Hi John,
They're definitely up to something. I've been in heavy contact with them
abt. their E3000-series "Trackstar," a marvellous set of $200 pedals. I've
always maintained that pedals are more important than the wheel,
particularly in sims which allow brake lock-up. (Being able to feather the
throttle in sims that allow you to bust the rear wheels loose with the loud
pedal is also a Very Good Thing.) ECCI is working on an adapter so's the
E3000 will work with the LWFF (aka "Ol' Red"). They already work with
Logi's MOMO wheels (both models), the MS Sidewinder wheel (now
discontinued), and a console wheel (the ThrustMaster unit for the PS2, I
believe). Achim has a set of these pedals for his ball-bearing LWFF
conversion and loves 'em (ask him).
The new ECCI project may involve a FF wheel, maybe for PCs, maybe for
consoles. (I'd believe the former before I'd give credence to the latter.)
As to acquiring a CDS4000, I've seen them go on eBay for under $500.
I've seen yer reluctance to get into N2003. Just do it. I don't mean the
ovals (which I can't stand myself), but there are now almost 30 road courses
and a couple of fledgling N2003 "roadie" leagues. The best reason to try
Cup cars on road courses: the physics model (and most importantly, the tire
model) is precisely what would have been the underpinnings of GPL2. (Yes,
John, there was a GPL2...even if it didn't get the corporate green light.)
BTW, with N2003, far more than GPL, it pays to have FF. Like the tire
model, N2003's FF model is so much more advanced. With GPL (and a lot of
other sims), the FF just gives you the sensation of feedback. With N2003,
FF transmits a ton of useful information along with the tactile experience.
--Steve Smith
> > I asked what would be needed to acquire a CDS 4000 as a
> >commercial customer, how many people I would need to go in
> >with me to qualify. He told me not to bother.
> > He told me to watch ECCI's web page http://www.ecci.net/
> >for an announcement of ECCI's new consumer product this month.
> > He said the unit would be under $1000 and, it was the best
> >unit ECCI has ever built.
> Has there been any further announcement on this?
> John
