rec.autos.simulators

% How well does this steering wheel last?  I have an old T1 (2.5yrs) and
% find that I have to replace the bungee cord every other month. i am
% thinking of replacing it with the NascarPro but I need some comments
% about its reliability.        Thanks for any help!

I haven't had the opportunity or need to open up my NASCAR Pro wheel.
But, from what I've heard from Thrustmaster, the basic design is similar
to the T1/T2/GP1.  They have added more resitence, which is variable
(the more you turn the wheel, the more effort is required).  Whether
they have "beefed" up the bungee I don't know.

Looks like it's time to pop the hood....

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

For some reason, I was reluctant to post this but...my TMNPW is about 3
weeks old...and I have broken both throttle springs (There are 2, and after
the first one broke I made it about 2 more days until the "Backup" snapped.)
That was Friday. I'll e-mail this AM and hope that TM responds like they did
when I needed springs for the T2. Maybe TM just couldn't predict how hard
SODA would be on the equipment ;-)). Anyway gotta go send that e-mail
now...one of the 3 emergency *** bands around the back of the pedal/front
corner of the base has snapped too 8-]].

Happy Lappin'
Wade Tschida

Thanks

MarkH

.

In reply to your message about the thrustmaster pro wheel, I bought it about a
 month ago, and just like the T1 and T2 that I had the spring in the pedal
 already snapped. I finally got sick of this happening and wrote to
 thrustmaster, and got no reply whatsoever, which seems to show me that there
 just trying to push there sales up by intentionally making the springs so that
 they'll snap. After making these wheels for that long, I would think they
 could solve this problem if they wanted to.

While this is frustrating (having a spring break), IMHO, I have
probably had the best "Customer support" experience overall with my T2
than with any other company I can recall to date. I'm sure
Thrustmaster is swamped with alot of requests for replacement springs,
bungees, ect... and that is why at times they may not respond or even
acknowledge an email request for service. In the two years I have had
my T2 now, I have had both the throttle spring break and most recently
(yesterday infact) the brake spring finally snapped. I would consider
myself a "heavy" user of my T2 (as most of us simracing fanatics are),
probably averaging say 2-4 hours per day atleast 4 days a week. As I
mentioned, I have had the need to contact Thrustmaster on two
occasions in the past. I believe the second time it took a couple
emails to get a response but I have always received my requests for
parts at no charge within a couple weeks of acknowledgement. Heck, I
even described my concerns of being down and they've included "extra"
springs such as the spare "Brake" spring which I luckily already had
on hand yesterday when mine snapped. With $129 invested, I feel I have
already got my money's worth and will give them my business in the
future for sure. Keep in mind also, in order to make this type of
product better, stronger, and less apt to failure, the cost would no
doubt have to be substantially more. I'm pleased as long as they
continue to stand behind their product so well.
Ron L.

(Please remove the extra letter(s) to respond)

Home of the SSC http://www3.pgh.net/~lazer/    
For Nascar2 & Winston Cup Fans!

I have had my tmnpw for about 2 months know and I have not had a problem
with it

I have the same problem as MitchD w/ pedal springs on Nascar Pro.  The
accelerator springs lasted just five weeks.

Luckily, service was adequate.  TM sent me replacement springs within 2 weeks.

However, that means the pedals would be out of commision once every 5 weeks,
with a 2-week down time!!  I requested extra springs but TM sent only one set.
Maybe they're getting so many replacement requests the service tech doesn't
have time to read my entire message; maybe it's company policy to send just one
set of springs.  I don't know.

This aside, I think the shifter is way too high.  Shifting is awkward,
requiring that the right hand be raised first to clear the top of the shifter.
The shifter should be at least 4" lower, so that the right hand simply drops to
position when shifting.

Still, I wouldn't buy any of the competitors' wheel sets.  The Nascar Pro is
still the best under $200.  I've noticed ads in British racing magazines for a
very solid looking set, but it sells for about $400!

Actually, the pedals have two springs on them, so if one breaks, the pedals
are not inoperable, they are just weaker than before.  I have had one spring
break on each pedal on my unit, and I haven't called tm yet for a
replacement(i'm a procrastinator, OK?) in 3 months since they broke.