You are right....this gets asked a ton here. I usually don't respond to
these messages....and you'll probably not hear from many, but the ones you
do here from will be all different (so don't look for a "consensus" of
opinion to make your buying decision for you on what racing sim wheel to
purchase).
Here's my "opinion" based on the fact that I own and use 16 of these units
(for the racing simulator "rental" business I operate):
The best "entry level" retail sim racing wheel is the **Thrustmaster NASCAR
Pro Digital-2 wheel.** Don't let the "NASCAR" name throw you off, this
wheel and peddle system is equally adaptable to NASCAR style stock car sim
racing....as it is GPL or GP3. I use it for all of these sims.
Here is a short list of my reasons for this recommendation:
1. The equipment is solid and reliable (unlike previous versions of
Thrustmaster products....before Guillemot purchased the company a couple
years back). That includes installation....and the "drivers" needed to
operate the controller in a "game" or racing sim.
2. "Digital" rather than the older "analogue" technology adds some
additional functions which are very useful in difficult racing sims, like
GPL and N4. There's less "wander" in the response curve. There's more
flexibility in tweaking the resolution of the peddle response curves. You
avoid the (now almost archaic) use of a sound card's "gameport"....in favor
of a much more reliable and easier to use, USB connection (make sure you
have installed the latest USB drivers for you motherboard....and you will
have a trouble free installation and use of your TM NASCAR Pro Digital-2
racing system).
3. This system is more flexible in terms of its features....for racing
style. In GPL, you have four "buttons" on the wheel...and can shift with
either the dual "paddles" behind the wheel....or use the "exterior shifter
stick" (sits to the right of the wheel) as the 1967 F1 drivers used in those
cars. For GP3...the paddles are more realistic. For N4 or other "sports
car" style racing.....the shifter is right there. There's no need to
reconfigure your race controller ......to add realism in various types of
sim racing "games." You are "plug and go" all the way with this rig!
4. You avoid the "technical hassles" (and expense) of force feedback units.
Which, in my opinion, don't make you "faster"....but might make it more
"fun"....if you can handle the expense and the technical hassles that will
constantly arise.
5. Although we repair all of our own units (they can come back from a
weekend's use at a trade show....pretty beat up and abused....as you can
imagine)....we have found that TM's hardware support and response time is as
good as anyone's in the industry right at the moment! [I think I can
disassemble/assemble one of these things in my sleep sometimes....lol...).
6. At a full retail price of $59.95 (USD).....and I've seen them on sale
for as low as $39.95 (USD) at CompUSA.......you can't beat this wheel and
peddle system....anywhere else. Not even close! And, unlike some other
"entry level" racing controllers....you can order it online from Guillemot
directly.....if you can't find a local retailer that sells them in your
area.
That's my recommendation. If nothing else, this racing system should be on
your "list of prospects to check out."
Regards,
Tom Pabst
