Re: Best steering wheel + pedal combo - newbie questions...

Force Feedback is awesome in games like GPL, Nascar Heat, Viper ect, and is probably gonna ROCK in Nascar 4. Personally I'll never buy another wheel unless it has force feedback! Its definately more realistic when done properly in a game. "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:8vj8v7$7kc$[email hidden]...

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> 3 words, No longer available ;) > > -- > Ian P > <email invalid due to spam> > > Jacob Butner <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:8vi7c5$3quj$[email hidden]... > > 4 Letters > > > > ECCI > > > > -Jacob > > Team BHMS > > www.bhmotorsports.com > > > >

wow! Great review! Thanks! John Bodin <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> My opinion: Force Feedback is a gimmick, USB is nice, and the TSW (or > TSW2) is the best wheel in terms of precision and durability (lifetime > warranty speaks for itself). > > Check here for some reviews (including my review of the TSW2): > > http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/hardware/ > > > > On 23 Nov 2000 01:31:46 GMT, "SGT Robo" <[email hidden]> wrote: > > >well, i"m pretty darn new to racing sims, so I have a few questions about > >controllers. I'm gonna be stocking up for Christmas, as the Army is

sending

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> >me to Korea with nothing to do but play video games. W0000T!!!!!! > > > > I've been an FPS fan (i.e. Quake, UT) for most of my gaming life, so I'm > >knowledgeable about mices (meeces?) but I need some help with a few > >questions about wheels and pedals. > > > >1) Force feedback - is it "that great"? Cool or gimmick? Seems

gimmick'y > >to me, but I know NOTHING, so it's purely conjecture. I just don't wantto > >pay extra for something that isn't all that great. > > > >2) USB vs. gameport - I have Win98, a Soundblaster Live Value and ahigh-end > >CPU. Is there a distinct advantage to USB vs. the gameport? I alreadyhave > >3 USB devices (Razer boomslang mouse, scanner, digital camera), so I'm > >needing a USB port as it stands, heh... > > > >3) Pedals alone or in combination - I'm also looking to get into flight > >sims, and I notice that there are what seem to be "high end" pedals soldby > >CH, but they are separate USB puppies. They look really really sturdy,and > >longevity is appealing ot me. Is there a high quality racing wheel thatis > >sold without pedals, so that I don't have to pay extra for the pedals?and > >if not, can I use the CH pedals with, say, a Logitech or M$ wheel? > > > >4) Joystick - I know, diehard racing fans will say "DAMN THE JOYSTICK,GET A > >WHEEL!!!", but how good is a joystick for racing games? I've heard many > >people talk about how good a joystick is. My big thing is "how does itstay > >still on your desktop"? It seems like a wheel would flop aroundeverywhere.

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> > > >and lastly...... > > > >5) Favorite wheel? Pimp your favorite wheel! If you could, list > >approximate price and why you like it. > > > > >

well, i"m pretty darn new to racing sims, so I have a few questions about controllers. I'm gonna be stocking up for Christmas, as the Army is sending me to Korea with nothing to do but play video games. W0000T!!!!!! I've been an FPS fan (i.e. Quake, UT) for most of my gaming life, so I'm knowledgeable about mices (meeces?) but I need some help with a few questions about wheels and pedals. 1) Force feedback - is it "that great"? Cool or gimmick? Seems gimmick'y to me, but I know NOTHING, so it's purely conjecture. I just don't want to pay extra for something that isn't all that great. 2) USB vs. gameport - I have Win98, a Soundblaster Live Value and a high-end CPU. Is there a distinct advantage to USB vs. the gameport? I already have 3 USB devices (Razer boomslang mouse, scanner, digital camera), so I'm needing a USB port as it stands, heh... 3) Pedals alone or in combination - I'm also looking to get into flight sims, and I notice that there are what seem to be "high end" pedals sold by CH, but they are separate USB puppies. They look really really sturdy, and longevity is appealing ot me. Is there a high quality racing wheel that is sold without pedals, so that I don't have to pay extra for the pedals? and if not, can I use the CH pedals with, say, a Logitech or M$ wheel? 4) Joystick - I know, diehard racing fans will say "DAMN THE JOYSTICK, GET A WHEEL!!!", but how good is a joystick for racing games? I've heard many people talk about how good a joystick is. My big thing is "how does it stay still on your desktop"? It seems like a wheel would flop around everywhere. and lastly...... 5) Favorite wheel? Pimp your favorite wheel! If you could, list approximate price and why you like it.

My opinion: Force Feedback is a gimmick, USB is nice, and the TSW (or TSW2) is the best wheel in terms of precision and durability (lifetime warranty speaks for itself). Check here for some reviews (including my review of the TSW2): http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/hardware/ On 23 Nov 2000 01:31:46 GMT, "SGT Robo" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>well, i"m pretty darn new to racing sims, so I have a few questions about >controllers. I'm gonna be stocking up for Christmas, as the Army is sending >me to Korea with nothing to do but play video games. W0000T!!!!!! > > I've been an FPS fan (i.e. Quake, UT) for most of my gaming life, so I'm >knowledgeable about mices (meeces?) but I need some help with a few >questions about wheels and pedals. > >1) Force feedback - is it "that great"? Cool or gimmick? Seems gimmick'y >to me, but I know NOTHING, so it's purely conjecture. I just don't want to >pay extra for something that isn't all that great. > >2) USB vs. gameport - I have Win98, a Soundblaster Live Value and a high-end >CPU. Is there a distinct advantage to USB vs. the gameport? I already have >3 USB devices (Razer boomslang mouse, scanner, digital camera), so I'm >needing a USB port as it stands, heh... > >3) Pedals alone or in combination - I'm also looking to get into flight >sims, and I notice that there are what seem to be "high end" pedals sold by >CH, but they are separate USB puppies. They look really really sturdy, and >longevity is appealing ot me. Is there a high quality racing wheel that is >sold without pedals, so that I don't have to pay extra for the pedals? and >if not, can I use the CH pedals with, say, a Logitech or M$ wheel? > >4) Joystick - I know, diehard racing fans will say "DAMN THE JOYSTICK, GET A >WHEEL!!!", but how good is a joystick for racing games? I've heard many >people talk about how good a joystick is. My big thing is "how does it stay >still on your desktop"? It seems like a wheel would flop around everywhere. > >and lastly...... > >5) Favorite wheel? Pimp your favorite wheel! If you could, list >approximate price and why you like it. > >

You're going to get differing opinions re: different wheels. Regarding your question on whether FF is a gimmick or worthwhile, I'd say that it all depends on the racing sim you intend to use it with. In a lot of games, it is a gimmick -- you just basically feel crash impacts, etc. But on others (GPL and Viper Racing immediately come to mind), FF is definitely more than a gimmick and represents a definite improvement in the overall experience. In those sims, a good FF wheel, when set up correctly, will provide much improved feedback on the amount of tire grip, weight transfer of the car, etc. I'll leave the USB vs gameport question to others, since I'm still on Win 95. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I say.) I use an LWFF in combination with TSW pedals (on the sims which support multiple simultaneous controllers), and I'm quite happy with the set-up. Unfortunately, I find that the majority of racing titles do NOT support multiple simultaneous controllers. Regarding wheel vs joystick -- Although some prefer the joystick, I think that you'll find that most here would recommend a wheel, if for no other reason than the "immersion" factor. ie- who steers a car with a stick in real life? (I almost said who _drives_ a car with a stick. .....Anyone with a standard transmission, that's who.) And don't worry, all wheels clamp to the desktop and are quite stable. Hope this helps. SGT Robo wrote:

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> well, i"m pretty darn new to racing sims, so I have a few questions about > controllers. I'm gonna be stocking up for Christmas, as the Army is sending > me to Korea with nothing to do but play video games. W0000T!!!!!! > > I've been an FPS fan (i.e. Quake, UT) for most of my gaming life, so I'm > knowledgeable about mices (meeces?) but I need some help with a few > questions about wheels and pedals. > > 1) Force feedback - is it "that great"? Cool or gimmick? Seems gimmick'y > to me, but I know NOTHING, so it's purely conjecture. I just don't want to > pay extra for something that isn't all that great. > > 2) USB vs. gameport - I have Win98, a Soundblaster Live Value and a high-end > CPU. Is there a distinct advantage to USB vs. the gameport? I already have > 3 USB devices (Razer boomslang mouse, scanner, digital camera), so I'm > needing a USB port as it stands, heh... > > 3) Pedals alone or in combination - I'm also looking to get into flight > sims, and I notice that there are what seem to be "high end" pedals sold by > CH, but they are separate USB puppies. They look really really sturdy, and > longevity is appealing ot me. Is there a high quality racing wheel that is > sold without pedals, so that I don't have to pay extra for the pedals? and > if not, can I use the CH pedals with, say, a Logitech or M$ wheel? > > 4) Joystick - I know, diehard racing fans will say "DAMN THE JOYSTICK, GET A > WHEEL!!!", but how good is a joystick for racing games? I've heard many > people talk about how good a joystick is. My big thing is "how does it stay > still on your desktop"? It seems like a wheel would flop around everywhere. > > and lastly...... > > 5) Favorite wheel? Pimp your favorite wheel! If you could, list > approximate price and why you like it.

4 Letters ECCI -Jacob Team BHMS www.bhmotorsports.com "SGT Robo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:8vhs22$sfp$[email hidden]... > well, i"m pretty darn new to racing sims, so I have a few questions about > controllers. I'm gonna be stocking up for Christmas, as the Army issending

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> me to Korea with nothing to do but play video games. W0000T!!!!!! > > I've been an FPS fan (i.e. Quake, UT) for most of my gaming life, so I'm > knowledgeable about mices (meeces?) but I need some help with a few > questions about wheels and pedals. > > 1) Force feedback - is it "that great"? Cool or gimmick? Seems gimmick'y > to me, but I know NOTHING, so it's purely conjecture. I just don't want

to > pay extra for something that isn't all that great. > > 2) USB vs. gameport - I have Win98, a Soundblaster Live Value and ahigh-end > CPU. Is there a distinct advantage to USB vs. the gameport? I alreadyhave > 3 USB devices (Razer boomslang mouse, scanner, digital camera), so I'm > needing a USB port as it stands, heh... > > 3) Pedals alone or in combination - I'm also looking to get into flight > sims, and I notice that there are what seem to be "high end" pedals soldby > CH, but they are separate USB puppies. They look really really sturdy,and > longevity is appealing ot me. Is there a high quality racing wheel thatis > sold without pedals, so that I don't have to pay extra for the pedals?and > if not, can I use the CH pedals with, say, a Logitech or M$ wheel? > > 4) Joystick - I know, diehard racing fans will say "DAMN THE JOYSTICK, GETA > WHEEL!!!", but how good is a joystick for racing games? I've heard many > people talk about how good a joystick is. My big thing is "how does itstay > still on your desktop"? It seems like a wheel would flop aroundeverywhere.

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> > and lastly...... > > 5) Favorite wheel? Pimp your favorite wheel! If you could, list > approximate price and why you like it. > >

3 words, No longer available ;) -- Ian P <email invalid due to spam> Jacob Butner <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:8vi7c5$3quj$[email hidden]... > 4 Letters > > ECCI > > -Jacob > Team BHMS > www.bhmotorsports.com >

11 words: "ECCI will no longer produce simulator products for individual retail customers." http://www.ecci.net/ecci_09.htm 3 letters: TSW http://www.thomas-superwheel.com/ On Wed, 22 Nov 2000 23:46:59 -0500, "Jacob Butner" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>4 Letters > >ECCI > >-Jacob >Team BHMS >www.bhmotorsports.com > > >"SGT Robo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >news:8vhs22$sfp$[email hidden]... >> well, i"m pretty darn new to racing sims, so I have a few questions about >> controllers. I'm gonna be stocking up for Christmas, as the Army is >sending >> me to Korea with nothing to do but play video games. W0000T!!!!!! >> >> I've been an FPS fan (i.e. Quake, UT) for most of my gaming life, so I'm >> knowledgeable about mices (meeces?) but I need some help with a few >> questions about wheels and pedals. >> >> 1) Force feedback - is it "that great"? Cool or gimmick? Seems gimmick'y >> to me, but I know NOTHING, so it's purely conjecture. I just don't want >to >> pay extra for something that isn't all that great. >> >> 2) USB vs. gameport - I have Win98, a Soundblaster Live Value and a >high-end >> CPU. Is there a distinct advantage to USB vs. the gameport? I already >have >> 3 USB devices (Razer boomslang mouse, scanner, digital camera), so I'm >> needing a USB port as it stands, heh... >> >> 3) Pedals alone or in combination - I'm also looking to get into flight >> sims, and I notice that there are what seem to be "high end" pedals sold >by >> CH, but they are separate USB puppies. They look really really sturdy, >and >> longevity is appealing ot me. Is there a high quality racing wheel that >is >> sold without pedals, so that I don't have to pay extra for the pedals? >and >> if not, can I use the CH pedals with, say, a Logitech or M$ wheel? >> >> 4) Joystick - I know, diehard racing fans will say "DAMN THE JOYSTICK, GET >A >> WHEEL!!!", but how good is a joystick for racing games? I've heard many >> people talk about how good a joystick is. My big thing is "how does it >stay >> still on your desktop"? It seems like a wheel would flop around >everywhere. >> >> and lastly...... >> >> 5) Favorite wheel? Pimp your favorite wheel! If you could, list >> approximate price and why you like it. >> >> > >

3 More.. I have one <G> -Jacob "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:8vj8v7$7kc$[email hidden]...

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> 3 words, No longer available ;) > > -- > Ian P > <email invalid due to spam> > > Jacob Butner <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:8vi7c5$3quj$[email hidden]... > > 4 Letters > > > > ECCI > > > > -Jacob > > Team BHMS > > www.bhmotorsports.com > > > >

4 more.... Can I buy it ? ;) -- Ian P <email invalid due to spam> Jacob Butner <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:8vjnjp$4rjl$[email hidden]... > 3 More.. > > I have one <G> > > -Jacob > > "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:8vj8v7$7kc$[email hidden]... > > 3 words, No longer available ;) > > > > -- > > Ian P > > <email invalid due to spam> > > > > Jacob Butner <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:8vi7c5$3quj$[email hidden]... > > > 4 Letters > > > > > > ECCI > > > > > > -Jacob > > > Team BHMS > > > www.bhmotorsports.com > > > > > > > > >

In article <8vi7c5$3quj$[email hidden]>, [email hidden] (Jacob Butner) wrote: > 4 Letters > > ECCI I thought ECCI wheels are no longer available to members of the public? How about a nice F1 Sim, they are very nice they are, yep, they sure are..... 8-) *Peter* - http://www.cix.co.uk/~peterpc/home.html

Force feedback is only a gimmick, unless it is implemented professionally. The best racing sim FF ATM: GPL USB seems to be quite important for certain games not to get fps-hits with FF. Negative example: earlier MS wheels and GPL There are really some fast simmers out there using joystick, check under www.joystickanonymous.com ;-) Favorite wheel: check out ras with dejanews, you'll find tons of opinions. No answer to the other questions by me, sorry. JensSchumi On 23 Nov 2000 01:31:46 GMT, "SGT Robo" <[email hidden]> wrote: >well, i"m pretty darn new to racing sims, so I have a few questions about >controllers. I'm gonna be stocking up for Christmas, as the Army is sending >me to Korea with nothing to do but play video games. W0000T!!!!!!<snip> --------------------------------------------- LWFF Ball Bearing conversion at: http://members.nbci.com/JensSchu/ GPLRank: -3.34

2,5 more words: get serious ;-) JensSchumi On Thu, 23 Nov 2000 22:02:33 -0000, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote: >4 more.... >Can I buy it ? ;) --------------------------------------------- LWFF Ball Bearing conversion at: http://members.nbci.com/JensSchu/ GPLRank: -3.34