Just picked one of these up, finally finding a USB version at Media Play.
If you're looking for them, check the boxes though - two of these at Media
Play were USB / Gameport, with one Gameport only - just denoted by a sticker
on the back.
The wheel seems quite solid, and the mounting system is in many ways better
than my TM NASCAR Pro. It's the same concept, but has big thumbwheels to
adjust the clamp tightness instead of turning the release levers - allowing
an exact fit, and has a seperate release lever for each clamp. BUT, on my
computer table, one of those heavy-duty 6 foot tables with folding legs,
there is a metal frame about an inch back from the edge about an inch tall.
The wheel mounts just fine around this, as did the NASCAR Pro - but the
release system doesn't drop the clamps enough to clear that frame. Neither
did unlocking the clamps on the TM Pro, requiring several turns of loosening
the clamps to get them to clear. Doing the same with the thumbwheels on the
Andretti wheel would take a while, so removal from this particular setup
would take longer than the TM Pro. No biggie, instead of putting it on the
floor, I just unclamp it and slide it down to the other end of the table,
where it's more out of the way - why I never thought of that with the TM is
beyond me :-)
The wheel itself is smaller than the TM Pro, and sits lower. Button
placement is nice, and they all seem more solid than the TM Pro. The hat
switch is nice, even in something other than GPL with views that gives you 4
easily accessible functions with 2 more with the other buttons. The shift
buttons behind the wheel are nice too, but probably won't work for someone
who doesn't drive at 9 and 3 too well. The shifter is nice, not as much
travel as the TM Pro but it works well. I like the fact that the shift
buttons and the shifter aren't seperate buttons, that way I can play with
both and see whether I want to shift with the buttons or the shifter.
The pedals have a lot of travel, and are nicely spaced. I used my legs to
work the TM Pro pedals so the action on these was easy to get used to,
although it is of course at a somewhat different angle. Going to take some
getting used to the brakes, not nearly as much tension as the TM Pro, so far
I'm locking brakes up a good bit or not getting enough pressure, hopefully
training the leg to the new stuff will cure this - although I am thinking
about stiffening them up some with a tighter spring or something. The
pedals do slide a bit, that'll be cured with some Velcro on the floor mat
just like the TM Pro - the good thing though these don't tip at all, a big
improvement from the stock TM Pro pedals (without Velcro).
If worse comes to worse, with some tweaking I should be able to use the USB
wheel, and use the TM Pro pedals or my CH Pedals connected to the gameport,
a plus for the USB version.
In racing, with NR99 and GPL, I was having a bit of trouble getting used to
the brakes, but I could EASILY tell that the digital acceleration on this
wheel was no hype, it is VERY smooth and precise. When I didn't***up
with the brakes, I was running right at my normal times or a bit better, and
several times in GPL when I was getting a bit out of shape I was able to
correct it really well - this wheel does seem to have more resolution so you
could get the wheel JUST where it needed to be, where the TM Pro might be a
bit on either side of that exact spot. A bit of practice and maybe a
stiffer brake spring and this thing should be just right. I can't say for
my driving style I really missed dual-axis pedals.
So it's not perfect, and maybe not for everyone, but a VERY nice wheel for
$70 as has been said here before.
--
Ken's Sig 3.0
"Who is the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?" - Obi-Wan
Kenobi
Go #43 and #44!
volksy (at) geocities (dot) com
volksy (at) yahoo (dot) com
Yeah, that pissed me off.
Their web site lied on two occasions. One was the USB part, the other
was that it would work in DOS games.
If I hadn't of gotten real busy at work and had time, I'd have fired
that puppy right back to them.
Nice wheel. Gross pedals.
-Larry
> Just picked one of these up, finally finding a USB version at Media Play.
> If you're looking for them, check the boxes though - two of these at Media
> Play were USB / Gameport, with one Gameport only - just denoted by a sticker
> on the back.
Ya, wheel ain't bad, but how can I run different pedals,
they aren't split axis, and are digitally converted in the
base i assume.
I'd love to use the wheel with other pedals, as it is, it's
sitting in the box, ready for a quick sale.
Quoted text (19 lines)
>Yeah, that pissed me off. >Their web site lied on two occasions. One was the USB part, the other >was that it would work in DOS games. >If I hadn't of gotten real busy at work and had time, I'd have fired >that puppy right back to them. >Nice wheel. Gross pedals. >-Larry >> Just picked one of these up, finally finding a USB version at Media Play. >> If you're looking for them, check the boxes though - two of these at Media >> Play were USB / Gameport, with one Gameport only - just denoted by a sticker >> on the back.Ditto...
-Larry
