rec.autos.simulators

>Dear All,
>    After three months of not very regular use my Thrustmaster Force GT has
>died.  I was casually playing Viper Racing and something inside went snap.
>As a result I am going to take it back but I don't want another one in
>return (So that it can break in 3 months time!).  I would like to know the
>popular opinion as to the best FF wheel available at the moment.  I hear
>good things about the  MS wheel but I am loathe to give money to Microsoft
>if I can help it (I seem to give them money simply by breathing!), however,
>if it is far and away the best wheel I will get it.  I also gather the
>Saitek wheel is not too bad, however a friend of mine found bugs in his.  I
>know I'll probably be able to test somewhat in the shop, but probably not
>with any game I want to test it with.  So please let  me know about:

>A) Quality of FF effects.
>B) Build Quality and Reliability.
>C) Game Support.
>D) What it is like with FF turned off (For GPL).

>I'd like to use TM products as they have done me well in the past, but
there
>are BIG problems with the Force GT and TM's tech support don't seem to help
>at all.  I also can't really consider a non - FF wheel now as Viper Racing
>feels all wrong now that I've tried it on FF.

>Any input would be great,

>Jon.

> >Well I am sorry to say that the microsoft wheel really is the ONLY option.
> >I have it here and it is very good in everything you want.
> Just out of interest, what kind of pedal travel is there on the MSFF?
> I'm looking for a new wheel to replace my TM NASCAR Pro / F1 setup and I
> am considering the MSFF. I'd prefer a fairly long pedal travel if
> possible, I just prefer it that way for trailbraking in GPL.

>Jon,

>I replaced my Thursmaster Grand Prix Wheel with the Microsoft FFB Wheel and
>am very impressed with it.  Great quality, easy clamping, and comfortable.
>The force feedback feel is very good.  My understanding is that the games
>which support force feedback currently dont do a great job although I have
>read Viper Racing probably has the best feedback for driving sims.  I
>personally dont own this game yet.  As far as GPL,  I run the MSFFB Wheel
>with the force on as it provides an excellent weighted feel and return to
>center.   I am with you I would rather not give my entire salary to
>Microsoft but what can you do.

>Mike

>>Dear All,
>>    After three months of not very regular use my Thrustmaster Force GT
has
>>died.  I was casually playing Viper Racing and something inside went snap.
>>As a result I am going to take it back but I don't want another one in
>>return (So that it can break in 3 months time!).  I would like to know the
>>popular opinion as to the best FF wheel available at the moment.  I hear
>>good things about the  MS wheel but I am loathe to give money to Microsoft
>>if I can help it (I seem to give them money simply by breathing!),
however,
>>if it is far and away the best wheel I will get it.  I also gather the
>>Saitek wheel is not too bad, however a friend of mine found bugs in his.
I
>>know I'll probably be able to test somewhat in the shop, but probably not
>>with any game I want to test it with.  So please let  me know about:

>>A) Quality of FF effects.
>>B) Build Quality and Reliability.
>>C) Game Support.
>>D) What it is like with FF turned off (For GPL).

>>I'd like to use TM products as they have done me well in the past, but
>there
>>are BIG problems with the Force GT and TM's tech support don't seem to
help
>>at all.  I also can't really consider a non - FF wheel now as Viper Racing
>>feels all wrong now that I've tried it on FF.

>>Any input would be great,

>>Jon.

>Opinions expressed herein are my own and may not represent those of my
employer.

>> Thanks for all your comments, it looks like I'll get the MS wheel.  One
last
>> question though:  What warranty to MS put on the wheel?

>wowowo .. hold it there .. consider the Logitech Wingman Formula Force
>.. it's an awesome wheel and much cheaper than Microsoft's wheel .. yes
>the pedal is kinda weak but i've replaced them with stronger springs and
>its perfect now ..

>plus, the steering wheel simply looks *** in red ..

>my 20 dollars . oops .. i mean my 2 cents.

>I also have a Logitech Fomula Force wheel, I think it's awesome. It's
pedels
>do not have enough travel, but that is not a big issue with most games, of
>course GPL is hard with the logitech.

>>> Thanks for all your comments, it looks like I'll get the MS wheel.  One
>last
>>> question though:  What warranty to MS put on the wheel?

>>wowowo .. hold it there .. consider the Logitech Wingman Formula Force
>>.. it's an awesome wheel and much cheaper than Microsoft's wheel .. yes
>>the pedal is kinda weak but i've replaced them with stronger springs and
>>its perfect now ..

>>plus, the steering wheel simply looks *** in red ..

>>my 20 dollars . oops .. i mean my 2 cents.

>Hmmm, I'm not a big fan of Logitech (Good mice though) but it would seem
>that it is worth a try, however the pedals are an issue.  I always found my
>throttle control better in Viper with my T2 compared with the Force GT,
what
>are the pedals like on the Logitech compared with the Force GT?  Has
anybody
>got any tales about the Saitek wheel?  I really don't want another
>disappointment after the TM FF Wheel.  Does the Logitech wheel have a gear
>stick (I see the MS one hasn't and being the sad case I am I don't like to
>use paddles on Viper or GPL as is isn't realistic (!?))?

>Cheers,

>The Logictech has paddle's. They are cool, it's really much faster than
>using a stick.
>GPL is awesome with those paddle's. I don't have Viper.
>I personally like the pedal's on the logitech, you push them down. It is
>really easy to go from the gas to the break, and back. It really is a good
>set-up, I would say the best, execpt it doesn't have enough travel, and the
>springs could be a little tighter. But in my opinion it is the most natual
>set-up for racing in a chair.

>>Hmmm, I'm not a big fan of Logitech (Good mice though) but it would seem
>>that it is worth a try, however the pedals are an issue.  I always found
my
>>throttle control better in Viper with my T2 compared with the Force GT,
>what
>>are the pedals like on the Logitech compared with the Force GT?  Has
>anybody
>>got any tales about the Saitek wheel?  I really don't want another
>>disappointment after the TM FF Wheel.  Does the Logitech wheel have a gear
>>stick (I see the MS one hasn't and being the sad case I am I don't like to
>>use paddles on Viper or GPL as is isn't realistic (!?))?

>>Cheers,