Fanatec CSR Elite Review: A League of its Own
- Thread starter amar212
- 211 comments
- 131,595 views
- 1,818
- Alberta
- left888
Ya, as I stated consoles are fun, I own 7 of them and that's just PS3's and Xbox's
But a lot of people on this forum are talking about immersion and tactile response yet with a console you are so limited. I installed a shift light and a Tach a couple days ago, how cool is that. Sure GT5 and Forza are OK but they just don't compare to PC racers.
The other day a few friends came over and on rig #2 I had Forza 4 with the Corvette C6R on Road America, one of my buddies gave it a go. He has played racing games in the past and I would consider him a casual gamer. Then after 10 minutes I asked him to try the same car on the same track on rig #1 with iRacing and he was totally blown away. He stated Forza looked like a cartoon in comparison and the physics weren't even close.
While I enjoy Forza, I have all four games in the series. Even with all the aids turned off it is very hard to lose control. iRacing has a steep learning curve and can be frustrating for console guys that have never tried iRacing, it is as true of a sim as there is.
I sure hope at least one of you guys that got the Elite wheel have tested it on a PC. Would be a shame if it is not tested on a PC.
- 1,002
- Northern VA
I'm a customer, not a tester, but I have a CSR-E en route. I do have a PC and plan to share my thoughts with rFactor, GTR2, RSRBR, F1 2011, Dirt 3, and iRacing. I'm an iRacing noob, but I just signed up due to a recent special.
I'll be comparing the CSR-E to my GT2, and time permitting a Driving Force Pro and 911 Carrera.
I'll be comparing the CSR-E to my GT2, and time permitting a Driving Force Pro and 911 Carrera.
- 39
Clubsport 700 euro, jesus hope you get peddles with that, but i dont think you do:tdown:
LogiForce
Premium
- 4,078
- Groningen, Netherlands
- LogiForce86
- LogiForce
That's the ClubSport Wheel base + BMW M3 GT2 rim + Formula rim. ClubSport Pedals will cost you an additional 199 euros. Then there will be the upcoming ClubSport Shifter and ClubSport Handbrake as well.
So you better start saving if you want to play your games that way. Although it's not something for casual gamers but rather the die-hard simulation racer enthusiast.
Prices haven't gone down yet, but the HDD prices have gone up due to shortages because of the Thailand floods. So in comparison the SSD has become more attractive.
The biggest PCI-Express slot SSD is the OCZ Z-Drive R4 CM88 PCI-EXPRESS SSD 3.2TB at 19228,- euros.
The biggest 3.5" SSD drive is the OCZ Colossus Plus 1TB at 2494.35 euros.
The biggest 2.5" SSD drive is the Intel 320 600GB at 915.90 euros.
The one I am keeping an eye on for prices myself is the OCZ Vertex 3 240GB currently at a pricetag of 319.35 euros. It came into the market at around 450 euros and now is at that price point and gradually went down. See graphic below...
Green = minimum, Blue = average, Grey = views on the product page of pricewatch.tweakers.net (a dutch IT site like Anandtech and Toms Hardware)
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Oh, you ordered one already, nice! I am still between CSR-E and CSW, but since I'm licking my wounds coming in 4th in the poll to test CSR-E I've been working on getting my triple-screen 3D rig up and running lately. When your wheel comes in I'd be glad to invite you up to Leesburg sometime to check out the 3D (if/when I finally get done) and I'd love to try it with the Elite! Since it's a triple screen rig and I have 3 Xbox 360s around the house, I'm sure a CSR-E might find it's way onto my credit card at some point once I can save enough ducketts up! Dishwasher just died so that had to come first.
LogiForce
Premium
- 4,078
- Groningen, Netherlands
- LogiForce86
- LogiForce
Via a firmware update program. A new firmware update program is being worked on to make it 'idiot proof' to do this. So just by plugging in the wheel to your PC and clicking the update firmware button will probably be enough by that time. So if you can wait, wait... else there are lots of nice guys here to help you out I reckon.
With the way things are now from what I heard is that you need a pc with Windows XP 32-bit to be able to update your CSR wheel.
- 266
the porsche base wheels and the CS base wheels use different firmwares...
Haha
amar are you kidding me? I've been posting my video all over the place for since last year LOL
Mr Latte
Premium
- 5,046
- N Ireland
I love how he demonstrates a $2700 wheel with Daytona. In a good way however.
Proof of anything that many want quality products but do not necessarily want or indeed always need to play PC sims. I have to agree with his comments about Daytona, mentioned it ages ago in PM to some testers to use as a great "fun" game and get an experience like the real arcade.
It is a great test for the FFB strength and wheel smoothness. Set to 270 with max FFB for some fun guys. Not sure how many took my advice (probably thinking I was bonkers) but was nice to see someone else has no problems with an arcade game and testing high end products.
If your for buying a CSRE I highly recommend if you liked the arcade to get Daytona.
Did you try it Amar or indeed Sega Rally on the consoles?
Proof of anything that many want quality products but do not necessarily want or indeed always need to play PC sims. I have to agree with his comments about Daytona, mentioned it ages ago in PM to some testers to use as a great "fun" game and get an experience like the real arcade.
It is a great test for the FFB strength and wheel smoothness. Set to 270 with max FFB for some fun guys. Not sure how many took my advice (probably thinking I was bonkers) but was nice to see someone else has no problems with an arcade game and testing high end products.
If your for buying a CSRE I highly recommend if you liked the arcade to get Daytona.
Did you try it Amar or indeed Sega Rally on the consoles?
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- 4,881
- Stockholm
- chorda / GTP_chorda
Awesome review!! 👍
I'd like to ask you about some functions.
When listening to the famous youtube video from Fanatec, it's described like you can change pretty much everything from the wheel. Dampers, TCS, Brake Balance and so on. However, it was not made clear if these functions are available in all games.
In my mind (not an expert at all) it's up to what the console provides, right?
So with this in mind, what settings could you change from the wheel while racing in GT5?
Thanks a ton!
I'd like to ask you about some functions.
When listening to the famous youtube video from Fanatec, it's described like you can change pretty much everything from the wheel. Dampers, TCS, Brake Balance and so on. However, it was not made clear if these functions are available in all games.
In my mind (not an expert at all) it's up to what the console provides, right?
So with this in mind, what settings could you change from the wheel while racing in GT5?
Thanks a ton!
- 4,004
- Croatia
As LogiForce explained above, on-the-wheel settings are totally game-independent.
Fanatec wheels have their own "OS" that enhances certain features and allows for great customisation of particular aspects of the wheel-behaviour.
Those features are:
- sensitivity (SEN) > actual steering-degree
- force feedback (FF)
- shock (SHO) - vibration effects strength
- drift (DRI) - option that allows for easier and faster wheel-turning
- ABS - controls the point when vibration effect on Fanatec pedals will kick-in (also game-independent, pedals are taking the information about actual pressure-zones from the game and separately adjusting the point of vibration-start to your preference)
- linearity (LIN) - adjust the linearity setting independent from the game
- deadzone (DEA) - classic deadzone adjustment
- spring (SPR) - decreases or increases the strength of the central-spring
- damper (DPR) - decreases or increases dampening effects
- auto-clutch (ACL) - explained in the first post, please take a look
As for Gran Turismo 5, I am using the Fanatec-WS-setting below. Please notice how in the in-game options I am using FFB on 7, simulation mode and power-steering OFF.
SEN OFF | FF 70 | SHO 60 | DRI 000 | ABS 50 | LIN 0 | DEA 0 | SPR 0 | DPR 0 | ACL OFF
You will notice how my Sensitivity setting is on OFF. That is because the OFF setting actually "takes" the turning-degree setting directly from the game OS and I use it for all PS3 game as default setting.
- 4,881
- Stockholm
- chorda / GTP_chorda
Ok, thanks. I do understand that the settings for the wheel is console independent.
Perhaps I did made my question clear. Sorry for that.
So here we go again:
When adjusting let's say dampers on the wheel while racing, does that meen the same thing as when in side the games (GT5 is the game I play) car setting menu and changing my dampers.
The wheel had as option -3 to +3 (damper settings), and let's say the car I drive can adjust it's dampers from -20 to +20.
Do I actually change my cars dampers, or is it some other damper settings (on the wheel??) that are beeing adjusted?
Sorry if the question is stupid, but I really suck at all this..
Bottom line, I do understand that the settings regarding the actual wheel are console independent. But I'm sceptic about if the damper settings actually adjust the dampers on the car I'm driving (given it's suspension allow adjustments), and that if the cars dampers actually are changeable thru the wheel.
And if changeable thru the wheel, in my mind, the console (PS3/GT5 in this case) support it to 100%?
And as a following question:
If my cars dampers are just changeable to +\-3 thru the wheel, or if the entire range (-20 - +20 spectra allowed for the car I'm using in this example) is "devided" in to sex steps (-3 - +3).
Hope that make any sence..
My english is not the best out there, I know..
Cheers
EDIT: Amar, I just read your answer after posting..
Ok, so which setting am I changing thru "DPR"? Does it have anything at all to do with my cars dampers, or is "DPR" changing something on the wheels own functions?
- 4,004
- Croatia
No, wheel "dampers" are not in-game dampers, that is the actual effect of the dampening of the wheel
All wheel-settings are only wheel-related. There is no "hotlink" between the wheel and the game (except for control of the QTS menu in GT5, of course).
When you are setting the DPR of the wheel, you can decrease or increase the actual dampening-effect of the FFB and vibration motors on the wheel-axle and fine-tune the overall FFB sensation. Same goes for the all other Fanatec's OS-related settings 👍
All wheel-settings are only wheel-related. There is no "hotlink" between the wheel and the game (except for control of the QTS menu in GT5, of course).
When you are setting the DPR of the wheel, you can decrease or increase the actual dampening-effect of the FFB and vibration motors on the wheel-axle and fine-tune the overall FFB sensation. Same goes for the all other Fanatec's OS-related settings 👍
- 4,881
- Stockholm
- chorda / GTP_chorda
No, wheel "dampers" are not in-game dampers, that is the actual effect of the dampening of the wheel
All wheel-settings are only wheel-related. There is no "hotlink" between the wheel and the game (except for control of the QTS menu in GT5, of course).
When you are setting the DPR of the wheel, you can decrease or increase the actual dampening-effect of the FFB and vibration motors on the wheel-axle and fine-tune the overall FFB sensation. Same goes for the all other Fanatec's OS-related settings 👍
Ok, thanks.
That was what I expected..
I'm using the DFGT at the moment, and want to get a bit more serious.
But what I really like with the DFGT is that I can change (some) car settings while driving.
And I was kind of hoping for the CRSE's on wheel settings could do the same, but with even more settings to adjust on your car while driving..
One can dream, right?
Thank you so much for your time! 👍
Cheers
- 4,004
- Croatia
All Fanatec wheels - as well as the CSR Elite - have the same ability to change settings in the Gran Turismo 5, available through the QTS menu (TCS, ABS, ASM, ABS, etc..).
CSR Elite is 100% compatible with the all functionality of the GT5 as is your DFGT
Same goes to the majority of the other wheels outthere - you can preset any setting available in the game (from the QTS menu, horn, wipers, looking around, etc..) onto the buttons of the CSRE (or any other wheel that have programmable buttons) of your choice 👍
As for the changing of the in-game car-setting related settings.. well, that is something that game should allow at the first place. No wheel can support something that game does not allow
There is no issue there, I hope this clears everything 👍
CSR Elite is 100% compatible with the all functionality of the GT5 as is your DFGT
Same goes to the majority of the other wheels outthere - you can preset any setting available in the game (from the QTS menu, horn, wipers, looking around, etc..) onto the buttons of the CSRE (or any other wheel that have programmable buttons) of your choice 👍
As for the changing of the in-game car-setting related settings.. well, that is something that game should allow at the first place. No wheel can support something that game does not allow
There is no issue there, I hope this clears everything 👍
- 4,881
- Stockholm
- chorda / GTP_chorda
All Fanatec wheels - as well as the CSR Elite - have the same ability to change settings in the Gran Turismo 5, available through the QTS menu (TCS, ABS, ASM, ABS, etc..).
CSR Elite is 100% compatible with the all functionality of the GT5 as is your DFGT
Same goes to the majority of the other wheels outthere - you can preset any setting available in the game (from the QTS menu, horn, wipers, looking around, etc..) onto the buttons of the CSRE (or any other wheel that have programmable buttons) of your choice 👍
As for the changing of the in-game car-setting related settings.. well, that is something that game should allow at the first place. No wheel can support something that game does not allow
There is no issue there, I hope this clears everything 👍
That was exactly what I was thinking..
Just thought I should ask the question to get it on paper so to speak. Thanks again. 👍
All is crystal clear!
I read a review where they did measurements of CSR Elite force feedback linearity, see link below.
It seems the force feedback strength should be set to 100 % on the wheel's tuning menu, otherwise the force feedback is not linear.
The reviewer suggested that force feedback strength should be reduced in the game instead.
Hopefully this is fixed with new wheel firmware.
http://f-wheel.com/reviews/csr-elite-wheel-benchmarked
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- 10,403
- GTP_Spag69
- spagetti69
I whole heatedly agree with Sonacs findings.
After setting my FF at 100 (which I have never done) and dialling back the in game FF settings my wheel had a new life.
Boy what gave I been missing. Torque alignment in Forza 4 spins my wheel smooth and quick. Faster than I've ever had it before. (no mushy sensation)
Forza 4 test track layout E. Basically a big playground.
Car lotus elite.
SENS 900
FF 100
SHO 100
DRI 4
ABS 90
LIN 20
DEA 0
SPR -3
DPR -3
In game FF 70%
First off not even moving. I can spin my wheel lock to lock almost with one spin of the wheel, it's that light.
Imagine a G27 powered off and spinning it, it's twice as fast as that. (I tried, I've got one next to me).
Actually if you spin it towards the end of the lock It will bounce back and spin the other way. I suspect DRI is doing this.
Roundabout test.
By holding the wheel at 3 O'clock as progressively accelerating the smoothness of the torque increase is phenomenal.
Keep accelerating with your hand at the same posistion and feel the subtle progression of slip loss before no grip and steering goes light as a feather.
Simulation steering in Forza has come into criticism from certain quarters recently. Namely catching counter steer.
Well this has certainly helped the cause.
All feelings are now present and correct.
I can truly testify to this.
My shoulder injury prevents me from running a very High FF so I never run at 100.
Setting up 100 FF and scaling back in game FF gives me the best of both worlds.
I've never felt my wheel do these things before. It's like I've seen the light or something lol. I've realised its actually worth £200 odd.
After setting my FF at 100 (which I have never done) and dialling back the in game FF settings my wheel had a new life.
Boy what gave I been missing. Torque alignment in Forza 4 spins my wheel smooth and quick. Faster than I've ever had it before. (no mushy sensation)
Forza 4 test track layout E. Basically a big playground.
Car lotus elite.
SENS 900
FF 100
SHO 100
DRI 4
ABS 90
LIN 20
DEA 0
SPR -3
DPR -3
In game FF 70%
First off not even moving. I can spin my wheel lock to lock almost with one spin of the wheel, it's that light.
Imagine a G27 powered off and spinning it, it's twice as fast as that. (I tried, I've got one next to me).
Actually if you spin it towards the end of the lock It will bounce back and spin the other way. I suspect DRI is doing this.
Roundabout test.
By holding the wheel at 3 O'clock as progressively accelerating the smoothness of the torque increase is phenomenal.
Keep accelerating with your hand at the same posistion and feel the subtle progression of slip loss before no grip and steering goes light as a feather.
Simulation steering in Forza has come into criticism from certain quarters recently. Namely catching counter steer.
Well this has certainly helped the cause.
All feelings are now present and correct.
I can truly testify to this.
My shoulder injury prevents me from running a very High FF so I never run at 100.
Setting up 100 FF and scaling back in game FF gives me the best of both worlds.
I've never felt my wheel do these things before. It's like I've seen the light or something lol. I've realised its actually worth £200 odd.
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