rec.autos.simulators

Frank

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Revvin

Unfortunately, the Microsoft Sidewinder FF wheel comes up short in the
most important area - force feedback!

The ACT LABS FF USB is concidered by many to be THE greatest force
feedback wheel on the market.

Unfortunately for those of us in the UK, it's a bummer to get hold of.
I'm concidering whether or not I should order it by mail, and pay the
huge air fee, or if I should go for another wheel instead.

Although the Microsoft Sidewinder wheel may not be the best on the
market, I'll most likely end up buying it myself.

At least it comes with CART Precision Racing and Monster Truck Madness
2.

Revvin

IMO, it's always best to buy from a company you know you can get in
touch with easily - this is why the ACT LABS wheel is becoming less
appealing to me and the Microsoft FF Sidewinder is becoming all the
better.

Anything but Thrustmaster, their FF product blows. Apart from anything
else it places a ridiculous load on the CPU.

Joe McGinn
==========================================
Staff Writer for the Sports *** Network
http://www.racesimcentral.net/***.com/
==========================================

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For me... This was in GPL, SCGT, F1RS and IndyCar Racing II.

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Frank

[snipped]

Thanks for making a great point. I kept reading about the strength of
the ACT motor in all of the reviews, and I was wondering what the big
deal was. Feedback from a real car is subtle, particularly a modern
sports car with power steering. Brute motor strength seemed (to me)
to be a low importance issue assigned high importance by computer
reviewers who didn't have much grasp of comparing computer control to
actual "real car" feel.

All of the wheels are a compromise in some department right now, but I
ended up going with the Logitech.
I didn't like that I couldn't do a hands-on test of the ACT, and as
someone who values function over form, I'm embarrassed to admit that
the look of the wheel really turned me off.
I'm not especially crazy for the red grip on the Logitech either, but
at least I know it's a Momo copy, and has a great feel.

I liked the Microsoft pedals, but I didn't like the button shifters
(the Logitech paddles are superb), and thought the Logitech had a
slightly smoother, more carlike feel when powered. Remember, that you
can compare them without really using them.
It's tough to do. Most stores around me don't have a powered demo out.
I mention that because I thought the Logitech felt hideous when I
initially tried it out by just moving the controls around in an
unpowered display. It has a gritty feel to it, and makes sounds like
the distant scraping of hands across a chalkboard.
That all goes away when you fire it up and use it in a game.

The pedals are the issue with the Logitech, and basically I've just
learned to live with them. Some guys put stiffer springs in them, but
I just drive without socks and work the pedals with my toes or the
ball of my foot. It sounds silly, but works pretty well.
I'd still love some burly metal pedals that I could stomp on while
wearing my shoes. <g>
On the plus side for the pedals, the "pivot down" design that limits
their travel works great for the typical PC seating position. Mine
have never moved unless I intentionally moved them.

I was also able to get the Logitech for under $110, which was a
screaming deal. No regrets given that price.

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