I received the Porsche 918 RSR wheel yesterday and put it on the Elite for PS4 wheelbase, and then flashed the wheelbase's software after checking the wheel. Then had a go and could not find a button to imitate the PS4 button ... but looked up on the web and sure enough the middle button (in the bottom half of the wheel) engaged the wheel as a controller. I don't know how to re-configure the wheel so far - so I am not sure how to alter the centre view so I can change power settings and things like that. The wheel does not show itself in the choice of controllers in Gran Turismo's controllers, which includes the Elite for PS4 wheel. Nonetheless the wheel works!
Comments on the wheel - firstly its round, whereas the Elite for PS4 wheel isn't quite.
Secondly the Porsche wheel is heavier
Thirdly the Porsche wheel is quite a bit larger - there is no way both are 30cm as I thought they were described by Fanatec. 104cm circumference versus 96 cm for the Elite ie 8% larger circumference. In diameter its around 10% greater by measurement. The grip of the Porsche wheel is larger too - but its more varied in diameter than the Elite for PS4 wheel, its more sculptured. Overall though the circumference of the rims are around 10cm for the Elite and 11 cm for the Porsche wheel, while the bump grip areas were closer on both, with the Porsche far more rounded in its grip "hump" while the Elite wheel's grip hump is not as extended.
Fourthly the rim materials: a vast difference here. I reckon the leather material on the Elite which appears to be a perforated material and may or may not be real leather - but its looks very good to me, and it has a lot of give in it - its not rock hard. The rest of the Elite is the Alcantra material which is beaut when new. The Porsche wheel has a brown leather material which really is leather I think, and its embossed with a pattern. The material is very hard, but the embossing softens the feel. Its a superb covering.
Fifthly the stalks - wow two "D" stalks of different types, and the difference between a single plastic hammer and two all metal hammers - a world of difference there.
Sixthly the buttons - I reckon the small and replaceable PS4 buttons will last and last - they might feel soft and vague compared to the large round buttons which seem to click - but while the buttons would have cost much more for Fanatec to buy, I assume both will do the job. The Porsche has adjustable paddles, but IMO, both wheel's paddle functions are excellent.
7/8/9/10
7 Other differences are a small separate display which is only digital and its on the centre of the wheel's hub,
8 A more elaborate, much wider rev light display which also looks more tacked on than the similar in function PS4 Elite's rev display.
9 The Porsche wheel is much more "dished" ie its hub is inset at least 15mm deeper from the wheel rim. This makes the wheel look quite real, while the Elite PS4 wheel looks flat, although it is also dished. But there's no way one would hit a button accidentally with the Porsche wheel. The deeper "dishing" of the wheel hub also means your fingers access the stick out toggles much easer, because the centre of the wheel hub is deeper from the toggle - your hands can find them a lot easier. Then again I had no luck with my Elite plastic toggle device which also lacked a rubber "O" ring to protect its function.
10 And a quick release mechanism that while its amazing, for many its not a big deal. The atheistics are first class and the Porsche badge is fab but I had to tell my wife about it because she'd have known it was different due to that Porsche badge. Great for your mates to impress but not good to explain to your partner.
11 The wheel has vibration in it and although I thought it was working I now think I could just feel the chatter in a corner more compared to the Elite for PS4 wheel, likely due to the hard wheel rim's finish I assume.
12 Oh and the price. The Elite wheel in Australia can be bought for $Au250, the Porsche one costs $600, so that is more than double the price. The BMW wheel which is quite a bit heavier than the Porsche wheel costs $Au400. If not for the weight the BMW would be a no brainer, but the Elite wheel really sells for $Au150 when bundled I reckon so its really one quarter the price of the Porsche and if your "D" toggle works it will get you round the track just fine. From a real world perspective compared to a real car's wheel, comparing three wheels: Logitech G27/29, Elite for PS4 and the Porsche 918 RSR wheel: Base wheel Logitech, top wheel Porsche, I would put the Elite for PS4 wheel closer to the Porsche than half way when compared to the G27/G29 wheel (from Logitech).
Nonetheless the Porsche wheel rim feels worth it to me.
Thinking of the Alcantra issues - I would definitely put bike tape around the Elite for PS4's rim . And making the rim thicker and wider would simply make it much more like that Porsche rim IMO. And selling the rim with the tap removed - it will be as new.
Oh and Fanatec should put the same two gorgeous high quality toggle stalks onto a Mk 2 version of the Fanatec Elite wheels. They'd be so so much better IMO.
figured it out..
