rec.autos.simulators

by **Ed Coy** » Tue, 09 May 2000 04:00:00

Anyone have comments on the ActLabs wheel for N3? Is it available anywhere
other than directly from manufacturer?

Thanks,
Ed Coye

by **evente..** » Wed, 10 May 2000 04:00:00

I just got mine up and running, and did a quick run-through of all my FF
racing games.

First, on the ACT Labs - I would definitely recommend this wheel - it's
built like a tank, and the RS shifter is a great addition for games that
support it (N3 does). The pedals aren't too hot, but can easily be
modified (see www.slottweak.com). For GPL, I just use my TM pedals
anyway. The initial feel is a little notchy, but I understand it breaks
in very well if you're patient, and I can already feel a little
difference. Act Labs also has excellent tech support - my wheel had a
faulty PC engine, and they express-shipped a replacement right away.
How many other wheel manufacturers build a self-test mode into the
wheel?

On Nascar3, the effects are pretty cool, but I'm not sure the feedback
is particularly useful (nowhere near GPL, for instance). It really does
up the immersion factor, though. I think it might take me a while to
get used to FF - I always seemed to rely on the level of tension in the
wheel as tactile feedback for the amount that I had it turned, adding FF
to the mix has meant a whole new way of steering for me. GPL and DTR
have been the hardest to adjust to, but I'm sure it's just a matter of
time. Just be aware that your lap times might get worse when you first
get a FF wheel.

Apparently you can get the wheel at Fry's(?) stores, but I've read that
direct is the cheapest way to go.

HTH,
Kendt

> Anyone have comments on the ActLabs wheel for N3? Is it available
anywhere
> other than directly from manufacturer?

> Thanks,
> Ed Coye

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

by **Jim Dombrowsk** » Wed, 10 May 2000 04:00:00

I love mine. I had some stickiness in my pedals at first, but I filed the
slots in the linkage where I found the brass bushing was binding at the end
of the slot it rides. Right at the position of pedal travel where I was
getting the resistance. Just taking out less then a 1/16" with a small rat
tail smoothed it right up. I then found a tension reliever hand squishing
things shaped like a Star Tac cell phone and wrapped it around the brake
pedal shaft, under the pedal itself, held in place with tie wraps. It makes
contact just about when the brakes start grabbing and improved my braking
allot.
I found the force feedback slowed me up at first. But I eventually became
more consistent then I was before I had it , and eventually began to break
my own records. The immersion factor it adds is incredible. I like to run
with little or no damper and max torque. This can really throw you off the
road if it gets away from you, but it gives me the most feedback of what's
going on. GPL has some of the best force feedback modeling I seen. I was
surprised how realistic it felt.

Jim D.

>I just got mine up and running, and did a quick run-through of all my FF
>racing games.

>First, on the ACT Labs - I would definitely recommend this wheel - it's
>built like a tank, and the RS shifter is a great addition for games that
>support it (N3 does). The pedals aren't too hot, but can easily be
>modified (see www.slottweak.com). For GPL, I just use my TM pedals
>anyway. The initial feel is a little notchy, but I understand it breaks
>in very well if you're patient, and I can already feel a little
>difference. Act Labs also has excellent tech support - my wheel had a
>faulty PC engine, and they express-shipped a replacement right away.
>How many other wheel manufacturers build a self-test mode into the
>wheel?

>On Nascar3, the effects are pretty cool, but I'm not sure the feedback
>is particularly useful (nowhere near GPL, for instance). It really does
>up the immersion factor, though. I think it might take me a while to
>get used to FF - I always seemed to rely on the level of tension in the
>wheel as tactile feedback for the amount that I had it turned, adding FF
>to the mix has meant a whole new way of steering for me. GPL and DTR
>have been the hardest to adjust to, but I'm sure it's just a matter of
>time. Just be aware that your lap times might get worse when you first
>get a FF wheel.

>Apparently you can get the wheel at Fry's(?) stores, but I've read that
>direct is the cheapest way to go.

>HTH,
>Kendt

>> Anyone have comments on the ActLabs wheel for N3? Is it available
>anywhere
>> other than directly from manufacturer?

>> Thanks,
>> Ed Coye

>Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
>Before you buy.

by **Karl Zose** » Wed, 10 May 2000 04:00:00

I got a modified T2 wheel and I want to buy a Ferrari wheel. How can the old
T2 pedals be used with the new USB wheel?

Thanks

by **evente..** » Wed, 10 May 2000 04:00:00

In GPL, as long as you have both controllers setup in Windows and use
the Direct Input driver, you can assign any axis from any device to any
control. This is with the last 2 patches of GPL, not 1.0 (I think).
Some other games support mixing controllers (RC2000 is supposed to, but
I haven't got it to work), but I'm eventually going to save myself the
trouble and wire up a converter to plug the pedals into the Act Labs
wheel.

HTH!
Kendt

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

rec.autos.simulators

ActLabs FF Wheel

ActLabs FF Wheel

ActLabs FF Wheel

ActLabs FF Wheel

ActLabs FF Wheel

ActLabs FF Wheel