Do I really need a Thrustmaster

If you really want the most realistic feel to your simulation, you need to get a wheel. The Thrustmaster is the most sturdy and realistic wheel that I've seen so far. As far as the wheel-type pedals, I too was apprehensive when I first got mine and saw those hokey-looking roller- blade wheels sitting there. I can't imagine why anyone would design the pedal assembly that way. Having said that though, I must say that they are very comfortable to drive with, although I have found that the only way that I can drive effectively is with one foot on each pedal, which cuts the time required to physically lift your right foot from the gas to the brake when decelerating, and vice versa when accelerating. I guess the bottom line is how much you want your sim to approximate real driving. I paid $230 (Canadian) for mine (taxes up here are ***) and I think it was worth every penny. I especially like being able to shift with a stick instead of pressing a button. Also, the pedals can be used in other games as well. My pedals double as rudders for "Wings of Glory". IMHO, well worth the investment.

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> If you really want the most realistic feel to your simulation, you need > to get a wheel. The Thrustmaster is the most sturdy and realistic wheel > that I've seen so far. As far as the wheel-type pedals, I too was > apprehensive when I first got mine and saw those hokey-looking roller- > blade wheels sitting there. I can't imagine why anyone would design the > pedal assembly that way. Having said that though, I must say that they > are very comfortable to drive with, although I have found that the only > way that I can drive effectively is with one foot on each pedal, which > cuts the time required to physically lift your right foot from the gas > to the brake when decelerating, and vice versa when accelerating. > I guess the bottom line is how much you want your sim to approximate > real driving. I paid $230 (Canadian) for mine (taxes up here are ***) > and I think it was worth every penny. I especially like being able to > shift with a stick instead of pressing a button. Also, the pedals can be > used in other games as well. My pedals double as rudders for "Wings of > Glory". IMHO, well worth the investment.

I too purchased a Thrustmaster Formula T1, along with a friend of mine. We both race each other on weekends. I am also a very satisfied customer. Their wheel and pedals have a good feel to them, and make the game more realistic for me. Because of all the talk on here about broken springs, I phoned Thrustmaster this morning, and they are sending me out 8 springs (4 for each wheel). Another plus for them in my book ;-) Vip

A T1 may not get you better times (I can still turn my best times on F1GP using the keyboard) however it will seriously improve your enjoyment of the game. It adds a completely new dimension to driving sims. -- ISSCO, University of Geneva | X400: S=afzal;OU=divsun;O=unige; 54 route des Acacias | PRMD=switch;ADMD=arcom;C=ch CH-1227 GENEVA (Switzerland) | UUCP: mcvax!cui!divsun.unige.ch!afzal http://issco-www.unige.ch/ | http://issco-www.unige.ch/WebForum/ Phone: (+41 22) 705 71 12 | fax: (+41 22) 300 10 86 "Let others surf the net -- it seems I have to pay BT a quid just to get a toe wet." - Terry Pratchett