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

  • Thread starter Thread starter cap6760
  • 140 comments
  • 15,189 views
One thing, the quick release feature of the CSW allows me to get in/out of my cockpit easier but also will finally allow enough space to build a slide out keyboard tray so I can easily enjoy other types of games as well.
 
superbike81
One thing, the quick release feature of the CSW allows me to get in/out of my cockpit easier but also will finally allow enough space to build a slide out keyboard tray so I can easily enjoy other types of games as well.
Click to expand...

100% true. Each wheel has a few more pro's and con's.

I was just trying to illustrate the problem with trying to make a recommendation. I then removed budget and made some logical choices as to what may be the right wheel.

The lack of a quick release for me is what has kept me from moving my PC in to my rig. I've designed a quick mount system to completely remove the elite and mount at KB and mouse tray in the same location. If it works I'll post pics.
 
I really apreciate your suggestions.
I prefer not modify G25 because that means money and i rather want to spend it in on a new product. i will stick with the g25 as a replace if something goes wrong with the new. When i really feel confident with the new one then i will sell the logitech.
Once xbox console and xbox games are far of my interest , the CSR E are out of the equation, because the AMar´s comment about the wheel rim makes me worry about. is the amount of plastic pieces the csr e has, that seems not very well put togheter( he can feel light movement of them while driving ...) and that is unacceptable for the price. This problem i felt on my previous fanatec wheels i had, PWTS and GT2. Always was worried about breaking something if iwas to sharp driving.
T500 seems very well finished product. and csw with GT BMW is fanatastic.
Other point is that to buy a good wheel and not exploit all the capabilites it has is a bit stupid.
CSR E without xbox .... no way, but i think that all the capabilities that the csw will carry on are far of my knowledge.
I think i need ,as many others here, a face to face test T500/CSW/CSW E. And after the exit of Darin from fanatec i don´t know if ISR will be impartial. I guess if it will.
 
cap6760
I really apreciate your suggestions.
I prefer not modify G25 because that means money and i rather want to spend it in on a new product. i will stick with the g25 as a replace if something goes wrong with the new. When i really feel confident with the new one then i will sell the logitech.
Once xbox console and xbox games are far of my interest , the CSR E are out of the equation, because the AMar´s comment about the wheel rim makes me worry about. is the amount of plastic pieces the csr e has, that seems not very well put togheter( he can feel light movement of them while driving ...) and that is unacceptable for the price. This problem i felt on my previous fanatec wheels i had, PWTS and GT2. Always was worried about breaking something if iwas to sharp driving.
T500 seems very well finished product. and csw with GT BMW is fanatastic.
Other point is that to buy a good wheel and not exploit all the capabilites it has is a bit stupid.
CSR E without xbox .... no way, but i think that all the capabilities that the csw will carry on are far of my knowledge.
I think i need ,as many others here, a face to face test T500/CSW/CSW E. And after the exit of Darin from fanatec i don´t know if ISR will be impartial. I guess if it will.
Click to expand...

I'd say look here for a head to head benchmark: http://f-wheel.com/reviews/csr-elite-wheel-benchmarked
Of course the CSW is still under embargo and not even finished with the beta stages as far as I know. So that's not in there.

About Darin, watch the latest ISR weekly in which he tells a bit of his side of the story and then make up your mind.
 
left888
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.
Click to expand...

He's got a thread going on the iRacing forums right now. He sent off his second prototype for some work and it looks close to complete. You will have to add your own hydraulic parts I guess, but it will be easy bolt-on installation and he'll supply the correct part numbers. No timeframe yet that I've seen, but I'm guessing 1Q 2012.
 
cap6760
After reading this (real unbiased review)
http://www.mainperformancepc.com/Articles.asp?ID=250

my choice goes between t500 or CSW.
Click to expand...

Why would you still want the CSW if you read that review? Just curious.

I laughed hard when he talked about open screw holes (for accessories) that could let dust enter. I guess he missed the big fan on the side with huge ventilation holes that blow dust right through the wheel. Plugging a couple of holes won't help a bit with the dust issue. If he said anything about dust filters then I would take it a bit more seriously, but even then fine dust still gets blown into the base of the wheel.
 
Last edited:
sandboxgod
@left888 a CST setup would be so sweeeeet. Just so expensive! Please update your rig thread as you add on more sim gear!!!!!
Click to expand...


I have been working on that but I thought I would wait for the button box and pro shifter to arrive, probably end of January. I also purchased a custom Sim Seat as a second rig and I plan on doing a review on that as well. I have to stop racing for awhile I guess. :D


superbike81
He's got a thread going on the iRacing forums right now. He sent off his second prototype for some work and it looks close to complete. You will have to add your own hydraulic parts I guess, but it will be easy bolt-on installation and he'll supply the correct part numbers. No timeframe yet that I've seen, but I'm guessing 1Q 2012.
Click to expand...

I don't spend enough time in the forums at iRacing, sometimes there is too much rhetoric over their. I will look for it and maybe send an email regarding his pedals. He is so swamped with work now I almost hate to bother him though :D
 
LogiForce
Why would you still want the CSW if you read that review? Just curious.

I laughed hard when he talked about open screw holes (for accessories) that could let dust enter. I guess he missed the big fan on the side with huge ventilation holes that blow dust right through the wheel. Plugging a couple of holes won't help a bit with the dust issue. If he said anything about dust filters then I would take it a bit more seriously, but even then fine dust still gets blown into the base of the wheel.
Click to expand...

Because I don´t like the look of the wheel rim at all. CSW will come with GT bmw that seems by far better looking and better designed.
 
cap6760
Because I don´t like the look of the wheel rim at all. CSW will come with GT bmw that seems by far better looking and better designed.
Click to expand...

From what I watched from Thomas' video, he mentions the BMW GT wheel will be sold separate (but that was months ago), please correct me if I'm wrong. I think the CSW will come only with the Formula rim, but it'll be nice if it's sold only with the wheel base. :sly:
 
cap6760
Because I don´t like the look of the wheel rim at all. CSW will come with GT bmw that seems by far better looking and better designed.
Click to expand...

That statement lacks all logic. You needed a review to tell you that you didn't like the look of the wheel rim. :crazy:

The CSW doesn't come with any rim BTW
 
ibuycheap
The CSW doesn't come with any rim BTW
Click to expand...

That is freakin' sweet!!! I hope Thomas can come up with a GT style rim for the CSRE though. I know it won't have the same functionality or quick release, but the feel would be the same I assume.
 
ibuycheap
That statement lacks all logic. You needed a review to tell you that you didn't like the look of the wheel rim. :crazy:

The CSW doesn't come with any rim BTW
Click to expand...

Who is going to buy a base alone????Not me, but be sure that the CSR E wheel rim will not be compatible with the csw base because of the quick release system (and Forza 4 logo... because csw is pc -ps3). I will buy a wheel separatedly but never this plastic toy. GT or rally style when available.
 
cap6760
Who is going to buy a base alone????Not me,
Click to expand...

I would personally prefer to buy the base alone so the price wouldn't be as steep (maybe). Since I'll have the CSRE soon, I already know that I'm going to buy a different kind of wheel rim when available (which = more cost). :scared:
 
Last edited:
ibuycheap
Was that English?


You still haven't explained how the review changed your mind about the rim itself.
Click to expand...

IMO CSR E wheel rim is a mistake. Reasons:
1.-Bad placement of buttons. No hand brake facilities on rally games or drifting
2.-6 or more plastic parts assembled. Unacceptable for the price (t500 is also plastic but in one piece)
3.-you have to drive it on 3-9 position ever
enough for me
 
cap6760
IMO CSR E wheel rim is a mistake. Reasons:
1.-Bad placement of buttons. No hand brake facilities on rally games or drifting
2.-6 or more plastic parts assembled. Unacceptable for the price (t500 is also plastic but in one piece)
3.-you have to drive it on 3-9 position ever
enough for me
Click to expand...

Completely irrelevant. You said the review changed your mind. All of those things were easily observable through the images provided. I just want to know how the review changed your mind about something you could already see with your own eyes. It's like this was a shock to you.
 
zenkis14
From what I watched from Thomas' video, he mentions the BMW GT wheel will be sold separate (but that was months ago), please correct me if I'm wrong. I think the CSW will come only with the Formula rim, but it'll be nice if it's sold only with the wheel base. :sly:
Click to expand...

The CSW base will be sold for 450 euros or something I believe, plus the cheapest rim will be 150 euros (going up for more expensive ones). So that's 600 euros (give or take) and up for the CSW with one rim.

So yeah, basically you drop the base in your cart. You pick a wheel from the ones available and that you want to start with (Formula and BMW GT rims are the only ones at first, but more to follow). Pick some pedals you want. Maybe the shifters you want and a handbrake. Then you hit checkout and you got yourself your own modulair set.

So you can just pick whatever you want, that's the reason for selling the 'parts' separately. You can make your starting package as expensive as you like. Which in my opinion isn't a bad system at all. This way you won't be forced with a rim you don't like. Like people above me here hating the rim of the Elite for example, for them this would be a nice freedom of choice. The longer they wait, the more rims will be available I reckon.
 
I'm so confused as to the point of this thread now I'm going to check out of it. See you guys in another topic.
 
ibuycheap
Completely irrelevant. You said the review changed your mind. All of those things were easily observable through the images provided. I just want to know how the review changed your mind about something you could already see with your own eyes. It's like this was a shock to you.
Click to expand...

Machael Main:

The wheel rim is ugly, cheap, and ill-designed. Button placement is nothing short of an afterthought, the feel is something I would compare to a cheap Xbox wheel found in display of a Best Buy store.

I´ve not touched the wheel because I´m not a tester but not gonna waste 500 euros to do myself. That changed my mind.
 
LogiForce
The CSW base will be sold for 450 euros or something I believe, plus the cheapest rim will be 150 euros (going up for more expensive ones). So that's 600 euros (give or take) and up for the CSW with one rim.

So yeah, basically you drop the base in your cart. You pick a wheel from the ones available and that you want to start with (Formula and BMW GT rims are the only ones at first, but more to follow). Pick some pedals you want. Maybe the shifters you want and a handbrake. Then you hit checkout and you got yourself your own modulair set.

So you can just pick whatever you want, that's the reason for selling the 'parts' separately. You can make your starting package as expensive as you like. Which in my opinion isn't a bad system at all. This way you won't be forced with a rim you don't like. Like people above me here hating the rim of the Elite for example, for them this would be a nice freedom of choice. The longer they wait, the more rims will be available I reckon.
Click to expand...

You are right. Starting at at 800 € minimun (maybe i have to wait 2 months)against 400 for T500 (today)
I will wait
 
I'm puzzled why Micheal main was allowed to test a wheel he is no fan of Fanatec products (I know this from reading numerous posts by him at iRacing forums). All I will say is that you should read multiple reviews not just put all your stock into one guy you've never met. :crazy:

Trust, I've read multiple posts by him. He's not credible. Just like Darrin (ISR) which is indeed extremely bitter and is taking it to the forums
 
Not sure I agree mate.
If one of the criteria is to be a fan of Fanatec, then that's credibility out of the window for me anyway.

As for ISR, why haven't they got a wheel yet? Seems odd.
Really hope the dispute between them doesn't effect the possibility of a review.

Not knocking beta guys but a lot of people view ISR as good honest reporters.
Only bad experience I had with them was when they said Dirt3 is good. Meh.
 
Spagetti69
Not sure I agree mate.
If one of the criteria is to be a fan of Fanatec, then that's credibility out of the window for me anyway.

As for ISR, why haven't they got a wheel yet? Seems odd.
Really hope the dispute between them doesn't effect the possibility of a review.

Not knocking beta guys but a lot of people view ISR as good honest reporters.
Only bad experience I had with them was when they said Dirt3 is good. Meh.
Click to expand...

ISR won't be getting a wheel because of the dispute between Darin and Thomas gone public over at iRacing.


Also I am no fan of any product. I love my CSP but still use the standard T500 setup most of the time, especially when I switch between PS3 and PC or come from a game that doesn't support multi USB input like Ferrari Virtual Academy.
I'll do my best to give you guys my honest thoughts, although I certainly want to
do a better job on explaining things then in the negative review above.


Also about any review by media (like ISR) I have my doubts on whether there are other interests in there at all time. Hence I personally always look for user reviews or experiences with products. Also when I tend to look for issues with products by reading complaints, but only if they are recent as there could be later debugged revisions out there.
 
Spagetti69
Not sure I agree mate.
If one of the criteria is to be a fan of Fanatec, then that's credibility out of the window for me anyway.

As for ISR, why haven't they got a wheel yet? Seems odd.
Really hope the dispute between them doesn't effect the possibility of a review.

Not knocking beta guys but a lot of people view ISR as good honest reporters.
Only bad experience I had with them was when they said Dirt3 is good. Meh.
Click to expand...


It's not odd at all if you have an iRacing subscription (then you have forum access). Darrin should not get a wheel he no longer works at Fanatec and they have bad blood. No company would send a former employee their product to review that I know of. Not someone on bad terms like this

And Micheal... I need to see how he got picked right fast in the 1st place.

edit: his review thread is fully of bickering and then Sonac hijacked it accidently. So no one really gave Micheal much positive feedback. I hope my upcoming review thread turns out much better than his cause its a disaster there straight up

edit2 - re-read Micheal's article it's not that bad. It's overly critical. I dont agree with him on many of the points. But it's pretty decent actually. But like a PC focused racer you can tell he missed out on many of the benefits of the LED. This is why you need a tester that plays multiple platforms. Just PC alone is like tunnel vision for a multiplatform wheel. It's a severly handicapped article from that aspect
 
Last edited:
I imagine that as an iracing forum the folks over there are primarily interested in PC functionality.

I do agree however that console use is a major extra selling point and not to be ignored.
Obviously as one of only a few cross compatible wheels it's the top dog in its field.

Shame about the Darin issue though.
If i was Thomas and I had a top end product I'd welcome criticism.

If Darin levelled unwarranted criticism it would show out a mile and do untold damage to his character and ultimately the show. A show he has spent years building up as a fair and unbiased forum.

Which one wants to lose credibility eh,

Anyway thanks Sandbox.
 
ISR has one advantage over everyone else.. its exposure.

However I think.the fact that the Csr e was on gtp home page kinda out weighs that.
 

Latest Posts

Back