rec.autos.simulators

by **Phanto** » Tue, 19 Mar 2002 15:03:31

I was looking at this wheel today, and I noticed that the demo unit had a
significant amount of gear backlash which caused me to think twice about
buying it.

How much gear play is acceptable in a wheel? Do those who have this wheel
feel that the amount of play is acceptable?

Thanks

Brian

by **Dixiemand** » Tue, 19 Mar 2002 18:04:02

I have the MSFF and dont really like it. Bought this when my TM Pro crapped
out. If I were buying one now, would either go with the MOMO and try to live
with the pedals or go non ff.

by **Xavie** » Tue, 19 Mar 2002 22:11:53

I do not notice much gear play at all with my MSFF wheel (USB). I purchased
it 15 months ago and still like it. It is much better IMHO that the (early
version of the) Guillemot Ferrari Wheel that went back to the shop after two
days (poor drivers, centering, general lack of build quality...). I am
usually no fan of Microsoft products, but with this wheel, they did one
thing right for a change: no potentiometers ! (optical sensors instead).

Xavier.

by **Jim Morriso** » Tue, 19 Mar 2002 23:49:09

It still has pots in the pedals, Ive had mine for sevral years with no
problems. The MSFF wheels are some of the strongest out there. Which is
nice, you can always turn down the effects, unlike a friend of mine that
uses a Logitech. The logitech has a weaker motor. The momo is nice but it is
still driven off a $2.00 pot!

by **Steve Blankenshi** » Wed, 20 Mar 2002 00:25:24

One thing to keep in mind about the Logitech wheels (previous generation LWF, LWFF and I'd guess the MOMO - don't know about the
GP's) is that they use an onboard A/D converter and do smoothing in hardware before sending position data to the PC. That's why you
don't see the spiking or jittery readings from the calibration screens, even though they use pots. My old TM wheel was terrible in
that regard, but my LWF's pots are still trouble-free after a couple of years' regular use.

SB

<snip>The momo is nice but it is still driven off a $2.00 pot!

by **Garth Somervill** » Wed, 20 Mar 2002 09:43:53

I'm on my third MSFF wheel. On the first two, I broke pedal springs after
about five to eight months of daily usage. My opinion is that the springs
are poorly designed and will develop cracks always at the same point, a bend
where the stress in concentrated.

The current wheel, the USB version, is still working after some five months
and I did hear somewhere that the pedal springs were strengthened in the new
wheel but I have no idea if that is true as I have not opened up the base to
look inside.

I still think the wheel itself is one of the best out there (I guess I'd
have to to keep buying it ;-) I like the ergonomics and plentiful buttons.
The FF can be "notchy" (as you cross center). The biggest problem is that
being a software company, MS traditionally provided no support at all for
these products. For example, where do you call to order a replacement pedal
spring? AFAIK you can't do it, but it has been about seven months since I
checked into that.

-Garth

by **Chris H** » Wed, 20 Mar 2002 11:37:15

Yes, in answer to your question. Either look in the booklet which came with the product or the Help section on the installed software, and there are telephone numbers to call for support and/or replacement of broken hardware. Generally, Microsoft will send a replacement (like an IntelliMouse Explorer) with instructions of where to send the defective product. I called just before writing this, and was told by a customer service representative that their policy is to replace the entire product, not just an individual part. So I patted my MSFF USB wheel and said, "Behave, because you can be replaced." 8-)
--
Chris H.
Microsoft MVP - Windows XP
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

> I'm on my third MSFF wheel. On the first two, I broke pedal springs after
> about five to eight months of daily usage. My opinion is that the springs
> are poorly designed and will develop cracks always at the same point, a bend
> where the stress in concentrated.

> The current wheel, the USB version, is still working after some five months
> and I did hear somewhere that the pedal springs were strengthened in the new
> wheel but I have no idea if that is true as I have not opened up the base to
> look inside.

> I still think the wheel itself is one of the best out there (I guess I'd
> have to to keep buying it ;-) I like the ergonomics and plentiful buttons.
> The FF can be "notchy" (as you cross center). The biggest problem is that
> being a software company, MS traditionally provided no support at all for
> these products. For example, where do you call to order a replacement pedal
> spring? AFAIK you can't do it, but it has been about seven months since I
> checked into that.

> -Garth

by **Chris H** » Wed, 20 Mar 2002 11:50:51

Oops! Sorry about the sig. Forgot which newsgroup I was in.
--
Chris H.

by **Norman Blac** » Wed, 20 Mar 2002 13:11:56

The small amount of gear slop is negligible to me. I have had mine for
about Eight months.

The pedals are a strong point of this wheel for me. Nice smooth
response curve. The wheel also has a smooth response curve.

Norman

by **Phanto** » Thu, 21 Mar 2002 12:47:56

Well, thanks, guys. I think I will pick one up. Do you believe that I'm
currently using a joystick in lieu of my Thrustmaster T2? I actually get
better times with the stick.

Brian

rec.autos.simulators

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash

Microsoft FF Wheel - Question about gear backlash