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Looking for a bit of advice if anyone can help?
Got a decent setup with a TV on my desk with a PS4/PC and recently bought Dirt Rally. I've been wanting to get into racing sims for years, but never got around to getting a half-decent setup.
I'm looking at two wheels at the moment. Logitech G29 with the gear shift bundle (can get for around £170). My brother in law is also selling his Thrustmaster T300RS, just waiting for him to let me know how much.
Ideally, I'd love a Fanatec wheel, but they are well out of my price range for now. Are there any others I should consider or are these basically the choice at the price range?
Those are your choices really. The T300 is probably nicer if the price is reasonable. There's also the T150 closer to the G29 in price.
I wouldn't get hung up on having a shifter - it won't feel very convincing unless you're spending a lot of money, and it's generally quicker to use paddle shifters.
I’ve a G29 and really like it, have the shifter with it too, but haven’t used it as much as I thought I would, it just doesn’t feel that realistic (kinda plastic-y and a really short throw) so don’t get hung up so much on that, as above, the paddles are good.
iirc fanatec aren’t PS4 compatible.
That's a fair point, I hadn't considered that the cheap shifter might be pants 🙂
Suppose I'll see how much he wants for the T300RS as reviews indicate that it's the better feeling one.
Fanatac are now doing PS4/PC wheels apparently 🙂 Tempting, but expensive!
I have some fanatec stuff I picked up used during a brief infatuation with racing sims. It is very nice but doesn't get used a lot now. Best to stick with a cheaper wheel and upgrade later if you really get into it.
The main difference for me is the pedals, having a pressure sensitive brake rather than trying to find the perfect foot position. The force feedback on the wheel feels better but cheaper wheels do a good enough job there. Thrustmaster do standalone upgrade pedals for the t300 and t150 which is a point in their favour.
I'd recommend the G29, I have the shifter, but do not use it, it feels rubbish/cheap, but the wheel and pedals are fine. I've added a harder spring to the brake, so at least I can feel the pedal now. Some of the really quick racers only use a G29, so I wouldn't get hung up on getting a really good wheel/pedals. Highly recommend the PSVR for Dirt Rally and GT, I now only play GT on VR.
Buy a G29 and save the rest of the money for a simrig!
Highly recommend the PSVR for Dirt Rally and GT
Very much this!
I'd thrid the recommendation of VR for any game where you are sitting still but moving, I picked up a second hand HTC vive to try out on some of the PC flightsims that I play, and it's another level of immersion/intensity.
Bloody hell, I'm supposed to be budgeting here! 🙂
I've had a brief go on PSVR when my mate had it. It'll probably be on the cards next year once I've got the wheel sorted. I've not got any space left for a racing rig (yet...).
Remember looking at Fanatec stuff years ago and always fancied one. Suppose I'll see how much I use it first. I do like the modular approach to the modern ones though (upgraded pedals etc).
My ~12 year old Fanatec wheel has been playing up sporadically over the last year, but I was not prepared to pay ~£300+ for a replacement, so I bought a Logitech G29 the other week in Black Friday (there were some stonking deals, some got it plus shifter for £110, I paid £130 without shifter).
It's ok, ffb feels very different from the Fanatec, but it will do the job as I don't play my race sims anywhere near as much as I used to. The pedals are surprisingly decent, but I much prefer the feel of my aluminium Fanatec Clubsport v1s that still work.
... Back in ~2006, the wheel and pedals cost ~£300 IIRC, how things change!
I bought the G29 for the PS4. I agree with the above comments about the shifter. In GT Sport if I shift as fast as I would in a real car on the track it tends to throw it into neutral which is annoying. The paddles work nicely but I would prefer the shifter to work properly for cars that would have one in real life.
With regards to VR it might not look as slick as a big 4k screen but the game play is awesome fun.
One thing I would say is think about how you are going to mount any wheel. It needs to be solid and in the right position. I'd love a proper play-seat setup but have nowhere to put it unless it lives in the lounge and the wife's not massively keen on it. I got a £50 wheel stand which is OK and adjustable enough to make things OK. It fits in the cupboard under the stairs when not in use.
I think my mounting point will be fine. My laptop/big TV/PS4 is all on a solid oak desk that weighs twice as much as me 🙂
Might give me an excuse for a new chair though...
My laptop/big TV/PS4 is all on a solid oak desk that weighs twice as much as me 🙂
id be more thinking about the driving position that gives you. You won't feel like you are driving if you are sat up straight, with a high wheel at a weird angle.
Oh I don't know, my only vehicle in real life is a van. It'll be like commuting from my living room 🙂
I guess I'll figure it out as I go along and end up spending twice as much as planned (bit like bikes really).
Clamped to a solid desk is fine, don't go crazy with it (yet). A decent stand is a nice upgrade but they start escalating in cost and space requirements fast.
Thanks for all the advice people. Got nearly 3 weeks off over Christmas to sort it.