groovy game gear spinner - mini steering wheel

[Loafmeister]

Hey folks,

Searching the forums didn't appear to turn up anything obvious so if this has been asked, my apologies.

Does anyone know if the mini-steering wheel that fits on top of the Groovy game gear spinner fit on top of competitor spinners like the tornado?  There is no doubt the GGG spinner is of a higher quality, but my existing tornado does the job and I'm not up for an upgrade yet BUT I certainly would still want to attach the mini-steering wheel to it... if that's possible.

Thanks,

Loaf

[fatfingers]

Yes, it will fit a tornado spinner.

[TPB]

The question is whether Randy will sell it to you.   


He's only sold the steering wheel in conjunction with the TT2 in the past.

He hasn't sold it as a stand-alone accessory for "other" spinners, as he can't warrant whether your spinner will properly function with the wheel, nor whether your spinner is built strong enough to withstand the weight of the wheel (and the forces imposed by it) without suffering permanent damage.

[Ginsu Victim]

So what if someone already had a TT2 and wanted to add a wheel later? What then?

[RoomTenONine]

So what if someone already had a TT2 and wanted to add a wheel later? What then?

IIRC, Randy said in a previous thread that he would sell the wheel to those that ordered a TT in the past.  He was just concerned about it fitting on other spinners because it wasn't designed for them.  I do think he made exceptions for some folks who emailed/PM'd.

This is just off the top of my head remembering some older thread, so take this for what you will.

[FrizzleFried]

I have a "first edition" of the mini wheel.  You can have it cheap if you want it.  I've used it a total of about an hour...

...it's just way way way too annoying to have to pull the spinner top off and put this thing on...a much better design would have been one that slipped over the spinner top (but with so many spinner tops,  I can see that being a pain in the ass as well.

Bottom line is I don't use mine...ever.  You want it?

[TPB]

I have a "first edition" of the mini wheel.

There are different size wheels (5, 6, or 7 inch diameter).

By "first edition", do you mean the 5" wheel ?

As far as I'm aware, for a given wheel size, only the one edition (version) has been released.

[RetroGreg]

I have a "first edition" of the mini wheel.  You can have it cheap if you want it.  I've used it a total of about an hour...

...it's just way way way too annoying to have to pull the spinner top off and put this thing on...a much better design would have been one that slipped over the spinner top (but with so many spinner tops,  I can see that being a pain in the ass as well.

Bottom line is I don't use mine...ever.  You want it?

If Loafmeister doesn't want to buy your wheel attachment I would be interested. I have a TT2 and didn't get the wheel yet. What size is yours?

[destructor]

Yes, what size is the best, most comfortable? I always thought that biggest but what is true?

[RandyT]

There are different size wheels (5, 6, or 7 inch diameter).

By "first edition", do you mean the 5" wheel ?

As far as I'm aware, for a given wheel size, only the one edition (version) has been released.

The first wheel offering was 5" only.  We started running into quality issues with the manufacturer that required us to send back nearly half of every shipment, so we opted for a different model / manufacturer which also gave us the opportunity to offer a few different sizes.

RandyT

[Loafmeister]

I have a "first edition" of the mini wheel.  You can have it cheap if you want it.  I've used it a total of about an hour...

...it's just way way way too annoying to have to pull the spinner top off and put this thing on...a much better design would have been one that slipped over the spinner top (but with so many spinner tops,  I can see that being a pain in the ass as well.

Bottom line is I don't use mine...ever.  You want it?

yes, THANK YOU.  I'm sending you a PM so we can make proper arrangements.

To all:  Thank you for the numerous responses, appreciated.

- if the stress of using the wheel is too much for the wheel, then I guess I will then have a reason to upgrade and can get a higher resolution spinner. 

[Loafmeister]

Hey all,

Just a quick update: I got the mini-steering wheel from FrizzleFried and everything works ok. Thanks again FF, very quick shipping and pretty darn good price: thanks!

Although I agree the ultimate solution would be to get a wheel that fits on top of my spinner knob, this does the job.  At some point when I'm working on my next cab, I'll be upgrading to a higher resolution spinner (probably the GGG) with a larger wheel, 5" is a little small but dang it, I already had an easier time to play pole position than just using the spinner and that’s without using analog pedals, so thumbs up.

So what about those analog pedals?: I have a 270 degree USB steering wheel that works well (just don’t know how to attach it to the control panel yet). Anyway, I plan on keeping it connected but sitting beside the cab, therefore I can use its pedals with the mini-steering wheel and use the player 2 joystick as the “hi-low” shifter for those games that need it.

Randy:  I don't know how your new wheels “feel”, but this one has a good weight, feels pretty good.

[Sorex]

Loaf: can you put a picture of the steering wheel online? I can't find it on the GGG site

Randy: Any idea when someone is reading the website form posts, would like some response to my reseller question

[Ginsu Victim]

It's on THIS page

[Sorex]

thanks but I was hoping to see it attached to a panel so that I know how it's size is, will have a look at an inch > cm convertor to get an idea

I guess 7''  is half the size of this?




moto usa had such mini steer (not as on this picture but nearly half the size) here in Belgium if I recall right, on klov it's with a joy tho

[Loafmeister]

Loaf: can you put a picture of the steering wheel online? I can't find it on the GGG site

Randy: Any idea when someone is reading the website form posts, would like some response to my reseller question

No problem, I'll do so tonight.  If you don't see it, send me a PM, I'm forgetful!

[Sorex]

this one at arcadeshop seems to be a bit bigger than the 7"

http://www.arcadeshop.de/Pedals-Steering-Steering-Wheel-Kit-360_754.html

negative part is that it's mainly "sinked" in the panel from the front, well that what I thinks when I look at the document at the detail drawing link here

http://www.arcadeshop.de/images/specs/arcade-stwheel360-data.gif

rather have it just like a spinner where you attach the steer on it like those from GGG

[Loafmeister]

Truly, there's no doubt that a dedicated racing wheel is the answer, but for some, there's no real estate left on our control panel so this "spinner solution" fits perfectly but certainly, ergonomic wise, its' not perfect.

[Sorex]

yeah I know the feeling, barely have a spot to place my 2 player cabinet , so it's kind of drooling on those huge 4 player cabs people create here

[scotthh]

Sorex,



The panel is 24" x 8.25" with the 5" wheel.
Translated for the rest of the world:
The panel is 610mm x 210 mm with the 127mm wheel.

[Loafmeister]

Dang it, beat me to it

[cmoses]

Sorex,



The panel is 24" x 8.25" with the 5" wheel.
Translated for the rest of the world:
The panel is 610mm x 210 mm with the 127mm wheel.

Scotthh,

Is this a project you did?  Is there a link or any information on it?  I am MAMEing a cabinet that had been converted and was in some bad shape.  I am debating between a two player control panel with joysticks and buttons or a one player like the one pictured.  The fun of two player games vs. having more games to player but only one player.  Any info you have would be appreciated.  My control panel is a little smaller, 23 3/4" x 7" stock, the biggest problem will be the trackball.  Knievel did one in the same Taito cabinet, 2 players, 2 joysticks, 3 buttons each and a trackball in the middler.  He said it was very tough because there was barely enough room.

Thanks

[Sorex]

Scott,

Nice, but I guess it plays a bit better when placed at the front panel, not?

But as this appears to be a lap-panel it's a bit harder to make it like that.

Can that steer be easily be pulled off so that you have your plain spinner back?

[FrizzleFried]

The steering wheels are not held down by anything other than gravity.  Simply lift up and off.  The spinner knobs require a set screw (or two).

[RandyT]

Just wanted to add that if one is considering the Mini-Racer Wheel option for the TurboTwist2, they should consider one of the Stainless knobs we offer.  They use a special, non-galling set screw which protects the shaft.  Other knobs will likely kick up some metal on the surface if screwed down too tightly, which could interfere with the precision fit of the wheel.  If using those other knobs, just lightly snug the screw to prevent this.

And if you like the original wheel, you should really like the new ones.

RandyT

[destructor]

The steering wheels are not held down by anything other than gravity. 

Then SW can disconnect from spinner during nervous playing? It's not good.

[RandyT]

The steering wheels are not held down by anything other than gravity.

Then SW can disconnect from spinner during nervous playing? It's not good.

If you have a tendency to pull straight up on the wheel while playing, you should look elsewhere for a steering solution.  Pulling any other way binds it to the shaft due to the tight tolerances, so that's not a problem.

If you just turn / spin the wheel like normal folks do while playing, it doesn't come off and works quite well.  These wheels are heavy, so there's more holding force than you seem to be assuming.

RandyT