rec.autos.simulators

High-end Wheel or FFB Wheel

Jerry Knitte

High-end Wheel or FFB Wheel

by Jerry Knitte » Thu, 23 Sep 1999 04:00:00

I just wanted some opinions from those who have tried both, should I go
for a nice high end TSW (or similar wheel) or a FFB wheel to feel the
effects in GPL and Nascar 3?

Thanks for the advice.
Jerry

Ed Kloskowsk

High-end Wheel or FFB Wheel

by Ed Kloskowsk » Thu, 23 Sep 1999 04:00:00

Well I am actaully in a good position to answer.

Tonite I just bought a Logitech Wingman Force Feedback wheel for $99 from
Best Buy.

It was a replacement for my Nascar Pro racing wheel from Thrustmaster.

There was nothing wrong with the NASCAR PRO, but I just kept thinking how
cool my new NASCAR3 would be with force feedback, and I had heard good
things about the imerssion(?) technology in the Logitech stuff.

I am not the least bit sorry I did it!!  Initially I was afraid my lap time
would suffer as I now had to contend with forces and not just "knowing" how
to turn the wheel in ceratin circumsatnces.

I tried out:
Viper racing
Sports car GT
NASCAR 3

And I am amazed how much better the experiance is with the WINGMAN FORCE !!
its a whole new ball game and really adds a new dimension to the racing.
Also  after having been rusty at SCGT and VIPER I turned in lap times that
were far better than I was able to do when I was fresh at them, and felt I
had better control.  NASCAR lap times put me in the pack finally and I now
run with thte leaders or less than 1 sec out !! WOW -

So either my NASCAR PRO was that bad or the LOGITECH is that good, or a
little of both, but I am in heaven tonite man.

ed

Liutger Franze

High-end Wheel or FFB Wheel

by Liutger Franze » Fri, 24 Sep 1999 04:00:00

normally you really have just FF-"effects" in racing games, like SCGT,
MGPRS and the like: this suxx! GPL is the only exception to the rule so
far: the FF really adds realism and helps improve your driving style -
it's no fancy get-on-the-curbs-and-shake-me-stuff though ;-)

personally, I don't wanna miss the FF in GPL - might be I could not do a
clean lap without it anymore ;-)

Lio

John Bodi

High-end Wheel or FFB Wheel

by John Bodi » Fri, 24 Sep 1999 04:00:00

This is definitely a matter of preference, but I own both a TSW and a FF
wheel (Saitek R4 Force, which features Microsoft Sidewinder internals), and
I am pretty much underwhelmed by FF in general.  It's neat at first, but
when it comes to ulitmate performance, I find FF to be more a hindrance than
an enhancement.  Force Feedback doesn't do as much for me in the added
realism department as a good, SOLID, smooth wheel and pedal setup that is
more or less constructed from the same materials you'd find in a real car.
Personally, I find that a Caliba or Momo wheel does more for realism than
any herky-jerky plastic wheel ever could.

Again, I think this issue is purely a matter of personal preference.  If you
really want a FF wheel, then treat yourself, but if you want something that
will last a lifetime and give you hours and hours of satisfaction, go for
one of the top-end wheels from TSW, ECCI, or SRC.

-- John Bodin
    Publisher, The IRL Insider Magazine
    http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/


>I just wanted some opinions from those who have tried both, should I go
>for a nice high end TSW (or similar wheel) or a FFB wheel to feel the
>effects in GPL and Nascar 3?

>Thanks for the advice.
>Jerry

John Bodi

High-end Wheel or FFB Wheel

by John Bodi » Fri, 24 Sep 1999 04:00:00

Well, the Saitek wheel features both paddle shifters AND a shift lever --
check it out at:

http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/sims/saitek/

-- JB



>> Again, I think this issue is purely a matter of personal preference.  If
you
>> really want a FF wheel, then treat yourself, but if you want something
that
>> will last a lifetime and give you hours and hours of satisfaction, go for
>> one of the top-end wheels from TSW, ECCI, or SRC.

>Has anyone been able to find a satisfactory force feedback wheel/pedal
combo set
>that uses an actual shifter/knob type mechanism rather than paddles behind
the
>wheel or buttons on the wheel itself?

>I really wish Thrustamaster had done a better job on their FF wheel.  Tried
the FF
>Nascar Pro for a couple of days and returned it... just didn't work very
well on
>anything and not at all on some things. I still own my NASCAR Pro set...
mainly
>because it's taken the abuse I've geven it, and the shifter is exactly what
I was
>looking for.

>Thanks.

>--

>-j.c.h.
>spill /|t frenzy dawt cawm


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