Fanatec Clubsport/Sim racer Thread

[true_gamer]

Not sure if I'm mad dropping £360 on some pedals, but I decided to purchase a set tonight from Fanatec to replace some T3PA Pro pedals.

Any Fanatec owners here?

 

[true_gamer]

I've spent the past 3 months wishing I just saved a bit more to buy the €1499 Clubsport deal, but I saw a Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer that comes with the non pro pedals for a good deal thinking it was going to be a worthy upgrade from my 10yr old G25. Then wasted more money buying the Pro pedals, to still be unsatisfied, as the spring in the Clutch is the same 'light' spring as the throttle due to when you switch between F1 and GT style. (Though I do find the TS base very good with very strong FFB).

I was watching loads of reviews about the CSL elite pedals, as well as the Clubsport, but I wasn't sure as a lot of YouTube videos are bias about the product they review.

I didn't buy the brake performance kit, as I feel it is going to be a massive upgrade from the T3PA pros. But once funds allow, I may get a damper kit for the brake.

 

[true_gamer]

Surely changing the spring to something stronger in the clutch / throttle should be trivial.

I like the vids from Sim Racing Garage.

It's long form though And pretty high end. That guy will spend 45 mins talking and installing a £500 e-break device. He does cheap stuff too (G29 load cell brake mods ect...).

I did that, by taking the spring from the brake of the t3pa and putting it into the pro. But it still wasn't that great... Anyway, had to swap the spring back when I sold the non pro pedals.

There's a guy on ebay that does a load cell for the T3PA pro for £90, but I just felt I wanted something a lot better, as I had my heart set on the Fanatec gear for a long time.

 

[true_gamer]

I'll be doing exactly what you did OP. Going from t3pa pro to v3's.
Right after I get a triple monitor stand and two more monitors The list of 'wants' seems endless at the moment!

That's my trouble, my list of wants seems endless too... I will have to save for the Clubsport v2.5 wheel base, and a couple of rims.

My rig so far;

 

[true_gamer]

I love my GT Omega rig. I was thinking of going for triple monitors, but I'm not sure as I have VR.

Mainly play Project cars 2 and Assetto Corsa. I would love to get into iRacing, but not sure I would benefit paying a subscription with only a few hrs a week spare.

 

[true_gamer]

Awesome! Now you've built your first PC, you'll be non stop tinkering, and upgrading it. I speak from 20 yrs experience lol.

Sounds great! - I'll love to get on to it. I'll have a look at their website, and maybe sign up.

 

[true_gamer]

Yeah, same here, I used to upgrade every time something new came out, but my CPU is just as fast in games as the latest and greatest... So spending money on things that I plan to keep.

Sounds great.

Nice one, I really appreciate it mate.

 

[true_gamer]

They have arrived.

 

[true_gamer]

Yep, all housed on my GT Omega Pro cockpit.

I am selling the Thrustmaster TS-XW wheel base and Ferrari 599XX Evo, on the usual sites, as I'm planning to go for the full Clubsport setup.

 

[true_gamer]

Nice. Just bit the bullet myself byebye t300 hello OSW and asher racing button box. I was going to go the fanatec route but I know the osw itch will always need scratching. Should be a nice upgrade. will post pics when it turns up.
https://sim-pli.city/collections/all/products/sw20-v2-20nm-direct-drive-wheel
https://www.ascher-racing.com/shop/buttonplate-c26l/

Nice! - If only I could get away with spending that amount of money on a Direct drive wheel without the misses knowing... Lol.
Unfortunately, my limit is the Fanatec CSW, which is as close as I'm gonna get to a direct drive. Very Envious indeed!

That's a really nice setup there!

Thanks, though I've just sold the Thrustmaster wheel, and awaiting my Fanatec Clubsport base v2.5, and the GT Motorsport universal hub to arrive this week Weds from Germany.

Button box coming on Tuesday.
After several hours of messing about finally got it working. First impressions wow what a beast.

Love it! - I bet it is a beast indeed, as the TS-XW had 6.4NM of torque which was strong enough, and if that's the 20NM Servo, then that is thumb snapping torque!! Very envious, enjoy it mate.

 

[true_gamer]

Yeah its the 20nm mige with 2million ppr encoder. It has caught me out a few times snapping back when i hit to much of the kerb.

Well you're going to have to get used to how they drive in the Army/off road, and have your thumbs resting on top of the rim, away from the snap back.

Shame you ain't closer, as I would love to experience a Direct drive wheel.

 

[true_gamer]

Yeah you could have come round and have your thumbs broken. DD is like a t300 but smoother,faster,more powerful. Ive heard it said the Fanatec v2.5 is the closest thing. Does a smaller Dd wheel not tempt you? You can get them in 7,10,12 nm varients from simplicity. DD + VR + JETSEAT =
Link to jetseat https://andres.shop/jetseat/11-jetseat-kw-908-air.html its tactile feedback like buttkickers but without the cost,amps and complaints off the neighbours about noise.

When clicking on that link you posted and having a look at the other DD, like the 7nm one, it does seems very reasonable, and if I had known before purchasing from Fanatec, I may of went that route instead... But then knowing me, I would want the top dog. So think I'll be holding on to the Fanatec stuff until DD starts to be more mainstream, as Fanatec have designed their own Podium series, which is due out this year.

 

[true_gamer]

Awesome! It does look the part too.

Well my Clubsport wheel base V2.5 arrived today.

Just a shifter and the McLaren GT3 rim with some dual clutch paddle goodness left to get.

Also have an SRH Dash Pro on the way.

 

[true_gamer]

Coooorrrrrr. Very nice.

Thanks.

 

[true_gamer]

i liked em but i could never get the minute feel i wanted.the quality of the build and the looks is amazing almost like art.

I have them setup nicely with the stronger springs for the clutch and throttle. The brake I've set to 2.5 with no performance kit or dampener. Also have the brake force at 25 on the wheel which gives me threshold braking without looking the wheels.
So they seem to work good with me.

They do look the part, that's for sure.

Love the McLaren wheel.

Me too, though I can't wait to grab one next month once they become available again.

 

[true_gamer]

This thread pushed me over the limit. Just ordered my Fanatec clubsport package:-

ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5

ClubSport Steering Wheel Universal Hub for Xbox One

ClubSport Wheel Rim Round 1

ClubSport Pedals V3

ClubSport Pedals V3 Brake Performance Kit

Its to upgrade my very old G25 which is now starting to 'click' when its all warmed up. I hope it a worthy upgrade. I didn't get the discounted package because I never use my Logitech shifter, so saved some money removing it off the list even though I lost the 150 euros.

Can anyone measure the V3 pedals and give me a width dimension? I need to see if they fit in-between my custom seat frame. I want to make sure I have it ready to be used when it arrives or I will go mad trying to widen the frame and set it all up in one evening.

Thanks

Very nice! - I had a G25 for 10yrs, then bought a Thrustmaster TS-XW racer which was a massive upgrade, which I had for a few months, but I've always wanted to go for Fanatec.

The build quality is second to none, and they look the part.

Was the V2.5 worth the upgrade from the TS-XW? Short answer, no.
I hardly got any clipping with the TS-XW, and yet I could run it at 100% ffb and it felt stronger than the V2.5 with amazing detail. The V2.5 ffb had to be reduced a lot, to prevent clipping, though it is silky smooth. The V2.5 is very noisy and rattles a lot compared to the TS-XW, but once you drop the ffb to 70% in game, then if feels just like the TS-XW. So in my opinion, it was more of a side grade in regards to ffb detail.
But build quality and looks is a massive upgrade.

The V3 pedals are amazing, especially in Project Cars 2, as the vibration motors rumble when you're wheel spinning, and you get ABS rumble on the brake. (Though I much prefer the ffb from the wheel spin and tyre slip in Assetto Corsa, which rattles your wheel like in a real car.)

I would try the brake without the performance kit, and at the factory setting. As I prefer a bit more travel than having a type of pressure plate that doesn't move much.

You know you should have bought the deal with the shifter, and sold me the shifter, as I will be ordering one next month... Lol.

 

[true_gamer]

Not as fancy as your new toys but just got some CSP V1 pedals added an RC shock to the brake, like the v2's.

Thrustmaster TX, T3PA shifter and a Basherboard CPX V2 so the pedals can be plugged into the wheel thus giving it full compatibility with the Xbox as well as the PC

Built myself an analogue handbrake from an old joystick and a DIY wooden enclosure.

All mounted to a next level racing wheelstand, it weighs a ton especially when lugging it into the lounge to use on the Xbox.

Got a G27 as a backup which might sell soon

It'll do me for now.

Sounds good. I had the T3PA and the T3PA Pro pedals, along with the TH8A Shifter, but I sold it all separately to fund the Fanatec gear.

I loved my G25 which I bought brand new for £100 on a deal 10yrs ago, and sold it for £95.
What a result that was!

 

[true_gamer]

SRH Dash Pro arrived today.

 

[true_gamer]

Nice. No use to me though as I exclusively play in VR.
Done a few hours in pc2 driving a few gt3 cars while tweaking ffb settings tonight and OMG this DD wheel is something else, its like going from SD to HD I can feel every detail/bump in the road even when in a high speed corner the ffb is just as clear. Running it at 45%-60% power depending on the car any more and its too much of a workout/dangerous.

Lol, I can only imagine it to feel like driving an old truck with no power steering. Those where the days you needed arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger to get the thing turning.

I use VR too, but in other games that don't support VR the SRH is great. But I am looking to get triple monitors and drop VR till at least the next gen.

 

[true_gamer]

Well I have got my new kit installed and used it for a few evenings. A jump from a Logitech G25 to the universal hub, 2.5 base, and V3 pedals is quite noticeable. My lap times arnt bad but getting used to the new brake pedal will take some time.

As I have been overly sensitive to the new kit, looking for any difference or issues listed below:

First bit I found was on turning, felt like a gritty bearing but I quickly dismissed this as now being able to feel the road surface, not like the G25. Im not on about slippery areas or loss of grip but the actual tarmac! I can feel the road surface, its that much better.
2: That brake pedal, I haven't installed the performance kit yet or even adjusted the preload but its so much more like my real cars. I can control the point I lock up easier but haven't mastered it yet and seem to be not pushing it on game to its maximum stopping power. This is where I am losing time on my races. Bad point here is the vibration motor to simulate locking up/ABS is almost undetectable due to the amount of force applied with your foot.
3: Vibration motor on the throttle works really good due to the lighter pressure needed to depress it. Really nice but of tech.
4: No more nagging from the wife. The G25 is noisy when rotation and even worse when high power force feedback is kicking in, this meant when she was in the room next door trying to fall asleep I was getting nagged to stop playing. The new one is almost silent when in use other than hitting kerbs but I have been given the ok to play while she attempt to sleep.
5: I went for the smallest wheel they had the clubsport round 1 at 280mm. This was to keep it as close to my road legal kit car and the G25. The wheel is fine but the upper thumb switched are adjusted in as far as they go (up against the hub) and when repositioning my hands on large tail happy corrections my thumbs are getting snagged in-between them and the rim. I am now looking at either making my own switch housings or bracket to lift the wheel and switches up from the hub.
6: As I race in VR the switches are hard to differ from each other, I will need to mod the free covers you get so they feel different from each other. Maybe one rubber, one plastic and one with a pip?

Would recommend if you have the spare cash, but the G25 is still/was I good wheel for me over the last 5 years.

Yeah, I can relate regarding noise, though I've had to turn the force feedback down, as even on my GT Omega Pro, the mouse and keyboard like to shake off the tray. So think I'm going to build a custom Aluminium Profile rig, and bolt the GT seat to that.

I find running the brake at setting 3 on the pedals (No brake performance kit), then on the wheel turning the ABS to 70, so you get the ABS rumble when you hit 70%, and the brake force (brf) on the wheel to 30, allows me to have threshold braking without locking up.

I use stickers on the buttons (taken off some button caps) - That now I have it set up that I know what button is what when in VR.

I'll post some pics shortly.

Load cells are amazing.

I’ve ordered an SHH shifter and a GT Omega ART.

They sure are.