Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Wheel & Race Sim Chassis talk

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

 

Thanks Guys I am REALLY enjoying much more so than I thought I would! The total price after rebate on the G25 was 205 shipped & discounted Obutto $185 + shipping $60 = $450. Some may feel it is a bit pricey just for 1 game but this is not so, as the G25 is compatible with lots of PS2/PS3 & PC titles.

 

I am not 100% sure but I do remember reading somewhere that he was working on it. Send Chris an email at info@obutto.com or chris@obutto.com

 

In my opinion Dazila, no. I was itching to get the GT5P JP version but decided to wait until (hopefully) late Feb, early March for the US release as it will most likely have additions to it that the JP version will have to add possibly via download. Similar to how Motorstorm was for JP vs US. If you do end up getting it I have lots of translation pics I can send you as this his how close I was to getting the JP version.

 

Honestly the GT Series has always been my favorite game on ANY system that I have played even more than FPS', Platformers, Explorations, Puzzles or whatever....and while there are other titles that may work with the G25 I feel those should be used with a controller (NFS, Burnout and such). But, again that is personal preference and I do play those kind of games so I am not putting them down.

 

Well I just found this information about games that are compatible from GT Planet, all credit goes to them

PlayStation®2 Driving Game Compatible with the 900-Degree Steering

Evolution GT™ by Lago Srl.
Flatout™ by Empire Interactive
Gran Turismo™ 4 by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
GTHD Demo
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Demo
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue JP version
Midnight Club™ 3: DUB Edition by Rockstar Games
Need for Speed Underground® 2 by Electronic Arts
Need for Speed Most Wanted® by Electronic Arts
Richard Burns Rally™ by SCi Games
Street Racing Syndicate™ by Empire Interactive
Test Drive® Eve of Destruction by Atari
TOCA Race Driver™ 2 by Codemasters
TOCA Race Driver™ 3 by Codemasters


PlayStation®2 Driving Games Compatible with Logitech's Driving Force, Driving Force Pro, and G25 steering wheels

18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker ™ by Acclaim
Auto Modellista by Capcom Entertainment
Burnout™ by Acclaim
Burnout 2: Point of Impact™ by Acclaim
Burnout 3 Takedown™ by Electronic Arts
Burnout™ Revenge by Electronic Arts
Colin McRae™ 3 by CodeMasters Software
Colin McRae™ Rally 4 by Codemasters
Colin McRae™ 2005 by Codemasters
Corvette® by Global Star Software
Driven by Bam Entertainment
Enthusia Professional Racing by Konami
F1™ 2001 by Electronic Arts
F1™ 2002 by Electronic Arts
F1™ Career Challenge by Electronic Arts
Ferrari® F355 Challenge™ by Sega
Flatout™ by Empire Interactive
Ford Mustang: The Legend Lives by 2KGames
Formula One 2001™ by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Formula One 2002™ by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Formula One 2003™ by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Formula One 2004™ by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Gran Turismo™ Concept: 2001 Tokyo by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Gran Turismo™ Concept: 2002 Tokyo-Geneva by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Gran Turismo™ 3 A-spec by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Gran Turismo™ 4 by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Grand Prix Challenge by Atari
Hot Wheels ™ Velocity X by THQ
Initial D: Special Stage by Sega
Juiced™ by THQ
Knight Rider™ by Universal Interactive
Lotus Challenge™ by Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Midnight Club™ II By Rockstar Games
Midnight Club™ 3: DUB Edition by Rockstar Games
Motor Mayhem ™ by Atari
NASCAR 06 Total Team Control™ by Electronic Arts
NASCAR® Heat™ 2002 by Atari
NASCAR® Heat™ 2: Road To The Championship
NASCAR® Thunder™ 2002 by Electronic Arts
NASCAR® Thunder™ 2003 by Electronic Arts
NASCAR® Thunder™ 2004 by Electronic Arts
NASCAR® 2005: Chase for the Cup™ by Electronic Arts
NASCAR 06 Total Team Control™ by Electronic Arts
Need For Speed™: Carbon by Electronic Arts
Need For Speed™: Hot Pursuit 2 by Electronic Arts
Need For Speed™ Underground by Electronic Arts
Need for Speed Underground® 2 by Electronic Arts
Need for Speed Most Wanted® by Electronic Arts
NHRA™ Championship Drag Racing™ by VSE Games
Pro Race Driver by CodeMasters
R: Racing Evolution by Namco
Rally Championship by CodeMasters
Rally Fusion: Race of Champions by Activision
Richard Burns Rally™ by SCi Games
RoadKill by Midway
Shox™ Electronic Arts
Smuggler´s Run 2: Hostile Territory by Rockstar Games
Starsky & Hutch™ by Gotham Games
Street Racing Syndicate by Namco
The Simpsons™ Hit & Run by Vivendi Universal
The Simpsons™ Road Rage by Electronic Arts
Total Immersion Racing™ by Empire Interactive
Test Drive® by Atari
Test Drive® Off-Road: Wide Open™ by Atari
Test Drive® Eve of Destruction by Atari
TOCA Race Driver™ 2 by Codemasters
TOCA Race Driver™ 3 by Codemasters
Twisted Metal Black Online by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002 by Atari
World Rally Championship™ by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
World Rally Championship™ II Extreme by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
World Rally Championship™ IV by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
V-Rally™ 3 by Atari


Games Known With Working Clutch

Need For Speed: Carbon by EA Games
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue JP version
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue EU version
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue US version


Game With 6-Speed/H-Gate

Need For Speed: Carbon by EA Games
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Demo
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue JP version
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue EU version
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue US version