Upgrade from G29

[DobleV]

Hi there!

Well, i know this is common topic but i cannot find a recent one so i'm asking for it.

I'm thinking about moving from my G29 to a CSL DD with the McLaren wheel but i would like to know if you have a different opinion of which path i should follow in terms of upgrading.

I play ACC and RFactor2, i'm not into Rally.

Thanks!

 

[ColinMac]

I'd suggest a Simagic alpha mini as an alternative route (fanatec DD1 owner here).

The CSL base is ok. Not great, but good. The McLaren wheel ( I have a v2 ) is ok. but a little plastic-ey. Good functionality, but still.

I honestly think the Mini (and whatever wheel you fancy) is a better route, although a little dearer.

Kinda wish I'd gone that route as I'm a little stuck in the ecosystem now.

 

[justageezer]

Hi DobleV,

As ColinMac points out once you've chosen an ecosystem it's easier to stay within it, although on PC you can mix and match with a little more work.

If you can live with buying used then I'd take a CSW 2.5 over a CSL DD - I think my old belt drive base is smoother and at least as powerful as a friend's CSL 8Nm, you can pick them up really cheap and then get some CSW v3 pedals instead of CSL ones.

I went from a G920 to a TS-XW to the CSW 2.5 and each upgrade was worth it. As I now have quite a few Fanatec wheels I might get a used DD1 when they're a bit cheaper, but from what I've read they're 10-20% better at 300-400% the price.

Every ecosystem has fans and haters, and most bases have some weak points, even if it's the software / support side of things. I can say that a CSW 2.5, v3 pedals and the McLaren wheel would be a huge step up from Logitech's starter gear, with a big jump in smoothness, power, accuracy and pedal feel (with a load-cell brake) - but so would any modern DD base with a decent wheel and load-cell pedals.

With adapters (and SRM!) you can fit most wheels to most bases, but Fanatec have a pretty good line up at reasonable prices - I don't think there's another wheel with rotary encoders and analogue clutch paddles like the McLaren for £200ish, which is why they're very popular, but they are just a little bit plastic-y.

HTH,
Paul

 

[DobleV]

I'd suggest a Simagic alpha mini as an alternative route (fanatec DD1 owner here).

The CSL base is ok. Not great, but good. The McLaren wheel ( I have a v2 ) is ok. but a little plastic-ey. Good functionality, but still.

I honestly think the Mini (and whatever wheel you fancy) is a better route, although a little dearer.

Kinda wish I'd gone that route as I'm a little stuck in the ecosystem now.

That's too much money.
Alpha mini costs as much as CSL DD 8NM with wheel and pedals.
Although i know it's a great brand, i prefer not to give such a big step from G29 but thanks for sharing me your experience, so much appreciated

 

[DobleV]

Hi DobleV,

As ColinMac points out once you've chosen an ecosystem it's easier to stay within it, although on PC you can mix and match with a little more work.

If you can live with buying used then I'd take a CSW 2.5 over a CSL DD - I think my old belt drive base is smoother and at least as powerful as a friend's CSL 8Nm, you can pick them up really cheap and then get some CSW v3 pedals instead of CSL ones.

I went from a G920 to a TS-XW to the CSW 2.5 and each upgrade was worth it. As I now have quite a few Fanatec wheels I might get a used DD1 when they're a bit cheaper, but from what I've read they're 10-20% better at 300-400% the price.

Every ecosystem has fans and haters, and most bases have some weak points, even if it's the software / support side of things. I can say that a CSW 2.5, v3 pedals and the McLaren wheel would be a huge step up from Logitech's starter gear, with a big jump in smoothness, power, accuracy and pedal feel (with a load-cell brake) - but so would any modern DD base with a decent wheel and load-cell pedals.

With adapters (and SRM!) you can fit most wheels to most bases, but Fanatec have a pretty good line up at reasonable prices - I don't think there's another wheel with rotary encoders and analogue clutch paddles like the McLaren for £200ish, which is why they're very popular, but they are just a little bit plastic-y.

HTH,
Paul

I looked for that belt base from Fanatec but it costs 50€ less than a new CSL DD. Second hand market is crazy here, even G29 is at 250€.

 

[ajcasper]

Not to take from DobleV here, but I too am a G29 user and looking at upgrading all the way to Simagic Alpha U. I know that is a huge jump, but I have the budget to make the jump all the way and figured why not go for the top. I have been doing a bunch of research and decided that Simagic is the ecosystem I will be going with. I'm wondering if any of you can offer advice about not going all the way and maybe go to a 9nm Mini or the 15nm Alpha instead. I really only want to have to upgrade once. It's not often the Mrs. Let's me drop this kind of money on a hobby.

Thanks in advance