Thomas Jackermeier – Pricing And Auction System Of Fanatec Podium DD1 Explained

A week ago, Fanatec CEO, Thomas Jackermeier, and his sidekick SimRacingGirl officially presented the first Fanatec Podium Series product via a live-stream unveil. The new ‘Podium Series’ hardware will become Fanatec’s highest range of products positioned above the ClubSport Series. The ‘Podium Series’ products will be compatibility throughout the whole product palette. With this new product line, Fanatec tries to set new standards in terms of functionality, performance, and durability while retaining compatibility and a great price performance.

While we personally liked the idea of a no-nonsense quick and dirty reveal via Livestream, a small part of the always critical sim racing community instantly vented their dislikes of the media quality, and for some, it seemed the stream was an open invitation to start a fanboy war and/or trolling contest. To our surprise, some even went lower…

In order to provide us with some more in-depth information, Fanatec created a new video in which Thomas Jackermeier summarises the unique benefits of the Podium DD Wheel Bases, announces pricing and explains the auction system. Thomas also shows us the first of 9 new steering wheels which are currently in development.

Fanatec will initially retail two different wheelbases in the form of the Podium Wheel Base DD1 and DDD2. (Check out the details below) Console users will be pleased to hear that Fanatec also plans to create a Direct Drive revolution by releasing a Podium Racing Wheebase + wheel rim bundle which will work seamlessly with all PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro consoles.

The Fanatec DD wheels come with the powerful, but user-friendly Podium Software Suite which can turn game telemetry data into force-feedback effects.

The Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2  is already on pre-order for 1,499.95€ Incl. 19% VAT + Shipping. the DD2 Wheel Base is expected to be available on 2018-12-07. For more info regarding the DD1 version of the wheel, we would like to refer you the included video. 

Thomas explained that Direct-Drive motors de-rate when they heat up as it is a physical law that heat increases resistance and therefore reduces power. To further point out the quality of the Fanatec DD motors, Fanatec published a torque graph showing us the results of a real-life test scenario where the motor only reached 60°C motor temperature when operated at 100% force feedback. (Keep in mind that under normal circumstances, most of the users will not use the wheel at 100% force feedback.)

Product Overview – Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD1

Features

• Custom-designed servo motor designed by our engineers and the first direct drive motor optimized for racing simulator applications.
• Outrunner-type motor achieves outstanding peak torque of 20Nm, matching the torque output in most real race cars using power steering.
• The Podium Wheel Base DD1 holding torque is not less than 15Nm even under heavy use in a race.
• Motor acceleration and speed remain at the highest level, even with heavy steering wheels.
• Ultra-low torque ripple ensures minimal mechanical distractions and the same smooth experience as in a belt-driven wheel.
• Wireless data and power to all Fanatec steering wheels to enable unlimited rotation of the steering wheel.
• Integrated 2.7” 256×64 resolution OLED display.
• Podium wheelbases include advanced telemetry features in the OLED display for real-time motor and force feedback data such as power output, FFB clipping and more.
• Upgraded Fanatec Tuning Menu.
  • Five presets for different games and applications
  • Steering lock
  • FFB Strength
  • Shock
  • ABS
  • Drift mode
  • Force
  • Spring
  • Damper
  • Force Effect Intensity
• Support for the advanced dual clutch bite-point mode.
• Integrated electronics within wheelbase housing, no external control box required.
• The electronics ensure extremely low latency to provide immediate feedback from racing simulators.
• Fully certified with CE, FCC, C-Tick, ROHS and all other certificates required by law, ensuring that this product does not interfere with other electronic devices.
• Torque Key allows the user to lock/unlock the DD1’s full performance.
• All existing and upcoming Fanatec peripherals fully supported.
• Choose from a growing selection of Fanatec steering wheels in many different styles and price/quality levels.
• Firmware can be updated with new features.
• Fast 1000 Hz USB update rate.
• Ultra-low latency due to integrated electronics and highest quality components.
• Allows connection of two external shifters (e.g. H-pattern and sequential) in parallel.
• Mount for ClubSport Static Shifter Paddles and other optional accessories.
• Connection ports for peripheral devices: USB, Power, Pedals, Shifter 1, Shifter 2, Handbrake.
• All-Aluminium housing.
• Exchangeable brushed aluminum cover plates.
• Supports Fanatec 3-hole mounting pattern (bottom mounting) and side mounting. Hard mounting to a cockpit is highly recommended due the high amount of torque.
• Full Fanatec SDK support ensures game compatibility out of the box for all major racing games across all platforms.
• Introducing the new Podium software for PC applications.
  • Show telemetry data from the racing simulation like speed, lap times, brake temperatures, tachometers on devices like smartphones, tablets or USB monitors.
  • Supports all major PC racing simulators like F1 2017, Dirt Rally, Assetto Corsa, Project Cars 2 and rFactor 2.
  • Control your Upgraded Fanatec Tuning Menu settings and presets directly from the software through the connected devices.
  • Save game specific settings to PC software, which will be automatically applied when the game is launched.
  • Introducing new FFB tuning features like speed-sensitive dampening.
• Automotive grade Quick Release system with rubber dampener for zero flex and movement between the steering wheel and wheelbase.
• Standard 2 years warranty.
• Optional extensions for 3 & 5 years warranty.

Product Overview – Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2

Features

• Custom-designed servo motor designed by our engineers and the first direct drive motor optimized for racing simulator applications.
• Outrunner-type motor achieves outstanding peak torque of 25Nm, matching the torque output in most real race cars using power steering.
• The Podium Wheel Base DD2 holding torque is not less than 18Nm even under heavy use in a race.
• Motor acceleration and speed remain at the highest level, even with heavy steering wheels.
• Ultra-low torque ripple ensures minimal mechanical distractions and the same smooth experience as in a belt-driven wheel.
• Wireless data and power to all Fanatec steering wheels to enable unlimited rotation of the steering wheel.
• Integrated 2.7” 256×64 resolution OLED display.
• Podium wheelbases include advanced telemetry features in the OLED display for real-time motor and force feedback data such as power output, FFB clipping and more.
• Upgraded Fanatec Tuning Menu
  • Five presets for different games and applications
  • Steering lock
  • FFB Strength
  • Shock
  • ABS
  • Drift mode
  • Force
  • Spring
  • Damper
  • Force Effect Intensity
• Support for advanced dual clutch bite-point mode
• Integrated electronics within wheelbase housing, no external control box required.
• The integrated electronics and highest quality components ensure ultra-low latency, providing immediate feedback from racing simulators.
• Fully certified with CE, FCC, C-Tick, ROHS and all other certificates required by law, ensuring that this product does not interfere with other electronic devices.
• Torque Key allows the user to lock/unlock the DD2’s full performance.
• All existing and upcoming Fanatec peripherals fully supported. Choose from a growing selection of Fanatec steering wheels in many different styles and price/quality levels.
• Killswitch allows instant shut down of the DD2 in the event of an emergency. It also features a remote power button, and universal mounting points for ease of access.
• Firmware can be updated with new features
• Fast 1000 Hz USB update rate
• Allows connection of two external shifters (e.g. H-pattern and sequential) in parallel
• Mount for ClubSport Static Shifter Paddles and other optional accessories • Connection ports for peripheral devices: USB, Power, Pedals, Shifter 1, Shifter 2, Handbrake
• All-Aluminium housing
• Exchangeable brushed aluminum cover plates.
• Supports Fanatec 3-hole mounting pattern (bottom mounting) and side mounting. Hard mounting to a cockpit is highly recommended due the high amount of torque.
• Full Fanatec SDK support ensures game compatibility out of the box for all major racing games across all platforms.
• Introducing the new Podium software for PC applications.
  • Connect external devices to a network for displaying telemetry data like speed, lap times, brake temperatures, tachometers and more.
  • Supports all major PC racing simulators like F1 2017, Dirt Rally, Assetto Corsa, Project Cars 2 and rFactor 2.
  • Control your Upgraded Fanatec Tuning Menu settings and presets directly from the software.
  • Save game specific settings to PC software, which will be applied when the game is launched.
  • Introducing new FFB tuning features like speed-sensitive dampening.
• Automotive grade Quick Release system with rubber dampener for zero flex and movement between the steering wheel and wheelbase.
• Standard 5 year warranty.

 

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Fanatec Sim Racing Hardware

Endor, with its Headquarters in Landshut / Bavaria, was founded in the year 1997 by Thomas Jackermeier, who turned his hobby into his profession. As an active player of early-stage PC-Games, he very quickly recognized the decisive role that input devices would play on performance, reality, and fun. During the 90’s, the choice, from among what was available on high-quality devices, was very limited. Thomas decided to give up his wholesale biking store, a start-up business he had used to finance his educational degree during his time at the University of Regensburg while obtaining his Masters of Business Administration. Following his studies, he bought the company AB-Union, which was changed to Endor Ltd., which would later become Endor AG.

The developed products were never marketed under the name Endor, but rather under the brand name Fanatec, providing Endor with the flexibility needed, to be able to introduce new brands into varying markets as desired. Fanatec products are developed in Germany, produced in Asia and are sold globally via the Fanatec online webshop.

Today Fanatec can count itself amongst the global market leaders in high-end sim racing equipment for consoles and PC systems. For more product info and purchases, check out the official Fanatec web page.

Official Webpage – www.fanatec.com