rec.autos.simulators

I wish to purchase Thrustmaster's FT2 steering wheel, but am wondering
about its dimensions. No shop in Moscow has it in stock, I can only
order one with prepayment which is a stupid thing to do as the room in
which I keep my computer is rather small (the desk ain't too big
either:(. So before I make a mistake I'd really appreciate some info
from current FT2 owners.

When the FT2 is fixed to the desk -
1. How much space it takes behind, from the desk edge. I'll need to
have the keyboard and monitor fit behind it.
2. How much space does it take from the desk edge towards me (I've got
my bed behind my chair...)
3. What's the height from the desk top to the wheel top (i.e. will it
somehow hide the bottom part of the monitor?
4. Is it easily 'screwable with' (er.. serviceable), in the sense that
I wish to wire 2 buttons from the gear lever onto the wheel itself to
give it a more F1-like feel.

Thanks, Karim

  17cm from the edge to the furthest point of the wheel unit

  14 cm from the desk edge to the furthest extent of the wheel

   21 cm overall; 10.5 cm to the top of the "dash" unit; I find that
the clamps which hold it to the desk really get in the way of my legs.
It will help if the tabletop is slick, so that the suction feet can
work properly.

  All screwed together with phillips screws; I wonder if I'm the only
person who's had so much trouble with the gear stick?  This is my
third one - the other two made horrible squelching noises after only a
few minutes' use... and NO, I was not putting much strain on it.  2%
of what I've seen people use in arcades!

  When I get a chance, I'll be putting switches on the wheel, or
following the instructions I've read about here in r.a.s to add
"paddles" to a T2 wheel.  This should obviate the shifting problem
once and for all!

  No worries.  Gee, my first posting to this group, and it's an
*answer*, and to Russia, no less! ;-)

  The box is 27x37x25cm, btw.  A couple of kilos, and a regular little
chinese-puzzle to repack!  I'm sending you a picture of the unit via
email -  It's not polite to post binaries here.

Regards,

Wayne

Right but  you could post it to alt.binaries.simulators.autos --It's
not just for NCR2 downloads :)

: I wish to purchase Thrustmaster's FT2 steering wheel, but am wondering
: about its dimensions. No shop in Moscow has it in stock, I can only
: order one with prepayment which is a stupid thing to do as the room in
: which I keep my computer is rather small (the desk ain't too big
: either:(. So before I make a mistake I'd really appreciate some info
: from current FT2 owners.
:
: When the FT2 is fixed to the desk -
: 1. How much space it takes behind, from the desk edge. I'll need to
: have the keyboard and monitor fit behind it.

17.5 centimeters from the facing edge of the desk to the back of the unit.

: 2. How much space does it take from the desk edge towards me (I've got
: my bed behind my chair...)

14 cm from the desk to you.

: 3. What's the height from the desk top to the wheel top (i.e. will it
: somehow hide the bottom part of the monitor?

21 cm from the desk to the top of the wheel.  The top edge of the wheel
falls roughly even with the front desk edge.

: 4. Is it easily 'screwable with' (er.. serviceable), in the sense that
: I wish to wire 2 buttons from the gear lever onto the wheel itself to
: give it a more F1-like feel.
:
: Thanks, Karim

Hooked up a couple of thumb buttons to the steering wheel today.  Your
idea sounded good enough to try out.  They work with no problem.  Just
spliced into the existing gear stick wires and mounted the buttons on
the holes in the steering wheel spokes.

Regards,

-Dirt-

*******************************************
* Mechanical Engineering 1996             *
* University of Missouri, Rolla           *
*                                         *
* Need a Mechanical Engineer?  E-mail me! *
*******************************************

About 10 cm

About 7 cm

About 15 cm

Probably hard to do without breaking it and get problems with warranty !

Hope it will aid

Steve Breton
Quebec, Canada