Frequently Asked
Questions
You have
questions, I have answers. If you don't see your question
here, fire me off an email and I will answer the best I can.
My email is derek.speare @
derekspearedesigns.com
Q - What
happens when I place my order?
A - You will receive a personal order confirmation by email to the
email address you have of record with paypal. I normally send
confirmations within a couple of hours, and I monitor my email
nearly all day. Your order confirmation will indicate the
component you've ordered and when it will ship to you. Thank
you in advance if you make an order!
Q –
How do I connect my box, shifter or DSD circuit to my
computer? Is it easy?
A – My USB
components are perfectly easy and truly plug and play. Your
device simply connects to a USB port on your computer and Windows
will handle the rest. Windows will identify it as a game
controller.
Q - Do
you supply a USB cable with your boxes or
shifters?
A - USB Cables are not
supplied. All of my devices use the Type A to B and that's
the same cable found for any USB printer - they're very common and
most folks have extras.
Q – How do I program
my box in iRacing or other sims?
A – You
configure your box as you would with your wheel or other
devices. Simply choose a function to which you wish to
designate a control and press the button on your button box.
Q - How
can I mount my box or Velocity?
A - I recommend the Ram Mount. Please refer to the below
template for moutning diagrams and recommendations.
Download Ram Mount
Guide Here
Q – Can I connect more than one box
to my computer?
A – Yes, and I
have personally verified that iRacing will use two boxes, a wheel
with pedals and another USB game pad simultaneously. The USB
components I manufacture are fully compatible with Windows 7.
They are recognized as simple game controllers. Any Windows 7
title which will use a game controller will see my USB
devises.
Q –
Can I order a customized component?
A – All of my
components are designed and configured to ensure durability,
longevity and to be good looking. I would like to make
individual customizations, but it is not possible. I can
offer a box with all red, black, blue, yellow or green buttons in
place of other colored buttons.
Q -
From what material are your components
constructed?
A - All of my
boxes are made from ABS plastic and other various composite
plastics. Shifters are aluminum, steel and other
materials.
Q –
Do you take paypal?
A – Paypal is
my exclusive payment management system.
Q –
What is the method of shipment you use?
A – I ship your
components exclusively via the United States Postal Service’s
Priority Mail or First Class Mail. The fee for shifters and
boxes is 10.95 and delivery is within 2-3 days. When I ship
your order, you will get automatic notification via paypal of the
shipping information. For international orders, I use the US
Postal Service's International Priority Mail service. The fee
is 23.95 USD.
Q -
Where do you get your components?
A - I source
all of my components from industrial suppliers in the United
States. My materials, enclosures buttons, switches, wiring,
circuits, etc. are all obtained from suppliers who have been in
business for many years and sell hundreds of millions of dollars
worth of product annually the world over.
Q -
How long does it take to receive button
box?
A - I do
my orders in groups to manage the work flow. Once you make
your order, you will receive a confirmation email from me.
From there I average 22 days to when your order is shipped.
The main page of my site offers my promised shipping dates. I
also look to keep as many devices on hand for immediate
shippment. The main page of the site will indicate what is
immediately available.
Q - Do your boxes have options for rotary
switches?
A - Yes - some
new controllers will be released with rotary
switches.
Q -
Do you offer boxes with rotary encoders?
A - Yes.
Please see my Velocity Input Interface or the Black Max
II.
Q - How do you program rotary encoders on my
box?
A - Rotary encoders
on all DSD Componnets are treated as any other button or
toggle. You designate a function to an encoder in the same
manner by which you designate functions to your other buttons,
etc.
Q - What
is the difference between the rotary encoder and two way toggle
switch?
A - The
difference is mechanical. The toggles are acuated each time
they are pressed in either direction and will repeat a unique
function for each time they are pressed in the intended
direction. Rotary encoders turn infinitely in both
directions, and they simply repeat a funtion in one direction and a
different function in the other.
Q - How do I mount my Button Box or Velocity
Controller?
A - I recommend the
Ram Mounting Systems mounts. Please see
http://www.ram-mount.com for all of their moutning solutions.
Use your own best judgment on what is right for your sim racing
space. Refer to the download at the bottom of this page for
some Ram Mounts which may work for you. A printed copy of the
template is included with every order.
Q - Do you offer
customized components?
A - Here are
the questions I ask when considering a custom request:
1 – Does the
component create something new or innovative?
2 – Is the part
of potential interest to the Sim Racing Community as a
whole?
3 – Is the
component more than a simple change to something I currently offer?
If any question
is “no”, then I don’t consider it. If all three are yes, I
may or may not consider something. However, more times than
not, requests are not considered.
Q -
How long does it take for international
shipping?
A - Please
allow a minimum of 10 to 15 working days for international
deliveries. In many cases it’s less, but in other cases it’s
longer. I ship thousands of orders all over the world
annually, and they all arrive to where they are
shipped.
Q-
Do you offer invoicing?
A - No – Full
payment is expected in advance, and orders are made via my site
with paypal.
Q -
What type of connectors do you recommend to use on your circuit
boards?
A - Use two or
three pin, female jumpers. You can find truckloads of them on
ebay. All header pins are spaced at 0.100" (2.54mm), a
standard pin spacing convention.
Q - I
want to put your logo on my car - can I use your
logo?
A - Certainly! Many of my customers and friends run my logo
on their cars. I appreciate it much!!
Download DSD
Official Logo Here
Q - Do you have decals?
A - Yes! I have some decals, but I admit
they are not the best. Print them out on label paper and
you'll be good. I am making efforts to produce some cool
decals, and if you have those kinds of skills send me an
email!
Download DSD Decals
Here
Q - Are your
products ROHS compliant?
A - The
Reduction Of Hazardous Materials effort is a serious matter, one I
consider to be necessary, responsible and important. I make
every effort to source ROHS compliant components when they can be
obtained.
Q - Do you offer components or products not
shown on here on the DSD
Site?
A - No. If it's not listed here, it's not offered.
