Sim racing, VOTA, Simsonn, steering wheels

[Blind Dog]

I'm old. I'm new. Imgur images didn't show. Post deleted.

All apologies. I'll go back to just hollering at the TV.

Edit: Not an exact draft, but pretty close. I think. I'll reinsert text that is absent from repost.

I'm old, and I'm 'new'. Especially new to direct drive sim wheels, and I'm especially weak in software expertise. I recently upgraded my sim rig. I had a Thrustmaster T300 base, Ferrari ('separate') wheel, and the inverted pedals/load cell mod. I had no issues with the system--years, and hundreds of hours of fun. I wanted to try out the direct drive wheels tho. With no opportunity to audition gear, I decided to jump down the rabbit hole--within rea$on. (edit ends)


That's the Simsonn (round) on the left, and VOTA (butterfly) on the right. Both were imo the most cost-effective way of getting two wheels, for roughly a $1500 budget. Got the VIRI dashboard too. The VOTA was about $1000 (with the VIRI bundled, and UPS smart saver xpress) and 5 day build time--here in 10 days. The Simsonn was well under $500--here in 4 days. I purchased the VOTA directly from the 3DAP website, and the Simsonn was an Ali purchase. The VOTA is from Italy, & the Simsonn is from China.


Dual paddles, and the VIRI bundled, along with the quality--best deal I could find. Awesome customer service!


Cheapo, but serviceable, Ali 'standard' quick release. I resisted spending 2 bills on bragable top tier QR for the first wheel. Happy I did. 3 cheapos for under $100. They work, and I don't change out the wheel often. Keep an eye on delivery time, for Ali QR--times vary widely.


I'l spare You the gush, but I really like the wheel. Quality, price, and customer servic are very impressive imo.


Thought I would just get by with one wheel--but I felt a little ridiculous driving a vintage, Can Am Camero with a butterfly.

Bang for the buck! When you consider the Thrustmaster Ferrari wheel is a $500 wheel (and I had no complaints), this is on another level. CNC aluminum, with stout carbon fibre paddles, and lots of button options. This is not a toy. OK maybe it is--but it sure feels real.


The switches could be a little more robust/nicer feeling. (Future mod?) The trim piece (3 screws) obscures the OMP logo. I left the trim piece off, to show the logo, and lighten the wheel. The carbon fibre version is a tad less expensive, and significantly lighter. If you have a low Nm base, maybe something to consider. I just couldn't turn down CNC aluminum.

Edit: I'm no expert just happy.

 

[lowfat]

There is an issue w/ direct hosting imgur links on Xen forums. We pics don't show up.

 

[lowfat]

I'm old. I'm new. Imgur images didn't show. Post deleted.

Fixed it for you. HWC has image hosting,

 

[CMetaphor]

Not really sure what point or discussion you were trying to make... was it a budget issue? Did you look into Fanatec?

 

[Blind Dog]

A

Fixed it for you. HWC has image hosting,

Thanks, lowfat. Images were showing up, in 'preview', so I posted. Then, the images quit appearing. I appreciate your efforts, and expertise. I'll check out the HWC image hosting, further. (searching 'image hosting' has not been fruitful, and 'HWC image hosting' takes me to a search. The glowing 'admin'' link {I was curious} takes you to 'oops ... problem')

 

[sswilson]

It's pretty straight forward, just use the "attach files" button at the bottom of the posting box to upload your images.

 

[Blind Dog]

Not really sure what point or discussion you were trying to make... was it a budget issue? Did you look into Fanatec?

I'm sorry for causing your uncertainty. I didn't know I was to direct the discussion, or have a point to make. I just wanted to post the hardware, and let others take the thread where it was helpful to them. I won't do it again. I'm interested in hearing others' opinions. No interest in giving people their opinions, or their talking points. Again, I apologize for any of my post(s') shortcomings/failures.

[I'll go back, and I'll add the small paragraph of original text I think may be missing from the start of the re-post. I don't expect it will clear up any confusion, but maybe.]

Both wheels are fairly new to the market, but I don't have enough experience to offer a full review post. I do feel the price/quality confirmation, and delivery speed may have been helpful info for some. I was just looking for others interested in sim racing.

Have you had a positive experience with Fanatec?

I have looked at Fanatec, for 20 years. I thought that's what I wanted. When I actually looked into upgrading, it's a substantial amount of money--especially for those of us with modest incomes, and tight budgets. I was concerned with the amount of poor customer reviews of Fanatec CS, their current dd bases, and failing to supply all the components of future, promised features. Their overall financial situation also worried me. I am not a financial expert--but reports/speculation led me to look at other brands. I have nothing against Fanatec equipment, but their closed environment is not something that appeals to me. The one environment method may be easier, but for me, I just can't afford to get the quality, power, and features I want thru Fanatec. Fanatec was the gold standard for decades imo, and I know they make some great gear--I just can't afford it. It's all about the Nms to Benjamins.


I'm no expert jmo

 

[Coach]

I'm sorry for causing your uncertainty. I didn't know I was to direct the discussion, or have a point to make. I just wanted to post the hardware, and let others take the thread where it was helpful to them. I won't do it again. I'm interested in hearing others' opinions. No interest in giving people their opinions, or their talking points. Again, I apologize for any of my post(s') shortcomings/failures.

[I'll go back, and I'll add the small paragraph of original text I think may be missing from the start of the re-post. I don't expect it will clear up any confusion, but maybe.]

Both wheels are fairly new to the market, but I don't have enough experience to offer a full review post. I do feel the price/quality confirmation, and delivery speed may have been helpful info for some. I was just looking for others interested in sim racing.

Have you had a positive experience with Fanatec?

I have looked at Fanatec, for 20 years. I thought that's what I wanted. When I actually looked into upgrading, it's a substantial amount of money--especially for those of us with modest incomes, and tight budgets. I was concerned with the amount of poor customer reviews of Fanatec CS, their current dd bases, and failing to supply all the components of future, promised features. Their overall financial situation also worried me. I am not a financial expert--but reports/speculation led me to look at other brands. I have nothing against Fanatec equipment, but their closed environment is not something that appeals to me. The one environment method may be easier, but for me, I just can't afford to get the quality, power, and features I want thru Fanatec. Fanatec was the gold standard for decades imo, and I know they make some great gear--I just can't afford it. It's all about the Nms to Benjamins.


I'm no expert jmo

I would love to try a direct drive wheel. My G27 have done well but I am ready to try something better, just don't have time to look into it

 

[Blind Dog]

It's

I would love to try a direct drive wheel. My G27 have done well but I am ready to try something better, just don't have time to look into it

G27 are nice wheels. The dd wheels are quite different. The force can be strong enough to really tucker you out, and your ability to catch the back end is greatly increased imo. I was surprised at how much time it took for the upgrade. A lot of porch watching was involved. Delivery is all over the board. Cheers, and thanks for the reply.

 

[Blind Dog]

Corsair is negotiating to acquire Endor AG (racing sim giant Fanatec) The deal will supposedly include a large infusion of cash, to give Fanatec at least breathing room on their reported 70 million Euro debt.

If Corsair does complete the purchase, I would expect Fanatec would have to up their CS. Imo Corsair might be more likely to embrace the full sim community, and we could see Fanatec play nicer/easier/cheaper with owners of competing brands.

If you wanted to keep costs down, there's all kinds of T300 Thrustmasters, and G series Logitechs hitting the used market, and they still offer a ton of fun for a reasonable buck. Best Buy is reported to be handling the new Corsair/Fanatec line, and that could bring bargains in new, non-dd, bases, and sim peripherals.

Nascar2003 is available free, and has a top rated physics engine.

Sources: Chris Szewczyk, Reddit, various forums.

Edit: according to posters, the deal has been done, and Corsair now owns Fanatec.
From Corsair: https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...tec-the-Leading-Brand-for-Sim-Racing-Hardware

T300 Thrustmaster. (I sold the base, wheel, and upgraded/load cell pedals for $200.)