Which wheel to buy for nascar 4

[enginjon]

Title basically says it all. I'm looking to buy a wheel to use with Nascar 4. Force feedback is nice, but I'm not looking to spend the extra money for it since I don't find it necessary. USB seems to definetely be the way to go. I just need something that will be compatible with Nascar 4 in Win2k, with some decent pedals, I don't want little cheezy pedals. Right now I'm lookin at the Thrustmaster Nascar Pro Digital, but am definetely looking for some other suggestions.

 

[spwango]

Hey enginjon,

I'd recommend the Pro Digital from Thrustmaster--however, be sure to get the Pro Digital 2. The Pro Digital 1 (which I have) has some driver problems that tend to cause a large dead zone. It has a version of drivers without the dead zone, but they won't allow three access operation in any of the Papyrus Sims. As for it's drivability, it's cheap, it's tough, it's USB, and it is a pleasure it drive. I too have been tempted by the force feedback ones, but I'm not hardcore enough to spend that much money on a wheel...I haven't even gotten up the nerve to do N4 multiplayer yet...However, I have heard many say that the force feedback will hurt your lap times.

Reguardless, I've used my ProDigital 1 (with the no-dead zone drivers) with GP3, N4, DTR Sprint Cars, and Rally Championship 2000--'cept for that stupid dead zone, I couldn't be any happier with it.

Thanks,

spawngo

 

[Wingznut]

I've had both MS Sidewinder wheels. With and without FF.

If you can swing the cash, go for the FF. Sure it's not a "necessity" but it really makes racing more enjoyable. And I'm not a FF freak. I had a FF joystick, and really wasn't that thrilled about it. So, I sold it in favor of a regular one.

 

[enginjon]

spawngo,

thanks for the reply, when you refer to the "dead zone," what exactly ar eyou referring to? Is it a dead spot in the steering that doesn't respond? and what is 3 access operation? I'm new to wheels, never had one before, but keyboard is way too impossible for such a realistic game. Thanks again



edit: Are you referring to no 3-axis operation, as in you just get the wheel on then both pedals do the same thing?

 

[spwango]

hey enginjon,

"Dead zone" refers to a spot at the top of the wheel (when you are driving close to straight) where movements in the wheel do not yield input to the PC. This can lead to somewhat jerky driving...instead of having a smooth, gradual turn, the wheel passes the dead zone and sudden turning is applied. It makes small corrections in game like N4 more difficult as well. This is also sometimes caused by dirty pots...if you don't use the wheel often, you will have to take it apart and squirt the pot with WD40 to clean it. The combination of cleaning the pot and getting the old driver helped quite a bit on my Pro Digital 1.

As for 3 Axis steering, the wheel is one axis, the accelerator is one axis and the brake is one axis. This allows you to collect input from the brake and the accelerator at the same time. A 2-Axis wheel (and my Pro Digital 1) can't do this--from what I've heard, both of these problems have been fixed with the pro digital 2.

You may want to go check out the forums on www.simracingnews.com...Those guys are much more hardcore sim addicts than myself.

Hope this helps,

spwango.

 

[Neurodog]

Hello,

I'm using my Logitech formula w/o FF and I like it. The sterring has a nice feel to it and the pedal are just the right size.

What are you guy's running for machine? I have a P3 500 with a G400 from Matrox on windows 98 and I get about 15 to 25 FPS!

Is windows 2k better?

Thanks

 

[Gomez]

Spend the extra money and get the best!

Act Labs - Force RS

I've had mine for almost 2 years now and haven't had a single problem. It still works and looks the same as the day I got it. It takes about two weeks of playing on and off to break in the kevlar belts (yes the steering belts are made out of bulletproof kevlar) but from that point on your good to go.

Works great in Windows 2000 and all games I've tried : Nascar 4, Nascar 3, Nascar 99, Midtown Madness 1, Midtown Madness 2, Off Road, NHRA Drag Racing, Formula 1, the list goes on.......

 

[Chad]

Well, the best are the TSW, TSW2's (www.thomas-superwheel.com) but for $60 you cannot beat the Nascar Pro Digital 2 wheel and pedals. They are truly incredible, especially for the price. Good luck finding them though, they are on backorder EVERYWHERE, even at www.thrustmaster.com.

Apparently everyone that bought Nascar 4 picked up one of these wheels. Can't say I blame them, they are awesome.

I splurged for the TSW2 modified, but you can pick up a TSW2 stock for roughly $200 and trust me, worth EVERY penny. Guaranteed for life and are the ultimate in smoothness, feel and the control they give you on the track.

P.S. Try my sound pack for this game, it's an incredible improvement on all the original sounds. Anyon can Email me if you want it (about a meg) and I will email it to you (chadsparks@sega.net).

 

[spwango]

Has Anyone tried the Logitec FF wheel? I've heard good stuff about it too...

Thanks,

spwango

 

[spwango]

I'm running a PIII 450 with a GeForce2 MX card and can get about 30FPS with a half field consistently...I'm going to upgrade this weekend to 1Ghz TBird..I have other reasons, but N4 is a big part of it...I'll let you know how much improvement I see...

As for finding the pro digital, try your local Sam's club. Last time I was there (Ft Collins, Co) they had a rack full of them for $45 a pop...can't beat that...I almost bought a second one to try to spur some LAN races in the office...Except for the driver issues, it's a great product at a super price.

Thanks,

spwango

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

neuro

classic athlon 800
256 pc 133
geforce 2 gts

1152x864x16 with all option maxed (draw 42 cars etc)

and get about 25-30fps. the game is a hog :frown:

 

[enginjon]

My system is in my sig. Blah, I can't find a Pro Digital 2 ANYWHERE!! No Sam's Club around here. Anyone seen one available anywhere? I have found the Pro Digital 1, but it would be nice to get the 2 and have all three-axis

 

[Chad]

Like I said... all these wheels are backordered BIG TIME any where you go. No one can get any for at least 3 weeks.

Good luck, but I've been looking for 2 weeks now here locally.

 

[sandorski]

enginjon: I posted this in your thread in the "software and games" section(I think it was your thread), anyway, I'll repeat it here.

I have a Logitech Wingman Formula Force Wheel and I think it's great. Warning: There is now a Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP, this particular wheel(note the "GP&quotis utter crap! This "GP" rattles, the feedback is weak, and it just feels like it should be worth no more than $15! Stay away from the "GP".