text:
Discussion in 'Chevy Suburban Forum (GMC Yukon XL)' started by Castor Troy, Nov 21, 2008.
Sender or dash gauge??
pic wont load, so am gonna give ya what i know, if its fluttering back and forth constantly then its the gauge. if you dont have seperate guges from one to the ohter then you have to replace the entire cluster
Dash gauge. Tough to tell on the video.... is it twitching real fast while it reads like that? If it's just the bouncing up and down it may very well be the sending unit.
As much as I hate being one of those people... do a search on the forum and you will find oodles of posts regarding the messed up fuel gauge. Depending on what year your vehicle is.. (it looks to be around.. '99?) you can bring your vehicle into GM for a recall. I think it's 03-06 for the recalls.
But welcome to the world of bad GM clusters if you got a twitchin' gauge!
I've never saw a gauge go bad in the 20 years plus working on cars. Replace the sending unit.
well then i should have sent you mine, it fluttered like a hummingbird wing, replaced the cluster and no problems since 04
And there are entirely WAY too many posts about bad gauges in here to not notice it being a problem.
vnc, did you have the gauge replaced at the dealership with a new one?
sure did, I brought it in and they tested it and since I bought a new one with them they waived the testing fees:money: so i was pretty happy.
Good to know. Thanks!
if it's not the cluster, the ground for the tank may be messed up. That'll cause an inaccurate or swinging gauge.
I have the exact same problem. When I put it in neutral the gauge goes all over the place, the needle only moves between beyond full and half a tank the for the entire tank of gas (found that out the hard way) and it flutters. Basically I have all the problems mentioned in every post. :no:
Separate names with a comma.


text:
To all annoyed by the post order in TAGF, just bookmark the following link:
I'm in. thanks mods.
mods - without signing off the boards i watched videos on giants.com for a while. once back i attempted to reply to a post but was told i couldnt cuz i hadnt signed in.
if one is not on the boards for a while is it necessary to signin again as i was instructed?
My suggestion to change current Pagination.
CSS Changes:
Code:.pagination span.selected a { background: url("images/buttons/newbtn_middle.png") repeat-x scroll 0 0 #0E2C48; border: 1px solid #0E2C48; color: #FFFFFF; font-weight: bold; height: 15.99px; margin-left: 1px; padding: 2px 4px; } .pagination span a { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #0E2C48; color: #0E2C48; font: 13px Tahoma,Calibri,Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; height: 15.99px; margin-left: 1px; padding: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none; }
Really like the new look!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Lutz goes with Senior and Reserve Senior Champions for Grand and Reserve.
Herby Lutz of Chester, S.C. and his associate, Andrew Vander Muelen of Brighton, Ontario, Canada, selected Pine Have SSM Marmie as Grand Champion of the 59th All American Jersey Show. The winning 4-year-old, she is owned by Nic, Jenni, Ben, and Andy Stauder of Tremont, Ill. Marmie was Grand Champion at World Dairy Expo and was also Reserve Supreme Champion of that show last month.
Taking home Reserve Grand Champion honors was Frederick 2783 Adventure, the first place aged cow. She is owned by the syndicate of Lackey, Rader, Iager, and Walton. In 2010, Frederick 2783 Adventure was Grand Champion at World Dairy Expo.
Both cows are shown in the photo as judge Lutz looks them over before naming Grand Champion.


text:
Xbox One will not require regular online check-ins or place restrictions on game-lending "as a result of feedback from the Xbox community," Microsoft announced today.
The announcement is a complete reversal of the company's previously announced DRM policy for games on the Xbox One.
"After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One," Xbox executive Don Mattrick wrote in a blog post, "you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360." Mattrick added that Xbox One would be region-free; any Xbox One disc would function in any Xbox One console.
Additionally, Mattrick wrote, players will be able to "trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today. There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360."
This will come at a small cost — despite previous announcements, Xbox One will require that discs remain in the tray in order to play games, and players will be unable to share downloaded games. In other words, it'll work exactly like the Xbox 360 — for better and for worse.
Before today's announcement, things were looking bad for Microsoft. Scores of memes mocking the Xbox One were made. Public consumer polls put the PlayStation 4 ahead of the Xbox One by a wide margin. The Navy Times called the Xbox "a sin against all service members," arguing that the console's restrictive online policies were "a 'showstopper' for any service members who rely on their Xbox for off-duty diversions downrange, in the field, or at sea."
The company had also planned a complicated license-transfer scheme that would allow Xbox One users to trade in games at approved retailers, but which would prevent them from simply allowing a friend to borrow the disc, also putting the kibosh on game rentals.
Capitalizing on online anger about Microsoft's policies, Sony took E3 by storm with their announcement that the PlayStation 4 would use no similar DRM scheme. Sony even went so far as to publicly mock Microsoft's complicated policies via its YouTube channel.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


text:
Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode watch online, Saravanan Meenatchi 22 November 2016 latest Hotstar episode, Vijay TV Tamil Serial Saravanan Meenatchi 22/11/2016 youtube video online.
Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 latest episode
Saravanan Meenatchi 22 November 16 Episode
Overwhelming precipitation lashed Coastal Andhra for the fourth day on Tuesday notwithstanding the melancholy debilitating into a trough. In addition, edits in over an expected two lakh Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode sections of land were immersed in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and West Godavari locale which again endured the Vijay TV Tamil Serial worst part of the rain on Tuesday. Machilipatnam stayed Saravanan Meenatchi 22/11/2016 cut off from Vijayawada and different parts of Krishna. Substantial rain gauge. Relentless rain tossed typical life out of apparatus in a few waterfront towns and towns, Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode which were cut off. Power and drinking water supply was upset at a few spots. With the "trough" as yet floating over the State, "substantial to overwhelming" rain is probably going to lash Coastal Andhra furthermore Khammam and Nalgonda in Telangana on Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode Wednesday, a gauge says. Gudivada recorded 55 cm rain, its most astounding as of late, Boss secretary J. Harinarayan looked into the circumstance at an abnormal state meeting, soliciting the Collectors to attempt count from misfortunes instantly to empower payment of Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode alleviation. Boss Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Vijay TV Tamil Serial will attempt a flying review of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam regions on Wednesday. Landslips In Krishna region, landslips from the Saravanan Meenatchi 22 November 2016 slopes at Moghalrajpuram at Vijayawada wrecked a couple houses and harmed a man. requested that the Ministers hurry to the areas to guarantee supply of help material to the surge influenced families and clarify the challenges confronted by the Government in supply of force. At the Cabinet meeting here on Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode Tuesday, the Chief Minister alluded to the "untold wretchedness" brought on by the most recent spell of rain and needed the Ministers to impart trust in the surge casualties by giving help on top need. In the meantime, he Saravanan Meenatchi 22 November 2016 requesting that they visit different territories to disclose to the general population, the conditions under which control slice must be forced in the towns. Dr. Reddy needed the Minister to disclose to the Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode ranchers the incomprehensible circumstance of overwhelming precipitation on one hand and the power lack on alternate, other than the need to keep up levels in Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar repositories.
Saravanan Meenatchi 22/11/2016 Episode watch online
The Ministers were told to disclose the power lack to the agriculturists getting a charge out of free Vijay TV Tamil Serial power and look for their participation in limiting rabi to flooded dry harvests to close the season by March-end. Named three Ministers and the same number of senior IAS officers each to the most exceedingly terrible influenced Krishna, Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode Guntur and Prakasam locale to regulate the alleviation and rebuilding. "SolarChill does not utilize lead batteries or lamp oil as in traditional sunlight based chillers. Rather, we utilize the sun's vitality to make a thick layer of ice which helps in keeping up temperature in the cooler between less 2 degrees and 8 degrees," Mr. Shende said. He hit upon the Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode thought amid his goes in Burkina Faso in 2000. "I imagined that in the event that we could build up an antibody cooler that uses the sun oriented vitality so copious in Burkina Faso and other creating nations, it would be a help for inoculation programs Saravanan Meenatchi 22 November 2016 actualized there," he said. Said he thought about a reasonable, eco-accommodating variant of sunlight based coolers as he was at that point working with World Health Organization (WHO) on ozone exhaustion. "As the lead batteries are dangerous, Saravanan Meenatchi 22-11-2016 Episode hard to convey, and require substitution each three to five years, we chose to use to make fridge inside the cooler that will give the required protection even around Saravanan Meenatchi 22/11/2016 evening time," he said. Indeed, even without Vijay TV Tamil Serial daylight, it can support itself for four to five days. He said the cooling unit did not utilize general freon-based chemicals, which exhaust ozone and add to an Earth-wide temperature boost. One unit can serve the antibody Saravanan Meenatchi 22 November 2016 needs of about 50,000 individuals.


text:
Joseph Pine:
What consumers want
Customers want to feel what they buy is authentic, but "Mass Customization" author Joseph Pine says selling authenticity is tough because, well, there's no such thing. He talks about a few experiences that may be artificial but make millions anyway.
Similar topics
- Business
- Consumerism
- Creativity
- Shopping
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
Related talks
Learn more
Take action
88 comments
Enthusiastically agree? Respectfully beg to differ? Have your say here.
Log in to comment Don't have an account? Sign up now — it's fast and free.
Sort comments by
There are currently no comments for this talk.


text:
May 5, 2013
The Hiester family, from left, Kate Hiester, John Hiester, Britta Hiester-Hutardo, Judy Hiester, Brian Hiester, Bob Hiester, Sam Hutardo holding Ilan Hutardo and Aldan Hutardo in front.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Requires free registration
Posting comments requires a free account and verification.


text:
Tibetan / Vajrayana
Vajrayana Buddhism is most closely associated with Tibet and can be characterized by the figure of the siddha, the master whose spiritual realization is so profound that he or she has power over the phenomenal world, and in whom the profundity and vastness of absolute truth is fully and completely manifested. Many of our most well-known authors come from this tradition of Tibetan Buddhism .
[Note: The tags for the various schools are not definitive as many books span multiple traditions, etc. They are meant to use as a starting point for exploring this collection.]
The Art of Awakening
A User's Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Art and PracticeThe sacred arts play an essential, intrinsic role in Tibetan Buddhist practice. Here, one of the great practitioners and master artists of our time presents a guide to the Tibetan Buddhist path, from preliminary practices through enlightenment, from the artist's perspective. With profound wisdom, he shows how visual representations of the sacred in paintings, sculptures, mandalas, and stupas can be an essential support to practice throughout the path. This work,… Read More
Paperback$29.95+ Add to Bag
Tibetan Thangka Painting
Methods and MaterialsTibetan Thangka Painting is the only detailed description of the techniques and principles of the sacred art of Tibetan scroll painting. It is the distillation of research carried out over a period of ten years, collected during five journeys to Nepal and India, and compiled from some twenty traditional painters. This book presents, step-by-step, the techniques used to make a thangka from the preparation of the canvas to the final… Read More
Paperback$39.95+ Add to Bag
The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist SymbolsThe Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols is a portal into the rich, multifaceted, and profound symbolism of Tibetan sacred art. Robert Beer provides a deep and encompassing insight into the vast array of symbols and attributes that appear within the complex iconography of Tibetan Buddhism. The succinct descriptions that accompany his detailed line drawings reveal the origins, meanings, and functions of these symbols. Beer unravels the multiple layers… Read More
Paperback$29.95+ Add to Bag


text:
I still can't believe that the defense couldn't get off the field in the 4th. They had the ball for nearly 10:30 in the 4th. Not saying the offense capitalized on many opportunities earlier in the game, but they weren't given many chances after Washington went up.
Last edited by stormblue; 12-05-2012 at 07:42 PM.
due to the fact that I am from the Woodstock generation ...
my opinions may be chemically enhanced and influenced by severe episodes of memory loss
I may have exaggerated a little by saying every QB, but i am pretty sure a good number of Qb's out there can alter the original play to some degree. Even if it is something simple as flipping the play. Without naming the top 5 guys, i can already tell you, alex smith, sanchez, flacco, matt ryan, and tony romo can. So thats 10 guys right there, and i am sure there are more. But I think I remember you saying you have the all 22 version of NFL rewind so if you say less qb's have that ability than the ones that do, ill take your word for it.there may even be less QBs allowed this responsibility than ones that are
....and Eli has access to the whole game plan when at the line not only the plays sent into his ear piece
this is why i wanted the link to where GIlbride supposedly said they only have 1 or 2 plays eli can audible to. I Imagined that Eli has a little more responsibility than that.
Last edited by Marvelousmik; 12-05-2012 at 07:42 PM.
Eli gets 2 or 3 plays that he calls in the huddle and checks into one at the line depending on the defensive look that's given. Besides that he has full audible control to change into any play that is in the gameplan if he doesn't like what he sees versus what he called in the huddle.
My goal had been to win a championship, work toward the Hall of Fame, have my jersey retired by the team and I`d go in as a lifelong New York Giant, but I`m now resigned to the fact that this won`t happen. -- Michael Strahan, just when you think you're down...


text:
Michael Patrick's Brasserie
Located directly off the atrium and casino floor, Michael Patrick's is an ultra-chic European style brasserie that serves an upscale, eclectic menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With its modern decor and exceptional cuisine, you'll find that Michael Patrick's is not a typical coffee shop but instead features traditional favorites with a unique twist in presentation and flavors.
Tilman Fertitta, chairman and CEO of Landry's Inc. developed the concept of Michael Patrick's while touring Europe with his family who gave him the inspiration for naming his latest creation. Michael Patrick's is named after Ferttita's two eldest sons who joined him during his culinary journey through Europe and especially enjoyed the charming brasseries in France.
Michael Patrick's menu is tailored to suit every food lover's palate with the freshest ingredients from local markets.
Full Bar Available
Hours of Operation:
- Monday-Wednesday & Sunday: 9AM-12AM
- Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 24 Hours


text:
The only game based on 20 th Century Fox's upcoming feature film, Fantastic Four is a team based action adventure in which players harness the Marvel superheroes' unique and amazing powers through a compelling single-player mode or two-player co-operative gameplay experience. Authored by Zak Penn, the writer of the movie X2: X-Men United , the game's storyline follows the Fantastic Four movie plot and expands the adventures by letting players stretch, control fire and use invisibility and brute force to defeat evil super-villains in new environments and familiar comic book locales. Challenged to master each super hero's individual powers and combine them to level even more devastating attacks, players must battle the never-before-seen enemies and the ultimate evil �" Doctor Doom -- to save the human race from disaster.
Relive the movie experience and go beyond it �" Re-capture the movie experience and become the Fantastic Four ; follow the story and battle Doctor Doom in locations taken straight from the movie while experiencing an original story, missions and environments exclusive to the game.
Experience the Fantastic Four in an all-new way �" Play as your favorite Fantastic Four team member as you assume their personas and master their individual attributes and unique powers to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.
Mr. Fantastic / Reed Richards �" Use Mr. Fantastic's ability to stretch in order to attack from a distance, squeeze into tight spaces and reach places no one else can. Use his brainpower to heal characters, hack computers, over-ride security systems and take control of enemy's weapons to use against them.
Invisible Girl / Sue Storm �" Play as the Invisible Girl to turn invisible and perform stealth moves with ninja like speed or use her telekinetic powers to immobilize enemies.
Human Torch/Johnny Storm �" As the Human Torch, players can create walls of fire and supernova fireballs, shoot fire from their fingertips and bend flames at their will as they ward off enemies.
Thing/Ben Grimm �" Use Thing's raw brute force to pick up objects or tear them apart, break through walls and obstacles and obliterate enemies.
Control the Fantastic Four together as a team �" While playing as a team of one to four characters, the game lets players dynamically switch between characters during their adventures and combine super powers in order to level more devastating attacks and accomplish missions.
Share the Fantastic Four experience with friends �" Play through the game with a friend in two-player co-op story mode or fight against each other head-to-head in multiple arena battles each with their own special powers and attributes.


text:
AUSA Joseph M. Ferguson (312) 353-1414
Exec. AUSA Nancy Needles (312) 353-5331
U.S. Settles Suit Against Corus Bank for Student Loan Fraud
CHICAGO -The United States today entered into a final settlement agreement regarding charges raised in a civil lawsuit filed last April against Chicago-based Corus Bankshares, Inc., and its subsidiary, Corus Bank, Inc.. The suit alleged that Corus systematically violated the federal False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent insurance claims for defaulted student loans, announced Scott R. Lassar, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The value of the settlement is approximately $11.5 million.
The suit, which followed a lengthy investigation by the Chicago regional office of the Education Department's Office of the Inspector General ("DOE-OIG"), alleged that the defendants submitted insurance claims on thousands of defaulted student loans that were not serviced in accordance with federal regulations, More specifically, Corus was allegedly submitted and received payment on thousands of default claims in which they chronicled and certified the performance of due diligence that the defendants' own loan files indicate were false.
The student loan program, known as the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and formerly known as the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) Program, makes low-interest loans available to students to pay for costs associated with post-secondary school education. Under the program, banks lend their own funds to eligible students. During the term of a loan, the federal government pays to the bank a subsidy called a special allowance that compensates the banks for the difference between the rate of interest specified in the loan and the market interest rate. In the event of default, the loans are insured against loss by designated non-profit guaranty agencies, and reinsured by the federal government. In order to maintain a loan's eligibility for the federal interest subsidy and guaranty, banks service the loans, in part, through the execution of a regulatory framework known as due diligence. For delinquent loans, due diligence is comprised, in part, of a graduated series of telephone communications or attempted communications with the delinquent borrower. A student loan goes into default when the period of delinquency reaches 180 days, at which point an insurance claim for the outstanding principal and accrued interest may be submitted by a bank to a guaranty agency, provided that the bank has serviced the loan in accordance with federal regulations.
The DOE-OIG investigation was prompted by Corus' self-disclosure of procedural irregularities and possible fraud in the performance of due diligence on certain defaulted student loans. The investigation concluded that the nature and scope of the fraud was far greater than that initially disclosed by Corus. The substantial difference of opinion between the government and Corus regarding the nature and scope of the fraud, including the number of loans affected by the fraud, necessitated the filing of the suit by the government in April 1999. The filing of the suit resulted in lengthy negotiations resulting in the settlement Announce today.
The settlement has two components. The first is a monetary settlement in which Corus has agreed to pay the Department of Education $7.775 million in resolution of fraudulent guarantee claims previously submitted by Corus for payment. The second component of the settlement addresses the administrative status of defaulted student loans with an aggregate value Of approximately $16 million on which Corus withheld the submission of guaranty claims while the investigation and lawsuit were pending. Today's settlement, which sets forth specific eligibility conditions for the submission of claims on those loans, is expected to result in Corus forgoing the submission of claims on loans with an estimated aggregate value of approximately $3.5 million. The monetary and administrative terms of the settlement reflect the broader nature and scope of the fraud as viewed and alleged by the government, but take into account Corus' self-disclosure and cooperation in the resulting investigation.
The settlement generally releases Corus and its employees of criminal, civil and administrative liability concerning the processing of the loans that were the subjects of the complaint. Excepted from that release is a mid-level bank manager who supervised the student loan processing department of the bank during the period at issue. That manager, William Kroeplin, pled guilty to a misdemeanor fraud count in federal district court in Chicago on March 20, 2000. His sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2000.
The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Ferguson.


text:
Drakes momentum too much for Tigers
The Blackduck Drakes boys' basketball team defeated the visiting Pine River-Backus Tigers 65-27 on Friday, Dec. 4.
The Drakes got out to an early lead before the Tigers came roaring back to take the lead back early in the first half. However, poor shooting for PR-B combined with good outside shooting and a solid inside game by the Drakes would prove to be too much for the Tigers.
The Drakes began the game with the first basket of the night to take a 2-0 lead. After a turnover, Blackduck was once again on offense, and after a missed shot the Drakes scored another basket after grabbing the offensive rebound. Blackduck kept the pressure on, scoring a 3-point shot and another basket to take an early 7-0 lead before the Tigers scored their first points.
The Tigers first successful basket came on a long-range shot from behind the arc by Cody Mager to cut the deficit. PR-B would get back into the game in a hurry, scoring the next eight points. Senior guard, Beau Howard went on a roll, with an assist when he found Freshman forward Zach Struss underneath the basket for an easy two points for the Tigers. Howard then found the basket on a 17-foot jump shot and followed up on the defensive end with a steal and a fast break basket.
PR-B wasn't done yet as Konrad Bueckers scored a long-range two-point shot and Howard made another basket on a fast break to take a lead for the first and what would turn out to be the last time in the game, 11-7, before the Drakes scored another basket on a layup after another offensive rebound.
The Drakes were able to find their stroke and took the lead on a 3-pointer after a series of quick passes. Dylan Weisert opened behind the arc on the wing and scored the next six points for Blackduck when he scored on the next possession; they were able to find him open once again in the same spot for another successful 3-point shot. The Drakes kept the momentum in their favor with an open shot from just behind the free-throw line. After a foul, Weisert would make 1/2 to give the Drakes an impressive 18-11 lead after trailing by four just a few minutes prior.
The impressive play by Blackduck was only part of the story, as the Tigers contributed to the onslaught through a series of missed opportunities. PR-B would end up going a total of 11 for 54, which included an abysmal 3 for 25 from behind the 3-point line. "We had the shots that we wanted, but we couldn't knock them down," said PR-B head coach Shaun Howard.
Blackduck continued their hot hand with a long 3-pointer from three feet behind the arc. The Tigers missed on their next three possessions as the Drakes scored on a layup set up by a blocked shot on the defensive end. The Tigers had no answer for Blackducks inside game. After two more hard fought baskets underneath the rim, the Drakes took a commanding 27-11 lead with 4:30 left in the first half.
The Tigers would miss on their next several possessions as well, and the Drakes would take advantage on a layup and a successful free throw after the foul. Bueckers would finally put points on the scoreboard with a successful free throw, which ended a disasterous 11-minute stretch where PR-B was unable to make a basket. However, the Drakes were able to answer right back with a steal and a bucket to go into the locker room with a huge 32-12 point advantage which would prove to be too much for Pine River-Backus.
The second half was nearly identical to the first half as Blackduck put up 33 points to the 15 added to the Tigers score, leading to a convincing win for the home team.
Scoring Summary: PR-B struggled from the field as a team, going eight for 29 from two-point range, making three of 25 from behind the arc, and only 2 of 3 from the free-throw line. The Tigers were unable to get any players into double digits in points as Beau Howard led the way for PR-B with nine points. Howard was 4 of 15 from the field, which included 0 for 6 from three-point range. Konrad Bueckers and Zach Struss each added six points to their teams total. Cody Mager and Hank Raph each contributed three points, on a successful three-pointer for each.
Blackduck scored a variety of ways from an impressive 10 different players. The Drakes were led by the 18 points posted by Dominic Anderson. Anderson made three successful 3-pointers. Scott Fenske added 13 points, and Jacob Krabbenhoft scored eight points, all in the second half.


text:
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Printer Friendly Page
Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3 UPDATED[ Edited ]
This post along with its accompanying posts will be edited in the future. Please subscribe to this thread so you are notified of any updates. I will be adding pictures, video and additional information as time goes on.
If you have any questions about the content in this review, please do not hesitate to ask. I will do my best to answer your questions.
- Preface
- Introduction
- The Packaging
- Construction and Design
- ClubSport Wheel Base
- BMW GT2 Rim
- Formula Rim
- ClubSport V2 Pedals
- Software Compatibility
- Hardware Compatibility
- Overall Performance
- Game Specific Performance
- DiRT 3
- iRacing
- rFactor 2
- pCARS
- Tuning Menu
- Tuning Menu Settings
- Drivers and Firmware
- Maintenance
- Additional Notes on Quality and Construction
- Pricing and Value
- Media
- Resources
I was selected by Fanatec to be a Community Test Manager for the Playstation Boards. It was my job to set up a thread to search for a qualified tester for Fanatec's new force feedback wheel and pedal set, the ClubSport Wheel and ClubSport V2 Pedals. After a community pole, Choate51 was selected as the community tester. He and I both received a Fanatec ClubSprot Wheel, BMW GT2 Rim, Formula Rim and ClubSport V2 Pedals about a month ago. It was our job to thoroughly test the wheel for any mechanical faults, evaluate performance, provide feedback, and create a report for the Playstation community. Ultimately, we did this for you. Hopefully at the end of this report you will be able to establish if this wheel is right for you.
The Fanatec ClubSport Wheel (CSW) is newest wheel from Fanatec. The ClubSport V2 Pedals (CSPV2) is an upgraded version of the CIubSport Pedals (discontinued). If you are not familiar with Fanatec they make the Porsche line of force feedback (FFB) wheels. Recently, they released the CSR and ClubSport lines. Unlike Logitech or Thrustmaster FFB wheels, the CSW is modular. You buy the base of the wheel which has no wheel rim or pedals. You then choose which wheel rim you want (BMW GT2 and or Formula Rim), and then which pedal set you want (CSR, CSRE, or CSPV2). You can also choose a shifter. All of these items are sold separately. In addition, Fanatec wheels include a tuning menu that lets you adjust FFB effects independent of the game. For a better idea of how these products compare to each other and the competition, please refer to the consumer comparison chart at the bottom of this report. Please also visit the references section for links to relevant websites and information.
The CSW/CSPV2 are serious pieces of sim racing equipment. If you are not interesting in games like Gran Turismo 5, or PC racing simulation games, this wheel is NOT for you.
It is important to note that the products we received were pre-production units. Please keep this in mind when reading our respective reports. Some of the problems we experienced have been noted by Fanatec and are said to be fixed in the final production version. These fixes are located in the references section. Please also note that the firmwares and drivers are not final. They are likely to be improved by the time the final production units are shipped. Finally, do not take our word as the only one. Please look at the other reviews section of this report and read what other testers have experienced. Thank you.
Strap yourself in this is going to be a long, yet rewarding ride.
Many people are familiar with Logitech's FFB wheel offerings, the Driving Force GT (DFGT) and the G25/G27. I have owned a G25 for years. It enhanced the immersion in games like Gran Turismo, Formula 1 and DiRT. It made games like Need For Speed more interactive. Like many gamers on this forum who enjoy racing with a FFB wheel, this is where I am coming from.
The CSW/CSPV2 is much like Lisbeth Salander, different in every way.
The CSW and CSP V2 are premium products. Premium performance, premium construction, premium expectations, premium nuances and premium price. They were not designed to compete with the offerings from Logitech or even Thrustmaster. In my opinion they are designed and priced to a different level and a different customer. To put this in car terms, the G25 is a Mustang GT and the CSW is a BMW M3 GTS.
The question is, as a Playstation gamer do you need a BMW M3 GTS? Are you just a Playstation gamer? How passionate are you about driving? Can you afford a BMW M3 GTS? As you are reading this review, keep these questions in mind.
In this report I will hopefully give you the necessary information and analysis for you to answer these questions. I will also give you my personal opinion. But in the end, I will leave the answers to those questions up to you.
The Packaging
Packaging is usually an afterthought in most products. Fanatec took pride in designing the packaging for the CSW and its accompanying rims. Opening each box is a special, quality experience. There are some definitive inspirations from Apple in terms of packaging. Somebody had a smile on their face when making these packages. Somebody cared. The experience is so unique and special I do not wish to spoil it for you, even if you are likely to be spoiled by the publications of other reviewers. From the opening the expectations are set very high.
Construction and Design
CSW Base
The CSW is a full CNC machined, metal construction. On the base the only plastic component is the translucent cover over internal drive mechanism. Like a super car, you can see the "engine" of the CSW. The engineering is not sheltered behind a plastic wall; it is there for all to awe at. There is true beauty in mechanics. A fact I am glad Fanatec realizes. The power button does not say "power" it says "start", because you don't "power" a car. This along with the individual fabric bags each item comes in are clear signs that someone at Fanatec took pride in designing and engineering these products. As a result, this is a product you can be proud of owning.
I will let the pictures do most of the talking but the CSW base is very solid. The only quality concern out of the box, in regards to the base, is that my angled mounting bracket was slightly crooked. It's hard mounting holes were also slightly off. This may not seem like a big deal, but it made screwing my CSW (a requirement for a wheel of this caliber) a bit of a PITA. Public service announcement, double, triple check your measurements when drilling holes to secure your wheel. Oh, and you will need to bolt this thing down.
I think it is important to note that previous Fanatec products have had less than perfect reliability. While the internet often makes 1 voice sound like a 1000, I believe this statement is fair. The construction of the CSW base and the materials used are a clear indication that Fanatec is serious about changing this perception. However, as a package, that does not mean it is free from fault.
(Please note the CSW base is not purple... this is just my horrible lighting conditions)
BMW GT2 Rim
The BMW GT2 Rim, from a tactile a visual perspective, is completely different than any other sim wheel on the market. It feels like a real race car wheel, plain and simple. The G25 and T500RS both suffer from "toy syndrome". They feel "nice" but not "real". You can tell you are holding something that was meant to play a "game". With the BMW GT2 Rim you feel like you are grasping the reigns of a real race car. The wheel is a wider diameter than the G25 and T500RS and as a result takes some getting used to. The rim thickness is just about perfect. The wheel also includes an LED display and rev counter. Both of which, when supported, are awesome. These aspects blow everything from Logitech and Thrustmaster out of the water.
There are a plethora of buttons. All of which have a nice quality click. Most are easy to reach. They are unmarked, so programing them in console games will be a bit of a challenge, but not impossible. More on this in the software and compatibility section. The paddle shifters are adjustable and even replaceable. They have a very high grade metal feel. Personally I would have liked it if they were a bit bigger but this is not really an issue. Compared to the T500RS and the Fanatec CSRE I find their tactile feedback, as in the sound and feeling they make when you press them, to be a bit lacking. Not bad, just lacking. The wheel also features dual vibration motors that are activated along with a motor in the pedals when you press the brake a given percentage set by the tuning menu in the wheel.
For those not familiar with Alcantara, it is a synthetic fiber that is soft to the touch and is easy to grip. Alcantara feels great in the hand. Compared to the G25 which can get a little nasty after a long session, Alcantara feels great. The lining of the BMW GT2 Rim is mostly stitched; however, some parts are glued. Initially I did not give this any thought, but after some time with the wheel the glued area where my right thumb/palm rest is beginning to peel back. This is a concerning development. I question whether this section could have been stitched or simply integrated as one piece. This is not something I want to see on a wheel of this price. Not a fault of Fanatec, but Alcantara is also known for being quite prone to wear. I have included a maintenance section in this report that should address this. Moral of the story, get some gloves.
The quick release (QR) is a solid sleeve of red anodized metal. From a construction standpoint it is very solid. Swapping wheels mid game, with no interruption is awesome. However in practice, it is an area of concern. Initially it slid back and forth smoothly. However, after one month it became progressively stiffer. Attaching the QR system is not a trouble free process. Over time this has caused metal dust to accumulate on both the wheel rim and wheel base QR system. There are also significant metal scratches on the QR of the CSW base as a result of this friction. Given that this is a primary feature of the CSW and the cost of the wheel, this is concerning. Fanatec has stated that the QR system has been revised for the production units. I hope this is the case. I also took the liberty to apply some good old WD-40. This helped the problem a bit.
The BMW GT2 Rim is not light. Without going into specifics, this weight creates a dampening effect on the wheel. This reduces the FFB effects transmitted by the game. The rotational speed of the wheel is also reduced. Overall this is not a huge issue, but it did affect my gameplay. More on this later.
Finally, as small as it may seem, my BMW logo was crooked. If this was a Honda rim, I would not give a crap. But BMW holds a certain weight in the automotive world and hell, I am paying for that licensing. I have visited the BMW factory in South Carolina, and every single logo is hammered on each BMW with a true sense of pride and honor. Fanatec has stated that this will be fixed in the production units. Again, I hope so.
(I added a piece of yellow tape to the top of the rim to give it a more race car feel)
Formula Rim
The Formula Rim is just as solid as the GT2 Rim, if not more so. I personally like the glossy black plastic and shiny metal surfaces, but others may think differently. Again, it feels like you are holding a real race car wheel. It is not a replica of any one specific Formula 1 car. To be honest, it reminds me more of a Le Mans Prototype wheel rim. Regardless, it fits the bill for any car that does not require copious amounts of opposite lock. The LED display on the Formula Rim is the same size as the one on the BMW GT2 Rim, however, the rev lights are larger.
The button placement is again great. It is easy to program buttons that are close to the thumbs for functions like DRS and KERS in F1 2010/11. The paddles are smaller than the BMW GT2 Rim. They are fully adjustable and replaceable as well. It did take some time to get used to the small paddles, but after extensive use in GT Academy, I never found myself looking for a paddle or missing a gear.
The Alcantara on the Formula Rim seems to be a little less prone to wear compared to the BMW GT2 Rim. I have not experienced any pealing. The Alcantara still has a tendency to matt down and needs to be maintained. Over long periods of play I found it very comfortable. The wholes where your fingers rest are adequately sized. Again, the grips are perfectly sized.
The problems with the quick release as described above are also present with the Formula Rim as it uses the exact same system.
One key area of difference is the Formula Rim's weight. It is significantly lighter than the BMW GT2 Rim and as a result is more precise in game. Again, more on this later.
No crooked logos or buttons to report. However, there is some circuitry exposed on the back of the wheel. Keep your drink far away. As long as I am driving a car that does not require a large amount of opposite lock, I actually prefer the Formula Rim. When I got it, I thought to myself I would return. I am not a big fan of Formula style cars. I am keeping it now.
(Again, sorry for the purple)
Right off the bat I am, the CSPV2s are a big step up for me. I am used to the G25's pedals and to be honest, from the day I got them I wanted more. I ended up replacing the brake spring for a stronger one and added a foam insert to give a more progressive feel. All stopgaps. If you take driving serious then you know that pedal control is arguable more important than steering.
Now on to the actual construction and design. If any of you are familiar with the T500RS pedals, these are of that level (construction and design). They are extremely solid. The contrasting metal foot rest is a nice touch and the pedals are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. One extremely nice element is the surface of the pedals. You can actually drive with bear feet! Imagine that. The edges are also rounded so the pedals do not dig into your feet like the G25 when wearing socks. These two things may not seem like a big deal, but in practice they are very welcome.
The pedals are fully adjustable with multiple positions. Another welcome feature and a theme of the ClubSport line of products. The hydraulic mechanism behind the brake pedal seemed to be a little fragile at first glance but is a sturdy piece of kit. Accessing the springs and load cell for adjustment is easy and painless. The rubber grips secure the pedals reasonably well on a smoother surface, but like the CSW base, you will want to bolt this thing down.
I really have only two complaints in regards to the CSPV2. The first is the cable connection is below the wheel and inaccessible when hard mounted and still a pain to access otherwise. The second is the glue used to secure the Fanatec logo and rubber floor grips. Both of these components where peeling off when I opened my package. This was likely due to the 98 degree heat when the package arrived. This is a relatively small issue, but at this price, not one that deserves to be overlooked.
(Photo credit: Amar212 and Fanatec)
Continued in next post...
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3[ Edited ]
Software Compatibility
The CSW supports both the PS3 and PC. On the PC you get a drive much like what you get when you plug in a G25 or T500RS. You obviously do not get this on the PS3. However, most games officially support Logitech wheels. GT5 officially supports the T500RS. No console game "officially" supports the CSW. No console game has been "made to officially support" the CSW, because no console game has been made after the CSW, because the CSW is not even out yet. However, still with me?, the CSW has "Logitech driver emulation". This means that if a game supports the G25/G27, it supports the CSW. So, if a game works well with the G25/G27 it will work well with the CSW and vice versa. Simply hold the two black buttons on the bottom of any CSW rim for 3 seconds and your PS3 will think it is a G25. Think of this as backwards compatibility on the fat PS3. As a result of this software emulation and the buttons being unmarked on the CSW wheel rims, it can be a bit of a challenge to map inputs to each of the buttons. Once you figure out what is what, it is not so bad. Obviously official support will solve this. Other than that, the CSW functions just like any other supported FFB wheel. That being said, worry not, almost every game feels better with the CSW.
On the PS3 I have tried Gran Turismo 5, Formula 1 2010, Formula 1 2011, DiRT 1-3, Need For Speed Shift 1-2, and GRiD. They are all perfectly functional Just because they work, does not mean they work well. And just because they don't work well, does not mean it is the CSW's fault. Of these games only 4 are even worth playing with a wheel, let alone one as advanced as the CSW: GT5, F1 2011, F1 2010 and DiRT 3. If are a serious console sim racer then really the only option on the PS3 is GT5. The F1 and DiRT series are fun, but this wheel is not designed for "fun" games. I will go into more detail about how the CSW performs in various games in a later section.
On the PC I have played: iRacing, rFactor 2 Beta, pCARS Alpha, GTR2, GT Legends, GTR Evolution/Race07, NetKar Pro, Richard Burns Rally, F1 2010, F1 2011, DiRT 3 and Live For Speed. This is a significantly broader selection of titles. All work with absolutely no issues.
If I am to be honest, I did expected to run into absolutely at least some compatibility issues during my testing. The fact that every single title I tried worked, is pretty remarkable.
(Image Credit: F-wheel.com)
Hardware Compatibility
The CSW is compatible with both the PC and PS3 via USB. The CSPV2 peddles are compatible with the PS3 only when plugged directly into the CSW. However, they can be used with any other FFB wheel on the PC when plugged in separately via USB. This is the same for all Fanatec Pedals. There will be a Logitech Pedals adapter for the CSW. The CSW is compatible with 2 sets of shifters. It also includes a data port which will be used for attachable rev light indicators and other devices.
(Image Credit: PS3Hax.net)
Overall Performance
It is important to note that "performance" is just as much the game's task as it is the wheel's task. If a game has bad FFB and physics, it is likely the wheel will perform poorly. Keep this in mind. For the sake of clarity lets define "overall performance". By this I mean over every game, in general, how does the product carry out it's intended function? How well does the wheel transmit the signals the game is sending to you and the signals you are sending to the game(FFB)? How well do the pedals replicate your inputs?
I am happy to report that this is where the CSW excels. This is by far the best FFB I have ever felt in a wheel. It is so good it is hard to describe. I think the best way to convey this is to simply say, it feels like driving a REAL car! There is NO, I repeat, NO deadzone. You move the wheel 1 centimeter, you move in the game. Even the T500RS has a slight deadzone, while the Logitech wheels have quite a pronounced one. FFB is delivered smoothly with absolutely no cogging, grinding, irregularity, unnecessary jolting or lag. This is stark contrast to the T500RS and the Logitech series of wheels. This wheel really sets a new standard for FFB. When I got my G25, I was impressed, yet I knew it could be better. With the CSW I honestly have to question how much better a FFB wheel could deliver FFB. I think you would have to take a seat in a Formula 1 team's simulator to find out.
When you play a racing sim on a console (or PC), with a normal stet up, you rely completely on the wheel's feedback, the visuals in the game and the sounds in the game to keep the car under control. Having had the opportunity to drive the new Ford Focus ST at a sponsored event in New Jersey, I came away with a startling realization. My CSW provided more steering feedback (ignoring G forces) than an actual real life car's (electric) steering system. In fact, with the proper game setup, I would compare it to the Subaru BRZ I drove a couple of weeks ago. If you have read anything about that car, then you know that is a huge compliment. Please note, I do not think I am a driving god. Still 83rd in this year's GT Academy is not too shabby.
While performance is relatively similar with either the BMW GT2 Rim or the Formula Rim, there are some differences. The BMW GT2 rim is heavier and wider. This results in more stress being put on the CSW's motors. Consequently it is slower to rotate and has dampened FFB effects. The slower rotation is not very noticeable. I will post some videos later on the demonstrate this. The dampened FFB effects only have a negative impact if the game has weak effects. This can also be slightly remedied by adjusting some settings on the tuning menu. When Fanatec produces similar wheels in the future, I hope they are lighter.
The Formula rim being lighter and of a small diameter turns quicker, more precisely and transmits more subtle effects. If absolute precision driving is required, this is the best wheel to use. That being said, if you plan on sliding or catching said slide, this is not the wheel to use.
Finally, this wheel is absolutely quiet. The G25 basically moonlights as a meat grinder. The CSW makes almost no noise when turning. In engineering noise is energy being lost. It has a very low turning resistance. The fan of the CSW is also very quiet. Even under heavy load with the FFB turned all the way up, and my room at 90 degrees Fahrenheit (I did this for YOU!), the CSW remained cool.
(Image Credit: mclaren777 of NeoGAF)
Again, the CSPV2s are in a different league. They are nothing like the G25 or T500RS. There are no similarities. Besides the obvious benefits of the metal design and well placed pedals this unit provides an amazing driving experience. While I would like a little more spring tension in each pedal (It is possible to replace each spring) overall each pedal has a great feel. The gas is pretty standard. Outside of being a bit more precise and firm it is roughly the same. The brake and clutch are completely different.
In the G25 and T500RS the brake is simply a stiffer spring. They measure input by the distance you press the pedal. The CSPV2 measures input by the pressure you apply to the pedal. Needless to say this completely changes the way you break and consequently the way you drive. The brake still has travel, but it gets progressively hard to push the pedals the further you push it. In conjunction with the RC shock (which you fill with viscous oil) this creates a great braking experience. The brake also has a vibration motor that activates in conjunction with the wheel rim's vibration motor when you press the gas pedal a certain percentage set by the wheel tuning menu. About the only thing I would change is a stiffer spring.
The clutch is another huge success. It has a mechanism (I am not going to bother to describe it. Please refer to the pictures) that mimics the bite point of a real clutch. When you press the pedal half way the resistance decreases. When you release it half way it increases. As far as I am concerned this is the ONLY pedal set on the market (PC or console) that does this. If you like driving with a manual transmission, this easily justified the purchase.
Game Specific Performance
As I stated earlier, how FFB is delivered is most up to the game. It is a fact of life that sim racing games on the PC often have better physics and FFB than their console counterparts. This is even more evident with the CSW. Out of all the console games, GT5 takes best advantage of the CSW. As a result, I will spend most of your time discussing that wheel. I did not have any problems mapping commands to the wheel's buttons or navigating any menus in any game on the console or PC. I am not going to cover every single game I tested. If you want to hear my impression of a certain game, please request it and I will add it to my report.
Given that the CSW uses Logitech drivers on the PS3, what you experience with your G25/G27 is similar to what you experience with the CSW, just better. GT5 has lousy rumble strip effects. Understeer is also transmitted poorly through the wheel. There is no "lightness" or "chatter" feeling commonly associated with understeer. Neither of these things is really the CSW's fault as they are not represent well in other wheels. Beyond that, just about every effect has been enhanced. Of particular note is the detection and correction of oversteer. The lack of deadzone, precision of the wheel and the smoothness of the FFB all come together to give you the exact information you need to correct a slide. In addition the undulations of road surfaces are enhanced. The Nurburgring is now quite bumpy. The wheel oscillation on straightaways is still present from the G25/G27 but it is greatly reduced. This game really comes alive with the CSW. You almost get the sense that the G25/G27 was holding it back.
A perfect example is the Toyota GT86 with comfort medium tires. Having driven the car, I feel this is the best tire setup to replicate the car's real life grip levels. When the car begins to slide and when grip begins to return to the tires is transmitted exceptionally well. I rarely go, "Oh crap, that was too much, too little, or too late". In contrast, with the T500RS I always felt like I was fighting the wheel, not knowing what it was going to do next. In the end it actually made me slower.
In addition the vibration motors provide an excellent early warning system if you like playing with ABS off. This increases the immersion in cars like Miura or Jaguar XJ13. Overall GT5 works exceptionally well with the CSW.
I would also like to note that I extensively played GT Academy with the CSW and Formula Rim. I have NO doubt in my mind this made me faster. That being said, I am sure the top guys could beat me with a DFGT. I know it is ultimately up to the driver, but have good equipment can make a difference. The precision of the CSW and the Formula Rim enabled my rather mediocre driving skill to achieve a top 100 time in the us. For those that have participated in the event, you know how challenging it was. The 370z required absolute pedal control and exacting steering. My times with my G25 were over .8 seconds off. I would sometimes drive for 2 hours straight. Not once did I feel uncomfortable with the wheel.
(Imagine Credit: Me!)
Both games work well with the CSW. The FFB is what it is. Not great, not bad. I have never been a fan of Codemasters physics or FFB. My experience is more than likely a result of this and not something the wheel is doing wrong. Using the Formula Rim does create a really immersive experience, but ultimately this is a case of the wheel surpassing the game. F1 2012 will hopefully official support the CSW and make use of all its features.
The story is ultimately the same with DiRT 3. In fact I would say it is a bit worse. It is kind of like buying a Momo racing wheel for your Ford Fiesta… it is still a Fiesta. The vibration effects are nice but FFB is not nearly as good as rally in GT5.
This wheel was made for this game. If you frequently play iRacing, I strongly recommend you consider this wheel. I used to hate iRacing with my G25. I would lock up, over correct, and be just plain slow. The CSW/CSPV2s immediately fixed this. I know exactly how much grip my tires have. I know exactly how much steering angle I need. I know exactly what the car is doing. I know if I am on concrete, asphalt, curbing or grass. Add that to the working shift lights and gear indicator and the wheel rims matching up with the styles of cars and it is a perfect match. As good as GT5 is with the CSW, you really need to play a sim like iRacing to truly appreciate it.
Arguably the current king of FFB. This point is even easier to argue with the CSW. I never liked rFactor. It just sucked in my opinion. I expected to hate rFactor 2 and I do… except for the physics and FFB. While iRacing is more developed from an overall package standpoint, rFactor 2 has exceptional FFB effects. From rumble to understeer, to oversteer, to weight transfer, to changing grip levels, to curbs, etc. There is such a variety of FFB effects and they are all transmitted beautifully through the CSW. Still, I have to say, for a game in BETA, it is a disgrace.
pCARS (PC) (Coming to PS3… in the future)
PCARS is in pre Alpha testing (by the community). As a result its physics suck. However, I find it has some nice FFB effects with the CSW. If Slightly Mad Studios can get the tire model and physics under their belt I think the CSW will be a worthy wheel for pCARS (actually it is probably the other way around).
Continued in next post...
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3[ Edited ]
Tuning Menu
This is something specific to Fanatec wheels. The biggest advantage of this is being able to adjust the feeling of the FFB for a specific car, track, or game. It is also nice not to have to jump to the driver menu when playing on the PC. Instead of having me explain it to you, I am going to take it directly from Fanatec.
- SEn - Sensitivity: Set degrees of rotation of your wheel between "90°" and "900°". Setting this to off lets the driver control sensitivity.
- FF - Force feedback: Control overall force feedback strength from "10%" to "100%". "Off" setting is also available.
- SHo - Shock vibration: Strength of vibration of two vibration motors located in the rim from "10%" to "100%" + "off".
- AbS - ABS vibration: By using this feature, you can make brake pedal trigger rim vibration and brake pedal vibration (only on CSP and CSP V2 pedals) to let you know when you have reached a certain braking value.
Example: if set to "95%", your wheel's rim and brake pedal will start vibrating when you press brake to "95%", reminding you that you are on the threshold. If set to "off", you will get motor vibration simulation, where your rim will vibrate depending on how much you depress your gas pedal.
Please note that strength of this feature is controlled by the "SHo" setting and can also be disabled there.
- LIn - Linearity setting: This setting can make your steering wheel's inputs nonlinear. If set to "off", your steering axis will be perfectly linear, so that steering input will match your wheel's movement perfectly. Increasing this setting will make your wheel less sensitive around center.
Example: Increasing it all the way to "100%", your steering will make your wheel very unresponsive around center, but increasingly more sensitive when you move it further to left or right.
- dEA - Deadzone: This setting can add a deadzone to your steering wheel's main axis. When set to "off", there will be no deadzone at the center of the axis. Settings between "10%" and "100%" are available, where 100 will give you about 20° of deadzone in each direction. This setting is generally left at "off", but can help you get rid of center oscillation, if you encounter it.
- drI - Drift mode: Can be adjusted from "-3" to "off" and from "off" to "+3". When set between "+1" and "+3", force feedback motors will help you move the wheel in the same direction you are moving it. When set between "-1" and "-3", force feedback motors will resist your movement and behave similarly as a damper force feedback effect. "Off" setting prevents force feedback motors from doing anything else than what the game commands them to.
- For - Forces setting: This setting controls strength of all force feedback effects aside from spring and damper effects. Settings from "off" to 400 are available. When set to 100, force feedback response is at default. Setting it to less than that will make force feedback effect weaker. Setting it higher will make force feedback effects stronger.
- SPr - Spring setting: This setting controls the strength of spring force feedback effect (rarely used in PC simulations). Settings from "off" to 400 are available. "100" is the default value.
- dPr - Damper setting: This setting controls the strength of damper force feedback effect. Settings from "off" to 400 are available, "200" is the current default.
- You can save up to 5 presets.
Tuning Menu Settings
Adjusting the in game tuning menu is critical for getting the proper feel out of the wheel for a given car and a given game. Everyone will have a personal preference, so I will not list every setting I used for every game and every car in every game. I will instead just focus on some base lines for major titles. The most important settings are Abs and For. Abs because brake lock up is different for every car and For because every car has different steering characteristics. In general it is best to adjust FFB strength in the game and leave it at 100 in the tuning menu.
- GT5: (SEn: off, FF: 100, Sho: 100, AbS: 55-85, Lin: off, dEA: off, drI: off, For: 80-140, SPr: off, dPr: off) In game FFB set to 10.
- iRacing: (SEn: off, FF: 100, Sho: 100, AbS: 65, Lin: off, dEA: off, drI: off, For: 110, SPr: off, dPr: off) In game FFB set to 17-18.
- F1 2011: (SEn: off, FF: 100, Sho: 100, AbS: 90, Lin: off, dEA: off, drI: off, For: 90, SPr: off, dPr: off) In game FFB set to 100%.
Presently, I feel the drift mode could be refined. Presently it just feels weird. I do not like the assisted and resistance feelings it gives. The wheel spins fast enough when it is off and the act of drifting is not a problem, so it is not a big deal. It is also important to note that adjusting the SEn setting in most games creates some odd effects with the FBB. It is better, when possible, to adjust the sensitivity in game, not on the wheel.
Drivers and Firmware
The drivers and firmware for this wheel are easy to install. The instructions given by Fanatec are clear and simple. If you are used to using the G25 on the PC, this is basically the same. The wheel does have its own firmware that needs to be periodically updated. I have noticed significant improvements to FFB in all games with each Firmware. This bodes well for the future when the wheel is release. There was a compatibility problem with rFactor 2 but Fanatec addressed the problem in a matter of days. Should any problems occur with future titles, I am confident they will expediently address them.
(Under Construction)
Additional Notes on Quality and Construction
I had a large section of my review dedicated to the fact that my QR system was loose. Significantly loose. This was a large concern when using my wheel as it got worse over time. Luckily, I discovered that this is was due to the screws in the male of the CSW base being loose. Previously, I had only checked one screw, assuming since it was tight, all the screws were tight. This is was a careless mistake on my part. I have now tightened these screws and this problem no longer persists.
That being said, I have noticed that several screws for other components such as the paddle shifters have become loose. Some over time, some upon unboxing. This needs to be noted by Fanatec and relayed to the assembly staff. I feel confident in the materials of the CSW. Everything is high quality. The real question is the assembly of this wheel. At this price, any short coming is worth noting and considering.
Pricing and Value
In case you could not tell I have been coy about mentioning the price of the CSW and its components. There is a reason for this. I do not wish to mislead you, but I also do not wish for you to read this report with a sour taste of hopelessness in your mouth. In case you could not reasonably infer, the CSW is very expensive. Please refer to the FFB Wheel Pricing Chart for more detailed information on how the CSW compared to the competition.
As you can see the CSW is very expensive. Do you remember when the PS3 came out, this is like that. This is where I am going to have to be brutally honest. At this price I fully expect ALL of the issue reported by tester to be fixed in production units. At this price, only the smallest issues are admissible. The BMW GT2 Rim, with its high price, falls heaviest under this scrutiny. Second, I find the pricing of the wheel rims, particularly the BMW GT2 Rim, to be quite high. Psychologically, it is hard to stomach spending more on a wheel rim (BMW GT2 Rim) than an entire wheel set up (G27). That being said, when it comes to performance there is nothing else that matches the CSW.
The value of this wheel and its components depends completely on 3 factors. Remembers those questions I asked you at the beginning of this report?
"The question is, as a Playstation gamer do you need a CSW? Are you just a Playstation gamer? Can you use a CSW? Can you afford a CSW?"
First, I would like to start with the question, "Can you use a CSW?" How interested are you with driving and racing sims. Give the price and performance of this wheel you need to be heavily interested in sim racing and racing in general. It needs to be your passion. Otherwise, the CSW is completely excessive. If you are passionate for sim racing let's move on to the next question.
"Can you afford a CSW?" If the answer is yes, get it. If money is no object, you really do not have any other logical choice. This is the best wheel on the PS3 (and top tier on the PC). It is likely you will either be able to afford this will or you won't be able to afford this wheel. In my opinion if you are considering a T500RS, it is not worth the upgrade over a G27, 911 or CSR wheel. Either save for the CSW or stick with the G27 or other wheels.
The next questions you need to ask are these, "The question is, as a Playstation gamer do you need a CSW?" and "Are you just a Playstation gamer?" The answer to the first question in my opinion is, no. $600-$1000+ is a lot to pay for a wheel for essentially 1-2 games: GT5 and F1. While the CSW works very well with both these games, they do not justify a $600+ purchase. The G27 is not $400-600 worse than the CSW and will serve your needs quite well. Remember it is a pretty good wheel that comes with a lot kit at a reasonable price. If you are solely a Playstation gamer who plays racing sims and you do not have a lot of disposable income the CSW is not the best option.
If you are interested in PC sim racing in addition to PS3 games, the CSW becomes a far more compelling purchase. There are far more games that take advantage of the CSW on the PC. There are even more coming in the future. PC sims will let you truly appreciate everything the CSW has to offer and you are ultimately paying for. Combine this with the PS3 compatibility and the CSW becomes a very compelling purchase. If this describes you, and you have the money, I highly recommend the CSW.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The CSW is the best FFB wheel I have ever used. From the moment you open the package to the moment you use it in game, the experience is exceptional. The wheel provides amazing FFB and truly brings racing sims to life. The pedals equally impressive. I really feel like this product was designed with heart and passion. There are some qualities issues with the BMW GT2 rim and the assembly of the product overall that need to be address and I expect to be address. It is important to weigh both of these factors when considering a purchase.
As a tester I was fortunate to be able to purchase the wheel at a 50% discount. If I had to pay full price, I would not own this wheel. I had to sell all of my paintball gear just to be able to afford the discounted price. For many people this wheel will be out of reach and excessive. Luckily we live in a world were you can get a G27 on amazon for $220. For those that can afford it, the CSW sets a new standard for force feedback wheels. It is the beginning of a legend.
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3[ Edited ]
Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Formula Rim in iRacing:
Introduction to the ClubSport V2 Pedals:
Fanatec ClubSport Wheel BMW GT2 Introduction:
List of improvements made in the manufacturing process that will be a part of the final production wheels:
Depth of holes on the base-side of the quick-release has been reduced. This eliminates any play on the quick-release mechanism because metal balls now have less play.
Dimensions of the base-side part of the quick-release have been slightly reduced to make the rims slide on and off more easily.
Layout of the PCBA inside the BMW M3 GT2 rim has been changed so that paddle shifter does not hit one of the elements if moved closer to the rim.
A shorter cable is now being used to connect quick release pins to the main PCBA inside the CSW base. This solves the issue where the same cable would rub against the main PCBA and produce unwanted noises.
A fixture has been added in production to eliminate any BMW badge alignment issues on the BMW M3 GT2 rim.
Springs and switches inside paddle shifter mechanisms have been changed for higher reliability.
Metal screw inserts are now used for shifter paddle attachment - increased reliability.
Grease is now used for lubrication of paddle shifter mechanisms instead of oil. This prevents potential problems with squeaking.
Belt drive is now better aligned and with optimized inner friction of the drive system.
Sequence of LED shift lights on the BMW M3 GT2 rim has been changed to: YYY-RRR-BBB
Brightness of LED shift lights has been increased on both rims.
Type of Loctite on several screws has changed for easier disassembly.
Position sensor mount has been changed for better stability.
Due to problems with leaking in shipment, different bottles are now used for CSP V2 damper oil.
Here is a quick feature list for the CSW and CSPV2s. When Fanatec's new website is up I will update this section to include what is displayed there.
- ClubSport Wheel Base ($450 USD)
- Full metal construction
- CNC machined
- Compatible with interchangeable wheel rims
- Multiple rims planned for the future (Licensed Formula Rim, Classic Car Rim, Drifting Rim, etc)
- Wheels are hot swappable in game
- Belt drive system
- Mounting holes for future addons (stationary shifters, LCD displays, smartphone holders, etc)
- Adjustable FFB independent of game settings
- Code wheel mounted independent of FFB motors
- High resolution sensors
- Adjustable belt tension
- Dual FFB motors for strong and smooth FFB
- No deadzone
- Quiet motors and cooling fan
- Support for pedal set, two shifters and a data port
- Hard mountable (table clamp sold separately)
- PS3 and PC compatibility
- Translucent "engine cover"
- BMW GT2 Rim ($250 USD)
- Full size BMW GT2 replica
- Officially licensed with genuine BMW logo
- Quick Release System
- Full Alcantara wrapping
- Dual vibration motors
- Adjustable/replaceable medium size metal paddle shifters
- 11 buttons, 1 analog stick, 1 four way Dpad with codewheel
- LED rev light and shift indicator (must be supported by game)
- Formula Rim ($180 USD)
- Formula/Prototype style wheel rim
- Alcantara grips
- Quick Release System
- Dual Vibration Motors
- Adjustable/replaceable medium size metal paddle shifters
- 11 buttons, 1 analog stick, 1 four way Dpad with codewheel
- LED rev light and shift indicator (must be supported by game)
- ClubSport V2 Pedals ($250 USD)
- RC style hydraulic brake with load cell
- Adjustable load cell sensitivity
- Contactless metal sensors for the clutch and gas pedals
- Full metal construction
- Adjustable pedal placement
- Adjustable pedal tension
- Interchangeable springs
- Clutch bite point mechanism
- Hard mounting points
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3
Fantastic write up, I read then re-read every word. It's obvious that you put a great deal of time into this testing project and it is certainly appreciated. I'm also looking forward to Choate's review. I'll be putting a lot of thought into my next wheel purchase as I feel the need to step up in quality. Your reviews couldn't be coming at a better time for me because I very nearly purchased the Thrustmaster but decided to wait until your testing was complete. Thanks!
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3
I read the entire review twice as well. Good Job.
I voted for Choate and am glad that he was chosen as the other tester.
Had I been chosen as the second tester, I would have gladly paid the $550 or whatever deposit and got the Fanatec wheel to test. I would have also kept it, once the test was over , instead of returning it. Having said that, even with your brilliant review, I would not pay the $1100 full retail price for this setup. It sounds cool and all, but does not sound close enough to perfect for me to justify that outlay of cash. The money is not the issue, per se`. I have the casha available. It just sounds like it is aimed squarely at the average BMW owning Ivy League guy with more money to spend than they need. Fanatec will likely find their clientele shall we say "limited". They'll likely put the spin on it that it is an "Elite Product", not for the "common gamer". That is probably pretty close to spot-on accurate.
Anyway in closing, I wish Thomas and Fanatec the best as they move forward with this new product. Also, thanks for giving the PSN Forum and the TPRA the chance to be involved in the selection process. I feel that is the only way that the process was not skewed
( remebering all the "Ghost Accounts" voting for some of the other candidates on the last day)
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3
I agree with you SWERV that the clientel for this product will be limited, it's price will ensure that. From what I've read I'm getting the impression that Fanatec's target audience isn't the "average BMW owning Ivy League guy with more money to spend than I need" category but rather the "serious on line racer" category. The latter (serious racer) is the category that I fit into. I've owned 9 wheels and have had serious issue's with 6 of them. I'm looking for a wheel that has a very high degree of quality and repairability. This wheel's use of billet aluminium instead of plastic is appealing and is a big factor to me. I want something that I can work on and fix if it develops a problem from hard use. I'm tired of "throw away" wheels.
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3[ Edited ]
SSRacing69 wrote:
I agree with you SWERV that the clientel for this product will be limited, it's price will ensure that. From what I've read I'm getting the impression that Fanatec's target audience isn't the "average BMW owning Ivy League guy with more money to spend than I need" category but rather the "serious on line racer" category. The latter (serious racer) is the category that I fit into. I've owned 9 wheels and have had serious issue's with 6 of them. I'm looking for a wheel that has a very high degree of quality and repairability. This wheel's use of billet aluminium instead of plastic is appealing and is a big factor to me. I want something that I can work on and fix if it develops a problem from hard use. I'm tired of "throw away" wheels.
At $1100 for the full package, that certainly would be then "Serious Online Racer", indeed. My thoughts and experiences with wheels and prices:
I've had 6 wheels total since 2004:
GT3 Spec Driving Force ---Price $100
Driving Force GT (#1) Broke- warranteed ---Original price----$150
Driving Force GT ( #2) Broken in the box, took back after 1 hour and exchanged it. Broke again after a few months- Warranteed.
Sold this to my brother, still going
Driving Force GT(#3) Bought from Amazon.com. Broke pedal and D-Pad after a few months, -Warranteed.--Original price-- $85
Drivng Force GT(#4) Warrantee replacement from Amazon. Pedal corner broke after 6 months. Overlaid pedals with Aluminum Pads.
Still have this wheel, packed in it's original box in the closet.
Logitech G27. I bought this wheel for $300 one week before the Official release date. I have had absolutely no mechanical
or breakage issues with this wheel whatsoever. While it may not be "The Best Wheel on the Market"
it is in my opinion, by far the best $300 wheel/ pedal set on the market by a wide margin.
Re: Fanatec ClubSport Wheel & ClubSport V2 Pedals Review - Top End Sim Wheel Comes to the PS3
@SWERV: First, thank you for the kind words.
I think SSR is correct, this wheel is meant for the "SERIOUS" online sim racer. Ivy Leauge grads or students are too haughty and aloof to even be interested in sim racing. As far as the quality concerns go, I agree... they are concerning. If this really matters to you then wait. Wait and see what people say in 6 months. If there are no problems, give it consideration. If there are problems stay with the G27.
Based on my time with the wheel I honestly believe that the base unit's materials will last a long time. Everything is well packaged inside. The materials like I said are top notch. I have seen the inside of a Fanatec 911 Turbo Wheel and the CSW is nothing like it.
On thing I forgot to mention is that if you were to put a genuine Alcantara Sparco wheel rim on your G27 or T500RS is would cost at least $200. Still like I said, it is a lot of money regardless.
Also, should I be the test manager here for any other products, I will be sure to carry out the same vigilant candor.
@SSR: Thank you for your kind words as well.
If you have the money, like I said, I would strongly consider it. I would also strongly consider getting into PC sim racing. If you like GT5 that is great, but if you want to squeeze every bit of value out of the CSW, PC sims are the way to go. However, don't forget, there is another GT coming out in the future. If GT can get official Logitech G25/G27 support, it can get official Fanatec support as well.
It is not necessary to get both rims. It depends on your driving style and what type of car you drive most frequently. It is rumoured (Fanatec asked, and these were the most common responses) that the upcoming wheels will be an official formula 1 rim (probably Mercedes), drifting rim. NASCAR rim and classic racer rim (with real wood).
It is just my personal opinion, but I did not like the T500RS. I know many people share this sentiment (Z06fun for example). There is no question it is more precise and stronger than the G27. But its pedals are severely lacking in feel and its FFB is often more brutish, than precise. Really, it is just the pedals more than the FFB. Trying to brake with them in iRacing is a joke. At the $381 I paid, I would say it is a good deal... but at the $550-600 it is now, I would just save your money.


text:
Dems beginning to panic at Team Obama incompetence?
posted at 8:41 am on June 13, 2012 by Ed Morrissey
The Washington Post offers a slightly more mild headline — "Obama campaign's rough patch concerns some Democrats." The lead sentence from Karen Tumulty demonstrates the reality of the reaction to six straight weeks of stumbling and bumbling from Team O, however:
Is it time for Democrats to panic?
That's what a growing number of party loyalists are wondering, amid a rough couple of weeks in which President Obama and his political operation have been buffeted by bad economic news, their own gaffes and signs that the presumed Republican nominee is gaining strength.
Concerns? Tumulty points to the report from Democracy Corps that warned Obama and his campaign that he has lost credibility on the single most important issue in the election — the economy. James Carville's group warned that Democrats would face "an impossible head wind in November" if the party and Obama's campaign can't figure out a "new narrative," because their attempts at setting the narrative so far have failed miserably. With less than five months to go before the election, and with Mitt Romney just getting started, the bad start for the more experienced of the two campaigns portends deep problems all the way down the ticket for Democrats.
How deep? National Journal's Josh Kraushaar says Romney may be in position to take three big Democratic states in November, any one of which would doom Obama's re-election chances:
With the economy struggling to pick up steam, three must-win "blue-wall" states are looking increasingly winnable for the Romney campaign: Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Both election results (from the Wisconsin gubernatorial recall) and reputable polling show that all three states are shaping up to be highly competitive, and that both campaigns will be devoting significant resources there.
Three new polls underscore why Team Obama has reason to be concerned about their standing in the Rust Belt. An EPIC/MRA poll of Michigan registered voters released last week shows Romney leading Obama, 46 to 45 percent, with only 41 percent viewing the president favorably. In Pennsylvania, a newly-released Quinnipiac poll shows Obama with a 46 percent job-approval rating—in the danger zone for a sitting president—and leading Romney 46 percent to 40 percent. And in Wisconsin, exit polls conducted for the gubernatorial race showed Obama with a 51 percent to 45 percent lead, too close for comfort in a must-win blue-wall state. …
Obama's team expected that the historic Democratic tilt of those states would keep them in its column. But the slow-growing economy is putting them squarely in play, one of the biggest reasons why Obama's reelection now looks in jeopardy.
If this holds up, Democrats may be past the point of hitting the panic button, and perhaps need to be looking for the lifeboats. If Obama loses just one of these states, it's almost impossible for him to win the election. Getting to the point of losing any of these states would mean that Ohio and Florida are probably already out of reach, and Virginia very much in play. Losing two of these states would nearly eliminate any mathematical path to Electoral College victory, and losing all three would mean a landslide victory for Romney. If all three just remain competitive, Obama will have to spend a lot of money and attention on defense in traditional Democratic strongholds, meaning less time and attention in what had been considered swing states like Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Iowa, and the interior West — all of which he won in 2008.
The economy will be the key for these states. If it continues to falter over the summer, Democrats had better switch to a strategy of preserving what they can in the Senate and House. If Republicans become competitive in these key states, Democrats may lose a lot more ground than just the White House.
Related Posts:
Breaking on Hot Air
Even Univision is bailing out on the Puerto Rican Day Parade
"This is way beyond a private server": Four questions on Kushner's "back channel" to Russia
Poland to EU: We won't be blackmailed into taking your refugees
- Morning Coffee Links | Liberty News Network
- Dems beginning to panic at Team Obama incompetence? | Born Conservative
- Apocalyptic Panic At The Black Hole Hillary Is 44
- In the news: Trade document leaked, revealing new corporate powers | A View From The Middle (Class)
- Column: Obama is the Candidate of Fear | Washington Free Beacon | The Busy Post
- Logarchism » Reëlection Watch: June 16, 2012
- Supreme Court health-care ruling likely to have long-term fallout « The Jeenyus Corner
Their only hope is a massive October Surprise.
You can bet that there are a number of newspapers and networks that have teams digging deep into Romney's and all major Republicans' pasts, and I would be very surprised if one of them can't "dig up or make up" something.
That is why I am concerned the we not allow this to be a popularity contest – the media can "fix" one of those. What Romney and the Republicans should be going after is not just smaller government, but cleaner government, cleaner elections, and rooting out crony capitalism. There are billions to be saved that way too!
We conservatives may have lived next door to the Dems' fertilizer planet so long we don't really smell it any more, and we are fatalistic about changing it. But there are millions of Americans who have never caught a wiff of the stench from inside their media-enabled bubble, and we need to start changing that.
drunyan8315 on June 13, 2012 at 2:50 PM


text:
Texas Folklife Festival 2009
Texas Folklife Festival recruiting volunteers
By James M. Benavides
Public Affairs Specialist
(May 5, 2009)--The 38th annual Texas Folklife Festival is recruiting volunteers to assist in the three-day celebration of Texas cultural heritage, June 12-14 at the Institute of Texan Cultures on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus.
Today's headlines
- La Prensa Foundation is newest member of UTSA Lone Star Society
- UTSA alumna Jordan Kaufmann wins $50K for new stent-graft start-up
- UTSA begins new way-finding sign installation this summer at Main Campus
- USA Today: UTSA long jumper Tyler Williamson rescues three-year-old boy
Article tools
Volunteers can serve as festival guides, greeters, traffic control and in many other roles. It takes more than 1,000 volunteers to make the Texas Folklife Festival a success. By working a four-hour shift, a volunteer earns a wristband good for admission for all three days of the festival. So, join up and be a part of the fun. The festival will feature music, dance, ethnic foods, artisan demonstrations, family activities and more.
Job descriptions and individual or corporate/group applications are available at the Texas Folklife Festival Web site. (Select the "Volunteers" link.)
Volunteer applications and job descriptions for individuals and groups or businesses are available at the Texas Folklife Festival Web site. (Select the "Volunteers" link.) For more information, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com or call the volunteer hot line at (210) 458-2216.
Volunteers are asked to attend one orientation session, 6-7 p.m. May 20 or May 21, in the auditorium at the Institute of Texan Cultures, 851 Durango Blvd. For volunteer training sessions, parking is available in the employee entrance off Durango Boulevard closest to Bowie Street.
The Institute of Texan Cultures is an agency of the Vice President for Community Services at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The mission of the Institute of Texan Cultures is to engage lifelong learners in the understanding and celebration of Texas cultural heritage. Established as the Texas State Exhibits Building for HemisFair in 1968 and later designated as a campus of UTSA, the museum seeks to entertain, inspire and educate those who seek a greater understanding of the influence of multiculturalism in the Lone Star State. Resources for multiple audiences are available at the museum's Web site, TexanCultures.com.


text:
May 20 - 22, 2013Pan American Life Conference Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
May 20 - 22, 2013
Pan American Life Conference Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Resource CenterCheck our resource center for relevant information, articles, interviews, podcasts and more!
Download the Agenda
Download the 2013 Speaker eBook
View the Current Attendee Snapshot
Download Sponsor Information Pack
Mark Your Calendar
Tell a Colleague
Join the Customer Experience Community on LinkedIn
Become a CallCenter IQ Member and receive our weekly newsletter!
Download the all-new Customer Experience Summit Brochure to see what's new to 2013
Interested in Exhibiting?
Download the Sponsorship Prospectus and find out how your company can gain excellent exposure to key decision makers and buyers seeking solutions for improved results.
If you are traveling from California, we'll pick up part of the tab!
Find out how by emailing us at firstname.lastname@example.com
Join the conversation on Twitter.
Follow @cusexpsummit and tweet #CXSummit
Take a look at who's already signed up for this year's event. You don't want to miss it!
The 5th Customer Experience Summit will provide key insights and strategies for designing, implementing and managing the evolving multichannel customer experience in a dynamic environment. Join our unrivaled group of driven, customer-facing executives from established Fortune 500 powerhouses and fast-rising innovators as they piece together the critical components of customer experience excellence. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain critical tools that will give you competitive advantage by providing the best overall customer experience across all traditional and modern channels as differentiator.
Traditionally, brands have relied on marketing strategies revolving around pushing products through expensive advertising campaigns, rich print and online collaterals to gain market share. Now, pre- and post-purchase delivery of service and information to customers is redefining the way brands are perceived by their audiences. Companies in the US invest billions of dollars a year on customer service activities;yet poor customer experience costs about $80 billion a year in lost sales, with more than 60% of those unhappy customers opting for a competitor.
This cross industry event brings together senior-level professionals from a diversity of industries with responsibilities in:
If you provide customer interaction optimisation solutions, this event is the perfect opportunity to showcase your products and services. Conference sponsorship offers a wide range of benefits irrespective of your company size or market share.
Take the initiative and book your space to position your company as a market leader! Email email@example.com or call us at 1-866-232-8660.
Questions about IQPC's Conferences, Events or Training Seminars? Contact us on 1-800-882-8684 or email firstname.lastname@example.com now! © 2013 IQPC.


text:
Time is money. That's why we make it easy and fast for you to create shipments online, track, and manage your business--all on ups.com.
My UPS is an easy way to make the most of your relationship with UPS. It's your entry point for all UPS service offerings; access billing, shipping, and tracking from one central location. If you're looking for convenience, My UPS is the right place to start.
Fast and convenient, UPS Internet Shipping makes your shipping details accessible from one screen and lets you tailor your options. The result is a seamless and easy shipping experience right at your fingertips.
Automate your high-volume global shipping and eliminate tedious manual processes with WorldShip®. Gain access to the full range of UPS shipping services while remaining compliant and reducing costly errors.
Whether you're shipping clothes or medical equipment, your shipments need to get to their destinations safely. Read up on basic shipping instructions or get customised packaging guidelines with the Packaging Advisor tool.
UPS Tracking technology gives you more shipment visibility and lets you access shipment information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Give your customers the ability to check the status of their order delivery with just a few clicks, while you focus your efforts on things like product support or order completion.
Tracking isn't just for outgoing shipments--Quantum View® gives you complete shipment visibility across your supply chain, right from your desktop. Watch all shipping activity, pinpoint and resolve potential issues, and create automatic delivery notifications for your customers.
Running your business is already time-consuming--instead of taking every shipment to a UPS location, you can schedule pickups right from your office. Plan predictable daily pickups or use a UPS On-Call Pickup® any time for added flexibility.
Get the most from your shipping and tracking experience with My UPS
The power of UPS at your fingertips: walk through the shipping process step by step.
Across town or around the world, we've got you covered. See what we can do for you.
Increase delivery speed while you decrease shipping and accounting hassles. See how.


text:
SBIFF Movie Spotlight: A Year in Champagne
Taking a glimpse at how the world's most famous sparkling wine is made
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - From the same filmmakers that brought you the highly successful, A Year in Burgundy, at last year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival, comes A Year in Champagne. It is the second in a series of three 90-miute wine films slated for general release.
Whether it's a party, a celebration, or a special occasion, a good glass of champagne seems to always accompany the festivities. But has anyone ever stopped to think just how this delicious wine is made and how laborious the process of making it really is? A Year In Champagne answers that curiosity by taking the viewer on a behind-the-scenes look, to explore the world of champagne and how it is made.
From growing the grapes, to fermenting the sparkling wine a second time after it has been bottled, the film follows the wine-making process of six houses in the province of Champagne, France. Not only is this region's environment desperately hard for wine-making, but the wine-makers must battle the worst weather season Champagne has seen in recent years. Will they overcome this tremendous hurdle from mother nature, or will their harvest be destroyed entirely?
A Year in Champagne is such a poetic masterpiece that even the editing and pacing of the film mirrors the process of how the wine is made. The art of making champagne is remarkable to see on screen, and whether you're a wine lover or not, watching this film will leave an everlasting impression, and an appreciation for champagne that will forever change how the world's most famous sparkling wine is viewed.
Writer, narrator, senior producer, and director of the film, David Kennard, recently discussed A Year in Champagne with NewsChannel 3.
Where did you find the inspiration to make this film?
This is the second film of a Trilogy of wine films: the first one, A Year in Burgundy, was premiered a year ago, at SBIFF. The original inspiration was the idea to make films about people, real characters, the artist/artisans who dream up the perfect wines: where do they get their inspiration? And how does it work out in reality in the course of a year?
How did you decide which six houses were going to be featured in the film? Was it difficult to narrow it down to just six?
We feature six houses that the star of the film, Martine Saunier, knows personally as a wine expert and importer: they all produce excellent champagne, some are bigger and more famous than others. But the key thing is: she knew the people already. That's why it's such a personal film.
What did you learn about your subject in making this film that you didn't know before?
How to make champagne! Really! It's far more complicated than ordinary wine-making.
Can you talk about the challenges you and your crew faced while making A Year in Champagne? Feel free to share a story or two.
The chief problem was the weather. Champagne had one of its worst years – certainly until the beginning of August – in the records. Rain, rain, rain. Not good for wine-making, not good for film-making. We were sometimes stuck for what to film during our June ("summer") visit: they're not doing much inside the wineries at that time of year. We even contemplated doing a film with Bouchon, a terrier (like in the film L'Artiste), who's one of the stars of our film: a winery dog of great character .
What were some of the most fun and joyous moments that you encountered when making the film? Do you have any stories you would like to share?
Well, the people of Champagne certainly know how to party! They love going down into their HUGE cellars – often half a mile long! – and digging out some special bottles – meaning very old, or very good vintages. Then they'll open half-a-dozen, and there's your party! The day when we filmed the Balloon-Ride, the ceremonial opening of the 40 and 50 year-old magnums and then the food and dancing at the Gonet-Médeville family mansion: there was a party day indeed. It all went on for nearly 12 hours…
The photography is beautiful and it looks like you really took your time to get it right. How long did the film take to make? And was it longer then you expected?
Like all of these films, we have filmed in all four quarters of the year. It was always planned that way. We also film nearly every scene with two cameras, sometimes three. We absolutely take our time: a minimum of two months' detailed filming for each film.
What was your favorite Champagne wine from the ones featured in your film? And why?
Honestly, they're all fantastic wines: they're all the very best category of champagnes you can taste anywhere. I have a sentimental attachment to "Bolly", favorite drink of the British King Edward VII – formally known as Bollinger Champagne. But It's truly no "better" than the top of the line bottles from the tiny producers like Saint-Chamant.
Any upcoming projects in the works?
Yes indeed, the third film of the Trilogy, A Year in Port. We hope to be here at SBIFF next year with that one. It's all filmed. Editing starts next month. Visit ayearinchampagne.com for news.
How do you feel having had A Year in Champagne be accepted into the 29th Santa Barbara International Film Festival?
Very proud. We were very proud last year to have the Burgundy film accepted by SBIFF, and as a direct result we got a major distributor, and when we released the film in November 2013, we had huge and immediate results on iTunes and other Video on Demand portals, followed by massive DVD sales in December (see ayearinburgundy.com). Thank you SBIFF !
Is there a message you would like audiences to leave with after watching this film?
Think of the work, but more important, think of the real artistry that goes into a good bottle of wine, when you sip it. Real artists created that taste, hoping to bring a smile to your lips.
Is there anything else you would like to say about your film that I did not ask?
Yes. This is a wine film you should see (like the Burgundy film) even if you're not a big wine fan. These are films about people.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and give us a deeper, behind the scenes look into A Year in Champagne.
A Year in Champagne will screen at the 29th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Saturday, February 1 at 7:20 p.m. at the Metro 4 Theater. On Sunday, February 2 at 11 a.m. at the Lobero Theater. And on Tuesday, February 4 at 10:20 p.m. at Metro 4 Theater.
For ticket information and movie schedules, visit www.sbiff.org