Noel, all the electronics for FF are housed in the cartridge. As soon as you
said the wheel would cut out, I knew what the problem was. A new cartridge
would probably have eliminated most of your complaints. It would have been
review. You had a faulty unit for 2 weeks. That's simply not enough time to
get used to a wheel, as different as the 2 are. But hey, if it makes you
feel better, go ahead and do it. But don't fool yourself into thinking it's
objective or that you'll be giving good advice. Even 2 weeks with a non
faulty unit isn't enough for that. All wheels, even the LWFF, can have
problems. Just read some of the posts on here.
I have a LWFF. I know it has pedals and I know what they're like.
The Best Buy in my area definitely has a re-stocking fee. I assume that it's
company policy. The only thing that should differ from one store to another
is the prices as most large stores shop the competition and set local prices
accordingly.
Stores might have a return policy. That's not the manufacturer, it's the
store. Act Labs, the manufacturer, has a return policy.
I don't consider a longer paddle throw to be the same as flimsy. To me they
convey different meanings.
> >Well, you've managed to magnify every misconception about the Force RS
> >that's ever been stated before. I thought most of these have been
> >cleared up. To assure that any new readers aren't confused by your
> >remarks, I'll take them one at a time.
> New readers confused by my remarks? No wait a second. I bought
> this wheel. I had it for two weeks, and I disliked a lot of
> the things about it. There are no misconceptions, I just didn't
> like it and explained why. You don't seem to be getting the point
> about most of what I said (see ahead).
> >> ......I will be posting a longer
> >> review in a few days.........
> >Unless you've used the Force RS for 2 or 3 months, don't bother.
> Ah, thank you very much for the advice. Unfortunately I couldn't
> keep it for 2 or 3 months and then return it, so I'll post
> with my observations after using it for two weeks (whenver
> I get time).
> >> that I even had to return the ForceRS.
> >Act Labs does have a 'no questions asked' return policy, just
> >like..um...well, off hand I can't think of anyone else that has one.
> Every single wheel you can buy in a store.
> >> - The wheel was so rough, that you can't feel the subtle FF effects.
> >> Not even close. The Logitech one is silky-smooth, and I feel I'm
> >> steering a wheel, not fighting against a rough drive belt.
> >I just can't believe that there is still somebody out there that thinks
> >the drive belt is causing this.
> I am obviously not an expert like you. I thought it was the belt.
> I was wrong. I don't care. The case is that it was soooo rough,
> it wasn't even funny. Because it was so rough, it was very
> difficult to feel the "effects". Yes, I can feel the wheels tugging
> one way while I try to move it, but all the subtle effects
> (wheels about to skid, irregularities on the pavement, etc) were
> completely lost.
> >> ... no kidding, you can't feel any FF because it's so
> >> rough).
> >Um, kind of contradictory, isn't it?
> Um, no. Maybe you should read the post again.
> >> - The shifting paddles on the RS are flimsy and feel terrible.
> >I think you're just repeating something you heard about the old style
> >paddles.
> Ah, thank you for letting me know what I'm saying. So kind of you.
> Let me tell you something: no.
> I had only heard good things about the Force RS in this newsgroup.
> What I posted here was purely my own experience. I don't know if they
> shipped me an old model (I don't see why since I only bought it a month
> ago), but the paddles where extremely flimsy in comparison with the
> Logitech one. I had to move them a lot before the gear would
> change, and they were hard to reach.
> >> might not be an issue if you're buying the shifter (and it's
> >> supported),
> >Again, pursuing the myth that the RS Shifter doesn't work in some games.
> >It works in ALL games that I know of. However, not all games support
> >it's free shifting mode (gated shifting).
> Sorry, yes that's what I meant. I didn't buy a shifter myself,
> so I forgot about the up/down mode that is compatible with
> all the games.
> >> - Mounting structure. If you have a desk that is more than an inch
> >> thik
> >> or so, you can't mount it. It just doesn't open up enough. Great
> >> design.
> >If you couldn't mount it on your desk, then you would certainly have a
> >hard time testing the wheel properly and should stop your complaints
> >there. If you could mount it, why are you complaining?
> Wow, you're more biased and narrow mindend that I thought at the
> beginning of the post. Do you have something invested on Act Labs or
> something? Do you think there might be some slim chance for another
> alternative you haven't considered? Like for example, setting it up on my
> second computer, or moving my computer to a different location?
> >But here are the facts, folks.
> >The Force RS opens to about 2" (I can force it a little, 1 7/8"
> >unforced) and the LWFF opens to 2 1/4". I think we can agree that 1 3/4
> >inches will take care of MOST of the desks out there.
> My desk is 3" thick (because it has a reinforcing board
> underneath). As for the Logitech wheel, you're showing how much
> you really know: it opens up to 5" or 6".
> >> since I bought it *explicitely* based on the recommendation of
> >> this newsgroup.
> >Individuals give recommendations, not newsgroups. Some individuals give
> >a recommendation based on misinformation, popular belief or a very short
> >product experience. Don't be one of them.
> As I said, those are purely my comments based on my experience.
> On the other hand, I have only good things to say about the
> Logitech wheel. What can I say?
> >> Not to mention that once you add shipping costs, you can get
> >> the Logitech one for about $30-$40 cheaper.
> >You didn't figure the extra $50 (including shipping) for the CH pedals
> >that many people buy to go with the wheel.
> Are you talking about the Logitech wheel? It comes with pedals, you
> know?
> >At least you could return it to Act Labs. A short time ago Best Buy had
> >the LWFF for $130. If you returned it there was a 15% restocking fee, or
> >about $20. About the same as return shipping to Act Labs.
> Not around here. I can walk in Best Buy and without giving a single
> reason, return the wheel (which incidentally, that's where I bought
> mine).
> I feel there's yet one more thing I should add about my experience
> with the Fore RS wheel. Randomly, it would simply stop working.
> It could be just a few seconds into a race, or it could
> be after ten minutes. The wheel would simply go dead. Going back to
> windows and checking the control panel would like it in
> "Unknown" state. The only solution was to reboot the computer.
> On ACT Labs favor, they were very prompt with email customer
> support (24 hours turnaround time). They made me reinstall everything
> but the problem still persisted. Then they offered to have
> me send the cartridge and they would send me a new one back.
> That's where I decided it just wasn't worth it. Just too many
> things were going wrong with it.
> Obviously, all this is personal experience and personal opinion.
> Obviously other people feel differently (some of them very
> strongly *grin*). I just wanted people know that it's not
> all roses with the Force RS. Certainly not as nice as this
> newsgroup makes it sound.
> --Noel
