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Fanatec Just Shook Up Sim Racing With 3 New Releases in One Day

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Some product launches feel small.

This was not one of them.

Fanatec has just unveiled three new products at once—and if you’re building or upgrading a serious sim racing setup, today may be one of the biggest hardware days of the year.

The new lineup includes:

  • Fanatec Formula V3 Wheel Rim
  • Fanatec Podium Pedals
  • Fanatec New Wheel Hub

This is not just a refresh. It feels like Fanatec is making a statement: premium hardware, sharper design, and more options for racers who want top-tier performance.

If you want to browse the new releases directly, check them out here:

1. Formula V3 Wheel Rim: Built for Precision Racing

For Formula and GT drivers, steering wheel feel matters.

The new Formula V3 Wheel Rim looks like Fanatec’s next step forward in aggressive motorsport styling, ergonomic grip design, and sharper cockpit immersion. This is the kind of wheel that instantly changes how your rig feels the moment you bolt it on.

For racers who spend hours in:

  • iRacing Formula series n- F1 titles
  • GT3 sprint races
  • LMP and prototype classes

…this could become one of the most desired Fanatec wheel releases in recent memory.

What stands out immediately is the modern race-inspired layout and purposeful design language.

See the Formula V3 here: https://fanatec.sjv.io/QYNBaA

2. Podium Pedals: Fanatec’s New Flagship Statement

Pedals win lap time.

Not flashy LED lights. Not hype. Not social media posts.

Pedals.

That’s why the reveal of the new Podium Pedals may actually be the biggest news of the three launches.

According to early reports, these pedals are positioned as Fanatec’s new flagship set, priced at $/€ 699.95, with shipping expected later this year.

That means Fanatec is aiming directly at serious sim racers who want:

  • More precise braking consistency
  • Better trail braking confidence
  • Premium adjustability
  • Stronger materials and long-term durability
  • A true end-game pedal experience

If these deliver on feel, they could become a category leader very quickly.

View Podium Pedals here: https://fanatec.sjv.io/rEzV9R

3. New Wheel Hub: Quietly One of the Smartest Releases

Some upgrades get headlines.

Others solve real problems.

The new Fanatec Wheel Hub could be one of the smartest launches today because hubs create flexibility inside an ecosystem.

A strong hub lets racers:

  • Run different wheel rims
  • Customize layouts
  • Future-proof their setup
  • Adapt for oval, GT, drifting, or formula use
  • Maximize value from one base

For sim racers who like to tune their rig for multiple disciplines, this could be a sleeper hit.

See the new hub here: https://fanatec.sjv.io/jRnPN5

Why This Launch Matters More Than It Looks

Three products in one day tells a bigger story.

Fanatec appears focused on strengthening the full ecosystem:

  • Better controls at your hands (wheel)
  • Better control at your feet (pedals)
  • Better customization in the middle (hub)

That matters because the best sim racing setups are systems—not random parts.

And Fanatec has always been strongest when every piece works together.

My Honest Take as a Sim Racer

As someone currently testing the new Podium DD wheelbase, what excites me most is momentum.

Fanatec feels active again.

New products, premium direction, and more choices for racers is exactly what the sim racing market needs. Competition improves everything.

If the quality matches the ambition of today’s launch, these products could be extremely popular.

Which One Should You Upgrade First?

If you race competitively:

Choose Podium Pedals first – biggest performance gain.

If you care about immersion and steering feel:

Choose Formula V3 Wheel Rim – daily enjoyment upgrade.

If you want versatility:

Choose the Wheel Hub – smartest long-term ecosystem move.

Final Thoughts

Today wasn’t just a product drop.

It was Fanatec reminding the sim racing world that they still know how to create excitement.

Three new releases. Multiple upgrade paths. Real performance potential.

That’s a good day for sim racers.

Browse all three products here:


FTC Disclosure: SKSimRacing.com uses affiliate links. If you purchase through links in this article, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support honest reviews, testing, and sim racing content.

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Pimax Mid-Year Sale 2026: How Existing VR Owners Can Save Over $300 on a Crystal Super

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The Best Pimax Deal I’ve Seen So Far in 2026

If you’ve been considering upgrading your VR headset for iRacing, Assetto Corsa EVO, Automobilista 2, or Microsoft Flight Simulator, the current Pimax Mid-Year Sale may be the best opportunity I’ve seen so far this year.

What makes this promotion different isn’t just the sale pricing.

For the first time, Pimax is allowing users to stack multiple promotions together, creating savings that can exceed $300 on certain headset configurations.

For existing VR users, this is particularly interesting because the Upgrade Program can now be combined with creator discounts and current sale pricing.

👉 Mid-Year Sale:
https://pimax.com/pages/mid-year-sale?ref=sksimracing


Why This Sale Is Different

Most VR sales involve a simple discount.

This one is more powerful because multiple offers can be combined:

  • Crystal Super QLED retains its $200 discount
  • Free global shipping
  • Free DMAS headphones included with Crystal series headsets
  • $80 Upgrade Program credit
  • Additional 2% discount with code SKSIMRACING

When combined, the savings become substantial.


Crystal Super Ultrawide Example

Let’s use the Crystal Super Ultrawide as an example.

Original MSRP:

$1,799

Current sale pricing:

$1,599

Apply Upgrade Program:

-$80

Apply creator code:

SKSIMRACING

Additional 2% savings

Final cost comes out to approximately:

$1,489

Compared to original MSRP, that’s over $310 in savings.

👉 Check Current Pricing:
https://pimax.com/pages/mid-year-sale?ref=sksimracing


Who Qualifies for the Upgrade Program?

This is where many sim racers will benefit.

If you currently own a VR headset, chances are you’re eligible.

Examples include:

  • Meta Quest 2
  • Meta Quest 3
  • Oculus Rift
  • Valve Index
  • HP Reverb G2
  • HTC Vive
  • Bigscreen Beyond

and many others.

Upgrade Program Registration:

https://pimax.com/pages/upgrade-to-pimax?ref=sksimracing

According to Pimax, the verification process has also been simplified during this sale period to make participation easier.


Why Existing Reverb G2 Owners Should Pay Attention

One audience I think should pay close attention to this promotion is Reverb G2 owners.

The G2 has served sim racers extremely well over the years.

However, with Windows Mixed Reality reaching end-of-life and support becoming more uncertain, many drivers are beginning to evaluate their next headset.

The Crystal lineup offers several advantages that appeal specifically to sim racers:

  • Improved visual clarity
  • Better distance detail
  • Modern ecosystem support
  • Lighthouse compatibility
  • Continued product development

If you’re researching alternatives to the Reverb G2, this promotion makes the upgrade path considerably easier.


My Experience with the Crystal Light

I’ve spent significant time racing with the Crystal Light and one thing keeps standing out.

It isn’t just the visual quality.

It’s confidence.

The biggest difference I’ve noticed over time is how natural traffic feels.

Being able to judge spacing, braking zones, and corner entry points more accurately has changed how I race.

There have been several moments where I committed to an overtake or held my line in traffic because I trusted what I was seeing.

That’s difficult to quantify on a specification sheet, but it becomes obvious after enough laps.

For many sim racers, that’s where VR starts becoming more than just immersion.

It starts influencing racecraft.

👉 View Crystal Light and Crystal Super:
https://pimax.com/pages/mid-year-sale?ref=sksimracing


Crystal Light vs Crystal Super

One of the most common questions I receive is:

“Should I buy the Crystal Light or the Crystal Super?”

The answer depends largely on your priorities.

Crystal Light

Best For:

  • Competitive iRacing racers
  • Drivers focused on stable performance
  • RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 users
  • Long race sessions

Crystal Super

Best For:

  • Maximum immersion
  • Wider field of view
  • High-end hardware enthusiasts
  • RTX 5090-class systems

Personally, I continue to be impressed by how balanced the Crystal Light feels.

The Crystal Super, however, represents one of the most ambitious VR headsets currently available for sim racing.


Free DMAS Headphones Add Even More Value

One detail many people overlook is the inclusion of free DMAS headphones with qualifying Crystal series purchases.

For new buyers, this removes another accessory purchase from the equation and increases the overall value of the promotion.

Combined with free shipping and the Upgrade Program, the savings add up quickly.

How to Maximize Your Savings

If you want the highest possible discount during the sale, follow these steps:

Step 1

Visit the Mid-Year Sale page:

https://pimax.com/pages/mid-year-sale?ref=sksimracing

Step 2

Select your Crystal headset.

Step 3

Register for the Upgrade Program:

https://pimax.com/pages/upgrade-to-pimax?ref=sksimracing

Step 4

Use code:

SKSIMRACING

at checkout.

Step 5

Enjoy free shipping, free DMAS headphones, sale pricing, Upgrade Program savings, and creator discount savings.


Final Thoughts

The current Pimax Mid-Year Sale is one of the strongest promotions I’ve seen from the company in 2026.

For existing VR users, the ability to stack the Upgrade Program with creator discounts makes this particularly attractive.

If you’re currently using a Quest 2, Quest 3, Valve Index, Reverb G2, HTC Vive, or another older headset and have been considering an upgrade, this is probably worth serious consideration.

The combination of sale pricing, upgrade incentives, free shipping, and included accessories creates one of the most compelling VR upgrade opportunities we’ve seen so far this year.

👉 Explore the Mid-Year Sale:
https://pimax.com/pages/mid-year-sale?ref=sksimracing

Use code: SKSIMRACING


Media Disclosure: SKSimRacing has permission from Pimax to use the product images and promotional materials featured in this article. All visual assets are used with approval from Pimax.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, SKSimRacing may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These partnerships help support the site and allow me to continue testing and reviewing sim racing hardware.

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Pimax at SRE 2026: Sim VR Is Becoming More Mainstream 

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May 2026 – Sim Racing Expo 2026 in Charlotte, NC recently wrapped up, bringing together sim racing enthusiasts, hardware manufacturers, cockpit builders, content creators, and VR companies from across the industry.

As one of the major events in the sim racing space, the expo focuses heavily on racing simulation hardware, motion systems, and immersive technologies. During the event, Pimax showcased its latest VR headsets, including the Crystal Light, Crystal Super, Dream Air, and Dream Air SE.

Rather than limiting the experience to a single booth, Pimax headsets were also integrated into partner setups across the show floor, including collaborations with DOF Reality, Podium1, and Trak Racer. This allowed attendees to experience VR racing across different motion simulation platforms, cockpit environments, and racing configurations.

For sim racing VR, this kind of setup simply makes more sense. A headset alone can only show part of the experience — immersion really starts to come together once the cockpit, wheelbase, pedals, motion platform, and VR environment are all working together as one complete system.

Throughout the expo, many attendees spent time comparing image clarity, environmental detail, field of view, and long-session comfort between different setups. For many first-time users, the experience felt noticeably more natural and approachable than expected.

Some attendees also commented on how VR changed spatial awareness while driving.

“The wide field of view made traffic and surrounding cars feel much easier to read naturally during racing.”

One of the more interesting things from the event was seeing how many newcomers were trying sim racing VR for the first time, including families and younger visitors. Rather than feeling like a purely technical showcase, the event often felt more like a community experience where people could sit down, try different rigs, and immediately understand why VR has become such an important part of sim racing for many users.

As the sim racing market continues growing, different users are naturally looking for different things from VR hardware. Some care most about image clarity and immersion, while others prioritize lighter weight and comfort for longer sessions.

That’s one reason why the current Pimax lineup has expanded in several different directions instead of trying to build a single headset for everyone.

The Crystal lineup focuses more heavily on visual clarity and overall image quality, while lighter designs like the Dream Air are aimed more toward users who value comfort and long-session wearability.

ProductBest ForMain FocusKey StrengthsConsiderations
Crystal LightMost sim racers, first-time high-end VR usersBalanced visual clarity and immersion35 PPD clarity, glass lenses, local dimming, up to 120Hz refresh rate, balanced overall experienceHeavier than ultra-lightweight headset designs
Crystal SuperEnthusiasts chasing maximum visual performancePremium visual fidelityHigher PPD options, eye tracking, Dynamic Foveated Rendering, larger sweet spot, multiple optical options including Ultrawide and Micro-OLEDRequires a powerful PC/GPU to fully utilize
Dream AirUsers prioritizing lightweight comfort and long-session usabilityComfort-focused next-generation VRUltra-lightweight design, compact form factor, micro-OLED display, improved long-session comfortDifferent experience focus compared to Crystal lineup
Dream Air SEUsers wanting a lighter and more accessible next-generation headsetLightweight everyday usabilityLightweight design, comfortable fit, balanced immersion and usabilityLower specifications compared to Dream Air and Crystal Super

During the expo, the Pimax team also met with industry partners, media, creators, and community members to gather feedback for future sim racing and VR product development.

Limited-Time Promotion

Before June 10, users interested in Pimax Crystal light and Super headsets can use code “sksimracing” to receive an additional 2% OFF plus a $150 accessory gift bundle. The offer can also be combined with select promotions available on the official website.

Use Code Sksimracing25 for $25 off on Dream Air Lighthouse Version

More information: Pimax Crystal Light

Affiliate & Media Disclosure:
Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means SKSimRacing may earn a commission if purchases are made through them at no additional cost to you. SKSimRacing also has permission from Pimax to use the product images and promotional materials featured in this article. All opinions expressed are based on real-world sim racing experience and personal use of the hardware.

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Race Recap #1 by SK Sim Racing: Full iRacing Session Review

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The First Time I Fully Trusted VR in Traffic

Affiliate Disclosure:
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, SKSimRacing may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the site and allows me to continue creating sim racing hardware reviews and VR racing content.


There’s a point in VR sim racing where the headset stops feeling like a piece of hardware and just becomes part of the race.

I think I finally hit that point recently.

Not in a hotlap.
Not in practice.
Not cruising around by myself.

It happened in traffic.

Check out the Pimax Crystal Light & Crystal Super here:
https://pimax.com/?ref=sksimracing&utm_campaign=affiliate_promotions&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=goaffpro


Where This Fits in My SKSimRacing VR Journey

If you’ve followed my VR coverage on SKSimRacing, you know I’ve spent a lot of time trying to answer one question:

Does VR actually make you a better, more confident sim racer over time?

Not just:

  • “Does it look cool?”
  • “Is it immersive?”
  • “Are the specs impressive?”

But:

  • Does it improve racecraft?
  • Does it help in traffic?
  • Does it make you trust what you’re seeing?

That’s what this new series is going to focus on.

Not technical breakdowns.

Not corporate feature lists.

Just real racing experiences and the little moments where VR changes how you drive.

Before reading further, you may also want to check out:

My Crystal Light Performance Review for iRacing Click Here
VR vs Triple Screens for Sim Racing Click Here
Latest Pimax VR News & Coverage Click Here


The Race Where VR Finally “Clicked”

The race itself honestly wasn’t anything special on paper.

NASCAR Next Gen.
Long run.
Heavy traffic.
The kind of race where you spend most of your time inches away from disaster.

But somewhere during the middle portion of the race, I realized I was driving differently than I normally would.

More committed.

More confident.

And honestly… more aggressive.


Turn 1 Traffic Felt Different

Usually in tight traffic, especially on restarts, there’s always that hesitation.

You’re trying to judge:

  • overlap
  • depth
  • spacing
  • who’s checking up ahead

On triples or older VR headsets, there’s always a tiny bit of uncertainty.

But during this race, I noticed something weird:

I stopped second-guessing the space around me.

Not because I suddenly became a better driver overnight, but because the depth perception felt natural enough that my brain trusted it.

That sounds small, but it changes everything.


The Moment That Stood Out Most

The biggest moment came entering a braking zone battling side-by-side.

Normally, I probably would have backed out early.

Instead, I committed harder than usual because I could clearly judge:

  • the angle of the other car
  • my corner entry
  • where the apex was developing

And the crazy part was:
it didn’t feel risky.

It just felt… obvious.

That was probably the first moment where I fully understood why people become so attached to racing in VR.


Distance Clarity Changed More Than I Expected

One thing that’s grown on me over time with the Pimax Crystal Light is how much the distance clarity affects confidence.

Not just immersion.

Confidence.

Being able to:

  • spot braking markers earlier
  • read corner shapes sooner
  • identify cars ahead more clearly

changes how aggressively you attack corners.

Especially in iRacing, where hesitation usually costs time.

See the Crystal Light here:
https://pimax.com/?ref=sksimracing&utm_campaign=affiliate_promotions&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=goaffpro

Tracks with long sightlines really highlight this.

You stop reacting late and start planning earlier.

That’s a huge difference.


The Surprising Thing I Didn’t Expect

Honestly, the biggest surprise wasn’t the visuals.

It was how quickly I stopped thinking about the headset entirely.

That’s something people don’t talk about enough with VR.

The best VR moments are when:

  • you stop noticing the hardware
  • you stop analyzing settings
  • you stop “testing”

…and just race.

During longer sessions, the headset simply faded into the background and I focused entirely on driving.

That’s probably the highest compliment I can give it.


Why I’m Still Leaning Toward Crystal Light Over Crystal Super

After spending time with the Crystal Light, I still personally lean toward it for competitive iRacing.

Not because the Crystal Super isn’t impressive.

But because the Crystal Light feels like the sweet spot between:

  • clarity
  • refresh rate
  • stability
  • system demand

For my style of racing, consistent performance matters more than chasing the absolute widest field of view possible.

The Crystal Light just feels balanced.

Especially in longer races where stable frame pacing matters more than raw wow-factor.


New Pimax Promotion — Honestly One of Their Best Yet

Right now Pimax is running a promotion that actually makes a lot of sense for sim racers considering the jump to VR.

When purchasing a Crystal Light or Crystal Super:

Select the accessory bundle option
Use code SKSIMRACING
Receive an extra 2% discount
Get a FREE accessory package valued at $150

For Crystal Super users, total savings can reach around $181.

Check the promotion here:
https://pimax.com/?ref=sksimracing&utm_campaign=affiliate_promotions&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=goaffpro

From what I’ve heard, this has actually been one of Pimax’s strongest-performing promotions this year.

And honestly, if someone has been waiting for a lower-risk time to try high-end VR for iRacing, this is probably one of the better opportunities.

The campaign runs through the end of the month.


VR Doesn’t Just Change Immersion — It Changes Decision Making

That’s probably the biggest takeaway I’ve had so far.

At first, VR feels like:

“Wow, this is immersive.”

But over time, it becomes:

“Wow, I’m actually driving differently.”

You trust:

  • spacing
  • depth
  • traffic
  • braking zones

in a way that gradually changes your racecraft.

And I think that’s what finally clicked for me during this race.


Final Thoughts from SKSimRacing

This race probably won’t be remembered as my cleanest or fastest race.

But it might be the race where VR finally stopped feeling like technology and started feeling natural.

That’s a pretty big moment as a sim racer.

And honestly, it makes me excited to keep pushing this series further.

Check out the current Pimax Crystal Light & Crystal Super promotion here:
https://pimax.com/?ref=sksimracing&utm_campaign=affiliate_promotions&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=goaffpro

Use code: SKSIMRACING


Affiliate Disclosure

Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means SKSimRacing may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no additional cost to you. These partnerships help support the site and allow me to continue creating sim racing hardware reviews, VR testing, and racing content. All opinions are based on my own real-world experience using the products in sim racing environments.

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