GRAND PRIX 1 Racing Wheel

I am considering buying a Thrustmaster GRAND PRIX 1 Racing Wheel for playing F1RS. I was wondering if the control levers on the wheel are for controlled acceleration and braking(not as an on/off switch). Is it a good choice? Thanx Patrick.

Yes they are...the GP1 is a good choice for a controller, especially for the $$. See Allison Hines site for more info about the TM controllers. http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~alison/sims/ Regards, -don "To race is to live, everything else is just waiting." - Rudi Caricciola

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> I am considering buying a Thrustmaster GRAND PRIX 1 Racing > Wheel for playing F1RS. > I was wondering if the control levers on the wheel are for > controlled acceleration and braking(not as an on/off switch). > Is it a good choice?

Yes, they are continuously adjustable axes for braking and acceleration. I have 2 of them. They are fantastic controllers, especially for the price. -- The Scripps Research Institute http://www.scripps.edu/~jsmith

>I was wondering if the control levers on the wheel are for >controlled acceleration and braking(not as an on/off switch). As others have mentioned, the answer is "yes" they are analog. I'll differ from others in saying that I did not like it. It may be that I'm just too used to joystick driving (now I use a CH F16 CS). I kept trying the GP1, twice bought in fact, but I never was any faster with it. I didn't like having to set it up all the time when I switched from flight to driving sim. I didn't like its vague on-center feel (though strong bungee). I prefer using my CH Pro Pedals for throttle/brake, and I had trouble configuring the GP1 with them when all connected thru my Pro Throttle (yes, CH also). Last, it should be mentioned that the GP1 is available extremely cheap lately, if you can still find it that is. I bought it the second time for $0, after rebate, from CompUSA.

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> >I was wondering if the control levers on the wheel are for > >controlled acceleration and braking(not as an on/off switch). > As others have mentioned, the answer is "yes" they are analog. > >Is it a good choice? > I'll differ from others in saying that I did not like it. It may be that I'm > just too used to joystick driving (now I use a CH F16 CS).

I could definitely see how if you were used to joystick driving, changing controllers might take getting used to. I was just getting into driving sims, so driving with a joystick felt weird to me. The wheel felt more natural right off the bat. You should check into the "joyswitch" box if you have to deal with connection hassles like this. It costs ~$45 and lets you connect multiple sticks/throttles/wheels, etc. through multiple sets of pedals, and choose which combinations you want to use via the flick of a a couple switches. Yeah I got my second one that way, and my first one worked out to $20 through a different rebate program awhile earlier. Amazingly inexpensive if you come across the right deal. -- The Scripps Research Institute http://www.scripps.edu/~jsmith

s> I am considering buying a Thrustmaster GRAND PRIX 1 Racing s> Wheel for playing F1RS. s> Is it a good choice? IMHO not - get yourself a Formula 1 or at least the T2...it's senseless to drive with a wheel without pedals. Also, man mailt sich... .\\atze [ FmMW2109 - FmMB2139 ] *home* : http://www.home4u.de/buesing/

> s> I am considering buying a Thrustmaster GRAND PRIX 1 Racing > s> Wheel for playing F1RS. > s> Is it a good choice? > IMHO not - get yourself a Formula 1 or at least the T2...it's > senseless to drive with a wheel without pedals. ...unless you don't have the floorspace to spare or can't spend the $$. Just a thought. -- The Scripps Research Institute http://www.scripps.edu/~jsmith

> s> I am considering buying a Thrustmaster GRAND PRIX 1 Racing > s> Wheel for playing F1RS. > s> Is it a good choice? > IMHO not - get yourself a Formula 1 or at least the T2...it's > senseless to drive with a wheel without pedals. ...unless you add a pair of CH Pedals, which you can use for your flightsims, too. Best combo for the dough... l8er ronny -- Toys'R'Us '99: "So, would you like a hand gun with that action figure, kiddo?" |\ _,,,---,,_ I want to die like my Grandfather, ZZZzz /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ in his sleep. |,4- ) )-,_. ,\ ( `'-' Not like the people in his car, '---''(_/--' `-'\_) screaming their heads off!

I love the GP1. I do have CH pedals also but i don't use them. The wheel has pedals but they are attached to the wheel itself which lets you get a lot more comfortable while racing. There's no need to sit straight up all the time. You can actually lay down while racing. :) (can't do that with the T2. It's also good for those long 69% races we run on TEN. I can actually move around a bit and shift position without losing speed. For the price, it's a great wheel setup. Mike Lewis

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>s> I am considering buying a Thrustmaster GRAND PRIX 1 Racing >s> Wheel for playing F1RS. >s> Is it a good choice? >IMHO not - get yourself a Formula 1 or at least the T2...it's >senseless to drive with a wheel without pedals. >Also, man mailt sich... >.\\atze [ FmMW2109 - FmMB2139 ] >*home* : http://www.home4u.de/buesing/

Yep, I agree with Mike. The analogue throttle and brake pedals work fine and you can stay comfortable on any old chair for a 120 minute GP, no problem. The only thing I changed on mine was that I tend to reduce the lock limit during calibration, because throttle/brake control can be a bit tricky at full lock and I swapped the mapping of the upshift and downshift buttons. The default way has you downshifting and braking with the same hand, which I found a bit awkward. One of the reasons I'm hesitating about upgrading my controller to something flash like a TSW is that I'm not sure I want to give up my hand throttle and brake. Andy

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> I love the GP1. I do have CH pedals also but i don't use them. The > wheel has pedals but they are attached to the wheel itself which lets > you get a lot more comfortable while racing. There's no need to sit > straight up all the time. You can actually lay down while racing. :) > (can't do that with the T2. It's also good for those long 69% races > we run on TEN. I can actually move around a bit and shift position > without losing speed. For the price, it's a great wheel setup. > Mike Lewis > >s> I am considering buying a Thrustmaster GRAND PRIX 1 Racing > >s> Wheel for playing F1RS. > >s> Is it a good choice? > >IMHO not - get yourself a Formula 1 or at least the T2...it's > >senseless to drive with a wheel without pedals. > >Also, man mailt sich... > >.\\atze [ FmMW2109 - FmMB2139 ] > >*home* : http://www.home4u.de/buesing/

I am a admitted sim *** and I have difficulty walking because of spinal cord injury. I have been using a GP-1 for about a year and I love being able to control the gas, brake, shift up and down, and whatever (W buttons 3 & 4) with my hands. I like Andy Jone's idea of switching the downshift and upshift opposite gas and brake ! Thanks Andy ! I have visited with Trevor Thomas and I will probably buy a similar type wheel when they can get it in production or when I can get them to custom build one.(Trevor are you lurking?) Obviously, a wheel only can be fun for some people but for realism the wheel pedal combo is it for the "Average" sim racer. Tim