Fanatec Clubsport Shifter SQ review

[ShodanCat]

Is there a diagram I can find with measurements for hard mounting etc?

edit: Derp, missed the link on Fanatec's own page...

 

[bthrun]

Something some of you with misbehaving shifters might try...

Let go of the stick when you calibrate each gear. See if that helps any...

What I mean is, shift into the gear, let go of the shifter, press the button on the wheel to go to the next gear, repeat.

I tried that. I also tried shifting into a higher gear prior to the correct gear, which did make a difference. Instead of the shifter going into 6th and 5th when downshifting into 4th and 3rd it would go into 1st and 2nd when up-shifting into 3rd and 4th. I also tried holding the shifter at the earliest possible point after hearing the switch engage, as close to neutral and the miss-shift gear as I could. This made a difference in the frequency of wrong gears, but did not really fix the problem. I guess the point is nobody should have to try to outsmart the calibration software/sensor in order to get their hardware to work correctly.

I have not heard back after submitting my video, but I'm pretty certain Fanatec will replace my shifter. Having to go through the process is a little frustrating, though.

 

[mrbasher]

I tried that. I also tried shifting into a higher gear prior to the correct gear, which did make a difference. Instead of the shifter going into 6th and 5th when downshifting into 4th and 3rd it would go into 1st and 2nd when up-shifting into 3rd and 4th. I also tried holding the shifter at the earliest possible point after hearing the switch engage, as close to neutral and the miss-shift gear as I could. This made a difference in the frequency of wrong gears, but did not really fix the problem. I guess the point is nobody should have to try to outsmart the calibration software/sensor in order to get their hardware to work correctly.

I have not heard back after submitting my video, but I'm pretty certain Fanatec will replace my shifter. Having to go through the process is a little frustrating, though.

Dang. Well it was worth a shot I suppose. That said, I completely agree with you.

For reference, should it help or should anyone like to know, I will explain how the shifter works a little. The left/right movement of the shifter is measured by what looked to me to be a pot, but I suppose it could have been a hall sensor, I didn't look close enough. It is however rotary and puts out analog values as you move the stick from left to right. It then has a microswitch that is engaged when you move the stick forward and one when it is moved back. Just two, not one for each gear.

The shifter outputs an X (left/right) and Y (up/down) for each gear, just like their Porsche shifters. However, the Y values are always the same for R, 1, 3, or 7 positions. They are also always the same for 2, 5, and 6 respectively. Same for neutral. The one variable here, and it's why you guys are having this problem is the X values which are more "analog" instead of OFF or ON. What this sounds like to me is that the sensor housing is being allowed to rotate, not providing enough separation between the gates (gears). Or, the connection between the shifter assembly and rotation portion of the sensor is loose. This confuses the wheel of course since they may overlap.

At any rate, in this topic alone we have 3 people apparently without issues. The rest have this issue, two of them partially fixed it for now it sounds by blowing air in there...

If these pieces of equipment were actually tested before being sold, I don't see how this could happen. Kinda sad really...

 

[Dian_]

So many defective shifters, it does not sound right! We must be missing something.
I am still waiting on feedback from Fanatec support.



It does not make sense, your shifter is not working properly! it should be operating flawlessly, we are not talking about some cheap plastic thingy here

The same problem with my CSS QS, I wrote to the support team and they said it was defective and they will replace it. On Monday, I will send my CSS to them.

 

[paskowitz]

Well, mine started to act up again. I took the top plate of and blew an air can into the sensor area. A little bit of dust came out and a hair or two (eeeww). Fixed the problem. It seems to me the gap where the shifter comes out lets debris in and this messes with the sensor. Maybe I should install a little leather cover and see if this prevents anything.

 

[magicaldog]

What if you drive a car with paddles in a race and then the next race you want to use the stick !

Do you have to change the configuration in the game settings then ?

Is it all up to the game ?

 

[oqvist]

Most games i run on pc let me assign both seq and he hshifter controls. So it's the change of knob that take time

 

[magicaldog]

Most games i run on pc let me assign both seq and he hshifter controls. So it's the change of knob that take time

So paddles and seq use the same settings then ???

 

[oqvist]

unique buttons so you don't need to remap them can change while racing.

 

[magicaldog]

I had similar problems but this was because I haven't installed the drivers on my PC (stupid, but nobody told me I had to...) so I mentioned this just in case (I'm sure you did this already).

There are no drivers for the CSS on Fanatec's site !

http://eu.fanatec.com/Shifters?product_id=676

 

[magicaldog]

unique buttons so you don't need to remap them can change while racing.

I only use Assetto Corsa and RBR but I am not home at the moment so I can't check !

 

[Mars Attacks]

There are no drivers for the CSS on Fanatec's site !

http://eu.fanatec.com/Shifters?product_id=676

I'm talking about the CSW drivers... (The CSS is attached on the wheel) Because of them the shifter couldn't be calibrated properly.

 

[magicaldog]

I'm talking about the CSW drivers... (The CSS is attached on the wheel) Because of them the shifter couldn't be calibrated properly.

So it works great now then ! ? ?

What's your thought about it !

I'd love to test it on the Assetto Corsa F40

I have an all Fanatec rig, CSL Seat + CSW + BMW + Formula rim + CSP V2

I'll just need the CSS SQ and the Clubsport Handbrake to make it complete

 

[Mars Attacks]

So it works great now then ! ? ?

What's your thought about it !

I'd love to test it on the Assetto Corsa F40

I have an all Fanatec rig, CSL Seat + CSW + BMW + Formula rim + CSP V2

I'll just need the CSS SQ and the Clubsport Handbrake to make it complete

It works like a charm!!! The real thing... I never used a shifter till now. In AC I drive always in "pro" mode so when a shifter is needed I use it with big pleasure!
I still miss some gears, some times, but I do this with my real car too
Overall very pleased with the CSS, a very well spend money:tup:

(PS Assetto Corsa F40 is a beast - very hard to handle...)

 

[davuz_89]

After 5 days of moderate use my shifter failed. I can shift to 1,2,3,4,5,6 but as soon as i let my hand off the shifter it goes
back to neutral. I'm using it on pc with basher adapter and tried recalibrating it several times with no success.It's like there is something loose inside the shifter. Contacted fanatec and waiting for a reply. I made a video showing the problem. http://www.dailymotion.com/davuz_89#video=x1adrst

 

[magicaldog]

It works like a charm!!! The real thing... I never used a shifter till now. In AC I drive always in "pro" mode so when a shifter is needed I use it with big pleasure!
I still miss some gears, some times, but I do this with my real car too
Overall very pleased with the CSS, a very well spend money:tup:

(PS Assetto Corsa F40 is a beast - very hard to handle...)

So how does it work with AC when going from the F40 (stick) to the 458 (paddles)?

 

[Mars Attacks]

So how does it work with AC when going from the F40 (stick) to the 458 (paddles)?

Yes of course, it works like it should be. Like I said before, I choose the "pro" option where AC simulates all the car functions, in the way they are in real life, like gear shifting (ABS or not etc.). In case of F40, on "pro", it can be driven only by H pattern shifter and for the 458 with the paddles. In case of 458 I haven't checked if it works also with the sequential shifter but if 458 has one, then in AC will work too (I can check if you want).

 

[oqvist]

I haven't missed a gear in a week this shifter is perfect

 

[magicaldog]

Yes of course, it works like it should be. Like I said before, I choose the "pro" option where AC simulates all the car functions, in the way they are in real life, like gear shifting (ABS or not etc.). In case of F40, on "pro", it can be driven only by H pattern shifter and for the 458 with the paddles. In case of 458 I haven't checked if it works also with the sequential shifter but if 458 has one, then in AC will work too (I can check if you want).

Yeah that's what I am wondering the most.

Lets say you drive all three different cars.

First you drive the 458 ( paddles )
Then you drive the F40 ( stick )
Then you drive any car with sequential gears


Does that work in AC without re assigning anything

 

[oqvist]

You have had that question answered several times already no need to reassign anything

 

[magicaldog]

You have had that question answered several times already no need to reassign anything

Several times - WOW Thanks -I did not notice that

 

[magicaldog]

The gear selection process is done by 2 microswitches and a Hall effect sensor combo.
The sensor appears to monitor the side to side location of the pivot shaft the stick is mounted on so it knows when the stick is to the left, middle or right. The micros witches are triggered by a cam.......one switch covers R-1-3-5-7.......the other covers 2-4-6. I assumed that since it was getting "stuck" in 5th I assumed the Hall effect sensor was likely dirty as anyone who owns CSP pedals can attest the throttle on the those can act squirrelly if the sensor gets dirty from dust, lint, etc. I used a PC compressed air can to blow the sensor clean, buttoned it back up to give it another go.

Regarding the Hall Effect Sensor


WIKI

Hall effect devices (when appropriately packaged) are immune to dust, dirt, mud, and water. These characteristics make Hall effect devices better for position sensing than alternative means such as optical and electromechanical sensing.

 

[Cote Dazur]

. In case of 458 I haven't checked if it works also with the sequential shifter but if 458 has one, then in AC will work too (I can check if you want).

Since in AC, the sequential and the peddles are using the same space, it will be whatever you have assigned in the menu of the game at that particular time.

 

[magicaldog]

Since in AC, the sequential and the peddles are using the same space, it will be whatever you have assigned in the menu of the game at that particular time.

Yeah that seems to be the most logical solution !

Are you satisfied with your CSS ?

I just missed the last batch so now I have to wait until the end of March

 

[Cote Dazur]

Yeah that seems to be the most logical solution !

Are you satisfied with your CSS ?

I just missed the last batch so now I have to wait until the end of March

I ( pre ) ordered in August, finaly received the shifter in January, after they lost the one that was supposedly sent to me in December, to discover that it was faulty, sent it back and waiting for a shifter that works!
Let me return the question, How satisfied would you be if you were me?

 

[magicaldog]

I ( pre ) ordered in August, finaly received the shifter in January, after they lost the one that was supposedly sent to me in December, to discover that it was faulty, sent it back and waiting for a shifter that works!
Let me return the question, How satisfied would you be if you were me?

Ouch - That's gotta hurt !

So you're going back to Logitech now are you

 

[Cote Dazur]

Ouch - That's gotta hurt !

So you're going back to Logitech now are you

LOL, no, I still value my CSR Elite and Elite pedals, they offer a very immersive SIM experience.
The Porsche Fanatec plastic H gate shifter I am using now works flawlesly, I was hoping spending 200$ on a better shifter to improve on the immersion on that front as well, but so far it has been mostly frustration.
Fanatec needs to up their game on the reliability front, no doubt, but Logitech has nothing that I wish to use at this time, so the fact that they are reliable ( and I have no doubt they are) is irrelevant for me.
Sort of hard to go back to driving a Toyota when you are used to drive a Ferrari.

 

[magicaldog]

LOL, no, I still value my CSR Elite and Elite pedals, they offer a very immersive SIM experience.
The Porsche Fanatec plastic H gate shifter I am using now works flawlesly, I was hoping spending 200$ on a better shifter to improve on the immersion on that front as well, but so far it has been mostly frustration.
Fanatec needs to up their game on the reliability front, no doubt, but Logitech has nothing that I wish to use at this time, so the fact that they are reliable ( and I have no doubt they are) is irrelevant for me.
Sort of hard to go back to driving a Toyota when you are used to drive a Ferrari.

I started my Sim racing with the GT3 RS V2 Wheel and CSP V1 but after I've upgraded to CSW with the Formula and BMW rims + CSP V2 there is absolutely no going back to plastic fantastic.

 

[Nick Moxley]

Had my CSS for a few days now, No issues so far.(knocks on wood) Gates took a little getting used to and the Sq is starting to feel better and better with each lap turned (SQ was a little stiff out of the box)

 

[Cote Dazur]

Had my CSS for a few days now, No issues so far.(knocks on wood) Gates took a little getting used to and the Sq is starting to feel better and better with each lap turned (SQ was a little stiff out of the box)

Hope I will be getting one of those, ( the one that works)
Have you tried to adjust the allen bolt on the side to get a little less stiff feeling?