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INTRODUCTION The age of the analog controller device is slowly coming to an end. Yes, there are still some fantastic analog steering devices out there such as the ECCI and TSW's. However, they cannot provide the same precise control that a digital wheel can and in almost all cases are more expensive. Furthermore, they currently cannot offer any kind of Force Feedback. This may be just fine for many of you out there, and I completely understand. I was never a huge fan of the idea behind Force Feedback technology, at least in its previous form. However, times do change and so has my opinion! I always thought that competing online using Force Feedback would be a disadvantage because you would be experiencing an "obstacle" that the analog wheel users were not. This would be true if all Force Feedback did was provide a few rumbles when you come into contact with something. However, when the technology is emerging such that you can start to "feel" the handling of the car, Force Feedback can not only add to the immersion of simulator racing, but also give you an advantage. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The Force RS wheel will work with virtually any PC. The disclosed minimum requirements are a 486 or higher processor, 2X CD-ROM, 5MB of hard disk space, DirectX 5 or higher, and a free serial or USB port. I highly suggest Windows98 and USB to avoid any conflicts you might have with using a serial modem and a serial steering device at the same time for online racing. The Force RS comes with both a USB and serial connector included. Whatever you do, DO NOT connect both at the same time! MY SETUP
I tested the ACT LABS Force RS on NASCAR Racing 3, Grand Prix Legends, Viper Racing, and Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit. PRICE The ACT LABS Force RS has a suggested retail price of $139.00. However, you may find it on the net for less than that. I did not look extensively, but I have seen it listed as low as $119.00. For less than $120, the ACT LABS Force RS is one heck of a bargain for a quality steering device! INSTALLATION
NOTE: ACT LABS has new drivers available on their web site. I suggest you download and use those before installing from the CD. BAM! You are ready to use your new ACT LABS Force RS wheel. No calibration needed. You can go into the game controllers under control panel and play with the settings until they match your preference. Everyone seems to have different preferences when it comes to the strength of certain feedback characteristics so experiment until you find what you like. The Force RS also comes with a nice little utility that lets you create custom configurations for each racing simulation or game that you use. Note that you should check the "READ ME" file (You know, those little text files no one ever takes the time to read ) for each game/sim you use as some of them might have their own characteristics for setting up Force Feedback. For example, NASCAR Racing 3 from Papyrus has you put two lines in the N3.ini file with a value of 0 – 200 to set the relative strength of the Force Feedback tensions. The pedal base has 4 rubber grips, which work well on flat surfaces. The pedals have a decent amount of weight to them so they do not slide around under your desk too much. Not to mention you are pushing more down than back using these pedals. If you are like me and have a large anti-static rug protector, you may want to get some Velcro tape to make sure they remain firmly planted. The wheel unit has a very sound clamping system with only one limitation I can see. On my desk, I have a front "lip" which prevented me from mounting the wheel to my desk. The clamps did not lower enough to get under the "lip" on the front. So this is one thing to be aware of ahead of time. Not letting something this simple stop me, I simply went to the basement and got out the 'ol trusty hack saw and cut myself two ¾ in high grooves in the front "lip" just wide enough to accommodate the clamps. However, I do not believe this will be a common problem at all. This clamping mechanism does work extremely well to keep the unit in place. The wheel also has a good amount of weight to help keep it firmly stationed. ERGONOMICS For those of us who compete in races that are medium or longer in length, one thing we cannot overlook is the ergonomics of the steering device. I suffer as it is with my racing setup as I use one of those folding poker chairs with about ½ inch of cushion so my rear end is numb by the end of my races anyway. So, I cannot skimp on the comfortability of my steering device! I may have to add a leather back executive chair to see how it works for sim racing applications. THE WHEEL The wheel itself is extremely comfortable. It is wrapped in faux-leather, which is about as real of a feel as you can get without genuine leather in my opinion. The diameter of the wheel is large enough to give you a good leverage feel, but not too big to cause any problems with getting comfortable and mounting it on your desk. The diameter is about 10 ½ inches, which is about ¾ of an inch larger than the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro wheel. The circumference of the grip is also a bit larger than I'm use to, but again, it's extremely comfortable. I have used this wheel for hours at a time and have had no problems with "sweaty palms" or hand cramping. PEDALS I have to be honest. I was prejudice against the pedals for the Force RS from the start. I looked at the pictures on the ACT LABS web site and immediately said there is no way I will like those pedals! Well, I am here to eat my crow. When I pulled these pedals out, the first thing that came to mind was "odd". They definitely have a unique shape and are rather large. It gives you plenty of space to rest your left foot on for further stability. They are heavy and stay in place pretty well on their own. Although the pedal plates will not bring any images of F1 or NASCAR to your mind, they are OK. The movement of the pedals is down, instead of forward such as the case with most wheels like the Thrustmaster products. At first, the pedals seem to be a little "sticky", but after a few hours of use that went away. I guess I needed to wear the "new" off the pedals. Like I mentioned above, I sit in a folding poker chair at my computer desk and the pedals are in a very comfortable position for me to use. Pushing down on the pedals was a little different, but the pedals do have a little angle and swivel to them so it's not that hard at all to get use to. After about an hour or so of use, I was actually very surprised at just how much I enjoyed using this pedal base. The throw for the each pedal is long enough to give you good throttle response and control, but not too long. BUTTONS There are enough buttons on the Force RS to satisfy almost anyone! Technically, there are 10 buttons on the wheel including the paddles. However, there is a button on the center of the wheel that is more like a game pad as it can be programmed as 4 separate buttons. IE… up, down, left, and right. So there could be as many as 13 different buttons to be programmed for use. If you need more than 13 buttons while driving, I am not sure I want to be on a track with you . PADDLES This is one item that could be slightly improved upon. I use the paddles on the wheel for shifting. The Force RS does not currently have a gearshift (More on this later in the Upgrade ability section). The paddles are a tad short for the diameter of the wheel and have an oval shape at the end. They could improve this with just a little more length and a "T" shape instead of the oval. The paddles work in both directions. You can push or pull on the paddle to shift gears or whatever functions you have assigned to the them. FORCE FEEDBACK PERFORMANCE Of the three Force Feedback wheels I have personally used, the ACT LABS Force RS has the strongest and most pronounced feedback. It's a bit stronger than the Logitech Force Feedback wheel and seems to be quite a bit more forceful than the Microsoft wheel. I personally believe that you want a strong, forceful unit so that you have options in customizing for each characteristic you desire based on the game/simulation you are using. I personally like a strong "spring", which is a centering action. IE.. It works just like the spring in an analog wheel to return the wheel to the center position. However, if you like a relatively weaker effect, you can model that as well. You will need to spend a little time experimenting to get the effects "just right". The overall performance of this wheel is very good. There is a slight "notchy" feeling to the wheel, but its not overbearing. It seems to be more noticeable when using non-FF titles, but again it is not so much that it detracts from the precision control of this device. One of the big things I noticed when using this wheel is that I am a much smoother driver in terms of maintaining my line on the track. Above and beyond all, this wheel is just a joy and a lot of fun to use! It is easy enough to use for all the gamers out there, yet it is a "serious" enough wheel to meet the needs and expectations of the most dedicated sim racer. UPGRADEABILITY One thing many of you out there might like is that the ACT LABS Force RS is a very versatile unit! For around $20, you add a new cartridge that will allow you to enjoy this wheel on your Sony Playstation or Nintendo 64! That is a great value added into this wheel for gamers who switch between consoles and their PCs for gaming, excuse me, simulator racing . Also, as I mentioned earlier, some of you might be disappointed that the Force RS does not come with a gearshift. Well, worry no more! The crew at ACT LABS will soon be releasing the RS Shifter! The suggested retail price is $59.99, but as always you will most likely find it on the net for less. Click here for RS Shifter Review. QUALITY Sometimes it is hard to judge quality because I define quality in terms of long-term usage. Thus, I am not really able to judge the long-term durability of the unit until the actual time frame passes. So, what I can do is judge the unit on how it feels in regards to sound manufacturing. I have been using the wheel quite extensively lately and can tell you it is still as solid as the day I received it. The casing and wheel itself are very solid and there is not a lot of "slack" like you would expect to find if you had purchased an inexpensive analog wheel such as the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro. The wheel casing itself is plastic, but the way it is put together gives it a very solid feel. The bottom of the wheel unit and the clamping system are made of a sturdy metal. I would say that based on the feel of the unit, this wheel was built with quality and durability in mind. Time will tell the final outcome, as it is the only true method of review. CONCLUSION PROS:
CONS:
MY SUGGESTION Suggestion If you are in the market for a Force Feedback wheel, this is THE wheel to buy! The ACT LABS Force RS offers great quality, comfortable use, great features, and solid value. |
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Comments : |
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| Author: beedy | 29-07-2003 |
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Excellent, well written article. Thanks! |
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