Help me decide!

[caligrown 2]

Hello! I've finally decided to put away the controller for good and get myself a wheel for racing, but am having a dilemma on which wheel to choose. I know this topic has been discussed quite thoroughly and I've done my research, but hopefully I can get some feedback for my situation.

 

I actually already purchased a Logitech G27 a few days ago based on all the good reviews, full-package (shifter & pedals/clutch), and price. I am still well within the 30 day return period through Amazon, and am now having some doubts!  I have it all set up and have used it for a few days. I really enjoy the immersion and precision that a wheel adds to the racing experience and definitely never going back to a controller.

 

The main thing that is bothering me with the wheel is the deadzone right in the middle of the wheel, with no FFB feeling until a few degrees into a turn. Other than that, I really like the wheel! 

 

I'm trying to decide whether I should keep the G27 and live with the deadzone (and slight clunkiness), or spend the extra $ and just grab the T500 or T300 instead. I'm really intrigued by the belt-driven FFB of the T500rs and hearing how responsive it is & no deadzone. It's too bad there isn't a shifter included with the package considering the price, but on the other hand the TH8RS looks top notch.

 

Note: I will only be using this on PC (Assetto Corsa, Grid, Dirt, PCars, eventually iRacing etc.). I unfortunately have no space for a rig and will be using this on a solid hand made computer desk (a bit concerned about the size of T500 because of this). 

 

So a few questions: 

 

-How does the FFB of the t300 compare to the t500? Other differences? I definitely want a clutch pedal and I know the t300 doesn't come with one stock...

 

-Will the size of the t500 be an issue when used on a desk? Is the t300 considerably smaller? The desk is extremely heavy & sturdy, but my 26in monitor is at the same elevation as the wheel. 

 

-How is the durability of the t500/t300? Can I expect it to last for years or will I need to replace parts & maintain it? I've read some people talk about FFB wearing down, broken springs, and other issues from wear&tear.

 

-Can anyone tell me the max table thickness that the thrustmaster clamp is good with? My table is about 2.25in thick.

 

-Most importantly, is the t500/t300 that much of an improvement & worth the cost over the G27?

 

Sorry for the long post, but I like to be thorough before spending my hard earned $$$! 

[caligrown 2]

Right now I'm leaning more towards getting the t300rs instead, plus the th8rs shifter. Down the line a bit I would pick up some nice pedals. Sound like a better choice?

 

I'm planning on making my decision today or tomorrow, so any feedback would be appreciated! 

[F1fanatic21 65]

After owning the T500 for 4 days, I can say that in comparison to the G27 it's a pretty big difference. The thing I hate about the T500 is the static paddles, which honestly don't have that positive click that the G27 paddles have. I was leaning toward the T300 with G27 pedals, but the T500 was the better option for 2 reasons;

1: better reliability- I've read many things about the T300 failing and that really scared me away from it. The T300 has only been out for a few months, so they still have to work out some kinks. But the T500 has been improved (slightly) over the 3 years it's been on the market.

2: PEDALS!!! Although I would've opted for T300/G27 pedals, the pedals on the T300 look like they suck! The T500 pedals are essentially the G27 pedals with a slightly different clutch.

Oh, and I forgot to mention; the T500 wheel is GREAT! The way it feels in your hands is awesome, and the wheel is a lot heavier than the G27 wheel, which can either be good or bad. I haven't tried the TH8Rs/A shifters, so I don't know what to tell you there.

Hope that helped!

[caligrown 2]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Yeah I know that the pedals suck on the t300... Why the hell don't they sell parts individually?? The main reasons I'm looking at the t300 over the t500 are the smaller base, and the shifter paddles attached to the wheel. If only it came with some decent pedals i'd be sold!

 

I'm gunna have to look up these reliability issues you mention..

[SteveS 1,391]

I owned a G27 for about two years, then upgraded to Thurstmaster TX & fanatec clubsport pedals. Thurstmaster  base is worth the extra money compared to G27! The pedals suck big time so you really need to buy alternative pedals which leads you to a T500 OR thrustmaster & fanatec pedals.

 

If you looking for a casual setup G27 is a very, very good value, but if you really get into sim racing then you need a better solution long term in my opinion. Thurstmaster has a much, much better force feedback and feel while driving.

[CurtisYoung 14]

I am very satisfied with the G27 that I got from Steve, I have yet to play a real sim racing game on it,but  I have noticed the little bit of dead zone but I think with a little bit of time you can get use to that, I am already much better with it than when I first started. Its only noticeable going in a straight line.  I don't have experience with literally any other wheel, so my opinion may not be good to base your decision on, but unless you are super picky or absolutely know you are going to love sim racing and have the money to drop right now on the best wheel money can buy, I would keep the G27, its a proven durable wheel and in most of the review videos for the newer more expensive wheels, they do state that if you are a G27 user, don't run out and buy a different wheel right away, it won't give you faster lap times, maybe just a better feel.

 

If you keep the g27, I would do a brake mod as most people will tell you, again, Steve donated me his and I never used it as it comes out of the box, but I can't think of an issue that I've been having with how the brakes function, with the nixum brake mod. I've seen videos of people improving the feel of the shifter aswell, but I don't find it that loud or clicky

 

Maybe watch some review videos on youtube of each wheel you are considering, look on these forums or google and find the pros and cons of each wheel, and find which one is best for you. 

[SteveS 1,391]

Thank's Curtis. I had lot's & lots of fun with the G27, it a great first wheel. Spending over $600 is a LOT of money for Thrustmaster base & Fanatec pedals.

In my opinion the G27 will keep most new sim racer really happy for a number of years.

 

I never had an issue with the deadzone, but I did spend a lot of time tinkering with the setup. My main G27 issue was the noise & feel of the wheel gears especially playing off road games like Dirt or Richard Burns Rally.

 

G27 Positives

• Outstanding package price
• G27 is a good wheel base
• Leather rim has quality feel
• Pedals are good out of the box. Even better with cheap brake spring mod
• Lot's of mod's available
• Long term reliability. It's hard to kill a G27

G27 Negatives

• Force feedback is OK, but not great
• Force feedback can be noisy
• Wheel is too small
• Not good if you want to add real race rim because it does not have enough force feedback

Thrustmaster TX or T300 Positives

• Outstanding force feedback
• Wheel base is good engineering
• Outstanding for modification, such as add real race rim & button plates
• A really get a great wheel base for $300, IF you have cash to do pedal upgrade!

Thrustmaster TX or T300 Negatives

• TX 458 rim is cheap and nasty
• Pedals are crap
• No shifter, so you need to plan upgrade unless you just like paddles
• You really need to plan on replacing pedals & buying an alternative rim
• Long term reliability? (Mine has been perfect & I purchased used!)
• Price when you consider, many people like me replace pedals & rim.

Thrustmaster T500 Positives

• Outstanding force feedback
• Wheel base is good solid engineering and has an excellent reliability track record
• Outstanding for modification, such as adding real race rim & button plate
• Comes with a nice solid set of pedals which can be modified to load cell
• Comes with a nice rim

Thrustmaster T500 Negatives

• Price
• Large base unit & pedals
• Brakes are not load cell
• No shifter, so you need to plan upgrade unless you just like paddles

 

IF I was to buy again!

If my total budget was $300 then it has to be the G27! It's a clear winner...

If my budget was $600 then TX or T300, Fanatec clubsport pedals, DSD adapter, real race rim.

[serrasalmus 257]

i did the mod to the shifter with the hook and loop and it does make it a feel more solid, i also have a load cell, leo bodnar cable for pedals and a real wheel on my g27 i love it, but its not without its issues but hands down its probably the best starter wheel to this day

[caligrown 2]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate it.

 

I definitely agree that the G27 is an amazing set for the price, quality parts & construction. The buttons on the shifter are great to have as well. I wouldn't even be in this dilemma if it didn't bring out the immersion and extra "umph" that really make racing sims so much more enjoyable. I'm sure you all know what I mean. Within a few days I finally figured out what heel-toe shifting was all about, which used to always seem like such a daunting task! 

 

With this added factor, I can see myself spending a lot more time working on technique, shaving seconds off lap-times, trying to master drifting with a wheel/FFB (which is proving difficult switching from controller), etc. Probably a few hours a night after work whenever I can, and many more during the weekend. The way I see it is it's an investment that will be with me for years, and the added price equates to really only another buck or two per day of use in that time.

 

I'm pretty set now on either sticking with the G27, or going all out with T300, TH8A & some nice pedals like Clubsport V2s. At least the crappy pedals could be used as spares if I run into a load-cell issue or w/e. I'll make my decision by this weekend and let you know! Any other feedback would be great too!

[SteveS 1,391]

You most welcome. It's a tough decision.

I loved the G27, upgraded and loved the Thrustmaster, and recently purchased Fanatec clubsport base so will be interesting to see if it's really better than Thrustmaster!

 

I have no regrets with G27, for me it was the right decision at the time. Also no regrets with the Thrustmaster TX, it's been lots of fun doing the wheel & button plate mods.

 

If you use the equipment every week, and have fun the actual cost is not bad if you spread it over 2 or 3 years! It's a lot cheaper than racing a real car! 

[caligrown 2]

Thanks for the pros/cons Steve, really sums it all up!

 

Much cheaper than just a set of nice tires! And I have minimal issue with hitting a wall at 100+ 

[SteveS 1,391]

I'm not sure if anyone can really help you make the final decision. In the end it's a journey we make for ourselves. My 4 year journey was G27, wheel stand, nixum brake mod, race rig with used car seat , Clubsport V2 pedals, triple screens, Thrustmaster TX, real sparco rim, button plates and Clubsport base as my christmas gift...

 

You only really have two choices available, G27 or Thrustmaster at twice the price. Thrustmaster base + alternative pedals + alternative shifter is a better overall setup in my opinion, but I still question if it's really twice as good.

 

Same issue with Thrustmaster VS Fanatec. Is a Fanatec base worth 2 or 3 times the price! 

 

The other way of looking at it is what games/sim's your going to play or what platform.

 

If your going to play Dirt or Codemaster F1 or Grid or project cars for example. Go for the G27, it's awesome fun...

 

Now if you think you might get serious with iRacing or Assetto Corsa

Accurate brake points, and not locking up under heavy braking means a good set of load cell pedals (OR more dedicated practice) is more important than wheel base.

 

For increased immersion a solid rig & triple screens are awesome.

 

Yep, I remember spending a lot more money, on petrol, tires and repairs. Plus a little brain distraction no longer costs a lot of money! Sim racing is cheap really...

[caligrown 2]

Well, I bit the bullet and went ahead and ordered the T300rs! I've read just about all there is and after all the feedback I just had to check it out in person. I'll try them out and test them both side by side, keep one and return the other. Thank god for Amazon Prime! 

 

Yeah I'd like to hear what you think of the Fanatec as well. During my searching I checked them out and was shocked by the price! Looks really quality for sure. They've definitely got their system down where you can pick and choose the parts you want. Too bad Thrustmaster doesn't do that. I also stumbled upon that new Accuforce wheel......... That's a whole different story lol. 

 

Anyway, thanks again for all the help, I'll update this thread when I check out the T300 and choose!

[SteveS 1,391]

Your welcome. It will be fun to hear what you think about the t300Rs

Wonderful news you made a choice. Both solutions are good!

I will update this thread over Christmas with my impression of fanatec clubsport. It's taken me a long time and deep thoughts about spending this amount on a wheel base and rim. Accuforce wheel should be very good, and it's half the price of Leo bodnar wheel! It's strange how the price doubles between levels!