You could always add a button controller to it. It's actually quite easy. The HandB+ and Shift+ are both based on momentary toggle switches.

Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Hey guys. I thought I'd let you know that we released our new 1.02 SLI Plugin Pack for the line of SLI Gauges:

G25 SLI
SLI
SLI Kit


Download


SLI Plugin Pack 1.02 Features

• All new GUI (Graphical User Interface) to manage all pugins and the test utility for the SLI (except for lfs at this moment)
  
• SLI now supports rFactor, ARCA, LFS, GTR, GTL, GTR2, and NASCAR 2003
  
• Invert gear display option (all games)
  
• Flashing pit speed limiter warning option (all games accept rFactor)
  
• Flashing stall warning option (all games)
  
• Capability to save 6 different profiles
  
• The ability to start the SLI plugin manually, or automatically detect what game you are playing, and start the corresponding plugin for the SLI for that game
  
• Mod selector for NASCAR 2003
  
• LFS Plugin with dynamic max RPM (the max RPM will change when you change cars automatically)
  
• Sliders to control the percentage of RPMs at which each LED lights up
  
• Reset button to bring you back to default settings
  
• Simple, automatic installer
  
• more to come...

Future Improvements in Testing

• Comprehensive help files
  
• This program will become more optimized and easier to use with subsequent versions

Future plugins being developed

• Race
  
• Race07
  
• netKar Pro
  
• Richard Burns Rally
  
• Need for Speed Series
  
• Test Drive Unlimited
  
• Colin Mcrae Dirt

Please report any issues to our support forum in our forums. This is an early release so there are bound to be issues.

Actually, we use the Z-5500's on our big motion simulators so measurements wont be necessary.

Quote from Nathan_French_14 :

i dont own these speakers, but the skin does look nice however.

Do you reckon that in the future, you may consider making some skins for the Z-5500? I own a set of these, and it would be awesome to have something like this on them. Im just thinking about whether it is actually possible, as i dont think its possible just to slap them on like the G51?

I suppose I could..... It would be much more difficult to attach. Th G51 has a clear plastic bit that snaps over the paper to attach it. With the z-5500's, you'd have to make it a sticker.

I can certainly design the sticker, but printing it might be a little expensive. You can probably get it done at a sign shop.

No problem enjoy

Let me know if this works.

Here you go. It's not my best work, but rather a quickie for you.

I don't own a set of these speakers, so I have no idea where the logos will end up. Let me know if you need them moved. I also bumped up the resolution to 150 dpi (makes for a better print).

Last edited by CXC_Simulations, Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:31.

Quote from Rotatox :

I have no idea what tactile transducers are??

Oh well, these things are fantastic. Essentially, they are very large vibration motors. Think of it as a silent sub woofer. See http://www.thebuttkicker.com/ and SRT episode 4 for more information. They add a lot of immersion.

Quote from Rotatox :

Ok so to get my existing guages to work i need that aircore thing, and the nitro board thing correct?

Is it then just a matter of ripping off the internals of my current cluster and mounting the air core behind the tacho and speedo, then i presume a program is needed to calibrate it? IS that essentially it?

The australian rx7 version came out with a 280kph speedo and a 9k rpm tacho so i think this would be enough, i might try a source one down. I would only bother doing all this if the factory guages works. dont really want aftermarket guages in there...just wouldnt feel right

From what I understand, you'll need the Nitro card, power cable, usb cable, and an aircore motor for each gauge you want to use. You can simply reuse your gauge faces and needles I suppose. I've never actually used Beta Innovation products as they are technically a competitor, but from what I've heard, they are relatively easy to install and setup.

Let us know how it goes!

Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Quote from Rotatox :

In regards to guages...you have no idea how much i want them to function. Unfortanately i have absolutely no idea on how to do it so it wont be getting done (for now at least). I will probably eventually get them to light up at least, i dont see that as too hard, but that can wait till its painted etc

Hey there. Very nice cockpit! I love this new trend in using real car cockpits to make sim rigs. Are you using any tactile transducers? What sort of display do you plan to use?

I hate to advertise for a competitor , but if you wanted your analog gauges to work, you could use this http://www.betainnovations.com/store/product_nitro.html to control them. You would also need some air core drivers (which they also sell). The only downside to this arrangement is the price and the fact that you are locked into a certain rev range by using a printed gauge face.

Alternatively, you could use one of our SLI gauges. We will be releasing a non-wheel specific, cockpit-mount version next week. It would be less "authentic" than the analog gauge setup though

Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Hi Tweaker,

I can understand your reservations. I noticed you are located in California. We have several simulators setup in So. CA. I'd be more than happy to set up a proper demonstration for you if we are within your area.

I convinced we can convert you yet

Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Quote from w126 :

You must admit you are a little biased here. For me your product is really strange, an inferior solution (wheel and pedals not moving) still in the price range of FD 301, i.e. not affordable for a hobbyist. At the same time a device similar to yours can be built several times cheaper (SimConMOTION).

Of course I'm biased! I own the company

But seriously, I just think our simulators are two different answers to the same question. Some people will like ours and some people will like theirs. I can accept that

That being said, you should definitely try both simulators (if possible) before deciding which is for you. Looks can be very deceiving. Just because one is much bigger and moves to greater ranges does not necessarily mean it will feel more real to you in the cockpit. I realize finding 2 of these simulators near you is going to be difficult, but if you get the chance, let us know what you think.

Thanks for the exposure Darin!

To answer some questions:

Foot Vibration - Powerful race cars have this effect. The time I dove a 125 shifter kart, I had the same exact thing happen to me. The term escapes me at this moment, but racers have a name for it. If not kept in check it get's really bad. Ie: your foot bounces on the throttle, the engine revs at this harmonic making your foot move more. You see where this is going. I think that the fact that this happens in our simulator is a testimate to it's realism. I've had several race car drivers say the same thing.

The FD 310 - Plain and simple, it is just another interpretation of a motion system. We're different. I've put many hours in an FD 301 and for me, this approach was better. But, that being said, other people may like their approach better. I think we do it better in a smaller cheaper package. But as we say in the US, that's why we have Ford and Chevy. Not everyone wants the same thing. I also happen to be a huge fan of Force Dynamics. As a fellow engineer, I really enjoy their fabrication techniques and workmanship. They made me want to get in the simulation business!

Thanks for the interest guys. Let me know if you have anymore questions

Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Quote from ajp71 :

Given the fact that your product is marketed to (and can only) be fitted to one wheel wouldn't it be worth e-mailing Logitech to get an official stance on what it would do to a warranty and get something definitive (it might even be positive) that you can post on the site?

Logitech hasn't yet responded to our inquiries unfortunately

Quote from ajp71 :

As for a standalone version for $110, you've got to be joking and exchange rates are good atm. I really can't see how what is basically one LCD number, a few LEDs, a circuit board and a wire can set you back more than £5 in parts, then you've got to make a little box for it to go in, you must still have a good profit from £20. The hard part (for the average person) is getting it interfaced with the computer and all the software. There are reprogrammable chips with a USB interface that could easily do this for under £20 so really I can't see how the product without the carbon fibre isn't mainly mark up.

Well, given that our gauge is based on the CST/Leo Bodnar shift light circuit board ($55 and available to anyone) those numbers are slightly off. Try also taking into account the CNC mill work and a few more internal components as well as things like packaging. Let me just say that the cost of building one of these is much higher than the profit margin by a long shot.

You also mentioned the software interface; this is one of our big points. We've been working in conjunction with CST to develop new plugins for a variety of simulations. This has actually proved to be quite a bit more costly than originally thought. Surprising really considering how simple the device actually is.

That's about as far as I want to go on the cost subject.

I freely encourage people with the will and skills to make there own version using the aforementioned shift light kit from CST. As I have said before, this product is design as a plug and play device. No (well, minimal) assembly needed.

Quote from Madman_CZ :

edit: Before installation maybe too late, but i guess they can always return the product if they wish.

The G25 SLI comes with a 30 day return policy Baring any damage to the gauge that would prevent resale of course.

Very good point there Mad. How about something like "Please check your wheel's warranty before installation"?

Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Quote from Madman_CZ :

I have just been looking at the CXC website and do they actually state anywhere or warn people that it voids the warranty of their wheel when installing the SLI? I certainly didn't find it

Legally, we cannot comment on our site regarding other companies warranties. I'm pretty certain I wouldn't want Logitech commenting on ours.

It is expected that the customer read both warranties and get a clear understanding of what's allowed and what's not.

That being said, it's actually remarkably simple to install. It should take the average user (with very little DIY skill and the included tool) 5-10 min to install it.


For those not interested in the steering wheel mod approach, we will soon be releasing our "stand-alone" SLI meant for cockpit mounting. It will obviously be even easier to install and $10 cheaper than the G25 SLI. We will also be offering it in kit form for those who already have the CST Shift Light or who want to save a little more money.


I like the ABS idea and I promise to look into it, but again the face plate is not the only major cost here. There are many other little parts that add up. I wish I could show you our parts list with prices, I'm sure you'd be surprised.

For the skeptics, please let me know if there is someone else selling ready to use gauges cheaper than we are. I've looked and haven't seen any other competitors even close to our price range.

I'm really trying to please everyone here. I'm open to any suggestions you guys have


Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Any interest in a G25 SLI Special Edition?

Only difference would be the silver carbon plate. It would cost $10 more though as the silver carbon is more expensive.

The G25 SLI has been reviewed in this month's AutoSimSport Magazine!

I'm pleased to report it got a 9 out of 10! The small issues mentioned about warnings in the instructions have been noted and fixed already

Check it out here.

I'd like to extend my thanks to the AutoSimSport staff for the opportunity. It was a fantastic issue!

Provantage - $224.33
Securemart - $224.46
TigerDirect - $224.99

A Quick look at motherofalldeals.com history shows that TigerDirect seems to have a big sale on on the G25 bundled with a PS2 game for $190-200 every month or so. Might be worth waiting a bit


Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Last edited by CXC_Simulations, Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:35.

Quote from WickedShot :

Echo other's statements about your asking price for this add-on, especially for a product that you can buy without your carbon fiber plate. All you're basically doing, is installing this shift light into your plate and charging an extra $65 USD for the troubles (or is the light even installed in the plate or is this an end user install?)! Add to that, your mounting plate is $10 USD more than the shift light itself!! I find it hard to believe that your material cost's and so-called exhaustive testing warrants that.

The unit it's self is fully assembled and ready to install. To risk sounding like a broken record: There are more components that lead to the overall costs in this product other than the carbon plate. Please see earlier posts for a more detailed description.

Quote from WickedShot :

This shift light was designed and built from a project that Todd Cannon and Leo Bodnar came up with earlier in the year. They offer these for $55 USD that you can get by visiting the RSC thread that started it all. As I have been following the progress of this collaboration (and subsequently bought one of these lights), at no time did I ever see your name mentioned in the design process of this unit. They did the work, all you're doing is offering an expensive plate and to top it off......not even giving them credit as the principal designers of this light! They would be the one's (more specifically, Leo B) to come up with a USB controller that additional buttons could be added, etc. It would be wise of you to be a little more forthcoming in your sales pitch.

Yes it was. I never said it wasn't. Nor do I think crediting every vendor we use for this product. Would you prefer I credit the person who layed up the carbon fiber, the person who made the molds for the composite enclosure, the person who makes the retractile cable etc.? Leo is an OEM supplier. Companies like ours purchase components from him and other vendors to add to our own products.

People can indeed purchase the bare gauge board separately. In fact, we well be selling them that way shortly on our website very soon (at $55). As I have said before, this product was meant for the kind of person who doesn't want to hassle with fabricating an enclosure or wiring it. For those who do, we will offer the board bare. It's up to you.

Quote from CSU1 :

What you have done here is kill your product in two way's:
1). introducing it to potential customers on the fly/cheap in a public forum doesn't say a whole lot for your teams marketing knowhow(lack of)

This is certainly not the only place we announced this product.

Quote from CSU1 :

2). Introducing a product a top notch prices creates expectaions of supreme build quality and backup support/community discussions on said product(neither).
Imo if you had of thought how you where going to introduce a product to sim racing community's for five minutes you would have quickly learned that putting aside the first batch of a dozen or so could have been used as freebies to intorduce your product FIRST and get feedback/oppinions FIRST.
But, you jumped on the band wagon boasting a price tag too expensive in the tooth for many, and ended up getting flamed. All your doing my friend.
The whole thing smells of poor planning and marketing.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. You wanted us to make the first batch free? This certainly does not seem to make good business sense to me.

If you wanted opinions, here's one from a customer that just received his:

"Well, I got my G25 SLI about 11:10, and after mounting it to the G25 and dropping the drivers in the right rfactor folder, I was cruising around Road America at 11:24, a whole 14 minutes from the time it came through my door. It was actually an easier install than the G25 itself! Thanks for taking already one of the best, and most accessible hardware add ons (for those of us with lives) the G25, and taking it to a whole new level. It is with your ingenuity and work that some day, even a guy like me who has no idea how to even approach wiring, and rigging a home cockpit, can one day dream of actually having a completely immersive "plug-and-play" simulator."

We may be getting flamed here, but it seems only the negative are vocal. The fact is, we sold out our first batch (which is great) and our customers are happy with their purchases (the most important thing). Besides, I don't mind a little constructive criticism. It helps us create better products. For instance: We are now looking into versions with buttons and cockpit mount versions based on comments gleaned on this very forum. So it's really a positive for us

Well, I'm happy to report that we have completely sold out of our first batch The next batch will be twice as large and will be ready for shipping in 7 days. Our site is still taking orders on a pre-order basis.

I just want to say thank you to all of our "early adopters" and I look forward to all of your pictures and reviews!

Quote from dawesdust_12 :

I would buy one if I did have the money, the difference being is I wouldn't modify my G25 at all, I would slot my desk and install it into my desk.

That's very interesting. I wonder how many people would be interested in a dash mount version? This version theoretically could be slightly cheaper (less material) and non-wheel specific. I always thought about making one, but there would have to be enough interest in it to warrant an entire run. Please feel free to comment.


Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

OK, then. I'll try to answer everyone's questions in one post:

Why Carbon - It's very light. To minimize the impact on the Force Feedback effects, you have to make it as light as possible. This is especially true the further you get away from the center of the rotational axis point of the wheel. The entire unit (including the coil cable) weighs just 110 grams.

We did investigate alternatives to carbon fiber. Aluminum certainly was an option, but to achieve the strength we were after, the plate would have to be near twice as thick. This would affect the overall weight as well as the cross section. In the beveled section for the lights, it would be twice as deep with a reflective silver finish from the machining. Also, when you look into the cost of an aluminum plate in that thickness, the cost difference is negligible. I stand firm that our choice of using real carbon fiber was the best possible option for performance, strength, looks and cost.


Buttons - Cost. This again would increase the cost is such low volumes. Not just in the cost of the buttons themselves, but everything from the size/cut of the plate, additional wiring, controller board modifications and additional assembly time. I know these things sound small on their own, but when thinking on a volume scale (even a small one), they can get very large.

That being said, we may look into making a "PRO" version with buttons in the future but it will come with a higher cost - something of a hot topic it seems


For what we cannot compromise in cost we try to make up for 10 fold in service and value. Every single unit is hand made and tested thoroughly. We include all tools needed for installation, an installation guide with 3d illustrations in 4 languages, and CD with a simple installer for all your plugins.


Chris Considine
CXC Simulations

Quote from Kegetys :

With that price I'd expect you to be able to buy some real ads instead of using public discussion boards as free advertising space...

I was under the impression that this was the apropriate area to post something like this: http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=23383 ? If not, my apologies.

Quote from thisnameistaken :

Hmm. I don't think I'd want to be running it on a large rotational range. It blocks the top of the wheel, and I imagine the cord would wear out pretty quickly / get caught in the paddle shifters.

This was one of our main concerns during the design phase. We agonized over wire type, coil size, length, placement and many other factors to get the exact combination needed. After weeks of testing, I can confidently say that this solution works perfectly. If installed as the manual dictates (quite simple to do), the wire should never interfere shift paddles or stretch to the point of impeding rotation.

We did consider having the wire go down the length of the shaft, but it was decided that the extra complication of installation (doing so would require further disassembly, drilling and delicate wiring techniques) was not in-line with our goals of a simple-to-install product. This was principal in our concept. That's why we even included the only tool needed

Quote from The General Lee :

I cant be arsed to look at my wheel, but does the shift light unit stay at the "12 o clock" position or does or rotate with the wheel?

The guage shift light rotates with the wheel as with most formula cars.

Well, in our defense, component costs are very high. The carbon fiber in particular (world shortages thanks in large part to Boeing and Airbus). Comparing this hand made, low volume product to something like the TrackIR pro just fair I think. While admittedly I don't know exact numbers, I would venture to guess TrackIR's are made in batches of 1000 offshore. This can greatly affect prices.

Besides, when comparing it to other products like a $1700 force feedback wheels and $900 pedal sets, I thought $119.99 was pretty reasonable I suppose it's relative really. Rest assured though, the margins on this product are extremely low.

Quote from Nathan_French_14 :

I like the look of this and i would'nt mind buying one. One question, when i take the wheel off to fit the plate, will this void the waranty?

Yes, it is my understanding that by dismantling your G25, you void the warranty. Details of course would have to be provided by Logitech themselves.



Chris Considine
CXC Simulations