rec.autos.simulators

by **Bill Mett** » Tue, 09 Sep 1997 04:00:00

I own a TSW and am very happy with it.
It's built VERY strong. Matter of fact, the couple of times it's
fallen off of my desk, I've been more worried about the TSW damaging
things on the floor than the TSW getting damaged. :)
I've never driven a Thrustmaster product, so I can't tell you how much
better and/or different the TSW is. I like mine a lot, though.
Is it worth the money? Well, relative to other wheel/pedel combo's, I
think it is. Is it worth that kind of money to play games? That's your
decision.
Two side notes:

1) The TSW is a very simple design. This is part of what makes it so
strong.
If you get one, don't be surprised if you think "I paid that kind of
money
for this!" for a while. Just keep driving. You'll learn to
appreciate it.
2) If your coming from a keyboard or joystick, don't expect instant lap
time
improvements. A fair amount of people (myself included) take a while
to
get used to the significantly greater control you get with a wheel.
It took
me 5-6 months of casual playing to get down to the times I was
turning in
after two years of joystick playing!

Have Fun!

-Bill

by **motisk** » Tue, 09 Sep 1997 04:00:00

> I am starting to look at a wheel/pedal combo to play my favorite sims.
> I've found the site for the 'Thomas Super Wheels" and I am intrigued and
> want some feedback on different wheel/pedal combos OTHER than the
> Thrustmaster line. Is Thomas as good as their website says? Any other
> suggestions?

> Thanks for the help!

> Brian Nadwidny
> Townsville
> QLD
> Australia

The TSW is great. Infact i tried to run with my t2 i cant even make a
lap with it:)

_Brian

by **Brian Nadwidn** » Wed, 10 Sep 1997 04:00:00

I am starting to look at a wheel/pedal combo to play my favorite sims.
I've found the site for the 'Thomas Super Wheels" and I am intrigued and
want some feedback on different wheel/pedal combos OTHER than the
Thrustmaster line. Is Thomas as good as their website says? Any other
suggestions?

Thanks for the help!

Brian Nadwidny
Townsville
QLD
Australia

by **Paul Hamilt** » Wed, 10 Sep 1997 04:00:00

On Tue, 09 Sep 1997 01:16:32 +1000, Brian Nadwidny

> Is Thomas as good as their website says?

In one word -- BETTER. I was one of those original testers he
mentions in the history page of the website and have had various
versions of the TSW for about 4 years now and they are OUTSTANDING --
as good as anything on the market for any price. The quality is rock
solid and the guarantee iron-clad. Just ask anyone who owns one...

| )/-\(_)|__ IGN4 Netcar Div Champion
| =================================
IGN -- Josta Pontiac Firebird #77
F1SA -- Miskatonic/Cthulhu #77
TPTCC -- Black Cat Mercedes #77
=================================

by **Sean Graha** » Thu, 11 Sep 1997 04:00:00

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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> On Tue, 09 Sep 1997 01:16:32 +1000, Brian Nadwidny

> > Is Thomas as good as their website says?

> In one word -- BETTER. I was one of those original testers he
> mentions in the history page of the website and have had various
> versions of the TSW for about 4 years now and they are OUTSTANDING --
> as good as anything on the market for any price. The quality is rock
> solid and the guarantee iron-clad. Just ask anyone who owns one...

> | )/-\(_)|__ IGN4 Netcar Div Champion
> | =================================
> IGN -- Josta Pontiac Firebird #77
> F1SA -- Miskatonic/Cthulhu #77
> TPTCC -- Black Cat Mercedes #77
> =================================

I wouldn't buy one right now.

Why? Because there are new wheels coming out shortly that for the price
will blow it away.

There is one coming out from Act-Labs that especially has my eye. It is
a force feedback wheel that has F1 style controls and fully programable
wheel buttons. I believe it should be out shortly.

You can check it out at

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by **Paul Hamilt** » Thu, 11 Sep 1997 04:00:00

The price is slightly less than a TSW, but looking at it, I see a lot
of stamped metal and plastic which is much lower quality than the TSW.
Please go to the TSW site and look closely at the construction of the
Thomas wheel and compare the two. The only plastic on the TSW is the
molded covers for the wheel and pedal units. If something goes amiss
on this other wheel, how easy would it be to get to the defective
component to repair or replace it? And speaking of that, what's the
warranty on this other wheel? And why didn't they show any pictures
of the pedals?

To me, it looks like a slightly fancier T2-clone...

Just my dos centavos.

| )/-\(_)|__ IGN4 Netcar Div Champion
========== | ====================================================
IGN5 -- Josta Pontiac Firebird | F1SA -- Miskatonic Cthulhu
LFRS -- Blind Faith Phantom XVI | TPTCC -- Black Cat Renault
=================================================================
"It's already been written that today will be one to remember..."

by **John Walla** » Thu, 11 Sep 1997 04:00:00

Sean, have you _tried_ force-feedback? So far it seems to be merely
"okay" for the flight-sim weenies, and worse than useless for
auto-sims. While driving the wheel twithes insipidly, with no feeling
of fighting it or communicating. The major feedback is when you whack
a wall (like you need a wheel moving to tell you that), and little or
nothing when you really need it, for your wheels to tell you how they
are gripping and sliding. Right now FF technology is where 3D cards
were a couple of years ago. At some point there will be a "3dFX" of
FF-wheels coming along, but for now all we have are the sad acts like
Diamond Edge 3D and Matrox Milleniums.

I've yet to see the TSW "blown away" by anything, and only ever
eclipsed by units far more expensive - even that comes down to
personal preference. My own TSW has the steering wheel cover almost
worn through as I've used it so much, but never so much as a squeak of
a problem from any other part of it. Happy? I'm ecstatic. :)

Cheers!
John

by **Sean Graha** » Thu, 11 Sep 1997 04:00:00

> >Why? Because there are new wheels coming out shortly that for the price
> >will blow it away.
> >There is one coming out from Act-Labs that especially has my eye. It is
> >a force feedback wheel that has F1 style controls and fully programable
> >wheel buttons. I believe it should be out shortly.

> Sean, have you _tried_ force-feedback? So far it seems to be merely
> "okay" for the flight-sim weenies, and worse than useless for
> auto-sims. While driving the wheel twithes insipidly, with no feeling
> of fighting it or communicating. The major feedback is when you whack
> a wall (like you need a wheel moving to tell you that), and little or
> nothing when you really need it, for your wheels to tell you how they
> are gripping and sliding. Right now FF technology is where 3D cards
> were a couple of years ago. At some point there will be a "3dFX" of
> FF-wheels coming along, but for now all we have are the sad acts like
> Diamond Edge 3D and Matrox Milleniums.

> I've yet to see the TSW "blown away" by anything, and only ever
> eclipsed by units far more expensive - even that comes down to
> personal preference. My own TSW has the steering wheel cover almost
> worn through as I've used it so much, but never so much as a squeak of
> a problem from any other part of it. Happy? I'm ecstatic. :)

> Cheers!
> John

I'm not saying the TSW is not a fine product. I'm sure it is. However I
think for the money this Act-Labs wheel will be an excellent value.
Especially if you have a Playstation, N64, or Saturn since you will be
able to use it on all those platforms as well.

later
Sean