What Wheel And Pedal Set Should I Get

[Dave55 12]

Darin and Shaun,

Yes, there are endless threads over endless forums. But I've been a faithful follower of you guys for a long time, and who's opinion to trust more than you both since you get to try and extensively use all manner of equipment. So, here's the question. If you had one wheel to use - T500 or Clubsport base - which would it be?

Wanting to move from my trusty G25,

Dave

[Zero7159 57]

I have both wheels, the T500 and the CSW, and I slightly prefer the CSW.  I like the feel of the CSW GT and Formula rims better.  I also find that switching rims on the CSW is quicker than on the T500.  And, I can use the CSW with my Clubsport pedals on both PC and PS3.  That being said, the T500 is also awesome, hence why I held onto mine even after getting the CSW.

[Darin Gangi 1,074]

I don't feel you can go wrong with either setup. Currently Fanatec has the "One up" on pedals with their load cell CSPs. The CSW is also a very stout piece of hardware. I personally have more miles on my T500 and that's what I prefer due to having 4 rims to go with it too. CSW for me is great for open wheel cars and street cars with the big GT rim. I personally prefer the size of the T500 GT rims over the larger BMW rim for sim racing.   

If you were to ask both Shaun and I whats on our rigs.. T500s

[Gonzo007 13]

Darin

 

which 4 rims do you have for your T500.  I just got one last weekend and am hoping for a F1 wheel for Christmas.  Also do you have a quick release for your and if so which one do you run?

 

Also do you think its worth getting a BasherBoards Brake mod kit for the pedals? 

 

Again thanks for this great website.  Its been a great resource.

 

As for CSW verse T500.  Its all about how big your wallet is.  I couldn't afford getting a CSW setup at this time, but after using my T500 for last weekend I have no regrets buying a thrustmaster.  Its a great package.

 

Colin

[Dave55 12]

Darin, thanks for the reply.

Your last line was bottom line what I was after. The fact that you and Shaun use the T500 on your rigs speaks volumes to me.

Gonzo / Zero, thanks too for your input.

Regards,

Dave

[UNKLE 1,429]

I have a T500 and what I liked about it was the fact that you could add aftermarket wheels using a DSD adapter or Sam Maxwell wheel plate.  I just always liked the idea of using a real racing wheel with a wheel base that has enough FFB to support it.

 

The CSW is very nice though with a good selection of wheels but it has fewer options if you what to customize.

 

One disadvantage of the T500 that I can think of is the wheel base, it's quite big and bulky.  So if you want your monitors up close and behind the wheel it can get in the way unlike the CSW base.

[theseeker 2]

I am new to Sim Racing and I am considering the Fanatec ClubSport wheelbase, F1 rim, wheel stand and the V2 pedals to use with F1 2013. I have done a fair amount of research and this appears to be a good setup to begin with. I raced Formula V in my early twenties and the Ferrari Challenge in my early forties, now in my early fifties, my wife thinks I should limit my racing fetish to the indoors. I am curious to know if you would recommend a different setup.

If I end up really enjoying sim racing, I will most likely get a Rseat setup and it appears that I would be able to use everything going forward with the exception of the stand. 

TIA

[Darin Gangi 1,074]

Darin

 

which 4 rims do you have for your T500.  I just got one last weekend and am hoping for a F1 wheel for Christmas.  Also do you have a quick release for your and if so which one do you run?

 

Also do you think its worth getting a BasherBoards Brake mod kit for the pedals? 

 

Again thanks for this great website.  Its been a great resource.

 

As for CSW verse T500.  Its all about how big your wallet is.  I couldn't afford getting a CSW setup at this time, but after using my T500 for last weekend I have no regrets buying a thrustmaster.  Its a great package.

 

Colin

 

I have the F1, GT, GTE and an old larger Momo using a Derek Speare adapter. I don't have a quick release although just today was thinking it would be nice to have. Basher board mod is a must have !  

 

You're very welcome for the website and we hope to make it even more of a resource. 

[superspeeder2013 11]

I have both wheels, the T500 and the CSW, and I slightly prefer the CSW.  I like the feel of the CSW GT and Formula rims better.  I also find that switching rims on the CSW is quicker than on the T500.  And, I can use the CSW with my Clubsport pedals on both PC and PS3.  That being said, the T500 is also awesome, hence why I held onto mine even after getting the CSW.

I use the CSW. I have never used T500. I upgraded from the g27 which was a upgrade from the old logitech Mono wheel, if that gives you an idea how long I been in sim racing. I really like the CSW. I like the smooth feeling FFB, it feels more natural. Compared to the G27 I feel it's too jagged feeling. I also wasn't a big fan of the T500 wheels. They are made out of cheep plastic and don't look or feel real to me. I pefer the bigger and more real looking BMW CSW wheel. Now their F1 wheel needs work but ah well.

[CaTaPulT 658]

I cannot comment about the CSW since I've never tried it.

My current wheel is a T500 with all 3 Thrustmaster wheels, I am very pleased with it, great wheel.

I started with a DFGT, then a G25 (now on my GF's rig), then I tried a Fanatec GT2, I could not get a grasp on how to set this wheel properly, Fanatec wheels have both software and on wheel setting you can change and for me, between the software and the on wheel settings, I just couldn't get the wheel dialed in to what I like so I decided to try the T500, best thing I ever did. If I had to give up my T500, I'd go back to my G25, I still very much like that wheel.

For me personally, I just love the feel of the T500, very accurate and smooth, the included pedals are also quite good, they come with their own stiff brake mod, but a better alternative is the Basherboards mod, and if you want to go all the way with a load cell, the Bodin load cell mod is incredible (I have this, WOW). I also like the selection of the 3 available wheels, great for a variety depending on what your in the mood to drive that day!

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

[Dave55 12]

Compelling information. Testimonials from a Canadian Guru Member (eh) and site administrators / founders. Appreciate the feedback guys. Think my decision is made.

Now, suggestions on how to break yet another sim gear purchase to a certain great wife ? Ha ha.

Dave

[CaTaPulT 658]

Flowers? LOL

Sometimes..... sad puppy eyes work too!

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

[LowHungFuzzyDice 32]

Take an unsigned purchase contract for a new sports car and a T500 box and tell her, "It's either this, or this". Unless of course, you think she'll take the car, in which case, this plan will fail miserably and you'll have a nice little car payment to deal with. =0/

[superspeeder2013 11]

Compelling information. Testimonials from a Canadian Guru Member (eh) and site administrators / founders. Appreciate the feedback guys. Think my decision is made.

Now, suggestions on how to break yet another sim gear purchase to a certain great wife ? Ha ha.

Dave

Yeah I'm still in the dog house with my wife, my sim ended up being twice what I budget for and oh my she was mad. I'll be in the dog house for quite a while over that one

[CaTaPulT 658]

Does she at least throw you a bone once in a while? A man's gotta eat you know! LOL

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

[Dave55 12]

Hmm...if she indeed throws you a bone, what flavour do you recommend - I'll stock up

Dave

[gbm_maz 3]

I have both wheels, the T500 and the CSW, and I slightly prefer the CSW.  I like the feel of the CSW GT and Formula rims better.  I also find that switching rims on the CSW is quicker than on the T500.  And, I can use the CSW with my Clubsport pedals on both PC and PS3.  That being said, the T500 is also awesome, hence why I held onto mine even after getting the CSW.

zero, do you race on pc or ps3?

[gbm_maz 3]

I am new to Sim Racing and I am considering the Fanatec ClubSport wheelbase, F1 rim, wheel stand and the V2 pedals to use with F1 2013. I have done a fair amount of research and this appears to be a good setup to begin with. I raced Formula V in my early twenties and the Ferrari Challenge in my early forties, now in my early fifties, my wife thinks I should limit my racing fetish to the indoors. I am curious to know if you would recommend a different setup.

If I end up really enjoying sim racing, I will most likely get a Rseat setup and it appears that I would be able to use everything going forward with the exception of the stand. 

TIA

will you be racing pc or ps3? I just got the csw with formula rim

[OmegaDL50 0]

Hello, I've watched many videos rom InsideSimRacing on Youtube and liked your reviews of GT5 and how you broke down the game. I've been playing the Gran Turismo series for 15 years since it's original debut on the original PlayStation back in 1997. Now that Gran Turismo 6's release is pending come December 6th, for as long as I played the game I've used a Gamepad, so with the arrival of the new GT game coming out I've decided that this will be first foray into using an actual wheel with the game.

 

I do not have a very extensive budget, I mean I cannot even afford to buy a Driving Force GT which can be had for as low as $85 from what I've researched.

 

Which brings me to my point. Back in September, Thrustmaster made an announcement for a new Racing Wheel called the "Red Legend Edition"

http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B0/thrustmaster-unveils-its-new-ferrari-licensed-racing-wheel

 

Considering the recent "newness" of this wheel in particular and it's $70 price tag, I've tried to do some homework and look up any information on the wheel itself, on what it's maximum rotation was, it's features in regards to force feedback, etc, and what I could find on the official website was extremely limited at best.

 

Even going to the official website and getting info = http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/ferrari-racing-wheel-red-legend-edition I've even downloaded a support PDF, hoping it would gleam any features of this wheel and found nothing of use except on how to set it up on both the PC and it's usage on the PS3.

 

With that said, everywhere online this new wheel is being sold at the MSRP of $70, except at Microcenter - http://www.microcenter.com/product/423264/RED_LEGEND_WHEEL_PS3

 

The fact this wheel supports the PS3 out of the box is very appealing to me and with the discounted price at Microcenter for $40 is also in a range that I can afford this would naturally be my entry-level beginner wheel for me. I've never used a wheel before, outside of old arcade cabinet racing games such as Outrun or San Fransico Rush.

 

So I am very tempted in buying this wheel at it's discounted price to have it in the time Gran Turismo 6 comes out.

 

What I was hoping is if any of you professional sim racers know any additional information or details in regards to this wheel. After my experience with GT5 using the dpad, I really DON'T want to touch the game with a controller and want my experience to be new using a wheel. So I'd figure I'd ask here about this wheel before I throw down $40 to grab this thing.

 

Thanks very much.

[Mad Mike 41]

Hello OmegaDL

Just two cents. I had a HORI xbox wheel n ped set I got at Walmart for like 90$ Happy was getting it out of the box plugging it in and grinning cause I finally had a wheel to race with again. It SUCKED! in comparison to my Fanatec crs and crs elite peds. Got two shifters H and Seq with it too in a package deal 359$ +shipping Have to add these shifters are really toy like but work great.

I know that's a lot of money. but I'd say save save save. Or be happy for about 5 min. Then wish you waited.

The cheaper the wheel the less you get. Perhaps a vibrator but no FFB. suction cups to mount it.?No good in the heat of a race. Just pops off !

My peds were so light ( like 8oz) so using them I'd just chase them around the floor and had to build a box to hold them still.

So if you want advice please save your money for more than a 40$ wheel

I pulled my Fanatec gear out if the box plugged it in and went racing. Has lots of adjustability but I really liked them right out the box. I did set the FFB settings in the wheel but left everything else alone. Sooo impressed with them and never had a problem of any kind with the set. Sadly they won't be compatible with the new Xbox One so I guess I'm going to build a PC instead of buying a One.

Your choice. Happy for a min or happy for years!

Your money use it wisely.

Have a great day

MM out

[OmegaDL50 0]

I already explained that I have a very limited budget. Maybe some people have the luxury to spend upwards to $180 for a decent racing. Unfortunately I do NOT have that luxury.

 

Now I appreciate the advice you've given and understand the point of getting something that is built to last on the emphasis of quality.

 

While most of the members of this community are take sim racing seriously, I however generally only play Gran Turismo 5 and Shift 2 on PC (with a ton of mods which more or less fixes the "on ice" physics of the game), so compared to other people I don't devote time into realistic Sim titles like iRacing or Rfactor.

 

I was simply looking forward to the next step above a basic gamepad, just something that gives me somewhat more realistic experience controlling the game without breaking the bank.

[Mad Mike 41]

Hi again. Do what works for your budget n gets you racing with a wheel. I only suggested that because of my experience and the frustrations of a cheap set. But whatever you can afford to get into a wheel.

Idk about the 40$ wheel you described but the lil HORI set I had at least made driving more realistic than a controller on xbox. but I really did have to make a lil box to keep those stupid lil peds in a solid place. I'm sure there is a few options for a basic PC wheel. I'll help you look

MM out

[Mad Mike 41]

In the US this is the very first listing on a bing search.

. Thrustmaster - Ferrari Challenge Wheel Controller for PlayStation 3 and Windows

Best Buy 35$

It's Thrustmaster it can't be all bad. I've heard too many good things

Second option

http://www.studica.com/us/en/Genius/twin-wheel-f1-combo-wheel/31620029100.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&kpid=728025&gclid=CPjr_aOn_roCFUlyQgodKnYA7Q

49.95$ online. Not too sure of the quality.

Third option.

http://www.aztekcomputers.com/2960697-GUILLEMOT-775169.html

Thrustmaster again. I think this is a small step up

Thus site is the cheapest. See it elsewhere at 60$

[Mad Mike 41]

I finally found the Red legend. It's a cool wheel. Only place I seem to find it "in stock" is Amazon

69$ free shipping. It's ThrustMaster and Seems to have FFB and a good ped set so if it's in budget go for it.

MM Out

[OmegaDL50 0]

The Red Legend Wheel retails for $70 at Amazon but it's on sale at Microcenter for only $40, and my experience with them they are reputable. They usually deal with PC parts, but they also sell game controllers and other accessories. 

 

That is why I brought up this discussion, the fact that a normally $70 wheel is on sale for only $40.

 

If I could grab a Logitech Driving Force GT for about $60 (which is very unlikely) in some sort of black friday special, I'd go for it, but when I saw this $70 Red Legend Wheel on discount, that is why considered it an option.