Fanatec CSW vs Thrustmaster- Fantec site messed up

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ninjajimmy

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So i'm narrowing it down. I want to either get the Fanatec CSW with Formula Rim or the Thrustmaster T500 RS with the F1 rim. I just like that rim style. I'm playing Iracing with whatever I get.

Fanatec will run $650 for base and rim, while right now in the next 14 minutes the Thrustmaster setup will run $518.

I can't get over the fact that the T500 Formula rim is a bit cheesy looking. I can send it out to be done with the SLI-Pro, real buttons and rotaries but then i'm looking at almost another $400 out of pocket to do so.

Which way do I go?

I have a standard Fanatec CSR right now.

EDIT: I wanted the Black Friday deal from Fanatec (free Formula rim with purchase of base and BMW rim) and would have done it, but their site wasn't working and now i'm out of luck it seems. :(
 
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Get the CSW it really is great. I've had the Thrustmaster and loved it, but the CSW is in a different league. And an extra $400 for lights that already are on the CSW ....
 
What makes it so much better? I was literally about to buy a T500 on Friday but the place that I was going to get it from was out of stock so I had to wait. Then the next day I saw that Fanatec had their Black Friday deal (Saturday in Aus). I jumped on that and it's on it's way :D
 
HouseChampion
What makes it so much better? I was literally about to buy a T500 on Friday but the place that I was going to get it from was out of stock so I had to wait. Then the next day I saw that Fanatec had their Black Friday deal (Saturday in Aus). I jumped on that and it's on it's way :D
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I'm expecting mine within the next 2 hours :gtpflag:

What makes it so much better: the look of the BMW rim and the quick release:bowdown:
 
Well I would now only get the base and Formula Rim. I don't have the $$ to drop for both rims and I can't get the Black Friday deal anymore because I couldn't log into their site to purchase. So it's either the base and Formula Rim or the T500 RS and Formula Rim....Decisions.
 
ninjajimmy
Well I would now only get the base and Formula Rim. I don't have the $$ to drop for both rims and I can't get the Black Friday deal anymore because I couldn't log into their site to purchase. So it's either the base and Formula Rim or the T500 RS and Formula Rim....Decisions.
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I know people were saying they were having troubles with their site during black friday, they may honor they black friday sale still if you email them and tell them you couldn't log into the site. Not sure if they will or not but it's worth a try.
 
HouseChampion
What makes it so much better? I was literally about to buy a T500 on Friday but the place that I was going to get it from was out of stock so I had to wait. Then the next day I saw that Fanatec had their Black Friday deal (Saturday in Aus). I jumped on that and it's on it's way :D
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The quality of either BMW or the F1 rim is far superior, metal and Alcantara beautiful even! Not only that, but the feeling of quality of the base that powers the wheel and how it reacts. The amount of settings that are adjustable on the wheel too.
I've had the T500 and now own an CSR Elite and a CSW......The CSW is the dogs dangilies :sly:
 
bevo
I know people were saying they were having troubles with their site during black friday, they may honor they black friday sale still if you email them and tell them you couldn't log into the site. Not sure if they will or not but it's worth a try.
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This happened to me. I tried from two computers and couldn't do it. I emailed Fanatec webshop yesterday to see if anything could be done as I tried to buy it friday but the site was having issues and they basically said it was only good that day so i'd have to pay full price if I wanted both rims with base. I work two jobs and wasn't able to email them over the weekend.

I'm sort of annoyed about that enough to make me consider going with another brand. Especially as less than 6 weeks ago I bought the CSR, CSR pedals, Inversion kit, shifter adapter kit, porsche shifters, etc.

I was planning on ordering Clubsport base and two rim deal and Clubsport V2 pedals plus who knows what else I'd buy in the coming months. I've only been into this for about a month and already spent upwards of $4k.

I don't know if there is someone else I should be contacting, but webshop USA said no. Sucks when I was going to drop $900 on something I didn't even need to buy.
 
From what I know they only had a limited amount for the offer and once they were gone the deal was over.
 
I get that, but I tried ordering it first thing in the morning and their site wasn't working. There isn't another way to buy when their site isn't up. I wasn't able to log into their site at all on Friday. I tried multiple times. It is still cheaper for me to buy just the base and Formula wheel, but I wanted to test out the BMW wheel as well, but can't afford all of it which is why the black friday deal sold me on upgrading just for the hell of it.

Also, they said they were going to have a cyber Monday deal and their site was down all Monday. Sort of dumb to announce this stuff and then have a site that isn't working correctly.

I like my CSR wheel fine, but I was ready to jump up to the higher end Clubsport just because of that deal. Now that I can't get it I don't really want to spend the money on it knowing that I could have gotten the rim for free a few days ago if their site just worked for me.
 
ninjajimmy
Also, they said they were going to have a cyber Monday deal and their site was down all Monday. Sort of dumb to announce this stuff and then have a site that isn't working correctly.
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It seems you read somewhere what you wanted to read.
Thomas said: "We don't plan any Cyber Monday deals".
 
Submitted by Thomas on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 12:02.

"We don't plan any Cyber Monday deals but there will be an attractive bundle coming up with our CSL seat next week."

This is the owner of Fanatec on Sunday, on his blog. So, your information was unreliable.

Now, I would be upset if I tried to order that deal and I couldn't. I wish you luck! The CSW is a BEAST!!!!!!
 
AGP5000
Submitted by Thomas on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 12:02.

"We don't plan any Cyber Monday deals but there will be an attractive bundle coming up with our CSL seat next week."

This is the owner of Fanatec on Sunday, on his blog. So, your information was unreliable.
Now, I would be upset if I tried to order that deal and I couldn't. I wish you luck! The CSW is a BEAST!!!!!!
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Who's info was unreliable. Mine or bumer? I saw that on his blog as well which is why i'm even more confused about this "cyber monday deal". Oh well I can either buy the CSW and Formula rim or go with another companies offerings. Nice thing is we have options. Just a bit bummed about the issue with the site.

This hobby is expensive enough so when I planned to save $180 and then couldn't and was told two days later oh well it sort of sucks and doesn't make me want to jump out and plunk down the money to buy their gear at the moment.
 
HouseChampion
What makes it so much better? I was literally about to buy a T500 on Friday but the place that I was going to get it from was out of stock so I had to wait. Then the next day I saw that Fanatec had their Black Friday deal (Saturday in Aus). I jumped on that and it's on it's way :D
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The FFB is just plain better on the CSW. It is more natural feeling. While the T500RS is impressively strong and quick in its FFB, it is to a fault. It punches you rather than push you. While definitely more prone to mechanical failure, the CSW (and F rim) is just a higher quality (tactile) piece of machinery.
 
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paskowitz
The FFB is just plain better on the CSW. It is more natural feeling. While the T500RS is impressively strong and quick in its FFB, it is to a fault. It punches you rather than push you.
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In the case of a race car, wouldn't aggressive/strong forces be more realistic?

I'm just supposing... I haven't personally used either wheel.

paskowitz
While definitely more prone to mechanical failure, the CSW (and F rim) is just a higher quality piece of machinery.
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This sounds like a bit of an oxymoron, unless you are speaking strictly of the quality of FFB


I'm not trying to be aggressive or offensive. Just looking for some feedback. (no pun intended ;) )
 
I took the plunge. I figured i wasn't getting in on the deal no matter what so brushed that off and ordered my new toys.

Clubsport base
BMW rim
Formula rim
Clubsport V2 pedals

They better be worth it! Got to sell the Fanatec CSR wheel/pedals now.
 
I'm sure you'll be happy. I really like mine. The only problem i have with it is that i don't use it as much as I would like to.
 
I'm a little confused actually... The Fanatec site currently states this: (I think it's from Facebook)

Fanatec
Black Friday: Get a Formula rim for FREE

This year we are offering a special deal for our ClubSport fans. If you purchase the ClubSport Base and the BMW GT2 rim then you get a Formula rim worth 179,95 for FREE.

This offer is available at the Fanatec webshop from now on and is only available until supply lasts.
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It doesn't say it's Friday only... It says "from now on and is only available until supply lasts."

Am I misreading that?
 
I read that too. I think there was a package link which is now gone. I don't think you just added each item into your cart and got the discount.
 
I just bought thrustmaster t500rs w f1 wheel, had it for two days and the little cooling fan started making a loud screaming grinding noise! Wtf! FF is great!! But there are some other things like the wheel is all plastic and the paddle shifters on f1wheel are cheap! There too loose feeling not tight enough. Im sending it back and gonna try fanatec!
 
My one reason for not going Thrustmaster in the end was the plastic construction, especially on the F1 wheel. I heard it is a great wheel and setup, but I wouldn't have used those pedals anyway. A gentleman on another forum does some sweeet upgrades (NKK switches, rotary encoders, SLI-Pro screen, 3m Carbon decal) to Thrustmaster F1 wheel, but including the wheel it would have run me $700+ without the actual T500 RS base. I figured that money was better spent on the factory Fanatec gear even though his mods look to be well done.

While the Fanatec Formula rim doesn't have all the rotory encoders our layout a real Formula wheel would have I find it to be realistic enough. Also, the build materials of the rims and base looks beautiful! Buttons look to be in a good layout and between the rims and button box i'll be able to map all the buttons without much issue.
 

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