The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter TomN
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RC45,
First I would like to say that I was not offended in anyway by your statements, I didn’t recall you attacking anyone in the forum directly, you only made reference to folks who work at a company making a pretty expensive product which shouldn’t have blatant flaws and to me that is not personal, I think the way you stated it was a little over the top but that is your prerogative, after all, we are all requesting information from you and you have been kind enough to oblige and for that I am truly grateful!!

I have two wheels in my possession, I have the “Driving Force™ GT” which I have only used with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, I purchased it because it was the official wheel at the time, I must say that when Mr. Kazunori Yamauchi stood there and talked about the wheel and the in race adjustment ring it seemed really cool and he had me convinced. After playing with the wheel for a while I realized that I was not as clever or nimble fingered as him or some other players and decided that I would go out and by a higher quality wheel and forget the gimmicks.

That led to my purchase of the of the Logitech G27, I had originally intended to get the Logitech G25, but when I saw and heard the new helical gear system I was sold on the G27, I am not sure why the Logitech’s are always mentioned as G25/G27. I have been very happy with it and really can’t understand how some people actually play racing games with a Controller.

Now, I am hoping that you can help me with some information, I want to say right up front that just because I have a Logitech G27, I do not attempt to act like it is the best wheel out there, that would be stupid since there are much more high-end product out there, I am just not that naïve, I also want to say that even though I think the Thrustmaster T500 RS should come with a shifter, I will be the first to admit that I don’t use the shifter on the G27, in my case it just has to do with principle, when the iPad came out I refused to buy it because I felt Apple left out the camera because they knew that could sell iPad 2 with a Brand New Feature, the same camera that the iPhone had since the beginning!!

Like everyone else I am currently looking at the Thrustmaster T500 RS as a possible upgrade from my G27, I have also seen people here mention both the Fanatec GT3 RS and GT2 Clubsport Edition, I have seen some nice things about all of these wheels, I would like your honest opinion about what I could expect if I were to upgrade from the Logitech G27 to one of the following, I only use the PS3, so xbox compatibility is not a consideration:

Thrustmaster T500 RS
Fanatec GT3 RS with Clubsport and ClubSport Shifter Paddles Carbon
Fanatec GT2 Clubsport Edition

Some additional more specific questions:

Also, I noticed that the Fanatec GT2 has a higher price listed than the Fanatec GT3 RS is that just because of the xbox compatibility or is the GT2 the higher end product??

Why did Thrustmaster decide to go with Rubber on the wheel when the cheaper wheels are using Leather and ALCANTARA??

I read that the Clubsport pedals have ABS vibration motors, does that work in GT5, and if yes, how is are you liking that?

What are the advantages of the Carbon Shifter Paddles over the aluminum ones, both being Clubsport, is it just the look, or is there some real advantage??
 
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petalpusher6
I guess some around here have a degree in cynism. That "Huge design flow button" is one big face palm...what real pro racers should say about the tiny buttons on their wheels having to switch through them couple of times in a lap, let's say Le Mans at 300km/h and those are even at fingertips. "I misclick my TC before the turn, oops im dead". Seriously..
Click to expand...

This type of "misclick" [sic] happens in real life. you can even ask F1 driving champion Lewis Hamilton what happens when you "misclick" a button on your steering wheel.
:)
 
Its nice to see you RC45 actually showing useful images.

So far the points you address as design flaws in the mode button and these nuts seem quite small issues. If you think those nuts are a problem.

Wait to you start altering your CSP if changing the positions or springs. Your going to find it's got plenty of bits to lose on your floor and is much more awkward too.

For a laugh. I'd be interested for you to photograph a side profile of the wheel with your fancy measuring tool. Go ahead and measure what the actual distance is between the mode button and the wheel rim.
 
RC45
So now the $650 T500RS has duct tape over the MODE button and all over the back of each pedal shaft?

Somehow the very idea of an exquisitely engineered $650 steering wheel that needs duct tape all over it to cover for design flaws seems a little - well, odd... don't you think?? ;)
Click to expand...

Well mine was only 619.99. And I agree with you that this expensive wheel has some design flaws. This is expected from the version 1 wheel though. Even the most expensive "anything" V1 has design flaws. That's why they make a V2.:dopey:
 
Am I correct in assuming that the hex nuts are what the screws for the pedals screw into? Would some lock washers prevent the nuts from backing off and falling out?

It would have been wiser for TM to have threaded inserts in each available position. How much more could that really cost?

RC, what are your thoughts on how the pedals function? Does the hardware improve the feel of accelerating and braking?
 
MoparMike
Am I correct in assuming that the hex nuts are what the screws for the pedals screw into? Would some lock washers prevent the nuts from backing off and falling out?

It would have been wiser for TM to have threaded inserts in each available position. How much more could that really cost?

RC, what are your thoughts on how the pedals function? Does the hardware improve the feel of accelerating and braking?
Click to expand...

Lock washers would have to go on before the nuts, so this would not work, because the hex nuts fit into a hexagonal space.
 
It's likely that without threading them it saves time and money in manufacturing.
TM have said this is a mass produced product.

How are these nuts going to come loose in pedal usage?
If they don't then where is the design flaw, just take care or when loosening the pedals.
 
RC45
They really feel that good - so by all accounts the Fanatec CSP's should feel like pure se... I mean should feel darn good when they arrive.

But, yes, the T500 pedals are very good.
Click to expand...
CSP feels a lot like a pot (like G27 pedals) until the foam is fully smashed then the pedal will comes to a hard stop and then only reads the amount of pressure you add. While it doesn't feel 100% realistic (maybe closer to a F1 car if you change to the second hole which remove most of the throw) you can use this stopping point to your advantage which can make adjustments by the brake knob .
 
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Ha Ha...
I'm not apologising for anything as I never insulted you or made comments people or kids on here could see as offensive. Also the poor people at TM are likely to read this thread. Those comments were not necessary thats just my opinion.

I just think their are other ways to be humourous in your posts.

No need to bring it all up again.
 
Mr Latte
Ha Ha...
I'm not apologising for anything as I never insulted you or made comments people or kids on here could see as offensive. Also the poor people at TM are likely to read this thread. Those comments were not necessary thats just my opinion.

I just think their are other ways to be humourous in your posts.

No need to bring it all up again.
Click to expand...

Yawn. You are now on ignore.

There, problem solved.
 
Mr Latte
This message is hidden because Mr Latte is on your ignore list.
Click to expand...

The thread topic is "Unboxing and 1st Impressions of the T500RS" - not sure if you are reporting on your experiences with the T500, but thats what posts should be limited to.

Moving on, I am going to be trying the pedals reversed and will be reporting back soon.
 
RC45
The thread topic is "Unboxing and 1st Impressions of the T500RS" - not sure if you are reporting on your experiences with the T500, but thats what posts should be limited to.

Moving on, I am going to be trying the pedals reversed and will be reporting back soon.
Click to expand...

Waiting on this brother.:dopey:
 
RC45
There are 4 holes.

Only 2 are used at a time, the other 2 have no hed-headed bolt threaded through the nut, the nut is just resting in the hex-shaped hole.
Click to expand...

Why would you leave two unused nuts inside the unused holes in the first place? it appears pretty clear that the four positions are intended to extend the range of possible configuration positions, and not to all be utilized at the same time.
 
Last I checked UK still doesn't have stock. So bit hard for anyone to receive their orders yet, never mind share or compare opinions. Must be great to have one and act like a smartass.
 
natasatan
Waiting on this brother.:dopey:
Click to expand...

Quick update. Perhaps the already angled Playseat V1 pedal rest has an impact, but with the pedals hanging I am finding my self over applying pedal pressure, especially the gas - but this could just be because i have literally gor decades of "floor mounted sim pedal" muscle memory, so there is no doubt that it is "different" and thi smay be good for some people who feel they can drive better this way.

So, in short, swapping the pedals does make a difference - whether its an improvement or not will be up to each driver, their cockpit setup and preference.

In a car like the X1 where you are just pointing, squirting and anticipating the next corner and grip is overabundant it doesn really make that much of a difference positive or negative, I am still at eh 4:37ish mark with the GT2, T500 and T500 reverse pedals - nothing superfast, but the X1 is somewhat more controllable at the Northloop with the GT2 and T500 than I found it with the G25. However, with the "hanging pedals" I am a little throttle heavy with high powered street cars on comfort or sports tyres.

Off to practice some more.
 
In all the clutter I missed this post totallt.. sorry about that mate.
IMZ14U2NV
RC45,
First I would like to say that I was not offended in anyway by your statements, I didn’t recall you attacking anyone in the forum directly, you only made reference to folks who work at a company making a pretty expensive product which shouldn’t have blatant flaws and to me that is not personal, I think the way you stated it was a little over the top but that is your prerogative, after all, we are all requesting information from you and you have been kind enough to oblige and for that I am truly grateful!!

I have two wheels in my possession, I have the “Driving Force™ GT” which I have only used with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, I purchased it because it was the official wheel at the time, I must say that when Mr. Kazunori Yamauchi stood there and talked about the wheel and the in race adjustment ring it seemed really cool and he had me convinced. After playing with the wheel for a while I realized that I was not as clever or nimble fingered as him or some other players and decided that I would go out and by a higher quality wheel and forget the gimmicks.

That led to my purchase of the of the Logitech G27, I had originally intended to get the Logitech G25, but when I saw and heard the new helical gear system I was sold on the G27, I am not sure why the Logitech’s are always mentioned as G25/G27. I have been very happy with it and really can’t understand how some people actually play racing games with a Controller.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I often forget the G27 is an improvement over the G25, but I often refer to the 2 as one in refernce to the support/compatibility and common family nature of the 2 wheels.

But ti be honest, at the time I felt the G27 was only a fractional improvement and I persoanlly never saw the purchase of a new G27 to be enough of a jump to displace my G25.

IMZ14U2NV
Now, I am hoping that you can help me with some information, I want to say right up front that just because I have a Logitech G27, I do not attempt to act like it is the best wheel out there, that would be stupid since there are much more high-end product out there, I am just not that naïve, I also want to say that even though I think the Thrustmaster T500 RS should come with a shifter, I will be the first to admit that I don’t use the shifter on the G27, in my case it just has to do with principle, when the iPad came out I refused to buy it because I felt Apple left out the camera because they knew that could sell iPad 2 with a Brand New Feature, the same camera that the iPhone had since the beginning!!

Some additional more specific questions:

Also, I noticed that the Fanatec GT2 has a higher price listed than the Fanatec GT3 RS is that just because of the xbox compatibility or is the GT2 the higher end product??
Click to expand...
I believe the GT2 higher price is just to cover the XBox compatible hardware components and license.

IMZ14U2NV
Why did Thrustmaster decide to go with Rubber on the wheel when the cheaper wheels are using Leather and ALCANTARA??
Click to expand...
I don't mind the T500 rubber wheel, but I can tell you I like the GT2 feel a lot.

IMZ14U2NV
I read that the Clubsport pedals have ABS vibration motors, does that work in GT5, and if yes, how is are you liking that?
Click to expand...
My Clubsport pedals are still "in transit" so cant give general impressions, but I don't believe the vibration feature is supported outside of a few PC games - so it is a moot feature for the PS3 and XBox360 games.

IMZ14U2NV
What are the advantages of the Carbon Shifter Paddles over the aluminum ones, both being Clubsport, is it just the look, or is there some real advantage??
Click to expand...
I think they are just for the "cool factor" honestly, a way to identify a "Clubsport Edition" of the GT2 wheel.

I moved your main question last to try have aswing at answering it in the context of the new T500.

IMZ14U2NV
Like everyone else I am currently looking at the Thrustmaster T500 RS as a possible upgrade from my G27, I have also seen people here mention both the Fanatec GT3 RS and GT2 Clubsport Edition, I have seen some nice things about all of these wheels, I would like your honest opinion about what I could expect if I were to upgrade from the Logitech G27 to one of the following, I only use the PS3, so xbox compatibility is not a consideration:

Thrustmaster T500 RS
Fanatec GT3 RS with Clubsport and ClubSport Shifter Paddles Carbon
Fanatec GT2 Clubsport Edition
Click to expand...

Out the gate, if you dont need XBox360 support take the GT2 off the table. I dont believe it brings anything to the party besides a cool grey colour and an nice XBox button ;)

I spent quite a bit of time this evening with a street car I consider a bit of a challenge to drive fast. The Macca F1. In stock form with Sports Hard tyres, is able to easily spin up the rear wheels when the power comes in, and has plenty enough of it to get you into trouble very easily as you rush towards a corner having achieved velocities that will overwhelm the stock street tyres if you dont slow down and get ready for some serious action.

What I have noticed is that with the T500 the Macca F1 is harder to drive fast than with the GT2 or the G25. Almost as if the GT2 and to alesser degree the G25, are allowing me to drive the car too easily at these speeds.

It seems too easy to catch and get back in line and tame - now this of course translates to faster lap times with the GT2 and G25, but to me that would seem to indicate that the T500 is giving me the more "real" presentation. Or is it?

Afterall, I know that in reality I would NOT have an easy time throwing the Macca F1 around the Northloop on street tyres.

So this would seem to present the "sim racer" with a bit of a quandry. Do you choose the wheel that makes you faster, or the wheel that "feels" more real to you?

I guess if you are into the league thing and need to win to put food on the table the answer is easy - but if you want the best "feel" I am leaning towards the T500 here.

Let me try explain it this way:

The G25 has the "raw" engaging feel that makes it such a fantastic controller and has put it at the number 1 spot of the consumer wheels since it cam eout (in my opinion of course).

The GT2 feels like a refined version of the G25, altogether "better" less clunky, smooth to the hand and of course very "tunable" to get the right in-game feel. I tried the GT2 at default settings and with the FFB etc tweaked at little. Either way I was slightly faster with the GT2 than with the G25 but felt less fulfilled. Make no mistake, the GT2 is a great wheel and very well executed. As I ave said before, it is a logical improvement of a G25 style prosumer wheel. Istill prefer the shape of the G25 (it is closer to my real SPARCO in my track car so maybe falls better to hand.)

OK, onto the T500RS during my marathon McClaren F1 session at the Northloop.

Now this wheel is coming into its own. After a while, this wheel begins to show its AMAZING build and presentation. I think the wheel shape is just better for me. The sessions with the T500RS where far more engaging - the wheel just has this mature feel about it.

it is big, robust and serious in your hands. And even at "Force 5" the wheel just feels serious business compared to the GT2 and the G25.

In short - I like it, I like it a lot. If I was forced to choose between the 3 wheels right now (and I had a GT3 so XBox360 support didn't enter into it) I would take the T500RS - even though I am a little slower with it - I feel I am slower with it not because it is an inferior wheel, but somehow it seems to present me with the actual car I am driving - perhaps this is what Kaz has been after all this time and the T500RS presents this

I will be keeping the GT2, but only because it is the best wheel for the XBox360, hands down bar none, but this T500RS is really something else.

[bueller]
If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.
[/bueller]
 
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RC45
In all the clutter I missed this post totallt.. sorry about that mate.

Yeah, I often forget the G27 is an improvement over the G25, but I often refer to the 2 as one in refernce to the support/compatibility and common family nature of the 2 wheels.

But ti be honest, at the time I felt the G27 was only a fractional improvement and I persoanlly never saw the purchase of a new G27 to be enough of a jump to displace my G25.


I believe the GT2 higher price is just to cover the XBox compatible hardware components and license.


I don't mind the T500 rubber wheel, but I can tell you I like the GT2 feel a lot.


My Clubsport pedals are still "in transit" so cant give general impressions, but I don't believe the vibration feature is supported outside of a few PC games - so it is a moot feature for the PS3 and XBox360 games.


I think they are just for the "cool factor" honestly, a way to identify a "Clubsport Edition" of the GT2 wheel.

I moved your main question last to try have aswing at answering it in the context of the new T500.



Out the gate, if you dont need XBox360 support take the GT2 off the table. I dont believe it brings anything to the party besides a cool grey colour and an nice XBox button ;)

I spent quite a bit of time this evening with a street car I consider a bit of a challenge to drive fast. The Macca F1. In stock form with Sports Hard tyres, is able to easily spin up the rear wheels when the power comes in, and has plenty enough of it to get you into trouble very easily as you rush towards a corner having achieved velocities that will overwhelm the stock street tyres if you dont slow down and get ready for some serious action.

What I have noticed is that with the T500 the Macca F1 is harder to drive fast than with the GT2 or the G25. Almost as if the GT2 and to alesser degree the G25, are allowing me to drive the car too easily at these speeds.

It seems too easy to catch and get back in line and tame - now this of course translates to faster lap times with the GT2 and G25, but to me that would seem to indicate that the T500 is giving me the more "real" presentation. Or is it?

Afterall, I know that in reality I would NOT have an easy time throwing the Macca F1 around the Northloop on street tyres.

So this would seem to present the "sim racer" with a bit of a quandry. Do you choose the wheel that makes you faster, or the wheel that "feels" more real to you?

I guess if you are into the league thing and need to win to put food on the table the answer is easy - but if you want the best "feel" I am leaning towards the T500 here.

Let me try explain it this way:

The G25 has the "raw" engaging feel that makes it such a fantastic controller and has put it at the number 1 spot of the consumer wheels since it cam eout (in my opinion of course).

The GT2 feels like a refined version of the G25, altogether "better" less clunky, smooth to the hand and of course very "tunable" to get the right in-game feel. I tried the GT2 at default settings and with the FFB etc tweaked at little. Either way I was slightly faster with the GT2 than with the G25 but felt less fulfilled. Make no mistake, the GT2 is a great wheel and very well executed. As I ave said before, it is a logical improvement of a G25 style prosumer wheel. Istill prefer the shape of the G25 (it is closer to my real SPARCO in my track car so maybe falls better to hand.)

OK, onto the T500RS during my marathon McClaren F1 session at the Northloop.

Now this wheel is coming into its own. After a while, this wheel begins to show its AMAZING build and presentation. I think the wheel shape is just better for me. The sessions with the T500RS where far more engaging - the wheel just has this mature feel about it.

it is big, robust and serious in your hands. And even at "Force 5" the wheel just feels serious business compared to the GT2 and the G25.

In short - I like it, I like it a lot. If I was forced to choose between the 3 wheels right now (and I had a GT3 so XBox360 support didn't enter into it) I would take the T500RS - even though I am a little slower with it - I feel I am slower with it not because it is an inferior wheel, but somehow it seems to present me with the actual car I am driving - perhaps this is what Kaz has been after all this time and the T500RS presents this

I will be keeping the GT2, but only because it is the best wheel for the XBox360, hands down bar none, but this T500RS is really something else.

[bueller]
If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.
[/bueller]
Click to expand...

RC45,
Thanks for the information, it is really useful to get detailed information from someone who actually has the product in question as it is not speculation and truly based on hands on with the equipment.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it!!!
 
Good write up but I think there is a test missing. I have a feeling that if you turn the feedback down on the T500RS you might be able to run a faster lap time and perhaps might match your other times. We know the Thrustmaster is precise and more precision should help lap times, we know the Thrustmaster has better feedback including no deadzone so you would think more feel would help, the only things I can think that would make life hard is the strength of the FFB or a slow response time.
 
7HO
Good write up but I think there is a test missing. I have a feeling that if you turn the feedback down on the T500RS you might be able to run a faster lap time and perhaps might match your other times. We know the Thrustmaster is precise and more precision should help lap times, we know the Thrustmaster has better feedback including no deadzone so you would think more feel would help, the only things I can think that would make life hard is the strength of the FFB or a slow response time.
Click to expand...

I must tell you, I love cars way too much to only be concerned with speed, I know that I will never own the wonderful cars in GT5 and it is so much fun to be able to jump behind the wheel and kind of see what it would be like to drive them, I would most definitely take the slower time for more realism, but hey, that’s just me!!!!
 
To me it depends, I drive with feedback on about 5 because it feels more realistic but if less feedback got me a better time and I was racing in a league or doing a TT I would most likely turn it down.

That wasn't the point of my comment though. I posted because according to RC45 the Thrustmaster is slower, I think it would be better for all of us interested to know if this is always the case or if you can be equally as fast with less force feedback. As it is a number of people are already turning FFB down on their logitech wheel because they say it help them.
 
I had the FFB set to "Force 5" for the test. This gave the G25 a great feeling and the GT2 a good feeling. It seems that the "force" felt on each wheel when the game is set a specific value is highest with the T500 and lowest with the GT2 - this could very well be why the GT2 is a "faster" wheel, but I really enjoy the feel with the T500.

When you crank up the force for the G25 and the GT2, it just makes the wheels fight you, but there is just something "different" in the way the T500 delivers the extra force.

Now I will say when the game is on "Force 10", the T500 is rediculous and might very well break your thumb if you dont watch out ;)

But here from 5 to about 2 the feeling is the closest I have come to a wheel imparting the "feel" of a car.

Now of course the next bloke might crack open his T500 box and say this is all a load of bollocks and it feels terrible and thats that. This is just my opinion and you know what they say about those.. ;)
 
RC45 to compared Force Feedback don't forget to put Force Feedback at 10 (= at the Maximum), wheel in "Simulation Mode" and to remove all helps (driving assist, abs, etc...).
It's very important because apparently on T500RS, Force Feedback option manage really speed rotation & feeling on the wheel (so 5 or 10 will change effects especially for the speed). Same for helps options.
Please try also all different roads: Asphalt, Snow and especially Rally (like on CES demo show)
 

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