Advice on wheels: G27 or T500RS

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Acextreme

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Hello, everyone, this is my first post and I need the advice of the people in this forum as all of you seems to have plenty of experience with regards to racing wheels.

I am deciding either a G27 or a T500RS as stated but this decision isn't going to be easy. The following are information that needs to be taken into consideration:

(1) I am thinking of getting serious in SIM racing on the PC, and so I just bought an Obutto Revolution that's on its way here, to be committed to serious SIM racing. To that end, money isn't much of a concern but as of now, I am only willing to spend as much as what would cost me to get the T500RS, the TH8RS shifter and the Bodin load cell mod.

(2) Apart from wanting to get serious in SIM racing, I also enjoy much from racing arcade racers at times (in fact, quite a lot of time as I need them to chill out). I race Dirt 1/2/3, Grid, Euro truck simulator 2, etc on the PC and GT5, Daytona USA, and Ferrari The Race Experience on PS3.

(3) As you can see, I do quite a bit of arcade racing, so this factors into my wheel purchase decision as the bloody expensive shifter from Thrustmaster's T500RS+TH8RS combo does NOT seem to work in Daytona USA, my favorite game that gives me plenty of utility (i.e. satisfaction) and so I place a heavy weight on this. Also it seems that Ferrari The Race Experience does not work too (anyone can comment on this)?

(4) On the other hand, I heard Daytona USA supports the H-Shifter of G27!!! Yet, I do understand that G27 does not fare too well compared to the T500RS, definitely. That's why I am really in a dilemma; I want a really good wheel that can get me really immerse in SIM racing but I also want to enjoy arcade racing too.

(5) So which would I play more? Well, I don't know, I love the realism of SIM racing and so I am willing to get good equipments for it. At the same time, I like to play arcade racers like Daytona as it seriously is fun. In fact, if I have a wheel and a H-shifter that works like the arcade days, I think I would play Daytona on my PS3 more too. But let's just say I will spend equal amount of time on both platforms.

(6) So what I am considering right now is this: does the T500RS brings so much of an improvement over the G27 such that it makes up for the loss in compatibility to most of my favorite arcade racers (mainly Daytona because I grew up with this game and in fact, it is this game that got me into racing genre games)?

(7) You might also want to know that I don't have much experience with SIM racing, only with NetKar Pro on a Logitech Momo wheel for a while and a little of rFactor also for a while only. And apart from the Momo wheel, I have not sampled any other wheels before, so I won't exactly know whether I need the T500RS or not; let's just say ignorance can be a bliss here.

Any opinions and kind advice would be greatly appreciated. :-)
 
pilmat
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=8040421#post8040421

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=8085561#post8085561

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=8059283#post8059283


This topic rolls around quite often :)

Think we're going to need a sticky one day!
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Thanks, your links helps me quite a bit. Only trouble is I am STILL undecided whether the loss in games compatibility going with the T500RS + shifter combo is worth it compared to G27 where I can play my favorite arcade games on PS3. Even if I had the resources to buy both wheels, the trouble of switching them to and fro the rig fixture is too much.

Ah, trade offs, trade offs, I hate them. I blame the problem of scarcity, and because of this, I have to make a choice; no, actually I blame Thrustmaster for not ensuring compatibility!!! So unless the T500RS is really much better, like perhaps 75% better, I might be able to accept the opportunity cost of not playing my favorite arcade racer... :grumpy:
 
The T500 is a superior wheel to the G27, get the the T500 with a DSD pro sequential shifter. It won't work with consoles (shifter) but it is a blast for PC games. Check out a free 1 month at iRacing. If you are a serious racer it will be hard to go back to consoles. There are several great PC games coming out soon such as pCARS and Assetto Corsa.
 
I hear you, i love having the modularity and multiplatform racing.
It sounds like your debating between the g27 shifter vs the TH8RS and how much of an improvement the TH8RS is to warrant losing ps3 compatiblity.

I use a fanatec, but i own the g27 shfiter and the TH8RS. Shifter defintely feels incredible better. But i lived perfectly fine with the g27. But do understand when racing, the g27 shifter feels incredibly loose, (making misshifts more prone) In that regards, i can never go back to that shifter, it just feels too much like a toy. Putting a shiftknob helps, put theres no resistance in shifting. If this doesnt bother you as much, then it could be an option.
So thats my take on it, and its a matter of comfort level to you.

In that regards, not that i want to bring up ANOTEHR wheel, but right now im running a fanatec setup to work across 360, ps3, and PC.

The fanatec CSW is in the same class (or better, varied opinions) of the T500.
It works on ps3 and PC, and you can get adapters to hook up whatever combination of shifters and pedals you want to it.

Personally, im using a CSR, with the th8rs and basherboards adapter, and elite pedals. They all go into the wheel, leaving one wire going into any of the systems.
 
Acextreme
Thanks, your links helps me quite a bit. Only trouble is I am STILL undecided whether the loss in games compatibility going with the T500RS + shifter combo is worth it compared to G27 where I can play my favorite arcade games on PS3. Even if I had the resources to buy both wheels, the trouble of switching them to and fro the rig fixture is too much.

Ah, trade offs, trade offs, I hate them. I blame the problem of scarcity, and because of this, I have to make a choice; no, actually I blame Thrustmaster for not ensuring compatibility!!! So unless the T500RS is really much better, like perhaps 75% better, I might be able to accept the opportunity cost of not playing my favorite arcade racer... :grumpy:
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The T500 wheel is an improvement over the G27. I don't like the fixed paddles and the pedals are quite poor in my opinion. The G27 is a great product and you will not be disappointed with it. I'm not into arcade style games, but if you are and it is a big source of fun, put them at the top of your priorities and get a G27.

If you really want to go PC (as left888 says, it's tough going back to console after you've done a significant amount of PC), then I leave the choice to you. I use them both back to back here at work and find the transition easy and fun, akin to jumping between a real MX5 and a Star Mazda :) You get on with it and drive the shizzle out of both!
 
Thanks, I think I will just go ahead with the T500RS. I think left888 has a great point, and that is if I were to go into PC Sim Racing, I think I won't go back to those consoles, maybe other than GT5.

Thanks, guys, you helped me make my decision by showing me the path to glory, lol :p
 
You can play Daytona USA with the T500 on your PC, just use Model 2 Emulator. I am waiting for my TH8 (gotta have that manual shift!!) to arrive and fiddling with various settings to get it dialed in, but it works for sure.

I do like the plug and play nature of the PS3 version with the G27 tho... its fantastic, and PS3 compatibility is the main reason I kept my G27 around after getting a T500.

Each taken on their own merits tho, the T500 is a better unit, although by the time you buy the TH8 you can be in it for an extra $200+ over the G27
 
Generally particularly for arcade games you are safer with just one usb controller! the G27 shifter is not a standalone USB device it connects through the G27 so you may find that you get use of it a bit more. If we take consoles into account this is even more the norm.

As for general compability I believe the G27 may be a safer bet. I don´t know because I haven´t been doing much arcade since I got my T500RS. Fanatec for me is the best here with all the onboard adjustment you can use to try to make something sensible of totally non sensible ridge racer input ;)

But as for wheel it´s a no contest really. I find no arguments for the G27 more then if you just have a budget and don´t want to go over a specific sum. I could get a T500RS (though got the F1 integral) for 100$ more but I would be fine paying the double honestly :)

TH8RS when it works is nice but it is getting really maintenance heavy... But you should be able to find deals on that as well

You could try mr bashers stiff brake mod if you are not dead set on the load cell mod. The T500RS pedals stock is quite good though. Some may say clubsports I have those as well but it´s even steven. Different feel but I still do´t know which I preferr :)
 
You'll never regret spending the extra money for a better wheel if its something you are going to do for a long time. If you are like me and don't spend a lot of money on lots of different hobbies, I feel its okay to spend a little more to have good stuff with that one favorite hobby.
 
Hey, everyone, thanks so much for your valued opinions and the suggestion of using the emulator; didn't realize it existed until Gunstar highlighted that to me, so thanks to all.

There's one more thing I would like to ask for all your opinion too. I have already decided on the T500RS wheel and also the shifter to go along (at least I can use it on GT5 as well as other PC Sims). Then I saw this Ferrari F1 Integral addon!

Do you guys think it's worthwhile to get that? In what situation would one feels this addon is good? I am perfectly alright with static paddle shifter, in fact I prefer it. So what other advantages does this F1 wheel addon confers that the GT wheel lacks?
 
The add-on F1 rim adds some realism if you drive open wheel cars, because it's that kind of wheel which the "real guys" also use. Also on PC it offers an "advanced mode" where you have much more buttons available than with the GT rim.

If you are interested in the F1 rim, don't buy the T500 integral! Buy the T500 with GT rim and then the F1 add-on. You will safe a lot of money this way!
 
It depends they charge quite a bit extra for the F1 integral. But I think you should go for that anyway if you know you will get it anyway. You can easily find superior rim for the 99 euro Thrustmaster wants or close enough anyway. You sacrifice buttons but for the button pusher the F1 Integral is hard to beat. Everything is easy accessible while racing. I got a SRW F1 wheel and slaughtered it and use that as button box for my 320 mm Rim but many of the old school racing don´t require tons of button pushing while racing. Often enough with the two paddles plus separate shifter.

But anyway the ability to easilly switch rim is a big draw for me on th T500RS :)
 
Easy choice between G27 and T500RS. It's G27 👍 you wont have any regrets because you throw your money away if you buy T500RS 👎 wheel is seriously over-budget.
 
Oh, actually I mean the F1 addon; I didn't know the F1 Integral is without the GT wheel. So I guess my question should be, is the F1 addon worth it?

One thing I want to ask is, is the rotation still a potential 1080 degree even though you changed to the F1 addon? I asked this because F1 cars usually have a smaller degree of rotation, and I believe we can set that in the software, so why would I need the F1 addon? Unless of course it's only for the looks, the extra buttons, and the rotating paddle shifters?
 
ussr
Easy choice between G27 and T500RS. It's G27 👍 you wont have any regrets because you throw your money away if you buy T500RS 👎 wheel is seriously over-budget.
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Can't disagree more 👎 (I have them both)
 
You can drive f1 with an ordinary rim quite fine. I do not do drifting that may be hard with the f1 rim. Rally is doable absolutely but a 285 mm rim or even smaller would feel better for me. I am quite uncomfortable with my 320 rim here also.

Anyway you can adjust settings so either work fine if not perfect.
 
I suggest you get the version with the normal wheel, and grab the F1 wheel later on if you have a game that would benefit from it. I'm using the F1 now because I'm playing alot of F1 2012, but for most of the games on your play list it looks like the GT wheel will be more to your liking, especially if you get the shifter. Swappable wheels are another huge T500 benefit IMO, I'm hoping Thrustmaster does a Ferrari street car replica wheel someday...
 
Mahnegold
Can't disagree more 👎 (I have them both)
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Y'know, I might have agreed until the T500 went down to $400... at $600 it felt a little expensive... but now unless you have a sub $300 G27 lined up (very possible) you almost can't afford not to spend the extra $100 for the better wheel. I honestly feel it's well worth the extra cost... and that's even after I bought the F1 wheel and the TH8... and even considering I still own a perfectly good G27!

The G27 is great. I really enjoyed using it. It's a complete package, a good all-rounder, and really it's super cheap (IMO) for what it is. The T500 is just a bigger, stronger and better wheel to build your rig around, and the pedals are nice and heavy and a little wider than the G27 pedals, plus they have that cool Rally Mode. The shifter, well, it's not included, but it is supposed to be very good (I'll know next week).
 
A(1) As soon as you said the word 'serious' that's already +1 for the T500RS. It has superior motors, size, durability, and price is almost on its side, when you take into account the level of beating it'll take. I love my G27, but on rally games (See Dirt 3) and occassionally in GT5, it jutters with bad programming, a belt driven system is superior to the helical gears in that it "shouldn't" do that afaik. Geez the Shifter AND Bodin cell mod? I wouldn't bother personally, I never use my Shifter, but for a serious... no for any serious sim racer, they'd be using paddles anyway, as for the Bodin, well I suppose.

A(2) Serious being another point for T500RS (2 to 0 so far), and money being no option, its almost not worth going through your other 5 criteria. G27 has less usability in GT5 than a DFGT, let alone a T500RS imo. The G27 has a better grip (possibly), being leather, smaller circumference (I'll get to that later), and the paddles move with the wheel (afaik, the T500RS paddles do not)

A(3) Not really, I prefer GT5 so my opinion is rather mute. Are you sure the G27s shifter works with it? If so how well? Because with the clutch its next to useless in GT5 (about 70% effective, often missing gears unreasonable, can't heel and toe, ect).

A(4) No need to yell :P. On your second point, if you mod the G27 like these guys did, it may actually provide superior pulling power, (SOLD OUT atm :( ).

http://www.f1driving.it/ecommerce/en/category/category/17-g25g27-mods

Furthermore, I believe since you don't have a wheel yet, it might be more cost effective to buy a wheel from them pre-modded. This may be a better solution since the G27 modded, even with less power, may have a higher power to circumference ratio with a stock wheel. still 3 to 1 for T500.

A(5) Ok then 4 to 2.

A(6) That's a tough one, my gut says yes, but I know that it performs better (stock) in SIM racing and GT5, as for Daytona, if you are really going to miss that shifter compatibility, I'd stick with a modded G27 4 to 3.

A(7)

Bottom line, gut feeling is the answer here. Most of the time its a cost option (but no point looking at the cost because its largely irrelavent here), this time it seems to come down to this.

G27 - Smaller circumference, compatible with Daytona, has a leather steering wheel, can be bought pre-modded for more power.

T500RS - Superior and more reliable mechanisms, better playability (imo) in Sim Racing and GT5.

If I were you, especially considering the G27 wheel mod is sold out, is go for the T500RS, it's a fantastic out of the box (manufacturer) warrantied wheel, it'll surely survive into the next generation of consoles AND Sim Racing, has enough power, enough toys, it's basically the king pin.

Yes... there is something from a mob called Fanatec, who 'may' have a superior wheel, I've seen comparisons, and am not sure if one is much better than the other, and I have a Fanatec wheel stand (excellent quality), but I'm not convinced on the wheels.

Only thing you'll be missing is a gearbox in Daytona - live without it, for Sim Racing, GT5, and yes likely Daytona, the gearbox will become almost meaningless, since money is no option get the shifter anyway, but basically, its not too great of a loss, or wouldn't be for me knowing how little I use my G27's shifter in GT5.
 
I am pleased to report that the TH8 mapped right up to the Model 2 Emulator and works SO nice for Daytona, unless you ever ran in neutral for any reason. But it feels as close to the original Daytona shifter as I can imagine any store bought solution ever will.

As far as the wheel settings go, I seem to have the best feel so far just cranking all the settings in the T500 profiler up to 100%, but there are other in emu settings I can fool with. It plays fine, but I'm thinking that real arcade feel is possible with the right settings!
 
Yesterday, I was also trying to decide between the G27 or the T500rs.
I finally decided on the G27 but found out that three of the outlets who were offering the G27 the previous day were out of stock and claiming the product was discontiued. Limited stocks were still available elsewhere at a higher price.
I phoned Logitech UK Sales and asked if the G27 was a discontinued product. The answer was a categorical YES and if I wanted one I should act quickly as stocks really were limited. My concern was whether Logitec would continue to support their discontinued products.
I ended up buying the T500rs from overclockers for £309 with F1 2012 thrown in.
 
Thats funny, it is still plentiful in stores in my part of the world as well as on Logitech.com.
 
Gunstar
I am pleased to report that the TH8 mapped right up to the Model 2 Emulator and works SO nice for Daytona, unless you ever ran in neutral for any reason. But it feels as close to the original Daytona shifter as I can imagine any store bought solution ever will.

As far as the wheel settings go, I seem to have the best feel so far just cranking all the settings in the T500 profiler up to 100%, but there are other in emu settings I can fool with. It plays fine, but I'm thinking that real arcade feel is possible with the right settings!
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Oh yes! This is certainly a wonderful piece of news for me; nothing beats the fun factor of Daytona with real shifters, haha. 👍
 

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