Name:  - Force Feedback Racing Wheel
Thrustmaster Description:
Unique wheel offering replicas of the Formula 1
gearshift levers used by Ferrari. Built-in 3lb motor that reproduces up to 27
adjustable realistic effects.
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10 fully programmable action buttons
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8 way D-pad
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Heavy-duty reinforced double axis pedals
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Gearshift lever ideal for Rally or Grand Tourism racing
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Proportional acceleration and braking levers for an alternative to fully hand-controlled driving
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Long central clamp with 2 adjustable screws for perfect stability
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Unique wheel with replicas of the Formula 1 gearshift levers used by Ferrari
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Double injection wheel rim and ergonomic curves offering maximum comfort for all hand sizes
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16 programmable functions for custom game scenarios
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User-friendly software for button programming
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10/22/2000 - With four Thrustmaster wheels (spanning an "all metal" prototype of the 1st wheel produced by the company, to the 2000 Ferrari Force Feedback wheel), I am well qualified to compare the advancement of their wheel products. I find this wheel to be the best of the Force Feedback Class of 2000.
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LAZ Review Breakdown
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79.5
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| First Impression |
The wheel looks cool, and before you even start using it - the wheel, levers, and shifter all feel great! Once you install it and take it for a spin, you notice they did a very good job on the force feedback. And when you are not being "forced", it is still smooth. |
9.0
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| Software Installation |
The software was easy to install. My install was 3.15 meg! I don't think controllers should require large installs, and these guys did a great job keeping their interface small. |
9.0
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| Software Controller Interface |
Thrustmaster offers two levels of controller interface - the standard interface from the Properties attribute on the Game Controllers option (from Control Panel) and a new interface that allows you to store presets for individual games The first standard interface is much improved over the Formula Force GT - allowing a wider range of Force tests, and several methods of Force adjustment! Since the new wheel has so many button options, the second interface allows you to store a profile for each game. |
8.5
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| Game Included |
None. It seems strange that their would not be some type of game included that would showcase what their product can do. If you are going to be asked to pay over $100 for a controller, I think a game should ship with it - even it was last year's version of... whatever game was cool at the time. I don't want to see them combine a new game with the product, because that would likely affect the price, and different people like different games. That is why I suggest a game that is from a previous year (it could be enclosed in the box somewhere at no extra cost to the consumer). |
4.0
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| Help Instructions |
The wheel comes with a full manual (mostly full looking because of the multiple languages contained) that gets you started installing your hardware and software. The Windows help file in the software interface is functionally, but very plain. I would like to see pictures that identify the topics they are talking about with the location they are referencing. They offer Free support online, but their support site has a long way to go to become as functional as it should be (but I don't want to discourage you from checking it out, if you feel the same way - drop their webmaster an email). Example of help incident: the wheel comes with levers (directly below the shift levers), that allow you to have "hand" gas and brake. I did not know what these levers were for, so I looked in their paper manual, their interface help files, and all over the Thrustmaster and Guillemot web sites... but could not find any documentation on what they are - or how to use them. I finally found out what they are when I was reading the box! At the time of this review, I still haven't figured out how to easily make them work. |
6.0
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| Comfort |
Very comfortable and natural feeling. The design of the wheel allows your thumbs to easily rest while you are driving. I want to be able to adjust the tilt of the wheel. I haven't figured out why all the wheel makers seem to have ignored a tilt option. Have you bought a car without tilt wheel lately? If you have, remind me not to look at that brand of car. |
8.5
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| Construction (Quality) |
Great quality. They made significant improvements in the mounting. The unit takes up less space, and it mounts quickly and easily. The new wiring scheme is finally done right. It mounts on the front-side of the unit, and is easy to hook up (the Formula Force GT wiring hook up was not very good). |
9.0
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| Looks |
The unit looks great. It is pretty hard to beat the Ferrari logo on the center of any wheel. |
8.5
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| Value (price for what you get) |
At their suggested retail price, it is priced good according to the competition. |
8.0
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| Recommend to Others |
Without question, one of the top Force Feedback values on the market. As I stated earlier, I think it is the top of the current FF class of 2000. |
9.0
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RECOMMENDATIONS to the Vendor
LAZ
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The wheel needs to have a tilt feature (it is currently angled upward - like a truck, which is fine if you sit "high in the saddle" - but if you slouch like I do, you want to be able to adjust the wheel down to fit).
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I would like to have more resistance in the pedals.
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