Preview: High-end GT Wheels

SIMON · Nov 9, 2012

Hello Everyone,

I've been working on a line of custom GT wheels, and it's now time for me to show them to you all and get your thoughts and feedback. I'd like to gauge the level of interest in these wheels so I can tailor the production plans accordingly.

Please bear in mind that these are still prototypes and as such I don't have any concrete prices yet, but I'll let you all know them as soon as possible.

My plan is to have them compatible with the Logitech G25 and G27, the Thrustmaster T500, and possibly Frex and ECCI wheels as well if there is the demand.

In the mean time have a good look at them and let me know if they pique your interest!

There will be three models to choose from:

GT3 Wheel:

Here's the complete photo set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/89928288@N08/sets/72157631966467211/

GT2 Wheel: (Preview Renders)

Featuring Leo Bodnar's (unreleased) Sli-F1 display.

GT1 Wheel (Preview Renders)

Featuring a 4.3" LCD touch screen display running Russell Hodgson's Z1 display software.

All of the wheels will feature the following:

-6 Knitter Buttons, 2 Toggle Switches, and 2 rotary encoders with custom Aluminium knobs.

-Genuine carbon fibre face plate.

-Aluminium paddle shift units.

-Anodised Aluminium enclosure and wheel spacer.

-Wired USB Quick-release and wheel adapter.

Here's a quick video of the paddle shifters, I'll do a more in-depth one soon...

Thanks for checking them out, if you have any questions please feel free to ask them here or PM me.

I'll update this post as things develop...

SIMON · Jan 11, 2013

Hampus Andersson Sort of, it's hard to explain with only words, so there will be full illustrated instructions provided with the adapter. When you unbolt the GT wheel there is a small button cable that you have to unplug. My adapter then connects to that, and then it bolts into the same holes that the GT rim uses. It may sound complicated, but in reality it's very simple and only takes a couple of minutes to install or remove...

Hampus Andersson · Jan 11, 2013

SIMON yea tell me about it lol.
ok sounds good, maybe it was an unnecessary but it was more curiosity then anything else regarding how you solved it.
I look forward to more news on this as i´m very interested!

EIF · Feb 11, 2013

Any news on these?

EIF · Feb 14, 2013

Why are some hardware makers so poor at communicating with potential customers??? A simple "no news" wouldn't hurt.

Richard Pittam · Feb 14, 2013

Simon these look absolutely stunning.
Can anyone answer why we're not seeing third party rims for the Fanatec CSW? I would have thought with the QR, developers would have an easier time adapting for it. I guess maybe the electronics have something to do with it or has Fanatec simply protected it?
I only hope he's doing something like these rims if so.

SIMON · Feb 14, 2013

Richard Pittam The Fanatec QR is their own design, and it doesn't make commercial sense for them to allow other to easily make wheels to fit their system. Their focus is selling the two rims that they make, which are pretty decent offerings for the mid-range market. My feeling is that there won't be any further rims from them, and certainly nothing like mine. It's not really a product that a large company can justify when the potential market is so specific...

Lars Bargmann · Feb 14, 2013

To make matters worse, the CSW base will disable all force-feedback, if the attached wheel isn't a fanatec wheel... :-(

Martijn van Bommel · Feb 14, 2013

Richard Pittam said:
Simon these look absolutely stunning.
Can anyone answer why we're not seeing third party rims for the Fanatec CSW? I would have thought with the QR, developers would have an easier time adapting for it. I guess maybe the electronics have something to do with it or has Fanatec simply protected it?
I only hope he's doing something like these rims if so.

I agree,i really would have liked to see these kind of wheels for the Fanatec steering base.
I would seriously buy one.

Lars Bargmann said:
To make matters worse, the CSW base will disable all force-feedback, if the attached wheel isn't a fanatec wheel... :-(

Are you serious? The FFB really is disabled if there's a 3rd party wheel attached?
That sucks....

Lars Bargmann · Feb 14, 2013

Yup, 100% serious... sadly.... :-(

Gary Jibb · Feb 15, 2013

My GT3RS works fine with an aftermarket wheel...

Lars Bargmann · Feb 15, 2013

Yup, but the Clubsport base disables all FFB when a non-fanatec-rim (or no rim) is attached.
I'm not sure how the CSR-Elite handles it, but the question was the CSW.

Martijn van Bommel · Feb 15, 2013

Thx Lars,guess i'm stuck with the bmw-rim then if i buy one.
Not saying that it's a bad looking rim but i was kinda hoping there would be a Fanatec option for these Lambo-rims.....

.
Good bye sweet dreams......

Lars Bargmann · Feb 15, 2013

Yeah, I also have a dream of getting a CSW and putting a Momo Mod 27C on it, but that's not gonna happen... Unless I strip a fanatec-rim of the electronics, and somehow puts it on my custom rim... :-(

Vito Lombardi · Mar 6, 2013

Hi Simon, Hope all is well with you, just passing by to say hello. I'm sure you'll let us know when an update is avail.

cheers

SIMON · Mar 6, 2013

Vito Lombardi: Thanks for dropping by, the final production samples should be with me by early next week, so I'll be able to build up the final spec wheel ready for photographing. If all is well then I'll be able to release the final pricing information fairly soon after. Cheers...

Tim Meuris · Mar 6, 2013

Martijn van Bommel said:
Thx Lars,guess i'm stuck with the bmw-rim then if i buy one.
Not saying that it's a bad looking rim but i was kinda hoping there would be a Fanatec option for these Lambo-rims......
Good bye sweet dreams......

Are there more rims to come for this wheel or will it be the f1 rim, the bmwrim and the forza rim?

Lars Bargmann · Mar 6, 2013

They SAY more will come, but we will just have to wait and see... Next up is supposed to be a F1 rim.
The current one is a "generic" formula rim...

Tim Meuris · Mar 7, 2013

pfff, I don't care for an F1-rim,
I want a neutral gt-wheel
I'm not into bmw or Rfactor at all and it would be silly to be looking at that logo all the time