Fanatec 911 Turbo Wheel - First Impressions

[Jakg]

Me, GP4Flo, Vykos, niels1, Primoz, teedot, Bash0r and KamkoR (thats all the people i know of, enlighten me if there are any more!) have been selected to beta test this wheel (we will get it before they go on sale).

Discussion of this wheel was already in this thread (http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=31863), but i wanted a better titled thread to put my pictures, videos and thoughts into.

To all you other beta testers - you are under NO NDA, you can post whatever you want about the product (good, bad, pics, videos) anywhere. In fact you are ENCOURAGED to do so.

I should have the wheel next week, however the lucky Germans will probably get theirs first.

As each person posts a small "summary" of it i'll link to that post in this post.

[thisnameistaken]

Reserved for making glib remarks in a week's time.

We should start all forum threads a week before anything actually happens, give everybody time to really gear up for them.

Edit: It has been over a week and so far nobody has seen the Fanny Tech Pork Turdo Wheel. This thread may become more useful in a few more days' time.

[JEP]

Waiting to the pics and the video !

I"ll post it on LFSIL ,


Jenia .

:)

[Jakg]

Feel free Kev, lets see what crazy ideas you can come up with :P

[kamkorPL]

Good idea about reserving a post. Will be nice if people can just enter a thread and see reviews and not lots of review comments inbeetwen.

I will be testing the wheel mostly in LFS, RBR and rFactor in as heavy situations as I can get. Lots of rallying, lots of drifting, lots of heavy impact on wheel. I hope I can make videos too.

[Dajmin]

Well bah. If only I was in on this - I'm currently wheel-less since my R440 packed in. I keep bidding on DFPs on ebay but no joy so far.

Looking forward to reading the reviews :)

[baSh0r]

everybody was selected as beta tester, who wrote a mail to them, included me

[anttt69]

We should start all forum threads a week before anything actually happens, give everybody time to really gear up for them.

lol :D.

[Dajmin]

Well since I'd never even heard of the thing until this thread, I think I have an excuse for not being invited. I guess that'll teach me to ignore the hardware subforums.

[St4Lk3R]

Reserved for whatever my opinion on your later reviews is.

We should start all forum threads a week before anything actually happens, give everybody time to really gear up for them.
signed. Lets stop the darn avatar month thingy for a time and make February the

MONTH OF RESERVED POSTS!

[Vykos69]

everybody was selected as beta tester, who wrote a mail to them, included me

err no. They selected several, but not all.

[niels1]

Reserved for some review. I will give it a go. Wanna see whats it capable off. Maybe even a vid. Just have to look for a good quality camera. :thumb:

RESERVED SPACE

[geeman1]

Interesting.

[sgt.flippy]

Make a post to subscribe to a thread month?

[teedot]

Reserving this space for a review.

Getting my wheel next week :D Cant wait to try this bad boy out!

[ajp71]

Discussion of this wheel was already in this thread (http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=31863), but i wanted a better titled thread to put my pictures, videos and thoughts into.


It should be titled 'Fanatec 911 Turbo wheel: Test' so maybe a mod could rename it? Did you actually read the agreement? :D

[Jakg]

Yes i've read the agreement, actually (it's a first!)

Wheel was originally gonna be called the "Fanatec 911 Turbo S Wheel" if you wanna get technical, but it wasn't because the 911 Turbo S wont be out before the launch of the new wheel.

</useless Trivia>

[sosna]

great news guys,cant wait for ur reviews


kamkorPL drift the wheel apart!lol!

[Gabkicks]

Not my 1st impressions, but someone's from www.gtplanet.net

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dWjLRhd8w0

[baSh0r]

err no. They selected several, but not all.

all was ment as almost everybody, this is no normal "selection" like i know. They selected much more people then usual

[Luke.S]

Reserved for telling how rubbish it is against my g25 even though i haven't become a beta tester.



RESERVED FOR LUKE

[Luke.S]

Sry for double post the other is reserved for my rant.

R u getting it for free?

if so u are a lucky sod and do u get to keep it after if it is free?

My G25 is better!!

Useless post above but it probebly is.

[mcintyrej]

My comment on youtube that was too large to fit:

Biased review to be honest.

You didn't setup the control's properly in LFS at all and i could actually see the Fanetec pedal's lagging. The logitech G25 doesn't feel like a toy, also the shifter doesn't have as much resistance? Do you want to be having to slam your shifter into gear? The G25 shifter allows for a smooth change. The shifter on the fanetec shifter is on the right hand side? If you can't remove that and switch it over, looks like they have no market for the UK and europe.

The G25 is a far better wheel, Its an enthusiast wheel for people racing on simulators such as LFS and GTR2.

The Fanatec is for people who play arcade games and belive that manufacturer marketing makes the wheel better. You said the G25 looked and felt like the toy compared to the Fanatec, I think its the other way around.

[mikey_G]

I agree, that was 1 bad review tbh. All that I saw was g25 bashing and fanatac praising for useless features like wireless pedals and an attached gearshifter.

And did he really say the g25 pedals were too close to eachother? :really:


and no, i'm not a g25 fanboy

[ajp71]

You didn't setup the control's properly in LFS at all and i could actually see the Fanetec pedal's lagging. The logitech G25 doesn't feel like a toy,


The G25s I saw at Autosport looked cheap and tacky typical Logitech, stacks better than the previous plastic wheels sure but nothing compared to a real wheel, which there's no reason (other than being cheap) that they couldn't use on the G25. I wouldn't choose a G25 over my Frex and I doubt I'm going to decide to buy the 911 wheel even at the discount price. The idea of something chunkier will be interesting, not really going to be practical all round though is it for single seaters and so on? I don't like the idea of a leather wheel seeing as you'd never choose to have one in a real racing car (another dislike about the G25). That review wasn't helpful other than to show the relative size of different bits really clearly the guy was clueless.

also the shifter doesn't have as much resistance? Do you want to be having to slam your shifter into gear? The G25 shifter allows for a smooth change.


I don't have a G25 but in fairness there have been a lot of complaints about the G25 shifter being the weak link. The 911 wheel's shifter did look very plasticy and not at all impressive though. I'm not sure how sturdy the shifter will be on those aluminum supports, I'd have gone for a separate clamp myself. As for the positioning of the shifter I don't really see a problem seeing as if you really can't cope with the concept of the shifter on the right you may as well give up any desire to drive any racing car short of a BRM, even the RHD sports racing cars usually had the shifter on the right.

[srdsprinter]

Hmm... why go for the Turbo edition, when you know there will always be a GT3 GT2 version out in a year or so? :D

[ajp71]

Hmm... why go for the Turbo edition, when you know there will always be a GT3 GT2 version out in a year or so? :D

Actually according to the FAQ this is the top of the range model and there's a strong hint there that there'll be other wheels based on other models for less later ;)

[JEP]

The shifter of the 911 Fanatec look's like a toy ..

:x

[Kegetys]

Seems like it has some nice features over the G25 like, if I understood right, a programmable LCD (I'd like to play around with some outgauge apps for that :P) but overall doesn't seem anything special... Difficult to know much from that crappy "review" though. Either way it is unlikely I would be buying one personally as I already have the G25.

[mcintyrej]

Kegetys summed it up right there. I think the only thing that will topple the G25 overall will be the FREX wheel, which is still in development. But who knows how much that will cost?

[ajp71]

Kegetys summed it up right there. I think the only thing that will topple the G25 overall will be the FREX wheel, which is still in development. But who knows how much that will cost?

The Frex wheel (as opposed to adapter) isn't going to be a cheap mass produced wheel, there are quite a few high quality companies producing wheels vastly superior to the G25 already.

[KartRacer]

I was also lucky enough to be selected to beta-test the new Fanatec wheel. I should be getting mine in a week or so. I'll try and write a nice/honest review, as well as a in-depth comparison with the G25.

[Shotglass]

The Frex wheel (as opposed to adapter) isn't going to be a cheap mass produced wheel, there are quite a few high quality companies producing wheels vastly superior to the G25 already.

care to name a few?
the only ones i can think of are ecci and vpp both of which have a number of flaws
and maybe the force dynamics wheel which could be sold seperately in theory

[Jertje]

I just hope people will give the wheel a fair chance. It seems like it's getting shot down just for wearing an expensive badge, even though the wheel itself seems to be of good quality. That youtube review was a bit biased nonetheless, and I'd definitely like to hear more about the strength of the FFB from proper simmers!

[sosna]

check this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dWjLRhd8w0

edit:i was late lol,the review was comfusing enough,so we all wait the beta testers in these forums to say their views!

[thisnameistaken]

I just hope people will give the wheel a fair chance.

Yeah me too. I still haven't bought a G25 because it only has two face buttons and the shifter looks like a piece of crap. I'd really love this wheel to be a viable alternative.

[ATHome]

care to name a few?
the only ones i can think of are ecci and vpp both of which have a number of flaws
and maybe the force dynamics wheel which could be sold seperately in theory

Apart from that, they are all much more expensive than the G25 :shrug:

[Shotglass]

Apart from that, they are all much more expensive than the G25 :shrug:

thats not too much of a problem though
id be willing to pay quite a lot for a 900+° wheel that turns a lot faster than a g25 without waking up half the neigbourhood like both of mine did
as long as the only flaw is the price id pull out my wallet without much hesitation

[pine-fin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dWjLRhd8w0
Half way trough, I had to stop for awhile. Sounds like a porche fanboy praising the wheel, doesnt sound like a fair comparement.

Havent seen the porche wheel irl, but looks more like a toy then g25 :shrug:

[Stang70Fastback]

I have to say, that kid doing the review really doesn't seem very bright.

And boy is he biased. Maybe it's true, but I cannot possibly imagine that the Porsche wheel is better than the G25 in EVERY regard.

[deggis]

Someone at rscnet described that "review" pretty accurately: "That guy must work for FOX"

[Tweaker]

I left a comment on the video, should be on there soon ;)

[pine-fin]

I left 2 comments. Neither one appears on the list :scratchch

[deggis]

I left 2 comments. Neither one appears on the list :scratchch
Youtube commenting system is a bit retarted, just wait few secs after posting your comment before refreshing or changing the page.

[Fabri91]

I'm interested in this wheel, because it has the good point of being nearly wireless, but the review posted here was a "tiny bit" biased, so i'm looking forward to some of your comparisons.

[Jakg]

Beta Testers keep it until 15th of February.

Frankly i think that it's still too early to make a comparison.

[Madman_CZ]

Youtube commenting system is a bit retarted, just wait few secs after posting your comment before refreshing or changing the page.

The vid sucked, he didn't review the wheel well at all. From what I saw though the Fanatec wheels paddles are plastic, the pedal design loooks to make it impossible to heel and toe, gear stick clicked and looked extremely cheap.

I did like the LCD display and more buttons.

look for ward to reading some proper reviews from you guys.

I also posted on youtube, it said pending approval so i guess it has to be approved :scratchch

mad

[squidhead]

Porsche turbo wheel costing more than G25 - Real
Fanatec making a better wheel than Logitech - LOL

[kaynd]

Logitech is without a competitor for long… long time in the ff wheel market.
I don’t think that G25 was the best they could do… nor it is good in general… there is just nothing better to compare…

I know fanatek made pathetic wheels till now but it is not rocket science orsomething… if a company take it seriously, they can easily make a better product.

I am disappointed from the build quality of the internals of my G25…
After less than 6 months the cogwheels inside sound terrible especially turning to the right… and also I can see some deadzone growing up lately… (Less than 1degree but still noticeable)
Actually I feel the wear at the feedback mechanism grow faster than in my old DFP… and now there are less cogwheels and the motors get less stress cause they are not forced to spin that fast as the one motor did in the DFP.

I am not saying that fanatec’s 911 is a better wheel as I don’t have a clue really… I am saying that it could be.

[Luke.S]

My rant on youtube

Your just some silly porsche fanboy the g25 if i had a car i would put my g25 wheel on my car 911's are rubbish infact look at the thread. http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=37907
The G25 is the best mass produced wheel for that price. Try it on a game called Live for speed for pc the G25 will be the best. Wireless is not the best cause it may get disrupted at least my wired G25 will not get affected by other things. That porsche wheel looks like plastic and even flimseyer than a box.

[baSh0r]

what about this "h-shifter connected with metal to wheel" thingy. It doesnt look too stable

[geeman1]

My rant on youtube

Your just some silly porsche fanboy the g25 if i had a car i would put my g25 wheel on my car 911's are rubbish infact look at the thread. http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=37907
The G25 is the best mass produced wheel for that price. Try it on a game called Live for speed for pc the G25 will be the best. Wireless is not the best cause it may get disrupted at least my wired G25 will not get affected by other things. That porsche wheel looks like plastic and even flimseyer than a boxYou silly G25 fanboy person. You haven't even tried the Fanatec wheel and there hasn't been a proper review of it yet. Besides you are the only one in this thread to rave about how much better the G25 is all without personal experience so it didn't make much sense to link back here to prove your point of G25s superioirity.

[Hyperactive]

The video review was a bit biased but the wheel itself looked a lot better than I had anticipated. And the part with the pedals versus lag bit was imho informative enough to tell that there indeed seemed to be small bit of lag...so maybe the wireless pedals idea wasn't that good...

Few other things I'd like to know is the noise level differencies, FF quality and those pedals. The gas pedal looked a it flimsy to me.

And to add, did you read the guy's description of the video? It says quite clearly there: "Advantages of the 911 wheel over G25" :D.

[srdsprinter]

Not my 1st impressions, but someone's from www.gtplanet.net (http://www.gtplanet.net)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dWjLRhd8w0


WTF: "The Fanatec paddles provide Instant Shift" vs what? Not Instant Shift of the G25?

This guy is a loser beyond repair, just making up shift differences between the two. He doesn't even have a stable mount for his wheel....

[ColeusRattus]

I like how heput the wireless thingy to be the main point. for me, that's the most prominent feature that would put me off, because I hate wireless input devices. Depending on what type of connection it is (wlan, bluetooth or IR) you'll have a little to lots of lag, AND you are dependent of batteries, so you have to pay to keep it running. Now I know that one single battery isn't a fortune, but still, I pay almost othing to operate my g25 ;)

[Jertje]

I think some people are just a bit worried that they've spent quite a sum of money on a (great) unique product in the market in terms of price/performance, and now there's a competitor entering the market which has some improvements to offer, but also seemingly a couple of flaws (which are attacked heavily in turn). Is it just cognitive dissonance and is everyone suddenly trying to justify their purchase of the G25? I really don't see a reason for people to attack a wheel they haven't touched yet.

Perhaps I shouldn't get involved anyway, since I'm a happy cheapskate with a DF :P

[sosna]

I think some people are just a bit worried that they've spent quite a sum of money on a (great) unique product in the market in terms of price/performance, and now there's a competitor entering the market which has some improvements to offer, but also seemingly a couple of flaws (which are attacked heavily in turn). Is it just cognitive dissonance and is everyone suddenly trying to justify their purchase of the G25? I really don't see a reason for people to attack a wheel they haven't touched yet.

Perhaps I shouldn't get involved anyway, since I'm a happy cheapskate with a DF :P

+1 although i own a G25 wheel some competition would be nice!

[DeKo]

Please dont start with the myth that the wireless will lag again, its completely unproven since none of you have actually used the wheel, and it just doesnt lag anyway.

[Jakg]

I like how heput the wireless thingy to be the main point. for me, that's the most prominent feature that would put me off, because I hate wireless input devices. Depending on what type of connection it is (wlan, bluetooth or IR) you'll have a little to lots of lag, AND you are dependent of batteries, so you have to pay to keep it running. Now I know that one single battery isn't a fortune, but still, I pay almost othing to operate my g25 ;)Firstly they claim that its the same wireless as used by XBOX 360 controllers and has 1.5ms Lag, secondly i see an AC adaptor plug on the wheel...

TBH i'm not going to watch a review many of you have claimed as bollocks. I'll wait until mine turns up and try (and probably fail) at making a better one.

[Shotglass]

I like how heput the wireless thingy to be the main point. for me, that's the most prominent feature that would put me off, because I hate wireless input devices. Depending on what type of connection it is (wlan, bluetooth or IR) you'll have a little to lots of lag, AND you are dependent of batteries, so you have to pay to keep it running. Now I know that one single battery isn't a fortune, but still, I pay almost othing to operate my g25 ;)

i have to agree but if were honest the pedal cable of the g25 is complete rubbish and about 1 metre too short
i can easily route the cable of my dfp around my desk and it never gets in the way ... with the g25 the cable was too short for this and i had to route it between the shifter and the wheel so i could feel it all the time when i used the gas pedal

as much as i dislike wireless devices in comparison to the g25 its actually superior

@jack as long as you do the niels test correctly i dont care about how rubbish the rest of your review is and will refer to it as the most accurate review anyone has done

[ColeusRattus]

TBH i'm not going to watch a review many of you have claimed as bollocks. I'll wait until mine turns up and try (and probably fail) at making a better one.

The review says that the pedals use batteries...

and I didn't say the wheel is bad, it's just that I don't like wireless input devices personally.

[ajp71]

care to name a few?
the only ones i can think of are ecci and vpp both of which have a number of flaws
and maybe the force dynamics wheel which could be sold seperately in theory

With or without FF? BRD are developing a FF wheel, as are Frex. There are loads of companies offering straight forward wheels and with the correct budget making (or commissioning) a homemade wheel is very simple, the computer chip to do the job is freely purchasable (in fact there's a FF one now as well).

Beta Testers keep it until 15th of February.

Frankly i think that it's still too early to make a comparison.

Yeah assuming we'll have about 2 weeks with them when they arrive it's not very long, still with abuse I could easily wear out a DFP and probably G25 in that time period so I'll see if there's any noticeable wear after 2 weeks.


Your just some silly porsche fanboy the g25 if i had a car i would put my g25 wheel on my car 911's are rubbish


Your a silly idiot. You can't know what the wheel is like until you or at least someone else gives an unbiased comparison of the two. That's the point in this test. Most people here have a good wheel already and are unlikely to be intending to buy this wheel which is only a good thing as far as reviews and testing goes.

[Shotglass]

With or without FF? BRD are developing a FF wheel, as are Frex. There are loads of companies offering straight forward wheels and with the correct budget making (or commissioning) a homemade wheel is very simple, the computer chip to do the job is freely purchasable (in fact there's a FF one now as well).

with
the frex one seems to come along nicely but its still at least a few months from being released and the brd one ... well lets just say choosing kunos to do the software side is a perfect fit
other than that im not aware of any premium ffb wheels

[pine-fin]

Come on jakg, havent you tried it already enough for a little sneak preview? :tilt:

[Jakg]

Come on jakg, havent you tried it already enough for a little sneak preview? :tilt:
It hasn't turned up yet, actually.

I still need to install a 32-bit OS to get it working, though :(

[Luke.S]

Yeah i know i am a bit biased in favor of the G25 but honestly that fantec wheel looks like a plastic toy doesn't it honestly? The G25 is a proven seller. Stainless steal you can't go wrong. I don't know what the Fantec wheel is like so my opinion may change about it but i doubt i'll get one i just spent £200 on a G25. Thats why i'm biased probebly.

And from Jakg's post it may not work on 64-bit Vista cause he needs to install a 32-bit os.<<Thats the fanetec wheel.

[pine-fin]

Haha, if you almost *feinted* when you got the newsletter, what happens if it gets lost in the mail :D

[squidhead]

I watched that review just now, and when the wheels were self calibrating (full lock to lock) it really looked like G25 vs DFP....which is not a plus towards the Porsche wheel...lets wait and see

[kamkorPL]

I watched that review just now, and when the wheels were self calibrating (full lock to lock) it really looked like G25 vs DFP....which is not a plus towards the Porsche wheel...lets wait and see

Come on. Like G25 vs DFP? DFP is uber slow and fanatec wheel turning speed looked very similar to G25.

I'm suprised how negative people are towards new Fanatec wheel saying how bad it is without even trying it. There is only one test avaible too. And hell, what if Fanatec wheel turns out to be actually really better than G25? Personally, I hope it does. What would be the point of having a new expensive wheel on the market if it's not better? I don't care if best wheel is by Logitech(I'm not counting here Frex, BRD etc.) or any other company. I only care about the product.

I'm looking forward to reading/watching more reviews, and actually testing the wheel myself. Let's wait with giving opinions about product till the right moment, aye?

[mcintyrej]

Come on. Like G25 vs DFP? DFP is uber slow and fanatec wheel turning speed looked very similar to G25.

I'm suprised how negative people are towards new Fanatec wheel saying how bad it is without even trying it. There is only one test avaible too. And hell, what if Fanatec wheel turns out to be actually really better than G25? Personally, I hope it does. What would be the point of having a new expensive wheel on the market if it's not better? I don't care if best wheel is by Logitech(I'm not counting here Frex, BRD etc.) or any other company. I only care about the product.

I'm looking forward to reading/watching more reviews, and actually testing the wheel myself. Let's wait with giving opinions about product till the right moment, aye?

When I posted my opinion I think I was a bit biased towards the Logitech, since i use one. Most people (i'm guilty) want the Fanatec wheel to be worse than the G25, because that means if they bought a G25 ages ago then its still the wheel to have. One thing this Fanatec will stop though is people bragging about their G25, if it turns out better.

I'm still skeptical, though.

[Dajmin]

Well if any beta testers want to recommend that I join the programme and can get me a wheel to try, or they get bored and want rid of it, I'll be happy to take it off their hands :)
I'm not having any luck replacing my old wheel on eBay :p

[BURN]

... I'll wait until mine turns up and try (and probably fail) at making a better one.

just test it.. ;)


@ Kamkor

no one said its crap.. it just looks like a toy.

if it get tested and prooving to be good... fine. having more than 1 wheel to coose is always good for the market ;)

I used to have a fanatec wheel myself and it was a crap IMO. period

kind regards

[Shotglass]

hm kamkor do you have a g25? you seem like the one tester who will put the wheel through the most stress and it would be nice to know how well it does compared to the g25s and their noise

[kamkorPL]

Shotglass: Yes I do, since a fair amount of time already.

[Shotglass]

very good
jacks video and your view on drifting with it should paint a clear picture of just how fast this wheel really is

[thisnameistaken]

I want it to be good because it sounds like "Fanny Tech", which is what I want to be when I grow up.

[Jakg]

And from Jakg's post it may not work on 64-bit Vista cause he needs to install a 32-bit os.<<Thats the fanetec wheel.They say that 64-bit drivers come in Q1 2008, but that they aren't here yet. Whether they work in 64-bit OS's or not i'm not sure, though.

Can you PLEASE stop trying to pick holes at this wheel? By your logic the X-Fi range was shite until about 3-months ago when the finally got some proper 64-bit drivers out...

Still not here :(

[niels1]

................ And from Jakg's post it may not work on 64-bit Vista cause he needs to install a 32-bit os.<<Thats the fanetec wheel.

Hmm can you pick any hardware that worked properly when it was tested ??. Thats why the call it a Beta Test. And drivers for a 64bit OS are always later then then 32bit OS.

Why you need to put things down while there isnt any review availble ?. I just dont get that. I consider it for all a good thing generally wheter ist good or bad. There finally another wheel to give to G25 some competetion. Wich is always good for the price of it, generally it will drop the price. Wheter its good or bad. :shrug:

[sil3ntwar]

I think some people are just a bit worried that they've spent quite a sum of money on a (great) unique product in the market in terms of price/performance, and now there's a competitor entering the market which has some improvements to offer, but also seemingly a couple of flaws (which are attacked heavily in turn). Is it just cognitive dissonance and is everyone suddenly trying to justify their purchase of the G25? I really don't see a reason for people to attack a wheel they haven't touched yet.

Perhaps I shouldn't get involved anyway, since I'm a happy cheapskate with a DF :PExactly my thoughts! I wasnt going to say anything as i figured i would have been eaten alive by those who have a G25.

[AndroidXP]

*chomp* *chomp*
Bleh, stringy

[squidhead]

One thing this Fanatec will stop though is people bragging about their G25, if it turns out better.

[S<D<T]Mike[FANATECPORSCHE911WHEEL] has left the pits
[S<D<T]Mike[FANATECPORSCHE911WHEEL] : ooh, I forgot to plug in my Fanatec Porsche 911 Wheel
[S<D<T]Mike[FANATECPORSCHE911WHEEL] : I have a Fanatec Porsche 911 Wheel, so much better than G25

I'd love to see people writing that instead of short "G25" in their nicknames....and license plates :D

[niels1]

Here new email arrived from fanatec;

Hello Community Testers,

we received your correct address data and your confirmation to participate in the community test of the Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo Wheel.
Now everything is fine and we can send you the wheel to your profile address.
Enjoy your time and thank you for your interest.

Kind Regards

Your 911 Wheel Team
www.911wheel.com

Boris Reither


So I think there about to send them off now. Time is running rather sort now for some decent testing. :shrug:

[kamkorPL]

You are very right that time is running short now. I guess the wheel will have to get some decent beating over the bumps of south city. ;)

But on the other hand first units of G25 were breaking pretty early in hands of drifters that "abused" the motors, by using them all the time to their full potential. I will be still impressed if after 2 weeks wheel feels like new.

[Jakg]

Here new email arrived from fanatec;




So I think there about to send them off now. Time is running rather sort now for some decent testing. :shrug:
Got the email as well - can't wait!

[Gabkicks]

They say they are sending me one as well... I thought this thread was only for impressions lol.:shrug:

[srdsprinter]

The naming convention particularly bothers me.

If this is a true 'enthusiast' wheel, why name it the 911 Turbo? Since the 996, the 911 Turbo has been a fairly tame car, and is not really that fast around a track. Too heavy, too safe, too complicated (AWD, faster 0-60 w/ automatic).

911 Turbo should appeal on a base level with kids, or people who know a little about cars. I.E. The Need For Speed crowd.

On naming alone, 911 GT3 (RSR) would have been much more directed to "our" market. But that would certainly put them off many of the mainstream guys who only care about hp numbers and 0-60 times.

[Shotglass]

i kinda thought "our" market would care about the performance of the wheel and not of the car its named after and has no relation to whatsoever

[Gabkicks]

i kinda thought "our" market would care about the performance of the wheel and not of the car its named after and has no relation to whatsoever
i'm looking forward to trying the wheel, myself. :) i dont have a g25 to compare it to, so i'll just compare it to my DFP.

[Jakg]

The naming convention particularly bothers me.

If this is a true 'enthusiast' wheel, why name it the 911 Turbo? Since the 996, the 911 Turbo has been a fairly tame car, and is not really that fast around a track. Too heavy, too safe, too complicated (AWD, faster 0-60 w/ automatic).

911 Turbo should appeal on a base level with kids, or people who know a little about cars. I.E. The Need For Speed crowd.

On naming alone, 911 GT3 (RSR) would have been much more directed to "our" market. But that would certainly put them off many of the mainstream guys who only care about hp numbers and 0-60 times.Random Question - GT3 is a hardcore 911 NON-Turbo, right? As i understand it the GT2 is the hardcore version of the 911 WITH a turbo, yet no-one EVER talks about it and it's launch goes un-noticed.

[Stang70Fastback]

I was pretty certain that NEITHER one had a turbo...

[srdsprinter]

GT2 = Turbocharged RWD 911. Pretty crazy car.

GT3 = Ultimate 911 Track Car IMO. Normally Aspirated.

Shotglass has a good point, and I agree, may the best product win.

The 911 Turbo naming convention is just too much of a gimmick in my eyes.

Edit -> Jack, you're right, the GT2 is something of an ugly duckling, mainly because it isn't used for Porche Factory racing cars ATM. The GT3 is the basis of all the Cup and RSR racing derivative.

Both the GT2, GT3 absolutely Trounce the Turbo round a track, 996 versions especially.

[Stang70Fastback]

What I've heard from Porsche enthusiasts is GT3<GT2<GT3-RS

[Fabri91]

What I've heard from Porsche enthusiasts is GT3<GT2<GT3-RS

Well, this is true if you consider that the GT3 RS is the most hardcore car of the bunch, although the GT2 is the most powerful and maybe the fastest. A GT2 RS would be terrific!

The 911 Turbo is the fastest 911 that is usable without smashing your spine or ear drums: remember that the 911 was conceived as a sort of daily-usable sports car.

[Gabkicks]

any other people on the north american continent get a confirmation letter?
maybe all the non fanatec 911 review posts should be moved to the other thread, since the original intent of this one was for reviews only?

[RedQuad]

What I've heard from Porsche enthusiasts is GT3<GT2<GT3-RS


OMFG

CGT 7.32 min
GT2 7.33 min
Zonda F 7.33 min
Koenigsegg CCR 7.34 min
.
.
.
GT3RS 7.48 min
GT3 7.48 min
Z06 7.49 min
Turbo 7.52 min
FordGT 7.52 min
F430 F1 7.55 min
.
.
.
Audi R8 8.04 min
M3 E92 8.05 min
.
.
.
VW Golf V6 4 Motion 9.09 min

:thumb:

[Nathan_French_14]

I dont know whether it was down to the way that lad setup the fanatec wheel in the video review, but did anyone else notice that when he moves the wheel, the wheel in LFS jumps and skits instead of moving smoothly? Down to LFS or down the wireless?

It seems like an "ok" wheel, but i am going to use that term VERY loosely until i hear a decent review.

[mikemav]

Okay, first off let me say that I have ordered the 911 wheel and should be part of this initial customer (not beta tester) shipment, which hopefully will go out soon. I'll post my impressions after having paid full price (and with the ability to return it for a restocking fee should I not love it- and I better for that price!)

I chose to try it out over a G25 for several reasons:
-I want to get GT5 for the PS3, as well as try this wheel out on several PC sims, which I am very much a rookie at.
-The wireless was important to me since my PS3 will be in a different room (for example, the range now on the crappy M$ wheel for the 360 & Forza 2 is fine from my main AV rack to my racing seat room, and hopefully this will be too.)
-Also the lights on the buttons switch between PS3 mode and PC mode
-FFB is adjustable outside the game software, which is nice when you play a mix of console and PC games.

I also understand the G25 owners wanting this wheel to be lesser quality than their baby, however, I'm trying to keep an open mind. If I don't like this, it's going back and I'll move my console or try the G25 with a USB extender (although lag could be an issue there.)

The one thing that kills me so far is people trashing this wheel and especially shifter for "looking like a toy." Although I have not gotten mine yet in the flesh, it's ironic that I saw that YouTube video first the exact day I went ot the Washington, DC Auto Show. The Porsche booth had several open cars, including the 911s, where you could sit in, shift, use the pedals, etc.., on the real car. Since Fanatec says the wheel AND shifter(s) are finished in the same shop that stitches the same leather on the real deal Porsche's, I wanted to see what it looked like in the real car. Seeing that video, it looks identical. The shifter in the new Porsche's does look like it has that somewhat plastic-y silver finish with the leather knob, exactly like the Fanatec. The wheel looks the same as well.

So if the G25 feels more real for you, then you simply prefer that kind of wheel finish vs. what is in a real $100k Porsche. I'm not a Porsche fan-boy. I drive a BMW E46 M3 cabrio (and wish BMW Sauber would license an F1-style sim wheel instead, or an alcantara M3 wheel!) However, I do think the Fanatec in the video looks just like what's in the car, so maybe check the source before you label something toy-like. Peace, out.

[spankmeyer]

That
post
looks
like
an
Inverse
Lert's
Syndrome.

[mikey_G]

lol, indeed.

You'd think someone with an expensive car at least got some form of education to understand what paragraphs were all about :razz:

[sgt.flippy]

That
post
looks
like
an
Inverse
Lert's
Syndrome.
I think Lert's is just someone brainwashed by the government, to spread all weird stuff about the government, so they can check who would join him!! :scratchch

[Gabkicks]

some people say the wheel looks like a toy... but compare it to this
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Porsche-911-Turbo-Interior-1920x1440.jpg

[Jertje]

Hmmm, noone received the wheel yet? You guys are going to have to take one for the team and pull a couple of all-nighters to properly wear those things out ;)

[herki]

some people say the wheel looks like a toy... but compare it to this
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Porsche-911-Turbo-Interior-1920x1440.jpg

looks like a toy ;)

[niels1]

looks like a toy ;)


Hmm..................... could that be because infact it is a toy ??? :shrug:
A big boys toy tho but it still is a toy. Lets wait when we get it and see some user reviews. No need to get flaming on something what hasnt been seen or used yet. :thumb:


Hmmm, noone received the wheel yet? You guys are going to have to take one for the team and pull a couple of all-nighters to properly wear those things out


Still not in yet. Gonna be some late night session that I feel coming up. I due hope its worht the effort bcus time is running really short.

[sgt.flippy]

Hmm..................... could that be because infact it is a toy ??? :shrug:
A big boys toy tho but it still is a toy. Lets wait when we get it and see some user reviews. No need to get flaming on something what hasnt been seen or used yet. :thumb:

You should look at the link before commenting first...

[ColeusRattus]

I think he referred to the fact that a Porsche 911 Turbo is per se rather a toy than a genuinely usefull vehicle...

[sgt.flippy]

I think he referred to the fact that a Porsche 911 Turbo is per se rather a toy than a genuinely usefull vehicle...
@myself: maybe you should read a complete post!

:D

[niels1]

You should look at the link before commenting first...

I was revering to the wheel not to the porsche interior. :shrug:

-edit- @myself: maybe you should read a complete post! ROFL

[mr_pio]

some people say the wheel looks like a toy... but compare it to this
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Porsche-911-Turbo-Interior-1920x1440.jpg

BTW, this is the latest 997 wheel. I think the Fanatec wheel is modelled on the previous, 996 version.

Another tester myself, watching this topic every hour or so to see when the Germans finally put their depraved hands on the thing :)

[mikemav]

BTW, this is the latest 997 wheel. I think the Fanatec wheel is modelled on the previous, 996 version.

Another tester myself, watching this topic every hour or so to see when the Germans finally put their depraved hands on the thing :)

This is more like what I saw at the auto show last weekend, from a 2007 997:http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/izp/porsche_911turbo_coupe_2007_interior_steeringwheel _640x480.jpg
http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/izp/porsche_911turbo_coupe_2007_interior_gearshift_640 x480.jpg

Check the wheel, pedals, and shifter- pretty exact looking to the Fanatec, at least from what I compared on the YouTube video and their website to what's in the car.

BTW, I was told yesterday that my wheel should be arriving soon, as they were stuck in Customs for about a week but due to be released yesterday or today. Fingers crossed...

[MR_B]

some people say the wheel looks like a toy... but compare it to this
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Porsche-911-Turbo-Interior-1920x1440.jpg

Do we get the airbag too?:scratchch

[sosna]

Do we get the airbag too?:scratchch

it would be nice,now i need a decent helmet and off course hans system!:D:D

i guess monday will be the day for all those anxious testers!:thumb:

[[RF]-art555]

Do we get the airbag too?:scratchch

rofl! Imagine airbag shooting out everytime you crash in LFS? You're gonna have quite a punched look all the time then :razz:

[Stang70Fastback]

-art555;696439']rofl! Imagine airbag shooting out everytime you crash in LFS? You're gonna have quite a punched look all the time then :razz:

That would be a great idea. If it actually hurt, maybe people wouldn't crash as much :P

[MR_B]

That would be a great idea. If it actually hurt, maybe people wouldn't crash as much :P

^ this man's a genius! :nod: It would solve all our problems :scratchch

Have yourself a cookie
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:B68lBEoU1k2_8M:http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/zonis/Best_Cookie-20.jpg

[Nathan_French_14]

Holy crap! How offset are the pedals in that picture mike posted? No way could i ever try and drive like that, it would be weird to me.

[Primoz]

THa's cause you're 14. I drive with my heel under the brake pedal with the toes pressing on the gas pedal. And then just turn the foot over to the brake. Not with my MOMO though, i do that in the Punto :P

Anywho, i still haven't recieved the wheel. Everybody else got it?

[kamkorPL]

Primoz, looking from responses or lack of responses on other forums, rather no one did. I just hope the wheel will come early this week, since less and less days are left for testing.

[ajp71]

THa's cause you're 14. I drive with my heel under the brake pedal with the toes pressing on the gas pedal. And then just turn the foot over to the brake. Not with my MOMO though, i do that in the Punto :P


It may just be an illusion but it looks like the clutch pedal is a good inch to the right of the centre of the steering column. I'm pretty sure most car aren't like that, although TBH I've never really looked hard at the pedal box position so long as it feels right it's fine :)

[Gabkicks]

check out who has recently posted in this thread :)

http://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2905741#post2905741


The wheels are already in the US since January 17th and same with Europe but it seems that Murphy is our best friend and he helped us to create another delay due to missing documents, slow customs blablabla.
The EU wheels will definitly go out on Monday and I expect that the US wheels ship on Tuesday.
We will increase the testing period for at least one week.

We will send our wheels to a lot of happy G25 users and we are not afraid of their judgement. It took a while and we still know a lot of things we can improve but the people who tested the wheel so far were quite surprised.

[niels1]

Ahhh so that means the will arrive this week. :D
Good news, also they expand the testing period for a week. The 15th is coming up fast now. So a extra week is very good :D

[niels1]

Arrived. :D

First impression. Nice wheel. Leather high quality. A bit short on the lenght on the cable between wheel and pedals. Awesome look. Now setting up wheel for some first steering impressions. :thumb:

[Jertje]

yay!

[StableX]

Arrived. :D

First impression. Nice wheel. Leather high quality. A bit short on the lenght on the cable between wheel and pedals. Awesome look. Now setting up wheel for some first steering impressions. :thumb:

get your arse on vent :D

[Dajmin]

Damn you! I'm still totally wheel-less!
I'm actually thinking about dropping them a cheeky email to tell them I have no wheel and therefor I'm the perfect market for them to win over :)

Failing that, if anyone gets sick of theirs then I'll take it off your hands ;)

[[RF]-art555]

A bit short on the lenght on the cable between wheel and pedals.

Aren't the pedals wireless?:really:

[SpikeyMarcoD]

I understand its a choice cable/wireless

[niels1]

-art555;699194']Aren't the pedals wireless?:really:

Yup you can choose, wheter cable or wireless. But i wanted to see what its capable off. So hooked it up rather quickly and did some laps. :D

-edit- its wireless, the cable gives power from the wheel. But it still is wireles towards your PC.

[RedQuad]

Yup you can choose, wheter cable or wireless. But i wanted to see what its capable off. So hooked it up rather quickly and did some laps. :D

I blame you for killing my F5 key.

Hurry up!:tilt:

[Mazz4200]

Damn you! I'm still totally wheel-less!
I'm actually thinking about dropping them a cheeky email to tell them I have no wheel and therefor I'm the perfect market for them to win over :)

Failing that, if anyone gets sick of theirs then I'll take it off your hands ;)
Been meaning to ask, but i guess you didn't go for that Momo then ?. Not to worry, apparently DFP's are coming down in price.

Hurry up Niels, we're all eager to hear a full review :)

[Gabkicks]

can u guys config the display on the wheel to be a shift up/redline indicator? or other information?

[[RF]-art555]

Yup you can choose, wheter cable or wireless. But i wanted to see what its capable off. So hooked it up rather quickly and did some laps. :D

Oh, thats good :)

[baSh0r]

can u guys config the display on the wheel to be a shift up/redline indicator? or other information?

i guess not that means im pretty sure not :)

i got my wheel today btw

[niels1]

Did you get the drivers installed ??. It keeps giving me a interupted installation after downloading the latest drivers. And the driver on the stick automatically conects to fanatec. :shrug:

[ArrAssAdor]

can u guys config the display on the wheel to be a shift up/redline indicator? or other information?


this feature will be added in a later version of the driver. You will be able to show almost any info we can get out from the game. And the vibration motors can also be controlled by the game.

Thomas (Fanatec)

[mcintyrej]

I wonder if JakG got his today? Can't wait to see some good reviews.

[StableX]

I think Niels's wife already asked him if has had plastic surgery today to install a permanent smile!

[deggis]

(and wish BMW Sauber would license an F1-style sim wheel instead
Actually a modified G25 with authentic looking BMW F1 wheel was used in some of the Intel Racing Tour events, some point of the video you can see it:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=v7HJ14Vt2nQ

I'd guess it's modified by Logitech. But this one will probably never hit the stores...

[Jakg]

I wonder if JakG got his today? Can't wait to see some good reviews.
I got an email saying mine has been dispatched, but i've had nothing.

With no 32-bit OS, and no working PC it'll b a while before i get it working though!

[Jertje]

Less sleeping, more testing.

[the_angry_angel]

With no 32-bit OS, and no working PC it'll b a while before i get it working though!Great choice for a beta tester then :p

[mikemav]

Actually a modified G25 with authentic looking BMW F1 wheel was used in some of the Intel Racing Tour events, some point of the video you can see it:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=v7HJ14Vt2nQ

I'd guess it's modified by Logitech. But this one will probably never hit the stores...
OMG! From 6:12 to 6:21 in that video, it's so clear that's just a different (kick ass) wheel on existing technology. Build it! Man, that would rock.

[word.]

OMG! From 6:12 to 6:21 in that video, it's so clear that's just a different (kick ass) wheel on existing technology. Build it! Man, that would rock.
Pitty it would cost about $40,000 to buy a F1 steering wheel.

[FL!P]

Pitty it would cost about $40,000 to buy a F1 steering wheel.

http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showthread.php?p=3652563

[niels1]

Oke after the first night mine thoughts. I have trouble getting the drivers to work and currently with T. Jackermeijer (ceo fanatec) to get them to work. The driver for some reason will interrupt during installation and doesnt finish th actual driver install. However some of the software is installed and I had a go at it.

It gives a clean layout where you setup the wheel. From 0-900 in steps of 1 degree. Also prefix degree settings on wheel throughout the LED display for a quick change possible. The FFB blew my mind. Its so unbelievable strong. I couldnt hold the wheel properly when tested the max settings. The vibration motors are a nice extra bonus to the FFB. When you press the accelarator the wheel starts to vibrate. It gives a extra feeling of driving the car.

Buttons on the wheel are more then enough. It feels solid no button that could be weared out in a year. But then again time will tell. Overall look. Wheel is covered with a high quality leather and is nicely stitched. The wheel itself is 300 mm and is big. Its just like sitting behind your steer of your car. The place where normally is your airbag looks on the picture very plastic. However its not !!!!!!. Its soft to touch, not shiny at all. Feels like a dashboard of newer cars. Soft and very touchable.

The noise of the wheel when turning is a bit weird. You expect to hear some noise but I never heard a quiter wheel as this. All due to the band wich gives the FFB off course. Which to me is a big plus. I have my setup in the living room and the misses hates my other wheel bcus of the noise while turning.

Pedals are looking a bit plastic however nothing like what you have seen on pictures. All pedals comes with prearranged pressure. The clutch feels very real due to the pressure. The break is like a real break and you must be getting used to it. My other wheel doesnt have the resistant in it and was just prssed down. This gives it way more feeling but needs to be getting used to. The accelator is also like a normal road car with a nice build in resistance.

I early said in this thread the pedals are useable with wire and without. Well its a kinda true. The connection to your PC is wireless. The connection wire between the wheel and pedals is just for power. I had no latency or lag issue so far. Even on a filled server i didnt experienced any lag. I was a bit affraid of that with a full starting grid with a FPS drop at start. But it didnt loose any connection what so ever.

Despite the driver issue I must admite to be pleasantly suprised. I really think it can give the G25 some good competion. I dont have a G25 so sadly I cant compare it with it.

[sil3ntwar]

So brake pedal is measured by pressure put on it not by the distance the pedal travels?
Also what do you think of the shifter?

[niels1]

Not sure yet to be honest. But it does give that real pressure a normal break pedal will give in a car.

Havent tested the shifter yet bcus the driver didnt install properly. What I did noticed a good resistance in using the H shifter and it gives good solid impression to me when falling into gear. Nothing linke the G25 where I have seen you can move it 1 finger without any resistance. You defitnly need your whole hand to shift it through the gears.

[Mazz4200]

Just out of interest Niels, it sounds as though you're mighty impressed with it, but what wheel do you currently have. i.e what are you comparing this 911 wheel too ? (might give us some sort of idea of how good this thing might be) :)

[herki]

Sounds quite nice so far, I'd love to hear an unbiased view of a G25 owner (or at least someone who tested it) to see how it compares to the G25 :scratchch

[niels1]

Well as usual youre always impressed with new stuff but to answer your question I have had several wheel.

- Thrustmaster Ferrai force feedback
- Logitech MOMO force feedback
- Logitech Force EX

But I wished I could compare it to a G25.

[Dajmin]

I sent Fanatec the email I was talking about, suggesting that they should send me a wheel. I've not had a response yet but I'm not holding my breath :)

[deggis]

Pitty it would cost about $40,000 to buy a F1 steering wheel.
Replica?

[Shotglass]

The noise of the wheel when turning is a bit weird. You expect to hear some noise but I never heard a quiter wheel as this.

im starting to wish i had singed up for this beta
sounds really nice

now if anyone (in case jack cant get his damn overclocked... thing to work) would do a niels type video this might turn out to be a real competitor for the g25

[kamkorPL]

im starting to wish i had singed up for this beta
sounds really nice

now if anyone (in case jack cant get his damn overclocked... thing to work) would do a niels type video this might turn out to be a real competitor for the g25

Shotglass: What type is exactly niels type video? Atm I'm just planning to make vid showing difference in pedals beetwen G25 and 911, same with shifter. Also vid of wheel in action while drifting - "letting the wheel spin" and catch style to show its speed.

[Shotglass]

Also vid of wheel in action while drifting - "letting the wheel spin" and catch style to show its speed.

thats pretty much what niels did
http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=32966
although he (tried) to make it a bit more objective and replicable by starting from a donut which doesnt depend on speed and turn in among other variables like a drift would

[deggis]

Ze Germans have the wheels already:

http://www.gtr4u.de/thread.php?postid=368750#post368750

What does he say?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gHWUNBnIb0E

That video is useless though, only showing still pics but apparently better video coming...

[kamkorPL]

What about a vid like this I made a while ago about g25: www.saikod.com/G25autox.wmv

[Jakg]

Wheel's here (i say "here", but i'm at School and it's at home), I can test it on my laptop (32-bit), but atm with a non-working 64-bit PC a proper test will be a pita.

Can't resize pics without my PC (need photoshop!) so you'll just have to go on words (and perhaps a YouTube video) 'till my main machine is working.

EDIT - At least i would if i didn't have a 3,000 word essay by Friday.

[Shotglass]

What about a vid like this I made a while ago about g25: www.saikod.com/G25autox.wmv


not a bad test to show some real world performance but i wouldnt put it before anything that attempts to show the wheels raw abilities in a synthetic and somewhat objective way

[baSh0r]

Did you get the drivers installed ??. It keeps giving me a interupted installation after downloading the latest drivers. And the driver on the stick automatically conects to fanatec. :shrug: yeah kinda but clutch doesnt work good, i gotta wait for vist64 bit drivers

[FL!P]

this feature will be added in a later version of the driver. You will be able to show almost any info we can get out from the game. And the vibration motors can also be controlled by the game.

Thomas (Fanatec)

Thomas, any chance that you post pictures showing the insides of the wheel and pedals set? Some other wheels look good but are built in such a cheap way that things start to break or go wrong after six months. Some close-ups of key components would help us make an opinion.

Flip

[Jakg]

Just took some promo shots of the box, but alas with no SD card reader on the laptop you'll have to wait.

All i can say is that A. Box is smaller than a G25's Box, and B. That this is a "proper box". The G25 box could be for a set of speakers or something (if it had different graphics). The box of this Fanatech wheel FEELS like it's £170.

EDIT - Good news - PC is working, seems my "uber 1337" Ballistix memory just died for the second funking time. Not happy. Time to replace them with a cheaper (These sticks are £35 a stick - i can get a 2 GB KIT for that now!) 4 GB set. Quite odd seeing as they weren't even overclocked (running at "EPP" speed/timings).

bad news - PC = 64-bit. Will TRY to get it working, but doubt it will.

[StableX]

perfect person to test Jakg as many people have different operating systems from vista to 32 bit/64 bit... Hope it works for you! Look forward to your critique!

[baSh0r]

bad news - PC = 64-bit. Will TRY to get it working, but doubt it will.

worked for me just clutch bugs in lfs tell me if you got it to work

[Jakg]

worked for me just clutch bugs in lfs tell me if you got it to work
Nope, i get this when installing it - any help?

Time to use my one and only legal XP key :(

[sgt.flippy]

Nope, i get this when installing it - any help?

Time to use my one and only legal XP key :(
I opened your pic and clicked "Ok" :shrug: :schwitz:

[kamkorPL]

Jakg: Did you try new Beta drivers: http://www.fanatec.de/html/index.php?id=3114&lang=en ?

[mr_pio]

Hej Kamkor, have you got the wheel yet?

[Jakg]

Jakg: Did you try new Beta drivers: http://www.fanatec.de/html/index.php?id=3114&lang=en ?No, thanks!

Pics to come soon.

So far all i can say is that it either needs to get bigger or a little less chubby, as it feels toy-like when you hold it. Need to give it a drive first though!

[kamkorPL]

Hej Kamkor, have you got the wheel yet?

No, they are probably delivering them to Poland with special delivery car ;) http://www.amw.com.pl/images/rsm_products/01_20.jpg

Jakg, feels like a toy? Isn't it bigger than G25?

[mcintyrej]

No, they are probably delivering them to Poland with special delivery car ;)

Jakg, feels like a toy? Isn't it bigger than G25?

Bigger isn't always better. Looking at this wheel makes it look like a toy for me, yeah its realistic and a good replica of the actual thing but the plastics its made from and the general look of it, make it look like a toy. The G25 isn't imitating anything, the clean metal look actually looks like your in a race car.

[mr_pio]

No, they are probably delivering them to Poland with special delivery car ;) http://www.amw.com.pl/images/rsm_products/01_20.jpg


Good thing the wheels are vibration-resistant :)
For those not in the know, that's Polish army equipment on that photo (OMG, is that grand treason I'm committing?).

[Jakg]

Bigger isn't always better. Looking at this wheel makes it look like a toy for me, yeah its realistic and a good replica of the actual thing but the plastics its made from and the general look of it, make it look like a toy. The G25 isn't imitating anything, the clean metal look actually looks like your in a race car.No offence, but get one and THEN post.

I say it feels like a toy because while it might be a (bit) bigger than a G25, it's MUCH thicker and feels "chunkier". Like it's an oversized toy.

Drivers still wont install properly though :(

[deggis]

worked for me just clutch bugs in lfs tell me if you got it to work
You have the wheel already?! I'm sure no one here wants to hear more comments about it... :really:

[baSh0r]

Nope, i get this when installing it - any help?

Time to use my one and only legal XP key :(

just plugin the usb connector, then it should get connected like in 5 seconds.there was just windows itself installing drivers in 5 seconds then it worked. i tried it with downloaded drivers and failed :scratchch

[baSh0r]

You have the wheel already?! I'm sure no one here wants to hear more comments about it... :really:

yes i do. recieved a funny grey boy yesterday :D you fold it open and it says: Relax... not yet.... GO GO GO :D

Yeah pretty cool. I had some mounting problems until i fixed them with some paper under the wheel-torso. The H-Shifter is cool i sometimes hit the barriers between the gears coz im noob :P I have Vista so i have no functional drivers just the one which make it work. It works pretty nice altho the wheel is really slippery.

Overall a pretty good firstlook i gonna write a report in the next days tho

http://teaminferno.hu/squassell/123/

[mcintyrej]

No offence, but get one and THEN post.

I say it feels like a toy because while it might be a (bit) bigger than a G25, it's MUCH thicker and feels "chunkier". Like it's an oversized toy.

Drivers still wont install properly though :(

I did say that i thought it looked like a toy. Point taken, but I didn't say that i'd used one.

[BlakjeKaas]

@Jakg, did you get the wheel for free to test the wheel? Or did you just buy it?
/me is cheapskate + Dutch (and proud of it)

[Jakg]

Free, :P

No idea if it's the lack of drivers or what (atm i think i'm using the G25 drivers for it!) but it feels slow, the H-Shifter feels crap and the wheel won't centre. Oh and the brake feels awful.

Gonna install XP 32-bit tonight and see if it feels any better.

[kamkorPL]

Maybe try uninstalling Logitech drivers and installing the ones from Fanatec.

edit:

I've also heard that you might need newest .net framework

[Jakg]

Yay. Now the wheel wont stop rumbling because the accelarator is a little bit stuck down. And when i plug the power in it sparks.

I want to like this so much but i'm really having a hard time.

[kamkorPL]

Accelerator stuck down? Hardware problem already? And sparks?! The sparks part kinda made me laugh though. The wheel must really "not like you". :D

[Jakg]

Yeah, little note - when you pick it up to NOT touch the accelerator. The accelerator will spring up to position Y, but with a tiny amount of force you can pull it back that little bit further and the Pots reconfigure, and when you let off the throttle you've always got about 1% throttle and the wheel starts shaking.

Basically it started the MOMO Spiking thing on me. To fix it just unplug it and remove the batteries, then put em back in again.

I don't know why it ain't playing nice.

Will get some piccies up after my stupid School meeting thingy.

[ajp71]

I've got mine. TBH I'm very disappointed, the shifter doesn't work (2nd, 4th and 6th won't stay in gear) and the aluminium shafts allow the gear shifter to move far too much.

The wheel itself feels nice with soft touch plastics and leather. The buttons are a bit naff and move about too much though. From the little I've driven with the wheel it seems to be very quiet and have stronger and faster FF than the DFP, although that should be expected really. The packaging had a much more expensive feel to it than the Logitech boxes and in reality setup was no simpler than the wired wheels, not that they're terribly arduous anyway. The pedals seem well spaced for heel and toeing and are angled to make operation from the floor easier, that may not be good news for cockpit owners but for those who don't have the space you won't have to precariously balance your pedals on boxes anymore to get the right height. I haven't found a way to stop the wheel vibrating when you press the accelerator yet either which is rather irritating, having the rumble motors could be a nice idea if it let an InSim style program control them and at least tie them into some kind of event.

I think this wheel has still got the potential to be a true G25 rival it just needs the problems sorting because if I had paid £200 for it then I wouldn't be best impressed if the damn thing didn't work.

[Jakg]

I haven't found a way to stop the wheel vibrating when you press the accelerator yet either which is rather irritating, having the rumble motors could be a nice idea if it let an InSim style program control them and at least tie them into some kind of event.Black button on the wheel until it says "Sho" then press the D-Pad down from 100>66>33>Off.

Anyone else think the brake is a bit screwed or do i have a duff unit?

[Töki (HUN)]

Hmmm that's why I won't buy this porsche wheel. OK it looks amazing, but it has problems such as the shifter and gas pedal... My MOMO is totally broken down, so I'm planning to buy a G25...even if Porsche is newer

[ajp71]

Hmmm that's why I won't buy this porsche wheel. OK it looks amazing, but it has problems such as the shifter and gas pedal... My MOMO is totally broken down, so I'm planning to buy a G25...even if Porsche is newer

To be fair the G25 shifters have been pretty hopeless mass produced plastic crap as well, it's a shame because the shifter seems to be the only bit of this wheel that feels mass produced and horrible. When I tried to take the shifter off the aluminium rods the endstop came off one of them and got jammed inside the shifter, didn't seem well designed.

[Gnomie]

Hmmm that's why I won't buy this porsche wheel. OK it looks amazing, but it has problems such as the shifter and gas pedal... My MOMO is totally broken down, so I'm planning to buy a G25...even if Porsche is newer
Talk about jumping to conclusions.. remember, these are test units. I'm assuming the reason why Fanatec do this test session is to pinpoint and fix problems and issues. Plus, people are just getting their wheels.. it will take some time to get feedback from many enough people to make conclusions!

[Jakg]

To be fair the G25 shifters have been pretty hopeless mass produced plastic crap as well, it's a shame because the shifter seems to be the only bit of this wheel that feels mass produced and horrible. When I tried to take the shifter off the aluminium rods the endstop came off one of them and got jammed inside the shifter, didn't seem well designed.Same thing happened to me in the wheel.

I think the mounting system is TERRIBLE for this wheel though. The double-bar idea they had before looked MUCH better.

BTW - Given up on said wheel in Vista x64. 'bout to install XP 32-bit to see if i can get it to work properly.

[Gabkicks]

any americans get their wheel yet?

[Jakg]

To anyone wondering about pics, here we go...

BTW - At the weekend i'll be installing XP with proper drivers so i'll try to give this wheel a proper go, then right my main review

[Jakg]

...

[isamu]

cool :)

[Jakg]

BTW - You get TWO USB things. One is wireless for the wheel, one is a 1 GB Pen Drive (not a bad idea!)

[Shotglass]

the worst bit ive seen so far is "made in china"
odd combination with the german slapped on every other box and sheet of information

[baSh0r]

i gotta figure out which one was the usb and the connector till i saw the lights :D then i knew it. By the way you know that you need to uninstall vista completely to install XP? It wont work if you just make a new partition with XP. At least i heard.

[mr_pio]

the worst bit ive seen so far is "made in china"
odd combination with the german slapped on every other box and sheet of information
Welcome to the 21st century - Advanced German Gameware - Made in China.
Mine's arrived, still sitting in the box. Just a few more hours :(

[dawesdust_12]

To anyone wondering about pics, here we go...

BTW - At the weekend i'll be installing XP with proper drivers so i'll try to give this wheel a proper go, then right my main review


Jack, I really think you need to go take English again. That's the second time I've seen you make that same mistake.

[BlakjeKaas]

The wheel looks really... American.

[Primoz]

I was just dropped wiht a large, brown box. Camera in hand (actually sitting on the desk besides me) and the box opener in the other (well, again, the same...), and i'm about to attack the box!!

[Dajmin]

Well I got an email response from them and somewhat unsurprisingly they're not sending me a wheel to test (only because there's none left - it did actually sound like he'd have sent me one if they had any).

However, they did say that if I wanted an ex-test model for half price I should give a yell. Unfortunately that'll probably still be out of my price range, but I'll think about it :)

[mikey_G]

I think the wheel looks nice with it's thicker wheel and bigger wheel diameter. However, those shifters look horrible.
It also looks like the brake to throttle spacing is even bigger on the porsche wheel, which makes heel and toeing even more impossible I guess... Can some beta tester give his view on that matter?

[Vykos69]

I got mine set up yesterday evening too. ANd I'm kind of two sided in my opinion up to now. Coming from the MOMO Force and DFP, I am very impressed by the sheer size of the wheel itself. I do like the leather and high quality plastik applications on the wheel, seems well done. The shifter works fine for me, and in the FZ5 you definitely get a little "hey, I drive a Porsche now" feeling. Pedals arent well done: Angle is too steep and pedals start slipping on my floor. So that would need some fixing.
The FF seems very smooth and nice, but I do think, I hear something slipping, when I hold strong against it. Will test it more deeply over the weekend anyway.

Still: It looks damn cool Porsche-like on my table now :D

[JEP]

Waiting for the article, G25 VS 911 Fanatec.

:)

[Gil07]

To anyone wondering about pics, here we go...

Jack, I don't how to tell you this... but... YOUR SHIFTER IS ON THE WRONG SIDE! :D

[Töki (HUN)]

Waiting for the article, G25 VS 911 Fanatec.

:)

So do I! BTW some videos would be also appreciated:)

[baSh0r]

yeah i may do a video comparision soon. but im not sure

[Töki (HUN)]

yeah i may do a video comparision soon. but im not sure

Be sure then!:razz:

[baSh0r]

I need Commander and his Videocamera :D but i will take some HQ pictures with my camera :)

[Jakg]

i gotta figure out which one was the usb and the connector till i saw the lights :D then i knew it. By the way you know that you need to uninstall vista completely to install XP? It wont work if you just make a new partition with XP. At least i heard.
Erm, what? You install Vista, then make an XP partition and install it and then "repair" the Vista copy to fix the bootloader. Done it before...

Vykos, what sort of floor do you have? The pedals take the carpet with them when i pick 'em up thanks to the velcro!

[teedot]

Looks like im going to have to pick up mine at the post office, since I have been out of town for the last 3 days lol. Im assuming the pickup notice is stuck on my door right now so *crosses fingers*. I really can't wait to give this thing a whirl. Sucks that the drivers aren't supported in x64 editions of XP/Vista... thats going to be a BIG pain in the arse for me........ oh well, hope its worth it! :D

Can't wait to put this thing up against my beloved G25 :D

[baSh0r]

Erm, what? You install Vista, then make an XP partition and install it and then "repair" the Vista copy to fix the bootloader. Done it before.

As i heard it wont work hm

[Primoz]

Okay, spent the afternoon with the wheel. I have mxed feelings. It's very well made, but as it was mentioned, the gearshift mounts are less than perfect (way less). The caps get trapped inside the wheel and shifter and are not sturdy enough. THe wheel was off-centre a lot (in both ways, changing with each turn), but i got new drivers, just did a reboot and i'm about to test. The brake is weird, yes, it's still an axis but it's very short. mimics a real car better but it really needs to get used to. THe FFB is so damn strong it's unbelievable. Took the wheel right out of my hands a few times. And it's very quiet ('neatly' pointed out by my father, who sleeps under me). THe wheel itself is quite big (compared to the MOMO), but the whole wheel (the FFB motor housing) is so damn small, it's also unbelieavable. The wireless pedals didn't work (there's a table in between), plugging it in did the trick. Empty batteries? THere are loads of buttons but they don't feel as good. The 8 on the 9 and 3 o'clock pillars are good, could be better, but the 'paddle shifter' buttons could have more feedback (more of a click). The D-pad is like jelly, the start and select buttons are also quite simmilar but better. I can only compare the shifter to the Punto i drive and it's quite hard. I should get a G25 somewhere to do a real comaprison. And now i am off to test the new drivers.

Their look is totaly different, gone is the wheel, gone are the degree settings, which is a shame, but there is a calibrate function. Will see how it works.

EDIT: well the new drivers fixed the centering issue but the buttons were ALL changed and the clutch pedal is now all weird. Full depressed it gives about 90% pressed, the same if it fully pressed in and it goes 'over the top' when pressing it. TO 100% then to 0% and back up to 90%.

[Scrabby]

pff my DFP owns the place

[niels1]

I have got the new drivers aswell. Finally its working now, but it isnt centering anymore. I cant get it right. It keeps popping back to its original spot. Also the USB-HID doesnt seems to be installing anymore. Windows gives a failure on installing the USB-HID. Any suggestions fellow testers ??? :shrug:

[Primoz]

Don't mind my driver rant, i uninstalled the drivers via Add/Remove Components, installed them (the new ones) and it's all okay. The old style with the calibration settings.

Nils what kind of problems do you have? i don't exactly understand. DO as i did - uninstall and reinstall the drivers.

[kamkorPL]

I haven't received a wheel yet :(

Beta testers: Is FFB fast enough to allow this(countersteering speed): http://www.saikod.com/G25autox.wmv ?

[niels1]

Don't mind my driver rant, i uninstalled the drivers via Add/Remove Components, installed them (the new ones) and it's all okay. The old style with the calibration settings.

Nils what kind of problems do you have? i don't exactly understand. DO as i did - uninstall and reinstall the drivers.


First I couldnt install any driver. I have 3 versions. But the latest is installed now but now I cant get wheel calibrated. It keeps jumping back to his original standing before calibrating. So when starting LFS and want to drive the car is turning inmeddiatly. :shrug:

[teedot]

this may be silly.. but tried calibrating it in LFS as well?

[niels1]

No i cant get the calibrated in windows. And as long that isnt calbrated it wont calibrate in LFS :shrug:

[teedot]

ah damn :(

[Primoz]

niels calibrate it from -7 to 0, press a button, it jumps to 8 and then after calibrating back to -7 again? I just got this problem too.

[Luke.S]

I knew it would be crap knew it. Just knew it bw jakg i fked my lfs lol.

[niels1]

niels calibrate it from -7 to 0, press a button, it jumps to 8 and then after calibrating back to -7 again? I just got this problem too.

yeah something similar. It wont hold the 0 position. Just got a email from Thomas. Tommorow new drivers. So we wait and see.

@luke S. Do you have the wheel ??. If not, why telling its crap. Like every new piece of hardware there is some issues. You know that so wait with remarks until the reviews coming out. :shrug:

[Hyperactive]

I knew it would be crap knew it. Just knew it bw jakg i fked my lfs lol.

Oh please just shut up. Posting that crap over and over again makes you look just stupid.

[teedot]

I knew it would be crap knew it. Just knew it bw jakg i fked my lfs lol.

If you dont have a 911-wheel and are not part of this test, keep your crappy opinions to yourself. This is called a TEST period for a reason. :shrug:

[Jakg]

I tihink the brake "feels" bad because it's copied from a 911 - only in that the brake would be pressure sensitive (which i dont quite understand but meh), however on this they are travel-sensitive, and so need a lot more travel than a 911 has (or pressure sensitive pedals!).

[ArrAssAdor]

I tihink the brake "feels" bad because it's copied from a 911 - only in that the brake would be pressure sensitive (which i dont quite understand but meh), however on this they are travel-sensitive, and so need a lot more travel than a 911 has (or pressure sensitive pedals!).

The PU foam which is under the pedal is actually a little bit too high. We can cut it a bit to give the pedals more travel and make it softer as well.

Sorry for all those driver problems! We will make a new version available tomorrow which should fix the issues.

[Jakg]

Ok, your reading this thread!

I'd like to say something...

Firstly - THANK YOU! For letting me try this.

Secondly, these are PRE-PRODUCTION samples. And my testing seems to be plagued by driver issues atm...

Will write a "proper" review over the weekend.

[ajp71]

I knew it would be crap knew it. Just knew it bw jakg i fked my lfs lol.

You don't have this wheel, apart from a couple of bad points it seems better built and certainly much nicer to use than the Logitech wheels. Of course in the end of the day both can't hide the fact they're massed produced plastic products and as much as I'd love the pedal base to be made out of a solid milled piece of aluminum I'd rather not pay the price tag. This wheel has some class to it, I didn't think I'd like it but the soft touch plastics and chunky wheel rim really give it a feeling like a real car wheel, in fact it's much nicer than a typical car wheel to use. You however have no idea what this wheel is like and have no right to cast an opinion in this thread, if you really have to go and senselessly bash it start a new thread.

I tihink the brake "feels" bad because it's copied from a 911 - only in that the brake would be pressure sensitive (which i dont quite understand but meh), however on this they are travel-sensitive, and so need a lot more travel than a 911 has (or pressure sensitive pedals!).

It feels like a really mushy brake pedal from a car that seriously needs its brakes bleeding. The travel, position and initial resistance are probably right but the lack of progressive pressure means you hit the endstops very quickly when you're not used to it, unfortunately this is a limitation of any spring based brake pedal, which is all we're ever going to see in budget wheels due to costs.

As for the shifter I'm sending it back to be fixed ;)

[baSh0r]

I haven't received a wheel yet :(

Beta testers: Is FFB fast enough to allow this(countersteering speed): http://www.saikod.com/G25autox.wmv ?


its kinda slower but it should be able to

[kamkorPL]

Thanks for the answer, that's kinda sad to hear :(

[ArrAssAdor]

Ok, your reading this thread!

I'd like to say something...

Firstly - THANK YOU! For letting me try this.

Secondly, these are PRE-PRODUCTION samples. And my testing seems to be plagued by driver issues atm...

Will write a "proper" review over the weekend.

Yes I do look at several forums and the information you give to us is pure gold.
Believe me that we try everything to make the wheel better. After 3 years of development there was a point where we felt the product is good enough to compete. Of course it is not perfect and there are many things to improve but I would already be happy if our tiny little 7 person company can compete with the giants out there.

[Jakg]

3 YEARS?!

...!

Thats quite a long time development.

Ok - another point - should the D-Pad (and all the buttons) "rock" so much i can see behind them to the PCB and the actual LED without using excess force?

[ArrAssAdor]

3 YEARS?!

...!

Thats quite a long time development.

Ok - another point - should the D-Pad (and all the buttons) "rock" so much i can see behind them to the PCB and the actual LED without using excess force?

The buttons can certainly be improved like other things as well. It is a question of priority.
Our wheel is not perfect and on every Porsche you will find something to improve as well. Thats why they keep on developing new cars.

[StableX]

The buttons can certainly be improved like other things as well. It is a question of priority.
Our wheel is not perfect and on every Porsche you will find something to improve as well. Thats why they keep on developing new cars.

very fair point :)

[niels1]

Hiya Thomas,

Have testing again without the drivers. Without the drivers it seems to work sorta. What I have noticed now is that the gearbox keeps stuck in second gear. Regarding the wheel I dont think that much improvment needed. We wait for the new drivers and see what comes out of it. :thumb:

[Primoz]

The PU foam which is under the pedal is actually a little bit too high. We can cut it a bit to give the pedals more travel and make it softer as well.

Sorry for all those driver problems! We will make a new version available tomorrow which should fix the issues.

I think making the pedal have a longer travel would be better. Even with a pressure sensitive wheel it wouldn't be perfect because in a real car you have a direct feedback from the braking force. Here you just can't know. Well, it's all a case of geting used to it, as you also must get used to have a certain amount of travel.

My shifter is generally okay, it just tends to get stuck sometimes ging from 4th to 5th. Releasing it to the central position and shifting to 5th works then.

Oh, the LED display says bar over here. Is that normal? :D (it's bar or the setup)

[ajp71]

I think making the pedal have a longer travel would be better. Even with a pressure sensitive wheel it wouldn't be perfect because in a real car you have a direct feedback from the braking force. Here you just can't know. Well, it's all a case of geting used to it, as you also must get used to have a certain amount of travel.


Heel and toeing will never feel the same if the brake pedal has lots of travel, at least with this solution it's easy to heel and toe.

[niels1]

I have had the same thing on the LED display. Went away out itself. I will tommorow have a look at the foam to see if its gives the breaks more travel distance. I think a little more travel distance would help the breaks. But you dont wanna remove too much to take away the pressure feeling in the break pedal.

[Primoz]

That is true...

EDIT: can we open the pedals/wheel up and have a look at the insides? Or are there any pics out there to scratch the itch?

[sgt.flippy]

I'm really curious about this wheel, I never tried a G25, and I'm probably not trying this one for a long time either. So I'm looking forward to the reviews, specially Jak's. He seems the right person for the job :thumb:

And to the people saying the wheel's crap without trying it:
LFS is in a testing phase too, the big problem with LFS is this fact: people think it's crap before they tried it, because they read all the bugs, while the sim isn't finished yet, but they judge it on it.

You people do the same: the wheel is out for testing, you reed negative feedback and jump to the conclusion the wheel's crap. Which when it goes live, I'm sure it won't.

[kamkorPL]

EDIT: can we open the pedals/wheel up and have a look at the insides? Or are there any pics out there to scratch the itch?

Someone in Italy has already opened it:

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4687/pedalierauz7.jpg - pedals
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8449/cazzatabw5.jpg - "wheel unplugged"
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8449/cazzatabw5.jpg - insides of wheel
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/5990/intern2vv7.jpg - insides of wheel 2
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8532/internolt2.jpg - and 3

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5813/elettob3.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/374/volantekt4.jpg

source: http://www.slipangle.it/forum/index.php?showtopic=8935

[sgt.flippy]

Kamkor: Your first pic of the "inside wheel" is the same as the pic above it.

[kamkorPL]

First of all, not my pic :) I gave a link to the source page. Rest of pictures there.

[sgt.flippy]

First of all, not my pic :) I gave a link to the source page. Rest of pictures there.
I know, you meant to link this one:
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9804/intern3dx0.jpg

[Shotglass]

hm a 2 stage gear reduction with belts... likely to be very quiet but not exactly fast
and the cooling on the motor means that theyre either the first company to do things properly or they put more stress on it that all other wheels... hope its the former

[teedot]

just got home and i was disappointed to see that my wheel is still not here...... :(

Thomas, for testers in North America, are the wheels being shipped from the USA?

[dontsimon]

Inside of pedals look like a step backwards compared to the G25. More like Momo / DFP style. Not encouraging.

[teedot]

Inside of pedals look like a step backwards compared to the G25. More like Momo / DFP style. Not encouraging.

i think how they work is more important then what they look like inside... :shrug:

That FFB motor is HUGE haha :D