Direct drive wheel comparison simracing garage

[oqvist]

Can´t believe nobody posted this yet?

Thanks Barry.

 

[12thgear]

I thought it was interesting. I would have loved to taken him up on his offer when he invited iRacing members to get some seat time, but I felt like I'd have been wasting his time, given that I'm not a dedicated iRacer like the folks in the video.

Unfortunately the thread in the iRacing forums has turned into a complete train wreck, with lots of insinuations flying regarding the results, how the test was conducted, which settings were used, etc. It's a shame really, as all the wheels look amazing. I mean, I have a "lowly" ClubSport Wheel V2 that I find amazing, and the AccuForce is supposed to smoke that, so it's all a matter of perspective and degrees.

 

[Mr Latte]

Few seem to go-to the attention and detail of Barry or have as many car/sim related t-shirts.
I luv this mans videos period.

Seems though what often happens with new "hot hardware" right now being the "Accuforce" is high expectations and hype kicks in. How we've all been their a time or two...

While not a direct quote think he put it well that inferior hardware with fancy software can't make up for simply better hardware. The review seemed to go to extreme lengths on multiple occasions to emphasise that the software options were fully implemented by each user and that fairness was the original objective.

Personally I think Barry (if he reading) should consider doing the same again but comparing the "Accuforce" with G27/T500/T300/Clubsport V2 as realistically most buyers are probably coming from such wheels.

 

[Mayaman]

LOL at forum flame wars. What a bunch of dummies.

 

[HoiHman]

Don't forget guys were talking about the top 1% steering wheels in the world.

It's like comparing Mclaren vs Ferrari vs bugatti. The accuforce is still an awesome product, but is being compared which solutions that are much more expensive (the OSW too).The AccuForce has a whopping 13Nm of torque, but it's being compared with wheels that have over twice as much torque. It's like comparing the Ferrari 458 with the bugatti Veyron and the Mclaren P1.

I'm pretty happy with this outcome. This has woken up simXperience and they are already working on better documentation of their software since they believe that the profile used was wrong AND more important new firmware modes which make the wheel faster en gives it better fidelity.

One other important side note : this is Iracing only, a game that has pretty good FFB already. But if you run F1 2014/AC/PCars with the AccuForce you get better customisable FFB than with the Bodnar wheel.

The AccuForce will blow away all consumer wheels in any test. The real comparison would be a test between the AccuForce and the OSW with a motor which has about the same strength. I think those 2 would be very close.

The AccuForce is also the only consumer wheel in this test. Both the bodnar and the OSW are DIY solutions and you need some skills to install them, mount a quick release to the axle ect ect.

Some other things to remember: The Accuforce comes with Simvibe, USB passthrough, Quickrelease and USB hub at the back of the wheel. It's an all in one solution.

To put things in perspective: I'm running Pcars is soft mode. This is the second lowest firmware mode and puts out around 8Nm. Any higher just isn't comfortable for me anymore, but i'm getting old

 

[12thgear]

I was hoping you'd chime in, HoiHman, since you have experience with the CSWs as well as the AccuForce. To me the Sim Commander software is what makes the AccuForce so intriguing. Given that neither Barry nor any of his guests were novices, it sounds like SimXperience does need to make the package more user friendly, if that truly was an issue in these tests. That's one thing that bugs me about this hobby in general. A lot of the options and settings for force feedback can be bewildering and poorly documented (I'm looking at you, Project CARS).

Anyway, the tests don't make me think any less of the AccuForce. I don't think any of the reviewers in the video do either. I like the analogy regarding supercars. Reminds me of the auto journalist's dilemma. They're given access to a variety of the world's best vehicles, and they're expected to find things to complain about.

 

[LeMansAid]

What would have been interesting is if they also tested a sim still using "old skool" ffb like Assetto Corsa. I assume that the Accuforce could have the seat of the pants effects tuned out, where the other two would not have that possibility.

Arguable also whether or not motion should have been removed completely from the judging. The dynamics of motion information coupled with wheel information could be different for each wheel. It's a massive shift in context.

 

[HoiHman]

Yeah documentation could a lot better. I still have effects and especially filters of whom i have really no idea how they actually work or what they are doing.
You can lose oversight pretty quick. On the otherhand the autotune function works pretty good.

Just one other thing: If you do a test with 2 identical wheel bases

One with the rim on the left and one with the rim on the right, which one would come on top ?
(according to his own AF review)

I have my own thoughts about the AF standard rim so i replaced it with a momo Mod 30

 

[12thgear]

It's a fair point. Folks in this price bracket are likely to experiment with different steering wheels.

 

[oqvist]

Dunno at this pricepoint it probably requires an all in approach for a lot.

To me it makes sense that a higher quality directdrive motor could make a difference. Don´t buy to much in the accuforce not setup right. If so why is the software so praised they spend more time with it but get worse results .

Higher torque is always better. I am not sure it stops at 30 nm even if you run "soft" settings. It´s not about being constant at 20 nm or something how quick it reacts and how smooth and effortless it delivers the power . I could argue I am not constantly running max torque on my TX either. Does it mean a ffb motor with more capabilities wouldn´t perform better? Highly doubt it.

 

[Mr Latte]

Don't forget guys were talking about the top 1% steering wheels in the world.

I'm pretty happy with this outcome. This has woken up simXperience and they are already working on better documentation of their software since they believe that the profile used was wrong AND more important new firmware modes which make the wheel faster en gives it better fidelity.

One other important side note : this is Iracing only, a game that has pretty good FFB already. But if you run F1 2014/AC/PCars with the AccuForce you get better customisable FFB than with the Bodnar wheel.

The AccuForce will blow away all consumer wheels in any test. The real comparison would be a test between the AccuForce and the OSW with a motor which has about the same strength. I think those 2 would be very close.

The AccuForce is also the only consumer wheel in this test. Both the bodnar and the OSW are DIY solutions and you need some skills to install them, mount a quick release to the axle ect ect.

Some other things to remember: The Accuforce comes with Simvibe, USB passthrough, Quickrelease and USB hub at the back of the wheel. It's an all in one solution.

To put things in perspective: I'm running Pcars is soft mode. This is the second lowest firmware mode and puts out around 8Nm. Any higher just isn't comfortable for me anymore, but i'm getting old

As you put it yes this test was only done with Iracing but is this not the premium sim of choice that Berney focuses the most on and has a very highly established community presence with? So wouldn't it be the best title to test "actual support and performance" with anyways?

Barry did highlight that not one person preferred the same settings on the AF so options and customisability do seem benefits that it brings. Yet understandably not all of them liked the options available or the sheer amount of combinations or time that could be wasted searching for improvement. I think that is a major factor that people could tire with. The servo wheels in this respect as Barry put it just worked great right away with little to no tinkering and all of them put them ahead in the detailing/fidelity.

Bottom line well all this effects very few people who would spend such money on a wheel like a Bodner. The AF is already a stretch to invest in a "consumer wheel" compared to what they have owned before.

From the comparison I personally got a sense that Barry was treading very carefully. If the AF is trying to compete with these very elite wheels for prestige or some type of crown. I'm not saying this is the case at all but it seems to have its work cut out for it judging from this comparison. Their just seems to be more going on here, to avoid a ruck-ass (impossible) as it seems to of happened any-ways . I've never seen a wheel comparison get such sheer amount of effort put in to try and give a balanced and fair benchmarking but people should accept the AF for what it does at the price point it does it.

On the other hand if the AF is marketed to be a semi pro unit far exceeding a CSW/T500RS then surely is this not where the majority of the "potential buyers" would be coming from and the AF bridges the performance gap nicely at a price that will attract more consumers any-ways.

No doubt my friend you are enjoying yours, have gained a great upgrade and that is what counts...

 

[HoiHman]

Let's just say that the ferrari does a pretty good job for me

 

[isamu]

As always Barry's review was ceremoniously outstading.

 

[kikie]

Too bad that the Pro SW basic or advanced is not included in this test.