rec.autos.simulators

        Check out the February 1996 issue of PC Gamer...  

        I personally suggest the Extreme Competition Controls Driving System
if you are really into Racing Simulations (which is probably a prerequisite
for anyone contemplating a $500 driving controller purchase).  I find the
ECC Driving System's look, feel, and function to be amazing when used with
sims like NASCAR and INDYCAR II.  Those sims, in particular, appear to take
advantadge of the higher precision input which it can yield.  I have also
found their support staff to be very receptive and responsive.  

        One caveat: The ECC Driving System does not appear to be designed for
arcade games that use only the x and y axis input from one joystick (ie. Need
for Speed).

                                        Brent

Extreme Competition Controls
Competition Driving Systems
retail $439 US

TSW (The Steering Wheel)
retail $285 US

Interactive Digital Devices
PC Steering Wheel
retail $400 US

I am considering an upgrade.  Does anyone own any of these?  Do you
like them?  Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Art LaBelle

Steve.

Art, i've got the Extreme CDS and it is the bollocks.  well worth the
money (and i had to pay a lot extra to get it into the UK), and no a
single regret. It's built solid as a tank yet looks and feels smooth.
I've had no trouble running it with either icr i or ii but haven't tried
any others (GP2 the day after it ships, or when hell freezes over).The
wheel unit is very heavy and sits on *** feet without moving.

The thing crouches on your desk daring you not to use it everytime you
enter the room, and then is smooth as silk from lock to lock. It has
four buttons on the wheel spokes, in easy thumb reach for gear changes,
and a suede covering for comfort.

check out their web page on:

        http://www.racesimcentral.net/:80/homepages/extreme

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Dave.

Just got my ECCI driving system and all I can say after 4 solid hours
playing ICR2 is......
                   THIS THING IS COMPLETLY AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-

I thought the same about rudder pedals for flight sims, so I built my own.
If you go to http://mineral.uafsme.alaska.edu/ferret/byoc/byoc.html you'll
find descriptions of various rudder & accelrator/brake pedals people have
built, amongst other stuff. You should get a pretty good idea of how to
build a steering wheel from those.

Frank.