The Cube Controls F-CORE is touted as an entry level wheel from the Italian sim racing giants. However feedback from the sim racing community suggest that this is far from an entry level. The F-CORE is not an entry level wheel into sim racing but entry level into the high end wheels of sim racing.
Cube Controls most recent wheel before the F-CORE was the F-Pro which is a trademark formula wheel. However the F-CORE provides versatility due to is marginal increase in size, adapting to a more suited GT3 style of racing.
The Market is now filled with great wheels where there is an abundance to choose from. Maybe you’re seeking to purchase your first wheel or wanting to add to your collection.
Either way e’ll be taking an in depth look at the F-CORE to give you an idea if it’s worth choosing.
Key Features OF THE CUBE CONTROLS F-CORE
The Cube Controls F-CORE sim racing wheel has a number of key features here are a few of them:
Hall Effect Sensor Paddles: The F-CORE features hall effect sensor paddles for shifters and clutches (sold separately). These paddles provide a more precise and responsive feel compared to traditional potentiometer-based paddles.
Connectivity: The F-CORE can be connected via USB or bluetooth. The USB is connected through the Q-CONN magnetic cable which is solid and secure when attached to the wheel.
Carbon Fiber Faceplate: The F-CORE features a glossy 4mm carbon fiber front plate. This is a signature feature of all Cube Controls wheels. The plate sits on a cast aluminum main body that gives the wheel a solid, rigid feel. This also keeps the light with a weight of 895g.
Tactile Moulded Grips: The F-CORE’s grips are moulded for a comfortable and tactile feel. It provides a secure grip even during the most intense races.
Additional Options
- V2 Nylon and carbon composite material shifters only 469
- V2 + Aluminium shifter versions 559
- V4 Shifter module No clutches nylon and carbon, two clutches 589 aluminium
- V4+ all aluminium – shifters and clutches
- Hub – You will only need if your quick release is not a 50.8 mm ball pattern
Or if your qr bolts don’t allow you to bolt directly into the steering wheel
Design and Construction
With a standard cost of 469 euros the F-Core sits in the mid range segment of the price market. As such, racers may notice that the wheel has used cost effective material to build the wheel. Despite this, the wheel still feels like a very well manufactured product.
Aesthetics of the F-CORE CUBE CONTROLS
With the embossed (hand painted) cube controls logo along with the other features the wheel is easily distinguishable as another of their quality wheels.
In terms of design the wheel has a subtle butterfly effect which sits between a Formula and GT wheel. The colourful buttons implemented give a nice contrast to the vastly black build surrounding them.
Material quality
One of the most notable features of the F-CORE are the silicone and rubber handgrips which have an amazing feel both with or without gloves. They provide excellent grip and comfort during racing. Just be mindful that this material tends to attract dirt and dust so regular cleaning helps to keep them well maintained.
There are no concerns to the body of the wheel as the carbon plate proves to be solid and rigid, no flex here. The materials used on the rotaries and encoders are not quite high end but this is barely noticable. They are made from plastic, finished off with a matte effect despite this they perform well and still look pretty decent.
Ergonomics
As we just touched upon the handgrips are one of the top features on the F-CORE. The handgrips are almost perfectly shaped and fit superbly in the hand. They have a slight thickness at the back With a thinner effect towards the front. In essence they strike the perfect balance for handgrips and give the feel of confidence and control many sim racers look for.
Button Layout and feel OF THE F-CORE
The buttons produce a nice audible sound when pressed which leave you with no uncertainty at the point of contact. There are two toggle switches that can be engaged in up and down positions.
Both of the encoders at the bottom of the wheel have 18 positions of engagement and can be turned infinitely. There are no issues in gripping them and actually feel nice to the touch.
The thumb rotaries are another great plus point for the wheel. They are easy to manoeuvre and have a clear response making them a good assignment for things like brake bias. This makes them a really useful addition.
Moving on to the funky switches whic are also known as 7 way hats. They are in perfect range of your fingers and ideally implemented to prevent accidental touch which can be an issue on other wheels. The switches have clear directional inputs along with the rotary and click down function, they are however slightly on the short side in their action.
Shifters and paddles of the Cube Controls F-CORE
The standard shifters are made from a high quality plastic (nylon carbon injected). This does mean that they will feel less premium than the aluminium alternative (purchased separately). Despite this the difference isn’t hugely noticeable and they still do a great job providing a nice low travel distance.
You will notice that the shifters are not loud nor do they provide a click due to the plastic material they are made from.
The shifters can be adjusted to bring them further in or out horizontally. In addition the paddles can be adjusted to be flipped upside down for a more vertical centre for those who prefer them to be lower.
The optional clutch paddles have a premium feel as they are made fully from aluminium and carbon fibre. They have a similar adjustment to the shifters and there is the ability to alter the end of the throw. They are another plus point to the wheel should you wish to add them at an additional cost.
Connectivity OF THE F-CORE
Software
The Cube Controls software allows you to configure the wheel to your preference. Things such as the shifters and paddles can be calibrated. The rotaries can be assigned to set the clutch paddle bite point without needing the software. Also the clutch paddles can be assigned as a master and slave clutch.
In addition the encoder pulse width can be set from a higher to lower value. This determines the inputs are recognised by your system for better reaction times.
USB and Bluetooth
Another standout feature of the F-CORE is its Q-CONN magnetic connection, which allows for a solid connection via USB. The F-CORE also features Bluetooth Dual Mode, giving users the flexibility to connect to a wide range of devices.
The F-CORE boasts an impressive battery life of 50-60 hours, meaning you can race for long periods of time without needing to charge the wheel.
CompariNG THE F-CORE TO THE F PRO
The Cube Controls F PRO was a hit amongst the sim community and was a slick piece of machinery. Here we look at some of the differences between the two wheels.
Size wise the F-Core is around 1 cm bigger than the F-PRO. This serves to make the F-CORE a more all round wheel that is prefect for both Formula and GT racing.
One of the most noticeable differences are the handgrips. The F-Core’s silicone rubber really does make a huge difference compared to the rubberised hand grips on the F-PRO which are a lot more stiff and can become uncomfortable and sweaty after long use.
Geared towards the higher end of the market the F PRO does provide a lot more functionality. The wheel makes use of more buttons and rotaries there giving the driver a lot more assignment options. The buttons on the F-PRO are also back lit however this is something that many drivers are not fussed about especially when using VR. As you would expect the quality of the materials on the F-Pro are much better which is also reflected in the cost.
Final Thoughts on the Cube Controls F-CORE
The F-Core has a durable build, with a solid construction and quality materials that make it look close to a premium product.
There is a good level of customizability and adjustments that can be made to the wheel that can be configured to suit the user’s preferences.Up there as a standout feature are the handgrips. The silicone rubber grips provide a comfortable and secure grip, even during long sessions.
Lastly in teams of Value for Money the F-Core is priced competitively compared to other high-end sim racing wheels, making it a great value for money. If you are looking for a sim racing wheel that can give you the edge you need to dominate your competition, then the Cube Controls F-CORE might be the perfect choice for you.