rec.autos.simulators

by bo » Wed, 13 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I had a Logitech FF wheel which I returned to Best Buy a few days ago.
After having it for only about 3 weeks, it had developed an annoying squeek
(which wouldn't go away, despite the posts on Force-1 on how to fix it) and
the pedals were quite poor (bad feel - though this was a bit better with new
springs, too close together & too short of a throw). It just didn't make a
good GPL experiance!

I'd love it if I could afford a Thomas wheel - but I like the pedal
shifters, etc., & the Thomas wheel is out of my price range with all those
goodies.

Any recommendations as to a good AFFORDABLE wheel for GPL? I don't really
care about force-feedback.

Have people used the ACT Labs RS (not the FF version, which I heard doesn't
have a centering spring in GPL)? Any good? Any advice would be
appreciated.

Thanks.

by **Schlom** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

care about force-feedback.

I have the Thrustmaster NASCAR Sprint and i really like it. Im just now
re-learning how to drive since i switched from a joystick to a wheel/pedals but
found the feel of this wheel is really nice. Its not FF but the spring that
centers it is quite strong so it feels more real than say the $25 special. The
pedals leave quite a bit to be desired however. Theyre small and the travel is
short. I like them but thats probably cause i drive a standard in real life
and the pedals in it are also small (though the travel isnt short). The thing
i really like about it is it allows you to pick either pedals set on the floor
or a set of F1 style paddles on the wheel it self. It only costs about $80 US
currency. Im sure alot of people may disagree with me but this is just MHO.

I cant comment on this product for i havent seen or used it but one of my
racing buddies has it (the non-FF version) and he really likes it.

Hope this info is of some use to you and also hope you find a wheel you are
comfortable with.

Happy racing,
Chris

by **Julian Taylo** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I have no actual experience myself, but from what I've gleaned, the
Microsoft FF wheel seems a good choice even though GPL doesnt support FF.
Being digital/optical rather than using pots, it wont wear out quickly, and
is vey precise. Also no weak points - ie pedals are fine by all reports too.
I've heard very few reports from anyone being unhappy with this wheel.
Problem with the TM Sprint is that the pots are likely to go on you fairly
quickly.
I believe the Act Lab wheels - whilst good performers, once again may not be
as robust in the long run as the Microsoft wheel.
Just my $0.02 worth.

by **Thierry Cailletea** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

ActLabs have crappy pedals, same problem as you got now. The best wheel
right now, about its accuracy, is the microsift FF, but it is not what, i
guess, you call "affordable". But my opinion is that you will never change
for another wheel. It is worth its price (quality and performance, and
reliability). I hate Bill Gates, but his wheel is far better than his WIN 98
: )

This had to be said :)

Note that the microsoft wheel is not the best about force feedback effects
(just correct) but is the best on all other aspects (quality, perf,
reliability). This is at least a 3 years wheel, not a 6 months one. Think
about this wwhen you think about what is affordable or not. The wheel is
worth its price, because its quality is as superior as its price !

Good driving !

Thierry Cailleteau

by **Cuff** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Hi there I have the ACT LABS RS non forceback and love the wheel but the
pedals suck shit, they stick down and are very unsmooth which makes GPL very
hard to drive. STAY AWAY!

>I had a Logitech FF wheel which I returned to Best Buy a few days ago.
>After having it for only about 3 weeks, it had developed an annoying squeek
>(which wouldn't go away, despite the posts on Force-1 on how to fix it) and

by **gallowa** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Go and try out the Microsoft FF wheel, it is very even though GPL doesn't
support forcefeedback. It's very accurate, precise and has a good feel even
without ff effects. It's expensive but so far to me the best joystick I've
had in 10 years. Pedals are also bearable and you can decelop their touch by
adding ***ball under brake pedals(squash ball will do)

>I had a Logitech FF wheel which I returned to Best Buy a few days ago.
>After having it for only about 3 weeks, it had developed an annoying squeek
>(which wouldn't go away, despite the posts on Force-1 on how to fix it) and
>the pedals were quite poor (bad feel - though this was a bit better with
new
>springs, too close together & too short of a throw). It just didn't make a
>good GPL experiance!

>I'd love it if I could afford a Thomas wheel - but I like the pedal
>shifters, etc., & the Thomas wheel is out of my price range with all those
>goodies.

by **Mike Buckle** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I'm just about to return my Sprint, it lasted about 10 days before
developing a fault. When moving the steering only a light amount nothing
would happen and then the steering would jump to that spot - not good
for going in a straight line in GPL. Also the wheel lost some of its
centering ability in a very short space of time. Once I'd jammed some
foam under the brake pedal I was fairly happy with the pedal setup
though.

Getting a MS FF as a replacement.

--
Mike Buckley

WWW: www.toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk

by **murchma** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

You should love the MS wheel. It is allot more sensitive and accurete. You
can also adjust the tension in the wheel using the software. A tip the brake
pedal in GPL will be very sensitive at first untill you learn that you don't
need to press very far down on the pedal to lock them up. Once you get the
feel of the brake which took me a couple of weeks, you will love the wheel.

by **KCDC** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

The TM GP1 with a set of non-Pro CH pedals is surprisingly good for pretty
cheap. Mine is still working after 4 months of intensive GPL. It can be
easily modified for 270 degree rotation, and the centering adjusted to
taste. The 270 rotation does fatigue the wires in the curly cord though.

I just got the Logitech Formula (non-FF), and it is a beautiful wheel.
Calibration is rock solid, and the movement very smooth. It is well made
inside too. I have modified mine for 270 degree rotation, and put lighter
centering springs in it (had to make my own). The pedals are usable, but not
the best. I spliced in my CH pedals. A fair bit of modification for a new
wheel, but it is very nice. Much better shaped than the MS FF, and the shift
paddles are way better. The MS wheel has weenie little shift paddles. The
Logitech Formula is much cheaper than the MS FF, and comes with the Ubisoft
F1 sim, if that is of interest. Haven't even loaded it yet. No time with
GPL!

Kevin Caldwell
Calgary, Canada

by **Jason Mond** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Hi Murchman,

This is not about wheels but locking under braking in GPL.

I move the brake bias back to less than 55, usually 52-54.
This allows me to *almost* put the brake to the floor without
locking. Just ease up on the brake after your speed is reduced
because the wheels will lock without the added weight transfer.

Check out my Murasama/Monza setup for an example of this.
See the sig at the bottom.

Oh yeah, I don't trail brake so If you do -- well all this information
can be thrown out the***pit.

Jason.

> You should love the MS wheel. It is allot more sensitive and accurete. You
> can also adjust the tension in the wheel using the software. A tip the brake
> pedal in GPL will be very sensitive at first untill you learn that you don't
> need to press very far down on the pedal to lock them up. Once you get the
> feel of the brake which took me a couple of weeks, you will love the wheel.

--------
Jason Monds
"My other car is a Ferrari"
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
(Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

by **Jack** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

With front brake bias set at 52%, I can understand that! <G>

by **Peter Gag** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

> I had a Logitech FF wheel which I returned to Best Buy a few days
> ago.
> After having it for only about 3 weeks, it had developed an
> annoying squeek
> (which wouldn't go away, despite the posts on Force-1 on how to fix
> it) and
> the pedals were quite poor (bad feel - though this was a bit better
> with new
> springs, too close together & too short of a throw). It just
> didn't make a
> good GPL experiance!

> I'd love it if I could afford a Thomas wheel - but I like the pedal
> shifters, etc., & the Thomas wheel is out of my price range with
> all those
> goodies.

> Any recommendations as to a good AFFORDABLE wheel for GPL? I don't
> really
> care about force-feedback.

The Digital Edge F1 Sim wheel and pedals are just what you need.
Contact:

or visit:

http://www.interactiveracing.com

Costs about 150.00 (UK)

8-)

*Peter* #:-)

by **Ekke Ko** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I am using the Mad Catz Puma GT wheel and pedals. I find the steering to be
smooth and the pedals are easy to modulate. I have one problem with the setup
however and that is that the shifter will not downshift at times. Typically
this occurs as the game progresses. Testing in the game controllers window
shows that everything works just fine. I have had no response to my query at
Mad Catz tech yet. Otherwise great setup for the price. ($80 Canadian at
Staples)

Ekke Kok
Redwood Meadows, AB

> I had a Logitech FF wheel which I returned to Best Buy a few days ago.
> After having it for only about 3 weeks, it had developed an annoying squeek
> (which wouldn't go away, despite the posts on Force-1 on how to fix it) and
> the pedals were quite poor (bad feel - though this was a bit better with new
> springs, too close together & too short of a throw). It just didn't make a
> good GPL experiance!

> I'd love it if I could afford a Thomas wheel - but I like the pedal
> shifters, etc., & the Thomas wheel is out of my price range with all those
> goodies.

> Any recommendations as to a good AFFORDABLE wheel for GPL? I don't really
> care about force-feedback.

> Have people used the ACT Labs RS (not the FF version, which I heard doesn't
> have a centering spring in GPL)? Any good? Any advice would be
> appreciated.

> Thanks.

by **Bria** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I've used the following wheels with GPL:

- ThrustMaster GP1 - (my first wheel), hand paddle for gas and brake, pots
kept going bad, single axis for gas and brake

- MS FF Wheel - optical instead of pots (nice never seeing any spikes when
calibrating within games), never goes out of calibration, nice pedals (base
is a bit light, but I brace it against my subwoofer), nicest clamping
mechanism I've seen, smallest foot print on desk

- ACTLAB Force RS - (I returned it after 2 days) nice heavy pedal base, very
sticky high friction pedals, single axis only for gas and brake, flimsy
shifter paddle, poorly placed spoke buttons

- ThrustMaster Formula Sprint - (picked this one up for my brother when he
got a new PC) has both pedals and hand paddle for gas and brake, useless
pedals, only supports separate gas and brake axis (i.e., can't use with
games that only support single axis such as TOCA), very difficult to setup
(could not get it working at all with my brother's Dell 400 and gameport on
Turtle Beach Montego)

- Logitech Wingman Formula non-FF - (got this one for my brother after I
returned the Sprint) very nice wheel, smooth action, pedals too light (but
I've read this can be fixed), control software allows setting of sensitivity
for all axis (steering, gas, and brake)

My ideal (affordable) would be the MS FF with steering wheel of the
Logitech, pedal base of the ACTLAB (but not the pedals), and a USB
connector. But since this can't be had, I like the MS FF best of these.

Brian

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