rec.autos.simulators

I mean, really, is this something I should spend $130 on?  My CH
Flightstick seems to work pretty well on the NASCAR tracks.  I just can't
see spending that much money on this thing.  The problem here is that I
really want the damn thing.  I went and looked at one (for the third
time) today.  The only thing that really turns me off about the whole
thing is that it doesn't really look too sturdy.  What's the deal with
the wheels down there for gas and brake?  Why aren't there pedals?  Now I
also saw something by CH which was actual pedals, but no steering wheel.
 It was specifically for flight sims.  Why doesn't the Thrustmaster have
pedals like that?  Don't those wheels break really easy?
I want to hear some testimonials.  Someone (other than the Thrustmaster
dude I've seen lurking around) tell me what an advantage it is to have
this thing over a stick.  If the Thrustmaster T1 is the "real deal" then
it'll be worth the bucks, but if it ain't, I'll stick to the stick.

--

IWCC/IGN/IWR  #70 AC/Delco Chevy Monte Carlo
Gold Star Racing
"I may be new, but I don't suck."

I use the Thrustmaster pedals and the CH Products yoke ("Flightstick"?)
The wheels don't break. The springs occasionally break if the pedals are
used "fully". Thrustmaster is good about sending you new springs free,
and they are easy enough to replace. The only other pedals I've tried were
"rudder-type" (push one and the other comes up) pedals which were unsuited
for racing IMHO.
On road courses, I think that analog brakes and throttle are NECESSARY for
good, consistent lap times. On most ovals, I feel more comfortable using
digital throttle and brakes. (I guess Pocono is another track where I find
the analog control helpful...)

I'm not advising AGAINST anyone's products, but I personally like the
Thrustmaster pedals quite a bit. I haven't tried the T1 steering wheel,
though we have a bunch around the office...

---Jim Sokoloff, Papyrus