April 21, 2003
Momo Force
Many years ago I bought myself a Logitech Wingman Formula steering wheel, the Yellow, because it cost much less. I could hardly justify the double the price Red edition with “force feedback”. But I always dreamed of one. Time passed.
About a year ago, walking in the isles of Costco, I noticed they had the latest Logitech Momo Force wheels at $200 Cdn. Unbelievable! This wheel has stitched black leather, looking just like the real Momo parts. The pedals are actually articulated. I chocked at the price, no matter how good it was… I had other things to buy. Time passed. I finally had the money, and you guessed it, Costco had no more of these snazzy wheels. I was crushed, but did look elsewhere. The sadness of missing a good deal turned into concern, when I read that the wheel was discontinued. Online shops, mostly US, had some, but many were re-built. I was saddened some more when I read out this wonders of this wheel on PC, PS2, Mac and maybe more. I missed the boat. Time passed.
I was unemployed and thus some of the downtime was spent playing games… driving games with my old Wingman Formula Yellow, Dreamcast games with a joystick, and so on. I like driving games, especially Rally related ones. Time passed.
I was on my way to meet a buddy for dinner last week, walking a path from work that took me across a PC shop I frequented in the past. They were renovating and someone placed two, count-em again, two Momo Force wheels on display. Price : $209 Cdn. I made a mental note.
During Easter weekend I tallied-up my upcoming expenses, cringing at the sums for new All-Season tyres and much needed car repairs.
I was at work today, had Friday off. At lunch, in the drizzle without an umbrella, I walked to the shop for another look see. I need sometimes to rehash my plans visually, to really know if something is important to me. There was one left. Just one. I was heading back to work, my mind on the task of confirming my memories of this wheels’ capabilities and then buying it after work hours if it still matched my criteria. I Googled, it matched. The afternoon passed.
I head out, rain just a little sprinkle. I enter the shop, no wheel left. Take in air, exhale. I ask the clerk, a voice laced with total disbelief : “That last Momo Force gone ? I was here at lunch…”
He scratches his head, checks the computer and informs me that one should be stock. We proceed to investigate.
Turns out someone had bought the wheel, took it home and returned a half-hour later, thoroughly chastised by his significant other. The box was marked by some rain. Apprehensively we opened it and checked for contents. All there.
“Do I want it ?”
I thought “Take a hike Murphy and take your Laws with you…” and bought the wheel. I have been waiting for a good force feedback wheel for five years… now I can rally safely at home.
Sometimes you get a second chance at a wish, even if it is just an item of little consequence. I’m now happy.
