rec.autos.simulators

by **Andrew Fento** » Wed, 31 Mar 1999 04:00:00

Hi folks, can anyone give me some advice on a good force feedback wheel?
Cost isn't too much of an issue, I just want to buy something good to play
Colin McRae on :-)

The one I've been recommended a few times is the MS Sidewinder Forced
Feedback Wheel. Anyone have comments on this or any other good uns?

Thanks in advance

by **Bubb** » Wed, 31 Mar 1999 04:00:00

The best for the buck is (IMHO) the Thomas Enterprises TSW2.
I've had both the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro ($100) and the Microsoft FF
($199) wheels.

The Microsoft FF is a nice model if you are looking for the Force
Feedback feature. But when comparred to the Thomas Enterprises, the
Microsoft FF feels like the plastic toy that it is. The Saitek I tried
(a friend's) didn't have enough force in the feedback as compared to
the Microsoft. Be warned, as I found out the hard way, older games may
not support digital devices such as the Force Feedback models. Only
the newer and most recent games will support digital devices such as
the Microsoft Force Feedback.

But, if Force Feedback is not an issue with you and you play only
serious race simulations like NASCAR (NROS) and GPL then there is no
doubt in my mind that the Thomas Enterprises TSW2 is the best choice
for the money (about $220). I have one now that I have been using for
about 2 weeks and it feels like a dream. The others feel like toys in
comparison.

The Thomas Enterprise wheels are made HEAVY DUTY with extremely HEAVY
DUTY hardware. I can't stress HEAVY DUTY enough. They are VERY easy to
work on if you want to "upgrade" them yourself. The hardware and
springs are guaranteed for LIFE (The Thrustmaster Pro owners are
wishing they had such a guarantee). I have modified mine for dual axis
(separate throttle and break) and it only took about 5 minutes. Just
swapped a few wires on two internal terminal strips with a***
driver and it was done. Of course, all games may not support the dual
axis throttle/break pedals, but then you can buy (or install yourself)
a modification kit, that Thomas Enterprises sells that will switch
between the two modes. They also sell easy to install upgrade kits for
cool stuff like a 3rd pedal for a clutch if your favorite game
supports it. The pedals are very nice and made from HEAVY DUTY
hardware as well. The pedals are made in such a way that they are much
more comfortable than, say for instance, the Thrustmaster PRO.

I strongly urge you to check out the TSW2 before you buy anything.
Pay a little more ONE TIME instead of buying a new toy wheel every six
months. Thomas Enterprises have models priced from around $220.00 to
over $1000.00.

This may have sounded like a commercial, but I promise you, it is all
based only on my personal experience and I am in no way involved with
Thomas Enterprises other than being a completey satisfied customer
loving my recent purchase of a TSW2.

Check out their Web-Site at: http://www.racesimcentral.net/

Good Luck!
-Gary

On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 21:28:43 +0100, "Andrew Fenton"

>Hi folks, can anyone give me some advice on a good force feedback wheel?
>Cost isn't too much of an issue, I just want to buy something good to play
>Colin McRae on :-)

>The one I've been recommended a few times is the MS Sidewinder Forced
>Feedback Wheel. Anyone have comments on this or any other good uns?

>Thanks in advance

by **John Bod** » Thu, 01 Apr 1999 04:00:00

I HIGHLY recommend the Saitek R4 Force wheel -- it's VIRTUALLY
identical to the MS Sidewinder wheel (internals are licensed from MS),
and you can buy a refurbished Saitek for $99. A friend of mine took
advantage of this offer on my recommendation, and he's highly
satisfied with the Saitek wheel. He also owns a MS Sidewinder Force
wheel, and he wanted a second for his home network -- he says the
Saitek wheel he received looks like new, and it works great.

I've done a review of the Saitek wheel, if you're interested (you'll
find a link to the refurbished offer in the review):

http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/sims/saitek/

Enjoy!

-- John Bodin
Publisher, The IRL Insider Magazine On-Line
http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/

>Hi folks, can anyone give me some advice on a good force feedback wheel?
>Cost isn't too much of an issue, I just want to buy something good to play
>Colin McRae on :-)
>The one I've been recommended a few times is the MS Sidewinder Forced
>Feedback Wheel. Anyone have comments on this or any other good uns?
>Thanks in advance

by **Joseph Marque** » Thu, 01 Apr 1999 04:00:00

> The best for the buck is (IMHO) the Thomas Enterprises TSW2.
> I've had both the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro ($100) and the Microsoft FF
> ($199) wheels.

What he said! I bought the TSW2 8 months ago and love it, best buy on the
market. You will not be disappointed. Force feedback is a nice gimmick but
not really as useful and effective as it will be someday. Go for the better
driving experience with a "real" wheel. Solid, reliable and precise . . . the
TSW2. No, this is not a paid adverti***t.

by **Tom Witma** » Thu, 01 Apr 1999 04:00:00

You can find a lot of refurbished ones because everyone is sending them back
becasue they stink!!!! You cannot realistically use the brakes for
feathering the brakes and staying on the 'edge' of bite. The stroke is so
short that it is almost all or nothing. If you wimp out and take 'braking
help' on the setup, it's better but still not real.
I wouldn't recommend the Saitek Force Wheel to anyone.

Tom

>I HIGHLY recommend the Saitek R4 Force wheel -- it's VIRTUALLY
>identical to the MS Sidewinder wheel (internals are licensed from MS),
>and you can buy a refurbished Saitek for $99. A friend of mine took
>advantage of this offer on my recommendation, and he's highly
>satisfied with the Saitek wheel. He also owns a MS Sidewinder Force
>wheel, and he wanted a second for his home network -- he says the
>Saitek wheel he received looks like new, and it works great.

>I've done a review of the Saitek wheel, if you're interested (you'll
>find a link to the refurbished offer in the review):

>http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/sims/saitek/

>Enjoy!

>-- John Bodin
> Publisher, The IRL Insider Magazine On-Line
> http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/

>>Hi folks, can anyone give me some advice on a good force feedback wheel?
>>Cost isn't too much of an issue, I just want to buy something good to play
>>Colin McRae on :-)

>>The one I've been recommended a few times is the MS Sidewinder Forced
>>Feedback Wheel. Anyone have comments on this or any other good uns?

>>Thanks in advance

by **Glenn Whit** » Thu, 01 Apr 1999 04:00:00

I bought the Saitek R4 and would agree it is not a robust product. My
10 year old and I used it for 2 days and one of the paddle shifters got
so sticky you couldn't use it. Also the steering wheel buttons are very
touchy and the brake pedal went goofy after 3 days. You had to remove
the Saitek from game contollers, then disconnect and reconnect the
pedals, then re-install the Saitek in game contollers.

We now have 2 MS Sidewinder wheels. They work and feel 100% better,
attach and remove easier, and take up less space. In a month my 10 year
old and his friends have yet to break either one.

Too bad it doesn't help me get better laptimes at GPL!

My 2,

Glenn

> You can find a lot of refurbished ones because everyone is sending them back
> becasue they stink!!!!

> >I HIGHLY recommend the Saitek R4 Force wheel -- it's VIRTUALLY
> >identical to the MS Sidewinder wheel (internals are licensed from MS),
> >and you can buy a refurbished Saitek for $99.

rec.autos.simulators

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