John...
Not to get personal.....but why is your wife dictating your "specs and
requirements" for a sim racing wheel? Is she also a sim racer and sharing
the sim race equipment with you? If not.....maybe you should get her
involved with sim racing so she at least can dictate from a position of
knowledge and authority? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass.....honest.
In the 6 years I've been actively involved with the sim racing community and
the industry......I've known tons of good sim drivers who have substantially
improved the quality of their sim racing hobby.....and their home
life.....by getting their spouses involved in the sport along with them.
There has even been "wife only - sim racing leagues" formed from time to
time (mostly back in the TEN days.....but perhaps even more recent and I'm
just not aware of them)....that have been very successful.....more so than
many "guy" racing leagues I know of!
To answer your question(s) directly:
**Entry Level Controllers**
As far as entry-level sim racing controllers are concerned.....I don't think
there's better value (price verses performance) than the Thrustmaster NASCAR
Pro Digital-2 wheel....now manufactured by Guillemot. It has USB connection
(more reliable than gameport), smooth and adequate resolution performance in
all the axis controls (wheel, brake and gas pedals) and with the combined
shifter paddles and stick shift (sequential)...its perfect for sim drivers
who run both open wheel (GPL or GP3) and sedan/GT type tracing sims (SCGT,
Viper Racing, NASCAR 4) and you can use either/or for rally sims! There's
no more "complete" package available in my opinion.....for a suggested
retail of $60.....than the TM NAS Pro Digital-2 wheel......particularly for
use with NASCAR 4 and some serious online racing! There had been some
problems with the TM NAS Pro Digital-2 drivers in the past.....but it turned
out to be mostly a Microsoft/USB problem and if you go to the Windows Update
page (after you've installed your controller), you can download the
patch/fix for this directly from Microsoft. I use this controller on
several of our desktop rental units.......and have used it personally from
time to time. For $60 bucks....this unit rocks!
**Suggestion: Do Not get a FF sim racing wheel if you plan on doing any
serious online sim racing (especially in N4).
**FF Controllers**
If your sim racing activity is going to be mostly for fun and
entertainment......racing off-line or casual online racing with a few
buddies.....then by all means, consider getting a FF sim controller. FF is
great fun in rally sims......and arcade-type racing sims such as NFS-PU and
so forth. However, no FF sim controller is realistic enough that it doesn't
detract from the immersion factor.....if you are a serious sim driver.
That's not all the fault of the controller manufacturers by the way. FF API
and application within the racing sim programs......is just not realistic
enough......to accurately duplicate the forces one feels from a real-life
racing car (steering system). This is only my opinion......and I keep doing
research on this every time someone comes out with a new FF controller.
They are all fun....but not realistic. My pick of the crop from the FF
"entry-level" or "retail-level" controllers would be Logitech's FF (though
their pedals are not great)....coupled with an Act Labs independent shifter
unit. I have not had a chance to test out the new TM FF unit....you should
do that before buying a Logitech controller I would suggest.
**Serious Sim Racing Controllers**
Moving up to the next level of sim controllers.......my pick of the crop
would be either a Thomas Industries wheel/pedal system....or a Ball Racing
one....each have their unique advantages and disadvantages at the
moment......but they are both solid racing wheels with excellent durability
and design. As far as which one looks the coolest (the one that looks most
like some piece of real-world racing equipment), I'd have to give the edge
to the BRD controls. That is a subjective opinion, however. These units
are going to set you back anywhere from $300 to $500 (or more if you go
crazy with options).....but with a little preventative care and good
maintenance....you'll never have to buy another sim controller again (unless
somebody comes out with a better looking, or more functional unit). Both
systems are very smooth, have excellent axis resolution....... and will
definitely make you faster!
**My Disclaimer** (...lol...)
I should tell you (since I don't know you....I have to assume you might not
know my background in sim racing either) that coming this Fall, we will be
offering a sim racing equipment "e-store" on our website (Pabst-Racing.com).
We have been selected as the North American Distributor for BRD sim
controls.....but we will be carrying TSW and TM products as well (at least,
that is our plan at the moment). Hopefully, we will manage to be a reseller
for the Act Labs shifter also (yet to be finalized). I want to tell you
this up front.......so you don't think I'm making the above recommendations
just to "pad my own pocket." I am not. I am making those recommendations
because they are the best products....in my opinion and also in the opinion
of my "partners" (all of whom are sim racers). That is the reason we are
carrying those products in our Sim Equipment E-store. We will also be
carrying lots of accessories, hand made brackets, screen shrouds and
gadgets.....mostly the stuff used or created by the sim communities' top
drivers......in part....this is the stuff that helps make them so fast.
None of this sim racing paraphernalia is hard to make (some of it is pretty
innovative, though). However, many guys don't have the fabricating skills,
the tools, the workshops or the time.....to make this stuff on their own (or
invent it on their own). So, we are going to provide a unique place that
all sim racers can come to buy it.....ready-made. And, anyone who does have
the tools, time and skills to make this stuff.....we'll help them do just
that (free). Sorry....didn't mean to make this into a commercial for our
sim equipment e-store....but I needed to tell you about my involvement with
it myself....so someone else didn't claim my recommendations above were only
for self-interests.
Have fun in your search and research for a new sim racing controller! And
give your wife a turn or two at the wheel of your sim racing rig! You might
find she takes a whole new attitude about your sim racing......heck, maybe
she'd like to sim race too? Just think, you'd have a built-in LAN racing
opponent.....right at home!
Regards,
Tom
