Looking for a package. You have ~$400-$500 to play with, go. And thanks! :)

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SayChiSinLo

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Hi all, fairly new to the forums and holy crap. I had no idea about the diverse and expansive market for simulation wheels! On one hand, I want to thank all of you for expanding my horizon, but on another hand, kind of hating you guys for confusing the hell out of me. :confused: Haha, I was going to get a Logitech G27 and call it a day. But holy crap, so many options out there!

I've been trying to read as much as I can in this section, and what I've gathered:
G27 - They're like Honda Civics. Damn near indestructible and one can mod the crap out of them. Bang for the buck. Get one and you're set, no need to mix and match.
Stuff from Fanatecs - They're like British sports car. Really good out of the factory already, just pray that they don't break. Far more options, and from what I've read, the Clubsport Pedal V2 is one of the best pedal out there?
Thrustmaster T500RS - Universally loved for many reasons, but also one of the priciest option?

Please shoot me some recommendations as to what to get. Here's what I value: throttle response. So I'd like a good set of pedals. I know a lot of people will tell me to get the Thrustmaster T500RS, I just don't think I have the budget for that. Also, I WANT a shifter. And with the Thrustmaster TH8, it'll effective price me out of my budget. (I also don't care for that tall shifter...) :(

Now, about my budget. I have a Canon T2i and accessories that I simply don't use anymore. So I'll be selling it, and there's my budget. I suspect I can get $400-$500 for my Canon T2i and etc. Having said that, that doesn't mean I'll blow all of it away. I don't have to spend all $400-$500.

I'm interested in Fanatecs, because they have so many options and I can really mix and match. Just uh, convince me I wouldn't have to worry about their reliability and durability. And if you tell me to just get a G27 and call it a day, I'm down with that too. (Because I can bay a set for less than $200).

Thanks everyone!
 
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If you go for the T500 RS, a new one will set you back over $500, so it looks like it's just out of your price range.

I guess the G27 will be the way to go, it's in your budget, and you have extra cash to spend on mods for it if you think it's necessary.
 
Azure Flare
If you go for the T500 RS, a new one will set you back over $500, so it looks like it's just out of your price range.

I guess the G27 will be the way to go, it's in your budget, and you have extra cash to spend on mods for it if you think it's necessary.
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A lot has been made about the advantages of T500 and offerings from Fanatec. Mainly, they offer wheels that are belt driven vs. gear driven in that of the G27.

Am I REALLY missing a lot going with a gear driven wheel vs. a belt driven wheel?
 
I did use a G27, but it was a friend's and I only driven with it for about 30 minutes, so I guess I may not be the right person to tell you about it.
 
ITCC_Andrew
Alright, you've got my interest. Which sorts of mods are you talking about?
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My honest answer would be: "I don't know". I just read that they can be modded to suit individuals. I honestly don't think I'll bother with it. So, ignore the modding comment from the original post. But the G27 are built like tanks compared to other options, correct?

I'm 98% sure I'll buy whatever recommended to me, open the box, play, and call it a day. But what about that Fanatec CSL Seat package?
 
I've had no problems with my G27. That's why I'm pretty well shocked to hear you say that you - or anyone - would change something about it. :odd: To whomever you are, I beg you, explain yourselves! :lol:
 
ITCC_Andrew
I've had no problems with my G27. That's why I'm pretty well shocked to hear you say that you - or anyone - would change something about it. :odd: To whomever you are, I beg you, explain yourselves! :lol:
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What's the shifting like on the G27 shifter? When you're in gear, does it feel like it's locked in? Or it's merely a click-like sensation?

Also, how are the pedals? Is there resistance as you step on them to help you modulate how far you depress the pedals? Or is it sort of flimsy, "all-or-nothing" sensation?

Thanks!
 
Pedals: good feel, lots of resistance (though people have put squishy balls in for increased pedal effort)

shifter: Well, it's better or equal with my dad's short-throw shift kit for '09 Hyundai Accent. I wouldn't say perfect, but if you're even remotely talented with an H-box, you'll know which gear you're about to go into.


If you're looking for a wheel for GT6, though, the clutch is terrible on the game's side of things, so I'd steer clear of using it. If you're looking at the clutch for iRacing, that's where it shines.
 
ITCC_Andrew
Pedals: good feel, lots of resistance (though people have put squishy balls in for increased pedal effort)

shifter: Well, it's better or equal with my dad's short-throw shift kit for '09 Hyundai Accent. I wouldn't say perfect, but if you're even remotely talented with an H-box, you'll know which gear you're about to go into.


If you're looking for a wheel for GT6, though, the clutch is terrible on the game's side of things, so I'd steer clear of using it. If you're looking at the clutch for iRacing, that's where it shines.
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I asked about the shifter because I'm curious how real it would feel. I drive a 09 Mazdaspeed 3 (it's not in the freaking GT6! :mad: That's a rant for another day) and I take a lot of joy in shifting my own gears. That's why I asked. So, when you're engaged into a new gear, is it a "locked-in" sensation? Or a "click" sensation. I guess what I'm trying to ask about the shifting sensation is, are there "gates"?

Thanks!
 
You'll know which gear you're going into, for sure.


There is a click sensation, but there are definitely some tough gates. You can't force a shift from 1st to 3rd without going through neutral, for example. But, the shifter could be weightier is my belief. It's locked in super tight, and won't move, but the shifter's just a feather weight compared to real life cars. And, your Mazdaspeed 3, I think, has a short-throw shifter, so I think you'll be accustomed to the shortness of the throws pretty quickly.
 
ITCC_Andrew
You'll know which gear you're going into, for sure.


There is a click sensation, but there are definitely some tough gates. You can't force a shift from 1st to 3rd without going through neutral, for example. But, the shifter could be weightier is my belief. It's locked in super tight, and won't move, but the shifter's just a feather weight compared to real life cars. And, your Mazdaspeed 3, I think, has a short-throw shifter, so I think you'll be accustomed to the shortness of the throws pretty quickly.
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The throws are a bit shorter than a normal Mazda 3. But Mazda threw in a truck's shifter and it's quite tall (for a performance oriented car). So I took it out and I'm using a short shifter right now, and the throws are just right. I don't like super short shifts though, like the ones you would get with a short shift plate. I tried it and I immediately took it out. It was too short, almost as if I was clicking it into gears.

So the G27 could be weightier eh? Ok, I guess I'll have to make-do with it then. Thanks!
 
SayChiSinLo
So the G27 could be weightier eh? Ok, I guess I'll have to make-do with it then. Thanks!
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Just the ball on top. I'm only speaking from personal opinion, too... And, it's an easy fix. Grab some weights and put them in an ziploc bag with an elastic wrapped around, and you've got a good, weighted shifter... But it's such a minute detail, I've skipped that step and I still enjoy it.


But, if you're actually using it for GT6, as I suspect, you'll probably end up using paddles a lot.

Edit: And the paddles are excellent.
 
ITCC_Andrew
Just the ball on top. I'm only speaking from personal opinion, too... And, it's an easy fix. Grab some weights and put them in an ziploc bag with an elastic wrapped around, and you've got a good, weighted shifter... But it's such a minute detail, I've skipped that step and I still enjoy it.


But, if you're actually using it for GT6, as I suspect, you'll probably end up using paddles a lot.

Edit: And the paddles are excellent.
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The clutch engagement physics is that bad in the GT6? :nervous:
 
SayChiSinLo
The clutch engagement physics is that bad in the GT6? :nervous:
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I'm afraid so. The engagement itself isn't bad, but it always pops out of gear the second you try to have some fun... No throttle blips, no three-footing of any sort... Heel-toe...


Everything makes it go into neutral. But, the part you want is the round bit - the steering wheel feels (in my opinion) very realistic. It's weighty, and it's interesting... You get a different sensation with each car.
 
ITCC_Andrew
I'm afraid so. The engagement itself isn't bad, but it always pops out of gear the second you try to have some fun... No throttle blips, no three-footing of any sort... Heel-toe...


Everything makes it go into neutral. But, the part you want is the round bit - the steering wheel feels (in my opinion) very realistic. It's weighty, and it's interesting... You get a different sensation with each car.
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Wait... what? How the hell are you supposed to rev match then? And is that specific to the G27 shifter, or ALL shifter when playing the GT6?
 
It doesn't do that automatically, but it is very finicky.
 
SayChiSinLo
So are you saying that if I were to rev-match, blip the throttle, and misc. shenanigans, GT6 will automatically kick me out of gear?
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Yes. I've still never been able to correctly heel-and-toe in GT6. I learned heel-and-toe in iRacing on my G27, though, and it was excellent... But iRacing isn't all it's cracked up to be, and I'm much, much happier running/organizing ITCC on GT6 with the paddles and autoblips than iRacing.


So, pick your poison, but I'd consider going the G27 route. For the price, it's pretty hard to beat... The T500RS and Fanatec stuff, although you get what you pay for, the difference can't be that big... I have had no problems with my G27 at all, so, I don't see the need to spend the extra money. Save it for GT7 :D
 
However, if you did go for the T500 RS, you would then be admitted into..

0354.jpg


:bowdown: The glorious T500 RS master race! :bowdown:​


(No, I'm not being serious about that one, if you think the G27 is a better way to go, go with it.)
 
Azure, you seem knowledgeable on the subject - what benefits are there to the Thrustmaster above the G27?


(I mean, asides from having a D-Pad which is readily accessible while you're two-or-three inches away from the guys you're battling with)
 
Azure Flare
However, if you did go for the T500 RS, you would then be admitted into..

0354.jpg


:bowdown: The glorious T500 RS master race! :bowdown:​
(No, I'm not being serious about that one, if you think the G27 is a better way to go, go with it.)
Click to expand...

1279082592656.jpg


Stop it, you need to behave. Haha, I'm dead set on my budget unfortunately.
 
ITCC_Andrew
Azure, you seem knowledgeable on the subject - what benefits are there to the Thrustmaster above the G27?


(I mean, asides from having a D-Pad which is readily accessible while you're two-or-three inches away from the guys you're battling with)
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While you're at it Azure, can you also comment on some of the stuff from Fanatec? Their CSL Seat package has me salivating... :drool:
 
:lol: 👍


I'm pretty sure Azure's brain is in overdrive right now, looking for some way to prove that the T500 RS is worth the price difference. :p IMO, it isn't. Still waiting for someone to completely remove any doubt...


The G27 is - for my usage, at least - excellent.
 

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