rec.autos.simulators

--
"The only motivation that makes you go race-after-race, travel-after-travel,
is winning." -Ayrton Senna da Silva

This is a good product, the only thing missing is a stick shift (how can
it be called a NASCAR product with a stick, I don't know).  The wheel
has a very good feel to it.  TM has great improved their pedal designs
and I think the Super Sport's pedals are right on.  In Windows programs
that support it, one can have 6 buttons (including the paddles).  The
pedals can be configured to be on seperate axes (important for GPL).  I
understand that TM has gone out of their way to stress test the springs
for this series and hopefully have finally beaten the broken spring
syndrome.  

The 2 main things to check for before purchasing...

1) make sure you have suitable clearence on your desk for the clamping
device -- just under 6 inches depth under the desk.

2) the wheel sits a little lower than other TM wheels which may take
some getting used to.

I personally like the pedal design over the NASCAR Pro, they are angled
better and the base doesn't tend to move as much with the Super Sprint.
Unless you got money to burn, I would highly suggest trying out the
Super Sport.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I think it's GREAT!

Unless you are a stickler for a real gear shift (not that a
forward,backward two-position stick is a real gearshift :) ), then there
is absolutely no reason at all to spend more money on the Nascar Pro.

I've been thru two Nascar Pro's so far.  I know them well...

In these area's, the Super Sport is better (IMHO):

1.   The steering wheel is smoother.
2.   The mounting system is just as good, and a lot faster/easier.
3.   The pedals are FAR superior.  They finally balanced the distance
     on the gas and brake pedal.  No more shoving the pedal assy
     to the left so your feet are straight in front of you!
4.   The new base, ,while I can't really see any difference, seems
     to stay in place better.  I could be that since the gas/brake
     pedals are spaced properly, the weight of your feet are no longer
     on the right side only and it provides better ballance.  Your feeet
     are now evenly spaced on the pedal board.
5.   The software lets you change from combined/separate pedals
     in _software_!  No more shutting down, switching, and rebooting!
6.   Two extra buttons on the wheel, though N2 won't see them.
7.   The paddle shifters are actually kinda nice, especially at
     short tracks.  No more taking your hand off the wheel to shift.
8.   The tension is just a bit less on the wheel.  I like that.  The
     TmPro use to bug me because it was too stiff for my liking.

What _don't_ I like?

Really, only one thing.  While Thrustmaster finally listened to our
complaints about the odd pedal placements, they are still ignoring us on
the wheel mounting.  They are still using ONE***to secure the wheel
to the (stainless steel) steering shaft, and it has the same damned
problem of rocking in your hands becuase of this.

A three-point system is superior, and would probably cost $1 a wheel to
implement.

Oh well.  That's what drills, taps, and dies are for :)

So far, I like it.  A lot.

-Larry

The Nascar SuperSport, at $79, is the best choice in low-cost wheels
right now, IMHO.

Some of us have to be happy with that.

-Larry

% The Nascar SuperSport, at $79, is the best choice in low-cost wheels
% right now, IMHO.

% Some of us have to be happy with that.

I agree, if one doesn't have the bucks to spend (or wishes to spend it
elsewhere), the Super Sport is an excellent choice.  It may be "cheap"
in price, but it ain't cheap in construction and feel.  The pedals are a
great improvement over the original NASCAR Pro design.  I also think
that TM modified the shaft design for the wheel along with the pedal
springs.  Great feel and great response on the track.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The inside of the wheel is really quite impressive.  I see absolutely no
weak points.

Hell, I had to remove 9 screws 13 screws just to get the cover off!

There are two things I would like to see (but won't rant for, as it _is_
a $79 wheel):

1.  An adjustable Bungie.  This one is not as stiff as the TM Pro,
    and it _will_ affect lap times until you are used to it.  I'm still
    not :)

2.  They are still using that dreadfull single-screw attachment system
    for the wheel/shaft, and just like the TM Pro, the wheel rocks back
    and forth in your hand.  This really bugs the hell out of me,
    especially at tracks like Taledega where one little wiggle is the
    only difference between taking the pole, and taking 5th.

At the price, this is a wheel you can experiment with.  I can think of a
lot of neat things to try, and I still have my old TM Pro just in case I
***it up :)

-Larry