New to Xbox from PS3, couple of quick queries.

Wagon_Power · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:32

Hi I have just bought an elite 360 to go alongside my PS3, mainly because of GT5 being delayed again and Forza being released next month

As it is my first Xbox I just have a few queries;

1) Paying for live, what is the cheapest way? Does the one month I get free start as soon as I sign up to it?

2)Pad batteries, do most people use rechargables or is it worth getting a play and charge kit?

3)Is the MS steering wheel any good? I have a Logitech G25 but annoyingly thats not compatiable with the Xbox & I can't really justify the cost of the Fanatec wheels. I suppose I could just play Forza 3 with the pad & then if GT5 ever gets released :rolleyes:

I can just go back to using the G25 with it.

Cheers

Nismo · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:35

1) Yes the 1 month trial starts when you sign up. Cheapest way of paying for a year subscription is to look on eBay, or at one of the websites that offer cheap sub codes. Expect to pay around £25-£30 for 12 months (13 sometimes)

2) Play and Charge, or official battery pack plus a the Quick Charge kit. Normal rechargeables are fine though if you already have them.

3) Official wheel isn't as good as a G25, but it's the best you will get on the 360 unless you shell out for a Fanatec wheel, which I don't think it justified unless you are a hardcore racing game fan. That's not to say it's poor, it just lacks certain features e.g. really strong FF, gear stick, clutch pedal.

Mr_White · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:40

Wagon_Power said:
1) Paying for live, what is the cheapest way? Does the one month I get free start as soon as I sign up to it?

Buying a code from one of the online re-sellers that specialises in it will be the cheapest.

Wagon_Power said:
2)Pad batteries, do most people use rechargables or is it worth getting a play and charge kit?

I just use a mains AA charger and have two sets of batteries per controller (One set to play, one charging/charged), much cheaper than the official kits, and you can get batteries that last much longer.

Streeteh · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:41

1. As nismo said, just look around online, some stores that also have sellers areas also offer good deals.

2. I use rechargeable batteries, does the job just fine.

3. Well, it's the best you'll get short of a fanatec but if you consider it costs the same as the vastly superior Driving Force GT you realize it isn't really that good in the value for money department. If £70 isn't that much to you then go for it, it's still a pretty good wheel, it's just not as good as others in the same price range.

Wagon_Power · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:57

Cool thanks for the replies, I think I will just stick with the Pad for Forza as I only paid 99 pounds for the G25 so nearly as much again on an inferior wheel doesn't seem a good idea and I would also have another wheel cluttering up the flat.

Tetsu · 27 Sep 2009 at 11:02

I cracked open an official battery only to find 2 cheap looking AA batteries inside. Ever since I've just used Duracell rechargable and they last at least twice as long...maybe even more.

Gamer_T · 27 Sep 2009 at 11:57

A bit off topic but, I bought an official play and charge kit, I'll let it get fully charged, unplug it and it'll only last about 2 hours before the low battery light starts flashing. Anyone else notice this?

Substance · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:02

Gamer_T said:
A bit off topic but, I bought an official play and charge kit, I'll let it get fully charged, unplug it and it'll only last about 2 hours before the low battery light starts flashing. Anyone else notice this?

My play and charge kit lasted ages when I first got it but they deteriorate so quickly, after only a couple of months I found my self charging it every week, then after that every 2 days,

I don't play on the 360 that often either, Now I just use energizer 2000mah rechargables, they seem to last a couple of months easily

Streeteh · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:04

Best thing i've found is a Sony charger that comes with 4 2500mah batteries and charges them in less than 15 mins, far better than a play and charge kit. Iirc i recharged them last about 3 weeks ago.

Nymins · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:12

My play and charge kit cable died after about 6 months. I just cracked open the battery pack that came with it and used the 2 rechargeable batteries inside and it works fine. The cable kept thinking the batteries were full (went from a red light to a green in about a minute) when they weren't.

Charged the batteries up once using an old plug recharger and haven't needed to recharge them since yet.

breeza · 30 Sep 2009 at 22:38

I have found the Sanyo eneloop rechargeable batteries to be the best as they keep their charge over long periods without use.

Shamikebab · 30 Sep 2009 at 22:39

My play and charge kit started not charging much about a month ago...I've had it since launch. I assume a new battery would solve the problem?