Logitech G27 with Momo Prototipo
Zdravo (Hello in bosnian).
This customization was made using a Momo Prototipo my father had on his Renault 5 TX; "Perfect combination for my wheel", i thought.Here i have a stock Logitech G27, with a chilicoke style adapter for 70mm pcd wheels, a Momo Prototipo with 310mm and NKK push buttons.
The MOMO: This one is from January 1980.
It is a misuse of such a wheel on this base but i had to test it. 310mm is a size that Logitech G27 can use and does not look very big.
Thoughts
You can game on a 300$ computer, but is not the same as gaming on a 1000$ computer... . The same with the wheels: you can drive in a game with a 300$ wheel, but it is not the same as driving the same game with a 1000$ wheel... .This Momo, with 310mm does not impact the force feedback output much. The default logitech wheel size is 270mm!
The pushbuttons on the wheel...
NKK Push buttons are high quality push buttons, with a precise feel when one triggers them. I had several available choices regarding buttons and from 2 brands (Knitter & NKK) i went with the NKK for a simple reason; i eventually found a supplier that could sell them. These push buttons are not easy to get in Portugal and i could not find them at all. The big European suppliers do not sell small quantities, but i could find one.
NKK Push button
NKK push button with caps, shrouds and conical nuts.
I want to give an idea of the price of some buttons;
1 NKK Push button: 4€. (Image above)
1 Knitter Push button: 7€ ( Credits to Leo Bodnar for the Photo)
1 OTTO pushbutton : 15€
Knitter Push button
These OTTO push buttons buttons are a must and surely will use them in a future project. Anyway, they are amazing on a decent wheel.
OTTO pushbutton
A good part of GT3 cars in the "real world" make use of such push buttons and switches on the wheel´s car and interior.
I have to make a distinction regarding the push buttons;
Although NKK have a precise feel they are not for everyone! They require a bit of force to actuate (MB2011) and this is where the Knitter push buttons are strong. They seem much smoother, with a not so strong click, but with a precise, high quality feel.
NKK modular push buttons:
The wheel was fitted with a NKK G13B Guard and yellow caps. There is a whole array of caps, guards and nuts for the push buttons. Bellow is the G12B guard, in aluminum too, fitted with a 8mm yellow cap.
All the extra parts are paid (guards and caps).
What is seen on image #1 is something like 20-25€. The buttons are almost all in metal and there is the possibility of connect them in normally open or normally closed mode.
In a nutshell:
open or closed refers to a circuit that electricity goes through.
Normally open is when electricity cannot go through because the circuit is open, hence the contact is not made. When the button is pressed electricity can go through because physically pressing the button closes the circuit.
Normally closed is when electricity is always going through, like if the push button was always physically pressed but If you really press it it interrupys the electricity going through. It is the contrary of the function above.
The caps are screw down caps, and they are interchangeable. They can be used on different buttons or on the same buttons, different cap sizes.
I have opted for just 3 buttons on the wheel itself. 2 of them to look to the sides and one for radio. This was a rational aproach to make the wheel with less "gadgetry" possible but having 2 or 3 basic functions.
Summing up:
It is wise to be said that i enjoy the experience of driving with this custom Logitech base;• The Logitech G27 base is a decent base (highly customizable).
• The Momo Prototipo is good, rare, with decent size and very nice feel to it.
• NKK push buttons are good. High quality click, modular and robust.
In the world of tomorrow, i will certainly fit this wheel on a more reliable base.I mind the quality of my experience, when driving; if i do not mind it is because i can´t afford it!
See you next time!