MOZA Racing R12 Wheel Base – Review

MOZA Racing R12 Wheel Base – Review

MOZA Racing has revised its previous R12 Wheel Base and equipped it with a higher resolution encoder in the V2 version, which is accompanied by new software features. We have put the 12 Newton metre base to the test.

Ordering and shipping

When it comes to ordering, everything remains unchanged. MOZA continues to follow its previous concept and sells its products both via its own shop (prices are quoted without tax and any applicable customs duties) and via its network of distributors. In Germany, for example, the price is around €549 for the 12 Newton metre R12 V2 Wheel Base.

5% Sim-Motion Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc-5

The product tested here was provided by the manufacturer. No influence was exerted on this review at any time.

Scope of delivery

The scope of delivery is kept compact and contains no surprises. However, when using rigs with very thick wheel decks, the included screws may be too short.

• Wheel Base
• User manual
• Power adapter
• USB cable
• Tool kit

Specs

MOZA Racing has made some changes to its wheel bases. For example, the R12 V2 has a 21-bit resolution encoder compared to its predecessor, resulting in a significantly higher resolution.

According to the manufacturer, the medium to high-end wheel bases have been improved with the following hardware:

• 21-bit magnetic encoder: According to MOZA, this allows each steering wheel rotation to be divided into 2.09 million points, which provides more precise feedback for uneven roads or loss of grip.
• 3-Step Skewed Rotor Design: The manufacturer emphasises that this technology, which is included in the R12, R16 and R21, ensures noiseless, smooth power transmission without vibrations.
• Carbon Fibre Wrapped Rotors: MOZA explains that these ensure constant performance, better thermal stability and minimised power losses in R12, R16 and R21.

Mounting

The R12 Base has four threads on the underside that follow the classic Fanatec pattern. This means that it can be used directly on almost any currently available rig without the need to add holes.

In addition, there are now four threads on the front. With the optionally available front mount (Link*), these can be used to mount the base from the front.

Due to the very compact dimensions of the base, especially the shallow depth, you are very free in positioning the monitor and can mount it very effectively in the driver’s direct field of vision. This is a clear advantage over larger bases, such as the CS DD from Fanatec, which has a significantly bigger housing.

Compatibility

In terms of compatibility, the R12 V2 Wheel Base presents the familiar MOZA picture. The manufacturer’s complete, yet largely closed ecosystem should be emphasised. It not only includes a wide selection of steering wheels, but also accessories such as shifters, a handbrake and dashboards.

Steering wheels (Quick Release)

For many simracers, the quick release for the steering wheels used is an important aspect. The tried-and-tested NRG-style QR is used here. In combination with MOZA’s own steering wheels, this allows wireless data and power transmission with a secure connection. MOZA currently offers an extremely wide range of products, from Formula Wheels with display to the 40-centimetre Truck Sim Wheel:

• Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Wheel
• FSR2-Formula Wheel
• Vision GS Wheel
• GS V2P GT Wheel
• KS Wheel
• ESX Wheel
• CS V2P Wheel
• RS V2 Wheel
• TSW Truck Wheel

NRG-style QRs can be used for third-party steering wheels. These allow the wheels to be connected directly to the base. However, an additional USB cable is required to use the functions of the steering wheel. There is no artificial restriction here as with Fanatec due to the hubs.

Connections

The rear panel contains the USB/power connections and an on/off button. Unfortunately, the latter does not return a clearly defined status. This could have been avoided with a solution such as a toggle switch.

There are also various connections for compatible hardware from MOZA. An extra cable to the PC is therefore completely unnecessary for these components.

• Pedals
• Dash
• Shifter
• Handbrake
• E-Stop

Software

Of course, you also need the matching software to put the base into operation. The MOZA Pit House software is used here. When we tested the R9 Wheel Base two years ago (link to test), it was already good, but still had some potential for improvement.

In the meantime, features such as an adjustable FFB curve and an integrated AI coach have been added. This even sets the software apart from the competition in some respects.

• Basic Settings: Profiles in various categories can be saved and loaded here. In addition, the standard parameters such as the FFB strength and the steering wheel angle can be set.
• Advanced Settings: Further aspects of the force feedback and the temperature control of the base (conservative / radical) can be configured in this tab. This allows the base to deliver full power for longer, even at very high ambient temperatures and FFB settings.
• FFB equaliser: The strength of the FFB can be set here depending on different frequencies, similar to the equaliser used for music in relation to pitch. This allows you, for example, to reduce the intensity of curb effects to a certain degree in isolation.
• Base FFB Curve: If you want to emphasise weak FFB or reduce the peaks, you can do this here. For the R12, however, this should only be used in exceptional cases.

Overall, the software is very well organised and has become a real plus point. Every popular simulation is now also supported in terms of compatibility with Sims.

Force Feedback

Die R12 Wheel Base ist auf dem Papier mit einem Peak-Drehmoment von 12 Newtonmetern ausgestattet, On paper, the R12 Wheel Base is equipped with a peak torque of 12 Newton metres, but subjectively it seems even slightly stronger. This puts the base in direct competition with the Fanatec CS DD, Asetek La Prima and Simagic Alpha EVO Wheel Base, which are also specified with 12 Newton metres. In this force range, the base is more than sufficient for the vast majority of Simracers, especially in combination with lightweight Formula-style steering wheels such as the KS Steering Wheel. Only when the force feedback strength is set very high and larger or heavier wheels are used do clipping problems slowly occur and the base reaches its limits.

Compared to the R12 V1, the base itself takes another step forwards. Thanks to the combination of new NexGen 4.0 FFB software and revised hardware, the response behaviour is even more direct. Even with very sharp settings without much damping, the oscillation of the wheel around the centre position is no longer a major issue. This means that, up to its maximum torque, it can certainly keep up with wheel bases such as the Asetek Forte or the Alpha EVO Pro tested last.

MOZA itself emphasises the following features in particular:

• Advanced Cogging Compensation: The manufacturer states that jerky movements during slow steering are virtually eliminated, enabling a smoother steering feel.
• Intelligent Thermal Management: According to MOZA, an intelligent system prevents performance losses due to overheating, particularly during long racing sessions, ensuring consistent performance.
• Force Feedback Interpolation: The manufacturer explains that smoother transitions between force levels provide more natural feedback, such as when entering corners or recovering from slides.
• Force Signal Decoupling: MOZA emphasizes that this feature allows individual adjustment of feedback components, such as road texture or curb effects, to achieve optimal tuning.

Another new feature is the support of Low Frequency Effects (LFE) and the 360 Hz mode for the iRacing simulation. The effects make it possible, for example, to output engine vibrations in a significantly lower frequency range separately from the regular force feedback. With the right settings, this can significantly increase immersion even further.

• The Moza API has been updated, which adds support for Moza Low Frequency Effects (LFE) Wheel haptic effects and 360 Hz mode.
  • The Wheel LFE allows you to send tactile vibrations to the wheel like engine vibrations, that would normally be too high of a frequency to send across the normal DirectInput Force Feedback api. You can tune these effects in the [TrueForce] section of our app.ini file. You can turn off the Moza API via the app.ini switch [Force Feedback] loadMozaAPI=0.

Driving impressions

Conclusion

With the R12 V2 Wheel Base, MOZA has more than successfully refreshed its base with 12 Newton metres in the class up to €600. MOZA impresses with its complete ecosystem, which the base fully utilises thanks to its various ports. In addition, the force feedback has been improved once again, putting the R12 V2 in the absolute top class.

The base is therefore a clear purchase recommendation in the category of wheel bases with 12 Newton metres, especially for fans of the manufacturer’s other hardware.

5% Sim-Motion Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc-5