CSW / CSR E / T500 RS vs XBOX / PS3 / PC

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windracing
To testers:
I´m currently saving money and thinking in replace my setup for 2012. After reading the reviews of CSR E I am in a dilema.
Right now I have only G25 (ps3-pc). I had in the last two years fanatec PWTS and GT2 but after the xbox 360 died i sold the wheels and games (really I never liked the feeling of that wheels on forza 2-3)
My question is: It´s worth the buy of a new xbox 360 bundle with Forza 4 to be played with the CSR E or better replace G25 with a t500 or CSW (problably with the same or better performance on pc-ps3 than the elite) and avoid Forza 4 for the rest of my life...?
I mean if still Forza 4 is a game or with CSR E becomes a real simulation on the same league as GTRs , RBR .....
Because if I choose the elite i can use the g25 pedals and is not necessary to buy a new ones but yes a bundle xbox/f4 for around 250....total 750 €
but if i choose the csw i have to buy a new pedals set (600 CSW with GT rim + 200 CSP)... total 800 €.
 
Let me correct you on the CSW, it's the same as the CSR Elite or any other Fanatec product when it comes to compatibility. So yes, you CAN use your G25 pedals with it using the adapter.
 
I would say yes get an XBox and Forza4, then an Elite and G25/l27 pedal adaptor.

In my opinion and experience (so please no-one jump down my throat about this)

FM4 is miles better than GT5 and has even blown FM3 into the weeds (I was hugeley disappointed by FM3).

F1 2011 on the XBox is much much better than it is on the PS3 (Graphics and less bugs on XBox)

Xbox Live is far superior to PSN, yes you pay for it but at the equivallent of 64pence a week (Less than a €) it's well worth the cost.

Next year it looks like C.A.R.S is coming to all consoles, so I reckon that with the quality of XBL vs PSN, XBox will be the version to go for, also, we're still waiting for an update from SimBin but it's possible that GTR3 could be coming to consoles.

So again, for me XBox and Elite will be the way to go.
 
LogiForce
Let me correct you on the CSW, it's the same as the CSR Elite or any other Fanatec product when it comes to compatibility. So yes, you CAN use your G25 pedals with it using the adapter.
Click to expand...

You probably can't.
Fanatec comparison chart says under CSW that Fanatec pedals are compatible while under CSR Elite, it says Fanatec pedals + G25/G27 pedals.

I remember reading somewhere that CSW supports only CSR Elite pedals and CSP's and not even standard Fanatec pedals.

To cap6760
The other thing is, that we don't how much GT rim will cost. It mays cost 200, 250 or even 300 instead of 150.
 
If you're more a gamer then something like the CSR-E because it covers all platform will probably be ideal. For someone who's main interest is the simulation side of game, then CSW because of its adaptability has to be the wheel.

Forza 4 although a much better game than GT5, in my opinion, still in the same league when it comes to physics and drivability. So it's a matter of whether you like playing game or driving car.

Personally, I was going for the T500RS but after reading CSR-E review and looking at CSW construction, I'm opting for the latter (the CSW).
 
bumer
You probably can't.
Fanatec comparison chart says under CSW that Fanatec pedals are compatible while under CSR Elite, it says Fanatec pedals + G25/G27 pedals.

I remember reading somewhere that CSW supports only CSR Elite pedals and CSP's and not even standard Fanatec pedals.

To cap6760
The other thing is, that we don't how much GT rim will cost. It mays cost 200, 250 or even 300 instead of 150.
Click to expand...

It would be strange as Thomas wants the CSW to have unlimited abilities. ;)
I have a G25 so I'll ask Thomas if he can send a G25 adapter with my community test wheel when the time comes. ;)

Edit: Just looked at the chart as well now I am on a PC. I wonder why it's not compatible with the G25 pedals/pedal adapter. They are good pedals if modded the hell out of them, which some people did out there and they would like to keep their G25/27 (modded) pedals. So no clue other then money as to why Thomas removed that option from the CSW.
 
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Bumer
that´s true, no price still for the new rims. And chart comparison says no compatibilty for g25 pedals on CSW. So still the 2 opcions exists if i go for FANATEC.
i´m not specially interested on the elite wheel rim look , better a GT or rally style for me, so depends on the price. And probably i can change the elite rim in futur. only thomas know what will be on that area... prices and options.

Also i prefer rally games over the rest and there no much choice on xbox except DIRT 3. Rally on GT5 is not fun at all (the whole game is boring especially for the sound). that´s one thing i like on forza 4 and important for inmersion.
Waiting for more reviews and news from Thomas about this before choosing anything.

third possibility is a T500 for only 400 with pedals plus if I sell the g25 for 150 i will spend only 250¡¡¡¡¡
 
jonboy1066
I would say yes get an XBox and Forza4, then an Elite and G25/l27 pedal adaptor.

In my opinion and experience (so please no-one jump down my throat about this)

FM4 is miles better than GT5 and has even blown FM3 into the weeds (I was hugeley disappointed by FM3).

F1 2011 on the XBox is much much better than it is on the PS3 (Graphics and less bugs on XBox)

Xbox Live is far superior to PSN, yes you pay for it but at the equivallent of 64pence a week (Less than a €) it's well worth the cost.

Next year it looks like C.A.R.S is coming to all consoles, so I reckon that with the quality of XBL vs PSN, XBox will be the version to go for, also, we're still waiting for an update from SimBin but it's possible that GTR3 could be coming to consoles.

So again, for me XBox and Elite will be the way to go.
Click to expand...

Hi jonboy
3 factors against xbox for me
1.-No interest at all for F1. and no rally on forza 4 , that´s a shame for me.
2.-Not much possibilities for online gaming. offline 90 % of my time.
3.-Xbox 720 around the corner
 
Don't understand.

You answered the first part of your question yourself.
 
If i´had played only one time Forza 4 with CSR E i wouln´d start the threat, be sure of that. It´s all about sensations and only the testers can answer me right know....
No rally on forza, and neither in pc games as gtr, race..... but i already have all of them.
That´s because i´m considering buying one console and one wheel...750 euros... only to play one game. If really is that good on sensations all togheter then i go for it . if not i stick with ps3-pc with csw or t500.
 
PC. PC. PC. Let me repeat that for you, PC.

NOTHING on console (except for RACE Pro) can surpass the quality/realism/physics in a PC sim. Just take a look at all the mods available, Shift 2 on console is a laggy, floaty, buggy POS, on PC with the Polish Tire Mod, it blows GT5 out of the water.
Want rally? RBR. It is being updated constantly (RSRBR) and still has a massive community despite it's age.
Look at the upcoming pCARS and rF2, they are pretty much on par with the console giants in terms of graphics.

And why wait for the next Xbox/PS? who knows what protocol they will use? will current wheels even work on it?

As for Forza, here are my opinions:
FM2: The most realistic Forza so far, the physics engine is flipping crazy, speeds on par with PC sims..BUT the engine is not properly utilized. Also, the auction house support just got dropped, FM2 online play might be dropped as well.
http://www.virtualr.net/tech-stuff-physic-engine-rates

FM3: Crap game, gimped, only play it for the Porsche's lol

FM4: Content wise (not the Autovista stuff), it mirrors FM3, making it very bland. While the game is beautiful, I feel it lacks the rather soft and feeling of depth that GT has. Up close, GT hands down. And no night racing return from FM1 makes me a unsatisfied simracer. You would have thought that a ALMS partnership would equal day/night cycles...

Last but not least, after 2 damn games, hover glitch still isn't fixed. Unacceptable.

For PC sim hardware, selection is king.
eg: CST blows CSP Pedals out of the water.
http://www.cannonsimulationtechnologies.com/
 
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somebodysb2
PC. PC. PC. Let me repeat that for you, PC.
Click to expand...

AMEN, so far we have had nothing but consoles being tested. The real games (iRacing, rFactor, Sim Bin) have all been overlooked to this point.

I think Forza 4 is a good game but not a great game, I would like to introduce the console guys to iRacing to see what real physics feel like.
 
jonboy1066
Next year it looks like C.A.R.S is coming to all consoles, so I reckon that with the quality of XBL vs PSN, XBox will be the version to go for, also, we're still waiting for an update from SimBin but it's possible that GTR3 could be coming to consoles.
Click to expand...

I honestly think how both CARS and rFactor2 will be published on consoles, but not on this gen ones.

Nexgen consoles will almost certainly see both of those titles appearing in the lineup.
 
@left888, I'm getting ready to write up my review soon. I've been playing PC sims with it non-stop. I just need to get in some GT5 with it

CSR-E is so incredible. My poor T500RS has been collecting dust. This makes me sad it's not even a year old.....

I just need to set aside some time tonight to hook up the T500RS and do some more direct comparisons.

Anyway, yeah I'm really feeling this CSR-E it's like crack. It will take your life lol.
 
left888
AMEN, so far we have had nothing but consoles being tested. The real games (iRacing, rFactor, Sim Bin) have all been overlooked to this point.

I think Forza 4 is a good game but not a great game, I would like to introduce the console guys to iRacing to see what real physics feel like.
Click to expand...

Forza 4 is a great GAME. It's not a great SIM (Same with GT).


BTW who the heck has a footer with their pc spec and quotes the cpu at stock?
 
ok thanks to all. Then no forza 4, no xbox, no CSR E.
Only 2 choices to replace G25 (wheel, pedals and shifter)...
1.-T500 RS wheel-pedals for 400 plus shifter for 150: total 550 €
2.-CSW for minimun 600 (with rim) plus elite pedals 150 and new shifter 150 (?). Total 900 (minimum)
The gap in price (350 €) is the same in performance?????
Who knows ?

Hard work for testers...next month. I will wait for the final conclusion¡¡¡

This make me realize how good is the G25 for the pricde i paid. But i ´m going to sell it for sure soon.
 
cap6760
ok thanks to all. Then no forza 4, no xbox, no CSR E.
Only 2 choices to replace G25 (wheel, pedals and shifter)...
1.-T500 RS wheel-pedals for 400 plus shifter for 150: total 550 €
2.-CSW for minimun 600 (with rim) plus elite pedals 150 and new shifter 150 (?). Total 900 (minimum)
The gap in price (350 €) is the same in performance?????
Who knows ?

Hard work for testers...next month. I will wait for the final conclusion¡¡¡

This make me realize how good is the G25 for the pricde i paid. But i ´m going to sell it for sure soon.
Click to expand...

Sandbox might have a T500 for sale. :)
 
But going PS3 only is a tough pill to swallow for a console-only user. I know the FFB on console games just tend to be nowhere close to PC as it is. The problem lies with road surface ffb which seems to only exist in iRacing since we're riding along a point cloud. Add to that, console games are sort of like fire-and-forget. Console devs tend to just make a major release and then pull a duck-and-cover.

I know they tend to add in new cars but I know GT5 only got 1 new track. compare that to rFactor, netkar pro, gtr2, & iRacing and you'll quickly become jealous cause these sims get new tracks left & right.

So my point is I think a full blooded console gamer should strongly consider the Fanatec product line like the CSR, GT2, CSR-E, etc. Note, I've always advised this for many months because console games are so stagnant. So you'd want the flexibility to continue to hop between titles when new releases hit

Now if you are open to PC gaming then you should really shoot for CSW / T500RS. but it's your decision! I would just hate to see people get bored waiting on Kaz to release more content. but maybe all you need is GT5 with some occasional other titles
 
This is why I purchased a Fanatec GT2, I always liked the Forza series and played it with a gamepad, so with the PC and PS3 there was a G27 first, then the T500. I am hearing good things about the Elite wheel and some issues with the CSR. As I said before, if the the Elite is as good as everyone says then I will purchase one.

After Christmas I will be ordering a set of CST-3R they look to be about the best pedals on the market. I have not heard anything bad or otherwise about them. I already ordered Derek Speares Button box and Pro Shifter.

The PC market is so far ahead of the consoles it is not even funny. Unless new consoles don't come along and up the ante I will be sticking to just PC.
 
Lefty your not short of wheels.
No prizes for jumping in feet first (bern there done that).

Take your time and let others beta the product your interested in.
If its still getting great reviews after 6 months then have a punt on it.
 
I want something to feel confident with, and that was not the case with PWTS and GT2. CSR is more of the same . That wheels are not durable. But new fanatec CSW and CSR E base seems very sturdy.
T500 seems quite good too.
My decision is getting closer to CSW -T500.
 
Personally I think the CSW will poo all over the T500RS if looking at it in the perspective of the semi-serious sim player after a high end product. Here you have one that looks to replicate a real wheel, is better designed, better made and in general feels much nicer. The other one is in a large plastic case with fairly basic rubber rim yet has good mechanics and great power.

Their are a lot of things about the CSW that havnt been properly made public yet in what it can bring in the future. The T500RS has had its time at the top for this price region of wheels.
 
Spagetti69
Lefty your not short of wheels.
No prizes for jumping in feet first (bern there done that).

Take your time and let others beta the product your interested in.
If its still getting great reviews after 6 months then have a punt on it.
Click to expand...


I am in no hurry to buy an Elite, at the moment 99% of my racing is PC. My main rig has the T500 and CSP's, just finished installing a Tach and it's awesome. Once my shifter and button box arrive and get it set up I will post some pics, she's a sweet rig. I have a 19" monitor poking over the keyboard with iSpeed running on it.
 
left888
This is why I purchased a Fanatec GT2, I always liked the Forza series and played it with a gamepad, so with the PC and PS3 there was a G27 first, then the T500. I am hearing good things about the Elite wheel and some issues with the CSR. As I said before, if the the Elite is as good as everyone says then I will purchase one.

After Christmas I will be ordering a set of CST-3R they look to be about the best pedals on the market. I have not heard anything bad or otherwise about them. I already ordered Derek Speares Button box and Pro Shifter.

The PC market is so far ahead of the consoles it is not even funny. Unless new consoles don't come along and up the ante I will be sticking to just PC.
Click to expand...

Give Derek a little time to complete his new hydraulic pedal kit before you buy the CST's. They might just turn out to be the next big thing. With DSD's track record so far of great products, I would give it some serious consideration.
 
My suggestion is that you modify your G25. Chilicoke adapter for rims, load cell brake mod, shifter mod etc.

hell of a lot for your money, T500RS pedals are around G25/27 stock level, and the T500RS wheel FFB is fast enough to rip your hands off. In other words, T500RS is best with gloves, and 3rd party pedals. (PC only though)
 
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superbike81
Give Derek a little time to complete his new hydraulic pedal kit before you buy the CST's. They might just turn out to be the next big thing. With DSD's track record so far of great products, I would give it some serious consideration.
Click to expand...

That's also a possibility, have you heard how the progress with them is? Derek is swamped with work and my shifter won't ship until January 14th. As soon as he release's those new pedals of his all hell will break loose.
 
somebodysb2
My suggestion is that you modify your G25. Chilicoke adapter for rims, load cell brake mod, shifter mod etc.

hell of a lot for your money, and T500RS pedals are around G25/27 stock level, and the T500RS wheel FFB is fast enough to rip your hands off.
Click to expand...

I personally think the T500 pedals are slightly above the G25/27 stock cause with the brake mod it's easier to dose braking. In comparison I tend to just slam the brakes with the G25's I have as I don't feel the pressure increase.
 
@left888 a CST setup would be so sweeeeet. Just so expensive! Please update your rig thread as you add on more sim gear!!!!!
 
The real hard part here is not being able to give feedback that may help. Cap reminds me of my friend Istvan who is almost impossible to help. He never gives me any clear criteria, so trying to help him becomes very difficult. The CSR-E and T500 are both good wheels as will be the CSW.

You need to define what's important in order to actually figure this out. Just because the CSW has more possible functions, doesn't mean you'll use them. When racing, right now, what issues are you running in to? If you're not missing features just feedback strength then there is no real reason to wait for the CSW. IF the T500 is on your radar at all then the CSW's extra features clearly are not things worth waiting for.

So that leaves the CSR-E and T500. If stronger (unsure how much) force feedback and 1080 degree rotation is important than go with the T500. If you think you may get an xbox, want more precision and the ability to use your current pedals without the need to upgrade later, get the CSR-E
 
VWMaster makes a good point. It really boils down to personal taste and level of expectations. You can have all the opinions in world, but the only thing that can prevail satisfaction is personal experience. Of course... availability and budgeting are the main barriers. I really wish there was a public place we can actually test Fanatec and Thrustmaster products side-by-side. Or is there such place???? I know there's none in Japan. Not even at the Tokyo game show or Motor Show. :(
 

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