Total newb to DD wheels - please help

[Denis Betty]

I'm considering buying a used Sim racing bay OSW wheelbase.
I'd like to know, what are my options for wheel rim? I will only need one rim, as I don't race formula or modern GT cars. I want working buttons and D pad on the rim.
I heard that a Fanatec firmware update, means that Fanatec rims will no longer work on non-Fanatec wheelbases. Is this correct?
I'm hoping for some solid advice, fairly quickly (please) as I'll have to move quickly on the wheelbase and may miss out on a Fanatec rim if I'm slow.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Elaphe]

There are many round-shaped rims with button plates available for OSW in different diameters (generally 30, 32 or 33 cm). These plates usually have Arduino or some kind of USB controller, which you plug into any USB port on your computer (better with a coiled cable), so it´s completelly independent from the kind of OSW you have. You can also buy a comercial rim (there are some replicas which are not expensive at all) and then install a custom plate (which are sold separately), or even make your own plate, for instance using 3D printing.

Some examples:
https://www.simracingcoach.com/tienda/
https://www.ascher-racing.com/product-category/steering-wheels/
https://tiendasimracing.com/aros-y-paneles/
https://www.sammaxwellcustoms.com/online-store/Wheels-c28633768

 

[Denis Betty]

There are many round-shaped rims with button plates available for OSW in different diameters (generally 30, 32 or 33 cm). These plates usually have Arduino or some kind of USB controller, which you plug into any USB port on your computer (better with a coiled cable), so it´s completelly independent from the kind of OSW you have. You can also buy a comercial rim (there are some replicas which are not expensive at all) and then install a custom plate (which are sold separately), or even make your own plate, for instance using 3D printing.

Thank you.
Looking at this, I can get a plug and play rim for a similar price to what it would cost to convert the used Fanatec rim. As I'm not a big fan of Fanatec, I guess I'll look into a plug and play type rim.

If I only want to use one rim, will I need a spacer or QR, or just bolt direct to the wheelbase?

Thanks.

 

[Denis Betty]

Looking at this, I can get a plug and play rim for a similar price to what it would cost to convert the used Fanatec rim.

Well.... maybe that's not correct? Can somebody advise me whether buying a used Fanatec BMW rim and getting it converted is still a workable option please?

 

[EsxPaul]

Well.... maybe that's not correct? Can somebody advise me whether buying a used Fanatec BMW rim and getting it converted is still a workable option please?

I think that will be a workable option although I'm not 100% sure how much Fanatec have been able to lockdown the ability to stop a conversion working.

My advice would be to fire off an email to Simon at Sim Racing Machines and he will definitely know the answer: https://www.simracingmachines.com/webshop/contactus

I had a similar concern with the McLaren rim and gave Simon a call, told him the firmware version it was on and he was able to give me the go ahead.

Edit: Scratch that advice for now. I just checked and SRM is closed until the 17th June

 

[Ceolmor]

If I only want to use one rim, will I need a spacer or QR, or just bolt direct to the wheelbase?
Thanks.

You do not need either. I’ve been using a steering wheel, buttons and paddles from Simracingcoach on my OSW from Simracingbay for 2 1/2 years without a QR or a spacer.