rec.autos.simulators

SimRacing Gurus:

I just picked up a Mad Katz steering wheel and pedals.  The whole
setup was $70!

My observations?  Well, this is coming from a MS Sidewinder joystick
user; I've never owned a wheel and pedals before this.  I think it was
well worth the money.  Granted the T2 is a heavier unit, but for about
half the price, I'm pretty impressed.  My track times are getting
better, but I'm still using automatic trans in NFS etc until I get
used to the wheel and pedals.

The wheel seems natural wrt movement-- it gives more resistance the
further you turn it.  Usually when calibrating I'll restrict the total
movement to about half the total rotation to help in precision on the
straightaways.  The wheel has a lot of buttons on it (one of the
reasons I went with the Mad Katz).  On top: 4 buttons (joystick
buttons 1-4), a "hat" control, and 2 buttons that are labeled "G" and
"B" which, when pressed, take the 'y' axis to max and min,
respectively.  There is also a "start" button (?).  On the underside
of the wheel there are two buttons that I believe are also joystick
buttons 1 & 2, one under each hand.  Additionally, there is a basic
shifter to the right of the wheel which I haven't used much yet.

The pedals seem like their well made, and the springs seem strong.
The springs are in the shape of a clothespin spring-- like two long
straight sections with a coil in the middle.

Some downfalls: both units tend to slide a bit, especially the pedals.
I have hardwood floors, and the pedals have no chance of staying in
one place.  I think I'll have to resort to velcro or something to hold
them down.  The steering wheel unit has optional suction cups, but
they seemed to make the problem worse on my oak desk.  I also haven't
been able to get the hat control to work, but that may be a
configuration problem.

Well, there you have it.  I think it's a good buy, especially for a
first-time wheel user (like me).  I'll probably eventually upgrade to
a more solid unit, but for now, I'm a happy kat!

Any other Mad Katz owners out there?

--kodiak

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HINT for sentients wishing to email: remove the Xs

[snip about MadCatz purchase]

Idea - when the elastic bungees give out, replace them with a
couple of (preferably non-lubricated) ***s.  These give
better resistance all around.  (use lubed ones if you like,
but they're harder to tie into knots when stretched out ;-)

Idea- when the pot dies (it will), go to your local electronics
hobby store and get a 100K linear pot to replace the 250K
pot already in the wheel.  This will make the steering less
"twitchy".  You can then use the full turn and not lose it
at Elkhart Lake.

The screws come loose too often (not as often as my racecar
though).  A couple of washers helps this.

I use a block of wood to brace the pedals against the wall.  I
initially used my ICR2 box :-)

I use Blu-Tack in the centre of the cups and push the wheel
down firmly.  Works well, and doesn't damage my desk.

Yes.  Good wheel after about $5 worth of mods.
Opening and closing the unit seems to damage the
***threads in the plastic pretty badly.

Jet
Jet (remove *HATES_SPAM* from my address to email me)