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Assetto Corsa 0.21 Update Blog info

Sim Instruments & Grid Autosports Fans

If you love the newly released Grid Autosports and are like me, you are thinking something is missing. I need some rpm and speed readout on my SimInstruments Dash kit!

Well I contacted The Guys at SimInstruments through twitter yesterday asking if they would add this game to there software in the next update.  They of course said yes, but I was thinking maybe a few weeks from now in there next software update.

Oh no. They updated it in one night! These guys rock! If you were every thinking of buying a Sim Dash kit for your sim rig, but was worried if The Guys would keep up with the new games coming out. Well like Nike says "Just Do It" because The Guys at SimInstruments got you covered.

Download the link below for your dash kit update and if you don't own one already check out their website and get you one. You want regret it.

http://www.siminstruments.com/DashManager.php

Fanatec ClubSport Hand Brake!

What!! Man Fanatec is at it again!

     At one time people were complaining Fanatec was being to quite. Well now we know why. The were just to busy developing new products.

Check out this new Clubsport Handbrake. Are you into Drifting and or Rally racing are just like to slide around will GT Racing. The new Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake features an analog axis and is fully made of metal. It has a soft foam grip for comfort and you can connect it to the ClubSport USB adapter sold separately or plug it into the Clubsport pedals. It doesn't say, but it should be able to plug into the extra shifter port on your Clubsport base as well.

Another bonus is if you plug it into your Clubsport pedals you will be able to use it on Forza Motorsports games. 

The lever can be mounted in 2 different ways and you can attach it to both sides or at the bottom of its base to your rig. Check out the video manual below

Coming this summer for $99.95 USD and Euro

Fanatec ClubSport Static Shifter Paddles!

     Looks like Fanatec has really been hard at work lately. Along with the 6 new Rims introduced we now have a Static Paddle Shifter for the Fanated ClubSport base.

If your into Drifting or Rally racing you know how difficult it can be to grab a downshift or upshift with paddle shifters that are spinning fast when attached to a wheel. Heck sometimes your wheel is spun around so many times it really hard to figure out whats the upshift or downshift paddle when racing. Well problem solved with the new Fanatec Static Shifter Paddles.

Fanatec knows what us Clubsport wheel owners like the most and that's the ease of switching around rims and the Static Paddle Shiffters is no exception. They are designed with a quick release system so you can mount and unmount them within seconds.Nice!

The shifter paddle positions can be adjusted in many ways to fit your wheel rim sizes or likeness. They come standard in black anodized aluminum with the option of my favorite Carbon Fiber like seen in the video below.

Check out the video to see the many ways you can mount these paddles.

Coming this summer for $79.95 USA and Euro

Fanatec is at Large with more New Rims!

Check out the rim called Round 1. Really Round 1? Ok.

Many people have been waiting for a small, round and light GT rim and Fanatec brought you it. It's 270 mm in diameter with smooth leather wrap and allot of buttons and rotary dial.

Available this summer for $349.95 USA and Euro

Wait there's more GT Rims???

     Here is the new FLAT1 wheel rim for your ClubSport base. 

Just like the Round1 rim it measures 270mm in diameter, but is covered in my favorite Suede leather! Also included is even more buttons and a tuning display. Check out all the buttons on the top of the rim column. They don't look like something you would use during racing, but perhaps for programing? Also notice the flat top and bottoms. This is a feature many have been looking for to be able to see more of the screen or other gadgets they have.

Available this summer for $349.99 USA and Euro

Yet another rim called GT

     Ok this one looks really good for your ClubSport base

This GT rim carries Fanatec modular button system shown on the other 2 rims, but includes the possibility of holding any smart phone with the (optional) phone holder. What great about this is the integrated power supply to charge your phone during long races. 

As I have reviewed in the past their are many phone apps that work for racing games like IRacing, RFactor2, Assetto Corsa and Project Cars.

Available this summer for $349.95 USA and Euro

Check out Rene Rast showing how this new Fanatec GT Rim works with a smartphone!

Watch Dogs - 101 Trailer

Check out another exciting trailer from Watch Dogs that explains the story more and shows off some cool features and side quests. Due out May 27th 2014 on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and WiiU

Yet Another New Fanatec Clubsport Rim,

So you like driving in circles?  Well try out the NEW OVAL RIM for your ClubSport Base

Fanatec actually made this a 1:1 (350 mm) replica just like the real NASCAR race cars use and is covered in suede leather. The soft hub cover in the middle can be exchanged against a metal hub cover just like on the Classic rim but in black color.

In keeping to the original design Fanatec added just one button that acts as an encoder button so you can map 7 functions to it.

It will be available this summer at a price of $349.95 USD / EUR (excl.tax / incl. tax)

Sim Instruments Dash and Cover Kits Review

Check out this great Dash Kit from Sim Instruments. I liked it so much I had to order me one. This beauty works for all the most popular sim racing games you like to play. It supports iRacing, rFactor 1 & 2, Assetto Corsa, Project CARS, F1 2012 & 2013, Game Stock Car 2012 & 2013, Simbin titles - DTM Experience, Race07 and addons, Raceroom Racing Experience, GT Legends, GTR and GTR2 with more to come I'm sure.

Mounting Options:

What's also great about this Dask kit is Sim Instruments doesn't leaving you hanging. They offer different mounting options like the one I ordered for the Fanatec Clubsport mount that fits perfect in the center section of the wheel base. Plus they have a stand alone mount that is sure to fit your needs.

Ok it's more then just a pretty Dash that blinks leds. No this Dash kit comes with software that allows you to customize it to your liking. Even works with third party software from Fanaleds and SimSli.com.

So what does it do and why would I need one?

If your serious about sim racing or just love the gadgets this will be a must have. For sim racers it's allot about FOV (Field of View). When your sim racing, anything that can help you go faster to keep your eyes on the screen is a benefit. Sure a lot of the controls and readouts can be put on the screen i  game, but most sim racers want the FOV in game to be like your looking out onto the hood of your car which ends up hiding allot of the digital dash readouts in the racing sim game. So then you have to clutter up the screen by moving your important readouts into your FOV making it more difficult to see where you are trying to go on the track. The Sim Dash elevates those issues by placing it off screen and directly in front of you with the Clubsport mount or wherever you think is best for your setup with the table top mount. This helps insure you the best possible chance for the fastest laps when you get all your important readouts in one place as opposed to all over the screen or not at all. Sim Dash simply gives you more freedom along with looking really cool in the process!

Check out some of the listed features you can customize to your liking and viewing pleasure said best by the manufacture them selves

Features:Vast array of telemetry output options

Ultimate control over telemetry output - Provides a huge range of in-game telemetry output and complete flexibility on how it is displayed on the Dash.

Telemetry output options include: 

• Sector splits
• Delta times
• Speed
• Fuel usage
• Track position
• In-car and in-race warnings 
• Gear indicator 
• RPM shift indicator 
• Time to next car ahead 
• Time to next car behind 
• Lap number 

Fully customizable LCD

Full customization of how the telemetry is displayed is possible on the Dash. The LCD can be configured through the drag and drop Siminstruments software to display telemetry on various positions on the display.

The unique RGB back light built right into the display makes it possible to change the color of the LCD for a range of in-car and in-race telemetry and events including RPM, delta times, split times and yellow flags. For example, one cool use is to change colours from green to red to show if you are up or down on your previous best lap in real-time compared to your current lap. This is my favorite feature!

LED digit display with configuration options

Not only does the LCD get customization treatment, but the LED digits do too, with the Siminstruments software also providing drag and drop functionality to give users control over positioning of the output on the display of the lap times and sector splits.

RPM shift indicator

The Dash has an RPM shift indicator consisting of a bank of 15 LED's. This bank of LED's consists of a bank of 5 x red LED's, 5 x blue LED's, and 5 x green LED's.

The RPM shift indicator can be configured for each LED to light up sequentially in line with the car's revs, or in a 3 stage confguration with each of the LED's in one bank lighting up together and then moving on to the next bank in line with the revs.

Warning lights with functions defined by the user

Full warning light customisation is also available through the Dash's bank of 6 warning lights, consisting of 4 x LED and 2 x RGB (changeable colour) warning lights.

The 4 LED's can be customised to display various in-car warnings including, low fuel and high temperature while also having the ability to display in-game warnings such a yellow flags, blue flags and black flags.

If you want to assign different colours to different warnings, the RGB's are able to deliver this ultimate degree of control for both in-car and in-game warnings for users.

Integrated hardware design

The Dash incorporates multiple display devices in one hardware solution including gear indicator, RPM shift indicator, LCD digit display, warning lights and the unique LCD display with RGB (changeable colour) backlight.

Plug and play easy set-up

The Dash includes the Dash hardware and Siminstruments software. Just plug it into your PC with the supplied USB cable, run the install wizard to install the Siminstruments software, run the software and you're away. Quick and simple, with the focus on getting the user on the track and using the Dash to peel off those PB's and race wins!

High quality construction & Simcare full online support

Designed, engineered and assembled in Australia, the Dash has been constructed from high quality components to give you confidence that it won't pack it in only after a few months of use. We stand by the quality of our product with our Simcare online support to help set up Siminstruments products and provide ongoing support through our Forum to help you with any issues with set up. We also offer our Hardware Help service to provide a remedy to customers in the unlikely event of any manufacturing faults with the Siminstruments hardware.

Tech Specs - Dash hardware

• Dash unit L x H x W: 120mm x 58mm x 11mm
• Gear Indicator: 1 x Blue LED digit - 12mm x 18mm (L x H)
• Timing digits: 2 x 6 Red LED digits - 39mm x 11mm (L x H)
• RPM shift indicator: 15 x LEDs (5 x Green 5 x Red 5 x Blue) - 96mm x 5mm (L x H)
• Warning lights: 2 x RGB's, 4 x Yellow LED's - 5mm x 5mm each light (L x H)
• LCD screen: 1 x RGB backlight 32 character screen - 83mm x 19mm (L x H)

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. This Sim Dash is everything I didn't even realize I wanted and certainly is more than I expected! Check out my video unboxing and review below and go out and get you one. You know you want to!

For more information and to order: SimInstruments

And to find how to install check out the: Siminstruments Wiki

Unboxing the Dash Kit

Using Sim Instruments Configuration Manager

Dash kit with Fanatec F1 wheel in IRacing

Dash kit with Fanatec BMW wheel in IRacing

Sim Instruments Latest Version 1.2.18 is out!

Sim Instruments is always trying to keep their products up to date and user friendly.
Below is the latest update for your Dash.



> Download Version 1.2.18

- Please read the readme file for full details on how to enable each plugin.
- Configuration Manager - Missing scrollbar issues, scroll bars are now always visible.

- Audio - Fixed application error when changing Volume/Pan setting for the shift beep.

- Options - Menu Option to start Siminstruments when windows starts.

- Shutdown - Clear the dash on Windows shutdown.

- Various - Stability fixes.

Fanatec Talks New Gen Consoles and their Wheels

   

     If you missed it on Fanatec's blog here it is below. 

Since Fanatec makes such great products there has been lots of discussion about existing wheels not compatible with the new XBOX ONE or PS4. Below is a Q&A about the XBOX ONE version with PS4 coming later. 

Check it out!

From Fanatec Blog:

 Xbox One Compatibility FAQ and Poll
We are continuously getting a lot of questions, but also complaints from our customers about the COMPATIBILITY of Xbox 360 wheels to Xbox One so we decided to make a FAQ and poll about it.

Q: Did Microsoft allow steering wheels (or other input devices) of the first generation Xbox to be       compatible to the Xbox 360?

A: No

Q: Was there a legal and official way to make Xbox (first generation) wheels fully compatible to Xbox 360 ?

A: No

Q: Will it be technically possible to make an adapter to use Xbox 360 peripherals (like steering wheels) on the Xbox One? 

A: Probably…..yes but the effort and complication would be significant. The new console uses a completely different force feedback communication protocol, wireless transmission protocol and a different security chip. The security chip needs to be purchased by the 3rd party manufacturer
from Microsoft and it makes sure that only official licensed products can be connected to the console. Only if you get the official approval from Microsoft you will be able to purchase such a security chip for Xbox One. Besides that, given the high development costs and limited market it would not be possible to offer it at a cheap price.

Q: Does Microsoft allow the use of Xbox 360 devices to be used on Xbox One?

A: So far no and there is no indication that this will change. This means it is impossible to make such an adapter. This is the case for any company and not just us. There are other expensive peripherals like music instruments for Xbox 360 which also cannot be used anymore.

Q: Did Fanatec plan to make such an adapter or do you rather prefer to sell new wheels?

A: Of course we would have rather made a simple adapter or even just a firmware update and continue to sell the wheels we have. Instead we now have to develop something completely new. As other companies were faster, the chance of losing customers is very high. This is not in our interest at all!

Q: Can you make such an adapter without the confirmation of Microsoft and sell it directly or indirectly to your customers?

A: Making a device which cracks the security chip of Microsoft is clearly not legal and we would immediately destroy the good relationship with Microsoft. Furthermore we would be sued if we would attempt to sell or even just support the development of such a device. If Microsoft would
allow such an adapter then the whole security chip system would not make any sense anymore as it would suddenly be an open system and you can connect anything to the console. This system actually has positive effects for the consumer as well as it makes sure that all connected peripherals are tested and work with all games. This is not the case on other consoles.

Q: Since when do you know that such an adapter is not possible?

A: Microsoft never confirmed that such an adapter is possible or not and we were waiting up to now. But given the technical complexity and also the philosophy of Microsoft, we do not expect any more that such an adapter will ever come to the market.

Q: Are you working on a new Xbox One wheel and when will it be released?

A: We do work on a next generation wheel and the Xbox One is a key market for us. But at that point we cannot reveal any further information or give a timeline. If there is any announcementit will be made here on the blog.

Q: Why did you not release an Xbox One wheel at launch?

A: We would have loved to do so but the 3rd party peripheral department of Microsoft which authorizes all Xbox peripherals has limited capacity. Therefore other companies which make much bigger business with Microsoft than us got this wheel business first. Our relationship is very good with them but we have to respect that bigger customers get better service. That is a standard business practice and there is not much we can do about it. 

The only one who can change that is the Xbox One customer with its’ buying behavior because Microsoft likes whatever the Xbox user likes and buys.

PS: PS4 compatibility will
be discussed separately as it is a completely different and independent
subject