rec.autos.simulators

I've just completed a head-to-head comparison of the Thomas
Enterprises TSW2 wheel and the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel -- the
review is available at The IRL Insider Magazine Web site
(http://www.racesimcentral.net/).  The pictures didn't turn out as
good as I'd hoped, but the information is good.  You can bypass the
index page by linking directly to the review:

http://www.racesimcentral.net/

Please note that I am not affilliated with either Thrustmaster or
Thomas Enterprises.

Enjoy!

-- JB

I've just completed a head-to-head comparison of the Thomas
Enterprises TSW2 wheel and the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel -- the
review is available at The IRL Insider Magazine Web site
(http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/).  The pictures didn't turn out as
good as I'd hoped, but the information is good.  You can bypass the
index page by linking directly to the review:

http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/tsw2rev.htm

Please note that I am not affilliated with either Thrustmaster or
Thomas Enterprises.

Enjoy!

-- JB

But on the other hand you are running banners for TSW on
your site. :) Are they paid for advertising?

And did TM and/or TSW Loan, or give u these wheels for review?

Z.

How can you be unbiased, and have an advertising banner for the TSW on
your page?

    Ahhhh, I read the article and it seems to be sort of biased. Yea,
TSW might be a better deal if you have lots of money but you are
misleading in your analysis. I think Zonker nailed it in his posting but
here is more information......just to set it straight.

1.  Ease of setup was biased. No documentation on the TSW and a
not-so-friendly clamp system that requires " a deck of cards" is not my
idea of a great wheel.
2.  Warranty statement is false:
     You stated "The TSW2 offers a lifetime warranty on all mechanical
parts and assemblies, and that pretty much says it all. In contrast to
the Thrustmaster's all-plastic construction, the materials and overall
construction of the TSW2 gives you the confident feeling that it may
never need have any springs or pots replaced anyway, despite the
lifetime warranty."

NOT true, according to TSW
"Any failure, mechanical or electrical other than the potentiometers is
included under the lifetime warranty. We offer a 90 day warranty on
potentiometers, meaning we will send you replacements of the same grade
pot for up to 90 days."

    On the other hand, the Thrustmaster is always supporting thier
customers. Even years after the sale according to many posts in this
newsgroup.
    Just to set the story straight, I own a T2. I don't love it but it
does get the job done. I have heard a lot about the TSW and think it
would be a good investment if I had the money. TSW seems like an up and
coming company with a bright future. The final numbers were close and
that is what really counts. They are both good wheels for the markets
for which they are designed. If TSW could get the price to drop $70 in
mass production, which is starting up, then they would have a very large
following.
    I enjoyed the article but it did not quite tell the truth.

                                            Racer

John:
You may not be affilliated ...
But, are you being paid by Thomas Enterprises to run their banner ad on
your referenced 'head-to-head comparison' URL ... "TSW2. The Thomas
SuperWheel2. Thomas Enterprises. Anything Less is Just a Toy."
--alan

The banners are simply endor***ts -- if I had a single paid
advertiser for The IRL Insider site, I'd be well on my way to becoming
a publishing magnate.

Any arrangments between Thrustmaster, Thomas Enterprises, and The IRL
Insider Magazine are strictly confidential, but let me assure you that
the results of my review were as unbiased as could be -- the quality
and performance of both systems is undeniable, but in the end, the
price difference between the two is definitely a reflection of
superior quality (which is what you would hope for for the extra money
spent).

The clamping problem was somewhat unique -- I've got a 5/8" thick
desktop with a 3" lip on the front on the front; the NASCAR Pro clamps
fit nicely, but the TSW2 clamp didn't like the 3" lip.  Without the 3"
lip, the TSW2 clamp worked nicely, and Thomas Enterprises states that
they will provide custom clamps for unique applications such as mine.
This problem won't be experienced by everybody, and the clamp worked
fine for me on my other computer desk.

I received the manual promptly after I informed Thomas Enterprises
after I contacted them about the issues -- it's every bit as
informative as the Thrustmaster manual, and the omission was an
unfortunate oversight on their part.  

Yes, I stated that they offer a lifetime warranty on all MECHANICAL
parts and assemblies -- potentiometers are ELECTRICAL assemblies.  I
indicated that "The TSW2 give you the confident FEELING that it MAY
never need to have any springs or pots replaced."   There was no
attempt to mislead.  I felt that the article provides an endore***t
for both the NASCAR Pro and the TSW2 -- the TSW2 is just simply a
superior product, as it should be for the additional cost.

-- JB

Granted. But the problem with new media is it's become all to much like Old
Media. And all too fast. I wouldn't trust the *** press as far as i could
throw them, myself.

News yes, reviews, no.

Quite simply,  if you are keeping products at the end of a test (which is by
and large standard, except for pre-release items) then it's more than in the
reading public's interest if this was or wasn't the case.

You review came out as i would expect, in that yes the TSW2 might be better,
but not really if it $X better. :)

Z.

Hi John

You state in your review:

".. NASCAR Pro selling for anywhere between $109 and $129. A slightly
pricier alternative to a Thrustmaster product is the TSW2.... currently
priced at $200"

When considering you need to add to the price of the TSW2 $25 for US
shipping and a whopping $165 for shipping to the UK, France etc. I would
hardly call this "slightly pricier". In addition, I believe that UK Customs
will add VAT as well for imports.

There are also a number of other wheel available. If you're really "in
search of the ultimate driving controller" then perhaps you could check out
the ECCI CDS4000 Monza, or the Digital Edge F1 Sim or the Hypersimulator.

I also agree with other comments, that you can't claim to be truly
independent if you carry an ad for TSW on your main page!

Still, I don't mean to be too disparaging and I enjoyed reading the review
which was extremely informative - thank you.

Lawrence

The TSW2 comes with a manual?
I didn't get any documentation with mine.

--
Don Burnette
Palmetto Racing
Dburn on Ten
AOLL Iroc Series Administrator
http://pages.southtech.net/palmetto/aoll.htm

The clamping problem was somewhat unique -- I've got a 5/8" thick
desktop with a 3" lip on the front on the front; the NASCAR Pro clamps
fit nicely, but the TSW2 clamp didn't like the 3" lip.  Without the 3"
lip, the TSW2 clamp worked nicely, and Thomas Enterprises states that
they will provide custom clamps for unique applications such as mine.
This problem won't be experienced by everybody, and the clamp worked
fine for me on my other computer desk.

I received the manual promptly after I informed Thomas Enterprises
after I contacted them about the issues -- it's every bit as
informative as the Thrustmaster manual, and the omission was an
unfortunate oversight on their part.  

Yes, I stated that they offer a lifetime warranty on all MECHANICAL
parts and assemblies -- potentiometers are ELECTRICAL assemblies.  I
indicated that "The TSW2 give you the confident FEELING that it MAY
never need to have any springs or pots replaced."   There was no
attempt to mislead.  I felt that the article provides an endore***t
for both the NASCAR Pro and the TSW2 -- the TSW2 is just simply a
superior product, as it should be for the additional cost.

-- JB

The banners are simply endor***ts -- if I had a single paid
advertiser for The IRL Insider site, I'd be well on my way to becoming
a publishing magnate.

Any arrangments between Thrustmaster, Thomas Enterprises, and The IRL
Insider Magazine are strictly confidential, but let me assure you that
the results of my review were as unbiased as could be -- the quality
and performance of both systems is undeniable, but in the end, the
price difference between the two is definitely a reflection of
superior quality (which is what you would hope for for the extra money
spent).

The banners are simply endor***ts -- if I had a single paid
advertiser for The IRL Insider site, I'd be well on my way to becoming
a publishing magnate.

Any arrangments between Thrustmaster, Thomas Enterprises, and The IRL
Insider Magazine are strictly confidential, but let me assure you that
the results of my review were as unbiased as could be -- the quality
and performance of both systems is undeniable, but in the end, the
price difference between the two is definitely a reflection of
superior quality (which is what you would hope for for the extra money
spent).