rec.autos.simulators

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

Dave St.Ong

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Dave St.Ong » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 01:38:46

My MSFF wheel died and I'm thinking about replacing it with the Thrustmaster
Ferrari FF wheel...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.  My big
concern is how cheesy the pedals look compared to those of the MSFF.  My
primary use is for N4....

Thanks...

Dave

Dave St.Ong

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Dave St.Ong » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 02:23:24

Oh yeah, I believe the one that's available where I live has the silver
coloured pedals, so I think it's the older model...

Dave


The Other Larr

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by The Other Larr » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 02:14:12

IMHO, I'd go for another MSFFW (USB).  I don't know what died on yours, but
it's the first I've ever heard of one actually dying.

Both of mine are 2 years old and have been beat to hell, and they still work
perfectly.

-Larry


Art McEwe

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Art McEwe » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 03:09:40

I've got that and the pedals are "ok", I think all the retail wheels have
***pedals but at least the silver ones don't go down into the base like a
plunger (apparently the new ones do).  I've heard people talk about the
silver plastic of the pedals breaking but they must be 500lb gorilla's
playing Carmogeddon, they're fine for "normal" use.  Same thing for the
on-wheel shift paddles.

According to http://www.racesimcentral.net/
pedals are worse.

The wheel itself is good but their software and drivers are crap.

I've got the 2.11 version of their drivers and I have to re-calibrate the
wheel every boot (minor pain), they've got software that allows you to
reprogram the buttons (for chat etc..) but it types at 1 character every 5
seconds and crashes my GPL.  The new drivers (3.08) have moved the control
that lets you have separate pedal axis out of the control panel (where it
logically belongs) into their button mapping software even if you don't run
that software you have to install it in order  to get separate pedals.

Everybody will tell you to buy what they've got to help validate their
choice.


> Oh yeah, I believe the one that's available where I live has the silver
> coloured pedals, so I think it's the older model...

> Dave



> > My MSFF wheel died and I'm thinking about replacing it with the
> Thrustmaster
> > Ferrari FF wheel...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.  My big
> > concern is how cheesy the pedals look compared to those of the MSFF.  My
> > primary use is for N4....

> > Thanks...

> > Dave

Dave St.Ong

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Dave St.Ong » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 03:29:56

It was a wiring problem right at the connection to the wheel.
Unfortunately, because of the proprietary connection, I was unable to fix
it...

Dave



> IMHO, I'd go for another MSFFW (USB).  I don't know what died on yours,
but
> it's the first I've ever heard of one actually dying.

> Both of mine are 2 years old and have been beat to hell, and they still
work
> perfectly.

> -Larry



> > My MSFF wheel died and I'm thinking about replacing it with the
> Thrustmaster
> > Ferrari FF wheel...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.  My big
> > concern is how cheesy the pedals look compared to those of the MSFF.  My
> > primary use is for N4....

> > Thanks...

> > Dave

Mike Beaucham

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Mike Beaucham » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 04:57:18

The pedals in the new Ferarri FF Wheel ARE bad.. definately.. The pedal
seems to go really far down, like almost parallel to the ground, and it
kinda hurts the foot after a while..

They are really light too, but I have them secured to the floor with velco
anyways.. so that doesn't matter. The pedals are also a bit too close
together, so i don't like that. But, they work perfectly fine... you forget
about them when you play.

As for the wheel... I wish the forces were stronger. But, I've NEVER had a
calibration problem as the other person claims. I just turn on the wheel,
and fire up the game I want to play. I don't ever have to visit the settings
menu or anything..

The ***y feel is nice and so is the weight.. the whole ferrari thing
seems gimmicky to me though. I'd sooner pay less for the same wheel without
the big yellow logo in the middle. The clamping is great, it fits my 1.5"
thick desk no prob and that shifter is a cool bonus, although I tend to use
the F1 style shifters more often. Another complaint is those F1 shifters..
the plastic is really soft..

This wheel was the same price as a Logitech FF wheel, and I'm happy with my
choice after a few modifications (securing pedals and zip-tie-ing cords).

BUT, if I had more money to spend, there are a few other wheels I'd get.

Mike
http://www.racesimcentral.net/


> I've got that and the pedals are "ok", I think all the retail wheels have
> ***pedals but at least the silver ones don't go down into the base like
a
> plunger (apparently the new ones do).  I've heard people talk about the
> silver plastic of the pedals breaking but they must be 500lb gorilla's
> playing Carmogeddon, they're fine for "normal" use.  Same thing for the
> on-wheel shift paddles.

> According to http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> pedals are worse.

> The wheel itself is good but their software and drivers are crap.

> I've got the 2.11 version of their drivers and I have to re-calibrate the
> wheel every boot (minor pain), they've got software that allows you to
> reprogram the buttons (for chat etc..) but it types at 1 character every 5
> seconds and crashes my GPL.  The new drivers (3.08) have moved the control
> that lets you have separate pedal axis out of the control panel (where it
> logically belongs) into their button mapping software even if you don't
run
> that software you have to install it in order  to get separate pedals.

> Everybody will tell you to buy what they've got to help validate their
> choice.



> > Oh yeah, I believe the one that's available where I live has the silver
> > coloured pedals, so I think it's the older model...

> > Dave



> > > My MSFF wheel died and I'm thinking about replacing it with the
> > Thrustmaster
> > > Ferrari FF wheel...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.  My big
> > > concern is how cheesy the pedals look compared to those of the MSFF.
My
> > > primary use is for N4....

> > > Thanks...

> > > Dave

Art McEwe

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Art McEwe » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 04:41:50

hmmm, what OS & game are you running?  I've got WIn98se and GPL with the
2.1.11 drivers.  If I don't calibrate the wheel after boot it's over
sensitive.    N3 feels over sensitive too but it could be my imagination.
RT demo wasn't a problem, so maybe it's a Papy/TM issue.

Agreed, one minor point, I'm sharing a desk with my wife's home office and
she has an under desk keyboard tray.  The big plastic***for the main
clamp is too long to accommodate the tray, so I had to remove it and add a
block of wood to replace the screw.   The old top style clamps of previous
TM wheels weren't a problem
Likely not a problem for most...

Stev

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Stev » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 05:11:44


I just got my Ferrari FF this Christmas, and so far I really like it. I like
the pedals, but I agree that after a long period of time, your legs might
cramp up. The wheel itself is very comfortable.

Agreed, I was just in Canadian Tire during my luch break to see if I can
find something to hold those pedals down.

So far I have only played F1 2001 with my new wheel, and I'm not sure if
it's the way I have the FF setup, but I only feel force feed back when I
ride the crubs. However, when I do ride the crubs, the force is quite strong
IMO. If you play F1 2001, I'd be interested in hearng how you have your FF
setup. I installed the "Advanced Menu Contorl File" for F1 2001, and for
some odd reason, I can change the value of the "Steering Damper Saturation".
It's stuck at 0%.

I'll have to install GP3 this weekend, and see how the Ferrari FF fairs with
that game.

> The ***y feel is nice and so is the weight.. the whole ferrari thing
> seems gimmicky to me though. I'd sooner pay less for the same wheel
without
> the big yellow logo in the middle. The clamping is great, it fits my 1.5"
> thick desk no prob and that shifter is a cool bonus, although I tend to
use
> the F1 style shifters more often. Another complaint is those F1 shifters..
> the plastic is really soft..

> This wheel was the same price as a Logitech FF wheel, and I'm happy with
my
> choice after a few modifications (securing pedals and zip-tie-ing cords).

> BUT, if I had more money to spend, there are a few other wheels I'd get.

> Mike
> http://www.racesimcentral.net/



> > I've got that and the pedals are "ok", I think all the retail wheels
have
> > ***pedals but at least the silver ones don't go down into the base
like
> a
> > plunger (apparently the new ones do).  I've heard people talk about the
> > silver plastic of the pedals breaking but they must be 500lb gorilla's
> > playing Carmogeddon, they're fine for "normal" use.  Same thing for the
> > on-wheel shift paddles.

> > According to http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> > pedals are worse.

> > The wheel itself is good but their software and drivers are crap.

> > I've got the 2.11 version of their drivers and I have to re-calibrate
the
> > wheel every boot (minor pain), they've got software that allows you to
> > reprogram the buttons (for chat etc..) but it types at 1 character every
5
> > seconds and crashes my GPL.  The new drivers (3.08) have moved the
control
> > that lets you have separate pedal axis out of the control panel (where
it
> > logically belongs) into their button mapping software even if you don't
> run
> > that software you have to install it in order  to get separate pedals.

> > Everybody will tell you to buy what they've got to help validate their
> > choice.



> > > Oh yeah, I believe the one that's available where I live has the
silver
> > > coloured pedals, so I think it's the older model...

> > > Dave



> > > > My MSFF wheel died and I'm thinking about replacing it with the
> > > Thrustmaster
> > > > Ferrari FF wheel...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.  My
big
> > > > concern is how cheesy the pedals look compared to those of the MSFF.
> My
> > > > primary use is for N4....

> > > > Thanks...

> > > > Dave

B.T.

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by B.T. » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 06:48:36

Where have you found this "Advanced Menu Contorl File" ?? The only thing I
can adjust (unless tweaking manually in a textfile) is the FF strength. Can
you write the link, please?

--

Mvh
Sven

Mike Beaucham

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Mike Beaucham » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 07:21:55

I'm running Win98SE also.. About the calibration though..
Just once this has happened:
I fired up Colin McRae 2 and Started driving and the car was veering off to
one side. So, I quit the game and then moved the wheel from end to end and
started the game and it was fine.

So now, before I start a game, I'll turn the wheel lock to lock.  Hope that
helps..

Mike
http://www.racesimcentral.net/


Mike Beaucham

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Mike Beaucham » Sun, 06 Jan 2002 07:24:44

Yeah, the wheel is really comfy, I like it! It has a "heavy" weight feel to
it as well that I like..

As for holding the pedals down, I have hardwood floors in my bedroom.. So I
bought some high-quality velcro and stuck it onto the pedals, and then on
the floor exactly where I wanted them. I also put the "soft" side of the
velcro on the floor as well. So far so good.. I love having the pedal base
under the desk, I find it more comfortable than feet on the floor..

Mike
http://www.racesimcentral.net/




> > The pedals in the new Ferarri FF Wheel ARE bad.. definately.. The pedal
> > seems to go really far down, like almost parallel to the ground, and it
> > kinda hurts the foot after a while..

> I just got my Ferrari FF this Christmas, and so far I really like it. I
like
> the pedals, but I agree that after a long period of time, your legs might
> cramp up. The wheel itself is very comfortable.

> > They are really light too, but I have them secured to the floor with
velco
> > anyways.. so that doesn't matter. The pedals are also a bit too close
> > together, so i don't like that. But, they work perfectly fine... you
> forget
> > about them when you play.

> Agreed, I was just in Canadian Tire during my luch break to see if I can
> find something to hold those pedals down.

> > As for the wheel... I wish the forces were stronger. But, I've NEVER had
a
> > calibration problem as the other person claims. I just turn on the
wheel,
> > and fire up the game I want to play. I don't ever have to visit the
> settings
> > menu or anything..

> So far I have only played F1 2001 with my new wheel, and I'm not sure if
> it's the way I have the FF setup, but I only feel force feed back when I
> ride the crubs. However, when I do ride the crubs, the force is quite
strong
> IMO. If you play F1 2001, I'd be interested in hearng how you have your FF
> setup. I installed the "Advanced Menu Contorl File" for F1 2001, and for
> some odd reason, I can change the value of the "Steering Damper
Saturation".
> It's stuck at 0%.

> I'll have to install GP3 this weekend, and see how the Ferrari FF fairs
with
> that game.

> > The ***y feel is nice and so is the weight.. the whole ferrari thing
> > seems gimmicky to me though. I'd sooner pay less for the same wheel
> without
> > the big yellow logo in the middle. The clamping is great, it fits my
1.5"
> > thick desk no prob and that shifter is a cool bonus, although I tend to
> use
> > the F1 style shifters more often. Another complaint is those F1
shifters..
> > the plastic is really soft..

> > This wheel was the same price as a Logitech FF wheel, and I'm happy with
> my
> > choice after a few modifications (securing pedals and zip-tie-ing
cords).

> > BUT, if I had more money to spend, there are a few other wheels I'd get.

> > Mike
> > http://www.racesimcentral.net/



> > > I've got that and the pedals are "ok", I think all the retail wheels
> have
> > > ***pedals but at least the silver ones don't go down into the base
> like
> > a
> > > plunger (apparently the new ones do).  I've heard people talk about
the
> > > silver plastic of the pedals breaking but they must be 500lb gorilla's
> > > playing Carmogeddon, they're fine for "normal" use.  Same thing for
the
> > > on-wheel shift paddles.

> > > According to http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> > > pedals are worse.

> > > The wheel itself is good but their software and drivers are crap.

> > > I've got the 2.11 version of their drivers and I have to re-calibrate
> the
> > > wheel every boot (minor pain), they've got software that allows you to
> > > reprogram the buttons (for chat etc..) but it types at 1 character
every
> 5
> > > seconds and crashes my GPL.  The new drivers (3.08) have moved the
> control
> > > that lets you have separate pedal axis out of the control panel (where
> it
> > > logically belongs) into their button mapping software even if you
don't
> > run
> > > that software you have to install it in order  to get separate pedals.

> > > Everybody will tell you to buy what they've got to help validate their
> > > choice.



> > > > Oh yeah, I believe the one that's available where I live has the
> silver
> > > > coloured pedals, so I think it's the older model...

> > > > Dave



> > > > > My MSFF wheel died and I'm thinking about replacing it with the
> > > > Thrustmaster
> > > > > Ferrari FF wheel...any opinions would be greatly appreciated.  My
> big
> > > > > concern is how cheesy the pedals look compared to those of the
MSFF.
> > My
> > > > > primary use is for N4....

> > > > > Thanks...

> > > > > Dave

Ashley Miskell

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Ashley Miskell » Tue, 08 Jan 2002 00:27:27

I am currently considering the TM Ferrari wheel or the much cheaper old TM
Pro Digital.  Does anyone know what calibration range these wheels are
capable of and whether the TM Pro Digital has some problems i should know
about?.

/btw, You can find the calibration range using DXtweak and check the raw
value range when moving the wheel from full left to full right, then do the
same with pedals to see lowest and highest values.
Alternatively you can just use GPL in Direct x wheel mode and see what the
raw values are in there when u extend ure axis through their full ranges.

any info would be appreciated


Mario Petrinovi

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Mario Petrinovi » Tue, 08 Jan 2002 02:22:42

        Wheel 4096, gas 256, brake 511 (strange ).


Roger Squire

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Roger Squire » Tue, 08 Jan 2002 02:51:08

Pro Digital.

    At least get the pro digital 2.

rms

Ashley Miskell

Opinions of Thrustmaster Ferrari FF Wheel???

by Ashley Miskell » Tue, 08 Jan 2002 10:04:07

I am currently considering the TM Ferrari wheel or the much cheaper old TM
Pro Digital.  Does anyone know what calibration range these wheels are
capable of and whether the TM Pro Digital has some problems i should know
about?.

/btw, You can find the calibration range using DXtweak and check the raw
value range when moving the wheel from full left to full right, then do the
same with pedals to see lowest and highest values.
Alternatively you can just use GPL in Direct x wheel mode and see what the
raw values are in there when u extend ure axis through their full ranges.

any info would be appreciated



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