FF wheel in GPL

Hi All, I'm thinking of buying a force feedback steering wheel, but since GPL does not support it I was wondering how this feels? If there's no FF support, does the wheel then feel like my old T2 or is it worse? Thanks, Johan.

My MSFF wheel feels great. Can program keyboard functionality (like Shift+R, and Esc, Enter ;-) ) to it's six buttons and two flippers, supports split axis, and the adjustable centering force is a + even without Force Feedback in GPL. GPL is intense enough. The only way FF would significantly enhance the experience is if it could accurately translate the feel of the front end becoming light/breaking free, IMHO.

I just upgraded from the TM GP1 to the MSFF and after spending a few days learning to brake with my foot I have cut at least 5 seconds of my best time at Monza and Zandvoort. Using the manual FF it gives a great feel and centering action. >My MSFF wheel feels great. Can program keyboard functionality (like Shift+R,

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>and Esc, Enter ;-) ) to it's six buttons and two flippers, supports split >axis, and the adjustable centering force is a + even without Force Feedback >in GPL. >GPL is intense enough. The only way FF would significantly enhance the >experience is if it could accurately translate the feel of the front end >becoming light/breaking free, IMHO.

True ! The MSFF is the ultimate weapon for GPL. I practiced the game with a Thrustmaster GP1 and with a ActLabs Force RS, and i got now a MSFF. This wheel is soooooo accurate, and the pedals too (they are really great). Unfortunately, with FF enabled games, the FF effects of the MSFF are poor compared to the Force RS (but the pedals of the Force RS are ***and unaccurate!) ----- and no centering spring in GPL with Force RS (driving with a loose wheel). Sorry about my poor english. Th. Cailleteau

Thanks for your replies. Is the Microsoft wheel really the best? Are there any other brands that have a good performance FF wheel that also works fine without FF... and have good pedals. The pedals are very important to me, because that's the main reason why I'm thinking of buying a new one. Currently I own a TM T2 and I have to change a spring every other month! How about the logitech, saiktek or TM FF wheels? Are they any good? Thanks again, Johan.

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> True ! The MSFF is the ultimate weapon for GPL. I practiced the game with a > Thrustmaster GP1 and with a ActLabs Force RS, and i got now a MSFF. This > wheel is soooooo accurate, and the pedals too (they are really great). > Unfortunately, with FF enabled games, the FF effects of the MSFF are poor > compared to the Force RS (but the pedals of the Force RS are ***and > unaccurate!) ----- and no centering spring in GPL with Force RS (driving > with a loose wheel). > Sorry about my poor english. > Th. Cailleteau

Just bought the MSFF last week and I really like it in GPL. I switched from a TM GP1. The GP1 was very hard to control on the straights the car wanted to wander all over but with the MSFF its like you were running a slot car down the straight... I run it in the manual FF mode. It has a very good centering action and resistance. I wanted a little more resistance on the brake so I put a 1" by 3" piece of foam behind the pedal and it's much easier to modulate the pedal. It took me a few days to get used to using my feet for braking and gas but once I did I cut at least 3-4 seconds of my times on Monza and Zandvoordt.

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>Thanks for your replies. >Is the Microsoft wheel really the best? Are there any other brands that >have a good performance FF wheel that also works fine without FF... and >have good pedals. The pedals are very important to me, because that's >the main reason why I'm thinking of buying a new one. Currently I own a >TM T2 and I have to change a spring every other month! How about the >logitech, saiktek or TM FF wheels? Are they any good? >Thanks again, >Johan.

I don't think the other force feedback wheels will let you adjust the tension of the wheel unless your using force feedback. I have been using the Microsoft wheel with GPL since the wheel was released. I race online 20 hrs a week with the wheel and god only nows how much practice time I have put in with the wheel in GPL. The wheel is still just like new the pedals respond the same as the day I bought the wheel. The best part about the pedals and I can't speak for the other wheels is the way the cord is routed from the pedals. You can route the cable to either side instead of the back. So this lets you slide the pedals up against the base board or just a block to keep them from sliding forward when you use them. Also the way the wheel mounts to the desk is just plain simple and very effective. I can mount my wheel in 10 seconds with no adjustments. I know the wheel is a little expensive but IMHO they are worth every penny for the enjoyment I get out of GPL and other racing games.

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>Thanks for your replies. >Is the Microsoft wheel really the best? Are there any other brands that >have a good performance FF wheel that also works fine without FF... and >have good pedals. The pedals are very important to me, because that's >the main reason why I'm thinking of buying a new one. Currently I own a >TM T2 and I have to change a spring every other month! How about the >logitech, saiktek or TM FF wheels? Are they any good? >Thanks again, >Johan. >> True ! The MSFF is the ultimate weapon for GPL. I practiced the game with

a

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>> Thrustmaster GP1 and with a ActLabs Force RS, and i got now a MSFF. This >> wheel is soooooo accurate, and the pedals too (they are really great). >> Unfortunately, with FF enabled games, the FF effects of the MSFF are poor >> compared to the Force RS (but the pedals of the Force RS are ***and >> unaccurate!) ----- and no centering spring in GPL with Force RS (driving >> with a loose wheel). >> Sorry about my poor english. >> Th. Cailleteau

How is the MS wheel in FF simulations like Viper racing or CMR? Thierry mentioned that the FF option of the MS wheel was poor compared to the RS wheel. And what good is a FF wheel if it only works good in non FF sims? Any comments? Thanks once more, Johan.

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> I don't think the other force feedback wheels will let you adjust the > tension of the wheel unless your using force feedback. I have been using the > Microsoft wheel with GPL since the wheel was released. I race online 20 hrs > a week with the wheel and god only nows how much practice time I have put in > with the wheel in GPL. The wheel is still just like new the pedals respond > the same as the day I bought the wheel. The best part about the pedals and I > can't speak for the other wheels is the way the cord is routed from the > pedals. You can route the cable to either side instead of the back. So this > lets you slide the pedals up against the base board or just a block to keep > them from sliding forward when you use them. Also the way the wheel mounts > to the desk is just plain simple and very effective. I can mount my wheel in > 10 seconds with no adjustments. I know the wheel is a little expensive but > IMHO they are worth every penny for the enjoyment I get out of GPL and other > racing games.

I have also the MS FF Wheel, great wheel!. One hint about pedals. If you would like to get more real with the brake pedal, put a litlle squash ball underneath the pedal in that slot and tape it where you feel it is suitable for you. Just like a real thing. Asko Kallonen

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> Just bought the MSFF last week and I really like it in GPL. I switched from > a TM GP1. The GP1 was very hard to control on the straights the car wanted > to wander all over but with the MSFF its like you were running a slot car > down the straight... I run it in the manual FF mode. It has a very good > centering action and resistance. I wanted a little more resistance on the > brake so I put a 1" by 3" piece of foam behind the pedal and it's much > easier to modulate the pedal. > It took me a few days to get used to using my feet for braking and gas but > once I did I cut at least 3-4 seconds of my times on Monza and Zandvoordt. > >Thanks for your replies. > >Is the Microsoft wheel really the best? Are there any other brands that > >have a good performance FF wheel that also works fine without FF... and > >have good pedals. The pedals are very important to me, because that's > >the main reason why I'm thinking of buying a new one. Currently I own a > >TM T2 and I have to change a spring every other month! How about the > >logitech, saiktek or TM FF wheels? Are they any good? > >Thanks again, > >Johan.

Johan Foederer a crit dans le message It is a matter of drivers (software drivers, not pilots :). MS FF drivers are not very good, ActLabs FF drivers are from Immersion, and probably the best right now, but i think Microsoft will release good drivers soon, as they have a deal with ActLabs (search the string "ActLabs" on the microsoft website). By the way : What good is an excellent FF wheel that makes you 2 secs slower on any game, FF enabled or not ? :-) Cya Thierry Cailleteau

Thierry... Can you explain this for us FF wheel users who are looking desparately for an explanation for our slow times? <G>

Could you please explain that last part? How does FF make you slower?

Johan Foederer a crit dans le message You probably missed some posts : I was saying that the pedals of the Force RS were so crappy that they were making you slower. Thierry Cailleteau

Sorry.... I must have overlooked it.

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> Johan Foederer a crit dans le message > >Could you please explain that last part? How does FF make you slower? > You probably missed some posts : I was saying that the pedals of the Force > RS were so crappy that they were making you slower. > Thierry Cailleteau

On Sat, 9 Jan 1999 16:23:17 +0100, "Thierry Cailleteau" >By the way : What good is an excellent FF wheel that makes you 2 secs slower >on any game, FF enabled or not ? :-) It's very good because it enhances your driving experience. I'm not racing for hotlap leagues, I'm racing for fun. And though I'm not faster in CMR demo with the Saitek R4 FF than I was with a Sidewinder Joystick, it's a lot more of fun. The same goes for GPL, NFS3 or Viper Racing. Daniel -- Daniel Lichtenberger, Vienna/Austria