TSW2 USB Upgrade

Has anybody upgraded/converted their older TSW2 to the newer USB interface. I'm curious if there's any diffference in the accuracy/tracking of the steering? I have a tsw2 modified that has the older 250k pots and I'm want to upgrade to USB and use the 25K pots. Currently I'm using the rocketfire adapter but the steering jumps around a bit to much. I run mostly Nascar 2003.

JimC wrote:

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> Has anybody upgraded/converted their older TSW2 to the newer USB interface. > I'm curious if there's any diffference in the accuracy/tracking of the > steering? I have a tsw2 modified that has the older 250k pots and I'm want > to upgrade to USB and use the 25K pots. Currently I'm using the rocketfire > adapter but the steering jumps around a bit to much. I run mostly Nascar > 2003. > >

I am using my tsw with the gameport connection (lots of n2003). I am wondering the same thing. I heard tire wear is better with the usb version. A lot smoother. Curious myself... DC

To both posters above, for me anyway, the Rockfire adapter works perfectly. If the steering is jumping around, then there is a problem somewhere else. I would be surprised if there was a major jump in accuracy over the Rockfire adapter vs. the new USB wiring. For me, the time without the wheel and the cost of the project don't add up. On a new purchase, it makes sense, but in my case it doesn't. Perhaps if you call TEI directly and speak to Dave Jr., he can explain it better.

DC wrote:

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>> > I am using my tsw with the gameport connection (lots of n2003). I am > wondering the same thing. I heard tire wear is better with the usb > version. A lot smoother. > > Curious myself... > > DC

Why oh Why did you have to say this? LOL Is that really the case? I have a problem with tire wear and if this will improve that then I may have to switch. I am currently using the Rockfire adapter with the 250k pots. Kerry

Kerry Grant wrote:

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> DC wrote: > >>> >> I am using my tsw with the gameport connection (lots of n2003). I am >> wondering the same thing. I heard tire wear is better with the usb >> version. A lot smoother. >> >> Curious myself... >> >> DC > > > > Why oh Why did you have to say this? LOL Is that really the case? I have > a problem with tire wear and if this will improve that then I may have > to switch. I am currently using the Rockfire adapter with the 250k pots. > > Kerry

hehe...I would think the usb conversion is the way to go. the rockfire is shaky imo. I believe there is a comparison somewhere at their site. However maybe it's the pots I am using? The rockfire was ok but I think with xp and dx usb is the way to go. gameport is going to be extinct soon. Anyhow Kerry..one way to test this is if you can drum up a ff wheel (logi, thrustmaster, etc) and give it a brief go. It may feel weird compared to your tsw at first but eventually you will get used to it and then you can compare tire wear. I would run some long races with my tsw and would always struggle with the tire wear. then I used a momo ff wheel and the tires seemed to last a bit longer. pc gaming is an expensive hobby :o))) Good luck... DC

"JimC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:gyXae.16174$[email hidden]...

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> Has anybody upgraded/converted their older TSW2 to the newer USB > interface. > I'm curious if there's any diffference in the accuracy/tracking of the > steering? I have a tsw2 modified that has the older 250k pots and I'm > want > to upgrade to USB and use the 25K pots. Currently I'm using the > rocketfire > adapter but the steering jumps around a bit to much. I run mostly Nascar > 2003. > >

Shipped my TSW Cup back for the usb upgrade last year and patiently waited for it. The upgrade made a world of difference for me. Before, I had issues with a dead spot off center and some jittery response too. It even had the high grade spec pots. But no joy. I almost put the wheel up for sale but decided to give it one last chance with the usb upgrade. Now the wheel is rock steady and more responsive. I had to adjust linearity down some because it is so much more responsive.

On Tue, 26 Apr 2005 02:14:50 GMT, gordo wrote: > Shipped my TSW Cup back for the usb upgrade last year and patiently waited > for it. > The upgrade made a world of difference for me. can you tell us how many separate values you get in the steering axis and the pedals? Using hi-spec pots and the Rockfire, I get around 250 separate values for steering and about 80 on the pedals. I was wondering if the usb kit by TSW improves those ranges significantly before I shell out $100 for the kit. Also, shipping the wheel to TSW is not an option as I'm in Europe, so I'd have to install it myself. Cheers, uwe -- GPG Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61

gordo wrote:

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> "JimC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:gyXae.16174$[email hidden]... > >>Has anybody upgraded/converted their older TSW2 to the newer USB >>interface. >>I'm curious if there's any diffference in the accuracy/tracking of the >>steering? I have a tsw2 modified that has the older 250k pots and I'm >>want >>to upgrade to USB and use the 25K pots. Currently I'm using the >>rocketfire >>adapter but the steering jumps around a bit to much. I run mostly Nascar >>2003. >> >> > > Shipped my TSW Cup back for the usb upgrade last year and patiently waited > for it. > The upgrade made a world of difference for me. > Before, I had issues with a dead spot off center and some jittery response > too. > It even had the high grade spec pots. But no joy. > I almost put the wheel up for sale but decided to give it one last chance > with the usb upgrade. > Now the wheel is rock steady and more responsive. > I had to adjust linearity down some because it is so much more responsive. > >

I actually put the wheel in a closet and went with the black momo for the last 9 months or so. My opinion is that xp does not like the gameport. I am getting used to it again but would really like that upgrade. Don't feel like paying the shipping and other related costs. DC

Maybe I am missing the problem here. The Rockfire adapter converts the gameport connector to a USB connector. (At least mine does). I use WinXP Home with a TSW2 Stock, via Rockfire adapter and the controller works flawlessly. Super smooth action, no "flickering" of the wheel or pedals. I have noticed that my tire wear in NR2003, F1C being any worse as a result and that is after thousands of hours of on and offline racing over 3 years with the Tsw2.

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> > I actually put the wheel in a closet and went with the black momo for > the last 9 months or so. My opinion is that xp does not like the > gameport. I am getting used to it again but would really like that > upgrade. Don't feel like paying the shipping and other related costs. > > DC

"JimC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:gyXae.16174$[email hidden]...

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> Has anybody upgraded/converted their older TSW2 to the newer USB > interface. > I'm curious if there's any diffference in the accuracy/tracking of the > steering? I have a tsw2 modified that has the older 250k pots and I'm > want > to upgrade to USB and use the 25K pots. Currently I'm using the > rocketfire > adapter but the steering jumps around a bit to much. I run mostly Nascar > 2003. > >

Absolutely ! Go for it ! It will be the best 100 dollars you ever spent . I would spend it again in a heartbeat ! I was using the Rockfire with XP Pro and Nascar2k3.. and was getting the usual "jittery" calibration. I spent the money, got the do-it-yourself USB upgrade kit from TSW, and couldn't be happier ! The controller is now smoooooth , no jitters , everything just works ... better . The more you use it, the more you'll like it . I know I do ! -=JL

"Uwe Sch�rkamp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> On Tue, 26 Apr 2005 02:14:50 GMT, gordo wrote: >> Shipped my TSW Cup back for the usb upgrade last year and patiently >> waited >> for it. >> The upgrade made a world of difference for me. > > > > can you tell us how many separate values you get in the steering axis > and the pedals? Using hi-spec pots and the Rockfire, I get around 250 > separate values for steering and about 80 on the pedals. I was > wondering if the usb kit by TSW improves those ranges significantly > before I shell out $100 for the kit. > > Also, shipping the wheel to TSW is not an option as I'm in Europe, so > I'd have to install it myself. > > Cheers, uwe >

Uwe, I'm not sure exactly what you asked for, but here is what I see in my calibration screen in N2003. Axis 1- Brake = 127min - 201max, raw=129 Axis 2 -Throttle = 50min - 120max, raw=119 Axis 3 - Steering = 22min - 239max, raw=131 All values hold steady, no jittering numbers. Hope this is what you are asking for.

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 02:18:07 GMT, gordo wrote:

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>> > Uwe, > I'm not sure exactly what you asked for, but here is what I see in my > calibration screen in N2003. > Axis 1- Brake = 127min - 201max, raw=129 > Axis 2 -Throttle = 50min - 120max, raw=119 > Axis 3 - Steering = 22min - 239max, raw=131 > All values hold steady, no jittering numbers. > Hope this is what you are asking for. > >

Thanks, that's the numbers I was interested in! All the best, uwe -- GPG Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61

gordo wrote:

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>>On Tue, 26 Apr 2005 02:14:50 GMT, gordo wrote: >> >>>Shipped my TSW Cup back for the usb upgrade last year and patiently >>>waited >>>for it. >>>The upgrade made a world of difference for me. >>

<snip>

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> Uwe, > I'm not sure exactly what you asked for, but here is what I see in my > calibration screen in N2003. > Axis 1- Brake = 127min - 201max, raw=129 > Axis 2 -Throttle = 50min - 120max, raw=119 > Axis 3 - Steering = 22min - 239max, raw=131 > All values hold steady, no jittering numbers. > Hope this is what you are asking for. > >

That's good info to have, thanks. One more question though: What is the smallest step in these numbers? For example do the numbers change in increments of 1 so the steering axis reports 22, 23, 24... 238, 239? Ken

"Ken MacKay" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:Q8Mbe.350$[email hidden]...

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>> >> > That's good info to have, thanks. One more question though: What is the > smallest step in these numbers? For example do the numbers change in > increments of 1 so the steering axis reports 22, 23, 24... 238, 239? > > Ken

From the raw (neutral point), the numbers change in single digit increments as soon as I move the control. Absolutely linear action. Example: Axis 3-steering(from center, turning right)= 131,132,133 and so on.... Same result with the other axis's. I don't remember all the details of how it was before the usb upgrade, but response definitely wasn't as immediate off center and the raw numbers refused to hold steady (numbers flickered about 10 steps either side of neutral) .

I did the usb upgrade.The best thing I ever did for my sim racing.I had the Rockfire.I sent mine in.Took awhile but worth it.When you send it in all the guts get changed.All the wiring on the wheel is completly different.I think racing whether it be sims or the real thing is a matter of very small pecentages.Can you be 100% at every track every time?tires outlasting everyone elses.Rf not going yellow much sooner.car outhanding everyone elses on every corner every lap.I don't think so. The only other thing I can say about the upgrade it gave me a few percentage points up. Oh one other thing I got a new 19 in.lcd monitor.again a few percentage points. "JimC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:gyXae.16174$[email hidden]... > Has anybody upgraded/converted their older TSW2 to the newer USBinterface. > I'm curious if there's any diffference in the accuracy/tracking of the > steering? I have a tsw2 modified that has the older 250k pots and I'mwant > to upgrade to USB and use the 25K pots. Currently I'm using therocketfire > adapter but the steering jumps around a bit to much. I run mostly Nascar > 2003. > >

gordo wrote:

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> "Ken MacKay" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:Q8Mbe.350$[email hidden]... > >>> >>That's good info to have, thanks. One more question though: What is the >>smallest step in these numbers? For example do the numbers change in >>increments of 1 so the steering axis reports 22, 23, 24... 238, 239? >> >>Ken > > > From the raw (neutral point), the numbers change in single digit increments > as soon as I move the control. > Absolutely linear action. > Example: Axis 3-steering(from center, turning right)= 131,132,133 and so > on.... > Same result with the other axis's. > I don't remember all the details of how it was before the usb upgrade, but > response definitely wasn't as immediate off center and the raw numbers > refused to hold steady (numbers flickered about 10 steps either side of > neutral) . > >

Thanks for the info. I'm still using the gameport in w2k with some jitters but have it tweaked things give a fairly large range (i.e. 0-1200 in steps of one for steering, with jitters of +/- 2). While getting rid of the jitters would be nice I'm not sure I'd want to cut the resolution that much. Too bad the USB conversion doesn't have a little better resolution, then it would be ideal. BTW I wonder if the off center response wasn't just the deadzone setting in windows (defaults to around 5% I think?) Thanks again for the info. Ken

Ken MacKay wrote:

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> gordo wrote: > >> "Ken MacKay" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:Q8Mbe.350$[email hidden]... >> >>>> >>> That's good info to have, thanks. One more question though: What is >>> the smallest step in these numbers? For example do the numbers >>> change in increments of 1 so the steering axis reports 22, 23, 24... >>> 238, 239? >>> >>> Ken >> >> >> >> From the raw (neutral point), the numbers change in single digit >> increments as soon as I move the control. >> Absolutely linear action. >> Example: Axis 3-steering(from center, turning right)= 131,132,133 and >> so on.... >> Same result with the other axis's. >> I don't remember all the details of how it was before the usb upgrade, >> but response definitely wasn't as immediate off center and the raw >> numbers refused to hold steady (numbers flickered about 10 steps >> either side of neutral) . >> > > Thanks for the info. I'm still using the gameport in w2k with some > jitters but have it tweaked things give a fairly large range (i.e. > 0-1200 in steps of one for steering, with jitters of +/- 2). While > getting rid of the jitters would be nice I'm not sure I'd want to cut > the resolution that much. Too bad the USB conversion doesn't have a > little better resolution, then it would be ideal. > > BTW I wonder if the off center response wasn't just the deadzone setting > in windows (defaults to around 5% I think?) > > Thanks again for the info. > Ken >

Ken..what do you use to tweak your settings? Dave

DC wrote: > > Ken..what do you use to tweak your settings? > First off: I don't have a TSW wheel, just a reasonable facsimile, so it gives me a little more freedom to tweak things. Changed pots to give a larger range and shielded the cable to cut down on noise (higher resistance gives more range but also more jitters so it's a tradeoff), and use the driver located at: http://www.massey.ac.nz/~jcmarsha/Wheel/ But the biggest improvement was going from win98se to windows 2000, range increased and jitter were no worse. Suspect it has to do with the way 2000 polls the gameport, the soundcard driver, or both. Should also note that this was using the gameport on a soundblaster Live Value and now an Audigy. Speed of the computer will also have some influence just because of the way the gameport "counts". Had plans to convert it over to USB using an older ACT labs cartridge, but the resolution and jitters were no better so haven't bothered. Unfortunately the info in this thread shows the TSW usb conversion would not be an improvement either. Ken