TSW2 vs. NASCAR Pro wheels

I've just completed a head-to-head comparison of the Thomas Enterprises TSW2 wheel and the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel -- the review is available at The IRL Insider Magazine Web site (http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/ The pictures didn't turn out as good as I'd hoped, but the information is good. You can bypass the index page by linking directly to the review: http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/tsw2rev.htm Please note that I am not affilliated with either Thrustmaster or Thomas Enterprises. Enjoy! -- JB

I've just completed a head-to-head comparison of the Thomas Enterprises TSW2 wheel and the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel -- the review is available at The IRL Insider Magazine Web site (http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/). The pictures didn't turn out as good as I'd hoped, but the information is good. You can bypass the index page by linking directly to the review: http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/tsw2rev.htm Please note that I am not affilliated with either Thrustmaster or Thomas Enterprises. Enjoy! -- JB

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>I've just completed a head-to-head comparison of the Thomas >Enterprises TSW2 wheel and the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel -- the >review is available at The IRL Insider Magazine Web site >(http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/). The pictures didn't turn out as >good as I'd hoped, but the information is good. You can bypass the >index page by linking directly to the review: >http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/tsw2rev.htm >Please note that I am not affilliated with either Thrustmaster or >Thomas Enterprises.

But on the other hand you are running banners for TSW on your site. :) Are they paid for advertising? And did TM and/or TSW Loan, or give u these wheels for review? Z.

How can you be unbiased, and have an advertising banner for the TSW on your page?

Ahhhh, I read the article and it seems to be sort of biased. Yea, TSW might be a better deal if you have lots of money but you are misleading in your analysis. I think Zonker nailed it in his posting but here is more information......just to set it straight. 1. Ease of setup was biased. No documentation on the TSW and a not-so-friendly clamp system that requires " a deck of cards" is not my idea of a great wheel. 2. Warranty statement is false: You stated "The TSW2 offers a lifetime warranty on all mechanical parts and assemblies, and that pretty much says it all. In contrast to the Thrustmaster's all-plastic construction, the materials and overall construction of the TSW2 gives you the confident feeling that it may never need have any springs or pots replaced anyway, despite the lifetime warranty." NOT true, according to TSW "Any failure, mechanical or electrical other than the potentiometers is included under the lifetime warranty. We offer a 90 day warranty on potentiometers, meaning we will send you replacements of the same grade pot for up to 90 days." On the other hand, the Thrustmaster is always supporting thier customers. Even years after the sale according to many posts in this newsgroup. Just to set the story straight, I own a T2. I don't love it but it does get the job done. I have heard a lot about the TSW and think it would be a good investment if I had the money. TSW seems like an up and coming company with a bright future. The final numbers were close and that is what really counts. They are both good wheels for the markets for which they are designed. If TSW could get the price to drop $70 in mass production, which is starting up, then they would have a very large following. I enjoyed the article but it did not quite tell the truth. Racer

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> I've just completed a head-to-head comparison of the Thomas > Enterprises TSW2 wheel and the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel -- the > review is available at The IRL Insider Magazine Web site > (http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/). The pictures didn't turn out as > good as I'd hoped, but the information is good. You can bypass the > index page by linking directly to the review: > http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/tsw2rev.htm > Please note that I am not affilliated with either Thrustmaster or > Thomas Enterprises. > Enjoy! > -- JB

> ...Please note that I am not affilliated with either >Thrustmaster or Thomas Enterprises. John: You may not be affilliated ... But, are you being paid by Thomas Enterprises to run their banner ad on your referenced 'head-to-head comparison' URL ... "TSW2. The Thomas SuperWheel2. Thomas Enterprises. Anything Less is Just a Toy." --alan

The banners are simply endor***ts -- if I had a single paid advertiser for The IRL Insider site, I'd be well on my way to becoming a publishing magnate. Any arrangments between Thrustmaster, Thomas Enterprises, and The IRL Insider Magazine are strictly confidential, but let me assure you that the results of my review were as unbiased as could be -- the quality and performance of both systems is undeniable, but in the end, the price difference between the two is definitely a reflection of superior quality (which is what you would hope for for the extra money spent). >But on the other hand you are running banners for TSW on >your site. :) Are they paid for advertising? >And did TM and/or TSW Loan, or give u these wheels for review? >>-- JB >Z.

The clamping problem was somewhat unique -- I've got a 5/8" thick desktop with a 3" lip on the front on the front; the NASCAR Pro clamps fit nicely, but the TSW2 clamp didn't like the 3" lip. Without the 3" lip, the TSW2 clamp worked nicely, and Thomas Enterprises states that they will provide custom clamps for unique applications such as mine. This problem won't be experienced by everybody, and the clamp worked fine for me on my other computer desk. I received the manual promptly after I informed Thomas Enterprises after I contacted them about the issues -- it's every bit as informative as the Thrustmaster manual, and the omission was an unfortunate oversight on their part. > You stated "The TSW2 offers a lifetime warranty on all mechanical >parts and assemblies, and that pretty much says it all. In contrast to >the Thrustmaster's all-plastic construction, the materials and overall >construction of the TSW2 gives you the confident feeling that it may >never need have any springs or pots replaced anyway, despite the >lifetime warranty." Yes, I stated that they offer a lifetime warranty on all MECHANICAL parts and assemblies -- potentiometers are ELECTRICAL assemblies. I indicated that "The TSW2 give you the confident FEELING that it MAY never need to have any springs or pots replaced." There was no attempt to mislead. I felt that the article provides an endore***t for both the NASCAR Pro and the TSW2 -- the TSW2 is just simply a superior product, as it should be for the additional cost. -- JB

Granted. But the problem with new media is it's become all to much like Old Media. And all too fast. I wouldn't trust the *** press as far as i could throw them, myself. News yes, reviews, no. Quite simply, if you are keeping products at the end of a test (which is by and large standard, except for pre-release items) then it's more than in the reading public's interest if this was or wasn't the case. You review came out as i would expect, in that yes the TSW2 might be better, but not really if it $X better. :) Z.

Hi John You state in your review: ".. NASCAR Pro selling for anywhere between $109 and $129. A slightly pricier alternative to a Thrustmaster product is the TSW2.... currently priced at $200" When considering you need to add to the price of the TSW2 $25 for US shipping and a whopping $165 for shipping to the UK, France etc. I would hardly call this "slightly pricier". In addition, I believe that UK Customs will add VAT as well for imports. There are also a number of other wheel available. If you're really "in search of the ultimate driving controller" then perhaps you could check out the ECCI CDS4000 Monza, or the Digital Edge F1 Sim or the Hypersimulator. I also agree with other comments, that you can't claim to be truly independent if you carry an ad for TSW on your main page! Still, I don't mean to be too disparaging and I enjoyed reading the review which was extremely informative - thank you. Lawrence -----Original Message----- Newsgroups: rec.autos.simulators Date: 13 August 1998 08:48 Subject: TSW2 vs. NASCAR Pro wheels

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>I've just completed a head-to-head comparison of the Thomas >Enterprises TSW2 wheel and the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel -- the >review is available at The IRL Insider Magazine Web site >(http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/). The pictures didn't turn out as >good as I'd hoped, but the information is good. You can bypass the >index page by linking directly to the review: >http://irlinsider.adnetweb.com/tsw2rev.htm >Please note that I am not affilliated with either Thrustmaster or >Thomas Enterprises. >Enjoy! >-- JB

The TSW2 comes with a manual? I didn't get any documentation with mine. -- Don Burnette Palmetto Racing Dburn on Ten AOLL Iroc Series Administrator http://pages.southtech.net/palmetto/aoll.htm >I received the manual promptly after I informed Thomas Enterprises >after I contacted them about the issues -- it's every bit as >informative as the Thrustmaster manual, and the omission was an >unfortunate oversight on their part.

The banners are simply endor***ts -- if I had a single paid advertiser for The IRL Insider site, I'd be well on my way to becoming a publishing magnate. Any arrangments between Thrustmaster, Thomas Enterprises, and The IRL Insider Magazine are strictly confidential, but let me assure you that the results of my review were as unbiased as could be -- the quality and performance of both systems is undeniable, but in the end, the price difference between the two is definitely a reflection of superior quality (which is what you would hope for for the extra money spent). >But on the other hand you are running banners for TSW on >your site. :) Are they paid for advertising? >And did TM and/or TSW Loan, or give u these wheels for review? >>-- JB >Z.