VRS Sim Racing Wheel Base full torque locked behind paywall: Difference between revisions

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In the Sim Racing market, there are a lot of different options when it comes to wheel bases. Most of the time, the consumer will choose an option based on budget to performance of the wheel base.
In the Sim Racing market, there are a lot of different options when it comes to wheel bases. Most of the time, the consumer will choose an option based on budget to performance of the wheel base.


The performance of a wheel base is more often than not tied to its peak torque capacity. Of course, the force feedback of the base also matters, but the choice factor in this most generally comes down to how much power the wheel base is able to make.
The performance of a wheel base is more often than not tied to its peak torque capacity. Force feedback is another factor, but the choice most generally comes down to how much power the wheel base is able to make.


==[Incident]==
==Incident==
Here, VRS sells you a wheel base that is fully capable of a 20Nm torque output for 449€.
VRS here, sells you a wheel base, a piece of hardware, that is fully capable of a 20Nm torque output, at a price of $449.


For this price though, the base will be software locked to 6 Nm. If you want to enable the higher torque, that your base is fully capable of, you need to purchase a software unlock code.
For this price though, the base will be shipped set-up with a firmware lockout, and your hardware torque output will be limited to 6 Nm.


If you want to enable the higher torque, that your base is fully capable of, you need to purchase a "software unlock code".


If you'd like to use the full 20 Nm of the same wheel base you already have, you'd have to pay an additionnal 400€. Almost double the price.


To use the full 20 Nm, of the same wheel base you already have, and is fully capable of, you'd have to pay an additionnal $398, for a grand total of $847.


But wait, it gets worse.
Almost double the price (88.64% price increase) than the price you initially paid, for the same piece of hardware.




You are currently '''forced''' to buy the wheel base on a lower torque setting than its max rated power of 20 Nm.
At the moment, you are currently '''forced''' to buy the wheel base on a "lower" torque setting than its max rated power.


Then, and only then, after you purchased the wheel base, you will be able to purchase the unlock key to "access" the 20 Nm.
Then, and only then, after you purchased the wheel base, you will be able to purchase the unlock key to "access" the 20 Nm.


VRS offers the option to simply buy the 20Nm wheel, as a "different" product, the [https://vrs.racing/product/pro-wheel-base-20nm DPF20] base. This one is without this "upgradable" torque, for a price of $799
This means, they are selling you the '''exact same product''', which is essentially a [https://sim-pli.city/products/mige-130st-m10010-small-mige mige 130ST motor] with software on-top, at complete different prices.
It is important to keep in mind that, if you purchase the "non upgradable" one, you are still fully able to adjust the peak torque of your wheel with their software. You can do this with almost any direct drive wheel on the market.
That practice is completely misleading for new people in this field that are looking to buy decent hardware for their hobby.
It is made to trap lower budget consumers into paying more in the end for something that they already own.
==Solution==
The company defends this practice saying "this new product is a separate offering for those that like the idea of buying in steps".
# It is not a "new product" by any means. It is a separate offering for the exact same piece of hardware.
# You are effectively purchasing nothing since this is something you already own.
# The exact same product that is "non upgradable" is $47 cheaper (and you can still adjust its power to your liking via their software.
To make this any viable and not misleading, they should either:
* Completely stop this misleading practice and remind people that they can adjust the peak power of their wheel base via the provided software.
* Re-adjust the price of the product so that both "upgradable" and "non upgradable" versions are the same price, since they are the same product.


==References==
==References==
https://vrs.racing/product/pro-wheel-base-upgradable-torque<nowiki/>{{Ph-I-C}}
https://vrs.racing/product/pro-wheel-base-upgradable-torque<nowiki/>{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Products]]
[[Category:Incidents]]