Another Fanatec wheel arrives!

[Fanatec...]

The "Clubsport" range stands for:
ultra high-end technology and materials
high but affordable prices
made of metal
customizable
durable

The shifter will be no exception.

 

[tingri]

At the moment I am very happy with the line up we have and I don't feel that it would make a lot of sense to make more branded sports car wheels. More people have asked me to do a neutral wheel or special wheels for F1, Nascar etc.
But as I said, at the moment I am quite happy with the broad range of wheels and I don't see why more wheel options would help us to sell more.
We have wheels for all platforms and from 149,95 to 499,95 so it should be enough for now. I rather concentrate on peripherals like the Clubsport Shifter.

You rather concentrate on reliability, it is absolutely unwonted for a German manufacturer to make a faulty design for his high end products, so at least first change the PCB and then start selling the last batch of Turbo S wheels.

 

[PzR Slim]

I would say that is wise. A lot of people are pining for that CS Shifter.

The current range is outstanding.

I would echo Delphics sentiments. I can find no fault with my CSP's and am eager to see more in the clubsport range.

 

[chromatic9]

Look forward to trying out the UE669 Firmware when its available. Great to have those options for GT.

Has there been any details at all of the clubsport shifter operation?

I prefer the G25 shifter over the normal Fanatec one with its smoother selecting, more typical gated layout even though its a bit too loose. I hoping for a less slack G25 type shifter with even better build quality. The normal Fanatec shifter is too clicky and more like a heavy joystick. Moving to 5th and 6th is not good. Would like a more real gated layout and feel.

A similar style and operation to the original but made of metal and other high-end materials wouldn't sell it to me.

 

[12thgear]

I prefer the G25 shifter over the normal Fanatec one with its smoother selecting, more typical gated layout even though its a bit too loose. I hoping for a less slack G25 type shifter with even better build quality. The normal Fanatec shifter is too clicky and more like a heavy joystick. Moving to 5th and 6th is not good. Would like a more real gated layout and feel.

I like that the Fanatec shifter is more positive, but you're right; it's far from perfect. I find downshifting from 3rd to 2nd can be challenging. And since the resistance is created by foam blocks (admirably simple), it's center action doesn't feel good. The internal "gates" are plastic and I'm concerned about durability. If you've ever opened your Fanatec shifter you can see that it basically is a joystick, with 7 detents built into the base.

Operationally, I'd love to see the following in the ClubSport shifter:

• Positive, firm clunk when shifted into gear (confirmed by Thomas)
• A reverse lockout (push the knob or pull a collar up to go to R)
• Reversible 180 degree gate so reverse can be bottom right or top left
• Consistent resistance entering all gears (current foam makes extremes too firm)
• Internal shift gate, not the fussy external ones that seem to be harder to use

And as for feel, I say go benchmark some NSXs, Miatas, S2000s. That's my preference at least.

 

[crazedmodder]

lol it's ok I didn't expect you to make a Lambo wheel just from me blurting it out like that. Yeah your current line-up is good it fills most people's needs. I also can't wait to see the CS Shifter and the CS Handbrake!

BTW to you guys above who haven't seen it you should check out their blog:
http://www.911wheel.de/?q=node/3542
There's some information about what they're aiming for with the shifter.

 

[Kryz11]

Man I never driven real manual cars, but I always hear the Miata has one of the best shifters. Funny how I can ace a lot of Heal to Toe techniques and what not, yet I never did it with real cars! haha

Thomas, give GT Planet the exclusive reserves for the Clubsport Shifters

So far we have

Clubsport Pedals
Clubsport Shifter
Clubsport Hand Brake (maybe)

whats next?
Clubsport wheel?

 

[chromatic9]

BTW to you guys above who haven't seen it you should check out their blog:
http://www.911wheel.de/?q=node/3542
There's some information about what they're aiming for with the shifter.

Thanks! Sounds promising. 👍

 

[Durandal7]

Man I never driven real manual cars, but I always hear the Miata has one of the best shifters. Funny how I can ace a lot of Heal to Toe techniques and what not, yet I never did it with real cars! haha

Thomas, give GT Planet the exclusive reserves for the Clubsport Shifters

So far we have

Clubsport Pedals
Clubsport Shifter
Clubsport Hand Brake (maybe)

whats next?
Clubsport wheel?

Probably not until after the Turbo S sells out completely, at the earliest, but sounds plausible.

 

[Fanatec...]

Why not? But my personal taget would be to make an affordable motion simulator as this would really increase the fun and realism a lot. But this is a gigantic project and will take a long long time.

 

[kikie]

Why not? But my personal taget would be to make an affordable motion simulator as this would really increase the fun and realism a lot. But this is a gigantic project and will take a long long time.

How many DOF's? And how long is a long long time? Is it possible to give an estimate?

 

[Fanatec...]

We did not even start to think about it so it is impossible to say anything but I have the feeling that there will be many gamers which would be very interested in a motion sim at the price of a medium Mountain bike. But I did not want to start something here...

 

[Delphic Reason]

I have the feeling that there will be many gamers which would be very interested in a motion sim at the price of a medium Mountain bike. But I did not want to start something here...

Absolutely.

 

[kikie]

We did not even start to think about it so it is impossible to say anything but I have the feeling that there will be many gamers which would be very interested in a motion sim at the price of a medium Mountain bike. But I did not want to start something here...

Right, fair enough.

 

[myke6699]

At the moment I am very happy with the line up we have and I don't feel that it would make a lot of sense to make more branded sports car wheels. More people have asked me to do a neutral wheel or special wheels for F1, Nascar etc.
But as I said, at the moment I am quite happy with the broad range of wheels and I don't see why more wheel options would help us to sell more.
We have wheels for all platforms and from 149,95 to 499,95 so it should be enough for now. I rather concentrate on peripherals like the Clubsport Shifter.

There's always the quick-release route so that people can use the steering wheel of their choice. Also it allows for optimum wheel sized for GT or F1 car. Of course that would increase the price of the wheel but as long as it's cheaper than the Frex Simwheel, which is as far as I know is the only FFB wheel with the QR option. I'm actually saving my money for the Frex (and praying that it will be fully supported in GT5).

 

[Mr Latte]

I hope the guys at Fanatec take a close look at the Gearstick "ARC" team are for doing. Also the "FREX" and "SST" models.
Maybe the Fanatec RnD team can get some ideas from those.

 

[Fanatec...]

We ususally don't look at other stuff too closely because it limits your creativity. It is better to start with a plain white paper. Otherwise you risk to copy the flaws as well

 

[Mr Latte]

We ususally don't look at other stuff too closely because it limits your creativity. It is better to start with a plain white paper. Otherwise you risk to copy the flaws as well

Well doesnt seem to of hurt you in the past if thats how you go about it 👍

 

[kikie]

We ususally don't look at other stuff too closely because it limits your creativity. It is better to start with a plain white paper.

A shifter made of paper? I want one!

 

[PzR Slim]

A shifter made of paper? I want one!

Some of that origami stuff is damn strong

 

[Delphic Reason]

Review coming soon...

Also, I will be reviewing the new Clubsport Paddles (Aluminum).

Stay tuned...

 

[Mr Latte]

Looking forward to it.

Those paddles sure look nice with plnty of room for fingers now.
When are they appearing on the website I wonder and what price?

Not so sure about the blue colour wheel, black might of been nicer but just personal opinion.

 

[Delphic Reason]

Looking forward to it.

Those paddles sure look nice with plnty of room for fingers now.
When are they appearing on the website I wonder and what price?

The Aluminum Paddles will most likely be released in a month or two.

Not so sure about the blue colour wheel, black might of been nicer but just personal opinion.

Well, they had to differentiate this wheel from the others in the range. To be honest, it looks fantastic clamped to my secondary cockpit (black/blue seat).

I will also be reviewing the Rennsport Wheel Stand along side my wheel review.

Lots of new info coming up.

 

[kikie]

Some of that origami stuff is damn strong

... and very difficult to duplicate but very easy to correct the mechanical faults.

It seems that race "game" simmers aren't being ignored by the hardware manufacturers. There are more developers popping up from nowhere as we speak. Luckily we already have; Logitech, Fanatec, Frex, sst, BRD, ARC, to name a few.

 

[12thgear]

I applied to test the Carrera wheel. Hope I get accepted. I think this is perhaps Fanatec's most important product. I'm curious to see how their gear-driven wheel fares, and how it compares to premium gear-driven wheels like the Logitech G25 and G27. Also, I think the blue looks pretty neat. It's certainly distinctive.

Those Clubsport paddles look very nice. I'm glad they added the space. I think the space should be a separate piece (can't tell from the picture). It would be great if they added two spacer sizes and two screw sizes too, so you could adjust depth. It's just too bad the fundamental Fanatec paddle shifter design is the mushy plastic design like on the Logitech Driving Force Pro and Driving Force GT. I like the positive feel of the G25/G27.

 

[Delphic Reason]

I'm curious to see how their gear-driven wheel fares, and how it compares to premium gear-driven wheels like the Logitech G25 and G27.

So far, the gear noise is quite a bit less than the G25. Not sure about the G27, as I'm sure it is a bit louder (don't have one for testing). Very positive feel on the FFB. I'll leave the rest for the review.

Those Clubsport paddles look very nice. I'm glad they added the space. I think the space should be a separate piece (can't tell from the picture).

There is a separate metal spacer between the metal paddle, and the wheel paddle.

It would be great if they added two spacer sizes and two screw sizes too, so you could adjust depth.

Some kind of wheel tuning kit is not out of the question. If the fans demand it.

It's just too bad the fundamental Fanatec paddle shifter design is the mushy plastic design like on the Logitech Driving Force Pro and Driving Force GT. I like the positive feel of the G25/G27.

The feel of the paddles is quite different on the Carrera, as compared with the PWTS. I prefer the feel of the PWTS paddles, but some may prefer the slightly longer throw, and more definite "click" of the PWC's.

 

[12thgear]

So far, the gear noise is quite a bit less than the G25. Not sure about the G27, as I'm sure it is a bit louder (don't have one for testing). Very positive feel on the FFB. I'll leave the rest for the review.

There is a separate metal spacer between the metal paddle, and the wheel paddle.

Excellent news regarding noise and the spacer between the Clubsport paddle and wheel paddle. I'm looking forward to the review.

 

[chromatic9]

@Fanatec

Would it be technically possible to adjust the pedal deadzones through the wheel? I doubt its possible. Any other way if the game doesn't have these options?

My G25 brake and accelerator pedals are sticking slightly. When playing GT5P with the G25, it must calibrate itself or have some deadzone as they work fine.

When using the G25 adapter with the Fanatec Turbo S on GT5P I get the brake and accelerator staying on slightly while driving. The adapter is very exact and I have to manually pull the pedals up. Few months back I only got the brake staying on occasionally and wasn't a big deal. With the pedals now sticking more, changing gear with flat-shifting now removed is impossible to do quickly as the revs don't drop fast enough and just slowly return so you get Neutral as the game doesn't think you've lifted off enough. And Brake pedal is slightly staying on most of the time.

I'll have to get them replaced by logitech hopefully or maybe open the pedal box and try to fix them. Would be great if you could change the deadzones with the hardware. Forza 3 plays fine with the sticky pedals as you can adjust all the pedals deadzones manually or automatically within the game. Hopefully GT5 allows for some adjustment but I doubt that very much.

May even get clubsport pedals in a years time if you're still selling them.

 

[Raitziger]

I would take pedals apart and do repairs if needed. I made adapter for g25 pedals myself and even that is working fine.

 

[Fanatec...]

@Fanatec

Would it be technically possible to adjust the pedal deadzones through the wheel?

We could do that but I am not sure how popular this feature will be. It also blows up the Tuning menu. I suggest to repair your G25 pedals or get it replaced