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INTRODUCTION
Being a product reviewer/analyst certainly has its perks. Companies come to you to examine and test their newest products in a matter of fact fashion. Occasionally, you will have to ask them but once in their good graces you are all set.
Since I have probably been an auto racing simulation enthusiast for at least a decade or so, I can say that I have tried almost every product that was or still is available for the PC auto racing community. These products range from mass-produced pieces to high dollar exotic units - that are only for the faint of heart.
Gear changes can only be as realistic as the type of racing product they are trying to emulate. I feel paddles are a joy for F1 games but they don't give you the sensual experience of shifting gears in a stock or production car, as these types of vehicles use a H-pattern with a stick to manipulate the gears. But stick shifters will lack the immersion factor you need when driving F1 games. Using buttons for the shifting chore is a joke, IMHO. And then there's the two-way shifter - think sequential shifting - it would work great for CART racing games but would be lacking in others. Obviously you can tell that each type of shifter has its pros and cons.
Having used ACT LABS racing system products for the past several years, I was happy to see that they developed an add-on product called the RS Shifter. The RS Shifter is a device that resembles an H-pattern yet houses eight gates for gear manipulation (7 FWD gears and reverse) that in turn connects to the RS Shifter Engine Cartridge.
I am really looking forward to trying this product out as I have waited for so long for a H-pattern shifter!
WHAT IS IN THE BOX?
- The RS Shifter contains the following items:
- RS Shifter
- RS Shifter Engine Cartridge
- Mounting bracket
- RS Shifter Manual
- RS Shifter Software CD
- Accessory 6-Speed Shifter Plate
- Accessory Legacy Mode Shifter Plate
As I started to read the multilingual manual, I was pleased I didn't get lost in the documentation. Everything was explained rather clearly so that I or anyone else shouldn�t get confused during the installation and operation procedures.
HOOKING IT UP!
My first step was to remove my FORCE RS from my desk and install the RS Shifter Engine Cartridge. This meant removing the FORCE RS Engine Cartridge and inserting the new apparatus in its place. The next step involved inserting the FORCE RS Engine Cartridge atop of the RS Shifter Cartridge. This is required because you still need the cartridge for operation of the FORCE RS.
Mounting RS Shifter is quite flexible for people that drive with the gearshift on either the left or right side since you have the ability to mount the shifter on either side of the FORCE RS or RS. Using the mounting bracket provided, you first unscrew four screws under the RS Shifter and use one of the two sets of four holes to mount the shifter. So since I am in the U.S., I installed the shifter on the right hand side. Next, you need to affix the mounting bracket on your desk and then put the wheel on top of it and finally tighten down the system. This is how the RS Shifter is fastened. The next step involves making the same connections as you did originally, when you installed your RS/FORCE RS but you need to add one more connection for the RS Shifter since it has it's own. Depending on which wheel you have, you need to make the RS Shifter connection onto the RS Shifter Engine Cartridge. There will be two connections on the right side of the unit, just make sure that it is connected to the proper one. It's that easy!
Software installation for those of you that have a FORCE RS setup, isn't required, as it will use your existing software. But for RS owners, you will need to install the software provided with the RS Shifter.
SNATCH, SNATCH!
After the installation procedure was completed, I noticed that the RS Shifter is tilted back several degrees and was a bit high for my tastes. This setup reminded me of an Alfa Romeo gear shifter arrangement. These cars have their shifter set high and at an awkward angle. I also felt the shifter was a bit too close to the wheel, so I loosened off the clamps and slid the RS Shifter out some distance. But I found if you go to far, the mounting bracket seems to slide around. So I had to move the unit back in a couple of inches.
Being a big advocate of Hasbro's NASCAR Heat, I decided to try the RS Shifter in the game as it is supported. After configuring the shifter, it was now time to hit the track, preferably a road course! My first impressions were, this thing is unreal! Freaking awesome! Holy Sh*t! This thing really makes me feel like I am shifting gears in a car! Cool, I can go to any gear I want! After about 30 minutes of driving/racing, I felt that the mounting location of the shifter was too high for me. I am used to shifting the gears -depending on the car -near my waist or rib cage area. So what I did was unloosen the clamps and pull the mounting bracket/RS Shifter out. I sat there thinking where do I put it. Currently, I have the FORCE RS and RS Shifter mounted on my pullout keyboard drawer. Having a right angle desk can be quite frustrating since I had nowhere else to mount the wheel. Then, I thought why not get some spare MDF board down in the basement and use it under the FORCE RS. Slide the wheel right at the middle of where the two desks adjoin each other. Then mount the RS Shifter back down to the keyboard drawer and use some pan head wood screws into the remaining four holes not being used. After all of that was accomplished, I decided to go back into NASCAR Heat and try again. After several minutes, I realized this arrangement was much better than before as the shifter now sits lower and to the right. This just feels almost perfect!
When you first run the shifter through the gates, the feel is overall crisp but is somewhat notchy and reminiscent of a Ferrari gearbox on a cold morning when the warm oil hasn't spread to all the gears. Now this isn't all bad, as you will know if you are in gear or not. You will hear the shifter as you run through the gears but watch out if you miss a shift. I have had this happen to me several times and when you hit the gate you will be rewarded with the sickening sound of the engine over revving! When the shifter is in a neutral position, it resides between third and fourth gear.
SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY
In order for you to use the RS Shifter in all its glory, the game has to support it. If you want to know which games have support for the RS Shifter, just go to the ACT LABS website. There you will find a list of games that are supported. If a game does support the product you can either use the default settings for the shifter or use/purchase an overlay that sits atop the metal gate. When applied you will just see the gears from the overlay to be used. One thing you need to know is, when you install the RS Shifter it will take the place of the several buttons on the RS/FORCE RS buttons/paddles. For example, buttons 1 and 2 are being used on the shifter as 3rd and 4th gear so those buttons 1 and 2 on the wheel no longer will work. You also have the ability to assign a gear if don't like the default arrangement in a game.
If a game doesn't support the RS Shifter, you can use the Legacy Mode Shifter Plate, this plate just uses HI and LO gears in an up and down arrangement that is identical to Thrustmaster's shifter arrangement with their products.
CONCLUSION
The RS Shifter is a great addition for any racing fanatic that wants to indulge him or herself in making their racing experience as real as possible. This thing just kicks ass!
The only bad thing I can find about the product is when you are playing a F1 racing game be prepared to shift like a madman rowing a boat. This is where I prefer to use paddles but in order to do this you need to unplug the RS Shifter to use them. (Hmm, I think I better get used to those new ACT LABS paddles!) It would be nice if there was some type of switch to disable the shifter without disconnecting the RS Shifter.
Be sure to visit the ACT LABS website for any new accessory shift plates for the RS Shifter. All that is really needed now is a clutch pedal from ACT LABS! Hopefully, that isn't off in the too distant future!
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