rec.autos.simulators

I have a couple of questions I can't seem to find answers for,
 I hope someone out there can help.  I have a two or three year
old CH Product Virtual Pilot steering wheel that I use with NASCAR,
INDYCAR, and several other auto and flight simulators. (quite happy
with I might add.)  The first topic:  The wheel has two "Fire" buttons
on it, one for acceleration, the other for braking.  These buttons are
"clicking" buttons meaning it is either on of off or "full throtle"
or off the gas all together and "*** the brakes" or not touching
the brakes.  My question is, do Pedals give you the ability to "feather"
the gas or apply "some" brake pressure?
Second,  To use a steering wheel and pedal assembly, does one need
to have two joystick ports or do the "daisy chain" from one to the other.
Any input from you people would be appreciated.

Greg Harris

Alan Kulwicki RULES 7

Yes..The pedals will allow you to apply some brake, or feather the gas
to really 'feel' the car around the track.

And as far as cabling, the T1 wheel and pedal assy. chain together off
of one joystick port, although it does need to be a port that will run
two joysticks (most do).

Hope this helps.

Mike Carrothers
Raleigh NC

: the brakes.  My question is, do Pedals give you the ability to "feather"
: the gas or apply "some" brake pressure?
yes, that's what they are for.

: Second,  To use a steering wheel and pedal assembly, does one need
: to have two joystick ports or do the "daisy chain" from one to the other.
: Any input from you people would be appreciated.
The cable of the pedals has a connector, where you plug in the VP. You don't
need two joystick ports.

If you want to use CH pedals, go and get the cheaper ones (the ones without
pro). The distance between their pedals is much smaller than the one of the
pro's, so you can control both pedals with one single foot if you setup your
set vertically (with the cable looking to the floor). Of course you will have
to elevate it a bit in order not to damage the cable.

Good racing,

Ralf

clip
  My question is, do Pedals give you the ability to "feather"

Yes to both brake and gas.
The CH Pedals cable has an extra connector for a joystick or yoke or
whatever.

Most racers use their left foot for braking, it reduces reaction time
significantly (so you don't cream the guy who just checked up in front of
you) and allows you to get back on the gas just a smidge quicker (faster
lap times).

Dave

Greg,
        Yes, since pedal units will use Potentiometers to give
varying resistance values depending on what position the pedal is
in, you do have the ability to "feather" the gas or apply "some" brake
pressure!  This is the same whether you are using pedals designed
for Racing Sims, or Flight Sims.
        As for the game port....to my knowledge, any pedals you
get will use the X2 axis, which is the left/right axis of joystick 2 -
which means, to make them work, you need a dual port joystick
connector.  That would be a SINGLE 15 pin connector that supports
2 sets of joystick axis.  Most cards that you get now-adays that have
an integrated game port(with the exception of most I/O cards) will
have this type of connector.
        If you are interested in getting a full blown driving setup
such as the Formula T2(plug, plug), ThrustMaster includes an Axis
adapter which will change the axis that the pedals appear on.  It
will change them from the X2 axis to the Y1 axis, which would make
the whole unit perform like a normal joystick....steering on X1, and
acceleration/braking on Y1.  This is helpful in driving sims that don't
support 2 joysticks, or on game ports that only support 1 set of
joystick axis.
        If you do find that you don't want the Formula T1, and you
decide to go with another set of pedals with your existing Virtual Pilot,
and your game port doesn't support both sets of joystick axis, you can
always buy a new game card....really cheap and easy to install.  They're
usually around $25-35.  Here's 3 that I'd recommend:

ThrustMaster ACM Game Card
Gravis Eliminator Game Card
CH Game Card III Automatic

All of these game cards are pretty comparable in price and performance
with the exception of the ACM Card which is a Quad Port card (2 dual
port connectors) instead of a Dual Port card, however, for your needs,
only a Dual Port card is necessary.
        Well, there's about all the information that I had in my head
at the moment, and I hope it was more helpful than just long!  <G>

Matt
ThrustMaster, Inc.