STiGR-F1 Formula Wheel Display Module Kickstarter project

  

STiGR-F1 Formula Wheel Display Module Kickstarter project

STiGR-TECH is a small company from the United States trying to produce innovative products for the Sim Racing community. One of their projects in progress is the F1 Formula Wheel Display for the Thrustmaster T500 based T500 Ferrari Integral wheel.  In order to fund the project, STiGR-TECH decided to use the Kickstarter funding platform. This way they will be able to build the mold tooling for the housing of the unit, and they will be able to build large batches of the Formula Wheel Display  to reduce the costs.

Now you might ask yourselves what the innovative part is, since we have seen plenty of these displays on the market.

The STiGR-F1 is a replica of the formula wheel display module and displays real-time parameters from racing simulations and games. The display unit is designed to be installed directly on the Thrustmaster T500 Ferrari F1 steering wheel using only the stock screws found on the face of the wheel. Things don’t come any easier than this. No drilling, cutting, soldering or modifying needed.  You can also mount the unit to other wheels, but the original intent has always been the Thrustmaster T500 Ferrari Integral wheel.

And now for the interesting part… The STiGR-F1 display stands out in the way it is connected to your PC.  It is connected to your PC by using a wireless solution. The unit is fitted with a Bluetooth feature to connect to your gaming computer via a serial Bluetooth Link.

The STiGR-F1 is supplied with its own application to configure the connection. It also features the interface for selecting the parameters you want to display, and lets you configure the built in buttons to operate the unit while in-game.  Features such as the optimal shift point and RPM display style can also be adjusted using the application. The hardware firmware can be upgraded by the user to accommodate future features that might need to be implemented due to new game releases.

STiGR-TECH stated that they will continue to add more games and more features to the software as time progresses. The software suite is free to download here.

  

STiGR-F1 Formula Wheel Display Specifications:

• Microcontroller: ATmega32u4
• Operating Voltage: 3.7V Lipo Battery Power
• Typical Run Time Per Charge: 3 Hours +
• Charge Time: 1 Hour or less
• Charger: Integrated Charging via Micro USB connection ( cable not included )
• Wireless Type: Bluetooth Class 2 w/ Integrated Antenna.

Another clever feature is the use of a high performance LiPo battery to power the display. It can be charged via the mini USB port. The unit handles multiple hours of gaming time, between charges. In a worst case scenario a new battery can be fitted. Its an easy plug and play replacement.

Production Plan:

• End of August the kickstarter campaign ends and STiGR-TECH will begin with placing the order for the injection mold tooling.
• August– STiGR-TECH will begin ordering their blank printed circuit boards and all the components. they will deliver the components to the local subcontractor for automated assembly. Once this is complete they will then bring the circuits back into their facility for programming and testing.
• September- STiGR-TECH should by now have the mold tool on its way from Asia after first article inspections have been completed there.
• October– Now the mold tooling will be in their injection mold facility and begin producing the 3 pieces of the housing. Also at this point we will start producing the clear lens covers that protect the LEDs.
• November– Final assembly and begin shipping the STiGR F1 Display to the customers.

For more info visit the official Kickstarter webpage here     –   Official Webpage