GT5P Demo there was no doubt that I had to get this upgraded model with the inclusion of a separated 6 speed (+reverse) shifter and third pedal clutch I was sold. Especially after looking at how the video showed the amount of force during hard game play it can take (although the driver was using the clutch it is not enabled in the DEMO he used but does work in the currently released GT5P Japanese version and will be utilized in the US version as well as the FULL GT5 later in the year).

Okay, since I had made my decision on a wheel I now had to think about how to set it up so as to fully & properly enjoy the peripheral. ..back to Google and Youtube it was, entering a few search terms I came up with a few links to forums for home built or custom Sim Chassis' designs, pics and reviews which where extremely helpful in my last decision. An Obutto oZone, pictured here below in my living room all ready to go (please excuse the mess of wires in need of cable management *fixed below at bottom)

I was originally going to get the Playseat but after seeing videos of how the wheel stand was right in between your legs and how much it moved/flexed plus how cheap the seat was (and the rest of the components), this showed to me that it would definitely not be up to my high standards required for purchase. After a few days of searching here and there I was about to give up on buying one and was about set to build one myself, having the carpentry skills to do so but not the facility now became the issue.

Just then my friend came over to hang out and I remembered his Grandfather has cabinetry shop 10 minutes from my house and I asked if he could maybe call in a favor for me (reluctantly so as I don't like to put people out). But before doing so I ran some numbers for hardware, materials, paint and my over all time to do this (as my time is money since I own 2 home based businesses) and I just couldn't justify all the hassle and effort and inconvenience to others & myself that this would cause.

So back to the forums this time to see if anyone had any suggestions that may help, again using some search terms (not bothering members for already possibly answered questions...I hope newbies read that part and learn!) I found a single post referencing an Obutto oZone. I did a bit more searching and found a couple links to their website with pictures, videos and some reviews from previous customers and I was intrigued.

I noticed it had some options that came standard compared to it's competitors, like the inclusion of a monitor stand and fully adjustable ACTUAL race style seat and for only $15 more a specific arm/mounting point for the G25's shifter! Now it originally goes for $250 USD but was on sale because of a minor production run issue which resulted in the Powder Coat being a bit flawed. After seeing some pictures provided by the owner himself I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to get something of this high quality at such an amazing price, plus as described on his website I would get the shifter attachment for FREE if I purchase one of the discounted models for only $185! Done deal.

So after a few days of eager anticipation everything is here and I am floored by the quality, fit, finish, design and immersion the Obutto oZone & Logitech G25 have given me! Both of these products have totally surpassed my highest expectations and I would DEFINITELY recommend this to anyone with a PC, PS3 or 360 (for use with the MS wheel).

Now all that is left is for GT5 Prologue to be released in the next few months (& GT5 later in the year hopefully) :( to really enjoy these products in awesome 1080p HD on my 60" Sony Bravia A3000 using what truly is a Next Generation System for the next 8+ years! Any questions? Feel free to ask and I will do my best answer them, but before you do check out this additional review on the Obutto website which may answer some questions I am sure I may have over looked.

P.S. if you happen to buy one let Chris know you heard about the Obutto oZone from Afterdawn and me Oner!

P.P.S. Here are some new pics of my re-worked setup after tidying up the wires. I even made a quick little Youtube video to go with it.

Obutto Ozone Youtube Video Link 1

Obutto Ozone Youtube Video Link 2


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