Comparison PXN V99 vs PXN V9

— Steering wheel. Ready-to-use gaming steering wheels that can be connected and used to start playing right out of the box. Such a set usually includes the steering wheel itself with a base, mount and cables, but without pedals or a separate shifter, so the accelerator and brake may be assigned to buttons or paddles. This option is suitable for arcade racing, simple driving simulators and situations where a basic set without unnecessary accessories is needed.

— Steering wheel with pedals. A more complete racing set that includes a separate pedal platform for the accelerator, brake and sometimes clutch in addition to the steering unit. This set is much closer to real car control than a steering wheel without pedals, because speed and braking are controlled with the feet. This is a convenient starting option for Forza, Gran Turismo, F1, Assetto Corsa and other racing games.

— Steering wheel, pedals and shifter. Includes all three main elements: a steering unit, pedals and a separate gear shifter. Here, the shifter means a separate lever that simulates manual gear shifting rather than paddles on the steering wheel. This set is better suited to simulators, drifting, truck games and fans of manual transmissions who value a more realistic seating position and control.

— Steering wheel with shifter. Sets that inc...lude a lever-operated gear shifter together with the steering wheel. Unlike sets with a separate shifter, the lever here is often located directly on the same base as the steering wheel, making the set more compact and eliminating the need for separate space for the shifter. This option is convenient for arcade racing, simple simulators and users who want manual shifting without a complex modular setup.

— Steering wheel rim. A separate replaceable part of a gaming steering wheel, designed for installation on a compatible wheel base. This option belongs to more professional solutions because the user assembles the simulator modularly, choosing the base, wheel rim, pedals, shifter and other accessories separately. This makes it possible to select the shape, diameter, grip, buttons and wheel style for specific types of racing—for example, formula racing, rally, drifting or GT racing.

— Wheel base. The main drive unit to which the steering wheel is connected and which is responsible for rotation, resistance and Force Feedback. The base itself is not a complete gaming steering wheel, as a steering wheel, pedals and other accessories usually need to be selected separately. This option is more often chosen for modular simulators where power, precision and the ability to build a customized set are important.

— Pedals. A standalone accessory for a gaming steering wheel that controls the accelerator, brake and, in some sets, clutch. They are purchased to replace the standard pedal set, upgrade a simulator or build a set from separate components. For example, more advanced pedals can transmit braking force more precisely and be better suited to serious racing simulators.

— Shifter. A lever-operated gear shifter for gaming steering wheels and racing simulators. Depending on the model's design, it simulates a manual gearbox or sequential shifting. This accessory is especially useful for driving simulators, drifting, rally, truck simulators and games where you want to control gears with a separate lever rather than paddles.

— Handbrake. An accessory for a racing simulator that simulates a parking or hydraulic handbrake lever. It is especially useful in drifting, rally and some arcade racing games, where you need to quickly initiate a slide with the rear axle or take a corner sideways.

— Control panel. A separate module with buttons, toggle switches, encoders or switches that complements the gaming steering wheel and puts some controls on a separate panel. This module is useful in driving simulators, truck simulators and games with many controls, where it is important not to be distracted by the keyboard.

The size of a gaming steering wheel usually refers to the diameter of the wheel in round and D-shaped forms and affects the realism of control, rotation speed, and grip comfort. Compact wheels, around 20 – 24 cm, are more common in simple models and are suitable for arcade racing but feel less realistic. A size of 27 – 30 cm is considered more versatile and closer to an actual car steering wheel, making it convenient for simulators, GT, rally, and everyday play. Larger wheels, 31 – 35 cm, are more often used in advanced setups, especially for trucking simulators, drifts, or the most realistic seating.

For formula wheels or steering wheels with a cut-off shape, the size is more often indicated by the maximum width between the outermost grip points.

Ability to detach the steering wheel from the base. A removable steering wheel is convenient for storage, transportation, and switching the wheel for different types of racing—for example, installing a round wheel for drifting or a steering wheel for formula racing simulators.

Type of feedback provided in the design of the controller (if it is available at all).

Feedback is the controller's response to certain events occurring in the game. Such a response enhances the "immersion effect," creating the impression for the player that they are holding a real airplane joystick, car steering wheel, etc. It can be as follows:

— Vibration. Feedback in the form of vibration allows imitation of, for example, the shaking from driving off-road, the shudder of an airplane when firing onboard weapons, or entering a turbulence zone, etc.

— Force. Controllers with force feedback are capable of creating certain resistance to the player's efforts—for example, to imitate the difficulty of turning the steering wheel with wheels stuck in the mud.

— Vibration/force. Controllers supporting both of the feedback types described above. This option is the most advanced and at the same time the most expensive.

The drive type indicates how force from the motor is transmitted to the steering wheel and how realistic the feedback feels in the game.

— Gear-driven. A gear mechanism transmits force from the motor to the steering wheel through gears, so these models are usually simpler and more affordable. It provides basic feedback and is well suited for getting acquainted with racing, but may feel noisier, more stepped, and less smooth than a belt-driven or direct-drive system. Accordingly, a gear-driven steering wheel is suitable for Forza, Need for Speed, or first runs in simulators without serious precision requirements.

— Belt-driven. Transmitting force through a belt makes steering smoother and quieter compared with a gear mechanism. This type of drive usually smooths out jolts better, provides pleasant feedback, and is suitable for those who want a noticeable step up from basic models. A belt-driven steering wheel performs particularly well in circuit racing, where smooth trajectory control and precise vehicle corrections are important.

— Hybrid. A combined drive uses several types of force transmission, most often a belt and gears, to combine an affordable price with smoother feedback. It usually operates more smoothly than a purely gear-driven mechanism, but does not offer the same precision and speed as direct drive. A hybrid steering wheel i...s suitable for players who have outgrown a basic model but are not yet ready to buy an expensive Direct Drive wheelbase.

— Direct-drive. A direct-drive system transmits force from the motor straight to the steering shaft, without belts or gears, so the wheel responds as quickly and precisely as possible. This option is valued for its powerful feedback, detailed transmission of subtle effects, and lack of play, but it is usually more expensive and requires secure mounting. For example, direct drive is well suited to serious sim racing, where it is important to feel tire slip, the vehicle's weight, and the moment it breaks into a skid.

The max torque indicates the force with which the steering base can resist the steering wheel's turn. The higher the torque, the more strongly tire grip, impacts, skids, curbs, and load in turns are felt, making the control closer to that of a real car. Simple steering wheels usually provide up to 3 Nm, more advanced models — 4-8 Nm, and powerful Direct Drive bases can deliver 10-20 Nm and above.

Meanwhile, in simulators, the force is often adjusted for the game, car, and user's comfort. For example, for arcade racing, a small effort is enough, whereas for iRacing, Assetto Corsa, or serious drifting, a powerful base with a torque reserve provides more accurate and rich feedback.

Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, which can be pressed with fingers without removing hands from the wheel, are most often used for gear shifting. Basic models usually have two paddles: the right one is for shifting up, and the left one is for shifting down. More advanced wheels may have 4 or 6 paddles, with additional pairs used for clutch, manual start, DRS, car adjustments, or other commands in simulators. The more paddle shifters there are, the more convenient it is to control important functions directly from the wheel, especially in F1, GT, and other racing simulators.

The steering wheel covering affects grip, tactile sensations, wear resistance, and comfort during long gameplay. The material determines whether the wheel is pleasant to the touch, won't slip in your hands, and how quickly the surface will lose its appearance with active use.

— Rubber. Practical, affordable, and well-suited for basic gaming wheels. This covering withstands frequent use, is easy to clean, and requires less maintenance, but usually feels simpler compared to leather or Alcantara.

— Alcantara. A pleasant-to-touch material that provides a firm grip, often found in more expensive and sporty steering wheels. It is great for simulators and active driving but gets dirty faster and requires gentle care, especially if playing without gloves.

— Leather. Usually represented by faux leather, making the wheel more akin to a car's and pleasant for everyday gaming. This covering is ideal for general use, GT, rally, and road simulators but may wear out over time in areas of active grip.

Power source used by a gaming controller.

This parameter directly depends on the type of connection (see "Connection"). For example, power from a USB port or network (power adapter) is mainly found in wired models, while devices with wireless connectivity (both purely wireless and combined) are almost guaranteed to use a battery or batteries. Here is a more detailed description of each of these options:

— USB port. Power from a USB port is usually the same one through which the controller directly interacts with the console, PC, or other gaming device. This type of connection allows avoiding extra wires. On the other hand, the power from USB is relatively low, making this option less suitable for controllers with powerful feedback systems (specifically, advanced wheels)—with such accessories, a separate power adapter (see below) is required. It is also worth noting that this power method is found in some wireless models—usually controllers for mobile devices that interact with a gadget via Bluetooth and receive power from this same gadget's USB port. This working format allows avoiding batteries in the controller itself; however, it additionally consumes the main device's charge.

— Network. Power from a standard electrical outlet using a separate power adapter (PA). This is mainly used in high-end wir...ed wheels (see "Device Type") that require high power for efficient operation of feedback systems. Theoretically, this option is not very convenient as it requires finding an additional socket; however, in practice, this usually poses no particular difficulties (in extreme cases, an extension cord can be used).

— Battery. Power from a built-in battery not related to standard sizes (unlike batteries), and often non-removable. This is the most popular power method for wireless controllers nowadays. Its main advantage over batteries is that it requires no extra expense or effort: the battery is included in the package, it doesn't need to be bought separately, and when the charge runs out, it's enough to recharge the controller. True, this procedure takes some time; however, the full charging time rarely exceeds a couple of hours, while the operating time can be measured in days (although there are more modest indicators). Moreover, many controllers can be used without disconnecting the charging device; this somewhat limits mobility, but this moment is usually not critical.

— Batteries (AA, AAA). Power from replaceable standard-sized elements—usually "finger" AA or "pinkie" AAA. The number of elements used may vary; however, the general features of such power are the same in all controllers. On the one hand, batteries allow for quick replacement, which enables playing with minimal interruptions: when the charge is depleted, it is enough to simply install fresh power elements instead of the dead ones. Meanwhile, the user has a choice: either regularly buy disposable batteries or invest in rechargeable batteries with an external charging device. If two sets of such batteries are purchased, one set can be kept on charge while the other is in use. On the other hand, using batteries inevitably involves additional costs: power elements are usually not included in the package and must be purchased separately before first use. As a result, this type of power is used noticeably less often than batteries, although it can be found in quite advanced and well-known devices—in particular, standard gamepads for Xbox 360, Xbox One, and even Xbox Series X|S.