Clubsport pedals vs. T500RS pedals

  • Thread starter Thread starter snobord99
  • 16 comments
  • 3,572 views
S

snobord99

Messages
28
Currently, I have the 911 Carrera Wheel set with the standard pedals and I'm looking for an upgrade. I'm fairly happy with the wheel already but I can't stand the pedals. There's the issue with the pedals not recognizing full travel after using it for a month (and this is my second set as I was already sent a replacement under warranty) and there's also the issue that I have a REALLY hard time threshold braking. As to the latter, I think it's because it's because of the fact that it's a potentiometer-based pedal (but I don't know for sure).

I picked up a T500 RS yesterday and the wheel feels great. While the pedals feel a hell of a lot better than the standard Fanatecs, I'm still having difficulty finding the threshold braking point. However, I have a MUCH easier time doing so than with the standard Fanatec pedals once I put in that brake mod it comes with.

I am, however, still contemplating returning the T500 and getting the GT3 RS Clubsport package instead (while the T500 wheel is much nicer, I like my Carrera wheel enough to not care THAT much for the difference and I'm sure I'll like the GT3 RS even better than the Carrera which would close the gap even more). What I REALLY care about now is the pedal feel; however, I've never tried a load cell pedal and really don't want to order the Clubsports without having a better idea of how much of an improvement they would be above the T500 pedals. Plus, I really prefer not to order from Fanatec as getting support from them has been...less than easy (to put it lightly), but if they make the better pedal, they make the better pedal.

There doesn't seem to be any question that people prefer the Clubsports, but I've not seen too many reviews that go into much more than "they feel better." I'm looking for feedback about in what way do they feel better? Is it just a tighter pedal? Are you able to better "feel" the threshold braking point? What is better about them?

And before someone suggests it, no, keeping the T500 and getting the Clubsport pedals as well is not an option :p
 
With the load cell brake, you can much more accurately gauge where the lockup point is, it also makes it a lot easier to modulate or back off when you go too far. Another plus is the adjustability, you can adjust each pedal face to the location, and angle. You can even tighten the springs to make a longer or shorter throw. You can go the extra mile and order the Clubsport Tuning Kit, which will give you even more options for adjustability. (Read here.) If you race in a lot of leagues, you can even set ABS vibration settings to the lockup point of your car. This helped me a great deal in a league where we were racing GT1 cars. I could set the vibration setting and never locked my tires. If you do PC racing, most specifically, iRacing, you can download a program (Read here.) which will monitor your session and vibrate your pedal when it needs to. There are many things you can do with your pedals, even invert them! (Just know the risks, here's the guide.) I did this, and they feel much, much better. I hope I helped!
 
The CSP are a bit better then the T500 pedals but not by much, I own two T500's and two CSP's. While I like the CSP over the T500 pedals it would not be a deal breaker for me, I would have no problem going back to the T500 pedal.

The CSP tuning kit is sold out ATM and Fanatec can't keep them on the shelf. You also didn't mention what platform you race with. I pretty much stick to the PC so I use the CSP with my T500, it's a killer combo.

I also own the GT2 and it's a good wheel, it's not near as good as the T500. As far as other Fanatec combo such as the Elite pedals I would be concerned with longevity. The same can be said for the CSP, they require maintenance on a ongoing basis.
Good luch with your decision.
 
Another option is to wait for the rumored load-cell mods for the T500RS brake pedal. Have you tried installing the real brake mod for the T500RS? Personally, I find even sans the brake-mod, the T500RS' pedal is a step above what I was using: the G25 pedal.
 
I'd take my CSPs into a race over t500rs pedals any day. Its just so easy to be smooth & consistent in a long race with them. I can pretty much just watch a replay from a gamer in iRacing and can almost tell ya if they are using CSPs because you can see them applying very smooth brake inputs

T500RS pedals are great still but not as good. If they ever get some load cells they will be much nicer and I'll surely buy the mod to try it out. But they will still lack the precision the CSPs can achieve by being directly plugged in to USB

I think pedals are much more important than the wheel being used. I know an 'Alien' in iRacing that uses just logitech 27 + CSPs. So a decent wheel (dfgt at min) + good brakes you should be set.

all that being said I like the construction of the T500rs pedals better tho. They are so large, solid, and bulky. They are solid as a rock and easy to mod/invert. The CSPs look more fragile too me. But only time can tell which will last the longest

TL;DR: CSPs > T500rs pedals cause bottom line I care about consistency, etc

edit: T500rs pedals are heavier too. This matters not to most of yous rocking cockpits but wheelstand users will have a much easier time with CSPs moving them bout.
 
Good point about no USB for the T500 pedal and I agree about the importance of a good set of pedals over a wheel. Another point I don't like about the T500 pedals and I'm sure it would be easy to mod is that the brake pedal is to far apart from the throttle pedal. Makes it a little harder to heel to toe.
 
Heel and toeing is impossible for me. My feet are naturally set at 45 degree angles. Sort of like a "toe-out" kind of thing. :lol:
 
Let's not forget the CSPs have brake vibration too. Very good training tool for learning how to drive w/o ABS. In iRacing in upper levels you cant use ABS. So I was getting slayed til I learned this. But I realize most of you have many yrs of sim racing experience. This is just relevant to ppl that's casual like I was (til I get addicted to racing in GT5 / iRacing)


I know the brake vibration in fm4 or rather via the wheel directly is kind of weak but for some reason via the iRacing plugin its much stronger.

I really dont use the brake vibration much anymore but it really helped me out earlier on
 
Last edited:
or you can just switch to Formula cars, etc which don't require a clutch. In particular I refer to Acura HPD ARX, Formula F1, etc
 
I read somewhere, that T500 pedals connected to the wheel have the same resolution as CSP via USB. If not the same, than only small difference. When I find it, I will post the source.
 
Thanks Crispy for the info, ive always wanted to do this since i started iRacing 2-3 months back. But so much to learn when i start iRacing totally forgot about this plugin

You just reminded me to unplug my csp from my wheel and into usb port to use the plugin

Wow, the gear beep plugin, iHud plugin and now this to run before starting iracing. I hope it wont cause any problem.

Quick question though is there much different pluging it direct usb to via the wheel? Can anybody confirm / tell the different?
 
Connecting the CSP via USB gives you a higher resolution. Connecting via the wheel is only 8 bit AFAIK.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far guys! It looks like I'll probably be better off with the CSPs, but I'm probably not going to pull the trigger on that for a few more days so any more feedback before I do is obviously welcomed.

And yea, I forgot to mention, I play primarily GT5 with a little (very little) PS3 Dirt 3 but anticipate that I'll get into using it for a PC sim eventually (work schedule permitted).

I'm more or less of the same opinion of sandbox and left as I think right now, it's more important for me to get some solid pedals than it is for me to get a wheel. I've noticed that my steering accuracy doesn't change too much between wheels but my braking is wildly inconsistent even with the same pot pedals as I have trouble keeping the distance I move my foot consistent and the only way for me to know if I'm locking up my brakes is by sound (and by then, it's already too late).

I'd love to get a load cell mod for the T500, but I don't know when, or even if, it's coming and I certainly don't want to hang on to these only to find out later I'm not happy with them and there's no mod coming...
 
Mahnegold
I read somewhere, that T500 pedals connected to the wheel have the same resolution as CSP via USB. If not the same, than only small difference. When I find it, I will post the source.
Click to expand...

Both have 1024 bits but the T500rs jumps while the CSP is perfectly smooth. You refer to Wildrun / Tobyn's post in T500rs master thread. App was called DIView I think that allows ya to measure it

Granted, I refer to CSP being plugged in via USB. Being plugged in directly well I dont want to comment on that cause I only do that when I have to (consoles!)
 
The CSP's are the best when they work, a load cell is much more natural. Our brains work much better at regulating small adjustments of pressure better than movement. That's why a load cell is so much better. That said, these CSP's I have are a PITA. they don't keep calibration, I constantly have to unplug and replug them, the gas pedal gets spiky at times and the brake pressure is constantly changing. For all the good that the brake is (and make no mistake- the brake is that good) the gas and other issues conspire to ruin these POS'es.

I've already gone through 3 hall sensors and have had to take the pedals apart. I understand needing to maintain my equipment, but this has been ridiculous. I've gotten to the point where I have a love/hate relationship with these pedals. Everyday it's something else.

That said, I still use them. The DAY that a load cell mod for the T500 pedals comes out, I'm getting it and I'll be rid of Fanatec forever.
 

Latest Posts

Back