I want to buy a new wheel, my old T2 is gettin a bit jerky now...
So I decided I want a FF-wheel, would really prefer a TSW, but the price
and the high shippingcost makes it a definite no-deal on that..
So i have four candidates with pros and cons, I would like some owner
opinions on my thoughts.
First, I race most kind of games, but I want the wheel to perform good
with GPL, and I want to use the pedals shipped with the unit, I don't
know if I'm the only one, but I don't get any feel with my CH-pedals..
My candidates:
Logitech
========
Pros: Great wheel, great forces in GPL
Cons: the pedals...
Sum: First choice if the pedals would've least been ok..
Microsoft
=========
Pros: Decent pedals
Cons: Ugly (plastic) wheel, cpu-hog, notchy wheel
Sum: No thanks, I want a wheel that looks like a wheel and not like a
starshipcontroller..
Act Labs
========
Pros: Great looking wheel, good forces, possibility to add the shifter
Cons: I've seen guys pickin on the pedals, they say they're useless for
GPL
Sum: Was this close to order it before I saw some negative reports on
the pedals
Guillemot "Ferrari"
===================
Pros: Great looking wheel with that marvelous stallion, shift-stick,
pedals
Cons: Quality problems, bad resolution on the wheel
Sum: My choice until it was released and guys complained about quality
both mostly the resolution problem with the steering cooled my hopes.
Sadly, when I read my expressions, I find no wheel worthy to buy, please
tell me I'm wrong about at least one wheel :)
/Regards Stefan
--
==========================================================
Software Developer Phone(Work): +46-(0)243-886 01
Columna AB Phone(Cell): +46-(0)70- 665 75 67
"In a world without Walls and Fences,
who needs Windows or Gates?"
==========================================================
I just got the Guillemot "Ferrari" wheel and have had no problems so far, it
performs just great.
I have to add though that it's my first wheel, so i wouldn't know it if it
has some small quality flaws...
What are the indicators of a faulty Ferrari wheel ??
Mikkel
On Tue, 18 Jan 2000 11:22:23 +0100, Stefan Soderholm
Well, as an owner of a LWFF w/ Ch Pedals and PDPI l4 and a MSFF, which
I used for most of last year, I would be inclined to say that the MSFF
is the best combination of Wheel/Pedals for the price. A lot of people
don't like it and some say it hog s the cpu too much. But the latter
has not been true for me as I have 3 pc's ( 2 high spec, 1 low spec
p233mmx) and I have never experienced any fps loss with the msff on
any of the systems. I have said this before and I will say it again:
anyone with a high loss of frame rate using the MSFF either has a
badly configured system or badly configured slow system.
As for the shape, looks and feel of the wheel I actually prefer the
shape of the MSFF as I have long fingers and the LWFF is thinner in
the center, and it does actually gives me blisters on my hands because
of the way I grab it, while with the MSFF my hands slot perfectly in.
As Stefan says the MSFF has a bit of a "notchy" feel when driving but
you can adjust the damping in many ways to minimize that in GPL, not
the case for other games though.
Maybe this is a matter of opinion but I think the MSFF is superior
product in terms of build, and the LWFF is the one for me with the
ugly (plastic) as Stefan says.
But all in all LWFF, Ch Pedas (modified with stiffer springs), PDPI L4
is the best combination until I can afford maybe perhaps a set of
those Redline Racers Pedals
( http://www.wave.co.nz/pages/lakewood/Redline2.htm), but they do cost
a bit.
A mate has the Act Labs and I personally think is awful for GPL, as
for the others I have not tried any of them.
Good luck, I know it is not easy to change wheels and pedals in GPL, a
lot of testing in Monza...
Cheers.
Mauricio.
I've had the Ferrari wheel for about a month now. There is no problem with
resolution, its up there pretty good at about 115, the highest practical
possibilty for a (FF) wheel being 128 I think, and the lowest is probably
the MSFF at 96 (have to cure the optical jitters). But even at this, don't
make too much of the resolution issue with GPL because the game handles it
pretty good. I don't know of any other wheel that reaches the max. of 256
and don't even know that it can be done in reality. (I'd like email from
anyone who knows (tested) a wheel that exceeds 128 resolution).
There is a QC problem at Gmot. This shows up mostly in the trimmer. If you
have the problem, the wheel is generally***ed to one side (usually right)
when in windows controller setup and spring alway on. This can be fixed by
taking off the cover and adjusting the trimmer. Its in plain site. It aims
at the curves very well and tracks good down the straights. I added a
leather wrapped B&M shift knob and it looks and feels great, especially when
driving the Ferrari 312 in GPL. So, I think the biggest con to the Ferrari
wheel is the QC problem and being prepared to fix it or send it back, just
in case.
I've only tried a borrowed LWFF and MSFF for a couple days. I personally
didn't care for the feel of the MS, but there's them that like it. I do know
2 guys, one GTX team member, that get bounced out of some online games (MTM2
and one other) since installing the MS wheel. No explaination has been found
even after reinstalling windows. But its only 2 guys that I know of that
have this problem. The LWFF was nice, but I didn't care for the pedal
action. I found the base to be fine as I use a board against the wall to
hold the pedals in place anyway, and don't mind ramping the pedal base to an
angle that's comfortable for me. Maybe the throw of the pedals was too
short? Again, I only tried them for a couple days.
The Act Labs reviews all say the pedals were sticky at first. Some
lubricated them (pedal slots) and they worked fine, others just waited until
they broke in. All said the pedal base was great. One thing about Act Labs,
their tech support seems to be the best around, and they do have a 30 day
(money back) satisfaction guarantee. But you'll have to pay the shipping to
send them back ($20??) Still, its better than returning a LWFF or MSFF to
Best Buy and paying a $25 (15%) restocking fee.
I personally want a stick shifter with my wheel. Its important to me. (How
can you talk about realism in GPL and then shift with paddles?) The Ferrari
wheel has it and has excellent paddles as well. The Act Labs also has it
available, and it can be gated which will be supported by lots of new games
and is supported by a few now (its easy to write in support for this in a
game, I wish some programmer would add it to GPL in the form of a patch :)
If you can wait another month I should have a 'Shoot-out' done, Ferrari vs.
Force RS and RS Shifter. I'm waiting for Act Labs to get in more stock so
they can send one to me. I expect to receive it around Jan 28th and then
want to use it for a couple weeks before writing the review. The shoot-out
will be done from a driver's perspective - how each wheel feels in several
games, rather than technical, installing, box color, etc., unless some
glaring deficiency stands out.
You're right about this for sure. Buying a FF wheel ain't an easy choice.
Slot
Quoted text (52 lines)
>I want to buy a new wheel, my old T2 is gettin a bit jerky now... >So I decided I want a FF-wheel, would really prefer a TSW, but the price >and the high shippingcost makes it a definite no-deal on that.. >So i have four candidates with pros and cons, I would like some owner >opinions on my thoughts. >First, I race most kind of games, but I want the wheel to perform good >with GPL, and I want to use the pedals shipped with the unit, I don't >know if I'm the only one, but I don't get any feel with my CH-pedals.. >My candidates: >Logitech >======== >Pros: Great wheel, great forces in GPL >Cons: the pedals... >Sum: First choice if the pedals would've least been ok.. >Microsoft >========= >Pros: Decent pedals >Cons: Ugly (plastic) wheel, cpu-hog, notchy wheel >Sum: No thanks, I want a wheel that looks like a wheel and not like a >starshipcontroller.. >Act Labs >======== >Pros: Great looking wheel, good forces, possibility to add the shifter >Cons: I've seen guys pickin on the pedals, they say they're useless for >GPL >Sum: Was this close to order it before I saw some negative reports on >the pedals >Guillemot "Ferrari" >=================== >Pros: Great looking wheel with that marvelous stallion, shift-stick, >pedals >Cons: Quality problems, bad resolution on the wheel >Sum: My choice until it was released and guys complained about quality >both mostly the resolution problem with the steering cooled my hopes. >Sadly, when I read my expressions, I find no wheel worthy to buy, please >tell me I'm wrong about at least one wheel :) >/Regards Stefan >-- >========================================================== >Software Developer Phone(Work): +46-(0)243-886 01 >Columna AB Phone(Cell): +46-(0)70- 665 75 67 >"In a world without Walls and Fences, >who needs Windows or Gates?" >==========================================================Can you be more precise on what kind of "Quality problems" ?
What do you mean by "bad resolution on the wheel"?
This wheel is my third now, but I've had it only a few weeks, so the quality
problem
posts gets me a bit worried! No problems yet, though.
I had TM Formula Pro before, and then LWFF.
I have to say the FF is much more powerful in the ferrari wheel than in
LWFF.
My monitor and speakers are jumping all around my desk, when I blast away
on the stages of RC2000.
- Argh!
Stefan,
One word: Expandability. If a company was to ever come out with
another add on like say, new pedals, etc, who do you think would make
it?
I personally love our pedals (they are nice and heavy and I don't
really play GPL), but we are ALWAYS looking for ways to improve our
products. If there is ever an upgrade, our loyal customers will not
be left in the dust.
Raymond
ACT LABS
On Tue, 18 Jan 2000 11:22:23 +0100, Stefan Soderholm
Raymond
ACT LABS
Quoted text (52 lines)
>I want to buy a new wheel, my old T2 is gettin a bit jerky now... >So I decided I want a FF-wheel, would really prefer a TSW, but the price >and the high shippingcost makes it a definite no-deal on that.. >So i have four candidates with pros and cons, I would like some owner >opinions on my thoughts. >First, I race most kind of games, but I want the wheel to perform good >with GPL, and I want to use the pedals shipped with the unit, I don't >know if I'm the only one, but I don't get any feel with my CH-pedals.. >My candidates: >Logitech >======== >Pros: Great wheel, great forces in GPL >Cons: the pedals... >Sum: First choice if the pedals would've least been ok.. >Microsoft >========= >Pros: Decent pedals >Cons: Ugly (plastic) wheel, cpu-hog, notchy wheel >Sum: No thanks, I want a wheel that looks like a wheel and not like a >starshipcontroller.. >Act Labs >======== >Pros: Great looking wheel, good forces, possibility to add the shifter >Cons: I've seen guys pickin on the pedals, they say they're useless for >GPL >Sum: Was this close to order it before I saw some negative reports on >the pedals >Guillemot "Ferrari" >=================== >Pros: Great looking wheel with that marvelous stallion, shift-stick, >pedals >Cons: Quality problems, bad resolution on the wheel >Sum: My choice until it was released and guys complained about quality >both mostly the resolution problem with the steering cooled my hopes. >Sadly, when I read my expressions, I find no wheel worthy to buy, please >tell me I'm wrong about at least one wheel :) >/Regards Stefan >-- >========================================================== >Software Developer Phone(Work): +46-(0)243-886 01 >Columna AB Phone(Cell): +46-(0)70- 665 75 67 >"In a world without Walls and Fences, >who needs Windows or Gates?" >=========================================================="I do know 2 guys, one GTX team member, that get bounced out of some online
games (MTM2 and one other) since installing the MS wheel. No explanation has
been found even after reinstalling windows. But its only 2 guys that I know
of that have this problem."
The answer to this question is simple and unfortunately is the problem with
the MSFF. Keep in mind that plugging it into the SG doesn't just affect FPS.
It disables ALL interrupts during polling and data transfer (particularly
the intense FF data), so what is happening is that the interrupts that are
used by your modem are being frozen for extended periods of time, causing
online timeouts. There's no solution for this, and is called "The 5041 Bug"
by Microsoft DirectX team. "Polling with Interrupts enabled" may solve your
online issue.... but your polling goes into the shitter and you get less
than desirable results (somewhat erratic at times... and slow responding).
Cheers,
Shumi
right)
> when in windows controller setup and spring alway on. This can be fixed by
> taking off the cover and adjusting the trimmer. Its in plain site. It aims
> at the curves very well and tracks good down the straights. I added a
> leather wrapped B&M shift knob and it looks and feels great, especially when
> driving the Ferrari 312 in GPL. So, I think the biggest con to the Ferrari
> wheel is the QC problem and being prepared to fix it or send it back, just
> in case.
> I've only tried a borrowed LWFF and MSFF for a couple days. I personally
> didn't care for the feel of the MS, but there's them that like it. I do know
> 2 guys, one GTX team member, that get bounced out of some online games (MTM2
> and one other) since installing the MS wheel. No explaination has been found
> even after reinstalling windows. But its only 2 guys that I know of that
> have this problem. The LWFF was nice, but I didn't care for the pedal
> action. I found the base to be fine as I use a board against the wall to
> hold the pedals in place anyway, and don't mind ramping the pedal base to an
> angle that's comfortable for me. Maybe the throw of the pedals was too
> short? Again, I only tried them for a couple days.
> The Act Labs reviews all say the pedals were sticky at first. Some
> lubricated them (pedal slots) and they worked fine, others just waited until
> they broke in. All said the pedal base was great. One thing about Act Labs,
> their tech support seems to be the best around, and they do have a 30 day
> (money back) satisfaction guarantee. But you'll have to pay the shipping to
> send them back ($20??) Still, its better than returning a LWFF or MSFF to
> Best Buy and paying a $25 (15%) restocking fee.
> I personally want a stick shifter with my wheel. Its important to me. (How
> can you talk about realism in GPL and then shift with paddles?) The Ferrari
> wheel has it and has excellent paddles as well. The Act Labs also has it
> available, and it can be gated which will be supported by lots of new games
> and is supported by a few now (its easy to write in support for this in a
> game, I wish some programmer would add it to GPL in the form of a patch :)
> If you can wait another month I should have a 'Shoot-out' done, Ferrari vs.
Quoted text (11 lines)
> I've had the Ferrari wheel for about a month now. There is no problem with > resolution, its up there pretty good at about 115, the highest practical > possibilty for a (FF) wheel being 128 I think, and the lowest is probably > the MSFF at 96 (have to cure the optical jitters). But even at this, don't > make too much of the resolution issue with GPL because the game handles it > pretty good. I don't know of any other wheel that reaches the max. of 256 > and don't even know that it can be done in reality. (I'd like email from > anyone who knows (tested) a wheel that exceeds 128 resolution). > There is a QC problem at Gmot. This shows up mostly in the trimmer. If you > have the problem, the wheel is generally***ed to one side (usuallyQuoted text (65 lines)
> Force RS and RS Shifter. I'm waiting for Act Labs to get in more stock so > they can send one to me. I expect to receive it around Jan 28th and then > want to use it for a couple weeks before writing the review. The shoot-out > will be done from a driver's perspective - how each wheel feels in several > games, rather than technical, installing, box color, etc., unless some > glaring deficiency stands out. > You're right about this for sure. Buying a FF wheel ain't an easy choice. > Slot > >I want to buy a new wheel, my old T2 is gettin a bit jerky now... > >So I decided I want a FF-wheel, would really prefer a TSW, but the price > >and the high shippingcost makes it a definite no-deal on that.. > >So i have four candidates with pros and cons, I would like some owner > >opinions on my thoughts. > >First, I race most kind of games, but I want the wheel to perform good > >with GPL, and I want to use the pedals shipped with the unit, I don't > >know if I'm the only one, but I don't get any feel with my CH-pedals.. > >My candidates: > >Logitech > >======== > >Pros: Great wheel, great forces in GPL > >Cons: the pedals... > >Sum: First choice if the pedals would've least been ok.. > >Microsoft > >========= > >Pros: Decent pedals > >Cons: Ugly (plastic) wheel, cpu-hog, notchy wheel > >Sum: No thanks, I want a wheel that looks like a wheel and not like a > >starshipcontroller.. > >Act Labs > >======== > >Pros: Great looking wheel, good forces, possibility to add the shifter > >Cons: I've seen guys pickin on the pedals, they say they're useless for > >GPL > >Sum: Was this close to order it before I saw some negative reports on > >the pedals > >Guillemot "Ferrari" > >=================== > >Pros: Great looking wheel with that marvelous stallion, shift-stick, > >pedals > >Cons: Quality problems, bad resolution on the wheel > >Sum: My choice until it was released and guys complained about quality > >both mostly the resolution problem with the steering cooled my hopes. > >Sadly, when I read my expressions, I find no wheel worthy to buy, please > >tell me I'm wrong about at least one wheel :) > >/Regards Stefan > >-- > >========================================================== > >Software Developer Phone(Work): +46-(0)243-886 01 > >Columna AB Phone(Cell): +46-(0)70- 665 75 67 > >"In a world without Walls and Fences, > >who needs Windows or Gates?" > >==========================================================Quoted text (12 lines)
> > Guillemot "Ferrari" > > =================== > > Pros: Great looking wheel with that marvelous stallion, shift-stick, > > pedals > > Cons: Quality problems, bad resolution on the wheel > Can you be more precise on what kind of "Quality problems" ? > What do you mean by "bad resolution on the wheel"? > This wheel is my third now, but I've had it only a few weeks, so the quality > problem > posts gets me a bit worried! No problems yet, though.>> Guillemot "Ferrari"
>> ===================
>This wheel is my third now, but I've had it only a few weeks, so the quality
>problem
>posts gets me a bit worried! No problems yet, though.
>- Argh!
The QC problem that most are talking about here will show up when you first
get the game, or within a couple days of use. The biggest problem is the
wheel isn't trimmed properly (or goes out of trim quickly for some reason)
and the wheel***s way over to one side. If you've had yours for a few
weeks, you should be all set.
Slot
It is a real issue.
Marc.
On Tue, 18 Jan 2000 11:22:23 +0100, Stefan Soderholm
Hi all,
I've had the Ferrari Wheel for about 3 weeks now and I'm beginning to
notice excessive wear on the steering shaft and it's getting worse...
Has anybody else noticed this? I'm thinking about opening it up and
seeing if it can have some sleeves fitted.
Steve
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