Anyone have experience with the Thomas Super Wheel or ProControl Racing Wheel?

As I said earlier, I'm looking to replace my T2 with a wheel that doesn't break every 6 months. I'm growing tired of ripping this piece of ***apart and replacing springs. I've heard nothing but praise for the ECCI stuff but no opinions on the TSW or ProControl wheels. Anyone? In other words, if you're gonna pay $300.00 for either of the above wheels, should you just fork over the $600.00 for the ECCI? Is it $300.00 better? -Kev

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>As I said earlier, I'm looking to replace my T2 with a wheel that >doesn't break every 6 months. I'm growing tired of ripping this piece >of ***apart and replacing springs. I've heard nothing but praise for >the ECCI stuff but no opinions on the TSW or ProControl wheels. >Anyone? >In other words, if you're gonna pay $300.00 for either of the above >wheels, should you just fork over the $600.00 for the ECCI? Is it >$300.00 better? >-Kev

I have a good idea for you. I would tell you my own personal opinion, but some people would get upset. Go to www.dejanews.com, and do a search for 'TSW'. You will find many posts from the last month that will help you decide.

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> As I said earlier, I'm looking to replace my T2 with a wheel that > doesn't break every 6 months. I'm growing tired of ripping this piece > of ***apart and replacing springs. I've heard nothing but praise for > the ECCI stuff but no opinions on the TSW or ProControl wheels. > Anyone? > In other words, if you're gonna pay $300.00 for either of the above > wheels, should you just fork over the $600.00 for the ECCI? Is it > $300.00 better? > -Kev

Hi Kev, I've had a TSW for about a year now, and I really love it. It's built like a tank and if it ever does break (which I doubt), it'll be a snap to fix. Everything's right there where you can get to it and available either at Radio Shack or any hardware store. No special design springs or other hardware which also makes it really easy to modify (doing so does NOT hurt your lifetime warranty, either). As far as the negative things you've no doubt been hearing in this NG about service, my experience has been totally different. The first wheel I received was really stiff; I could turn the wheel about 45 degrees from center and it would just stay there without turning back. Not ever using a TSW before so not knowing whether this was normal or not, I wrote Trevor Thomas and he immediately responded saying this was NOT normal, then proceeded to work with me on a daily basis until my wheel had been replaced. He even sent me a wheel unit first, telling me to KEEP the wheel I already had until the new one arrived so that I would not have to do without one. The second one was smooth as silk and I quickly adapted to it. BTW, the pedals are PERFECT (IMHO). Now, it's true that the TSW is much like a really well designed, well made homemade wheel. As a result, it's quite frankly not much to look at. The wheel itself is the best-looking part. The plastic cover that houses the innards is just a simple vacuum-molded plastic piece that just lays over the frame; it doesn't even really attach at all. I'm sure that the ECCI makes the TSW look like crap. I've never used the ECCI, so I can't comment on it's performance. I'm sure it's really good. But, for the money, the TSW is SO MUCH better than a T1/T2 (which I HAVE used, for about 1-1/2 years), that I have to recommend it. Good luck! Patrick. -- ================================================= ===--- Patrick O'Neal (PatrickO on Hawaii) ---=== ===------- Shamrock Racing Enterprises -------=== ===-- (Remove NOSPAM from my reply address) --=== =================================================

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> As I said earlier, I'm looking to replace my T2 with a wheel that > doesn't break every 6 months. I'm growing tired of ripping this piece > of ***apart and replacing springs. I've heard nothing but praise for > the ECCI stuff but no opinions on the TSW or ProControl wheels. > Anyone? > In other words, if you're gonna pay $300.00 for either of the above > wheels, should you just fork over the $600.00 for the ECCI? Is it > $300.00 better?

------------------------------------------------------------------ I find myself asking the same question....... To be clear, I am not an owner of either product, but am a serious potential purchase of either. It is hard to pay the $300 extra for the ECCI if the rap on the TSW is good, and I hear that it is. I know that there are enthusiastic owners of both products who recommend them highly. Decisions, decisions. Where I grew up, $300 would buy a lot of six packs of beer. PHIL