rSeat RS EVO V3 Review

Sim-racing continues to grow as a hobby world-wide, and more companies than ever before are introducing high-quality racing seats at increasingly affordable price points. One of the latest products on the market is the rSeat RS EVO V3, and they’ve sent me a complementary unit to take a look at for myself.

About the EVO V3

The “rSeat RS EVO V3” is, as its name implies, the third generation of rSeat’s flagship product, the RS EVO. The V3 brings several refinements over the V2, and is now being distributed in over 40 countries, including the United States and Canada. It’s priced at $549 USD, and supports most popular steering wheels and pedal sets, including:

  • Thrustmaster T500RS / TH8RS shifter
  • Fanatec Porsche GT2
  • Fanatec Porsche GT3
  • Fanatec CSR
  • Fanatec CSR-Elite
  • Fanatec Clubsport Pedals & Shifters
  • Logitech G25
  • Logitech G27

Unboxing & Assembly

My review unit was shipped via FedEx from Apopka, Florida, and arrived in just a few days. The box was tightly wrapped in plastic and its contents were well protected.

All of the tools necessary to assemble the unit were included, along with all of the screws needed to properly mount compatible wheels, pedals, and shifters. Note, however, that corresponding hex keys are not supplied for the various sizes of accessory mounting screws. I didn’t find this to be a problem, but I still recommend having a small hex wrench on hand when you’re ready to attach your equipment.

The illustrated instructions were brief, and the assembly was straightforward and uneventful. With a friend helping out, I was behind the wheel in less than an hour.

Build Quality

My first impressions of the unit were excellent. Its utilitarian design confidently places function over form, and the materials appear to be of high quality. The frame is thick and heavy and the synthetic leather is tightly fitted over the seat, leaving few concerns about long-term durability.

The unique design of the C-shaped wheel arm makes it easy to get in and out of the seat, and all of the components can be configured to simulate a left or right-hand-drive configuration.

Adjustability

Just about everything can be moved, tilted, or adjusted on the EVO V3, from the angle and height of the steering wheel, to the position of the shifter.

The sheer range of adjustments – and the ease in which they can be made – is my favorite aspect of the V3’s design. Without getting out of the seat, you can loosen the appropriate knobs to slide different sections of the frame around. Each segment moves independently, so the pedals, wheel, shifter, and seat can be placed wherever you prefer.

This also allows the seat’s length to be “shrunk” when not in use, greatly reducing its overall footprint for storage while simultaneously increasing its chances of spousal acceptance.

Be forwarned, though: if you haven’t fully tightened the adjustment knobs, certain pieces of the frame can shift around. Super-human strength is not required; just make sure the knobs are completely secure before your gaming session.

Gameplay

Thanks to the seat’s flexible positioning capabilities described above, all but the tallest amongst us will have no trouble getting comfortable in the EVO V3. As it should be with any good racing seat, I quickly forget it was there as I focused on my driving. The thick frame and the wheel’s hefty support arm remained sturdy, even during aggressive steering inputs.

My only concern about the unit’s stability lies with the adjustable pedal plate. As you can see in these photos, it can be tilted upward to provide a more accessible position. Only two screws hold the plate in this position, and after just a few hard presses on the brake, the plate dropped back down.

Fortunately, a quick email to rSeat’s support resolved the issue; they recommended removing the plastic washer from between the screw and pedal plate to increase friction between the two. Sure enough, after doing so – and replacing the screws using as much torque as I could manage – the pedals have not moved since.

GTPlanet user “333hp”, who has also taken delivery of his RS EVO V3, went a step further in resolving this problem by inserting a second bolt of his own below the plate’s mounting screw. As he notes in this forum post, this can be implemented for less than a few dollars, and I would recommend it as the most permanent, long-term solution if you have any concerns about the pedal’s stability.

I also found the seat’s bottom cushion to be quite thin, and it wasn’t long before my backside became uncomfortable. Fortunately, the cushion can easily be replaced with a thicker piece of foam or a small, spare pillow; an upgrade I would certainly recommend for anyone using the seat more than a few hours.

Conclusions

At $549 USD, the rSeat RS EVO V3 hits a very sweet spot in the mid-range sim-racing seat market. It forgoes the sleek lines found on more expensive rigs in exchange for an adjustable, stable, and utilitarian design, offering practical flexibility that lower-end products simply can’t provide.

The seat’s comfort and the pedal plate’s permanence – my only two concerns – can so quickly and easily be resolved that I do not consider them to be significant drawbacks of an otherwise exceptional product. If you’re looking for a versatile racing seat at this price point, you really can’t go wrong with the EVO V3.

How To Buy (or Win!)

You can purchase the RS EVO V3 directly from rSeat.net (or try to win it in the GT5 World Super GT Championship!). As always, visit their website for more details.

The company’s U.S. distributor will also be participating as an approved sponsor in GTPlanet’s forums, answering questions, and providing support directly to our community here.

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Comments (40)

  1. tpark103

    After well over a year finally stepped my game up and invested in a racing wheel. Now it looks as if I’m still behind the curve. )-:

  2. VetteZR1

    The rSeat customer service is A+ in my book. I asked many questions about the rig and they answered my E-mails quickly, accuratly, and most important-honestly.

  3. MrFish

    “The seat’s comfort and the pedal plate’s permanence – my only two concerns – can so quickly and easily be resolved that I do not consider them to be significant drawbacks of an otherwise exceptional product.”

    For over $500, I would expect small details like these to be resolved. A chair has one primary function – to be comfortable. At this price I’d expect at least that, and not have to resort to additional padding.

  4. bxgungrave81

    Another good idea is if u have a gamer seat an already have a wheel pro stand u can adjust it to lean into the chair almost like a gokart cockpit I’ve done this Workin on getting the shifter to by the chair side

  5. VspecZR1GT2RS89

    Great review Jordan! It seems this is sort of a good sim racing hardware I’m looking at. At $550 dollars, yeah it’s expensive but it’s not like I’m putting out nearly $1,000 or more for sim gear that I could just save for a cheap track/drift car. The quality look amazing and I like that you can adjust to suit yourself and you can be sitting in it while tweaking the pedals and the seat. I’m calling this a good deal.

  6. VspecZR1GT2RS89

    Great review Jordan! It seems this is sort of a good sim racing hardware I’m looking at. At $550 dollars, yeah it’s expensive but it’s not like I’m putting out nearly $1,000 or more for sim gear that I could just save for a cheap track/drift car. The quality look amazing and I like that you can adjust to suit yourself or anyone who wants to try it out and you can be sitting in it while tweaking the pedals and the seat. I’m calling this a good deal.

  7. XXI

    Excellent review Jordan, clear, professional, and straight to the point. I had never heard of R seat, it looks like a great piece of kit. I’ll be looking for more user reviews.

  8. Blade Runner

    I have the EVO V3 as well. And love this seat. I just had the chance this weekend to sit in a Playseat and there is no comparison. The rSeat is on a much higher level. The rSeat feels like a purpose built unit. The Playseat felt lacking in the fit in finsh dept. One very important note to anyone that is a tall. I am 6’2″ 225 and the rSeat felt like a true race sim seat. The playseat felt like it was designed by a 130lbs college kid to fit his frame. There was no way I was going to sit in that playseat for anylength of time. To be far the rSeast REALLY needs to address the one lower seat pad though. That is the ONLY issue with this rig. Everything else is top notch. Come on rSeat fix that lower seat cushsion and you have a rig to compete with the 1k+ rigs.

  9. HuskyGT

    Very beautiful. It’s the first seat I see with an adjustable shifter possition. No more right-hand shifting with RHD cars! I love it!

  10. BrosifDuder

    Thanks for the review, Jordan. One quick question, you mentioned the seat is covered in leather, is it real leather or is it faux? Thanks in advance.

  11. Eric W

    It looks like a well built chassis but I never would have been able to justify to my wife about spending $500 on one of these. Instead, I build a home-made chassis out of 2×4’s, plywood, and MDF for around $100.

    1. tika

      If that where the case it would be easy to make A profit with it, but with the big overhead coast you will need A high revenue price to make A descend profit . and that is one off the problems with small manufactures there overhead is too big. And there is not A big market to sell An item like this chair in, that is why the give A chair to people like Jordan so that they get some kind of brand awareness and free advertisement

  12. Tvensky

    Ok its cool, but I doubt any regular guy will buy Metal sticks for 500$+ I would buy that for 50$ max 100$ any more and it is a robery or stupidity to be 100% honest with you!

    I build up mine for about 15$ and it works just fine.. and the best part you can build it just like YOU want it, and in any colour or shape for seriously small amount of money! This $549 USD, rSeat RS EVO V3 is for rich children from my point of view!

    1. WRP001

      Oh get off your high horse Tvensky. Everyone has their own preferences, skills and a value for their leisure time. Personally if it took me 4 hours to make my own rig I’d rather shell out the $500 and buy one already made and engineered by someone who knew what they were doing. I’m not a rich kid, but a working adult who earns his own money. And my time is money… Money comes and goes, but time only goes. Maybe when you grow up you’ll realize time isn’t free either.

    2. Blade Runner

      Please don’t mislead people with this build for 15 dollars talk. I build custom cars and bikes for living and 15 dollars won’t even cover the power for the welder and my lunch cost. So, Yeah of course you can build your own rig and make it fit you and fit you well, howerver you are not going to do it for 15 dollars and a happy meal. Just looking at the used material in the rSeat I can bet the NUT on that is close to 250 to 300. So sure if you feel you can fab that for around 250 to 300 go for it. Guess what I did? I paid the 550 and DAMN it was worth every dollar. If it was not I would not be shy in saying it. I am so glad you are not one of my customers. You are the one that would complain about me charging you 20 hrs to build a full exhaust and I put in 35hrs to do it. I know I know you are going to say oh working with stainless is not hard at all. Oh thats right to you working with ti is even easier.

    3. dautolover

      Blade Runner… I think Tvensky’s point is that it’s just a game. I’m sure you don’t need a 500 dollar seat to enjoy the game… a $15 dollar set up will not be of the same quality, but when you’re basically sitting down in front of a TV, not really going anywhere, $15 set up is all you need. $500 is more than the ps3 and the game, combined…

      WRP001… it has nothing to do with age… it has to do with being economically efficient. A $15 seat that does the same thing a $500 seat does… which one would you choose, as an adult that has to pay bills and feed a family?

    4. Blade Runner

      dautolover… No where does he say its just a game. Tvenskys point was to say that it is a waste to spend anything over 15 dollars on a seat when he can build something better for said amount and that only rich kids can afford it.

      As far as you are concerned. Thank you for stating the obvious “Its a game” Wow thanks for clearing that up. I guess my next customer that wants to spend 10k on paint I will say why. Its just a car to get you from point a to point b. Paint is paint. 1k paint job does the same job as a 10k paint job.

  13. opelgt1969

    they’ve sent me a complementary unit to take a look at for myself.

    Jordan after you take a look at this seat and get it broken in PM me as I don’t live too far from KY and I’ll come get it because I know it’s taking up way too much space. You can even leave one of the complementary wheels on it as I have a truck and can transport it without taking it apart (or I could use my G25 wheel).

  14. sporkafife

    It’s even uncomfortable and destroys your buttocks after long periods of driving… you couldnt get closer to real racing if you tried!

  15. IceKoldKilla

    Seems really good but about the foam on the seat. Now THAT is a concern for me. I’m not REALLY fat but I’m not skinny so of course I have more weight on and something you describe as thin just mean by ass will hurt after half an hour. I mean I can put a pillow of course but should be already implemented but for the price and everything explained above I understand it’s not THAT big of an issue and can be solved.

    1. mikochu

      The seat is a real racing bucket seat. You could mount your own seat (Sparco, Bride, STATUS) and it have the same mount locations. I’ve sat in worse racing seats. However, I did buy some cushion foam from a fabric/hobby store, cut it to size, and re-stuffed the seat cushions.

  16. iCyCo

    I’m assuming the C-Shape wheel stand can be mounted either direction so the Shifter can be on any side the drive chooses??? Looks so from the pics.

  17. Medno84

    You sure won’t get one, maybe from Santa, who knows?! On the other hand, you can buy one, that’s for sure.

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