New Forza 4 Fanatec wheel (CSR-Elite)

[t.o.]

I have same Playseats, it fits... in some ways.

I have the GT3RS V2 with Clubsport pedals. and normal 6 speed shifter.

1. I had to drill holes for the wheel itself to be mounted, no big deal really.
2. Clubsport pedals are too big so I had to use a metal/aloy plate to make it bigger and mount the peddals, easy fix, you can do it with some plywood.
3. shifter is hard to mount, so had to create a lil wooden box to fit with the shifter extender you see in the picture.

Well if you have the tools, its easy way to fit everything, but its a great setup to have.

Seems new shifter might have better mounting points over old plastic one.

I'm looking to get the home-racer which seems to be pretty much the same as this. I'm glad you posted about Fanatec stuff because that's what stop me from ordeing. Didn't know if it would work. Is it EXTREMELY sturdy or is there more play in the wheel post than should be? Here's what I was planning to get.

 

[Daverytimes]

Am not really getting why people are assuming that this will "Demolish" the T500rs, is it because it's wearing a Fanatec badge?. Anyways it looks cool and if it is below $450 i will definitely consider getting one (It works with PS3, right? lol)




DAVE

 

[t.o.]

Am not really getting why people are assuming that this will "Demolish" the T500rs, is it because it's wearing a Fanatec badge?. Anyways it looks cool and if it is below $450 i will definitely consider getting one (It works with PS3, right? lol)




DAVE

I don't think people are thinking it will demolish the T500 but we do know it will get a certain segment of sales that the T500 wont, specifically 360 owners. The other question is what kind of sales have the T500 been getting. It just may destroy it on sales alone. I couldn't tell you to be honest. I just know for myself the T500 isn't an option for a few reasons. First not working on 360. Second nothing exclusive to the PS3 to warrant me to get one even if it was the wheel to end all wheels. Now if we're talking PC gaming that's another story... but right now the Fanatec wheel is doing me good.

 

[Daverytimes]

I don't think people are thinking it will demolish the T500 but we do know it will get a certain segment of sales that the T500 wont, specifically 360 owners. The other question is what kind of sales have the T500 been getting. It just may destroy it on sales alone. I couldn't tell you to be honest. I just know for myself the T500 isn't an option for a few reasons. First not working on 360. Second nothing exclusive to the PS3 to warrant me to get one even if it was the wheel to end all wheels. Now if we're talking PC gaming that's another story... but right now the Fanatec wheel is doing me good.

I was mainly talking about the quality of the wheel and the force-feedback, the pedals most definitively will be better but the wheel probably wouldn't.

 

[erahk64]

I was mainly talking about the quality of the wheel and the force-feedback, the pedals most definitively will be better but the wheel probably wouldn't.

Insidesimracing says in this video that the CSR-Elite wheel is smoother (no notchiness) than T500RS and is better than T500RS.
But they could only test CSR Elite during a short time so their opinion could change
when they use it during a longer period.

http://www.youtube.com/user/simracingtonight#p/u/6/g-xDHdOHt44

 

[amar212]

First we had console wars.
Than we had game wars.
Now it is the wheel wars.

"Demolish". "Own". "Destroy".

This is getting ridiculous with every new day. What are you on people? Krokodil?

 

[Kryz11]

I'm looking to get the home-racer which seems to be pretty much the same as this. I'm glad you posted about Fanatec stuff because that's what stop me from ordeing. Didn't know if it would work. Is it EXTREMELY sturdy or is there more play in the wheel post than should be? Here's what I was planning to get.

That looks really nice! Seat looks more comfy then playseats, whats the price? I got my playseats 3 years ago because i only paid 170 with discount or something like that, thats what sold me, back then i used G25 as well. it fit like glove. now with Fanatec had to make modifications, still good tho.

 

[zr1chris]

That looks really nice! Seat looks more comfy then playseats, whats the price? I got my playseats 3 years ago because i only paid 170 with discount or something like that, thats what sold me, back then i used G25 as well. it fit like glove. now with Fanatec had to make modifications, still good tho.

If I could get a playseat for that much I would buy it without even thinking twice.

 

[t.o.]

That looks really nice! Seat looks more comfy then playseats, whats the price? I got my playseats 3 years ago because i only paid 170 with discount or something like that, thats what sold me, back then i used G25 as well. it fit like glove. now with Fanatec had to make modifications, still good tho.

This one is 400 bucks. Seems like all these seats took a HUGE price jump up and are just now starting to go back down a little. Makes me think we're buying houses or something.

If I could get a playseat for that much I would buy it without even thinking twice.

No kidding. I would have one on the way as we speak

 

[HadOne2Many]

This one is 400 bucks. Seems like all these seats took a HUGE price jump up and are just now starting to go back down a little. Makes me think we're buying houses or something.


No kidding. I would have one on the way as we speak

Yeah they fluctuate quite a bit with the supply and demand. Seems like anytime a new high visibility racing game or wheel is released prices are all over the place. If you watch for a little while you can catch them for as low as $300 or so. I've never seen any as low as 170, I'd have bought a couple at that price then resold them for a bit of profit.

Cost wise though, building your own is still the best option (if you have the time). For about half the cost you could manage something like this:

There's even some detailed instructions and a complete how to thread right here: http://www.thewayiplay.com/mainforum/index.php?topic=443.0

I've already made my mind up to build my own custom cabinet. I'm planning something like this:

Modified of course to accomodate three screens and painted black. My goal is one complete unit that house all the hardware internally with only one plug coming out of the rig and to have the entire cabinet on wheels so it could be moved easily if needed. I want something that looks like it would be at home in an arcade.

 

[Kryz11]

This one is 400 bucks. Seems like all these seats took a HUGE price jump up and are just now starting to go back down a little. Makes me think we're buying houses or something.

Yeah I bought the PlaySeats (without shifter extendor) brand new on Amazon for such low price. And it was really around my birthday, so I did not thought twice and bought it. I am happy with it till this day. 3 years and still pretty solid. Altho Sometimes I have to place lil pillow or blanket for the seat, not the most comfy seat out there.

If it was 400 bucks, no way, I would rather buy those cheap stands,

. Sometimes I wish the playseats could fold into tiny spot, because it does take some room up.

 

[Dopplegagger]

Back on topic...
It appears that there was a bit of confusion with the Pedals shown at E3.

These are not the Standard CSR pedals.

They are in fact the CSR Elite pedals.

I some what expect the CSR pedals will be more in line with the standard Porsche pedals. I expect a completely plastic set, but looking like the CSR Elite pedals when they are not inverted.

ALSO 320.00 is the price of the CSR with the CSR pedals. At 250.00 (concluded from the price of the CSR Elite that Mr. T. mumbled), the CSR wheel is in line with the Porsche GT2 wheel. That also puts the CSR pedals at 70.00 (320 - 250 = 70).

One thing bothers me though... the price of the CSR Elite package, or more specifically the CSR Elite pedals. The price that was announced on 911wheel.com (700 for the wheel and pedals) and what MR. T. said when he was being interviewed by Jessica Lopez at ISR ("About five hundred") clearly puts the CSR Elite Pedals at 200.00, which is the same as the CSP's... I wonder if the CSR shifter is included in the Elite's total price? If so than that lowers my estimated price of the CSR pedals by a decent amount. I am assuming that the Elite's price includes the shifter, but the CSR's price does not.

What are your thoughts about this?

 

[HadOne2Many]

Back on topic...
It appears that there was a bit of confusion with the Pedals shown at E3.

These are not the Standard CSR pedals.

They are in fact the CSR Elite pedals.

I some what expect the CSR pedals will be more in line with the standard Porsche pedals. I expect a completely plastic set, but looking like the CSR Elite pedals when they are not inverted.

ALSO 320.00 is the price of the CSR with the CSR pedals. At 250.00 (concluded from the price of the CSR Elite that Mr. T. mumbled), the CSR wheel is in line with the Porsche GT2 wheel. That also puts the CSR pedals at 70.00 (320 - 250 = 70).

One thing bothers me though... the price of the CSR Elite package, or more specifically the CSR Elite pedals. The price that was announced on 911wheel.com (700 for the wheel and pedals) and what MR. T. said when he was being interviewed by Jessica Lopez at ISR ("About five hundred") clearly puts the CSR Elite Pedals at 200.00, which is the same as the CSP's... I wonder if the CSR shifter is included in the Elite's total price? If so than that lowers my estimated price of the CSR pedals by a decent amount. I am assuming that the Elite's price includes the shifter, but the CSR's price does not.

What are your thoughts about this?

I think you're mistaken. I don't think there's a difference in the pedals from the CSR and CSR Elite wheels. The CSR pedals are just that, CSR pedals. The standard pedals are standard pedals and the clubsports are clubsports. With Fanatec's business model you can pick and choose which components you want to use. The difference between the CSR & the Elite are the wheels themselves.

EDIT: By the way, have you considered that the "$700" Elite package may in fact ship with the clubsport pedals and the wheel alone could be $500 or so (around $600 if you wanted the CSR Pedals)? I mention this because it seems unrealistic package a high end wheel such as the CSR Elite with mid range peals.

 

[zr1chris]

If those pedals are $70 I think that will be a hell of a deal. They look pretty good.

 

[Shark33]

There will be CSR and CSR elite pedals as Thomas said. We didn't see the CSR pedals yet, that's the elite one.

 

[Dopplegagger]

I think you're mistaken. I don't think there's a difference in the pedals from the CSR and CSR Elite wheels. The CSR pedals are just that, CSR pedals. The standard pedals are standard pedals and the clubsports are clubsports. With Fanatec's business model you can pick and choose which components you want to use. The difference between the CSR & the Elite are the wheels themselves.

EDIT: By the way, have you considered that the "$700" Elite package may in fact ship with the clubsport pedals and the wheel alone could be $500 or so (around $600 if you wanted the CSR Pedals)? I mention this because it seems unrealistic package a high end wheel such as the CSR Elite with mid range peals.

Here is where I got the information about Fanatec only showed the CSE Elite Pedals...

(Sorry The info comes from fm.net)

http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/permalink/4657492/4692959/ShowThread.aspx#4692959

Thomas replied to one of the people over there with this...

We only have shown the CSR Elite pedals so far but not the CSR Pedals. The price of 320 is for the CSR wheel + CSR pedals.

The exact price of CSR E and CSR was revealed in the interview of ISR with this "Mr. T" guy.



Thomas

Then fanatecwheel.com confirms this...

http://www.fanatecwheel.com/news/about-clubsport-wheel-compatibility-and-more

The pricetag of 320$ that was floating around as the entry price for CSR line of wheels will get you a CSR wheel and CSR pedals. The trick is that what we though were CSR pedals, are actually CSR elite pedals. Regular CSR pedals were not revealed yet, so we will have to wait and see what they look like.

As for the Elite coming with the Club Sport pedals... The E3 setup has been referenced a few times as what you will get for 700.00. IIRC the rig had the Elite wheel, the Elite pedals and the CSR Shifter. I hope the 700.00 price is for all three. That would put the CSR Elite pedals around 140.00 - 150.00. IMO any thing closer is too close for comfort to the CSP's price. The only problem I see, is no word from Fanatec saying that the shifter is included in the 700.00 price tag.

 

[sandboxgod]

Yeah this talk of new Fanatec wheels blowing away the T500rs is just strange and somewhat outlandish

T500RS is already an amazing wheel. The people that is making that bold claim must not have used one. I only expect the Fanatec to make an incremental jump at best over it. More FFB? Bah, I never run my T500rs at full strength anyway in PC sims. More accuracy? Um ya why do I need more than the nice precision this wheel already gives me. Speed? Not sure why I would need a faster wheel.

Detachable quick release wheel rim is nice though.

I still dubious about the FFB and reliability. I am sure Fanatec is aiming to make it stronger but we have yet to see any footage or talk about FFB. Strange yes? Fanatec himself mentioned it in the thread that the early units had a malfunction. So hopefully we will see footage of these early reviewers fighting for their life with strong FFB

Now the xbox 360 compat is where it's at. The only worthy game my wheel cannot play will be Forza 4. I've never been much of an Forza fan tho. But it would be nice to play with a wheel cause maybe my opinion may change

I suspect the amount of wheel owners playing Forza to be very small which is the only logical explanation for the terrible wheel market on that platform. Still- I wish Thrustmaster would give Fanatec a run for their money. I'd much rather purchase my product in a store or via any distributor of my choosing. Most people would. The new Fanatec wheel will no doubt be more expensive which tosses up some question marks. Now if they can get this wheel in stock tho I think the direct order distribution will be fine I must admit

Will be interesting to see what happens when it comes out in the next 9 months knowing Fanatec! I hope they surprise me cause maybe Thrustmaster will be spurned into action and finish my shifter.

I am interested in that CSR non-elite though. Seems like a good deal too me! I'm not loooking for a superior wheel atm. I just could maybe use xbox 360 compat

Oh snap I wrote a little book here my bad...

 

[Dopplegagger]

More accuracy? Um ya why do I need more than the nice precision this wheel already gives me. Speed? Not sure why I would need a faster wheel.

I am not sure why you intend to strike up an argument comparing a wheel that isn't on sell yet. You must really have a lot of personal reputation riding on the T500R being the best wheel on the market (which it already isn't).

The Fanatec CSR Elite and the Club Sport wheels are aimed at the E.C.C.I. Not the T500R. Although Thomas did suggest this wheel is some what of a response, it is poised for the higher end of the market, not the middle market.

But then again...

 

[RC45]

I think the uncertainty regarding customer service is a bigger deal. The CEO being "E3 Punchy" and having a little fun in the interview doesn't bother me at all. My guess is he barely slept all week. It's just silly fun. The Codies seemed to enjoy it too.

Bingo.

Regarding the opening post of this thread, why is a Forza 4 targeted wheel being compared to Logitech?

None of the premiere Logitech wheels are even supported by XBox.

I learned my lesson with my GT2/CSP buying fiasco. Never again. The GT2/CSP combo was intented to take FM3 from the couch into the racing cockpit, butthe combination o fpoor FFB implimentation by Turn 10 and the poor reliability of the GT2 wheel had me tossing the XB360 and the GT2 aside since January.

The chance of this new Fanatec wheel "dominating" is going to rely on to things Fanatec has faile dto be able to pull off for 3 years now:

Reliable product shipped in a timely manner.

Each of their "Amazing New!!!" product launches has been hampered by phantom "supplier" issues and terrible quality control on the product that does make it through.

This wheel will probably be a great wheel, but the crapshoot of either not getting the entire setup on time or the setup being not QCed and error prone is a gamble I wont be taking via UPS. If the wheel was sold retail that might make me think about it.

Hell I had 2 T500's by January the 20th (3 if you include th eone I paid forward), but at least they where sold retail so I could keep swapping them till I got a good one

 

[t.o.]

Hell I had 2 T500's by January the 20th (3 if you include th eone I paid forward), but at least they where sold retail so I could keep swapping them till I got a good one

I'm sorry, are you saying you had to swap out T500's till you got a good one?

 

[sandboxgod]

^^ Yeah he got one of the 1st generation wheels which had some issues. He simply switched it out within the 30 day trial period at FRY's and got a new wheel immediately.

 

[12thgear]

This wheel will probably be a great wheel, but the crapshoot of either not getting the entire setup on time or the setup being not QCed and error prone is a gamble I wont be taking via UPS. If the wheel was sold retail that might make me think about it.

Hell I had 2 T500's by January the 20th (3 if you include th eone I paid forward), but at least they where sold retail so I could keep swapping them till I got a good one

With all the recent CSR/Elite buzz I was hoping for retail presence, but it sounds like it won't be the case. For something that's even Forza branded it seems odd we still have to order direct from Fanatec, effectively sight unseen.

 

[I'm Motarded]

With all the recent CSR/Elite buzz I was hoping for retail presence, but it sounds like it won't be the case. For something that's even Forza branded it seems odd we still have to order direct from Fanatec, effectively sight unseen.

I don't really see it as odd if you take into consideration the size of the other peripheral manufacturers. Logitech are huge, Thrustmasters are huge, Mad katz are huge when you have companies of that size you can afford to minimize profit margins on niche product like wheels ship them out to retailers and forget about them. But when the wheels are your biggest selling product the profit from them needs to be higher because you're relying on them to keep the company afloat. Check out all the wheel only companies Frex/Ecci/TSW.. All web based

 

[t.o.]

I don't really see it as odd if you take into consideration the size of the other peripheral manufacturers. Logitech are huge, Thrustmasters are huge, Mad katz are huge when you have companies of that size you can afford to minimize profit margins on niche product like wheels ship them out to retailers and forget about them. But when the wheels are your biggest selling product the profit from them needs to be higher because you're relying on them to keep the company afloat. Check out all the wheel only companies Frex/Ecci/TSW.. All web based

I've noticed this a long time ago here. Now if Kaz was making wheels in his garage and had like a 75% failure rate but of the 25% that did work it was a pretty decent wheel you could rest assure that the same argument you just made would be plastered all over the forums. But suddenly they fail to see that, EVEN THOUGH it was their MAIN excuse for why it's ok that 80% of the cars in GT5 don't have cockpits. "PD does all in-house" "PD has a smaller team than T10" etc. etc.

 

[Fanatec...]

I don't really see it as odd if you take into consideration the size of the other peripheral manufacturers. Logitech are huge, Thrustmasters are huge, Mad katz are huge when you have companies of that size you can afford to minimize profit margins on niche product like wheels ship them out to retailers and forget about them. But when the wheels are your biggest selling product the profit from them needs to be higher because you're relying on them to keep the company afloat. Check out all the wheel only companies Frex/Ecci/TSW.. All web based

It is not a matter of size. We could easily sell it to retailers but that would increase the prices drastically. Of course we could have make compromises and sell another plastic wheel with rubber rim but we wanted to get away from the toyish feeling and keep the price low at the same time.

 

[Mr Latte]

Cologne 17th - 21st August 2011
Gamescom

Counting the days...

 

[RC45]

I'm sorry, are you saying you had to swap out T500's till you got a good one?

Yes. I had one of the 1st ones to hit the retail floor in the USA. And was 1 of the first if not the first person to experience the "bad fan" and "laughable fastners" and talk abotu it online. But as frustrated as a I was (even had Thrustmaster Facebook Agents call me a liar even after posting Youtube of error) I just swapped it at Fry's. Depleted their Houston stock in 3 weeks

With all the recent CSR/Elite buzz I was hoping for retail presence, but it sounds like it won't be the case. For something that's even Forza branded it seems odd we still have to order direct from Fanatec, effectively sight unseen.

And realistically no matter how much of a blowhard I am and emphatically state I will never buy another Fanaec product or will never buy another T10 game I already have FM4 on pre-order and will most probably get the handbrake and whatever "Clubsport" shifter Fanatec end up selling.

In the grand scheme of things the $1000 a year I throw away on sim/driving games is a drop compared to the money I throw at my real life track car.

This is the real reason that Fanatec haven't needed to change their business model - there are enough of us fools that will throw money at them every year no matter how bad the purchase experience is - and I am fully expecting it to be a nightmare again.

 

[rocketcaron]

Well, Fanatec is not WalMart.

When I ordered my GT2 I knew what I was getting into. I dealt with the delay and 2 DOA wheels but Fanatec took great care of me and now I enjoy the product without any regrets.

Annoyance? Oh yes. A nightmare? Nah...

 

[I'm Motarded]

It is not a matter of size. We could easily sell it to retailers but that would increase the prices drastically. Of course we could have make compromises and sell another plastic wheel with rubber rim but we wanted to get away from the toyish feeling and keep the price low at the same time.

This is kind of what I meant, but looking from a different angle.

Could you not ship it to retailers at the Web price and let them decide how much to price it on the shelves (or provide a higher RRP)? This way the Fanatec Web shop always has the best price for those that care about savings, The retailers have stock on the shelves for those that want to shop the "old fashioned way" and fanatec doesn't have to reduce the quality of the wheels.

To be honest, I can't really "walk" into to most of the Local PC goods stores and buy a competitor product. They just don't stock such a niche wheel. You only really need one outlet in the UK.. PC World

I think even a standard GT2 setup would sell like hotcakes even with £75-100 added to the the fanatec web store price. Once people see and feel a GT2 wheel in PC World I can't see them walking out the store with the 'less compatible' competitor product.

 

[12thgear]

It is not a matter of size. We could easily sell it to retailers but that would increase the prices drastically. Of course we could have make compromises and sell another plastic wheel with rubber rim but we wanted to get away from the toyish feeling and keep the price low at the same time.

It was also pretty telling that 911 Carrera sales lagged behind your higher end products. I think Motarded had it right regarding the niche market for sim gear. Brands such as Thrustmaster and Saitek were acquired by larger corporations. All the larger brands seem to offer diversified products. I can't remember the last time I saw at retail a product from a company that specialized solely in sim gear. I think those days (and the days of having major dedicated computer sales chains) are gone for good.

Perhaps some day you can start selling through Amazon at least? They're great when it comes to logistics and customer service: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200229160