New race wheel from steelser...wait, what!?

How to make an awesome, sim-grade racing wheel:

- Add buttons, lot's of 'um! Oh, and dials. Dials are sweet. Plus blinky lights are sexy!


-Get the approval and development consultation of professional racing drivers.

-Add rubberized grips, and a design that borrows from purpose built formula and Indy cars.


How to completely ruin that wheel:

-use #%&*$# motion sensing controls.

Yes,it's motion sensing. They don't really advertise that, and choose to focus on the portable nature of the wheel. You know, a portable wheel for all those times when you pack up your GAMING PC (yup, consoles need not apply) and head over to a sim-racing buddies house. Seriously, is it that hard to unclamp your TM, Fanatec, or Logitech wheel, pick up the pedals and shifter, and throw them in the car for the rare times portability is needed? And yes, they advertise this as a simming peripheral. Sorry, Steelseries, but you need force feedback to earn that title.

The tragedy is that for $150, it would have made a nice add-on wheel to a system like fanatec or TM's latest wheel offerings.

Source info:

http://steelseries.com/us/products/other/simraceway-s1-steering-wheel
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/steelseries-simraceway-srw-s1-racing-wheel-trades-pedals-for-pa/

So this is like a fancy Wii controller?

Appears so.

I can't wrap my mind around who their end-customer is. It's too complex and expensive for the casual gamer, and it won't even work on consoles.

Yet, without force feedback or pedals, it won't work for the average sim enthusiast either. At $150 you could get a logitech Driving Force GT, and be much better off. It doesn't have as many buttons or dials (but it still has a dial!) but it works with the PS3, and is still PC compatible.

You shouldn't see this as a standalone wheel but as an addon for an regular wheel.
It can't be very hard to make an adaptor to mount this wheel on the shaft of a normal, deskmunted FFB wheel.
then the normal wheel handles the steering input and FFB while you can use all the buttons on the new wheel.

The website clearly says that it is a motion-sensor wheel, maybe they should have said it used accelerometers instead.

I bought one about 3 weeks ago, for about $100 US including delivery to Aus. from Amazon. Who buys gear from manufacturers website anyway? You can always get it cheaper somewhere else...Considering the strength of the Aussie dollar it as a great buy and got delivered within 5 working days. Im getting back into sims - racing, flight and sub after a hiatus of 10+ years. I used to have a TM Nascar wheel (I think) and it was a big, ugly and heavy thing that needed constant calibration. This wheel is great just plug it in, and play. I like that it all the buttons on the wheel are labelled, and it only takes 5 min to map GTR2, rFactor etc. The wheel is super responsive and the big rotary dial is there to change the sensitivity. The throttle and brake paddles have a lot of movement allowing you to feather the throttle and brake beautifully. Some people might have a bit of problem shifting as the gear shift paddles are right above the throttle/brake but Im used to it. It reminds me of motorcycle riding, rolling off the throttle and braking with 2 fingers.

Negatives - As it is hand held, you might get sore arms but I rest my hands on my lap down the straight. Or you can toughen up... It doesn't have FFB, and is this really necessary to be a "simming peripheral"? You have visual and audio cues that tell you if you're going to lose it. So to me its not a biggie.

For me its perfect as I can't justify (to my wife...) 500 or so clams on a wheel which takes up the whole desk...

Its quite comfortable to hold, and seems to be very sturdy. I think its an excellent wheel. I was considering a Logitech G27 but from what Ive read it can have a lot of problems, and chose this instead. I previously used to use a Xbox 360 controller and its a definite step up from that. It might not be for everyone, but my advice is try it before you pass judgement - you might be surprised!

they need to take it, mount it to a Strong FFB motor platform with LoadSensitive pedals.

Yes, I could see it being mounted to another wheel, it is priced below any of the new rims for fanatecs new wheel so as far as an aftermarket rim I guess the price is ok.

Nutbag, I can't agree that on it's own it can be an excellent wheel. Its a controller but that is about all. Sure it might have a space advantage over a regular wheel but if thats a problem for you then you are not a 'serious' racer and I see why the wheel is a good fit for you.

I dont mean that in a demeaning way but I think it's ok to state that anyone who is reasonably serious about their online racing is not going to go for this as their main wheel.

Well back at my squadron those who like to race has decided to built thier own wheel, so maybe you want to stay put for the next round.... .... ok i dont know if you must be a member from the squadron or you can buy it withou being a member; anyway i left you the link to a post with one of the already built and you decide if it's worth your time learn about it.
E69 racing wheel


Pd---> I think they use one wheel from Logi (g27 i think but dunno)