Fanatec Announcements: CSW V2 Reviews Out

[superbike81]

If the CSW GT wheel is only 315mm, then something in that picture is off. Typical GT wheels are 330 or 350mm. 315mm just sounds odd.

Let's look at a known quantity:

The CSR has a 300mm wheel and the base is 230mm. So far I've seen on several different places that the CSR-Elite and CSW bases are significantly wider at around 300-310mm.

Now looking at this picture:

If what everyone is saying true and this wheel base is around 300mm, then this wheel can't only be 315mm.

The only thing that could give that picture such a deceiving effect would be if the wheel protruded MUCH further from the base than the CSR wheel does.

I'm not really trying to argue, just using deductive reasoning to try to figure this out. It particularly concerns me because of the fact that my rig is so compact, if it is indeed 350mm I will have to relocate my button box. From the pictures, either that wheel is 350mm or the base is not ~300mm like people are claiming.

 

[superbike81]

No nothing to do with the console or PC at all.

Have the gearbox have the functionality to output a signal for each gear via wifi/blutooth. Again nothing to do with a console or PC. A tablet/phone device with an app should be able to support this.

The technology is their to do it, depends how much Fanatec want to innovate.

I'm no electronics expert, but for a device to read a signal like that, doesn't it have to be programmed to know what to do with it?

You could speak Spanish to me all day long, but if my brain isn't programmed to understand it, I can't do anything with it.

 

[amf7]

An app could decode it surely?

 

[superbike81]

Absolutely, that's what I was saying, an app would have to be written for it.

 

[Simracer92]

If the CSW GT wheel is only 315mm, then something in that picture is off. Typical GT wheels are 330 or 350mm. 315mm just sounds odd.

Let's look at a known quantity:

The CSR has a 300mm wheel and the base is 230mm. So far I've seen on several different places that the CSR-Elite and CSW bases are significantly wider at around 300-310mm.

Now looking at this picture:

If what everyone is saying true and this wheel base is around 300mm, then this wheel can't only be 315mm.

The only thing that could give that picture such a deceiving effect would be if the wheel protruded MUCH further from the base than the CSR wheel does.

I'm not really trying to argue, just using deductive reasoning to try to figure this out. It particularly concerns me because of the fact that my rig is so compact, if it is indeed 350mm I will have to relocate my button box. From the pictures, either that wheel is 350mm or the base is not ~300mm like people are claiming.

The grip-handposition of the BMW rim is 110mm away from the base.. Maybe this distance helps you.. And the base is 295mm

 

[LogiForce]

The BMW rim is 110mm away from the base.. Maybe this distance helps you.. And the base is 295mm

I took a close look at the picture and due to the camera used it is indeed the distance from the base that matters. Plus the camera is pretty close to the wheel itself as well.

 

[superbike81]

Ok, good info, thank you very much!

 

[LogiForce]

On another note I hope the beta testers get send the new electronics so they are compatible with future upgrades and firmware updates.

 

[Snotgobbler]

Thomas, buying a 500€ wheel is a hell of an investment. For this reason, I'm posing a question to you on behalf of those in two minds as to whether to buy a CSR-E or wait for a CSW...

With Xbox 3 rumours starting to surface in the press, I would be interested to know your subjective views on the nature of any new machine in terms of accessory proprietary. Sure, you can't be expected to know the details of a console not yet released (or do you!?), but, as an owner of a large technology company, would you consider it suicide for a company like Microsoft to suddenly open up their new machine to 3rd party accessories?

In short, I guess what I'm asking is whether you think there is any chance of Microsoft abandoning their current licensing model?

And shorter still, I guess what I'm asking is if you think there might ever be a possibility of a CSW working with a future Microsoft machine?

I'd be fascinated to know your take on all this...

Cheers,

Snotty


(Originally posted on Thomas's Fanatec blog, but I think he actually posts here more often!)

 

[LogiForce]

I am not Thomas nor work for a tech company, but I have an IT background. I can tell you from that, that if Thomas and his company are involved with MS their next gen console he has a non-disclosure agreement with an embargo on it. So he is not likely to answer the question. Still trying never hurts.

Apart from that the likeliness of the next Xbox being open to 3rd party accessories is not high, but not yet impossible either. Knowing MS their past actions in regard I have to say that you should not expect it.
Also unless they provide HID support which is inferior to MS their own XID protocol, the CSW will never be compatible. And even if HID is supported it would mean game developers need to build in drivers for the wheel into the game itself. So don't expect anything in that regard either.

 

[Snotgobbler]

I suppose, I wasn't asking Thomas to comment on insider information. It was more an open question as to his take on what he might see as proprietary possibilities for a company moving forward in 2012...

As far as judging MS's actions based on their previous decisions, I think (at least in the console division), they ARE a company that learns from their mistakes. For example, I think with the 360 they learnt from the failing of the original Xbox to be first to market.

Anyway, in all honesty, I actually WANT Xbox to keep their proprietary accessories (and backwards compatibility). How else can I legitimise spending 500 big ones on a toy steering wheel...?

 

[LogiForce]

I doubt MS learns from its mistakes. I have known them since there was only still MS-DOS. And now they'll make another big mistake with Windows 8 and the Mosaic interface. If they listened to the community they would have already changed back to the old interface.

But back on topic. I hope Thomas can answer the questions for you then. Also the stuff will be backwards compatible if XID is used. Plus HID and XID can e use next to each other. It's just unlikely that games will support HID equipment if XID is available since they don't have to deal with drivers that way.

 

[Snotgobbler]

Totally agree with you re. older interfaces. The original Xbox's interface was stunning. Don't know why they bu99ered that up with successive updates.

By the way, to bring things back on topic, I had a question about my CSR-E order.

After ordering on the 16th (with a shifter, stupidly), I never got an email from Fanatec themselves, just a Paypal receipt. Other than that, I can see the words 'Paid' next to my order on the Fanatec store in my 'Account'.

Am I worrying unduly, or is this everyone else's experience too?

 

[BLACK86]

im sticking by 350mm/360mm for the diameter of the bmw wheel. in the bmw video when thomas has it in his hands it looks full size.

anyway if thomas could kindly come and clear this up for us once and for all, would be greatly appreciated

 

[thehawk05]

After ordering on the 16th (with a shifter, stupidly), I never got an email from Fanatec themselves, just a Paypal receipt. Other than that, I can see the words 'Paid' next to my order on the Fanatec store in my 'Account'.

Am I worrying unduly, or is this everyone else's experience too?

No need to worry....that's normal. You generally don't get any further emails from Fanatec until your order ships and they send you tracking info......at least that's always been my experience and I've ordered from them on six different occasions.

 

[Snotgobbler]

Nice one. Thanks.

I can stop fretting as I see others posting pictures of their new wheels over the next few weeks.

Why, oh why, did I order that shifter at the same time, though...?

 

[LogiForce]

im sticking by 350mm/360mm for the diameter of the bmw wheel. in the bmw video when thomas has it in his hands it looks full size.

anyway if thomas could kindly come and clear this up for us once and for all, would be greatly appreciated

If you look at the wheel when he attaches it to the base you can clearly see it is barely wider then the base though.

 

[BLACK86]

If you look at the wheel when he attaches it to the base you can clearly see it is barely wider then the base though.

just had a quick skim and i cant see a decent shot of it to check if its more or less flush with the sides. check this video out tho, looks huge in this




ok this is the best shot i could find, now in order for the rim size to be 315 we already know the base is 295, so if my maths is correct the wheel must be pertruding the base by 10mm either side which is 1cm. ok so if you just get a ruler and actually see the size of 1cm and then look at the pic, does it seem like the wheel is sticking out more then 1cm? to me is does, of course this could be another optical illusion. we just need thomas to tell us.

 

[LogiForce]

just had a quick skim and i cant see a decent shot of it to check if its more or less flush with the sides. check this video out tho, looks huge in this

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Z1P78Z6SA">YouTube Link</a>

Seriously you can tell if that's the CSW with BMW rim? And you can't tell the size in the other video? Weird eyes you have good sir. There is a shot in the Fanatec video shot almost directly in front. I believe 3 quarters in after the view through the belt hole of the seat.

 

[BLACK86]

Seriously you can tell if that's the CSW with BMW rim? And you can't tell the size in the other video? Weird eyes you have good sir. There is a shot in the Fanatec video shot almost directly in front. I believe 3 quarters in after the view through the belt hole of the seat.

that video is linked in the fanatec site, it was before the bmw rim was shown but is believed to be the gt wheel for the csw. here is the link http://www.911wheel.de/?q=node/6053

also im sure sean cole confirmed it was the gt wheel in one of his later vids

will check the belt hole shot.

ok just seen the vid again but i cant find the part of the vid you mean, after the belt hole shot i cant see anything that resembles a near frontal shot? if you could give me the timing please? unless tehres another belt hole shot im unaware of.

 

[Snotgobbler]

I hope Thomas can answer the questions for you then. Also the stuff will be backwards compatible if XID is used. Plus HID and XID can e use next to each other. It's just unlikely that games will support HID equipment if XID is available since they don't have to deal with drivers that way.

Got some great answers here from Thomas on XID and possible CSR-E upgrades...

http://www.911wheel.de/?q=node/7364#comment-17063

 

[LogiForce]

that video is linked in the fanatec site, it was before the bmw rim was shown but is believed to be the gt wheel for the csw. here is the link http://www.911wheel.de/?q=node/6053

also im sure sean cole confirmed it was the gt wheel in one of his later vids

will check the belt hole shot.

ok just seen the vid again but i cant find the part of the vid you mean, after the belt hole shot i cant see anything that resembles a near frontal shot? if you could give me the timing please? unless tehres another belt hole shot im unaware of.

You are right, what I had in my head was the picture at 4:27. I have a strong imagination which can turn anything around in 3D almost I guess.
Anyhow you can see there how far the wheel sticks out from the base and it isn't that far.

Got some great answers here from Thomas on XID and possible CSR-E upgrades...

http://www.911wheel.de/?q=node/7364#comment-17063

I don't think they are great answers. The release date for the new Xbox is around November/December of 2014 I know from reliable sources. Or at least that is what they are aiming for at the moment still.

I disagree with Thomas that you see little difference between PC an console. If you see little difference it is because most games are ported Xbox 360 games with added directx 11 features. Plus often being poorly tested and implemented at that. It is not because the console is still so good, it's because the game companies are lazy and just want to get the most money for as little work.
Take Codemasters for example. They released Dirt 3 in February/March and stopped with producing patches and DLC when they released F1 2011. And The games still tend to crash randomly on my PC. Which it did since the beginning which can't be issues with Windows since I build a new computer with a Sandy Bridge platform from Intel. This installing Windows fresh with downloading and installing the 1TB of steam games I have.

Also where does he mention Elite upgrades? I know there will be new firmware and the ability to use the ClubSport handbrake and shifter plus new rims. But thats about it.

 

[BLACK86]

You are right, what I had in my head was the picture at 4:27. I have a strong imagination which can turn anything around in 3D almost I guess.
Anyhow you can see there how far the wheel sticks out from the base and it isn't that far.

would you say it sticks out more or less than 1cm?

 

[PzR Slim]

You are right, what I had in my head was the picture at 4:27. I have a strong imagination which can turn anything around in 3D almost I guess.
Anyhow you can see there how far the wheel sticks out from the base and it isn't that far.



I don't think they are great answers. The release date for the new Xbox is around November/December of 2014 I know from reliable sources. Or at least that is what they are aiming for at the moment still.

I disagree with Thomas that you see little difference between PC an console. If you see little difference it is because most games are ported Xbox 360 games with added directx 11 features. Plus often being poorly tested and implemented at that. It is not because the console is still so good, it's because the game companies are lazy and just want to get the most money for as little work.
Take Codemasters for example. They released Dirt 3 in February/March and stopped with producing patches and DLC when they released F1 2011. And The games still tend to crash randomly on my PC. Which it did since the beginning which can't be issues with Windows since I build a new computer with a Sandy Bridge platform from Intel. This installing Windows fresh with downloading and installing the 1TB of steam games I have.

Also where does he mention Elite upgrades? I know there will be new firmware and the ability to use the ClubSport handbrake and shifter plus new rims. But thats about it.

Either way is not bad for us but if we really have to change the electonics of the CSR E, we plan to offer an upgrade service if MS allows us and if it is technically possible.

 

[LogiForce]

would you say it sticks out more or less than 1cm?

I think it sticks out about 1 to 2 cm and te base is 29.5 cm. The rim is supposedly 31.5 cm. So it seems right. It doesn't stick out 5 cm from the base at least.
Also for comparison the T500 RS GT5 rim is 30.0cm, which is already big in my hands too.

Ah, missed it somehow. Thanks.

 

[Snotgobbler]

I don't think they are great answers.

Well, they're pretty good answers for someone that has just spent £500 on a wheel and hopes that product will continue to have a lifespan... particularly the possible upgrade bit.

To be fair, I don't agree with Thomas on the fact that consoles don't need to keep developing, or on the success of the Wii business model.

Nintendo are dying at the moment with massive losses because other consoles have taken their technology and improved on it (Move and Kinect), and also because their traditional golden hen, the DS range, is not selling like it used to, due to miscalculations on just how much modern mobile phone technology (capable of reproducing their offerings), would impact sales.

That said, all I care about right now is about feeling warm and gooey inside about my CSR Elite purchase.

And, thankfully, Thomas's answers make me feel just that.

 

[LogiForce]

Well, they're pretty good answers for someone that has just spent £500 on a wheel and hopes that product will continue to have a lifespan... particularly the possible upgrade bit.

To be fair, I don't agree with Thomas on the fact that consoles don't need to keep developing, or on the success of the Wii business model.

Nintendo are dying at the moment with massive losses because other consoles have taken their technology and improved on it (Move and Kinect), and also because their traditional golden hen, the DS range, is not selling like it used to, due to miscalculations on just how much modern mobile phone technology (capable of reproducing their offerings), would impact sales.

That said, all I care about right now is about feeling warm and gooey inside about my CSR Elite purchase.

And, thankfully, Thomas's answers make me feel just that.

Heh, maybe I just looked at it with different eyes due to the knowledge I already posses. I am glad he is offering possible upgrades in the future. I reckon it will be the same for the CSW as I don't see a reason why not.

Glad you are looking forward so much to the Elite. I do the same for the CSW I will be doing community tests on.

 

[Mr Latte]

Regards future CSR Elite rims...

QR is not that important however "Thomas" pay attention young man...
A future rim must use the same type of shifters as the CSW giving the options they do to the user.

These would be great on a alternative GT type rim.

 

[BLACK86]

I think it sticks out about 1 to 2 cm and te base is 29.5 cm. The rim is supposedly 31.5 cm. So it seems right. It doesn't stick out 5 cm from the base at least.

aha!!! as you say yourself you think it sticks out 1-2cm, so definitely over 1cm. now if it sticks out anything over 1cm then the wheel has to be over 315mm, also the wheel does not have to stick out 5cm(5.5cm to be exact) for it to be a 350mm wheel, it only has to stick out half of that size because when making a circle larger size gets added all over and not just on one side. so 5.5cm is how much bigger the wheel has to be from the base in order for it to be a 350mm wheel, but it only needs to extend 2.75cm from the base on both sides and not 5.5 cm.

 

[redmalloc]

Are steering wheel rims measured from rotational center to the center of the rim grip or outer extent (OD) of the wheel? What I am getting at is, does the thickness of the rim change stated size?

Based on that answer, adjust your visual estimates to what is extending past the base.