:
: > > Some people say there is a problem with the T1, that it
: > >breaks down all too quickly. To they have any international
: > >support, or is it a back to the USA job?
: >
I bought mine 6 months ago for a hefty 170 GBP. Since then, I've only
broken one spring, and that just took a call to Thrustmaster in the States
to get 6 replacement ones. They also suggested a way to stop the springs
travelling to their full length so there's less chance of them breaking.
: I bought a T1 almost a year ago, and had to have it replaced numerous
times.
: The biggest problem was the pedal springs, but the gearstick and
steering pot
: were also unreliable. Eventually I obtained a refund, and I can't say I
miss
: it much.
Maybe I'll post again when I reach 1 year with my T1, but so far I've had
no problem with the gearstick & steering.
: > Incidentally, would anyone like to comment
: > on whether there is any performance advantage to be gained on
simulations
: > such as F1GP once you've got used to the T1? I'd be interested to
know
: > how many tenths (if any) can be shaved off lap times.
:
: To answer both these questions:
:
: As to perfomance - it put an average 2 seconds extra onto my laptimes,
largely
: because it's such a large unwieldy thing. More suited to an Austin
Allegro
: sim, I think. It did impress me at first though, as it does feel
'right'.
If I remember correctly, the Austin Allegro was the one with the square
steering wheel? :-)
Seriously tho', I prefer using the T1 steering wheel because I don't drive
real cars with a joystick. I bought the driving sims because I wanted to
get a feel for competition driving, and however good my joystick was, I
couldn't balance a sim car on the throttle round a tricky corner, nor
simultaneously brake & steer accurately enough.
Personally, I don't mind not shaving a tenth or two off my best lap times,
as long as the racing feels more real. I also found with the joystick I
was often driving a less-than-optimal line on some corners, to make up for
the lack of precision, so some of my lap times actually have improved. I
change the opposition strength to match mine, and if it means less than
100%, then that's OK with me, as long as we're driving similar lap times
and scrapping all the way round!
:
: I'd advise any potential UK buyers to think again. The T1 is poorly
constructed
: and grossly overpriced.
:
I'd advise any potential UK buyers to try one out first, if it's possible.
I agree it's very expensive, but maybe you'll want to pay the premium for
the precision control.
--
James Bevan
NeXTMail & MIME welcome