I wasn't sure what to get when I went shopping, but opted
out for inexpensive. I've never seen anyone else ever
mention this brand, but I passed on the Nascar and
Thrustmaster for a V3 Interact wheel w/ gas/brake pedals.
It comes with all the joystick buttons on the wheel, and
works better than a joystick I think. Cost was about $50.
Bonus was free full copy of Need for Speed II (for something
different, and the kids like it better). I have the wheel
for a year with no problems; steering is a bit sensitive,
but I have nothing to compare it too. Guess its more not
feeling the torque of real driving.
Steve B.
> Andy - you can't really drive any of racing sims without a wheel.
> My Thrustmaster Formula 1 over-twisted in its mountings last night (sob sob) -
> the problem with it is that the metal shaft is mounted in plastic and after
> throwing it hard through too many corners the plastic mountings wear and the
> shaft slips round. (Apologies for the lack of technical nomneclature). The
> brake-accelerator microswitch on my old thrustmaster Grand Prix 1 went so now I
> sometimes find the brakes stay on. Thrustmaster wheels are great until they go
> wrong - the build quality is just not up to it.
> What is and where can I buy I sturdy wheel?
> > Hi Jeff,
> > Yeah, I'd agree, the Gp1 works pretty well. I've had some trouble with
> > pots going bad but when its working its fine.
> > What do you think of the TSW ?
> > Andy
> > > Steering wheels are analogue devices and yes the more you turn the wheel,
> > > the more your computer car turns. Likewise, the gas/brake are analogue,
> > > so you can apply 1/2 gas or brakes and it gives you a lot better control
> > > over your computer car.
> > > A very good basic wheel that is relatively inexpensive is the Thrustmaster
> > > Grand Prix 1. It is a good quality wheel that has a street price of about
> > > $50 US. I have seen them for as low as $30 with rebates and sales, so if
> > > you look around you can get quite a good deal. The Grand Prix 1 is only a
> > > wheel and doesn't come with foot pedals, instead it uses hand paddels on
> > > the wheel that actually work quite well. It also has four buttons, two on
> > > the wheel and two on the base of the unit. I used a TM:GP1 for about 6
> > > months and really liked it, before upgrading to a higher priced wheel
> > > (TSW). Thrustmaster also has steering wheels that come with foot pedals,
> > > but they are more expensive (about $100). So if you can live without foot
> > > pedals, I would suggest the TM:GP1.
> > > Jeff
> > > > Hi folks,
> > > > This is my first visit to this newsgroup, as I am fairly new to
> > > > driving sims. I have been persevering with the keyboard when playing
> > > > my assorted games, and thinking about the idea of buying a wheel for
> > > > ages. My question ........ you know how when using a keyboard, you
> > > > simply have the option of left, right, or straight ahead. Well, does
> > > > a wheel do the same, or is the steering input actually proportional to
> > > > the amount you turn the wheel. If so, does this apply to ALL wheels,
> > > > including the el-cheapos? Lastly, does anyone have specific
> > > > recommendations for an inexpensive but decent quality wheel? I only
> > > > play games at a fairly basic level, and basically am pretty hopeless,
> > > > so have little need for anything highly customisable or our of the
> > > > ordinary - just a basic wheel so I don't need to use the keyboard any
> > > > more. Suggestions?
> > > > Cheers,
> > > > Peter.
> > > > To email me, change .com in my address to .au
--
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Steve and Deb
