The Saitek R440 Force Feedback wheel and pedal set may possibly be one of the best values on the market today for the casual gamer. Is this combination for the hardcore sim-racer? Honestly, I don’t believe it is. But at the special price of $49.95 (reduced from the original MSRP of $79.95), I feel that this is a good value for anyone looking to add a Force Feedback Controller to his or her system. Saitek has added some unique features to this controller that you just won’t find in other brands at this price point.

The wheel grips are thick and comfortable giving the user a very positive sensation of control over the unit. The pitch of the wheel is deep which allows the wheel to set away from your desk. The unique clamping devise is actually separate from the wheel unit itself, which in turn produces a smaller footprint on your desk. Making the unit much easier to store away when not in use.

Although the securing mechanism is separate from the wheel, it possesses some innovative indexing points that provide a very tight and secure fit to your desktop. Some units that I have reviewed in the past want to tip toward the clamp and only seem to secure the front portion of the wheel base unit. The Saitek clamp locks the entire unit, front to back and side-to-side. Once the unit is clamped, it is there to stay.

The wheel base unit features a space age design. I view it as a turbine engine with a steering wheel at one end. The design is not overstated but certainly futuristic. With four buttons integrated into the steering wheel and two ergonomic paddle shifters behind, all the controls that one would need are in easy reach. Although it took my brain a little while to remember where the buttons were, it didn’t take long for my fingers to learn the path to them.

The pedals also offer a different design and engineering technology that uses the weight of the users feet to anchor the unit to the floor. I had the opportunity to view these pedals at the E3 show in LA last year and my first impression was: “that’ll never fly”. But after taking them for a spin in the arcade mode of ‘Need for Speed’, I had to rethink my initial harsh judgment. At first glance I wasn’t sure if this unit was some new-fangled shoe polisher or just exactly what it was but after a little test time, I came to see the brilliance in the engineering. On counterpoint, I would still like to see a sturdier pedal arm and much stiffer spring resistance. If Saitek plans to replace Microsoft in the production of gaming peripherals, I hope we will see a move toward the hardcore sector of the market. The only way I see to insure that is to make them aware that we are valid consumers and they need to know what we like and what we want.

The R440 Force is a USB-connected unit so the installation is very seamless. In fact I had my 9 year-old son install it on his computer and he was able to do it with absolutely no help from me. I think that speaks loudly for the driver installation. If a child can do it, then an adult should have no trouble either. The Saitek website also contains a detailed FAQ and driver section that includes drivers and support for everything from Win 98 to XP Pro. I am aware that they were a little behind on the release of the XP driver support but I’m told that was due to Microsoft’s delay and not theirs but all of that has been resolved since the end of April, 2003.

The only true complaint I have with this unit would be that it needs a toggle switch added to the unit in order to turn it off. I just don’t think a unit of this quality should require the user to unplug it from the back in order to rest the motor. All in all the Saitek R440 is a good product for the market that’s it’s intended for and in my opinion, it’s right on the money. I look for many new unique and intriguing products to come from Saitek in the not-so-distant future. The gaming world is wide open at this time and I think this company has the direction and vision to become a major player in the industry.