Follow up on Act-Labs Vs TSW Pedals

Okay, after reading and reading again all the posts (thanks a lot guys) I still have 2 questions left : 1) As far as I could read the main critics against the AL are the "breakability issues" so I gather that the "feel" is "identical" when they are functioning properly, is that correct ? 2) Is there any plan at TSW to make some USB pedals, I think that selling the pedals, and then selling the 15 pin adapter is a bit of a ripoff and then my PC does NOT have a 15 pin connector anymore.... Thanks for the input. PS : I've just emailed AL to ask them about reliability issues on their performance pedals and if they did a design change since the first release and if they planned another modification... -- The first ever pinball ezboard !! http://pub7.ezboard.com/bpinball

> 2) Is there any plan at TSW to make some USB pedals, I think that selling > the pedals, and then selling the 15 pin adapter is a bit of a ripoff and > then my PC does NOT have a 15 pin connector anymore.... If they "build it in" they will increase the price to cover their costs and it would limit their inventory. Now if you want a peddle set with a 15 pin connector they have one. If you want USB, they will sell you the adaptor. Your vision would have them stocking two types of peddle sets and guess what? Up goes the price again to maintain the inventory. Lets leave their business model to them. <g> ck

"ckr" <[email hidden]> a �crit dans le message de news: ahh49i$t2pti$[email hidden]... > > If they "build it in" they will increase the price to cover their costsand

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> it would limit their inventory. Now if you want a peddle set with a 15 pin > connector they have one. If you want USB, they will sell you the adaptor. > Your vision would have them stocking two types of peddle sets and guess > what? Up goes the price again to maintain the inventory. Lets leave their > business model to them. <g> > > ck > >

Well, their "business model" is just a "let's screw the buyer" mode !! You pay 185$ for a 3 pedal which is already a HUGE sum of money if you compare that with the price of the parts involved in building it (no the famous DK pots are not THAT expensive) and on top of this they charge you 35$ for the DB15 or 25$ for the USB "adapter" which is of course only CABLE....and definitely NOT worth 25$ or 35$. Act labs has (at least in my Force RS) a twin USB/Serial connector, for free And then the most funny of it all, these thieves charge you 175$ for shipping to france, HA HA HA. Even if the quality of the product is good I would like to remind the people here that Act-Labs is charging 25$ for shipping of the performance pedals to Europe, and NO I don't believe that the TSW pedals are 7 times heavier than the Act-Labs pedals thus requiring a 7 fold shipping cost increase... Bottom line is (are) : 1) As Far as I could read here the Act-labs are "as good" as the TSW but break more often. 2) For the price of one USB 3 pedals unit from TSW (185+25+175=385) you can get 4.5 Act labs pedals at 84$ (59+25=84) (provided you already have a Force RS and get the 59$ upgrade price). I think that TSW is another typical "good quality" but "overpriced" company, I won't pay 4.5 times more for a 10-15% quality increase (okay the 10-15% is totally subjective, but even so, I'm sure you see my point), on top of this this is usually a very common practice for the US online vendors to try to murder the foreign customers...I tried to buy a Nomad Jukebox earlier this week, and they wanted 55$ shipping, went to the USPS site and found it should have been 26$, I'm not really down to 29$ more or less but I hate to be f.....d by some "wiseguy" thinking that just because I'm not living there he can tell me whatever bullshit he wants... I know and realize that for some people here the issue of buying 85$ pedals or 385$ pedals is not really relevent, but I'm quite sure that the TSW are NOT 4.5 times better than the Act-labs, and therefore the quality/price ratio is TOTALLY in favor of the Act-Labs, plsu I've always (until then) had a VERY VERY satisfying experience with the Act-Labs support, I broke one dented plastic wheel on my normal pedals last year and in 3 weeks (including FREE shipping) I got 2 plastic wheels, 3 springs and 1 pot from them although I never asked for the extra parts, since then I never broke anything again but I like a company that treats his customers like that. TSW-disappointed (and still an Act-labs believer) Txl -- The first ever pinball ezboard !! http://pub7.ezboard.com/bpinball

Txl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:3d3c383b$0$494$[email hidden]...

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> "ckr" <[email hidden]> a �crit dans le message de news: > ahh49i$t2pti$[email hidden]... > > > > And then the most funny of it all, these thieves charge you 175$ for > shipping to france, HA HA HA. >

Have you looked at the Speedway wheels and pedals? They are made in France and very highly rated by Michel Vigneres, one of the members of my forum. You can read his review here: http://www.racesimcentral.com/articles/reviews/speedway/speedway.shtml and visit the Speedway Joysticks website here: http://speedway-joysticks.com/ At least being a French company, the shipping should be less plus the wheel and pedals look really well made. As an alternative, have you considered the excellent BallRacing Speed7 pedals? They are more expensive than the TSW pedals but are USB as standard and made in the UK which once again means lower shipping costs. You can read about them at: http://www.interactiveracing.com I have a set and think they are superb. Phil --- Race Sim Central Administrator http://www.racesimcentral.com

Txl <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:3d3c383b$0$494$[email hidden]...

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> "ckr" <[email hidden]> a �crit dans le message de news: > ahh49i$t2pti$[email hidden]... > > > > > If they "build it in" they will increase the price to cover their costs > and > > it would limit their inventory. Now if you want a peddle set with a 15

pin > > connector they have one. If you want USB, they will sell you theadaptor. > > Your vision would have them stocking two types of peddle sets and guess > > what? Up goes the price again to maintain the inventory. Lets leavetheir

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> > business model to them. <g> > > > > ck > > > > > > Well, their "business model" is just a "let's screw the buyer" mode !! > > You pay 185$ for a 3 pedal which is already a HUGE sum of money if you > compare that with the price of the parts involved in building it (no the > famous DK pots are not THAT expensive) and on top of this they charge you > 35$ for the DB15 or 25$ for the USB "adapter" which is of course only > CABLE....and definitely NOT worth 25$ or 35$. > > Act labs has (at least in my Force RS) a twin USB/Serial connector, for

free > > And then the most funny of it all, these thieves charge you 175$ for > shipping to france, HA HA HA. > > Even if the quality of the product is good I would like to remind thepeople > here that Act-Labs is charging 25$ for shipping of the performance pedalsto > Europe, and NO I don't believe that the TSW pedals are 7 times heavierthan

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> the Act-Labs pedals thus requiring a 7 fold shipping cost increase... > > Bottom line is (are) : > > 1) As Far as I could read here the Act-labs are "as good" as the TSW but > break more often. > 2) For the price of one USB 3 pedals unit from TSW (185+25+175=385) you

can > get 4.5 Act labs pedals at 84$ (59+25=84) (provided you already have aForce > RS and get the 59$ upgrade price). > > I think that TSW is another typical "good quality" but "overpriced"company, > I won't pay 4.5 times more for a 10-15% quality increase (okay the 10-15%is > totally subjective, but even so, I'm sure you see my point), on top ofthis > this is usually a very common practice for the US online vendors to try to > murder the foreign customers...I tried to buy a Nomad Jukebox earlier this > week, and they wanted 55$ shipping, went to the USPS site and found it > should have been 26$, I'm not really down to 29$ more or less but I hateto > be f.....d by some "wiseguy" thinking that just because I'm not livingthere > he can tell me whatever bullshit he wants... > > I know and realize that for some people here the issue of buying 85$pedals > or 385$ pedals is not really relevent, but I'm quite sure that the TSW are > NOT 4.5 times better than the Act-labs, and therefore the quality/price > ratio is TOTALLY in favor of the Act-Labs, plsu I've always (until then)had > a VERY VERY satisfying experience with the Act-Labs support, I broke one > dented plastic wheel on my normal pedals last year and in 3 weeks(including

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> FREE shipping) I got 2 plastic wheels, 3 springs and 1 pot from them > although I never asked for the extra parts, since then I never broke > anything again but I like a company that treats his customers like that. > > TSW-disappointed (and still an Act-labs believer) Txl > > > > -- > The first ever pinball ezboard !! > http://pub7.ezboard.com/bpinball > > >

Have you ever used a TSW. I own one not a high end one, just a pretty basic model. I had owned 3 other wheels before. Each one required a lot of maint, usually at the worst times. My TSW wheel has not fialed once in a year and a half. I have not messed with the stock pots, or anything. Heck I would have to actaully look at how to open then thing up. The other wheels I have I knew in and out since I was as some point constantly working on them. I play games for fun and relaxation and do not need the hassle of having to repair stuff when it breaks and breaks often. Yes I would have been able to buy more then 2 wheels for the price I paid for my TSW, but it has outlasted 2 of the old ones I have before so the cost is actaully less then what I was using. As for the pedals they are heavy, even the low end ones I have. I do not know about service at TSW since I have not needed to use it once in the year and a half I have owned the wheel. I would bet there service is as good as the product they build. I looked at the Act Labs stuff and saw where every other mass manufactured wheel was. a lot of plastic and did not look like it would hold up to my use much less my kids. I am very glad I spent the additonaly money on the TSW wheel since it have given me what I wanted in playing games. NO PROBLEMS. that is the reason I would and have recommended TSW wheels to anyone who has asked. Dave

As a former Act Labs Customer and now a TSW customer, the quality is night and day. I don't worry about my TSW pedals. I made the switch after using the Act Labs Performance Pedal set; every now and then I heard the sound of plastic cracking during use. Metal beats plastic hands down. If your issue is money, then no one can convince you of what to buy, but look at my wheel progression and I'll think that you'll agree that Quality is worth the money. In Three plus years I went thru these wheels: Thrustmaster T2 MSFF Sidewinder Logitech Wheel (Red FF One) Andretti Wheel Act Labs (The wheel still works great, but the original pedals are shot and the performance pedals are junk to use, I could have replace them, but why spend the money over and over) TSW2 Custom (Yea, it cost me over $800 for the set, but the quality of the wheel reminds me of when I drove in Barber Dodge, real to life and sturdy as hell.) "Txl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:3d3be283$0$247$[email hidden]...

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> Okay, after reading and reading again all the posts (thanks a lot guys) I > still have 2 questions left : > > 1) As far as I could read the main critics against the AL are the > "breakability issues" so I gather that the "feel" is "identical" when they > are functioning properly, is that correct ? > > 2) Is there any plan at TSW to make some USB pedals, I think that selling > the pedals, and then selling the 15 pin adapter is a bit of a ripoff and > then my PC does NOT have a 15 pin connector anymore.... > > Thanks for the input. > > PS : I've just emailed AL to ask them about reliability issues on their > performance pedals and if they did a design change since the first release > and if they planned another modification... > > -- > The first ever pinball ezboard !! > http://pub7.ezboard.com/bpinball > > > >

I have my LWFF wired to my TSW pedals, solves the USB problem and also allows me to switch from combined to seperate axis from within the LWFF calibration panel. I then use the 15 pin connector, that still has the clutch axis wired to it, and plug that into my soundcard. Now my pedals gas and brake are listed under controller #1, my USB shifter is #2, and my clutch is listed as controller #3.

You know what, I had almost exactly the same first impression that you did. Looking at their web page and prices, and reading how their policies are worded really freaked me out. Stuff like the 6 foot cable irked me, big time. I almost disregarded them altogether based on principal. But they were the only manufacturer that was building what I wanted for a price I could afford at the time so I called them to see if I could change my mind about their business ethics. The phone call was worse. The attitude of the guy on the other end stunk outright and I'd had enough. But, you know, human nature... I really needed a quality wheel and our conversation kept revolving in my head over then next few days and I convinced myself that the man was merely confident, couldn't afford to build his controllers for less and wished people would quit giving him shit about the prices, and was not very good with people on the phone. So I called back and got a whole different company. After sorting out more than a few details I was convinced that I was going to get the wheel I wanted. I bought a wheel in the class of the TSW because I wanted a wheel that was consistently accurate among other things. The TM I was using developed play in every moving part and the rubber bands constantly changed. Replacing pots in the TM was a major pain and always ended up in more deterioration of the wheel. I was going through pots at about 4 sets per year. The buttons on the TM wore out every few months and replacing them was a pain. The pedal springs on the TM were too loose. After my second phone conversation with them, I believed the TSW would address these concerns. When it came in the mail I was disappointed. I'm not going to lie, I expected more. Not sure what, but based on looks alone, the lower line TSW is not a winner. The molded plastic cover does not scream quality. But, I set it up and had a race with it. I have owned a TSW Sport with single/dual switch since November 20, 1998. I paid $550 US for that sucker. I can, at any point I choose, add anything I want to the wheel. That's one of the great things about TSW. Absolutely, completely modular. You know what though. Nothing. I have added nothing. I don't need anything more. The wheel is simple, and that was part of the shock when I first opened the box, but it's also my salvation. The last thing I want to do is goof around with my wheel. The switches are brilliant. In over three and a half years I have not missed one single shift. The switches are foolproof. I haven't even cleaned them. I am using the Spec pots and I replace them once a year whether they need it or not. The entire system hasn't developed any play that I can notice AT ALL. None! It feels like the day I got it. After I'd had it a few months the connecting blocks on my pedal levers cracked. When I called Thomas they informed me that they had manufactured new blocks out of better material and I had them within two days, free of charge. In three years the blocks have not changed at all. I call them when I buy new pots, so once a year... whenever I talk to them I ask them about this and that. New stuff I see on the web site. They're still a little weird on the phone but I get the distinct impression that the prices they charge are for good reason. So far I have gotten my money's worth, and them some. There is a lot of cool stuff out there. I look, I'm no idiot, but even though the market is getting better every day I am *not* looking for a wheel. I won't be looking for a wheel until there is a major revolution in controllers. That's another thing Thomas has to contend with. No return customers. Unless I build a LAN, they won't see me for a wheel purchase again. My TSW Sport is perfect in every way. Except for when I read posts like this, I never *ever* think about it. It's just there, a transparent extension of my will - forced upon my computer. -- "Boy! You've got to have really big attachments to try a pass there... and make it." - David Hobbs mark "Txl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:3d3c383b$0$494$[email hidden]... > Well, their "business model" is just a "let's screw the buyer" mode !! > > You pay 185$ for a 3 pedal which is already a HUGE sum of money if you > compare that with the price of the parts involved in building it (no the > famous DK pots are not THAT expensive) and on top of this they charge you > 35$ for the DB15 or 25$ for the USB "adapter" which is of course only > CABLE....and definitely NOT worth 25$ or 35$. <snip>