rec.autos.simulators

OK, I'm down to the Act Labs FF and the LWFF. I need all your expert opinions out there. Which one should I get?!

They both sound like good buys but one must have an edge. What do you think?

Dan Bourget

The Act Labs has a low profile under the desk, so if you have a keyboard drawer, it probably won't interfere.

The Logitech has better paddle shifters, is USB or Serial (not sure, but I think you can buy an upgrade for the ACT to make is USB) and has the smallest footprint on top of the desk of any wheel.

It's also wire driven, rather than gear driven, so it's probably the smoothest FF wheel when in use with older, non-FF games.

Those "plusses" were enough to make me go with the LWFF, the only downside is the pedals are kinda weak, but the fact that you push DOWN on them rather than out an an angle, keeps them steady under your feet. They don't slide around like say the T2's did....

Slot

OK, I'm down to the Act Labs FF and the LWFF. I need all your expert
opinions out there. Which one should I get?!

They both sound like good buys but one must have an edge. What do you think?

Dan Bourget

For further info have a look at my webpage

Jens

---------------------------------------------

Remove "NOSPAM" before using my email-address

Visit my webpage at http://members.xoom.com/JensSchu/ for some serious stuff concerning:
Radio controlled airplanes
Racing simulation, esp. GPL
Classic cars, esp. Morris Minor

Dan

I returned a LWFF to buy my ACT Labs Force RS. Both wheels are very
good, but I think ACT has the edge and here's why:

1. The ACT wheel feels much more substantial. It's actually about 3/4"
larger than the LWFF. I remember getting into my car (BMW w/M3
wheel)after using the LWFF and thinking WOW this steering wheel is huge!
How can I drive like this?  :) It's not so bad with the ACT wheel.

2. The ACT pedals are much larger and better constructed than the LWFF.
(although the ACT brake is a tad notchy, but fading by the day) The
pedals on th LWFF were just too small for me. I didn't like that the
LWFF brake pedal is raised higher than the gas pedal. It makes it harder
to switch between the two with one foot. Both units though are heavy
enough to resist silding.

3. The clamping system on the two is a toss up. Both do not move after
you mount them, but to mount the LWFF I had to take out my keyboard
drawer because of the clearance. The LWFF has a much smaller footprint
though. The ACT wheel is huge (the footprint) in comparison, especially
after you plug in the cartridge. It does have a much lower clearance
though, and I'm able to mount it without moving my keyboard or the tray.

4. The FF effects are great on both wheels, with the ACT being slightly
stonger. (I was using the newest drivers for both) The biggest
difference in FF is really between how (much) a game implements it.

5. The shifting paddles are much better on the LWFF. They are stonger
(compared to the ACT's which fell like they would fall off if you pull
them too hard) and a little easier to reach. BUT..............who needs
paddles when you can the the RS Shifter ;) This is the clincher for me.
As I'm sure you've heard the shifter brings a new level to the game. I
even prefer to use it in "legacy" mode over using the paddles (even if
they were as good as the LWFF's) It's a blast!

THe only real downside to the ACT is that you can get the LWFF at your
local computer store, but as of now (I'm told they are working on this)
the only place to buy the ACT is at Fretter's (west coast?) and online
thru Act-labs.com,($139.99) or Tiger Direct ($159.99).

fyi, when I ordered my ACT thru their website, my company's name was
missing from the shipping label(only my name was on it) and UPS refused
to deliver it (I work in downtown Boston). UPS then shipped it back to

air at no charge :) Got it in 2 days! They really are a class act.

Oh well thats my $.02

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

Raymond
ACT LABS

Raymond
ACT LABS

Raymond
ACT LABS

James Larson
Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Jens

Visit my webpage at http://members.xoom.com/JensSchu/ for some serious stuff concerning:
Radio controlled airplanes
Racing simulation, esp. GPL
Classic cars, esp. Morris Minor

Raymond
ACT LABS

Raymond
ACT LABS