Want a Better Gaming Experience Racing Your Friends in Forza Motorsports 4? Get A Headset! Talk and Listen LIVE.

June 9, 2021

#425 

Gentle reader,

I began virtual racing years ago when a buddy gave me some PC racing games. My favorite was Test Drive Le Mans.

But that was long ago. Over time and with some money, I graduated to a PS2 Slim then an Xbox 360. I tried MANY different titles of racing games, but always came back to FM4.

In ALL cases I HAD to use a steering wheel and pedals. It wasn't until a coworker/friend also started racing in Forza Motorsports 4 that we both signed up for GOLD and we both tried racing on line.

The first race we joined was utter CHAOS! So we jumped right out of that race.

We figured out how to race just each other. But, his car was so SLOW! We had both Microsoft brand headsets and could talk with each other while racing. I said to him, "Why are you SO slow?" Soon after that, he bought an Xbox One and that was the end of that. 

Recently, I found out that there is a Facebook Group dedicated to Forza Motorsports 4. I joined it.

Forza Motorsport 4 Community | Facebook

As a result of the group, I have begun racing on line again. My friend was frustrated because he was messaging me via Facebook while we were racing and I had no idea he was doing so. As a result, I suggested that he buy a headset. Mine arrived the other day.

This is what the box looks like. It was less than ten bucks on eBay.

This is what the previous headset looked like. Note the proprietary plug on it. Photo is from an eBay auction.

Above is the receptacle on the base of the Microsoft Steering wheel, now you can see why the funny plug on the old set. It kind of gripped what it was plugged into with those two oval holes.

And this is the same receptacle, but on the controller. 

Here is what the newer generation headsets look like. Note that it is plugged into the center hole.

The image on the back of the box.

Unlike the original headsets, these have padding on the portion that clamps over your head. 

I hung the new headset by the plug overnight to remove the kinks in the cable, seen above.

Now, I just need fellow FM4 racers to get themselves a headset so that we can HEAR each other and comment while racing and in between sessions.

Thanks for reading this!

Scott

June 9, 2021

#425