Advice on sim racing gear
Discussion
UTH said:
I've taken the first step towards getting a sim setup......PS5 and GT7 arrive later today.
My only experience of a racing wheel was at Christmas where my brother bought his 8 year old a fairly bog standard wheel and pedals and a little stand to play an old version of GT on a PS3, but even that was such fun, I knew I'd need to end up getting one.
For now the outlay on the PS5 will have to do, but when i can justify more ££ I'll get the rest of the kit......in terms of budget I think I'm more of a person who wants to wait until I can drop fairly big money on the good stuff than go for the cheaper end, so I've been looking at the Thrustmaster T-GT 2 https://limeprogaming.com/products/thrustmaster-t-... and also Fanatec stuff. From what I've read, Fanatec is the way to go as it's direct drive? And it sounds like I'll def want the loadcell pedals (if that's what they're called) - Any suggestions on the best combo of wheel and pedals to fit that brief?
In terms of chair (or rig?) space is a bit of an issue, so I'm thinking something that folds away like this is my only option: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Playseat-Challenge-PS4-PS...
But having read this thread am I going to find that too flimsy for the rest of the kit I'm aiming to buy? Any better alternatives that can still be put away pretty easily? I think I'll have some room in the living room for it and will hook it up to the TV, but would still want the option to pack it away. At some point I think I'll be getting the PSVR2 which means I imagine I can move the chair into my office as I won't be needing a TV screen.
Any thoughts welcome, sadly this is looking likely to be a few months away from buying it.
Before going down the route of spending a not unsubstantial amount, I would really only start on the basics.My only experience of a racing wheel was at Christmas where my brother bought his 8 year old a fairly bog standard wheel and pedals and a little stand to play an old version of GT on a PS3, but even that was such fun, I knew I'd need to end up getting one.
For now the outlay on the PS5 will have to do, but when i can justify more ££ I'll get the rest of the kit......in terms of budget I think I'm more of a person who wants to wait until I can drop fairly big money on the good stuff than go for the cheaper end, so I've been looking at the Thrustmaster T-GT 2 https://limeprogaming.com/products/thrustmaster-t-... and also Fanatec stuff. From what I've read, Fanatec is the way to go as it's direct drive? And it sounds like I'll def want the loadcell pedals (if that's what they're called) - Any suggestions on the best combo of wheel and pedals to fit that brief?
In terms of chair (or rig?) space is a bit of an issue, so I'm thinking something that folds away like this is my only option: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Playseat-Challenge-PS4-PS...
But having read this thread am I going to find that too flimsy for the rest of the kit I'm aiming to buy? Any better alternatives that can still be put away pretty easily? I think I'll have some room in the living room for it and will hook it up to the TV, but would still want the option to pack it away. At some point I think I'll be getting the PSVR2 which means I imagine I can move the chair into my office as I won't be needing a TV screen.
Any thoughts welcome, sadly this is looking likely to be a few months away from buying it.
Edited by UTH on Tuesday 7th March 17:35
Before I have the bells and whistles rig I have now, I ran PS4, Playseat Challenge, Logitech G29 for about 3 years. I'm not saying you have to do this but I would go down the cheapest route to entry initially to actually see if you enjoy it and then still enjoy it in 6 months.
I've owned the Fanatec podium DD/pedals in the past, they're OK for what they are and if you want to only play GT7. However if you have any ambitions of moving over to PC for more realism/better racing, you will most likely find the fanatec lacking. Ultimately this is why I sold all of my Fanatec gear and settled on simucube for the DD, and Huesenveld ultimate + for the pedals, the difference really is that big, it is like night and day. Fanatec is notchy in steering, the simucube is not.
Pedals are very subjective, I've owned a number of sets from the G29 to full hydraulics and just about everything else in between. I'm now waiting on the simucube brake pedal. For me where the pedals matter most is on the last 10-15% as you modulate the pressure trail braking into a corner.
UTH said:
Being new to all this I don't really know what they are. So far I've learnt I def want load cell pedals....other than that I don't know what's what.
I assume you've tried loadcell pedals?I did and didn't like them. Virtually no movement and didn't feel realistic as your foot practically wasn't moving. Best feel for me was an old fashioned spring and soft rubber end stop. Not very high tech but the feel was better.
I would defo try before you buy.
julian64 said:
I assume you've tried loadcell pedals?
I did and didn't like them. Virtually no movement and didn't feel realistic as your foot practically wasn't moving. Best feel for me was an old fashioned spring and soft rubber end stop. Not very high tech but the feel was better.
I would defo try before you buy.
Fanatec, and others, sell LC pedals with polymer insert kits.I did and didn't like them. Virtually no movement and didn't feel realistic as your foot practically wasn't moving. Best feel for me was an old fashioned spring and soft rubber end stop. Not very high tech but the feel was better.
I would defo try before you buy.
By mixing and matching, you can get just the feel you require. From rock hard down to a relatively long throw.
You can also find inserts from other suppliers.
M1K3 said:
Before going down the route of spending a not unsubstantial amount, I would really only start on the basics.
Before I have the bells and whistles rig I have now, I ran PS4, Playseat Challenge, Logitech G29 for about 3 years. I'm not saying you have to do this but I would go down the cheapest route to entry initially to actually see if you enjoy it and then still enjoy it in 6 months.
I've owned the Fanatec podium DD/pedals in the past, they're OK for what they are and if you want to only play GT7. However if you have any ambitions of moving over to PC for more realism/better racing, you will most likely find the fanatec lacking. Ultimately this is why I sold all of my Fanatec gear and settled on simucube for the DD, and Huesenveld ultimate + for the pedals, the difference really is that big, it is like night and day. Fanatec is notchy in steering, the simucube is not.
Pedals are very subjective, I've owned a number of sets from the G29 to full hydraulics and just about everything else in between. I'm now waiting on the simucube brake pedal. For me where the pedals matter most is on the last 10-15% as you modulate the pressure trail braking into a corner.
Appreciate the feedback. Whilst I'm enjoying researching it all and finding stupidly expensive kit online, most of it will remain a pipe dream. Before I have the bells and whistles rig I have now, I ran PS4, Playseat Challenge, Logitech G29 for about 3 years. I'm not saying you have to do this but I would go down the cheapest route to entry initially to actually see if you enjoy it and then still enjoy it in 6 months.
I've owned the Fanatec podium DD/pedals in the past, they're OK for what they are and if you want to only play GT7. However if you have any ambitions of moving over to PC for more realism/better racing, you will most likely find the fanatec lacking. Ultimately this is why I sold all of my Fanatec gear and settled on simucube for the DD, and Huesenveld ultimate + for the pedals, the difference really is that big, it is like night and day. Fanatec is notchy in steering, the simucube is not.
Pedals are very subjective, I've owned a number of sets from the G29 to full hydraulics and just about everything else in between. I'm now waiting on the simucube brake pedal. For me where the pedals matter most is on the last 10-15% as you modulate the pressure trail braking into a corner.
I imagine I'll be going for a Playseat challenge, but may well go a bit higher budget for the wheel and pedals, but stop there. I won't be getting a shifter or brake, or those things that move the chair around.....I won't even be buying a new screen as I'll use my current TV and then maybe VR if I buy it.
Interesting point on the pedals though, I'll think a little more about this before I do buy them.......
julian64 said:
UTH said:
Being new to all this I don't really know what they are. So far I've learnt I def want load cell pedals....other than that I don't know what's what.
I assume you've tried loadcell pedals?I did and didn't like them. Virtually no movement and didn't feel realistic as your foot practically wasn't moving. Best feel for me was an old fashioned spring and soft rubber end stop. Not very high tech but the feel was better.
I would defo try before you buy.
Maybe a silly question but are there shops with this kit set up where you can try it out?
M1K3 said:
Before going down the route of spending a not unsubstantial amount, I would really only start on the basics.
Before I have the bells and whistles rig I have now, I ran PS4, Playseat Challenge, Logitech G29 for about 3 years. I'm not saying you have to do this but I would go down the cheapest route to entry initially to actually see if you enjoy it and then still enjoy it in 6 months.
I've owned the Fanatec podium DD/pedals in the past, they're OK for what they are and if you want to only play GT7. However if you have any ambitions of moving over to PC for more realism/better racing, you will most likely find the fanatec lacking. Ultimately this is why I sold all of my Fanatec gear and settled on simucube for the DD, and Huesenveld ultimate + for the pedals, the difference really is that big, it is like night and day. Fanatec is notchy in steering, the simucube is not.
Pedals are very subjective, I've owned a number of sets from the G29 to full hydraulics and just about everything else in between. I'm now waiting on the simucube brake pedal. For me where the pedals matter most is on the last 10-15% as you modulate the pressure trail braking into a corner.
Fanatec DD1/2 got a big firmware/driver update last year and the notchiness has been eliminated.Before I have the bells and whistles rig I have now, I ran PS4, Playseat Challenge, Logitech G29 for about 3 years. I'm not saying you have to do this but I would go down the cheapest route to entry initially to actually see if you enjoy it and then still enjoy it in 6 months.
I've owned the Fanatec podium DD/pedals in the past, they're OK for what they are and if you want to only play GT7. However if you have any ambitions of moving over to PC for more realism/better racing, you will most likely find the fanatec lacking. Ultimately this is why I sold all of my Fanatec gear and settled on simucube for the DD, and Huesenveld ultimate + for the pedals, the difference really is that big, it is like night and day. Fanatec is notchy in steering, the simucube is not.
Pedals are very subjective, I've owned a number of sets from the G29 to full hydraulics and just about everything else in between. I'm now waiting on the simucube brake pedal. For me where the pedals matter most is on the last 10-15% as you modulate the pressure trail braking into a corner.
https://youtu.be/9HjMRTbSpb0
I would say go in at the higher end if that's where you're going to end up as higher end sim racing gear has excellent resale value if you decide its not for you. I'd also say probably buy 2nd hand as this stuff tends to be fairly reliable. I bought my Fanatec DD1 and McLaren V2 wheel w QR1 for £1k all in 2nd hand, all as new condition. Came to it from a Fanatec CSL Elite and its night and day.
Recommend avoiding the Playseat Challenge and getting something more substantial, it's just very flimsy and the pedal retention system can't handle big loads. No one folds it up anyway in my experience. Again 2nd hand like FB Marketplace is good for this.
honda_exige said:
Fanatec DD1/2 got a big firmware/driver update last year and the notchiness has been eliminated.
https://youtu.be/9HjMRTbSpb0
I would say go in at the higher end if that's where you're going to end up as higher end sim racing gear has excellent resale value if you decide its not for you. I'd also say probably buy 2nd hand as this stuff tends to be fairly reliable. I bought my Fanatec DD1 and McLaren V2 wheel w QR1 for £1k all in 2nd hand, all as new condition. Came to it from a Fanatec CSL Elite and its night and day.
Recommend avoiding the Playseat Challenge and getting something more substantial, it's just very flimsy and the pedal retention system can't handle big loads. No one folds it up anyway in my experience. Again 2nd hand like FB Marketplace is good for this.
Thanks for the heads up on the seat, sadly I really do think that a fold up option is quite essential because it really won't be a permanent fixture in our living room. Is there a better fold up option? https://youtu.be/9HjMRTbSpb0
I would say go in at the higher end if that's where you're going to end up as higher end sim racing gear has excellent resale value if you decide its not for you. I'd also say probably buy 2nd hand as this stuff tends to be fairly reliable. I bought my Fanatec DD1 and McLaren V2 wheel w QR1 for £1k all in 2nd hand, all as new condition. Came to it from a Fanatec CSL Elite and its night and day.
Recommend avoiding the Playseat Challenge and getting something more substantial, it's just very flimsy and the pedal retention system can't handle big loads. No one folds it up anyway in my experience. Again 2nd hand like FB Marketplace is good for this.
thatsprettyshady said:
Going to block the GPU? Mine won't go above 40 degrees now I've got the block on it, well worth it.
Nope not doing anything else to the 4090, it was a consideration at the beginning of the build however there was no cooler blocks available for the ASUS GPU. It will be just fine, this PC is used for sim racing and nothing else and is in an AC controlled room.Specs:
Item Description QTY
ASUS 4090
Intel Core i9 13900k 12C 32T 36MB 1
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk Wifi LGA 1700 DDR 5 1
32GB Gskill Trident Z5 RGB Black 2
1TB Samsung 980 PRO Nvme SSD Gen4 2
Cougar Polar 1200W Gold 1
Thermaltake Core P6 TG (racing green) 1
Custom Watercooling Parts
Labor and Modifications
FTW custom cable extension set
Cablemod Mod Mesh Custom 12VHPWR Cable
Thermaltake Toughfan RGB 2
honda_exige said:
Fanatec DD1/2 got a big firmware/driver update last year and the notchiness has been eliminated.
https://youtu.be/9HjMRTbSpb0
I would say go in at the higher end if that's where you're going to end up as higher end sim racing gear has excellent resale value if you decide its not for you. I'd also say probably buy 2nd hand as this stuff tends to be fairly reliable. I bought my Fanatec DD1 and McLaren V2 wheel w QR1 for £1k all in 2nd hand, all as new condition. Came to it from a Fanatec CSL Elite and its night and day.
Recommend avoiding the Playseat Challenge and getting something more substantial, it's just very flimsy and the pedal retention system can't handle big loads. No one folds it up anyway in my experience. Again 2nd hand like FB Marketplace is good for this.
I wouldn't necessarily avoid the Playseat Challenge. Plenty of people use them with loadcell pedals, and there are plenty of mods available to beef it up whilst still remaining foldable.https://youtu.be/9HjMRTbSpb0
I would say go in at the higher end if that's where you're going to end up as higher end sim racing gear has excellent resale value if you decide its not for you. I'd also say probably buy 2nd hand as this stuff tends to be fairly reliable. I bought my Fanatec DD1 and McLaren V2 wheel w QR1 for £1k all in 2nd hand, all as new condition. Came to it from a Fanatec CSL Elite and its night and day.
Recommend avoiding the Playseat Challenge and getting something more substantial, it's just very flimsy and the pedal retention system can't handle big loads. No one folds it up anyway in my experience. Again 2nd hand like FB Marketplace is good for this.
The only other foldable one that I know is the Next Level Racing GT lite. I know nothing about that one. I'd suggest watching YouTube and comparing both before you make your choice. As someone has already mentioned, Karl Gosling does a decent sim racing channel reviewing and comparing rigs.
Just as a bit of a curveball, the newest Playseat is the Playseat Trophy. Although not foldable, it looks to be quite compact and could maybe be stored in a cupboard?
mattstr675 said:
Just as a bit of a curveball, the newest Playseat is the Playseat Trophy. Although not foldable, it looks to be quite compact and could maybe be stored in a cupboard?
I have a Playseat Trophy so will throw some input in 
It is very light in and of itself, so a lot more shiftable than the previous rig I had. It is also fairly compact in terms of footprint etc.
It'd need to be a fairly deep cupboard.
It isn't quickly adjustable, so don't think you'll be quickly folding the backrest flatter or something for storage.
Once a direct drive wheel is on it and metal pedals etc., it's inevitably heavier and more awkward to move. I wouldn't want to be getting it out and packing it away before / after every session, but to be fair would feel the same about any solution really. 20 years ago when it was a wheel clamped to the PC desk, even the faff of unclamping / reclamping the wheel base was a bit too much effort
As a physical thing, the Trophy is at least a little more aesthetically pleasing, but appreciate it's hardly the height of stylish lounge furniture
ten200 said:
Have you seen the Coffee Racer sim rig that folds down into a coffee table? I haven't really looked at them as I've got a spare bedroom that's been taken over by the sim rig, but they might be an option.
Just looked it up.....certainly innovative!!https://coffeeracer.com/products/coffeeracer-livin...
UTH said:
ten200 said:
Have you seen the Coffee Racer sim rig that folds down into a coffee table? I haven't really looked at them as I've got a spare bedroom that's been taken over by the sim rig, but they might be an option.
Just looked it up.....certainly innovative!!https://coffeeracer.com/products/coffeeracer-livin...
I raced with a playseat challenge and DD Pro for over a year (had the playseat for 6 years with a g29 and then CSL Elite).
I had it because it had to be put in a cupboard after each use and it was perfect for this. When I got the DD and load cell pedals I had to make a few mods, but nothing that had any impact on its foldability. I had braces in the wheel deck and I used ratchet straps to stop the pedal deck sliding away under force.
The chair itself I always found really comfy and did many multiple hour stints in endurance racing without discomfort.
It’s easy to get suckered into shiny kit but you can be competitive on almost anything. Emily Jones qualified for the Gran Turismo world finals this year using a Thrustmaster bolted to a desk and an office chair that needed to be braced to stop it rolling back in the braking zones.
I had it because it had to be put in a cupboard after each use and it was perfect for this. When I got the DD and load cell pedals I had to make a few mods, but nothing that had any impact on its foldability. I had braces in the wheel deck and I used ratchet straps to stop the pedal deck sliding away under force.
The chair itself I always found really comfy and did many multiple hour stints in endurance racing without discomfort.
It’s easy to get suckered into shiny kit but you can be competitive on almost anything. Emily Jones qualified for the Gran Turismo world finals this year using a Thrustmaster bolted to a desk and an office chair that needed to be braced to stop it rolling back in the braking zones.
HorneyMX5 said:
I raced with a playseat challenge and DD Pro for over a year (had the playseat for 6 years with a g29 and then CSL Elite).
I had it because it had to be put in a cupboard after each use and it was perfect for this. When I got the DD and load cell pedals I had to make a few mods, but nothing that had any impact on its foldability. I had braces in the wheel deck and I used ratchet straps to stop the pedal deck sliding away under force.
The chair itself I always found really comfy and did many multiple hour stints in endurance racing without discomfort.
It’s easy to get suckered into shiny kit but you can be competitive on almost anything. Emily Jones qualified for the Gran Turismo world finals this year using a Thrustmaster bolted to a desk and an office chair that needed to be braced to stop it rolling back in the braking zones.
When you say mods, what do you mean exactly? As you can tell from my posts I know very little about this world yet, so are you talking about extra brackets etc that are sold separately, or are you making your own DIY mods to strengthen the seat? I had it because it had to be put in a cupboard after each use and it was perfect for this. When I got the DD and load cell pedals I had to make a few mods, but nothing that had any impact on its foldability. I had braces in the wheel deck and I used ratchet straps to stop the pedal deck sliding away under force.
The chair itself I always found really comfy and did many multiple hour stints in endurance racing without discomfort.
It’s easy to get suckered into shiny kit but you can be competitive on almost anything. Emily Jones qualified for the Gran Turismo world finals this year using a Thrustmaster bolted to a desk and an office chair that needed to be braced to stop it rolling back in the braking zones.
This my Playseat. CSL DD, v3 pedals.
The plate that holds the DD rocks a bit. Investors added the brace you can see here, it’s not much but it stabilises the mount. I think I’ll add one on the other side as well. It’s a camera mount of some kind about £10 on eBay.
On the pedals the red wing nuts are a bit crap and if you press hard on the brake you can slide them away from you. Additionally the two clips that allow you to fold it away also let it twist.
I’ve added the yellow bracket which fits between the two original clips and stops it twisting and I used a piece of Velcro webbing to stop the push away. Anything with little or no flex would work here.
Just noticed, it need dusting.
The plate that holds the DD rocks a bit. Investors added the brace you can see here, it’s not much but it stabilises the mount. I think I’ll add one on the other side as well. It’s a camera mount of some kind about £10 on eBay.
On the pedals the red wing nuts are a bit crap and if you press hard on the brake you can slide them away from you. Additionally the two clips that allow you to fold it away also let it twist.
I’ve added the yellow bracket which fits between the two original clips and stops it twisting and I used a piece of Velcro webbing to stop the push away. Anything with little or no flex would work here.
Just noticed, it need dusting.
UTH said:
When you say mods, what do you mean exactly? As you can tell from my posts I know very little about this world yet, so are you talking about extra brackets etc that are sold separately, or are you making your own DIY mods to strengthen the seat?
As far as I know it's mainly bracing and strengthening bars to limit movement/ flex.I think Indigo Lime are one company who make these parts.
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