Act Labs is not just your typical game control manufacturer, they actually are doing a lot of research and development on wheel and pedal units. Wheel and pedals controllers were missing several things to make them complete, and thats where Act Labs comes in. Their first wheel and pedal unit, RS, contains several innovative features that other units do not have.


I knew about the Act Labs RS wheel for quite some time. Actually, I kept track of it ever since it made its debut through my racing buddy that I talked to frequently on IRC, Mike West. Mike already told me about some of the features that made it stand out in comparison to other wheels.

Act Labs have added some new innovative concepts to the wheel market. One of the best features of the RS is its ability to be programmed.Also, instead of having just four buttons, the RS actually has seven buttons on the thick three-spoke steering wheel. First off there is a F1 style paddle shifter arrangement, with two added buttons. There are mode switch buttons and last but not least a 4-way hat. I am still thinking of some uses of the 4-way hat, but the only thing I can come up with is flight simulations, or perhaps a tank sim. Another innovative feature that Act Labs presents us with the RS is that it it ties the console and the control devices together. Usually the console and PC control devices are separate entities. With that being said, the RS could be a one-stop solution for the console and PC gamer. Finally, the RS connects to the PC's or console's gameport and the last step is selecting the proper mode switch configuration. The RS has a slot in the back of the wheel unit resembling something like a console unit. Just like a console unit, you plug in the appropriate cartridge for the gameport you would like to use. The cartridge basically is just a gameport connector. Of course, depending on which version of the RS you are going to purchase, PC or console, will dictate which cartridge you will have. Since I have the PC version of the RS, I would have to purchase the console cartridge to use the on the console machines.

They have also corrected known ailments with mass production wheel and pedal units. The known problems such as pedal units sliding under extreme panic situations have been solved with a nice design that really grips the floor.


CONTENTS

As you can see from the graphical design on the box, the Act Labs RS is beautifully made. Packaging is done via egg cartons and bubble plastic wrap. You get a CD for installing the software and drivers, and the included manual is very detailed and written in several languages. The manual looks like it was designed like a typical car owner's manual. Obviously you also get the wheel assembly, pedals and the cartridge unit. Everything in this whole area was done exceptionally well.


INSTALLATION

How hard could it be to install the RS? It's actually a breeze to install. You mount the wheel unit, which I might add is very big. It does take up some space on your desk. The wheel unit is mounted by using flywheel C-clamps that you turn to tighten onto the desktop. From there, plug the PS/2 style connectors from the pedals into the wheel assembly. The last physical step is to insert the cartridge into the rear of the wheel unit and take the cable and connect it to your PC's gameport. I might add that the RS is very light, so if you have one of those pullout keyboard drawers, there will be no problems with the drawer falling off or anything.

The next step is to boot and install the Act Labs RS software from the CD. The software helps you program profiles you would like to have on the RS. But obviously you can't program a wheel if it's not noticed in the Game Controllers applet. So, in order for you to install the RS wheel, you have to be in the Game Controllers applet and add a new controller. The driver is located on the CD. This whole process was so easy that a 7-year-old could do this! Thanks to the manual.

I do like the Macromedia Director programming for the menu interface when the CD is being Autoplayed. I love Macromedia stuff! The menu interface also includes an online manual for the RS.


HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY

The RS seems to have a problem with PDPI Lightning 4 game cards. There should be something coming though I am not allowed to speak about it.