rec.autos.simulators

All you T1 users out there:

1) I read a lot about problems with set-up and broken springs.

2) I've never read anything good about T1.

Can anybody enlighten me - is T1 worth the money?

TIA, Dave.

Setup is no problem unless you have a temporary location for your car
(computer).  Broken springs have been addressed by Thrustmaster both by
being VERY responsive and by building new models with better springs.
I don't know if the newer production limits the pedal travel or not.

Well, here's something good about a T1 (bear in mind that I have a WHOLE LOT
of this stuff, I do have a lot to compare with):

The wheel is VERY precise.  It is at least as good as the competing ACP
wheel.  The pedals are just OK, but they can be used for either left-foot
or right-foot braking.  The physical setup is compact and rugged.  

The only device that I have seen that is even remotely comparable is the
ACP from Simulation Systems, and it is LEFT foot braking ONLY.  

I am told (by my IICC teammate) that the Thomas wheel is at least as good,
but I do not have one.  It is also the most expensive of the three wheels,
while the T1 is the least expensive - $111 from Chips & Bits.

It certainly was for me.  Unless you've got the nerves of Peter Burke,
you will find that driving with a wheel is a LOT easier and probably more
fun than driving with a joystick - even a good one.  I find both the ACP
and the T1 to be MUCH more precise even than the very good Wingman Extreme
stick.  The less expensive yokes and basically all sticks except the top
ones (ie Wingman Extreme, the top one from Gravis, etc) are in another
WORLD compared to the good wheels.

--

Brian Wong                              Product Marketing Engineering

I have the T1 and find it to be a superior piece of equipment.
In fact, I don't think that you have really experienced any of
the current driving sims until you've driven them with the T1.
It is rugged in it's construction and I have not had any problems
of any kind with it. It is a dream come true as far as controlling
the cars in NASCAR and IndyCar. I highly recommend it.

JEB "OZ" Vegas

: : All you T1 users out there:

: : 1) I read a lot about problems with set-up and broken springs.
: : 2) I've never read anything good about T1.
: : Can anybody enlighten me - is T1 worth the money?

: I have had my T1 for three or four months and have never had a problem
: with it. Can't imagine not being without it now!

Same here, love it and have had ZERO problems with it!  I couldn't
IMAGINE it any better, except for the real thing.  That shifter sucks
though, and I haven't tried Watkins Glan with the A and B buttons...
shouldn't be a problem though.

--

Well, I've had my T1 for a few days now and while I can't vouch for
the durability of the device, I can definitively state that it is
THE CONTROLLER of choice for anyone who is serious about the driving
they do on their computer. I've driven MPS F1, Nascar, and Indycar
with the T1 and each simulation has enjoyed a "rebirth" of sorts in
that the T1 has increased the level of realism to the point that I
can feel that I am actually driving an automobile as opposed to
a "hybrid plane" as was the case when I was using a joystick which
often resulted in the sense that I wasn't really driving but was doing
some else that just approximated driving.

I highly recommend the T1 with the caveat that hopefully it's durability
won't result in me having a mixed view of the product four or five
months down the road should something go wrong.

Later....Tim S.

   I just finished another race in my ICR '94 season.  Detroit to be exact.  
I tried both my T1 and CH Flightstick.  I hate the T1 on street circuits.  
It's a combination of things...  hard to shift gears confidently and
accurately. hard to do a quick left/right... especially at turn 4/5.  With
the FS, I'm getting low 1:12's and the T1 I can barely do 1:15's.  Next
race up is Portland and after practicing there for weeks with both devices...  
CH wins again, I average like 1-2 seconds faster with the stick.
    The T1 is GREAT on ovals though.  It's much more precise.  On tracks like
Michigan it's wonderful...  I bet the T1 is perfect for NASCAR Racing.  I
wish I had more time to get into NASCAR.  Once I finish the ICR season...  
if I ever do.  

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Hartsdale, NY        "BsOiRgInNaGture"         Cloud 9 Internet
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I'll second that.  I found that it made Indycar and NASCAR enjoyable,
and no longer frustrating, to drive.

I don't think you will have a problem there.  I've had mine for about
7 months now, and it is still working just fine.  Also, the other stuff
I've got from them had no problems after 2 and a half years (for the
most part- lost the pots on the flightstick once, but they replaced them
for free since it was a goof they made when they originally designed the
stick).
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My times went up with the T1, compared to a whole drawer full of top quality
flight-type sticks, including a FS-Pro. Tastes differ, of course. Have you tried setting
linear steering for the wheel? This makes a tremendous difference on its feel.

Mike.

Seconded here on all counts except durability.  Make sure those screws
stay tight - kids will work them loose yanking on it.  My steering pot
went bad after a couple weeks.  TM send me a new one.  Besides loose
screws and that, it's been great.

Driving Nascar with the sound turned up REALLY makes me feel like I'm
driving the real car.  It's hard to believe how "into it" you get
after 10-15 minutes.  You can really get into the groove on the
Atlanta track and maintain controlled skids in the turns and FEEL
like it's really happening!

The other computer (this one - normally running Linux) is the 2nd
PC in the house and gets the CH Flightstick when we're dualing it.
The CH Flightstick is also OK for Nascar, but it ain't the same.
Forget about the short tracks where you have to constantly hit the
brakes unless you assign a key to brakes.  Doing brakes with a stick
is danged near impossible unless it's Michigan, Atlanta, or Talledega.

One minor nit with the Formula T1.  The brakes oughtta be a separate
control!  You SHOULD be able to tap brakes with the throttle on the
floor.  Can't do it.  They share a pot and it's a difference between the
pedals.  I'm thinking about putting another pot in there and "fixing"
this problem so I can drive like it's suppose to drive.

Comments?
--

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I have the CH  Virtual Pilot that I use for a steering wheel combined with
the CH Pro Pedals.  The pedals have a seperate pot for brakes and acc. so
you can tap the brakes with the gas on.  For shifting, I use the two fire
buttons on the top of the wheel.  It makes it feel like a computer
transmission like F1.  The CH wheel also clamps to the edge of the desk,
and is very durable.  comparing it to a friends T1, I find it superior.

David Dirnberger

I have the T1 and love it... for IndyCar Racing.  I wasn't able to be very
competitive with it in Nascar Racing.  So I tried my old flightstick instead.  
My times improved immensely.

But my newly found success at Nascar Racing must come to a halt now, for I
must now concentrate on running ICRS'95.

See y'all in Surfer's Paradise!

Ralf
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