| General Information | Warranty | Controller Specs | FAQ |
General Information PC sim racers can be divided into two categories, the casual gamer and the competative driver. If you fall into the second category, then an off-the-shelf "toy" controller isn't going to cut it for very long. We at Thomas Enterprises recognized that back in the early '90's when the first quality racing simulations started appearing for the PC. We set out to build a wheel and pedal set that felt like it came out of an actual racecar, and would hold up to the rigors of long race sessions under strenuous conditions.
The TSW Evolution is the refinement of all the best features and design improvements we have made in the intervening years. A steel frame in both the steering controller and pedal controller provides unmatched durability and strength. Proven, reliable spring tensioning provides progressive but smooth wheel and pedal centering. Our latest electronics innovations, in the form of the Evolution Analog and Evolution Digital circuit boards, provide unmatched accuracy and stability with either potentiometers or optical encoders. We back our controllers with unmatched customer service and support, and provide a warranty that only makes sense because we know our controllers will last.
We offer many pre-configured controller packages, but don't feel like you're limited by the configurations as they are shown, we allow you to add and subtract specific features to suit your preference and budget. You can see a complete listing with detailed information about each of our products and upgrade options on the products page, but first read through the information provided below, because many of the common questions people have are answered here.
Points of interest:
The wheel clamps to the desk with a single L-shaped metal clamp, which requires 3 1/2" inches of clearance below the underside of the desk You can purchase a wheel or pedals separately, though it ends up costing less if you buy them at the same time Our controllers work only with PC or Mac
Warranty Information Steering and Pedal Controllers:
30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee:
____Return the controller within 30 days and we refund you all but the shipping and handling costPotentiometers, Optical Encoders and Cosmetics:
____90 days (cosmetics includes plastic covers, steering wheel coating, paint finish, etc..)All other components:
____LifetimeFor the first 30 days:
____We cover shipping costs if a controller has to be returned for warranty work (continental US only)Within 90 days:
____We cover the shipping cost of returning the controller to you if the controller needs to be returned for warranty work
____(continental US only)After 90 days:
____The customer is responsible for all shipping costs if a controller is sent in for warranty work
TSW Speedshifter:
30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee:
____Return the shifter within 30 days and we refund you all but the shipping and handling costCosmetics:
____30 days (cosmetics includes shift knob, shifter boot, paint finish, etc..)Detent Mechanism:
____1 year (detent mechanism includes parts involved in holding the shifter in neutral or in gear)All other components:
____3 years (shifter can still be serviced/repaired after 3 years, just not under warranty)For the first 30 days:
____We cover shipping costs if a shifter has to be returned for warranty work (continental US only)Within 90 days:
____we cover the shipping cost of returning the shifter to you if the shifter needs to be returned for warranty work
____(continental US only)After 90 days:
____The customer is responsible for all shipping costs if a shifter is sent in for warranty work or service
Controller SPECS
Steering Controller Dimensions: 15.5" wide x 7.5" deep x 6" tall
Steering Controller Weight: Approx 15 lbs.
Pedal Controller Dimensions: 11" wide x 11" long x 6" tall
Pedal Controller Weight: Approx 12 lbs.
TSW Speed Shifter Dimensions: 5 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" long x 13" tall
TSW Speed Shifter Weight: Approx 10 lbs.
Full Controller Shipping Box Dimensions: 18" x 18" x 12"
Shipping Weight: Approx 25-28 lbs
Standard Sport Steering Wheel Dimensions: 10.5" Diameter, 3" dish
GT Steering Wheel Dimensions: 10" Diameter, 0" dish
MOMO Mod 27c Dimensions: 10.5" Diameter, 0" dish
MOMO Mod 12c Dimensions: 9.75" Diameter, 0" dish
MOMO Mod 12 Dimensions: 9.75" Diameter, 0" dish
MOMO Mod 26 Dimensions: 10" Diameter, 0" dish
270 degree steering rotation lock-to-lock
~1000 points of raw input in the steering controller (Evolution Analog)
~1500 points of raw input in the steering controller (Evolution Digital)
~300 points of raw input in the pedals
FAQ
What is the difference between the TSW Evolution and a TSW or a TSW2?
The TSW Evolution is the 3rd major generation of our steering and pedal controller design. The original TSW that we first introduced in 1993 was an all-steel tubular-frame controller, which was labor intensive to weld and assemble. We came out with the TSW2 as a lower priced alternative around 1998 which utilized a particle board base for both pedals and wheel, but used steel parts where necessary. The TSW2 was quicker and less costly to make, but still required a lot of assembly time to go from raw materials to finished product. In 2006 we introduced the TSW Evolution, a hybrid of our controllers, utilizing a laser cut steel base reinforced with welded steel tubing. This new approach to the controller construction is used in both the pedals and the wheel and it allows us to significantly cut down the labor both in making the controller base, and in assembly, so that we can provide an all-steel controller for significantly less cost than the original TSW, and we can make it faster which means less wait time for the customer.
What's the difference between the TSW Evolution Analog and the TSW Evolution Digital?
In terms of on-track performance the Analog and Digital controllers would be hard to distinguish. Both provide a high resolution, stable (jitter-free) signal to your sim, which means very accurate precise detection of your wheel and pedal input. The analog controllers use potentiometers for position sensing, they work by reading the resistance change when you turn a shaft. A metal wiper with either a carbon or conductive plastic conductor is actually rubbing against a disk inside the potentiometer. With this kind of friction, over time a potentiometer will degrade and go bad, which you will see in your game as erratic behavior in calibration or in your control input. To combat this, we offer replacement potentiometers, and make changing them out very easy (instructions are provided in the user's guide). We offer two different grades of potentiometer, the DK pot is a carbon element pot with an approximate life span of 6 months to 1 year, the ETI pot uses a conductive plastic element, and it has a life expectancy of 1 to 3 years.
By contrast, the digital controllers use an entirely different method for position sensing, called an optical encoder. These devices look similar to a potentiometer, but they detect movement in a different manner. Essentially a wheel with tiny pinholes in it is being turned when you move your wheel or pedal, a light beam inside the encoder passes through those pinholes and the encoder reads how often the beam gets broken. Because of this, there is no friction, and thus no wear potential. An optical encoder should last you for as long as you own your controller. Also, being a digital device, there is no analog to digital conversion needing to be done to translate the rotation to the computer. With the analog controller, we need to use an antialiasing algorithm to clean up the signal of the potentiometers which would otherwise show up in your game as jittery behavior.
Lastly, though it's not a huge factor, the digital controller does provide a higher degree of accuracy vs. the analog controller. In the steering, the analog controller provides approximately 1000 steps of movement from lock to lock, while the digital controller provides approximately 1500 steps.
Can I pick and choose the features I want on my TSW Evolution controller?
Absolutely! We will build a controller with the exact features you request. That way you only have to pay for the features you'll use, and you don't have to settle for less than you might want. You've probably noticed that we have several controller models, all with different features, and you might have been having a tough time deciding which setup will work best. If you can't find a model that is ideal for your budget and sim racing requirements, you can simply begin with a TSW Stock Evolution Analog and pick and choose the options that you want, or if you're making only a minor change just add or subtract the desired features from any existing model. Write down the options and prices and you can compare any number of configurations to come up with the best choice for you. NOTE: If you're considering different steering wheel options, we will knock $15 off the price of the Stock model if you opt for a configuration which doesn't use the stock wheel.
Are your controllers USB?
All our controllers, including the TSW Speedshifter, have USB connectivity. They are compatible with the older USB 1.1 standard as well as USB 2.0.
Do your controllers work with game consoles like Xbox or Playstation?
Not at this time, though we may pursue console compatibility at some point down the road. Currently our controllers only work with the PC and Mac.
Do the controllers come with any software that I need to install?
No, our controllers use standard Human Interface Device (HID) drivers that are built into the operating system, so no software needs to be installed. Just plug the controller in, and you're ready to calibrate it. There is a free application called Joy To Key, that you may want to use with your controller. It allows you to program the controller's buttons to function as keyboard keys. You can download Joy To Key HERE.
Can I order the controller online?
Not at this time. We prefer to speak to our customers when ordering to be sure they are getting the right parts for their specific needs. We have so many upgrade options, not to mention the many different versions of controllers we've produced over the years, that an automated online ordering system would likely result in a lot of people ordering the wrong parts for their controllers. The preferred order method is to call during business hours and place your order by credit card. See the order page for more information.
How long after I place my order can I expect to get my controller?
Because we are a small company and we build the controllers by hand, during peak sales periods the wait time can get rather long, perhaps a few weeks. At other times, the turnaround might be only a few days. We expect to improve the turnaround time with our TSW Evolution controllers over what we were able to do with the TSW and TSW2, because the Evolution controllers are faster to build. Some of our products are available on a limited basis, such as the TSW Speedshifter, and the Evolution Digital controllers, with these the wait time can vary depending on just when you order and how it matches up with our production schedule. We update the news page periodically with the approximate turnaround time whenever it changes significantly. For the most up-to-date turnaround time, you can call or email us and we'll be happy to give you an estimate.Do your controllers have force feedback?
No. We use a spring return mechanism in the wheel and pedals which provides a smoother, more consistant and predictable feel than force feedback does. In our opinion force feedback is not the best choice for serious competative racing; the tradeoff of cost, reliabilty, and driveability has deterred us from developing a force feedback controller. The questionable benefits that force feedback provides, such as the slackening feel when a car gets loose, or the tighter feel you get when the car is pushing, are outweighed by the downsides. Who wants their steering wheel to go slack or turn abruptly just at the point when they need to make a quick correction? Who wants the wheel to jerk and jolt in their hand for no reason? Who wants to feel the notchiness of an electric motor resisting your steering input? It's our opinion that force feedback is much more likely to hinder you than help. As to arguments that it's more realistic, that only goes so far, some aspects of it may add to the realism, but most are artificially trying to replicate G-forces through the steering wheel, and that isn't realistic. If you're willing to tradeoff competativeness and reliability for those minimal aspects, then our controller may not be for you. We find that the audible and visual cues provided by the sim are just as easy to pick up on to get a feel for how your car is behaving. We've had many customers who have owned force feedback wheels tell us that they end up turning off the force effects or turning them down so much that they might as well not be using it.
Why does the TSW Speedshifter use an offset shift pattern instead of the traditional H-pattern?
When we designed the Speedshifter, we wanted a gated shifter that would not sacrifice performance for realism. An H-pattern shifter requires that you move the lever up, then over, then up again to go from 2nd to 3rd, or from 4th to 5th. That extra movement means you have to be pretty deliberate with the lever to avoid accidentally dropping it in the wrong gear, and that sacrifices precious tenths of seconds with each trip through the gears. Downshifting quickly through all the gears is a tricky task with that type of shift pattern. By offsetting the gears slightly as we have done, every gate position takes the same motion, a slight diagonal movement of the lever. At first it may seem odd, and the first time you shift with it, it may seem hard to get the desired gear without feeling the notch in the gate, however, I can assure you that with a bit of practice, the offset gate works amazingly, and you don't feel the notches in the gate at all. You are able to downshift from high gear all the way to low gear as quickly as you can with buttons/paddles, or with a sequential shift lever, and you never worry about missing gears. Some people have questioned the layout as being unrealistic, but with such a close shift pattern, it feels very natural to find each gear, just as it would in a real car. If this shift pattern were in any way inferior to a traditional H-pattern, we certainly would have gone that route, but it's so much better that we are willing to trade the element of "realism" for a better product.
How does the controller clamp to the desk?
The wheel clamps to the desk with a single removable L-shaped metal clamp which requires 3 1/2" inches of clearance below the underside of the desk.