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Thomas Enterprises, a world known racing wheel systems manufacturer, known by hard core simulation racers or desktop racers gives the Reviewboard the opportunity to look at its base model, the TSW 2.
It doesn't have a clutch pedal, paddle shifters, buttons or even a MOMO wheel, since this is the base or low-end of the Thomas Enterprises lineup.
Back in December of 1998, I was reading the TEN (Total Entertainment Network) newsgroups, and the topic was Car and Driver, and those people were doing a roundup of steering wheels. My first thought, "Wow, C&D actually did a review." A couple of minutes later: "Wait, those guys may test real cars, but do they actually know what to look for in a computer wheel?" After going to the store and purchasing the issue, I started to have doubts during reading the review, and they slowly started to turn into plain disgust! These guys must be nuts! I figured that if people think C&D is the authority on computer hardware, they are badly mislead, perhaps due to the reputation they built in car reviews.
"Hey guys at C&D, stick to reviewing cars and leave the guys that actually have experience in computer hardware or even sim racing to the people that are knowledgeable." Those guys don't know, there are some guys out there that just eat, drink and sleep the stuff. So why put your input into something, that you really don't know?
I didn't like how they rated certain wheels. I do agree in general on what they thought was the best wheel out there, being the CH Products EXL500. There were some ratings in the review I was very skeptical about, and they just happen to be the main focal point of this review, the TSW 2. You'll see why in a moment.
Basically, the TSW 2 is the "pinto of the TSW lineup." A stripped down base model, it's your basic wheel. The only PROS it really has going for it are the durability and longetivity. You maybe wondering if I am starting this review out in a negative way, but I am not. I am just being very open out it. You'll see.
CONTENTS
Thomas Enterprises sent me a box filled with paper and lots of it. Stuffed inside, you found both the steering wheel and pedal unit. Let's not forget the ever-important clamp. You also get a very explicit manual. Good job, guys!
FEATURES
- What TSW 2 offers to the sim racer:
- Steering wheel and pedal controls
- Winston Cup style steering wheel
- In-line shift lever on the right side
- Heavy-duty extension springs for wheel and pedal return
- Very Heavy, doesn't slide around while driving
- Highly upgradeable and customizable
- Easily replaceable, high-grade conductive plastic potentiometers
- Plug-in wiring for upgrades and potentiometers
- 90 Day Warranty on Potentiometers
- Lifetime Warranty on everything else
Seems complete doesn't it? With a price tag of MSRP $220, I don't think it is as complete as you would expect it to be. There are other cheaper wheels out there that give you more features, but the problem with those wheels usually is durability and longevity. Yet, the exception to the rule is the CH wheel. I have used CH products in the past and they last!This missing feature is very obvious, you'll read it later. The suspense must be killing you.
CONSTRUCTION
The TSW 2 is on par with it's big brother the Formula 99. meaning it still uses the same plastic and wood as its predecessor.
The wheel unit weighs in at 15lbs and pedal unit at 10lbs. They do actually have some mass in them, which is good, but it's probably going to move on the floor. The wheel lock is set to 270� and the wheel itself is 10.5" in diameter. The pedal unit only has two pedals and no clutch. There's no need for clutch at this stage though. What makes any TSW model surpass the majority of mass produced wheel systems is its durability, serviceability and longevity.
INSTALLATION
After reading the black and white manual, I moved my keyboard and placed the wheel unit where it was to be: the middle of my desk. It was now time to clamp this puppy, and for that you use the L-shaped piece with a wingnut. All TSW models use this type of arrangement and it works!
The next step involved hooking up the pedals; this is done by one cable connecting to the wheel unit. Then I took the gameport cable from the wheel unit and connected to the gameport. All too simple, really. The Game Controller Applet recognized the wheel as I created a custom setting.
COMPATIBILITY
There were no problems encountered using the wheel in any game, although you have to keep in mind that the only setting for the pedals is the same axis mode. So if you plan to use a racing game that actually uses separated axes, this is not the wheel for you.
PERFORMANCE
The wheel took some time to get used to since I was accustomed to smaller diameter wheels, resulting in my laptimes being slightly off, yet in racing every little bit counts! The shifter was a bit flimsy. If you plan on using buttons for those other chores without going back to the keyboard, dont try it with this base model. In order for you to use pedals you would have to purchase a button kit. This is the problem I am having with this model. I see no reason not to add two more buttons to the whole system anyway. Why did they choose to only use a shifter to act as buttons 1 and 2?
If you plan on racing and you want to keep your hands on the wheel, you would think you need those buttons right? I do.
VALUE
Priced at $220 and taking into account its missing buttons, I don't think this is really good value for even a base model.
BOTTOMLINE
The TSW 2 is worth its weight in gold in the areas of longevity, durability and serviceability, but it is sorely lacking buttons for games that support a lot of macros nowdays. Bad. I feel they should add the buttons to the base model. There are cheaper systems that are just as reliable as the TSW 2, that do come with these buttons. And to think Car and Driver rated this one high up in the charts. Get real! The decision is yours. If you like pure racing its pretty good, if you like anything else too, it isnt up to the comparison with the competition.
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| Author: |
01-09-2002 |
| I totally disagree with this author's opinion of the TSW2. I have used ACTLABS, MS Sidewinders, Thrustmaster wheel (T2, FF, Nascar Pro Digital), and this wheel is by far the best wheel. I had the split-axis and buttons options added to mine, which solves those issues brought up by the author. Many options can be added by the user as desired. This wheel is not about being pretty, it is about precision control with reliability. I find it works well in all car sim games from Ubisoft to Nascar2002. I will agree with one point the author made. It is pricey, but after 10 years of sim racing with plastic toys, I was more than willing to pay for a serious dependable wheel. I race every day, so my wheel gets a real workout. The TSW2 is one year old and still working like new. I have only had to change one steering pot, which took all of 10 minutes, with no prior experience doing such. I highly recommend it! |
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| Author: |
27-09-2002 |
| ive got the a tsw sport after going through ms sidewinder-thrustmaster ferrari i ponied up and am very happy for 500$ last wheel ill ever buy so i totally dissagree with you |
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| Author: |
27-09-2002 |
| ive got the a tsw sport after going through ms sidewinder-thrustmaster ferrari i ponied up and am very happy for 500$ last wheel ill ever buy so i totally dissagree with you |
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| Author: |
25-11-2002 |
| TSW is a racing wheel, not even meant to be a gaming wheel. So, why even go there! |
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| Author: |
25-11-2002 |
| I have used the TSW for over a year, and never been more satisfied with a wheel. |
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| Author: |
13-01-2003 |
| I'm currenly using a Wingman FF GP wheel its served me well for 18months but now its shot. I'm going with a TSW2/Modified- also will be upgrading to the Ball Bearing Steering Shaft. |
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| Author: |
03-03-2003 |
| I have had my TWS for over a year using it for both Pappy and MCO when I first got it I was amazed at the feel and prescion it had, it was glass smooth and it improved my lap time significantly, but if u run windows XP u might experience some twichyness in the steering as I have. I havent figure out how to fix it if anyone knows a solution please help. |
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| Author: |
22-06-2004 |
| I have owned plentty of other wheels ... Right up to when I bought my TSW2 Modified ... Had it for 3 years now ... Still as good as the first day I pulled it out of the box ... The writer of this article is so full of BS ... must be a KID and knows not what he speaketh of ... BEST WHEEL I have ever used ... if I get another wheel ... It will be anothe TSW ... but I don't see current TSW wearing out anytime soon! |
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| Author: |
26-09-2004 |
| TSW-2 Cup wheel rules. split axis, ball-bearing shafts, 13 inch wheel. it is so precise and smooth. well worth the money |
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| Author: |
18-04-2006 |
| Hmmmmm...200.00 to over 1,000 for a gaming device (yes a gaming device by any fancy name) without force feedback.......nah. I'll stick w/my 3yr old MSFFPro. Crazy people. "There's a sucker born every minute". -P. T. Barnum |
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| Author: |
17-06-2006 |
| I have the base model tsw2. Only upgrade I made was to add the rubber pads to the pedals. Don't need no stinking buttons, haven't missed them. I have used Thrustmaster, Logitech(3 differents models) and MS Sidewinder(my favorite of the plastic toys). Yes the TSW has a no frills look, but I'm not worried about my pedals wearing out every six months and having to buy a new wheel. The feel of the wheel, and the weight of the pedal base, all very nice. I am a daily online racer, and this wheel will last me forever, since that is the warranty period. And you are talking smack about the C&D guys. |
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