rec.autos.simulators

by **beagl** » Fri, 15 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Hi again,

Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look.
Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and
generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked,
although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help
much. :-)

Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I
don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a
joystick as I can use it for other games as well.

So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with,
particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can
get them at wholesale prices.

--
Thomas Beagle

by **Schlom** » Fri, 15 Jan 1999 04:00:00

The CompUSA Battle Gear which is just a plane old 2-axis 4-button joystick.
That what i was using before i got my wheel and it worked like a charm. It was
even better for me than my more expensive Sidewinder. Its about $20 US or less
as its about a year old now. Only problem is its VERY twitchy. I found the
super sensitivity good but hard to keep in a straight line. Solved the problem
by putting a foam donut i cut from carpet padding around the base. Never had a
problem with it breaking and i used it ALOT. The pot got a little squeaky but
solved it by spraying some electric motor cleaner on it.

So if you want to save a bundle and dont mind taking 5-10 mins making small
improvements, this is definately the way to go.

Happy racing,
Chris

by **Ben** » Fri, 15 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I like my MS Precision Pro coz it has a throttle wheel, allowing me to
separate the throttle and brake axes. Possibly even more improtant though
is the ability to steer independantly of throttle so, for instance, I can
nail it on the straights with a relaxed steering arm.

Ben

>Hi again,

>Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look.
>Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and
>generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked,
>although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help
>much. :-)

>Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I
>don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a
>joystick as I can use it for other games as well.

>So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with,
>particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can
>get them at wholesale prices.

>--
>Thomas Beagle

by **Ed Medli** » Fri, 15 Jan 1999 04:00:00

The MS Precision Pro is a good, durable, and very compatible stick. It is
also an optical/digital stick that doesn't use potentiometers, so no need to
re-calibrate all the time. I have used one for flight simulators for over a
year without one single problem with anything. It works fine with N2, ICR,
NFS, and GPL. I use my TM Nascar Pro Wheel most of the time, but
occasionally use the stick when I am too lazy to change the devices out.
Good luck.

--

Regards,
Ed Medlin

www.flyairwest.com
Reach me by ICQ. My ICQ# is 191942
Page me online through my Personal Communication Center:
http://wwp.mirabilis.com/191942
Send me E-mail Express directly to my computer screen

>Hi again,

>Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look.
>Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and
>generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked,
>although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help
>much. :-)

>Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I
>don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a
>joystick as I can use it for other games as well.

>So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with,
>particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can
>get them at wholesale prices.

>--
>Thomas Beagle

by **Bart Westr** » Fri, 15 Jan 1999 04:00:00

>Hi again,

>Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look.
>Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and
>generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked,
>although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help
>much. :-)

>Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I
>don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a
>joystick as I can use it for other games as well.

>So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with,
>particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can
>get them at wholesale prices.

I have always preferred a CH-Products Flightstick (Pro) for racing. Very
light movement and what's important, the resistance on the sideways movement
used for steering is independent on the forward position used for
accelarating/brake. The Pro is havier and gives a better feel. It also has
4 buttons and a hat switch.

The Microsoft Sidewinder would also do well i think. But I only tried it in
a shop once.

Bart Westra
PS Using ECCI Wheel now.

by **Jeff Vince** » Fri, 15 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I use my joysticks almost exclusively for racing sims. I like a
small stick that you can handle with finger-tip control (picture an RC
aircraft transmitter type of joystick). I use CH Mach I joysticks for
this, the cost is about $20 retail each. I've got two sticks, my left
hand controls throttle/brake on the Y axis of one stick, my right hand
controls the steering in the X axis on the other (trying to mentally
mix steering/throttle/brake all on one stick is a bit much for me :).
I plug them into a dual-port CH AutoCard (or you could use a simple
joystick Y-cable).

Now a question... I'm thinking of moving to a joystick with
optical/digital "pots" for better accuracy, lower maintainence, and
longer life. Does anyone make a *small*, fingertip-control joystick
like I've described with optical/digital internals? I really don't
want a monster joystick, but that seems to be what the market likes...
:(

"But in a way, fear is a big part of racing, because if there was
nothing to be frightened of, and no limit, any fool could get into
a motor car and racing would not exist as a sport." -- Jim Clark

by **John Hartridg** » Sat, 16 Jan 1999 04:00:00

> Now a question... I'm thinking of moving to a joystick with
> optical/digital "pots" for better accuracy, lower maintainence, and
> longer life. Does anyone make a *small*, fingertip-control joystick
> like I've described with optical/digital internals? I really don't
> want a monster joystick, but that seems to be what the market likes...

How about the Thrustmaster Rage 3D gamepad ? This has optical
analogue control, and you can daisy-chain upto 4 of them together.
I believe it is also designed to be used sitting flat on a
table as well as being hand-held. I do believe it only works
in Windows 95, not DOS.

John

ps note I don't actually own one, so cannot vouch for its
effectiveness personally, but I am thinking of getting one
so have read a good many (favourable) reviews.

by **Ben Farnema** » Sat, 16 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Yeah, I know, another wize guy that says his joystick is the best...

I'll probably get crucified on this NG for saying this, but I just bought an
UltraRacer PC joystick, and I love it! It's a hand-held wheel with a
dual-direction trigger on the bottom for throttle/brake, and 6 buttons on
the face for shifting, reverse, whatever. Here's the best part: Wal Mart,
$16.95!!

It is very precise. Yeah, it probably has the cheapest pots around, but at
this price, I can replace it if it gets jumpy!

Oh, more good stuff - I can get better lap times with it than with my TM
Wheel/Pedals(Nascar Pro)!

Best 17 bucks I ever spent on racing. :-)

>Hi again,

>Thanks for the advice about GPL. I downloaded the demo and had a look.
>Ran nicely at 36fps (external view, 640, PPro200 and Voodoo2) and
>generally looked cool. Of course, the keyboard control sucked,
>although I think that not knowing which one was the brake didn't help
>much. :-)

>Anyway, while I would love to be able to afford a really good wheel, I
>don't think I can justify it. However, I can probably justify a
>joystick as I can use it for other games as well.

>So - what joystick would you recommend for playing racing games with,
>particularly GPL? Microsoft and Logitech ones are preferred as I can
>get them at wholesale prices.

>--
>Thomas Beagle

by **Torgeir Fos** » Tue, 19 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Are there any USB joysticks out yet ?

--
Torgeir Foss
Oslo, Norway

by **Ed Medli** » Tue, 19 Jan 1999 04:00:00

MS Precision Pro FF is USB. Hopefully will get one in the next few days. Let
u know how it works out.

--

Regards,
Ed Medlin

www.flyairwest.com
Reach me by ICQ. My ICQ# is 191942
Page me online through my Personal Communication Center:
http://wwp.mirabilis.com/191942
Send me E-mail Express directly to my computer screen

by **beagl** » Wed, 20 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Torgeir Foss wrote

I started this thread and just bought a Microsoft Precision Pro. This
comes with both a 15-pin game port connector and a USB connector.

Tried it in GPL last night - I think I could quite like using the
little throttle control at the base of the stick as you can literally
dial in the throttle opening that you want. I now just have to decide
how to do braking (might set it to the Y axis for brakes only).

--
Thomas Beagle

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