Fanatec Announcements: CSW V2 Reviews Out

[sandboxgod]

http://www.motorworldhype.com/2011-...orza-motorsport-4-steering-wheel-update-andy/

"So I have a small update on the Fanatec Forza Motorsport 4 wheel. First off there will be two models available. A “standard” and “elite”. The standard looks to come with what any other wheel would however the wheel is much beefier than the offical Xbox wheel and features metal construction. It also appears to come with a metal pedal set. The elite has a more stout electric motor which I would venture to guess has more accuracy than the standard. It also comes in a different housing and features a carbon fiber center piece. What really sets the elite version apart is that it can take attachments such as a handbrake or H-pattern shifter. I will try to get more info from the Fanatec guys tomorrow. I will also have some video of the wheel in action. In the meantime check out the pictures I shot of the wheel at the Forza Motorsport 4 exhibit."

No one seems to know much of anything. I expected to know more than these little tidbits by now.

Q: Hey where is the DPAD???? Is it that little knob on left???

 

[Mr Latte]

So ANYONE for GOLF, LOL...

Yeah its a golf club......

 

[Spagetti69]

So ANYONE for GOLF, LOL...

You misread. It's a handbrake out of a Golf.

 

[Spagetti69]

Sonacs handbrake video seems to confirm head tracking whilst sitting behind a wheel.

Not that I doubted for a minute mind.....

 

[Mr Latte]

Sonacs handbrake video seems to confirm head tracking whilst sitting behind a wheel.

Not that I doubted for a minute mind.....

Have we seen a video of Head Tracking and the Triple Display Yet?
Curious if that will work, they dont seem to have Kinect on the motion cockpit for well obvious reasons.

 

[Spagetti69]

Have we seen a video of Head Tracking and the Triple Display Yet?

Not sure.

Would you really need it with 3 screens.
I would imagine turning your head and moving your eyes naturally to the end screens would be the most realistic option.

I like head tracking but whilst your view changes your eyes remain towards the centre.

Hope I explained myself ok.

 

[AGP5000]

With 3 screens, you do not need the kinect. It is only for use with 1 screen. Also, from what I think, that IS the CSS. It is in an anodized steel casing, and aluminum shifter. Unfortunately not gated. But, I could be wrong, that is MY opinion.

Secondly, I would like to get peoples ideas as to what you think these will cost. I think the CSR or Elite wheel will be about $500-750. The non-elite will be $250 including standard pedals and regular shifter. It seems the non-elite is made for a budget, xbox/pc only in mind wheel for a better price. Again ALL my opinion. And I would like to hear what others think.

Thomas, do not have too much fun over our speculating!

 

[Mr Latte]

Not sure.

Would you really need it with 3 screens.
I would imagine turning your head and moving your eyes naturally to the end screens would be the most realistic option.

I like head tracking but whilst your view changes your eyes remain towards the centre.

Hope I explained myself ok.

It worked in GT5 TT with triples.
I know what you mean that your peripheral is wider but still having that and tracking is a nice sensation if it performs well.
Many PC sim racers have both triples & tracking.

Effectively you can then get even more than what 1x additional screen Left/Right gives you. So at times it can be handy.

 

[ceth]

Agree with Spagetti69. I see head tracking as being an ersazt of a multiscreen setup.

edit: about the shifter, there is no way this would be the CSS. It only is the old shifter with a new case to fit with the new wheels.

 

[Spagetti69]

I know it straying off topic but whilst were talking about FOV.

FM3 had a workaround to enable adjustable viewing on a single screen.

I hope they implement it via a pause button and allow to adjust individually for normal people who can't afford all this gear.

It's not too late Turn 10. Get on it.

 

[Mr Latte]

Agree with Spagetti69. I see head tracking as being an ersazt of a multiscreen setup.

edit: about the shifter, there is no way this would be the CSS. It only is the old shifter with a new case to fit with the new wheels.

Dont want to sound annoying but.
It allows you to look into a corner or a mirror that you might not see on a static screen.

However you ALWAYS only have a single screen width expereince and thats still with head tracking not like what a fulltime triple screen experience provides.

 

[sandboxgod]

With 3 screens, you do not need the kinect. It is only for use with 1 screen. Also, from what I think, that IS the CSS. It is in an anodized steel casing, and aluminum shifter. Unfortunately not gated. But, I could be wrong, that is MY opinion.

Secondly, I would like to get peoples ideas as to what you think these will cost. I think the CSR or Elite wheel will be about $500-750. The non-elite will be $250 including standard pedals and regular shifter. It seems the non-elite is made for a budget, xbox/pc only in mind wheel for a better price. Again ALL my opinion. And I would like to hear what others think.

Thomas, do not have too much fun over our speculating!

Assuming the Elite is in the same ballpark as the T500rs in which I am still dubious on; I would say around $400 tops. non-elite version will surely be cheaper than the GT2 + standard pedals. I'd go with bout $180 (same price range as Fanatec Carrera)

so far in those Elite vids I dont see anyone 'struggling' or fighting with the wheel. In the early t500rs vids the press looked like they were fighting for their life. Of course FM4 might be a different beast. maybe they gimped FFB or something. In GT5, the X1 seems to always be a battle with the t500rs even with FFB set to like 2

 

[AGP5000]

@sandbox, look at the interior of the elite. That has remnants of an ECCI or TSW. Both are in the high hundreds/low $1000 range. Thomas has also stated he wants to make a marketable wheel for the masses that will blow the competition away. I hopw you are right with $400ish, but most likely, a little bit more. It seems to be an amazing wheel that I will order in a heartbeat!

I hear ALL the time that people want a cheaper, but Fanatec wheel for the 360. Hopefully with this one being licensed a certain way perhaps, can be done. No one really wants the MadCatz wheel at all if they are somewhat serious on their online racing. So, I hope for the best!

 

[Mr Latte]

Okay back to the wheels...

I think this is the only main image of the front so far...
This is BIG guys and the report the "Elite" verison has more taught FFB is IMO down to the "Elite" having dual motors over 1 primary motor that all other Fanatec wheels have had for the wheels resistance.

Thomas seems to really of wanted to take on the T500 and additional FFB was a major factor for the T500 RS appeal.

 

[sandboxgod]

Yeah I recall Thomas stating that was his goal but he said that would take a lot of time and R&D. Plus he just started gathering input from the fans just like 2 weeks ago? I doubt they engineered a new wheel that fast however I'm no electrical engineer / wheel maker

you know what, Thomas discussed the R&D part a long time ago. Way back when engadget review came out in the comments section. He has been taking the t500rs apart since then. So you guys are right this is probably their response

 

[djcslice]

You can bet with a pedal set (csp) and shifter (css), the elite will be in the 600-800 range. Its meant to be a rival/response to the t500rs, its going to be in that price point. That being said, I think that the elite wheel by itself would be around 400-500.

I would venture to guess that the standard version would be around the gt2 price point, especially if its actually compatible with all systems.

 

[Franjo]

Very interesting pics and info.

I really hope that isn't the ClubSport Shifter. Interested to see all the info today! They still haven't shipped my damn GT2

 

[kasey435]

Franjo,

Me either. A guy on isr said he wrote them, and they told him next week. Hard to believe something would sit at customs that long.

 

[sandboxgod]

Yeah if Fanatec is serious about stepping it up to the big boys they need to get these new Forza wheels mass produced. No more excuses.

I wouldn't mind paying a little more for the Elite if it hit stores. when I'm paying this kind of cash I want to be able to trial it for 30 days + not have to wait months to get my merchandise

More importantly, just get the merchandise shipped out after 1 month wait tops. Anything beyond that is crazy for sho'

 

[AGP5000]

Guys, I just emailed the warehouse in CA to see where the GT2 shipment status is. Hopefully shortly, the woman will respond. If not, at least I tried for you guys.......

 

[kasey435]

I wrote the general contact this morning. so we will see

 

[Crispy]

I really hope the standard is just compatible with FM4, so that when I get the GT3 RS I can just get that wheel for a good price, and play with my current pedals.

 

[AGP5000]

Ok, here is the news. I just spoke with Claudia O in the CA warehouse. The wheels cleared customs on Monday. They are working feverishly to process and get the orders to UPS. It will take a few days to get them out. So depending on when you placed your order, you will receive notices by order date.


e-mail from the warehouse,

Anthony, I am glad I could help and yes it is correct customs held this up for inspection for over a week. It really put us in a bind because all the customers are waiting but all orders shipping this week.

Have a great day.

Best Regards,
Please note my new telephone extension is 3550.
Claudia Ochoa

 

[kasey435]

So we will just get an email from ups when they ship?

 

[AGP5000]

first you get an email invoice from Endor, then within 48hrs, you will receive and email from UPS.

 

[sandboxgod]

Good looking out for them AGP (Ant? heh)

 

[AGP5000]

Ant? meaning? I consider myself a small time consumer advocate as well. I was just doing my duty lol. But, hopefully, this clears up the mass confusion/madness that was the GT2.

I was very lucky to get mine in February. And enjoy the hell out of it! I tried to pry some info about the new wheels and shifter shipment dates, but she wouldn't budge lol.

 

[MisterStatic]

Ant? meaning? I consider myself a small time consumer advocate as well. I was just doing my duty lol. But, hopefully, this clears up the mass confusion/madness that was the GT2.

I was very lucky to get mine in February. And enjoy the hell out of it! I tried to pry some info about the new wheels and shifter shipment dates, but she wouldn't budge lol.

Thanks AGP.

 

[kasey435]

first you get an email invoice from Endor, then within 48hrs, you will receive and email from UPS.

So do you think we will get another "your order will ship now" email from fanatec. Cause we already got one last wednsday.

 

[Franjo]

Agp,

Thanks for the info!

Now I just need to see what the CSS is all about! I really hope its not the one in the pictures, I was expecting better. I'm sure that's just the standard shifter for the new wheels.