Suggestions for a new wheel

At long last, my trusty Thrustmaster Grand Prix has given out. It no longer turns right. There's an obvious joke in there for any Nascar bashers, but I'll let it lie. Anyway it's time to buy a new wheel and I was hoping for some suggestions, given the following criteria: - I am a moderate to semi-serious simmer. I have played all 4 Papy Nascar games, though by version 4 it was becoming clear that the realism of the physics model was getting too much for my skill level. I have also played all of the NFS games, which I enjoyed despite the arcade nature of their physics model. I guess this my long-winded way of saying "I don't need a $150.00 wheel". - I have a gift certificate left from Christmas for Best Buy, so I'd like to go there. That pretty much means the choices in my price range are the LogiTech WingMan Formula Force, MS Sidewinder Precision and Saitek Force Feedback F440. Comments on any? If none of those are worthwhile, I'd go somewhere else if there were a better alternative. - I don't care either way about Force Feedback or pedals. I was just fine with the analog paddles on the back of my TM for gas/brake. - I'm going to get an XBox soon. It would be nice if the USB wheel that I got would work on both my pc and my XBox. Thanks in advance for any assistance you could offer.

Not sure how happy you were with your TM wheel but Comp usa have the nascar pro digital 2 on sale this week for $39 after instant and mail in rebates. kinda hard to beat that price "SA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:XVB18.242310$[email hidden]... > At long last, my trusty Thrustmaster Grand Prix has given out. It nolonger

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> turns right. There's an obvious joke in there for any Nascar bashers, but > I'll let it lie. > > Anyway it's time to buy a new wheel and I was hoping for some suggestions, > given the following criteria: > > - I am a moderate to semi-serious simmer. I have played all 4 Papy Nascar > games, though by version 4 it was becoming clear that the realism of the > physics model was getting too much for my skill level. I have also played > all of the NFS games, which I enjoyed despite the arcade nature of their > physics model. I guess this my long-winded way of saying "I don't need a > $150.00 wheel". > > - I have a gift certificate left from Christmas for Best Buy, so I'd like

to

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> go there. That pretty much means the choices in my price range are the > LogiTech WingMan Formula Force, MS Sidewinder Precision and Saitek Force > Feedback F440. Comments on any? If none of those are worthwhile, I'd go > somewhere else if there were a better alternative. > > - I don't care either way about Force Feedback or pedals. I was just fine > with the analog paddles on the back of my TM for gas/brake. > > - I'm going to get an XBox soon. It would be nice if the USB wheel that I > got would work on both my pc and my XBox. > > Thanks in advance for any assistance you could offer. > > > > >

Or my personal favourite, the Ferrari Modena Pro - comes with pedals and all, but no force feedback which lessens the price a little. I have had one for quite a while, but it does make you feel kind of weird playing GPL in the Lotus with the prancing horse between your legs (that is not a euphemism). It is a very sturdy, but it did require a shim in the pedals to stop them coming out of their joints, but since I did that they've been fine. Chris "Jim Beam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:D3J18.22256$[email hidden]...

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> Not sure how happy you were with your TM wheel > but Comp usa have the nascar pro digital 2 on sale this week for $39 after > instant and mail in rebates. kinda hard to beat that price > > > "SA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:XVB18.242310$[email hidden]... > > At long last, my trusty Thrustmaster Grand Prix has given out. It no > longer > > turns right. There's an obvious joke in there for any Nascar bashers,

but > > I'll let it lie. > > > > Anyway it's time to buy a new wheel and I was hoping for somesuggestions, > > given the following criteria: > > > > - I am a moderate to semi-serious simmer. I have played all 4 PapyNascar > > games, though by version 4 it was becoming clear that the realism of the > > physics model was getting too much for my skill level. I have alsoplayed > > all of the NFS games, which I enjoyed despite the arcade nature of their > > physics model. I guess this my long-winded way of saying "I don't needa > > $150.00 wheel". > > > > - I have a gift certificate left from Christmas for Best Buy, so I'dlike > to > > go there. That pretty much means the choices in my price range are the > > LogiTech WingMan Formula Force, MS Sidewinder Precision and Saitek Force > > Feedback F440. Comments on any? If none of those are worthwhile, I'dgo > > somewhere else if there were a better alternative. > > > > - I don't care either way about Force Feedback or pedals. I was justfine > > with the analog paddles on the back of my TM for gas/brake. > > > > - I'm going to get an XBox soon. It would be nice if the USB wheel thatI

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> > got would work on both my pc and my XBox. > > > > Thanks in advance for any assistance you could offer. > > > > > > > > > > > >

I too had a Thrustmaster GP. The pots wear out quickly, but like you I got some good service out of it. I used it with IC2 and GPL. I finally got a Wingman FF for Christmas from Best Buy. (My son was working there.) The bottom line for me is: am I as fast as I was with the old, worn TGP? Well, not yet; but I'm getting there. The biggest change has been going from the hand throttle/brake to using the feet, as God intended. The hand controls were very smooth and easily modulated; my feet tend to act like on/off switches. Force Feedback is interesting. I'm not sure I like it yet. The wheel on the WFF is a lot easier to modulate accurately than my old worn TGP, obviously; but so much of GPL is throttle and brake, that I'm still learning how use them! There's lots of good setup advice out there for both the Logitech and the MS. I've seen some who are happy with one; some prefer the other. You'll probably have to try them to decide, so check the return policy carefully. Also the wheel may take a while (weeks?) to "break in" or loosen up. So you can't be too quick to decide. Hope this helps. Jim SA wrote:

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> At long last, my trusty Thrustmaster Grand Prix has given out. It no longer > turns right. There's an obvious joke in there for any Nascar bashers, but > I'll let it lie. > > Anyway it's time to buy a new wheel and I was hoping for some suggestions, > given the following criteria: > > - I am a moderate to semi-serious simmer. I have played all 4 Papy Nascar > games, though by version 4 it was becoming clear that the realism of the > physics model was getting too much for my skill level. I have also played > all of the NFS games, which I enjoyed despite the arcade nature of their > physics model. I guess this my long-winded way of saying "I don't need a > $150.00 wheel". > > - I have a gift certificate left from Christmas for Best Buy, so I'd like to > go there. That pretty much means the choices in my price range are the > LogiTech WingMan Formula Force, MS Sidewinder Precision and Saitek Force > Feedback F440. Comments on any? If none of those are worthwhile, I'd go > somewhere else if there were a better alternative. > > - I don't care either way about Force Feedback or pedals. I was just fine > with the analog paddles on the back of my TM for gas/brake. > > - I'm going to get an XBox soon. It would be nice if the USB wheel that I > got would work on both my pc and my XBox. > > Thanks in advance for any assistance you could offer.

Anythingexcept the Microsoft sdewinder FF. My old TM pro died and I made the mistake of buying this piece of crap.

Yes, that helps very much Jim! Thanks! "The Carvalho Family" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > I too had a Thrustmaster GP. The pots wear out quickly, but like you I gotsome > good service out of it. I used it with IC2 and GPL. I finally got aWingman FF > for Christmas from Best Buy. (My son was working there.) The bottom linefor me > is: am I as fast as I was with the old, worn TGP? Well, not yet; but I'mgetting > there. The biggest change has been going from the hand throttle/brake tousing > the feet, as God intended. The hand controls were very smooth and easily > modulated; my feet tend to act like on/off switches. > > Force Feedback is interesting. I'm not sure I like it yet. The wheel onthe WFF > is a lot easier to modulate accurately than my old worn TGP, obviously;but so > much of GPL is throttle and brake, that I'm still learning how use them! > > There's lots of good setup advice out there for both the Logitech and theMS. > I've seen some who are happy with one; some prefer the other. You'llprobably > have to try them to decide, so check the return policy carefully. Also thewheel > may take a while (weeks?) to "break in" or loosen up. So you can't be tooquick

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> to decide. > > Hope this helps. > > Jim > > SA wrote: > > > At long last, my trusty Thrustmaster Grand Prix has given out. It no

longer > > turns right. There's an obvious joke in there for any Nascar bashers,but > > I'll let it lie. > > > > Anyway it's time to buy a new wheel and I was hoping for somesuggestions, > > given the following criteria: > > > > - I am a moderate to semi-serious simmer. I have played all 4 PapyNascar > > games, though by version 4 it was becoming clear that the realism of the > > physics model was getting too much for my skill level. I have alsoplayed > > all of the NFS games, which I enjoyed despite the arcade nature of their > > physics model. I guess this my long-winded way of saying "I don't needa > > $150.00 wheel". > > > > - I have a gift certificate left from Christmas for Best Buy, so I'dlike to > > go there. That pretty much means the choices in my price range are the > > LogiTech WingMan Formula Force, MS Sidewinder Precision and Saitek Force > > Feedback F440. Comments on any? If none of those are worthwhile, I'dgo > > somewhere else if there were a better alternative. > > > > - I don't care either way about Force Feedback or pedals. I was justfine > > with the analog paddles on the back of my TM for gas/brake. > > > > - I'm going to get an XBox soon. It would be nice if the USB wheel thatI > > got would work on both my pc and my XBox. > > > > Thanks in advance for any assistance you could offer. >

Yes, stay away from the MS wheel. I've tried one and took it back. The Logitech FF is better but not by much. I'm looking for a new wheel too. My LWF is wearing out. It's time for a new one but I don't know what to get. Can't even think about spending $200+ on a wheel. What is that Nascar Pro Digital 2 like? Anyone have any experience with that? I race mostly N4. TIA. "Dixiemandan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Anythingexcept the Microsoft sdewinder FF. My old TM pro died and I madethe > mistake of buying this piece of crap.

Well I've tried numerous Thrustmaster wheels, a few Logitechs and the MSFF and MSPW wheels. After 2 years of heavy use my MS wheels are still going strong while the TMs broke within a couple of months and the Logis were sent straight back with various problems (the FF was very sticky and notchy). I am however tempted by the new Logi Momo wheel, if only they would sort those pedals. I'd never touch another TM wheel, noting but bad experiences for me. -- Ian P <email invalid due to spam> "racefan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:yO628.269481$[email hidden]... > Yes, stay away from the MS wheel. I've tried one and took it back. The > Logitech FF is better but not by much. > I'm looking for a new wheel too. My LWF is wearing out. It's time for a > new one but I don't know what to get. Can't even think about spending $200+ > on a wheel. What is that Nascar Pro Digital 2 like? Anyone have any > experience with that? I race mostly N4. TIA. > > "Dixiemandan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Anythingexcept the Microsoft sdewinder FF. My old TM pro died and I made > the > > mistake of buying this piece of crap. > >

If you have the money to spend the Thomas-superwheel is the only way to go.I have had numerous Thrustmasters and the really good the had was pro digital not 2 which is a piece of s**t. "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a2bnrq$jqk$[email hidden]...

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> Well I've tried numerous Thrustmaster wheels, a few Logitechs and the MSFF > and MSPW wheels. > After 2 years of heavy use my MS wheels are still going strong while the > TMs broke within a couple of months and the Logis were sent straight back > with various problems (the FF was very sticky and notchy). > > I am however tempted by the new Logi Momo wheel, if only they would sort > those pedals. > > I'd never touch another TM wheel, noting but bad experiences for me. > > -- > > Ian P > <email invalid due to spam> > > > "racefan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:yO628.269481$[email hidden]... > > Yes, stay away from the MS wheel. I've tried one and took it back. The > > Logitech FF is better but not by much. > > I'm looking for a new wheel too. My LWF is wearing out. It's time for

a

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> > new one but I don't know what to get. Can't even think about spending > $200+ > > on a wheel. What is that Nascar Pro Digital 2 like? Anyone have any > > experience with that? I race mostly N4. TIA. > > > > "Dixiemandan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:[email hidden]... > > > Anythingexcept the Microsoft sdewinder FF. My old TM pro died and I

made > > the > > > mistake of buying this piece of crap. > > > > > >

I still think that for the money, the MSFFW is the best value consumer grade wheel out there. The pedals are extremely comfortable, and the wheel is every durable. The SideWinder Software could use an update (even though MS recently gave the SideWinder Software a totally bogus WinXP WHQL Certification), but they will work in everything up to, and including, XP (USB 4.0 version). -Larry "SA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:XVB18.242310$[email hidden]... > At long last, my trusty Thrustmaster Grand Prix has given out. It nolonger

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> turns right. There's an obvious joke in there for any Nascar bashers, but > I'll let it lie. > > Anyway it's time to buy a new wheel and I was hoping for some suggestions, > given the following criteria: > > - I am a moderate to semi-serious simmer. I have played all 4 Papy Nascar > games, though by version 4 it was becoming clear that the realism of the > physics model was getting too much for my skill level. I have also played > all of the NFS games, which I enjoyed despite the arcade nature of their > physics model. I guess this my long-winded way of saying "I don't need a > $150.00 wheel". > > - I have a gift certificate left from Christmas for Best Buy, so I'd like

to

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> go there. That pretty much means the choices in my price range are the > LogiTech WingMan Formula Force, MS Sidewinder Precision and Saitek Force > Feedback F440. Comments on any? If none of those are worthwhile, I'd go > somewhere else if there were a better alternative. > > - I don't care either way about Force Feedback or pedals. I was just fine > with the analog paddles on the back of my TM for gas/brake. > > - I'm going to get an XBox soon. It would be nice if the USB wheel that I > got would work on both my pc and my XBox. > > Thanks in advance for any assistance you could offer. > > > >

Please identify 'crap'. I've been beating up two of these wheels for a couple of years, and have had absolutely ZERO problems with the hardware. -Larry "Dixiemandan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Anythingexcept the Microsoft sdewinder FF. My old TM pro died and I madethe > mistake of buying this piece of crap.

Yep. Logitech Momo Wheel is fantastic, but the pedals alone made me put them back in the box after 1 week, and as has happened so many times in the past, my MSFFW is back on the desk in service. No matter what I do, or how much I gripe about the SideWinder software being ancient, they always seem to be what I go back to :) I _may_ try one of the Act Labs sets after I sell the Momo kit, but not until I get to see the pedals and try them in person. I'm tired of experimenting :) -Larry "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a2bnrq$jqk$[email hidden]...

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> Well I've tried numerous Thrustmaster wheels, a few Logitechs and the MSFF > and MSPW wheels. > After 2 years of heavy use my MS wheels are still going strong while the > TMs broke within a couple of months and the Logis were sent straight back > with various problems (the FF was very sticky and notchy). > > I am however tempted by the new Logi Momo wheel, if only they would sort > those pedals. > > I'd never touch another TM wheel, noting but bad experiences for me. > > -- > > Ian P > <email invalid due to spam> > > > "racefan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:yO628.269481$[email hidden]... > > Yes, stay away from the MS wheel. I've tried one and took it back. The > > Logitech FF is better but not by much. > > I'm looking for a new wheel too. My LWF is wearing out. It's time for

a

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> > new one but I don't know what to get. Can't even think about spending > $200+ > > on a wheel. What is that Nascar Pro Digital 2 like? Anyone have any > > experience with that? I race mostly N4. TIA. > > > > "Dixiemandan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:[email hidden]... > > > Anythingexcept the Microsoft sdewinder FF. My old TM pro died and I

made > > the > > > mistake of buying this piece of crap. > > > > > >

>Please identify 'crap'. Crap= notchy feel..impossible to set up correctly as far as linearity..ff etc

Sounds just like the LWFF I bought then. -- Ian P <email invalid due to spam> "Daddyo618" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > >Please identify 'crap'. > > Crap= notchy feel..impossible to set up correctly as far as linearity..ff etc

Nothing like that here. Larry "Daddyo618" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > >Please identify 'crap'. > > Crap= notchy feel..impossible to set up correctly as far as linearity..ffetc