PS4 steering wheels and things

[SGirl]

My son has decided he'd like a steering wheel/shifter/pedal set for a PS4 and/or PC for Christmas. This would be fine, but I know absolutely nothing about these things and I don't much fancy doing battle in Game this close to Christmas!

So can someone please explain to me what it is I need to buy? I've looked at a few Thrustmaster kits, but he's decided he likes one of the add-on wheels so I was just going to buy separate pedals and a shifter as well, but I'm not sure if that's going to work.

Also, does anyone have any recommendations? The Thrustmaster reviews seem to imply there may be some reliability issues, so if anyone can recommend any reliable kit, that would be great. Budget is flexible at this stage because I don't know how much I should be spending to get some decent kit!

Thanks in advance for all help, have a virtual pint!

[Gary C]

Fanatec elite ps4 is my choice, powerful force feedback and more upgradable.

£520 though so not cheap

The Logitech or thrustmaster are ok, but force feedback is weaker, and the thrustmaster has some reports of failures.

Fanatec often have a Black Friday sale.

[Gary C]

I would also say the separate shifters are a bit pointless unless your a real exact simulation fanatic, as you inevitably end up using the wheel shifters.

Had a Logitech g27 for 4 years and it's been faultless, just doesn't work with the ps4. The new version is almost identical so should be as reliable.

[Benrad]

I have a Logitech G29 and think it's utterly brilliant, but I haven't tried the alternatives. I also bought it when it was a bit cheaper (£129) so I guess it might seem better value to me

Playing Assetto Corsa with that this year has actually improved my karting!

[Gav147]

I too have a G29 and after about 18 months it's been faultless, if you look around you should be able to get one ~£150. However if he wants one with interchangeable wheels you are talking the next step up really and more like the £500 area. I know you say budget is flexible but you can see the prices of these vary massively so maybe a rough idea of what you are looking to spend?

[SGirl]

Thanks for all the info so far! Keep the suggestions coming. Are these all for use with PS4 only, or can they be used with a PC as well? Thanks for the tip on the Black Friday sale, too - that might well come in handy!

As far as budget goes, I don't really know how much to spend. £500-odd sounds okay if it gets him some decent kit that will stand up to the inevitable hard life it'll have. Ideally, I'd prefer not to go mad and spend into four figures. But he's not getting loads of little presents this year so I'd like to get him something decent that he'll enjoy using.

[Order66]

This:

https://www.zavvi.com/ps4-accessories/thrustmaster...

Works both with PS4 and PC. I bought one of these for the PS4 several years ago and now use it with the PC. If he gets really into it he can add on upgraded pedals (I've done this) and a shifter (I've not done this - as above, unless you are looking for exact simulation then a shifter is somewhat pointless, the built-in paddles are fine).

It is belt driven and IMO has a very impressive realistic feel, had it several years, no issues with reliability for me.

Also consider what it will be attached to - having it bolted onto something solid makes a big difference. If you really want to impress, this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Playseat-Evolution-Black-...
is just fab - I know its expensive but having a proper seat setup just steps the whole thing up a notch.

Otherwise you can get numerous wheel stands, but IMO you need the pedals bolted down as well or they will move and get annoying.

[xjay1337]

Logitech G29 with Playseat challenge is the best bang for buck.
Had mine for 18 months no issues.

[ecsrobin]

The best value for money option would be the G29 (however not removable wheel, although for £30 you can get an adaptor that allows the fitment of wheels)

However for best kit it would be fanatec.

As a starter kit there’s this: Fanatec CSL Elite Starter Kit for PS4 & PC https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076HM89TY/ref=cm_sw_r...

A bit more kit (handbrake and clutch) Fanatec CSL Elite Rally Bundle for PS4 & PC https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076KBBYV2/ref=cm_sw_r...

And blowing the budget out the water as it is PH but the more advanced wheel and pedals: Fanatec ClubSport Rally Bundle https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076KXYMCX/ref=cm_sw_r...

Not forgetting you’ll need something to mount it too as well.

I’d be looking at: https://www.gtomegaracing.com/gt-omega-racing-driv...

However I got the wheel stand: https://www.gtomegaracing.com/wheel-stands/gt-omeg...

This is modular so I then got the gearstick holder, will pick up the seat rail at some point and then their chair to attach onto it. Makes it a bit more affordable.

[Hoofy]

First of all I'd see if he plays in chase car mode. If so, then buy him a lump of coal for Christmas.

[ecsrobin]

Hoofy said:

First of all I'd see if he plays in chase car mode. If so, then buy him a lump of coal for Christmas.

[Gary C]

If you get the fanatec elite for PC & ps4, it can also be used on the Xbox by changing the steering wheel.

Not cheap, but cheaper than two wheels.

And ideally it might even work with a ps5 etc, though not guaranteed.

You can also upgrade the fanatec brake pedal to a force sensor for much more realistic brake feel.

Looking forward to mine on Christmas Day

[SGirl]

Chase car mode? Never even heard of it, he never mentions it so I think it's a safe bet he doesn't use it.

Thanks everybody, some good tips there. I'm going to have a closer look at Fanatec's kit this morning as that seems to be most upgradeable - could be a handy source of future Christmas presents there! It's useful that the Elite kit fits both PC and PS4 - initially he'll be using it on a PC, I think, but he does most of his gaming on his PS4 so it'll probably end up being moved.

He won't be getting a chair and mount yet, although it does look good and he'd love it! I'd have to find a home for the chair he already uses, so we'll have to wait with swapping that.

And finally - mods, you moved this to Video Games for some reason. It's not a video game, it's hardware - hence Computers, Gadgets... Can you shift it back, please? I don't subscribe to the Video Games forum anyway, so I might miss replies. Ta.

[Hoofy]

SGirl said:

Chase car mode? Never even heard of it, he never mentions it so I think it's a safe bet he doesn't use it.

This is the view:



This is the correct view you want, adjusted for appropriate FOV:



Without the circuit map, obvs. Yeah, you can't see much unless you look left or right...

[SGirl]

Cheers Hoofy! I've never seen the top one, but the bottom image looks familiar. That must be the one he uses. I don't play - I did try, but I'm rubbish at it.

[Hoofy]

SGirl said:

Cheers Hoofy! I've never seen the top one, but the bottom image looks familiar. That must be the one he uses. I don't play - I did try, but I'm rubbish at it.

If he's using a controller, it can be difficult initially, especially if you're not sited correctly. Imagine you're sitting in a car seat - where exactly do you expect the steering wheel to be? Most gamers will be happy sitting on a sofa about 3m from the screen, often at an angle if the seat isn't square to the TV and complain when a sim racer is too hard. The issue is that when you are sitting in a real car, the steering wheel you see before you is about 2ft in front of you - and so the end of the bonnet (front of the car) is about 1.5-2m in front of you (car dependent). Whereas in a game, you might see the hands and steering wheel which puts the virtual wheel about 3-4m in front of you, putting the virtual end of the bonnet about 5-6m in front of you, so it isn't a surprise if you're tank slapping and spinning out all over the place on a sim racer.

The set up most pro sim racers go for, I understand, means that you can barely see the virtual wheel or the arms, just like the second image because like driving a real car, you can only see your hands when you look down, and when you are looking down at your hands, you can't see the road. Hence the phrase, "Field of View".

I only drive with a gamepad but I rest my hands on my desk so my whole body is roughly where I'd be in a real car in relation to what I see on the screen, and so even with all assists off, I can catch most slides and ease a car round corners.

[neilus]

SGirl said:

I'm going to have a closer look at Fanatec's kit this morning as that seems to be most upgradeable - could be a handy source of future Christmas presents there! It's useful that the Elite kit fits both PC and PS4 - initially he'll be using it on a PC, I think, but he does most of his gaming on his PS4 so it'll probably end up being moved.

I would look at the Fanatec website as the prices are cheaper than the Amazon ones quoted, even when you take in account shipping. If they have the item in stock it's normally with you in 48 hours.

As someone else has already mention the PS4 Elite bundle will also work with the XBox One when you buy a compatible wheel.

[skinny]

Any ps4 wheel works with pc. It's just playstation to xbox that are incompatible.

I have a thrustmaster t300rs wheel with t3pa pedals and playseat challenge. You will easily be able to get that set up for under £500.

Logitech g29 is also a good shout and is cheaper than the thrustmaster - it might not give quite the same level of feedback as other wheels but if my g25 is anything to go by (and I understand the internals are largely the same) it's bomb proof. I have had the g25 set up on ps3 at work. It gets an hour of hard use every day for the last 2 years. And i bought it second hand. I wouldn't risk bringing my thrustmaster into work for anyone to use tho in case they break it.

How old is your son?

[viggyp]

Benrad said:

I have a Logitech G29 and think it's utterly brilliant, but I haven't tried the alternatives. I also bought it when it was a bit cheaper (£129) so I guess it might seem better value to me

Playing Assetto Corsa with that this year has actually improved my karting!

Same (apart from the karting). I think Curry's/PC World are doing a deal with gear shifter which is usually separate for £220. Had my G29 for a few months as I bought it due to upgrading to the PS4 as I had a G25 before.

Check out some steering wheel reviews on YouTube.

[SGirl]

Cheers everybody, I'm currently debating the Fanatec Elite startup kit - does that come with everything needed for use with a PC, or do I need to buy any cables or anything? I'll do some more research myself tonight as well.

I'm still 50-50 on Fanatec vs Thrustmaster, but I think I'll go with the former unless there are some really good deals on Thrustmaster kit anywhere.

My son is 14 at the moment - but he's loved cars ever since he was tiny and this is the best he can get until he's old enough to drive on the roads! He's done driving lessons, he's done the supercar driving experience thing, he's offroaded - but no "proper" driving until 17, so until then he'll have to make do with a steering wheel, pedals and some software.