03 Hubs and Modules
Today we’ll talk about our steering wheel hubs, current and future quick release compatibility,button modules and paddle modules.
So what exactly does the hub do?- It acts as a wheel-side connector towheel base- It contains the license chip for Xbox compatibility (if applicable)- And it handles the commands and communication with wheel base.
We currently sell 3 different hubs.The CSL Universal Hub, ClubSport Steering WheelUniversal Hub for Xbox and the Podium Hub.As you can tell by the name, we have hubs for eachseries-type (CSL, ClubSport and Podium). (FOLIE 4)Let’s take a closer look at these three hubs,beginning with compatibility.The CSL Universal Hub works with Windows PC and PlayStation,The ClubSport Universal Hub can work with all three platforms – Windows PC, Xbox and Playstation,provided you combine it with a PlayStation compatible wheel base.The Podium Hub – like the CSL hub – only works with Windows PC and PlayStation.You’re already familiar with our modular solutions and how Fanatec product use is not limited withina series. This means you could use the CSL Universal Hub on a Podium Direct Drive wheel base. (BINOFFEN FÜR VORSCHLÄGE OB UND WIE MAN DAS BILDLICH DARSTELLT) However, the CSL UniversalHub is not designed to handle the power of the Podium Direct Drive. In order to protect yourequipment, the Podium wheel base can recognize the type of hub being used. If it detects a carbon-fibre based/the CSL Universal hub, the wheel base will limit the maximum power transferred to thesteering wheel.So while you can race using a CSL-Podium racing wheel combination, it may not be the most sensiblemix if you truly want to enjoy the full potential of direct drive.Now let’s have a look at what mechanically connects your steering wheel to the wheel base.As of March 2021, all Fanatec steering wheels were sold with the QR1 mechanism, also simplyreferred to as the “quick release mechanism”. However, the QR1 is being phased out during thecourse of the year. That will mean saying good-bye to the current quick release attachment…in order to be replaced by the next generation QR2.
QR2 - THE NEXT GENERATION
It’s important to understand that most wheels can be upgraded to the next generation QR2 once itbecomes available, or will be released with QR2 in the first place.There is one group of wheels that cannot be upgraded, since they don’t have an upgradable quickrelease. An overview will be available in the presentation below. (FOLIE 10)A detailed video on the QR2 and legacy solutions will be available separately. You’ll find the linkbelow once it goes online.Before we wrap up our segment on hubs, let’s have a look at the different features each hub offers.
The CSL Universal Hub (V2) offer performance at a great value.A slider mechanism allows you to adjust the width to almost any rim. This feature allows you to use the hub with many third-party brand rings, like MOMO, Sparco orOMP. This hub puts plenty of buttons and switches at the tip of your fingers, and the snap-domeshifter paddles add an additional level realism to your race. Although we do sell other shifter paddlesseparately, they cannot be mounted to the CSL Universal Hub.****In the ClubSport line, ClubSport Steering Wheel Universal Hub is often sold as part as part of adiscounted set. (SCROLL CS UH PAGE) It’s the only hub that’s includes the Microsoftlicense, so if you only play on Xbox, you won’t get around this bad boy.
The ClubSport Universal Hub comes with adjustable button elements. You can either position thesebutton clusters according to your preferences or use the integrated buttons at the top of the Universal Hub. You can also remove the button clusters entirely if they bother you during game playand use the integrated buttons alone.It’s important to note that not all buttons or features found on Fanatec products are even relevantfor every game, because not every game uses these additional inputs. Keep in mind many games areplayed using classic console controllersthat have far fewer input options.In this sense, you can compare the extra features on Fanatec products with a top of-the-line graphicscard – you may have the best card out there installed on your PC, but if your monitor doesn’t havethe required resolution for the best output, you won’t notice just how amazing your graphics card is. Nevertheless – all you have to do is upgrade your monitor to enjoy the full benefits of your card.So as far as Fanatec hardware goes, you could say we’re just ahead of the game – and thecompetition!More details on the ClubSport Universal Hub can be found at the bottom of the product page,including more information on compatibility and any special notes.
Now we’re ready to look at the Podium Hub. Considering this item is from our premium line of products and is crafted from a single piece ofanodised aluminium for maximum strength, you may wonder why the Podium Hub is in the medium price range.This is because the Podium Hub includes neither any button elements nor a licensing chip. PC usersdon’t need a license and have no need for buttons on the wheel, since they can use a keyboard forinput. Plus, there’s nothing stopping a user from adding a cluster pack or shifter paddles (VISUALSHOW CLUSTER PACK ALONE AND HOW IT LOOKS ON CS UH – blinking arrow? Highlighted buttons?).The cluster pack is the peripheral button set you find on the ClubSport Universal Hub and is the partyou can be removed, if desiered.Regarding the licensing chip, since no license is in the hub (and therefore not in the steering wheel),you know right away you’ll need a different solution in order to play on Xbox. If you were payingattention, you know Xbox users only have one option to connect their steering wheels to a wheelbase: the ClubSport Universal Hub for Xbox.If you’re a Podium user and play on PC or PlayStation, you have the license-free option to integratebuttons in the steering wheel by adding the Podium Button Module Endurance. (VISUAL) This canalso be added to the ClubSport Universal Hub, if you desire. It provides the user with extensivefunctionality through multiple inputs AND outputs, such as high-intensity LEDs and an OLED display,which gives you instant information about your vehicle.You cannot add the Podium Button Module Endurance to the CSL Universal Hub, as this alreadycomes with buttons which can’t be replaced.If you want to compare our three hubs at a glance, you can add each one to our compare tool, whichyou find on each product page. It’s also great for comparing other products, like pedals or steering wheels.
So, we’ve talked about paddles throughout this video, but exactly what options to you have and whyuse them in the first place?Whether you need paddles at all depends on your racing preferences and what types of sim racinggames you play. Rally or drift games – like real life races - tend to use classic floor pedals and clutchesthat are controlled with your feet. In contrast, Formula or GT races use steering wheel-based paddlesfor these functions, adding another level of realism to your sim racing experience.But that doesn’t mean you have to go with a particular option – Fanatec products are all aboutchoice.Let’s look at our 3 hubs again before we break down the options.First we need to understand where paddles can be exchanged or added. This is NOT possible with theCSL Universal Hub or with wheels like CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC or CSL Elite Steering WheelMcLaren GT3 V2, for example. Both the ClubSport Universal Hub and the Podium Hub can use any of our paddle modules. Both the Magnetic Paddle Module and the Advanced Paddle Module are attached directly to the steeringwheel. This means if you change steering wheels during a race, you lose your paddle modules withthe switch, unless you have a separate set already mounted to your other wheel.However, if you use the ClubSport Static Shifter Paddles, which are mounted directly to the wheelbase, your paddles stay with you regardless of the wheel you use or exchange (unless you play withone of those exceptions we talked about earlier).What you can’t do is have paddles mounted to a wheel AND the wheel base simultaneously. SinceFanatec hardware is powerful, it’s important to pay attention to proper assembly. Our equipment isnot laid out for paddles to be mounded both wheel side and base side, a user might get injured withimproper use.
Static shifters paddles and the magnetic paddle module have a similar functionality: they act as shifters or can be assigned a separate function, based on the game or platform you’re using. In otherwords, you don’t have to use them as shifters – they can be a shortcut to your game menu, for example.
The difference between these two products and the Advanced Paddle Module can be identified inthe name: it’s advanced.It adds two additional paddles, and analog connections let you assign in-game functionality, so that you can’t just shift with your pedals, rather you can also accelerate or brake with them.One final point : The features we discussed here concerned shifter paddle modules. The paddlesthemselves (VISUAL) are a separate issue with more flexibility in terms of replacement or upgrades. Ifthe customer desires, these could be exchanged, for example if they break.