Should I be considering the AccuForce Pro V2 DD?

[2020 Supraman]

Being new to sim racing, whenever I look up DD wheels all I see is Fanatec DD and Simucube 2. So I thought these were my only 2 choices if I was going to build a serious rig. In my original planning I was going to go with the Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5 and BMW GT Wheel ($850), but forum members highly recommended a DD wheel at my price point (~$6k total - you can see my other thread 'held me build a 6k rig' in hardware section here). The AccuForce Pro V2 is very close to that price at $999 which makes it very attractive. SC2 or Fanatec DD will be over $2,000 with wheel. An added bonus, SimXperience is a local company to me, and I really like the idea of having support so close geographically!

Most YouTube reviews of the AccuForce are very positive overall, as is the general consensus from searching this forum. I see a lot of direct comparison videos of SC2 and Fanatec DD, but I do NOT see direct comparisons with the AccuForce Pro V2. I understand the AccuForce is less powerful and not in the same class, but most people seem to think force feedback is plenty powerful enough.

I am hoping people with experience using these 3 DD units can help me weigh the pros/cons. For example, if you were to turn the force feedback to the exact same settings for these different units, what differences between the systems would you notice?

 

[Xr4eyes]

@ThugUK Can you remember roughly how much import duty you got charged?

Ive ordered a wheel but forgot to factor this in and I'm a little nervous.

 

[Chrhun]

I don't think the import duty will be significant, but you will be liable for VAT for the total cost including shipping.

 

[Furnace Inferno]

@ThugUK Can you remember roughly how much import duty you got charged?

Ive ordered a wheel but forgot to factor this in and I'm a little nervous.

Add 20% to whatever you paid and it will give you the rough figure. Anything subject to VAT incurs a not insignificant price increase and the AFV2 isn’t as good a deal anymore in the EU now that you have other DD’s.

 

[ThugUK]

Yeah sure it was 20%

 

[Xr4eyes]

I was hoping for better news but Im not really suprised.

Thanks all for your replies

 

[brc19]

Bought an AF v2 sytem around Christmas 2019. Price is right compared to other DD wheels and tech support is responsive. Simcommander 4 software is great, YouTube is your friend for info on using SC4. I started on a G29 so this was a definite step up.

Have to revise my statement about tech support. Lost left paddle and left lower button functionality, contacted tech support. Worked with me through several emails then all of sudden no responses to emails (4 including the one I sent today). Went to SimXperience site to open another ticket, got this:

Things that make me go 'Hmmm - what is going on?' Could be someone overlooked renewing the software, see it all the time with Web certs.

I love the wheel, just wish I could get the functionality I paid for.

 

[Shovas]

SimX's website and software are clunky but don't stress too much. They've been around a long time and just keep going. They also cater to higher-end customers (higher-end than even the AF wheel) so they have good revenue streams.

If you're on the forums try there.

I'm sure they'll get the support request software fixed up soon. It probably only recently broke.

 

[Michael Curry]

I have had both. The problem I have with the Accuforce is the button box is too big for a formula wheel and cannot find a way to get comfortable with it. Also, I think the Fanatec will have higher resale value. I was able to sell all three of my used CSW bases for what I paid for them years ago.

 

[ozziecoops]

just ordered mine 7/8 week lead time plus shipping, so about 10 weeks i would say to Aussie. if sooner a bonus i always say.

 

[blekenbleu]

One concern I have is that this would have to be plate mounted on a p1x.

If you do not mind disassembling the AccuForce motor case,
then inside is a NEMA 34 for which Ricmotech sells a
MINI-MITE MOUNTING ADAPTER FOR SIMLAB AND HEUSINKVELD WHEEL BRACKETS

 

[blekenbleu]

Still using G29 pedals, so just replaced G29 wheel with Accuforce axis 1 in Content Manager,
which confirms Accuforce wheel movements, but
when launched from Content Manager via either Test or Drive,
Assetto Corsa ignores the AccuForce wheel and instead responds to G29 wheel movements..
On the other hand, quitting Content Manager and launching Assetto Corsa directly,
it picked up Content Manager's wheel change and uses the AccuForce..??!!

Going back into CM and reverifying AF wheel setting, AC launched from CM still uses G29 wheel.

 

[High0ctane]

can we ever hope to use other servo motors with the simX steering box? I would love to connect it to my small mige and get those sweet oversteer effects.

 

[blekenbleu]

can we ever hope to use other servo motors with the simX steering box?

I do not know whether anyone has reverse-engineered their firmware,
but drive waveforms for hybrid steppers differ significantly from those for e.g. mige.
While it is in theory possible to build electronics
which could drive either hybrid steppers or 3-phase BLDC motors,
depending only on firmware, I doubt simX electronics are suitable.