Vision Racer...........Stunning

[Mr Latte]

Well, I only have mine connected to my PC (I'm waiting for GT5 and the new PS4 ), I use a wireless Keyboard with built in rollerball and it works fine.. perhaps i'm not hard core enough

Yes the cost of the G25 is steep in a vertical sense 💡 but as you pointed out theres nothing stopping you buying the wheel seperately like I did of the net (£150 from more computers if I remember correctly) Just looked @more the wheels now £191 from them!

Last we spoke you were thinking about building your own, Have you built your racing seat yet? if so lets see a picture, or are you saving yourself for something else?

I can tell you, I use my Visionracer a minimum of 4 times a week, it's a permanent setup. I could have gotten a cheaper setup. But this looks great ( shallow I know) If you do get one or build one of these expect to use it as much, as long as you don't show it to your friends!! cause it's very hard to get them off again. And I'd bet that if I'd built it they would have thought Geek.. as it is they look at it and say that looks amazing...

As a point of interest how much do you think they should charge?
and how much do you think most people would pay?

Cheers GSL

Regards price, well i would say if i discussed this amongst many people on a few big UK forums the price isnt the main issue. However i think £500-£600 price point for the main unit would make it much more appealing.

The issue imo is that this frame is "all about looks" its not well designed for sim enthausiasts so this hurts its high price as many cheaper products although without the "bling looks" actually are better suited for their purpose.

VR3 Design Disadvantages:
Cannot move the pedals further away from the wheel
Cannot move the wheel closer to the seat
Only the seat can be moved forward/back
No facility or option for a transducer/buttkicker type device
No Matrox Triplehead or 3 way screen support
No Keyboard/Mouse tray at easy access for comfort
No option to have dash controls beside wheel
Design seems built with console use only in mind
Design uses a specific layout to suit all shapes and sizes of people so this will compromise the total comfort for many.

Now consider a potential customer to be a hightech guy with lots of PC hardware, hes also into his consoles and enjoys his racing be it on PC,X360 or PS3. This type of guy has the money but because of the above limatations really the VR3 isnt that great.

It boils down to the fact that this is a seat and a frame, thats all it is, it does nothing. Its main purpose is for comfort and enjoyment of racing games.
Do other racing frames succeed at doing this better or for less, id say yes, do they look better, well id say no. Having to stretch to reach a keyboard sitting on a subwoofer or floor or on a PC beside the frame for me that just spoils the whole point of the flashy looks.

VR3 might be more suited to the rich boy that gets what he wants as any true sim fan or serious sim racer would find the same limations with the product as i have expressed.
Ive owned Playseat/GamePod and Game Racer so had plenty of choice in the past and know the weaknesses of each of those products. True some of them do not fully facilitate the points i made regarding PC sims neither however they do allow much more user adjustability for comfort and they are much, much cheaper.

My D.I.Y Project
Regards my own d.i.y sim frame, well all i can say is it will be much better than a VR3 is but use a similar quality of looks. Im in no rush to complete it but it contains the following:

Cobra Sebring Pro race seat, Buttkicker BKA 300, GT3 RS & Clubsports pedals, 3x Samsung S-PVA 22" screens. Im hoping GT5 will support triple screen, but if not i would expect FM3 to do so. However PC racing in triplehead will also be available. Keyboard tray will be included directly below the wheel for comfort and it will move in/out as will the wheel itself. Pedals and seat will also be repositionable.

 

[daan]

Mr Latte - You seem to have an issue with Vision Racer bordering on the libelous (see your comment about them robbing people.) They are entitled to charge whatever they like for their products. Please reconsider before you post any more attacks.

 

[Mr Latte]

Mr Latte - You seem to have an issue with Vision Racer bordering on the libelous (see your comment about them robbing people.) They are entitled to charge whatever they like for their products. Please reconsider before you post any more attacks.

Ive nothing against them whatsoever...

Also the price for the G25 they list i believe is the SRP.
They are quite within their right to sell it at that, I just personally think its not a good idea.

The comment regarding robbing people was actually in jest, i thought that was a well known term for being more expensive than others?
You being from Scotland should be well accustomed with it too.

Is it not wise to assume that most people here would "google" the G25 product anyways, or know about it and prices/places others have obtained one?

 

[daan]

Ive nothing against them whatsoever...

Then stop being so negative and insulting towards them.

The comment regarding robbing people was actually in jest,

Doesn't seem like it to me, especially when you went on to say it was extortion.

You being from Scotland should be well accustomed with it too.

Please tell me you're not saying that the Scots are a nation of thieves?

 

[Mr Latte]

Okay you want me to be positive about the product/brand and Im sure you have your reasons for that with them already supporting GTP in the past/future as an advertiser.

Regards Scotland and Scottish People I dont know where your trying to go with that at all. Im Ulster/Scot myself so what would that make me?
I think your trying to be a bit too PC here. The comment about robbing people is often used locally where i am from and well i would of thought throughout most of the UK at least? What do you jokingly say about a place that charges more in Scotland then. Perhaps you dinney ken.

Regards my remark as it was from inital reaction,shock really but your treating it as an act of wickedness or intent to damage the reputation of the brand, which it is not. Any comments i have made are personal opinion, yes perhaps VR3 isnt right for me but it might be just fantastic for others who want looks as their No.1 requirement in a racing frame.
See my early posts as I was very eager to see more of this product but in a sense this thread has had very little interest or response, well certainly alot less than i would of expected.

Regards the G25 just because i think selling an item at such a price may give some people a bad perception of the company as expensive or overpriced.
Im sure i will not be the only one to see the price and think OMG.
Its very easy to compare online and to be quite fair i dont know of many successfull online businesse's that sell at SRP.

If Simon and the people at VR decide to sell a G25 at that price, then thats purely a business decision. Simply buy less, sell less but make more money.
I run a business myself so fully understand they cant compete with the cheapest megasites but offering zero discount from the SRP?

However perhaps they dont look at it in the way it shocked me/possibly others. I feel in the long run it sends out the wrong kind of signals to potential customers and if anything that will harm the reputation,brand,opinion of viewers more.

Maybe i should learn that GTP isnt as open with joking or less serious comments.

 

[daan]

Okay you want me to be positive about the product/brand and Im sure you have your reasons for that with them already supporting GTP in the past/future as an advertiser.

I don't care whether you are positive or negative about anything. I don't know or care if VR support GTP. It makes no difference to my posts here. I'm a mod, I see someone being attacked, I step in. I would do the same for you. You just seem to go out of your way to attack Vision Racer for no apparent reason. I happen to think that the VR looks great, but is way too expensive and, as I own a Playseat, I don't need one.

Maybe i should learn that GTP isnt as open with joking or less serious comments.

I do not believe that your comments about robbing and extortion were made in jest. There was no indication of that.

Enough of this anyway. Lets get back to the topic at hand, without the attacks.

 

[Mr Latte]

Well Im sorry your wrong, it was to be taken as a OMG your kidding how much phrase. No need to take it any further as youve already made a big issue out of it...

Its NOT intent on discrediting anyone and i have already tried to explain but now your saying basically im lying. If Geoff or Simon from VR feel attacked then by all means apologies but at the same time they know fine well how some will react to the price listed for that product.

Additionally to prove im not being biased Playseats.biz sell the G25 for approx the same price but the UK Game Racer product sell it on their website at £100 cheaper. Thats £100 Less!

Call it what you will and if "robbing" is too strong of a word for you, then as a mod go in and edit it to something like "they are having a laugh" "you gotta be kidding" "catch yourself on" "wise up" or any other term used in slang as "robbing" is often used.

I give up....

 

[Streets]

The VR is a great bit of kit, the driving position came from a rally driver who designed it. I've just become a father so have to sell mine to make room for the baby.

Also regarding the pricing of the G25, if you check Logitiech you'lll see that they also have increased the price, the only way you'll pay less is from 'old stock' that some companies have left. All new stock is being charged at the new price.
Somthing to do with the price of the dollar I imagine.

 

[Streets]

Mines up for grabs now on ebay, if anyones after one.

 

[TheDabbinDave]

I have a Playseat (Tony Stewart edition) and I've thought about upgrading to a VR3. That was up until the part about the VR3 not being anywhere near adjustable as the Playseat. On top of that the VR3 is almost triple the price? Being able to adjust everything independently from each other is essential. Seat distance, wheel distance +wheel height +wheel angle, Add to that the Playseat can be folded down and squished into a smaller space. The Playseat lacks lumbar support, but there is no excuse for the VR3.

 

[NickA]

I have a Playseat (Tony Stewart edition) and I've thought about upgrading to a VR3. That was up until the part about the VR3 not being anywhere near adjustable as the Playseat. On top of that the VR3 is almost triple the price? Being able to adjust everything independently from each other is essential. Seat distance, wheel distance +wheel height +wheel angle, Add to that the Playseat can be folded down and squished into a smaller space. The Playseat lacks lumbar support, but there is no excuse for the VR3.

Well, I recently migrated from a Playseat to a VR3 and I have to say the VR3 is a fantastic bit of kit. Alright the VR3 is expensive but the quality is excellent and I feel the driving position is much better with the VR3 than what I had on my Playseat!
To be honest, the adjustability isn't a problem for me cos in many ways it feels like the perfect driving position and the seat moving/forwards back is enough for me (And my 7 year old at times!)
When I had my Playseat I very rarely adjusted the wheel angle or anything so that for me was a gimmick plus the angle adjustment would loosen off from time to time which meant the wheel dropped down and I had to have the allen key to hand to tighten it up.
I'm fortunate enough to have a bit of free space in my office at home so folding away was never a problem.
To buy these racing seats/rigs you do need space and obviously the cash to do it and I believe in the old saying - You only live once (So spend it before you die!!!) 👍
Oh, and once you've got a VR3 you just need a Fanatec 911 Turbo S wheel and CSP's to top it off! (Isn't that right GSLooney?? )

Nick

 

[Mr Latte]

Be nice to see some pics of the VR3 with the Fanatec Wheel & pedals guys...

 

[NickA]

Be nice to see some pics of the VR3 with the Fanatec Wheel & pedals guys...

I tried to upload some pics the other night for you to my btinternet webspace but oddly I couldn't upload pics although I could create new directories etc. Now alright I'm not a bt customer anymore but it seems they still haven't deactivated my account as yet!

Anyway, anyone know of any good places where I can upload pics to for free?

Nick

 

[eSZee]

Was watching this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMn5FScd66k

and noticed they were using this as the cockpit for their comparison. It was honestly so disappointing seeing the amount of movement that all the wheels had with this cockpit. Seems the pretty bar in the middle does nothing for stability.
Comparison starts at about the 24 minute mark.

 

[gslooney]

I tried to upload some pics the other night for you to my btinternet webspace but oddly I couldn't upload pics although I could create new directories etc. Now alright I'm not a bt customer anymore but it seems they still haven't deactivated my account as yet!

Anyway, anyone know of any good places where I can upload pics to for free?

Nick

Nick,
Get yourself a free account here.. http://photobucket.com/ upload your pictures then copy and past the tags that begin with IMG Code into the forums and your pictures will be visable.. you'll see what I mean..

 

[Mr Latte]

or even use "tinypic" its dead simple to upload a picture and select a size of 800x600

 

[Radracing]

Was watching this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMn5FScd66k

and noticed they were using this as the cockpit for their comparison. It was honestly so disappointing seeing the amount of movement that all the wheels had with this cockpit. Seems the pretty bar in the middle does nothing for stability.
Comparison starts at about the 24 minute mark.

As you can see in the video (0:17) the support for the monitor is pretty weak since it wobbles from side to side as you steer.

 

[gslooney]

As you can see in the video (0:17) the support for the monitor is pretty weak since it wobbles from side to side as you steer.

Actually thats my VR3.. this was taken almost a year ago when i first got the VR3 (feb 09) for something that's "pretty weak", as you put it. It still works perfectly, nothing has broken.. although I now have a fanatec wheel and clubsport pedals attached, and I made some speaker brackets out of steel and attached the speakers to the frame as well... There is a little movement, as you can see (I suspect pretty weak is an asumption, or has yours broken? do you have one?), but to be honest for me this just adds to the feeling.. does it detract from the fun I have with it.. no.
would it put me off buying it again.. no. do I miss loads of adjustability... no it fits me and my now 13 year old, in fact no one thats ever sits in it has said.. anything about the lack of adjustment.. and some nights I spend 3 to 4 hours in it!

it gets about 16 hours use a week.. more now that my daughter discovered Forza!! hopefully I can convince her that GT5 is too difficult or I might have to buy another!

I'm only writing this as saying it's weak to me is doing it a disservice.

 

[Mr Latte]

I think its fair to say the VR3 does flex/move a bit.
That doesnt mean its not strong or easily damaged and its a cracking looking setup. People that do own them (which seems not that many) however do seem satisified with their purchase.
Personally I love the looks of it but think its overpriced for what it is/does when comparing it to other setups available.


The movement may not bother some but it might others as this isnt a £300 cockpit.
Id say having a frame with more areas of adjustment is better than not having it and the SRT review highlighted the differences between Sean and Darin not being able to get a perfect balance in comfort/positioning.

Also take a situation such as buying a new wheel or changing wheels, this may mean youd prefer to have a wheel sitting higher or lower depending on the wheel being used and perhaps how close or far away you position yourself to the wheel/pedals. The disadvantage is something as simple as that isnt possible which many I talk to see as an oversight for a frame at this price point.

A £99 wheelstand gives more adjustability for personal preference for instance as do many of the popular frames. A Playseat for example is about half the price yet wont flex as much and offer much more adjustability, but yeah its seat is basic and its not as nice looking. If it wasnt for the lack of adjustability and a bit more stability Id of bought a couple of VR3 myself by now.

However one of the most stable and reasonable "Gameseats" Im aware of is "GamePod" Link This wont budge and although not perfect either is a decent setup and again when comparing prices, mmmm.

Also I came across these recently and they also do upgrades for Evo Playseats...

Price around and decide for yourselves whats best for you.....

 

[Radracing]

Actually thats my VR3.. this was taken almost a year ago when i first got the VR3 (feb 09) for something that's "pretty weak", as you put it. It still works perfectly, nothing has broken.. although I now have a fanatec wheel and clubsport pedals attached, and I made some speaker brackets out of steel and attached the speakers to the frame as well... There is a little movement, as you can see (I suspect pretty weak is an asumption, or has yours broken? do you have one?), but to be honest for me this just adds to the feeling.. does it detract from the fun I have with it.. no.
would it put me off buying it again.. no. do I miss loads of adjustability... no it fits me and my now 13 year old, in fact no one thats ever sits in it has said.. anything about the lack of adjustment.. and some nights I spend 3 to 4 hours in it!

it gets about 16 hours use a week.. more now that my daughter discovered Forza!! hopefully I can convince her that GT5 is too difficult or I might have to buy another!

I'm only writing this as saying it's weak to me is doing it a disservice.

No offence, but maybe for the lack of a better word. Yes I would say it is all together a good seat. I just wanted to point out that it could still be improved by making the wheel platform and monitor stand a little more steady and maybe adjustable. Comparing it to the gamepod I think would be were you would see the difference.

 

[NickA]

or even use "tinypic" its dead simple to upload a picture and select a size of 800x600

Thanks mate!
Just created an account on there 👍

 

[NickA]

 

[eSZee]

Actually thats my VR3.. this was taken almost a year ago when i first got the VR3 (feb 09) for something that's "pretty weak", as you put it. It still works perfectly, nothing has broken.. although I now have a fanatec wheel and clubsport pedals attached, and I made some speaker brackets out of steel and attached the speakers to the frame as well... There is a little movement, as you can see (I suspect pretty weak is an asumption, or has yours broken? do you have one?), but to be honest for me this just adds to the feeling.. does it detract from the fun I have with it.. no.
would it put me off buying it again.. no. do I miss loads of adjustability... no it fits me and my now 13 year old, in fact no one thats ever sits in it has said.. anything about the lack of adjustment.. and some nights I spend 3 to 4 hours in it!

it gets about 16 hours use a week.. more now that my daughter discovered Forza!! hopefully I can convince her that GT5 is too difficult or I might have to buy another!

I'm only writing this as saying it's weak to me is doing it a disservice.

I'm sure you love it and that's all that really matters. But, to me it seems that the amount of money that setup costs, they would think to make a better support of the wheel. I don't see how it adds to realism since in a car, the steering wheel/column, doesn't have 2-3" of sideways travel. Seems like they put looks before function.

 

[Biggles]

I don't to knock anyone else's buying decisions, but honestly, I don't think the Playseat Evo can be beat for simplicity, functionality, looks & price. The fact that it is light weight means it can easily be moved in front of a large HDTV for racing, or packed away when not racing - this makes it unnecessary to own an extra TV to mount on a stand (although of course this does depend on the space &/or TV you have available). The aluminium frame & minimal design means it is rather unobtrusive, whereas all the other cockpits I have seen have a kind of "meccano-set" look to them.

Of all the sim racing hardware or software that I have come across, all of which have flaws of one sort or another, the Playseat Evo gets the most unqualified thumbs-up from me. My single complaint is not enough lower back support, something that is easily fixed by adding a small cushion or bolster to the seat.

(The GamePod looks functional, but certainly not as sleek as the Playseat - &, in US dollars at least, is twice as much as a Playseat.)

 

[FishHunters]

VR3 Design Disadvantages:
Cannot move the pedals further away from the wheel
Cannot move the wheel closer to the seat
Only the seat can be moved forward/back


Now consider a potential customer to be a hightech guy with lots of PC hardware, hes also into his consoles and enjoys his racing be it on PC,X360 or PS3. This type of guy has the money but because of the above limatations really the VR3 isnt that great.

It boils down to the fact that this is a seat and a frame, thats all it is, it does nothing. Its main purpose is for comfort and enjoyment of racing games.
Do other racing frames succeed at doing this better or for less, id say yes, do they look better, well id say no. Having to stretch to reach a keyboard sitting on a subwoofer or floor or on a PC beside the frame for me that just spoils the whole point of the flashy looks.

VR3 might be more suited to the rich boy that gets what he wants as any true sim fan or serious sim racer would find the same limations with the product as i have expressed.
Ive owned Playseat/GamePod and Game Racer so had plenty of choice in the past and know the weaknesses of each of those products. True some of them do not fully facilitate the points i made regarding PC sims neither however they do allow much more user adjustability for comfort and they are much, much cheaper.

Definitely not a "rich-boy". Willing to invest the money into a great seat even this one at $1159US. BUT...it's got to not have those limitations that you mention. Seats got to be comfortable and adjustable and the wheel stand has to be adjustable. I like having the wheel almost in my lap so my arms don't get tired holding them stretched out. Want to have my feet positioned so that the pedals feel comfortable. If this stand did those things I'd buy it. Probably going to have to get a real car seat from a junk yard and build my own out of wood.

 

[scoddee]

Stunning ? Yes. But it fails my first test by having ANYTHING, well anything inanimate, between my legs. Center post cockpits in general move around a bit. It's as if the designers knowledge of mechanical principles is lacking. Rigidity of the wheel support to the bsse is important and ample width of the base directly under the the wheel is helpful.

I could go on but I think it would be easier to send you to Obutto's website.LOL. Now if we could figure a way to pretty up that cockpit you'd really have something.

Scotty

 

[occasionalracer]

Seats got to be comfortable and adjustable and the wheel stand has to be adjustable. I like having the wheel almost in my lap so my arms don't get tired holding them stretched out. Want to have my feet positioned so that the pedals feel comfortable.

What's the point of a cockpit if you aren't using it to simulate the proper seating position. You need to just race for a few weeks using your arms lifting muscles and they'll get used to it. Of coarse there are still seating positions preferences for each person, but you don't want to invest in such an expensive piece and sit on it like a kid with his wheel in his lap... not cool.

 

[Jocar83]

I just ordered mine. Can't wait for it to come. I'm using a little study desk with a wedged wooden platform to put the peddals on an angle at the moment. Combined with a bucket styled camping chair, its actually pretty comfortable. But as the wife keeps pointing out, it's an eye sore. So I blame her for my impulsive purchase.