A New Fanatec Wheel announced - possibly coming to consoles soon

[Elandyll]

http://www.isrtv.com/fanatec/fanatec...-v2-announced/



This is a modular wheel that is releasing first with PC supoprt exlcusively (the wheel support on next gen is a bit of a mess right now, cf table below as an example for Project Cars), but Fantec says that their design will allow for a motor base that is common, and an add-on wheel that can be platform specific.
They also say that one of the two lead console platforms has already signed with them, but they are not saying which one just yet.

It is to be noted that the price for this type of product (servo + modular) is apparently well priced:
$499 if you pre-order (the release model will be $599 if no pre order).


Here is the specific quote about the release concerning the consoles:

The ClubSport Wheel Base V2 is the next generation of ourwheel base but there is also a strong demand of wheels for “Next-Gen” consoles. People were asking us to make their wheels compatible to the Xbox One and Playstation 4 but if we want to make it official and legal then we need to follow the rules of the console makers and they clearly do not allow
that.

So how can we make a product where there is a chance that the customer can keep at least most of the equipment he purchased? We can easily make the pedals, shifters and handbrake compatible and this is what we did but what about the base unit?

And how can we make a product multi-platform compatible if we can only get approval for a license if the product has only the symbols of either one console on it?

We came up with an idea which brings modularity to a whole new level and protects your investment. If you play on PC then just go ahead and purchase the wheel base as it is and you will not be bothered with symbols which might hurt your eye.

But if you want to enjoy the painless simplicity of a console with its great exclusive racing simulations then you will get the option to buy an optional steering wheel which will
add full console compatibility to this base.

We want to achieve compatibility to both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and we are happy to announce that we already signed a contract with one of them. We will announce this product at the end of this year.

There will be multiple steering wheels available in different price ranges and they will compatible to several Fanatec base units from mid-range to direct drive.

About Wheel compatibility in general:

A lot has been said about how devices compatibility have been handled with the current gen (PS4/ XB1), which is to say "not well". But the Wheels/ sim gear for racers/ sim fans are particularly problematic.

It's a mix of having to licence the devices with the console makers, the patents by Immersion (Haptic feedback patents supposedly expiring in Nov 2015 apparently) and Logitech deciding in January 2013 to exit the console device market (thus not providing support beyond the most basic one).

Result for Project Cars, with the list of supported wheels:



Needless to say that a new system with a more modular approach might be a very welcomed idea.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

It is to be noted that the price for this type of product (servo + modular) is apparently well priced:
$499 if you pre-order (the release model will be $599 if no pre order).
.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

brushless servo motor and from my former line of work, these type of motors are expensive even for tiny ones.

But yeah, it will be pricy to have a wheel for any console driving game. I think the Thrustmaster (stupid name) T-300 is 400 bananas. So no nice 100 clam option for a wheel for now.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

*SteveCarellWhat.gif*

Yeah, that's why I said "for this type of product"

Apparently brushless servo motors (for improved Force Feedback) are pretty darn expensive (some people were guessing it would be a $800-$1200 wheel).

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Yeah, that's why I said "for this type of product"

Apparently brushless servo motors (for improved Force Feedback) are pretty darn expensive (some people were guessing it would be a $800-$1200 wheel).

We needed a small one, 1/4hp, for a CNC vertical machining center, it was over 1500 crabs! And the damned thing fit in the palm of my hand. I asked the service rep, doing the rebuild work, if it was made of gold? Without missing a beat, nope platinum.

[Stitches]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Yeah, that's why I said "for this type of product"

Apparently brushless servo motors (for improved Force Feedback) are pretty darn expensive (some people were guessing it would be a $800-$1200 wheel).

$500 for a quality wheel that works on both next gen consoles and PC is a fair price IMO.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Stitches

$500 for a quality wheel that works on both next gen consoles and PC is a fair price IMO.

Sorry but no damn peripheral as specialized as a racing wheel is that costs more than the console you use it with is worth it.

[Lovemy3D]

And I thought a controller cost a lot lol. This driving wheel better work extremely well. And the person buying it better plan on using it a hell of a lot.

Not even being sure if I would like using the wheel better than the controller. I think I would just stick with the controller. And even if the wheel is a little better. I don't feel like blowing five hundred on that. If I was going to blow another five hundred on gaming I'd rather blow it on five hundred worth of new games. Or even spend a couple hundred more and get a decent sized new 2D HD TV dedicated to gaming, instead of burning up so many hours on my 3D TV playing 2D games.

[dyne]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Sorry but no damn peripheral as specialized as a racing wheel is that costs more than the console you use it with is worth it.

It is if you have a PC you can use it with for the rest of time. It would be a shortsighted investment to just use it on consoles.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by dyne

It is if you have a PC you can use it with for the rest of time. It would be a shortsighted investment to just use it on consoles.

Regardless of whether you use it with a console or a PC, you're still out 500.00 for a freaking game peripheral. I'm just not seeing the value unless you're a professional race car driver and you use it to train on.

[dyne]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Regardless of whether you use it with a console or a PC, you're still out 500.00 for a freaking game peripheral. I'm just not seeing the value unless you're a professional race car driver and you use it to train on.

To each their own. I think people are crazy for shelling out over $100 a year when it's all said and done for CoD/Battlefield and all the dlc. This is something that has longevity (that you hopefully only buy once, especially if you keep up with your pc) and for people that are really into racing games it's not such a shock. Is it expensive? That's not what I'm arguing

[Show spoiler]it is

.

Also if I'm not mistaken this is only half the peripheral. Pedals can get pretty expensive as well.

[DeathByAsh'aman]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Sorry but no damn peripheral as specialized as a racing wheel is that costs more than the console you use it with is worth it.

If you are big into racing sims then this is a fair deal. It's solid wheel that will last you years and will have a good resale value. I won't buy it but $500 is pretty cheap as far as hobbies go.

What you are really saying is that sim racing isn't a hobby of yours so you would never buy it.

[Ray O. Blu]

Originally Posted by Stitches

$500 for a quality wheel that works on both next gen consoles and PC is a fair price IMO.

"But if you want to enjoy the painless simplicity of a console with its great exclusive racing simulations then you will get the option to buy an optional steering wheel"

It only works on PC as it's sold. You would have to purchase separate steering wheels for each console if you wanted to use it for all three formats.
It better include a 5 year warranty, minimum, for parts & labor at that pricepoint.

[David LFC]

Tempted to get one of these for the new F1 game