The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

[Paul33993]

Yeah. There really isn't much middle ground once you eliminate the Fanatec line. The T500 (once you mod the brake) are good pedals otherwise IMO. But I wish there was something to be done with the clutch. I might revisit the idea (I replicated that T500 youtube mod in spirit, but it was pretty worthless and looked impressive when it really wasn't), but that's only because I have a unique DIY cockpit that might lend itself to a good mounting mechanism. I was just thinking about this again the other day.

 

[Hwangm]

The load cells still need to be assembled, tested, and boxed-up, and that also involves making the cable sets, and I just haven't had the time to finish that up. My load cell supplier has dried-up, meaning the ones on my workbench will be the last of the current design -- working on a redesign of the interface board including a dedicated load cell amp, we're currently waiting on new circuit boards and parts to test that, and then do the first production batch if all goes well.

Lots of activity going on, and I hope to get the few load cells on my bench finished-up shortly and the new wheel centers posted for sale, but I've also been very, VERY busy outside of the sim racing world.

John, I am very very satisfied with the BLC-500, I've been missing Load cell since I swap my Clubsport with the T500 Pedal (imo the feel more natural and nicer)- and Basher brake mod have saved me from locking up and been a great mod for the pass 6 months or more now.

Now that I'm back to load cell again and I must say my feet is starting to appreciate it.
I know you are very busy, so I just want to pop in here and say, Thank You.

 

[prarts]

Do you have pets? If so, take a vacuum to your pedals, especially the "tubes" that the pedals themselves sit in (turn them upside-down to get all around the entire assembly with the vacuum) -- the pots are mounted in small enclosed black plastic boxes on the T500 pedals, but it's still possible for small stuff (like pet hair) to intrude and potentially short out the pot, making it seem "noisy" or "spiky."

Same applies for the small circuit board mounted behind the brake pedal, where the cable that connects the pedals to the wheel base is connected.

Nope, no pets, but yeah - it could be because of some dust. But why it`s not spiking when connected to PC and looking and Thrustmaster control panel?
When I`m switching pedals back and forth between PS3 and PC it`s spiking (PS3) -> not spiking (PC) -> spiking (PS3) and so on. Strange.

 

[Belamiejus]

John, I am very very satisfied with the BLC-500, I've been missing Load cell since I swap my Clubsport with the T500 Pedal (imo the feel more natural and nicer)- and Basher brake mod have saved me from locking up and been a great mod for the pass 6 months or more now.

Now that I'm back to load cell again and I must say my feet is starting to appreciate it.
I know you are very busy, so I just want to pop in here and say, Thank You.

You are so lucky i wish i could get one..

 

[JohnBodin]

Nope, no pets, but yeah - it could be because of some dust. But why it`s not spiking when connected to PC and looking and Thrustmaster control panel?
When I`m switching pedals back and forth between PS3 and PC it`s spiking (PS3) -> not spiking (PC) -> spiking (PS3) and so on. Strange.

I wonder if you're getting a better ground through your PC's USB connection than you are through the PS3? That might account for the difference.

Have you tried connecting the T500 to a different controller port on the PS3?

 

[Paul33993]

http://www.insidesimracing.tv/pc-racing/thrustmaster-tx-racing-wheel-compatible-pc/

Thrustmaster TX to be compatible with PC. They also have a picture of the control panel. There are radio dials for the two T500 add on wheels

 

[mrbasher]

http://www.insidesimracing.tv/pc-racing/thrustmaster-tx-racing-wheel-compatible-pc/

Thrustmaster TX to be compatible with PC. They also have a picture of the control panel. There are radio dials for the two T500 add on wheels

I found it interesting that the firmware version is 45... As well, TTRS is a designation only previously used on the T500RS. Remember, the current firmware version for the T500RS is 41. Just sayin'

The T500RS and this will probably share drivers. Among uh, other things...

 

[Paul33993]

I found it interesting that the firmware version is 45... As well, TTRS is a designation only previously used on the T500RS. Remember, the current firmware version for the T500RS is 41. Just sayin'

The T500RS and this will probably share drivers. Among uh, other things...

Honestly, I'm right there with you. I also wouldn't be surprised in the least if the Playstation version replaces the T500 and just ships with the 458 Challenge rim instead of the Italia wheel.

EDIT: The buttons really wouldn't work in this scenario, but I still wouldn't be surprised if we saw a replacement Playstation model using the same base/wheels.

 

[ENTERSANDMAN13]

Just purchased a T500! can't wait for it to arrive

 

[prarts]

I wonder if you're getting a better ground through your PC's USB connection than you are through the PS3? That might account for the difference.

Have you tried connecting the T500 to a different controller port on the PS3?

For PC I`m connecting to USB port directly soldered to the mobo. For PS3 I`m using USB cable extension 1,5m long plugged in port 1.
Also followed Your suggestion regarding vacuum clean pots and looked over there - there`s absolutely not possible that some particle went inside that black plastic pot closure IMO, at least not in my case. So all these spiking are not caused by dirty pot, but faulty one or weak USB connection as in Your last reply.
So what can I do, connect it to the PS3 by some active (externally powered) USB hub?

 

[JohnBodin]

For PC I`m connecting to USB port directly soldered to the mobo. For PS3 I`m using USB cable extension 1,5m long plugged in port 1.
Also followed Your suggestion regarding vacuum clean pots and looked over there - there`s absolutely not possible that some particle went inside that black plastic pot closure IMO, at least not in my case. So all these spiking are not caused by dirty pot, but faulty one or weak USB connection as in Your last reply.
So what can I do, connect it to the PS3 by some active (externally powered) USB hub?

I would recommend two possibilities:

1) Try a powered hub, or;

2) Make sure you're using a high-quality, shielded, USB extension cable -- something like this:

Link: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030309&p_id=6505&seq=1&format=2

 

[OutspokenFlunky]

Any progress on the load cells John?
Just curious. I just can't wait to get back to that aspect and every time I read someone saying how get it is makes me that much more excited to get one. Thanks man.

 

[ROB 256R]

Just purchased a T500! can't wait for it to arrive

Where from? Of the 3 places I could find that were the cheapest, none had stock. Don't really want to spend any more than £340!

 

[Azure Flare]

Just purchased a T500! can't wait for it to arrive

Me too!

 

[JohnBodin]

Any progress on the load cells John?
Just curious. I just can't wait to get back to that aspect and every time I read someone saying how get it is makes me that much more excited to get one. Thanks man.

I have the first prototype of the new interface board with the integrated load cell amp, but I haven't had time to assemble a unit for testing. I'll need to spend some time evaluating the performance compared to my current design, and if the new board passes my scrutiny, we'll go ahead with the new design. Once that decision is made, I should have new units available shortly thereafter.

So, "soon."

 

[Coxis]

John,

I saw a thread about you selling your GTE wheel. Does this mean you won't work on improvements for that particular wheel, like "bling" or better buttons / micro switches for the paddles?

 

[JohnBodin]

The switches that MrBasher and I came up with won't work with the F458 wheel -- the paddle shifter switches are soldered to the main circuit board, so they're not "replaceable" items per se. Ditto the wheel center, more or less -- all I could provide are the stick-on decals, and there's not much justification for the cost there.

 

[ENTERSANDMAN13]

Where from? Of the 3 places I could find that were the cheapest, none had stock. Don't really want to spend any more than £340!

I got mine from playseat, in a bundle, I originally was just going to buy a seat but what the hell I've been working hard this last few months, lets go all out!



Meanwhile this came today..

 

[Coxis]

The switches that MrBasher and I came up with won't work with the F458 wheel -- the paddle shifter switches are soldered to the main circuit board, so they're not "replaceable" items per se. Ditto the wheel center, more or less -- all I could provide are the stick-on decals, and there's not much justification for the cost there.

Oh that's bad news indeed. Well, hopefully this wheel's components are better than their counterparts.

 

[JohnBodin]

Oh that's bad news indeed. Well, hopefully this wheel's components are better than their counterparts.

I honestly think they are higher-quality switches -- Thrustmaster has reportedly upgraded newer F1 wheels to include higher-reliability 10 million cycle switches similar to what MrBasher and I use in the upgraded F1 switch replacements that we offer, so I'm betting that the F458 also has the higher-reliability switches, especially since they're really NOT easily replaceable without soldering and/or replacing the entire circuit board.

 

[Paul33993]

I honestly think they are higher-quality switches -- Thrustmaster has reportedly upgraded newer F1 wheels to include higher-reliability 10 million cycle switches similar to what MrBasher and I use in the upgraded F1 switch replacements that we offer, so I'm betting that the F458 also has the higher-reliability switches, especially since they're really NOT easily replaceable without soldering and/or replacing the entire circuit board.

Part of their marketing bullet points are 10 million life switches, so that's what they're rated at. Can't say whether certain switches are better than others, but they're at least rated for 10 million.

 

[Mayaman]

I found it interesting that the firmware version is 45... As well, TTRS is a designation only previously used on the T500RS. Remember, the current firmware version for the T500RS is 41. Just sayin'

The T500RS and this will probably share drivers. Among uh, other things...

So some members of the forza board think that the TX wheel will definitely get PS4 drivers. I said this would never happen. Do you think that it will?

 

[mrbasher]

So some members of the forza board think that the TX wheel will definitely get PS4 drivers. I said this would never happen. Do you think that it will?

Nobody that knows would say publicly that it will or will not "definitely" be compatible with anything other than what has been announced. So far that is the PC and XB1.

That said, my thoughts, since you asked...

I'd say, it's certainly plausible due to the following:

- It has a USB connection which was confirmed by it having PC compatibility.
- As near as I can tell from photos, it has 4 buttons on the base itself, other than the Xbox button. Any of these COULD end up being used as the "PS" button.
- There are apparently plans for the T500RS to be supported already and based on what you quoted from me, they could likely end up using the same USB descriptor. (basically, the values going to and from the wheel would be in the same "positions" and thus understood by either wheel and the "driver")

Based on the above, there isn't much stopping it from happening except the possibility of one of the following:

A. Microsoft has licensed exclusive rights to the wheel with regard to consoles. Though it would seem unlikely Thrustmaster would agree to this. As well, if the PS4 is classified like the PS3 was (I think what I am about to say is correct unless something changed), the PS4 would be considered a "computer" and not a console.

- or -

B. Thrustmaster plans to continue producing and selling the T500RS as a PC, PS3, PS4 wheel. If this is the case, it would be unlikely they would release two wheels so similarly priced for the same platform.

Their ultimate goal is likely to produce a wheel that is compatible with PC, PS3, PS4 and XB1. That is what my gut tells me... That said, I really have BARELY more information than what anyone else out there does. Certainly nobody should take anything away from this other than, maybe...

EDIT:

I want to add something... A good friend and I were talking about all of this (wheels) yesterday and we both agree that Microsoft has really thrown a wrench in the works with all this. I get why they are doing what they are, and there are multiple reasons surely. However, it's truly goofy in my opinion to create a potential situation in which a consumer needs to even think about something like this. Just use HID and be done with it for god sakes! Then people can choose a particular console not because they want to use a particular wheel, but because they like the console and the games available for it. The thought process is just odd to me.

 

[Coxis]

Oh how I wish they'd take custom orders for their new TX wheel. I'd order the base only (no wheel or pedals) and buy a GTE wheel separately seeing as T500RS wheel rims seem to be compatible.

 

[eKretz]

@Bashmeister: Yeah they have alienated a lot of people by saying the 360 wheels won't be compatible. I see a lot of people arguing that the original Xbox peripherals didn't work for 360, but to me that is a lot different. For one thing, these racing wheels are MUCH more expensive than the cheapo stuff they had on the original Xbox. It was not that big a deal that the original Xbox peripherals didn't work on the 360 since they were low cost, but some of the wheels they are now "obsoleting" with the move from 360 to XB1 cost more than the damned console! Most of the guys who bought one of these wheels looked at it like a long-term investment, to be used for quite some time. I think after doing this they are going to make people a lot more tentative about peripheral purchases. Hell, I don't even know if I am going to get one of the next-gen consoles now.

 

[Azure Flare]

Meanwhile this came today..

👍

I'm expecting mine to arrive Monday or Tuesday, but today or tomorrow would be a nice surprise.

 

[ROB 256R]

I got mine from playseat, in a bundle, I originally was just going to buy a seat but what the hell I've been working hard this last few months, lets go all out!



Meanwhile this came today..

Thanks. I already have a GameRacer chassis, otherwise that sounds like a decent deal.

 

[Hwangm]

.

 

[Mayaman]

edit: In my opinion, instances like the one that was deleted should be made public on this forum! The Todd Cannon incident is a perfect example. If we were able to know about it ahead of time, he wouldn't have been able to steal from hard working people. Just my .02

Yeah all polite now, but behind closed doors insulting customers with profanity? Real nice.

 

[OwensRacing]

Wide Brake Pedals available.

Had an issue with shipping one international. I was new to it and tried to save buyer money.

Have that sorted and now ship with insurance and tracking.

I also want to apologize to Hwangm for his pedal getting lost in the mail. I'm deeply sorry and truly bothered by it. I've never had anything get lost happen when selling online not had I shipped over seas before either.