I just tried out a RockFire "USB Nest" unit which allows you to connect an
analog stick or wheel to a USB port. I had hoped that there might be some
performance advantage in offloading some of the joystick processing with the
game just reading the values over the USB port.
My system is a PII-333, 64Mb, with a 12Mb Monster 2 (3DFx), AWE64, and a TSW
3-axis wheel. On this system I almost always get 36fps solid, so it was
actually hard to get a performance comparison. I tried running at Monaco
with everything turned on. With 12 opponents, this did bring me down to
15fps on the starting line, but it was the same with the USB or game port
connection. Maybe if I tried it while online I would see some difference,
but my other problem kept me from experimenting too much.
Here's the big problem: this unit does not provide enough range of readings.
Using the direct input option, with the AWE's standard game port the calib
window shows about 170 counts of range for the wheel and about 70 counts for
the pedals. The USB converter, however, only gives about 40 counts range on
the steering and 15 for the pedals. What then happened was that the steering
was extremely "notchy". When I turned the wheel, the front wheels moved in
noticeable jerks instead of smoothly. This wasn't just an illusion as it
also made it really "fun" to try to drive around the track.
I don't know if I just have a basic mismatch between this unit and the
resistance range of the pots in the TSW unit, but whatever the case I really
can't use or recommend this USB unit for anyone with a similar setup. I'll
try getting some tech support on it, but it's basically straight from Taiwan
and I don't have much hope of getting a useful response. Guess I'll have to
wait for a "real" USB version of the TSW.
--
Doug Gordon
(remove "nospam" from e-mail address)
Thanks for the info Doug, its a great shame to hear about the problems,
Lets hope there is either a simple fix or at least a better system
coming along in the near future.
Do you know if it allows a forcefeedback device to be attached to it,
since I'm sure read somewhere that its supposed to allow some midi
devices to use it? (somehow i doubt it )
--
Vince Fisher
