Getting New Grips with Logitech

Logitech announced two new additions to its popular WingMan brand of game controllers for racing fans on Monday: the WingMan Formula and the Formula Force.

WingMan Formula controller offers a textured rubber steering wheel. The WingMan Formula Force incorporates a steel cable drive transmission for Immersion's I-Force force feedback technology.

"WingMan Formula and WingMan Formula Force let PC racers choose from two high-precision driving systems based on their level of driving experience, how they want to drive, and the simulations they are using," said Fred Swan, Logitech's director of marketing for entertainment.

Both controllers are due for release sometime early this fall. The WingMan Formula controller will sell for US$99.95, with the WingMan Formula Force controller taking the high road at $179.95. The two controllers will share a dual clamping system, four programmable steering wheel based buttons, and manual transmission racers can switch gears through wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Inside the box, gamers will receive F1 Racing Simulation from UbiSoft and Motorhead from Gremlin.

"WingMan Formula Force incorporates Immersion's award-winning I-Force 2.0 technology, which was developed for high-end aerospace, medical, and military simulations. We believe that our low-friction, high-fidelity Force Cable Drive technology takes drivers as close to a real racing experience as they can get on a PC today and without taking expensive high-speed turns in the cockpit of a Formula One car."

You'll need at least a Pentium 166 MMX or better PC with a 15-pin gameport to use the Formula controller. If you buy the Formula Force controller, you'll need an open serial port or a USB port (with Windows 98).