Fanatec GT3 RS V2 or GT2?

[Chibana]

I'm looking to replace my Logitech G25 with a new system, probably a Fanatec system. If so, is the extra $70 worth it to go with the GT2 over the GT3 RS V2? I'm having a tough time deciding. As far as I can tell, here are the advantages of the GT2 over the GT3 RS V2:

• XBox support (which concerns me not in the least)
• Backlit buttons with PS3 symbols (I will never use this system on an XBox)
• Possible wireless connectivity with the (additional cost) USB fob

I could possibly see using the wireless functionality, and the backlit buttons might be nice, but I'm having a tough time deciding if they're worth another $70 to me. Probably not.

I'm tossing around the idea of the Thrustmaster T500 RS, but without a shifter, I'm not interested. I'm also choking on the cost, lack of support in other games and systems (yes, eventually, but who knows when), and the Fanatecs have some features not found in this new Thrustmaster.

Am I missing anything else that might make the decision easier?

 

[eric1971]

Are you sure you will never need Xbox compatibility? Forza is a great game as well . . .

The G25 is know to be a pretty good wheel. I'd probably just keep that if I was in your situation.

 

[Spyder-Si]

It's a pretty simple decision, if you intend to buy a 360 you need a GT2, if not you should go for a GT3.

 

[Chibana]

I have no intention of ever buying an Xbox. The Logitech is leaving me seriously cold as far as force feedback in GT5. I wish I could actually try a Fanatec before buying it to make sure it feels like what I'm hoping for, but everything I've read or seen about it indicates it has much better and more realistic FFB than the G25 (in this game, at least). The G25 felt fine to me in the PC game GTR2, but in GT5, not so much.

 

[greekbull]

It's a pretty simple decision, if you intend to buy a 360 you need a GT2, if not you should go for a GT3.

Agreed^^^I have a GT2 and have never used a GT3 but basically if you have no intention of having a Xbox all you gain is backlit button(which are really awesome in the dark). So with a GT3 your just going to have to memorize the button layout outside they're the same.

The only other difference would be the wireless capability. I run mine wired now.

 

[Zoom!Zoom!]

I have no intention of ever buying an Xbox. The Logitech is leaving me seriously cold as far as force feedback in GT5. I wish I could actually try a Fanatec before buying it to make sure it feels like what I'm hoping for, but everything I've read or seen about it indicates it has much better and more realistic FFB than the G25 (in this game, at least). The G25 felt fine to me in the PC game GTR2, but in GT5, not so much.

Fanatec PS3 mode is actually "G25 mode". So don't expect any thing different as far as GT5. Now fanatec wheels does have a little stronger FFB as well it's belt driven. In some ways it's smoother but not in other ways at least not compared to G27. For example if you turn the wheel with any speed against the FFB is feels and sounds like you are sawing logs.
I personally like G27 helical gears a little better but not much. Then again it makes a lot of noise when FFB is simulating dirt.
Still I'm sure you will enjoy the fanatec wheel so Gt3 is the choice if you don't care for X360. (I have never use a G25 but if it like the DFGT ffb then both G27 and Fanatec FFB are better than DFGT.)

 

[Fanatec...]

The on the fly adjustability of our Force Feedback and steering axis settings actually do make a substantial difference to other wheels in GT5 and you can perfectly adapt them.

On topic: I recommend to get the GT3 RS if you don't need Xbox compatibility

 

[Booey]

The on the fly adjustability of our Force Feedback and steering axis settings actually do make a substantial difference to other wheels in GT5 and you can perfectly adapt them.

On topic: I recommend to get the GT3 RS if you don't need Xbox compatibility

I wanted to point this out too. The fact that GT5 has no in-game wheel settings makes the GT's adjustability a huge plus.

 

[zed300]

I was under the impression that the GT2 package offered the sequential and 6 speed shifter, but the Gt3 only had paddle shifting. (it's orange too)

 

[Gunstar]

I was under the impression that the GT2 package offered the sequential and 6 speed shifter, but the Gt3 only had paddle shifting. (it's orange too)

Nope. You can use all the shifters on the GT3RSv2 as well. And it is in fact very orange!

 

[TheDabbinDave]

How about a GT3rs v3 to add backlit buttons?

I don't care about the other console. I picked my side of the war when M$ released Xbox 1.5 with it's 65% failure rate.

 

[schuey87]

I could possibly see using the wireless functionality, and the backlit buttons might be nice, but I'm having a tough time deciding if they're worth another $70 to me. Probably not.

Unless you're willing to pay a premium of about $100 to have the GT3 RS sooner it isn't worth it. They were listed at $319 for the clubsport package till a few days ago, but because Fanatec are having massive issues at the moment they've taken the clubsport editions down. That means the GT3 RS V2 has gone up by over $100 the last few days to buy the pieces separately.

Apparently, once Fanatec have sorted out their current customer service nightmare they will be going back on the site at the original price... whether thats true I don't know, but if it is it means a saving of over $100 in the US and over £100 in Europe.

 

[zed300]

Nope. You can use all the shifters on the GT3RSv2 as well. And it is in fact very orange!

I understand that the shifters work with the GT3, but you have to buy them seperately. The GT2 "package" includes them.
The extra cost with the GT3 may sway his decision in favour of the GT2, that's all.



EDIT: I thought I'd better check that info, and it's just a deal from a local (AUS) distributor.
Sorry for butting in.

 

[Gunstar]

I understand that the shifters work with the GT3, but you have to buy them seperately. The GT2 "package" includes them.
The extra cost with the GT3 may sway his decision in favour of the GT2, that's all.

AH. Well, just making sure you knew then.

I was pretty sure the GT3RSv2 (in orange!) CSP bundle did include both shifters. But nothing's certain these days, is it?

 

[zora66]

Thinking about selling the G25 your going to replace? xP

 

[-=DV=-]

I personally look at it this way...$70 well anybody with a job basically trips over this amount when climbing out of bed...ie its not alot of money. wireless is nice, and who knows when one day you might look at fm4 and think "actually this looks pretty alright, i might give it a go" The gt2 will maintain a higher resale value aswell. At the end of the day they are both great wheels, both come with alcantera wheel trim and both have great on the fly adjustability ect. You cant really go wrong with either imho.

 

[Chibana]

Thinking about selling the G25 your going to replace? xP

Thanks for all the replies. For now I've decided to wait it out. I want to see what comes of the shifter with the Thrustmaster T500 RS, and I'm not terribly fond of the Fanatec shifter (or, at least, it's standard way of mounting to the wheel). I have the obutto ozone, and I would want a shifter I can attach to the shifter mount. Can the Fanatec shifter be attached there without too much hassle? Supposedly Fanatec is working on a new shifter, too. So, for now, I'm going to wait.

 

[-=DV=-]

The fanatec shifter required modification or hassle to mount well unfortunately..you have the option of cutting the "chopsticks" mounting them and then sliding the shifter onto that, or drilling into the thick plastic on the back of the shifter to mount it there.

Neither of wich are really good. Its a great decision to wait it out and just see what happens re: T500 and future fanatec peripherals

 

[Lyvan]

I have a question...regarding hardware, is there any difference between GT2 and GT3 outer than the GT2 multi compatibillity and the backlit buttons? (I mean, regarding feedback motor and how it feels while driving GT5)...

 

[Spagetti69]

Not at all mate^

 

[Lyvan]

If the GT3 RS can be connected to the G25 pedals...I will consider buying this wheel sometime this year

 

[Bscary]

I have a question...regarding hardware, is there any difference between GT2 and GT3 outer than the GT2 multi compatibillity and the backlit buttons? (I mean, regarding feedback motor and how it feels while driving GT5)...

yes. you can make the GT2 wireless with the dongle on PS3 and it is wireless on 360 out of the box. seeing your location makes me think of Entourage....lol.

 

[Gunstar]

If the GT3 RS can be connected to the G25 pedals...I will consider buying this wheel sometime this year

In fact, it can! Fanatec sells a little adapter plug.

 

[Lyvan]

yes. you can make the GT2 wireless with the dongle on PS3 and it is wireless on 360 out of the box. seeing your location makes me think of Entourage....lol.

Thanks for your answers, truly appreciated!

BTW does anyone knows if you can make the GT3 RS fit on a Wheelstand Pro?

 

[zqxwjv]

"Fanatec PS3 mode is actually "G25 mode". So don't expect any thing different as far as GT5."

The G25 has two buttons on the wheel. The GT3 has the entire button set (X,O,T,S,L1/2/3,R1/2/3,Sel,Enter) and d-pad mapped right on the wheel in natural groups that emulate the DS3 layout. Having all the buttons on the wheel itself directly in front of you is really nice.

Having used both wheels extensively I find that the G25 lags behind in many respects. The most prominent being the massive force feedback deadzone around the center position on the G25 that leaves you compensating for the design of the wheel at times instead of focusing your attention on the car and the road as it should be.

 

[Lyvan]

"Fanatec PS3 mode is actually "G25 mode". So don't expect any thing different as far as GT5."

The G25 has two buttons on the wheel. The GT3 has the entire button set (X,O,T,S,L1/2/3,R1/2/3,Sel,Enter) and d-pad mapped right on the wheel in natural groups that emulate the DS3 layout. Having all the buttons on the wheel itself directly in front of you is really nice.

Having used both wheels extensively I find that the G25 lags behind in many respects. The most prominent being the massive force feedback deadzone around the center position on the G25 that leaves you compensating for the design of the wheel at times instead of focusing your attention on the car and the road as it should be.

Do you own both? Actually the main reason why I am considering to upgrade from G25 to GT3 RS is because of the same thing you are pointing (the deadzone in the center)...
Would you consider that the GT3 RS really has a "real car" feel?
Where do you have mounted your GT3 RS?

 

[Biggles]

I have commented many times on this: the GT3 wheel DOES feel more like a "real" car than a G25, BUT that does not necessarily mean you will prefer it. The Fanatec wheels deliver a smoother, more refined feel which definitely seems more appropriate for sophisticated road cars, but not so much for more raw, "racy" cars.

For example, I definitely prefer the G25 for F1CE & F12010.

 

[12thgear]

I have commented many times on this: the GT3 wheel DOES feel more like a "real" car than a G25, BUT that does not necessarily mean you will prefer it. The Fanatec wheels deliver a smoother, more refined feel which definitely seems more appropriate for sophisticated road cars, but not so much for more raw, "racy" cars.

For example, I definitely prefer the G25 for F1CE & F12010.

I agree pretty much word for word, Biggles. The Fanatec wheels can be tuned to be twitchier and more responsive, but Logitech still has feedback that feels more direct. That tuning function makes the Fanatec a good Jack of all trades wheel, with a design bias towards road cars. I'd say it's due to the belt drive in their high-end wheels dampening some feedback combined with the what seems like a higher mass wheel, the large diameter of the wheel, and thickness of the wheel rim.

 

[Zoom!Zoom!]

I have commented many times on this: the GT3 wheel DOES feel more like a "real" car than a G25, BUT that does not necessarily mean you will prefer it. The Fanatec wheels deliver a smoother, more refined feel which definitely seems more appropriate for sophisticated road cars, but not so much for more raw, "racy" cars.

For example, I definitely prefer the G25 for F1CE & F12010.

That's the thing with FFB wheels and software , they are not meant to "feel" like a real wheel. If any of my cars felt like one of these ffb wheels I would put it in the shop for repairs.
FFB wheels are designed to add more information than are in real steering wheels to make up the lack of feel you normal get IRL. For example weight shifting. The ideal ffb wheel would have you feel those bumps in the road while the ideal real steering wheel would be design so you wouldn't feel those bumps (or at least feel them less). IRL you have power-steering to help make the steering wheel turn easier while ffb wheels has a motor to add resistance.

 

[Biggles]

That's the thing with FFB wheels and software , they are not meant to "feel" like a real wheel. If any of my cars felt like one of these ffb wheels I would put it in the shop for repairs.
FFB wheels are designed to add more information than are in real steering wheels to make up the lack of feel you normal get IRL. For example weight shifting. The ideal ffb wheel would have you feel those bumps in the road while the ideal real steering wheel would be design so you wouldn't feel those bumps (or at least feel them less). IRL you have power-steering to help make the steering wheel turn easier while ffb wheels has a motor to add resistance.

That's a good point.

I haven't played PC sims, so I can't comment on those, but on the PS3, Ferrari Challenge & SCC have provided by far the most immersive FFB, somehow communicating both the feel of "tire slip" & the G-forces & weight transfer feel of heavy cornering.

F1CE is the only game that has captured the effect of traveling over bumps on the track at high speed through the FFB (much more pronounced with a G25 than with a Fanatec wheel), but on the other hand fails to communicate any sense of weight transfer. No game, so far, has succeeded in providing the "complete package".

I'm relieved, at least, that GT5 is a big step up from GT5P in its FFB implementation, as the FFB in Prologue was particularly bland & weak.