rec.autos.simulators

Xmas gift time, and I'm going for a wheel to run with NCR2. I'm running
joystick now. (using an SB soundcard with that game port if it
matters...)

I have had limited time on a Per4mer (which was miserable), and my
cousin's T1 which I thought was pretty good.

Do I go for the T2 or do I get the new NASCAR Wheel?...Pony up guys
<G>....what's the concensus?

T2 or NASCAR?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Lou Blasi
BSPN Motorsports...

My biggest gripes about the Nascar Pro are the peddles and the
attachment to the tabletop. The peddles, while designed to give greater
resistance, are *very* unstable and tip way too easily to the point of
being a major distraction. The tabletop attachment, while pretty good
overall, lines up *too* nicely with my knees and I bump them a lot,
again, a distraction.

My only gripe on the T2, in general, is the lack of shifter buttons on
the steering wheel. If you race mostly N2 ovals, then this is not likely
a big deal. Some dislike the T2 peddle design. I, personally, like it
better than the Nascar Pro. Both of these points are likely a matter of
personal preference. I didn't have my Nascar Pro long enough to
determine the longevity of the springs versus the T2. The design is
supposed to be improved.

For my money, if I were only considering these two wheels, I would go
for the T2 primarily because of the absolutely maddening peddle design
on the Nascar Pro. For $80 (Best Buy), the T2 is a good deal.

As far as the game port goes, I have a ACM gamecard. Oddly, I find that
it makes little difference on the performance of my wheel, but makes a
big difference with my joystick when playing Duke, for what it's worth.
There are likely as many opinions as users on this one.

Jim

Lou,

I've been using the TM GP1 for 6 months now and wouldn't trade for any other
wheel out there. With the throttle and brake paddles behind the steering wheel,
there is no need for ackward floor mounted pedals. It sets up quickly and
easily,but could use larger thumb screws to lock it down. I use it probebly
8-12 hours a week with no sign of problems. Just follow the simple set-up
procedures one time and DRIVE! Hope this helps...

don

I got the wheel 2 days ago (NASCAR Pro)... and found the mounting and
pedals fantastic!!  I guess you really have to just try it out and see
if it works for you.  I found the mounting very easy and convenient.  My
desk has a keyboard tray underneath the desk top.  Mounting it to the
tray does not work... but had no problem with it on the desktop itself
even with a 3 inch or so "lip" on the desktop.  Im 6ft 3in tall and had
plenty of leg room underneth the desk.  I havent had any problems with
the pedal or base either.  The base comes with some *** shoes for the
4 corners and find that it holds remarkably stable when placed under my
desk on the anti-static floor mat we have.

Im not saying Jim did not have the problems he is having.. Im just
saying that it probably depends on the individual taste and style.  I
personally hated the CH wheel and pedals... but many love them.
I personally was very surprised and how great I think the NASCAR wheel
is after reading so many mixed reviews on RAS.  I also have to qualify
my statement with the fact that I have owned this for 2 days and havent
had the pots or springs wear out yet *laugh*.

Again,  just my .02.

Oh yes.. I got my NASCAR wheel for $99.00 at Best Buy.. .they had a
$30.00 instant rebate.  The T2 was $99.00 as well.  Id say if you have a
T2.. dont necessarily run out and buy the NASCAR.  If you have no wheel
and you are in the market for one (not like a TSW or something of
supreme quality)... spend the few extra bucks and get the NASCAR wheel.

Scott B. Husted
http://www.racesimcentral.net/~sbhusted

As someone who builds PCs for a living, I have seen many different
components. I have enjoyed the Thrustmaster GP1 for about 12 months but
have changed and cleaned POTs a few times. Lately it has been giving me
more problems. A friend of mine is onto his second GP1 and it too is
failing. I now have an Australian Wheel called the 'Advantage 1'. It has
pedals and buttons on the wheel and is quite heavy because of its steel
constuction. This sucker will not break !!!!! It kills the GP1 in all
features.

The secret with the fine old T1 to keeping the springs in the pedals alive
is to arrange it so you don't use the entire range of travel for them. My
pedal unit is right up against a wall so the pedals only travel somewhere
between 66% and 75% of their available travel - after calibration this is
hardly noticeable while driving, and it extends the life of the springs
exponentially.

If you can still pull off this trick with the T2 or Nascar Pro pedal
units, I'd do it in a heartbeat and there's a pretty good possibility that
you'll have relatively trouble-free operation for years.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Alan J. Claffie         PARSIMONIOUS RACING   Internet Grand National
aclaffie 'at' bgnn.com     No.Adams, MA          #93 Buick Riviera
             Alleged Racing Writer for "The Racin' Paper"
      WWW.BGNN.COM - NASCAR's Busch North Series on the Internet    7
"But it's more fun to delete spammers then it is to just delete spam"

So, Where did you get it and how much?

On Mon, 29 Dec 1997 21:58:03 +1100, Support

I would NEVER want a wheel which had the gas/brake flippers on the wheel.
For realism I want that on the floor...just like it is on my car.

Chris

l8er
ronny

--
          |\      _,,,---,,_        I want to die like my Grandfather,
   ZZZzz /,`.-'`'    -.  ;-;;,_              in his sleep.
        |,4-  ) )-,_. ,\ (  `'-'     Not like the people in his car,
       '---''(_/--'  `-'\_)            screaming their heads off!

for $39. I agreed I'd rather have pedals as well, but this scenario with the
shifting on the wheel seems VERY interesting. I didn't know you could do that!
What are the hardware requirements for doing this? (Game card, two joystick or
serial ports? That type of thing....)

Lou B.

They retail for $399.00 in Australia. Drop me an E-Mail and I can
organise one for you if interested. Can probably do a little better than
$399.00 !!

I just got the GP1 to tie me over while a decide on a long term wheel
set-up. As far as having the paddle levers for gas and brake and a button
under each thumb for up & down shifts seem very easy and intuitive for me.
I didn't need any special hardware it just plugs in and works although in
CPR had to run it as a T1/T2 to get CPR to allow using the paddles. Hey for
the price I think its pretty dang ok. I dont expect it to live forever
being light weight and all plastic but till I get my preferences down this
will do.P.S. it set right up in F1RS and Indy Cart2 easy only CPR had a bit
of a problem with set up but all is fine now. Aloha, Mike

8?)

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