What Fanatec Wheel ?
- Thread starter Johnrrr
- Start date
I used to have a fanatec formula rim I adapted to work on my DD before fanatec had their own DD's.
I didnt get a fanatec DD base and ended up with an ascher formula rim - not what you are asking about but I would still be happy with the fanatac formula rim if I raced open wheelers often. So if you race open wheelers a lot I think its a no brainer to go with a formula style rim, they feel very different that larger rims and I wouldnt want to use my larger gt rim in a formula.
I did use my formula rim for gt's though. That would be gt3s etc that didnt have wheel lock requiring hand over hand.
The fanatec rim selection is good but not really too different than what you can get for other bases and it really depends what you want to drive, do you want one rim that will cater for all cars or a couple rims you want to work for things like formula/lmp and another for other cars?
I didnt get a fanatec DD base and ended up with an ascher formula rim - not what you are asking about but I would still be happy with the fanatac formula rim if I raced open wheelers often. So if you race open wheelers a lot I think its a no brainer to go with a formula style rim, they feel very different that larger rims and I wouldnt want to use my larger gt rim in a formula.
I did use my formula rim for gt's though. That would be gt3s etc that didnt have wheel lock requiring hand over hand.
The fanatec rim selection is good but not really too different than what you can get for other bases and it really depends what you want to drive, do you want one rim that will cater for all cars or a couple rims you want to work for things like formula/lmp and another for other cars?
I had:
- csl Alcantara round rim. Bundled with my csw 2.5
Nice wheel overall! Shifter throw a bit long and paddles far away but drove nicely!
Sold because the rim grip diameter was too thin for my hands. I couldn't really grip it. Way better with bike gloves that have some padding on the inner side of the hands.
But I didn't enjoy driving with gloves..
Overall felt a bit cheap too.
Sold when buying the Porsche rim.
- formula black/carbon:
Sold because I got hand cramps. Too small for me. Glove size EU 9, not really big hands...
Sold it after a week.
- McLaren v1:
Awful shifters which had to be replaced after 1 month of use.
Awesome ergonomics (cad data of the real wheel and the same rubber on the grips!)
Sold because of the shifters and because the rotary knobs where 12 step with hard limits.
Sold it when getting the Porsche rim.
- McLaren v2:
My currently only wheel!
Shifters are way better! I put some felt pads inside the alu bar which makes the throw shorter and a lot quieter.
Rotaries are now either 12 steps or endless +/- and since over a year now I didn't have a single error or anything.
Sadly it's full plastic.. I'd wish for a clubsport variant of this one!
Bought right before I sold the Porsche rim.
- Porsche 918 rim:
Overall a superb quality rim! It was a bit big for me sitting in my office chair.
The shifters had very little resistance and with a 3rd party magnet mod, I could feel the vertical play in the mechanism, which didn't feel great.
The big led bar at the top was a bit annoying too and the thumb moulds were a tiny bit too small for me.
Sold it but I really liked it.
Didn't use it after getting the McLaren v2...
Now over the last few months basically all wheels were upgraded with magnetic shifters so that issue is gone.
I'm currently thinking about getting the uni hub v2 plus the 30cm D-shape rim.
I'd like to get a round rim but 30cm like the McLaren wheel is just perfect for me.
Too happy with the McLaren wheel for anything apart from drifting and old school cars but lowering the degrees of rotation works okay.
If you don't have big hands, and you like the led bar, I'd recommend the clubsport wheel RS, which is the Porsche 918 wheel in black without the Porsche label but with magnetic shifters.
Best value from all wheels imo.
- csl Alcantara round rim. Bundled with my csw 2.5
Nice wheel overall! Shifter throw a bit long and paddles far away but drove nicely!
Sold because the rim grip diameter was too thin for my hands. I couldn't really grip it. Way better with bike gloves that have some padding on the inner side of the hands.
But I didn't enjoy driving with gloves..
Overall felt a bit cheap too.
Sold when buying the Porsche rim.
- formula black/carbon:
Sold because I got hand cramps. Too small for me. Glove size EU 9, not really big hands...
Sold it after a week.
- McLaren v1:
Awful shifters which had to be replaced after 1 month of use.
Awesome ergonomics (cad data of the real wheel and the same rubber on the grips!)
Sold because of the shifters and because the rotary knobs where 12 step with hard limits.
Sold it when getting the Porsche rim.
- McLaren v2:
My currently only wheel!
Shifters are way better! I put some felt pads inside the alu bar which makes the throw shorter and a lot quieter.
Rotaries are now either 12 steps or endless +/- and since over a year now I didn't have a single error or anything.
Sadly it's full plastic.. I'd wish for a clubsport variant of this one!
Bought right before I sold the Porsche rim.
- Porsche 918 rim:
Overall a superb quality rim! It was a bit big for me sitting in my office chair.
The shifters had very little resistance and with a 3rd party magnet mod, I could feel the vertical play in the mechanism, which didn't feel great.
The big led bar at the top was a bit annoying too and the thumb moulds were a tiny bit too small for me.
Sold it but I really liked it.
Didn't use it after getting the McLaren v2...
Now over the last few months basically all wheels were upgraded with magnetic shifters so that issue is gone.
I'm currently thinking about getting the uni hub v2 plus the 30cm D-shape rim.
I'd like to get a round rim but 30cm like the McLaren wheel is just perfect for me.
Too happy with the McLaren wheel for anything apart from drifting and old school cars but lowering the degrees of rotation works okay.
If you don't have big hands, and you like the led bar, I'd recommend the clubsport wheel RS, which is the Porsche 918 wheel in black without the Porsche label but with magnetic shifters.
Best value from all wheels imo.
I have had several, but narrowed it down to a two rim combination which works well for me. I am exclusively driving in VR, so for me it is more about haptics and button placement than looks.
- GT/general round wheel: 911GT3 with the Endurance button box and magnetic shifters; great all around round (it is actually D-shape) wheel that is very comfortable and offers great buttons, dialsand encoders with the endurance button box; tried the smaller 30cm R300 wheel on it, but found it too small for overall use and a little bit cramped with the button box
- Open-wheeler/LMP: Formula V2 with advanced pedal module (actually coming off my 911 GT3 bundle); great haptics and buttons for any smaller formula-style rims, but too small imho for GT3 or the like
Honorable mentions i have had:
- 918RSR: great haptics, but the buttons are too far inwards to reach well, a little limited in versatility in general; magnetic shifters only with 3rd party updates, still too much shifter pedal travel for me.
- Podium R300: great smaller round rim, considered as a good all-around rim by many, but slightly too small for my taste.
What can be covered by the 911 GT3, but not perfectly due to the D-shape is rally/drift though.
You did not want to talk about the wheelbase, but you should actually take the weight of the wheel into consideration when on a lower torque unit like the CSL, CSW2.5 or CSL DD. There is some interesting info on the web about that, e.g. here (although in german) DD vs. belt-driven.
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I have a Mclaren V2 which is an excellent wheel for GT and Open wheelers, though it doesn't really suit older cars. It has the benefit of a modern GT type wheel in that you can see all the dash and hud units on your monitor without your large round wheel blocking the view ahead. Having said that, I can recommend the P300 wheel as a great jack of all trades type solution. It works with formula and GT cars, and older classics that require a bit of lock to lock action. I got mine in the last sale, and it replaced the standard P1 CSl elite wheel which was ok but had the older screw tightner release sytem. Since I have had my P300, I haven't used the Mclaren at all, it's that good.
May I ask which hub and buttons you're using with your P300? I guess you got the CSL Hub with it for 199€ in the sale? Still using that hub?I have a Mclaren V2 which is an excellent wheel for GT and Open wheelers, though it doesn't really suit older cars. It has the benefit of a modern GT type wheel in that you can see all the dash and hud units on your monitor without your large round wheel blocking the view ahead. Having said that, I can recommend the P300 wheel as a great jack of all trades type solution. It works with formula and GT cars, and older classics that require a bit of lock to lock action. I got mine in the last sale, and it replaced the standard P1 CSl elite wheel which was ok but had the older screw tightner release sytem. Since I have had my P300, I haven't used the Mclaren at all, it's that good.
And how much the D-shape is off putting when using older cars with lot of steering angle or drifting?
I can barely find any review for D-shape + lot of steering/drifting..
Uni Hub v2 + P300 are on my wishlist but 399€ is a lot when you could buy the CSL DD instead (I'm waiting for the PS compatible standalone version and/or the QR2 release. Read a lot of stories about the current shaft being an issue).
Thanks in advance!
Yeah, I got the Podium R300 wheel with the CSL Universal Hub when they were offered together on sale. The hub is fine. It's a bit plasticky and fits quite tight within the 300ml diameter, but the buttons are very good, as they are different sizes and shapes - helps in VR. As to the wheel, 300ml is big enough for me, I don't want a wheel bigger than this. It's leather, and its really firm to the touch, a wee bit chunky in feel, I really like it. I mainly race older classic cars and it works well with lots of lock and crossed arm opposite lock. However, drifting and rally would be an issue as the flat bottom won't slide through your hands smoothly in high rotate states. You can do it, just that it won't be comfortable trying to grab the wheel again on a round spot when the flat edge is in the mix. Overall, I love it, and I never really feel the need to swap the Mclaren back in for GTs and openwheelers even though it is an excellent wheel itself.
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I have the Mclaren GT3 wheel V1 and V2 , perfect ergonomics and feel , I use it for everything including rally , I much prefer the rubber grips , alcantara wears out way to quick for me and I don't like the feel.
It's the only wheel I have and want.
It's the only wheel I have and want.
protocolgeorge
Premium
I would like to start off by saying, I try to always match the correct wheel size to the discipline I am racing at that time.
I have personelly have the following wheels:
Fanatec PS4 Formula 1 (270mm Wheel) - Nice wheel overall, rotory encoders are the weakest part. It is used the least of all my wheels honestly as I tend to not drive alot of open wheelers. This wheel came as part of my Podium DD1 PS4 Kit as I thought it would be better to have a wheel base that I could use on PC or console it case I ever wanted too, although I play on PC exclusively.
Fanatec Clubsport GT Forza Motorsport w/Podium Hub+Clubsport Magnetic Shifters (330mm Wheel) - This is the wheel that seems to get used the most due to the versitile size and leather wrap. Its a very comfortable wheel, great shifters when upgraded and shows no wear at all after two years of sustained use. I just really wish Fanatec offered this wheel without the Forza branding in leather as I race on PC (and don't play Forza).
Simagic GT4 Alcantara w/Podium Hub (300mm Wheel) - This wheel may not be Fanatec but I think it counts as its used with the Podium Hub. This is my GT3/GT4/DTM goto racing wheel and it used almost as much as the Clubsport GT. I think it offers some of the best value of the available 300mm GT3 style wheels when compared to Cube Controls and Ascher Racing for example due build quality and features. It does have its quirks with the odd title like AMS2 not detecting the shifters, but still a fantastic wheel.
Fanatec Clubsport Round 1 w/Podium Hub+Clubsport Magnetic Shifters (270mm) - I use this wheel very rarely. It is for classic formula cars and go karts. Its a fun wheel but does not have many uses overall.
Amazon Wooden Wheel w/Podium Hub (370mm) - This is another non Fanatec wheel but uses the Podium Hub. Its a real steering wheel that I use exclusively for American Truck Simulator, it has a very small diameter grip and feels quite authentic.
Turn Racing Racing R20 w/Podium Hub+Clubsport Magnetic Shifters (305mm) - This wheel really serves two uses. Firstly, I use it with AMS2 due to the issues with the Simagic GT4 with that title. Secondly, its the leather grip model so I use it for guests trying out the rig so they have to wear gloves like I do using the Simagic. Amazing build quality, comfortable and very good value GT3 style rim.
Fanatec Clubsport Classic 2 w/Podium Hub (350mm) - Again another wheel that is not used all that often. I use it for classic road and race cars primarly. It was my American Truck Simulator wheel before changing to the Wooden one. Great wheel for my use case.
I have personelly have the following wheels:
Fanatec PS4 Formula 1 (270mm Wheel) - Nice wheel overall, rotory encoders are the weakest part. It is used the least of all my wheels honestly as I tend to not drive alot of open wheelers. This wheel came as part of my Podium DD1 PS4 Kit as I thought it would be better to have a wheel base that I could use on PC or console it case I ever wanted too, although I play on PC exclusively.
Fanatec Clubsport GT Forza Motorsport w/Podium Hub+Clubsport Magnetic Shifters (330mm Wheel) - This is the wheel that seems to get used the most due to the versitile size and leather wrap. Its a very comfortable wheel, great shifters when upgraded and shows no wear at all after two years of sustained use. I just really wish Fanatec offered this wheel without the Forza branding in leather as I race on PC (and don't play Forza).
Simagic GT4 Alcantara w/Podium Hub (300mm Wheel) - This wheel may not be Fanatec but I think it counts as its used with the Podium Hub. This is my GT3/GT4/DTM goto racing wheel and it used almost as much as the Clubsport GT. I think it offers some of the best value of the available 300mm GT3 style wheels when compared to Cube Controls and Ascher Racing for example due build quality and features. It does have its quirks with the odd title like AMS2 not detecting the shifters, but still a fantastic wheel.
Fanatec Clubsport Round 1 w/Podium Hub+Clubsport Magnetic Shifters (270mm) - I use this wheel very rarely. It is for classic formula cars and go karts. Its a fun wheel but does not have many uses overall.
Amazon Wooden Wheel w/Podium Hub (370mm) - This is another non Fanatec wheel but uses the Podium Hub. Its a real steering wheel that I use exclusively for American Truck Simulator, it has a very small diameter grip and feels quite authentic.
Turn Racing Racing R20 w/Podium Hub+Clubsport Magnetic Shifters (305mm) - This wheel really serves two uses. Firstly, I use it with AMS2 due to the issues with the Simagic GT4 with that title. Secondly, its the leather grip model so I use it for guests trying out the rig so they have to wear gloves like I do using the Simagic. Amazing build quality, comfortable and very good value GT3 style rim.
Fanatec Clubsport Classic 2 w/Podium Hub (350mm) - Again another wheel that is not used all that often. I use it for classic road and race cars primarly. It was my American Truck Simulator wheel before changing to the Wooden one. Great wheel for my use case.
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