Introducing the CSL Universal Hub, and the new Firmware Manager!
Thomas Jackermeier
Member
Let's start 2021 with a cool new product. The ClubSport Universal Hub is one of our most popular products, due to its flexibility and countless adjustment possibilities. But it comes at a price and we want to bring this type of hardcore sim racing product to a broader audience.
Performance and value.
Our new entry-level hub offers many of the advanced features of the ClubSport Universal Hub at the much lower price of €149,95 / $149,95 (EU includes VAT) and we can ship from today.
An innovative slider mechanism allows effortless positioning of the button islands and shifter paddles to suit different wheel sizes.
The hub has threaded holes for 3 x 50 mm and 6 x 70 mm mounting patterns, meaning that all current Fanatec wheel rims can be attached, and it is also compatible with many wheel rims from brands such as MOMO, Sparco, or OMP.
Packed with features and inputs.
Alongside eight standard buttons with snap-dome activation, the integrated button islands also feature a 2-way rocker switch, two 2-way toggle switches, and a 7-way FunkySwitch™ with rotary encoder functionality. The shifter paddles are reinforced with a honeycomb structure, shaped to fit most wheel rims. The width of the paddle positions is adjusted together with the button islands as part of the slider mechanism. Snap-dome activation gives a reassuring click with every shift.
Tuning Menu access.
Access the FANATEC® Tuning Menu with just the press of a button. Adjust your wheel base force feedback and other hardware settings while you drive using 7-way FunkySwitch™ and LCD display.
Tool-free Simplified Quick Release.
No clamping bolt required! The improved Simplified Quick Release Adapter clamps easily to the steering shaft by hand, without the need for tools. The adapter is also removable, and can be replaced with the ClubSport Quick Release Adapter, unlocking High Torque Mode on Podium wheel bases.
Firmware Manager simplifies the hardware installation process.
Alongside the new product is Fanatec Driver v400. Driver v400 marks a big improvement in ease-of-use, with the introduction of Firmware Manager, which guides the user through all firmware updates step by step, including instructions and functions to calibrate wheel centre, shifter, and more.
Firmware Manager can also save your Tuning Menu settings and restore them automatically after the update if you wish.
You will also be informed if a new steering wheel is attached which the currently installed base firmware doesn't recognise/can't support. If shown, you must download the most recent driver from the product page and update the firmware. Full details are available in this forum thread.
As always, this package will be available in the Download section of every relevant product page. We’re committed to improving the user experience, and this is just the start!
Comments
So the million dollar question.... What makes it lower level than the old Universal clubsport HUB (if we order the CQRA) ?
From a quick look it has almost same amount of buttons and switches.
So I guess the non compatability with the BME and? Maybe you cannot change to APM (since there is no mention in the quick guide or the compatibility area) 🙄
P.S By the way in the US shop shows preorder and availability 09th February for the US based racers.
It's made out of high quality plastic Materials where the ClubSport version is made out of metal (only the button Islands are made out of plastic on that one but the general Hub is metal)
I thought it was plastic.... Daaamn Alzheimer.... 🤣
Have to go to my parents house and check my old CLS Elite + PS4 with Universal Hub (currently used by my father) because after I bought my Podium F1 and Porsche Podium wheel havent used any other wheel since. 😇
I hope it performs better than it looks, it looks pretty cheap to be honest.
@Thomas Jackermeier would be nice if the next big release is the solution for the jolt issues on DD bases (something that is a known issue for more than a year). The screen is still mentioned as a feature on the DD product pages but in reality it cripples the product as soon as you use it for anything else than displaying the Fanatec logo.
Will we be able to completely remove the "button boxes + paddle shifter" elements?
No.
The new Firmware Manager is a nice step forward. Thank you! 👍️
This looks very neat! But I noticed that it says "maximum 2.5Nm" on the adapter. Does that mean my V2.5 Base would automatically limit its torque, or is it just not recommended to run it with a higher torque?
2.5 Newton meters is the maximum force with which to tighten the steering wheel mounting bolts.
Oh man, I feel dumb now. Thank you very much for the clarification!
If I'm not mistaken, that was the last announced release of the new hardware, wasn't it? I would like to know if there is still information about the new QRs because I would like to buy a DD but I'm still not sure whether it makes sense to wait.
Information about the QR2 will be Shared in Q2 closer to it's release with the BMW.
Thank you!
why is the new CSL Univeral Hub is not compatible with Xbox? Is there an Xbox/PC version coming? Is it all about politics on Sony's part?
Most likely to keep the cost down because the license is not cheap for sure and would increase the price quite a bit I think. For Xbox you are forced to use the ClubSport Universal Hub.
liking the firmware manager. just used it and it was simple and easy.
As I recall it, the three new products were going to be one in each of the levels, Elite, Club Sport and Podium. Unless I missed something we're still waiting for a CS announcement. Or will the BMW wheel have a CS version? I like the new entry level hub btw, anything that helps to grow the sim racing community is good.
It was never mentioned that the three announcements are one for each product range, Thomas said "Three products from CSL to Podium" so another CSL is still correct. But if you want to read between the lines and Interpret that three different product Ranges are meant then even this would be true because the CSL UH is CSL, the McLaren v2 is CSL Elite and the BMW Podium :)
Anyway, those were the three product announcements.
That makes sense. Ah well, need to be patient for a while longer until the BMW wheels details come out in Q2.
Thanks for your feedback Jonathan!
I've had a couple of these hubs now (one returned for replacement) and I've experienced inconsistent upshifts and periodic loss of button functions on both. I think there are a few issues you could look into to improve the design:
There seems to be some play in the connection between the wheel and the base - more so than on the CSL F1 wheel that ships with the CSL Elite base.
The pivot pins for the paddles are clamped quite tightly and aren't able to move freely. Loosening the retaining screws a fraction of a turn has resulted in much more reliable shifts and a much nicer, less spongy feel to the paddle action.
The toggle switch rubber has begun to perish slightly on one side. When I removed the rubber to examine it, I found that the toggle switch securing nuts had both managed to unscrew themselves or were loose from the factory.
Overall, though, I really like this universal hub - especially for the price.