Race sim fans, we have a problem. Along with their gamers, console gaming systems are growing up, and developing a desire for a more challenging driving experience. Yet despite the development and release of racing simulation titles on the Xbox 360 that sport ever-more detailed physics and tire models, there hasn’t been a quality racing wheel capable of supporting the Xbox 360, the PC and the Playstation 3. If sim racers wanted to enjoy not only rFactor and Richard Burns Rally, but also RACE Pro and Forza Motorsport 3, they had to own two wheels: one to drive on the PC, and a $90-pathetic-excuse-for-a-wheel from Microsoft to drive on the Xbox 360. At E3Expo 2009, the staff of SimHQ tried a new wheel and pedal set from a little-known, small company in Germany called Fanatec. It impressed us on many levels, including not only multi-platform compatibility but also featuring a load cell brake pedal and super-smooth, belt-drive FFB. When the time came, the hardest of our hard-core sim racers had to give it a go: It’s called the Porsche 911 Turbo S Wheel, and when partnered with Clubsport Pedals and the Fanatec Shifter Kit, it’s really something quite special.
SimHQ Technology Editor Joe Keefe test drives at E3Expo 2009
Fanatec Logistics: Getting It Was Half the Fun (not really)
Having gotten a taste of the upcoming Fanatec products at Microsoft / Turn 10’s colossal Forza Motorsport 3 display at E3Expo 2009, the staff at SimHQ suspected two things: that FM3 might be a darn good race sim, and that Fanatec owner Thomas Jackermeier might be on to something with his newest product, the first wheel capable of supporting the top three gaming platforms — Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the PC, something that Logitech was unable to accomplish with their new wheel, the Logitech G27.
As summer came to an end, I hesitatingly took advantage of Fanatec’s limited time offer, specially priced, all-in-one option package called the 911 Turbo S Clubsport Edition, which included the Porsche 911 Turbo S Wheel, Clubsport Pedals, sequential / H-pattern shifter kit, and RF “dongle” adapter for wireless PC use, all for one “low” price. For greater mobility, a Rennsport Wheel Stand was added to the order.
With this purchase — totaling just shy of $700 USD with tax and shipping — I elevated “pissing off the wife” to a new art form. “What’s this on the credit card bill? Wha - ...For your stupid games!? You are UNBELIEVABLE!”
Ordered on the 2nd of September, Fanatec estimated delivery of my wheel/pedal/shifter/stand package in late October. Sadly, that was not to be. Delays and problems with mass production in China pushed delivery back a month... or so. Fanatec’s container ship full of Turbo S Wheels and related gear finally reached US shores in mid-November. But again, there were logistical "issues". U.S. Customs thought the products, sporting Porsche and Microsoft logos, might be counterfeit. Apparently lacking some piece of esoteric legal logo licensing documentation from Microsoft and Porsche, containers full of Fanatec products languished on the docks while things were slowly worked out with U.S. Customs officials.
Eventually, Fanatec announced via their blog that their papers were now in order, and units were shipping from the U.S. warehouse. Since the components of each order weren’t packaged together, things trickled out of the warehouse in disjointed dribs and drabs. Over a three week period, the components for my order arrived at a rate of a box or two per week. Finally, in the middle of December, the final package (the shifter kit) showed up on my doorstep. Appearing to be in a reactive mode, Fanatec tried to get something to their customers quickly, rather than make them wait for the entire order to be organized and shipped as one package. That strategy depended on early communication of the plan to Fanatec’s consumers. By communicating problems after the fact via their blog, customers had to take it upon themselves to find the blog and check it constantly. Meanwhile Fanatec ignored the flood of customer e-mails sent to their product support (including the two e-mails I sent). Some amusement and comfort was found in the blog’s comment section, where the rants of irate consumers confirmed no one was having unique logistics woes. It wasn’t the most personal way to support your customer.
A few weeks after my unpleasant experience, fellow SimHQ staffer Magnum also ordered a Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S Wheel, Clubsport Pedals, Fanatec Shifter Kit and Rennsport Wheel Stand. His products all shipped and arrived in one neat group, within two weeks of placing his order. So perhaps Fanatec has smoothed out their logistics system. Whether their product support team is improved remains to be seen. We hope so.
Having gotten a taste of the upcoming Fanatec products at Microsoft / Turn 10’s colossal Forza Motorsport 3 display at E3Expo 2009, the staff at SimHQ suspected two things: that FM3 might be a darn good race sim, and that Fanatec owner Thomas Jackermeier might be on to something with his newest product, the first wheel capable of supporting the top three gaming platforms — Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the PC, something that Logitech was unable to accomplish with their new wheel, the Logitech G27.