T500RS/wheels - a look into the future...

[MuRRe]

I wanna start of with saying just a couple of things.
First off I wanna thank all the people that have answered alot of my questions, the people behind gtplanet for an awesome website and forum.
Even though I haven't made my decision my knowledge is FAR superior than it was 3 months ago (thanks to the users on GTplanet).

This thread is intended for discussing the future of wheels and especially what you guys/girls THINK about what is coming in the next 6-18 months and how the T500RS will stand up to this competition.

Now, if anyone is offended by this thread or feel it's silly (or otherwise) please refrain from posting. I'm in now way trying to upset anyone.
This is quite along post, it may/will contain inaccuracies (which of course is not my intention).
What I'm interested in are your thoughts and speculations about development in the wheel "department".

Now onto the subject.
Like many others I'm having a really hard time choosing a wheel.
There reasons are many, but the main aspect (except price) that I feel can be discussed is how well a product compares to present products, but also future.
Before you say "How can you compare something to a product that isn't out", let me try to explain how I'M thinking.

Even though you can't KNOW what products will be out in the future you can often make very good estimations based on the market, the companies that are making products in the specific market and so on.

Most people who choose a wheel today either goes with a Logitech, Fanatec or Thrustmaster (I'm leaving out Frex, ECCI etc since my opinion is that they are quite different products and aimed at another demographic).
What I'm interested in know is HOW good the T500RS will stand against coming wheels if looking in retrospect how other wheels are looked at today.

My feeling is this, most wheels that come out and are "approved" by the community, meaning that the point of release they are good at their price point it's usually a good buy.
Take for example the G27 (which is an upgraded G25 which came out 2007) still holds it's ground at it's price point (even the G25 holds up I feel and even though the G27 is better in some points (from reading) an upgrade isn't crucial).
Fanatec have had some struggle being a small company but I still think that most people that have the GT2/GT3 + CSP are happy with it.

Do YOU think that there will be a wheel within 18 months at the 400 euro price point that will just demolish the T500?
Is there any indication of a breakthrough in development that will greatly alter how wheels look, feel and performs or will it rather be minor changes?
What do you think about the static paddles, will we see more of this? Will it be standard in the near future?
Look into your fortune ball and tell me your thoughts.

Again, thanks everyone who helped me.

EDIT: Do you think that the T500 will work on PS4?

 

[fatkrakr]

My opinion on this is any major improvements in this market will be in the pedals not the wheels. The T500 has 1080 lock and very stong FFB but if you look at alot of peoples setups they turn these down (not all but alot). I think the wheels are pretty much on point.

 

[Spagetti69]

Hard to predict the future but I'd love Logitech to hit back with an upgraded belt driven wheel.

They must be due one lol.

I think the company is the fans favourite and the durability and customer service is proven.

I'm sure we would all love a top end product from them.

 

[mykem]

EDIT: Do you think that the T500 will work on PS4?

I doubt Sony will adopt Microsoft policy when it comes to USB devices connected to their console. I can run my G25 on both the PS2 (with GT4) and PS3 (with GT4 when I had a BC PS3 and now GT5 with my PS3 Slim). So in all likelihood, any USB wheels that work with PS3 will undoubtedly work with the next generation Sony console.

 

[challenger1]

I wanna start of with saying just a couple of things.
First off I wanna thank all the people that have answered alot of my questions, the people behind gtplanet for an awesome website and forum.
Even though I haven't made my decision my knowledge is FAR superior than it was 3 months ago (thanks to the users on GTplanet).

This thread is intended for discussing the future of wheels and especially what you guys/girls THINK about what is coming in the next 6-18 months and how the T500RS will stand up to this competition.

Now, if anyone is offended by this thread or feel it's silly (or otherwise) please refrain from posting. I'm in now way trying to upset anyone.
This is quite along post, it may/will contain inaccuracies (which of course is not my intention).
What I'm interested in are your thoughts and speculations about development in the wheel "department".

Now onto the subject.
Like many others I'm having a really hard time choosing a wheel.
There reasons are many, but the main aspect (except price) that I feel can be discussed is how well a product compares to present products, but also future.
Before you say "How can you compare something to a product that isn't out", let me try to explain how I'M thinking.

Even though you can't KNOW what products will be out in the future you can often make very good estimations based on the market, the companies that are making products in the specific market and so on.

Most people who choose a wheel today either goes with a Logitech, Fanatec or Thrustmaster (I'm leaving out Frex, ECCI etc since my opinion is that they are quite different products and aimed at another demographic).
What I'm interested in know is HOW good the T500RS will stand against coming wheels if looking in retrospect how other wheels are looked at today.

My feeling is this, most wheels that come out and are "approved" by the community, meaning that the point of release they are good at their price point it's usually a good buy.
Take for example the G27 (which is an upgraded G25 which came out 2007) still holds it's ground at it's price point (even the G25 holds up I feel and even though the G27 is better in some points (from reading) an upgrade isn't crucial).
Fanatec have had some struggle being a small company but I still think that most people that have the GT2/GT3 + CSP are happy with it.

Do YOU think that there will be a wheel within 18 months at the 400 euro price point that will just demolish the T500?
Is there any indication of a breakthrough in development that will greatly alter how wheels look, feel and performs or will it rather be minor changes?
What do you think about the static paddles, will we see more of this? Will it be standard in the near future?
Look into your fortune ball and tell me your thoughts.

Again, thanks everyone who helped me.

EDIT: Do you think that the T500 will work on PS4?

No.

 

[robulus]

Wild speculation! Awesome!

Do YOU think that there will be a wheel within 18 months at the 400 euro price point that will just demolish the T500?

No. Particularly not for GT5. I suspect Thrustmaster has the official support rights locked up for the high end wheel class on GT5, and I don't think there will be any rival. Plus if you are taking the long view, the T500 will have a shifter at some point, removing the one single barrier that makes some people prefer the G27 (like me). No news from TM about that shifter yet, though.

There are no rumours about Logitech producing a new wheel, I think they are pretty happy with the space they are occupying at the moment.

EDIT: Do you think that the T500 will work on PS4?

Almost certainly. Most older Logitech wheels made for PS2 still work on PS3, some are officially supported in GT5.

 

[sandboxgod]

This thread is probably a little premature with E3 right around the corner. After E3 happens we will have enough info to get us by for the next year or so

Normally big wheel releases accompany new games. So just look to see what Forza 4 does. But given Xbox's lousy state (only 1 ffb wheel that is always out of stock) I'm not particularly expecting anything major. It's obvious their main focus is gamepad users

 

[MuRRe]

Ok, so E3 will be a decent indicator how T500 will stand it's upcoming competition?

 

[Franjo]

It'll be interesting to see what all wheel manufacturers put out there. I assume we have to be seeing a Thrustmaster shifter in the mix.

 

[Spagetti69]

It'll be interesting to see what all wheel manufacturers put out there. I assume we have to be seeing a Thrustmaster shifter in the mix.

I would imagine that's a definate mate.

 

[sandboxgod]

I wonder if they have any other surprises in store? Perhaps they might look into load cell brakes? I'm happy with my current ones but they do seem to be rated #2 to the legendary CSPs from Fanatec. Perhaps TM might decide to counter

I am mainly sitting on pins waiting for them to show us what that shifter looks like. Hope they can give dimensions so wheelstandpro can get to work on making the shifter mounts.

Competition wise I could care less. But it would be great for all of us if someone did make a wheel in it's range to compete. But thats years down the road most likely. Not a concern in the least

 

[MuRRe]

So, now we know a little more, or rather, ALOT more.
There is some info about the new Fanatec wheel.
Even with this info I ordered a DFGT that I returned and now I'm waiting for a T500RS.
I just couldn't wait 6 months.
It will be interesting to see how the T500 holds up.
The shifter is on it's way.

What has changed? T500 still a great buy even with the upcoming Fanatec?

 

[Fanatec...]

What has changed? T500 still a great buy even with the upcoming Fanatec?

Still not so sure about your buying decision, right?

I told you that I will let you regret it

But in the meantime you have a good wheel to play

 

[MuRRe]

Still not so sure about your buying decision, right?

I told you that I will let you regret it

But in the meantime you have a good wheel to play

Well, I'm interested to know if these new wheels have a different technology if it's "just" refined from the previous ones.

About my choice I'm 100% sure, want a wheel that is supported by GT5 and has the best FFB atm.
So the choice in the end was pretty easy, it was just a matter of money.