rec.autos.simulators

There are basically three driving wheels available today.  One is the
Auto***pit from Simulation Systems; it is a freestanding unit with a
wheel and pedals; it has gearshift buttons ont he back of the wheel
like a McLaren F1.  It's around $155 at Chips & Bits.  Note: left-foot
braking only.

Another one is the Thrustmaster T1, which is a two-piece item; the
wheel and a shift lever go on your desk, a pedal unit is on the floor.
It's around $115 from Chips & Bits.

I have both of these.  I prefer the T1 because mine has a better feel
in the wheel, and because it has right-foot braking as an option.  It's
a bunch cheaper too.  The drawbacks are that doesn't have a shift lever
I can use in IndyCar or F1, and the pedal springs break constantly.
I've been replacing about one every other month now.  Thrustmaster is
VERY goood about supporting this problem, but it's a pain to fix them
all the time.  (Yes, I have limited the travel; in fact it's now QUITE
limited.)

The third wheel available is the Thomas wheel, which is reported to be
the best of the lot.  It's also the most expensive - $180+.  I haven't
used one of these yet, but my IICC teammate does and he thinks it's great.
Also no reliability problems.

I have found that while it's possible to drive both IndyCar and F1 with
a stick, you can't do it very effectively with NASCAR unless you're REAL
DAMN GOOD at it.   I'm pretty good at IndyCar, and I can drive that with
a good stick, but I can barely keep a NASCAR off the walls with either
wheel, let alone my 'stick.

---

Brian Wong                              Product Marketing Engineering

They certainly do, and I still use THEIR product, because aside from the
obvious problem, it's still the best one I've bumped got.
--

Brian Wong                              Product Marketing Engineering

So, I'm  not the only one...No wonder the thrustmaster guys were so
accomodating on the phone. I too, have broken a pedal spring and was dreading
having to send it in to get it fixed, and waiting 4-6 weeks to get it back.
Finally, I opened it up and found the broken spring. Called Thrustmaster and
they said they'd send me 4 (not one, but FOUR!) new ones (they MUST be
foreseeing more breaks) at no charge.

I asked the guy if this was a widespread problem, but he wouldn't cop to it.

But I find now that it apparently is...

Regardless, they will go out of their way to make fixing it convenient for
you.

E

Does any one know what I can do for parts? I am in Australia and dont
really know who to contact.

Thanks for the help,
Mike Jones

Regards
Richard

What phone number would I call?

Thanks,
Vip

Yes, I called them and asked them to send me two sets in advance of the
expected breakage. They sent me two sets. I've had my T1 for a couple of
months with moderate usage and still no broken springs. Maybe I'm just
lucky.
You can reach Thrustmaster at (503) 968-3411. Good luck!

Chris