The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

[Zoom!Zoom!]

At the high end, marginal improvements require large expenditure.

While the CSP are better than G27 pedals GT2/Gt3 doesn't seem any better quality than the G27 wheel.

 

[CoolColJ]

No, the fan has been very quiet, as is still very quiet, almost as if it is barely on - at first i was suspecting it was not on at all. But now it seems to go into this "noisy mode" when ever the wheel is being used intensively. Well, I say "when ever" but it was during the next to last heavy session at the Nordschleife (about 9 laps) that it started this weird noise and only once (thats the only track I really run now - about 110 hard laps so far ), then quieted down.

Then during the last 20 lap session at the Nords it did it twice. This video is of the 3rd and last time it went weird on me. Is it possible that only now the wheel really needed the fan on and this is how it just sounds, or was it very quiet before and now just has developed a 'noise"?? Who knows, but I hate to have to send the unit back now just as I start getting "into it".

It's temperature controlled, just like fans on the PS3, video cards and power supplies on the PC. Nothing unusual about this at all. The fans get more voltage as heat builds up, so they spin faster and make more noise.

 

[12thgear]

Chinese factories produce world class-products every day, but there's also tons of shady counterfeiting going on, and almost-legit "ghost shift" products that can make it into normal retail channels. I find it pretty fascinating, actually.

Just because something is manufactured in China doesn't automatically determine the quality, that's just ignorant and thick headed thinking - and that's not meant to be offensive, and unfortunately that stigma does have it's basis in certain situations, but it really comes down to the individual company to ensure quality control.

 

[RC45]

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[ANFD]

Man !! .... just read 28 pages worth of posts since last posting myself
been at it all evening. Without taking the time to go back and quote all the posters who I had responses to, I'll just summerize .....

I was so wrong in assuming that it wouldnt fit the Playseat Evo based on what I could see in the photos that I want to apologise for my conclusion jumping and then thank the gentleman in France for posting the first pictures of it installed on the Playseat Evo.

As for Latte's generalized comments about RC45's tone (and his reference as RC45 being a "smartass"), I'd venture to say that he's a young lad and doesn't remember the fact that he'd be speaking German today if it wasn't for the "aggressive American smartasses". (And I say that as a non-American citizen).

I also want to thank all the posters (including RC45) for taking large amounts of their time for our benefit. Without their input, we would have a much more difficult time trying to decide if we even needed to consider this new item.

And to RC45 himself, I find it hard to understand how someone with such obvious real world track credentials (and credibility) can miss-use terminology so badly ...... hex screws are commonly referred to as Allen screws (in this case - countersunk) and not bolts. Not a big deal, but I found it hard to follow some of the descriptions. You even made referrence to the unit using "wingnuts" which I can't comprehend their placement. The forceful tirade aimed at the TM design engineers was obviously (so obviously) meant in jest that I was quite surprised at the response from Latte and the other gentlemen. Being the car guy that you are I had to wonder if you feel the same way about American car designers who require you (on some models) to jack the entire motor up to gain access to the rear spark plugs to change them out

And to Chibana I have to agree 110% .... the G25 used with GTR2 offers the most incredible FFB I have ever experienced. I can feel different surface textures in the track, every nuance of the car's handling and every pebble I run over coming back onto the track after an off. And that game is at least 7 years old. I recently got a new (and very powerful) laptop and loaded the PC game after years of it sitting on the shelf. The minute I opened Logitech's web-site, it immediately recognized the G25 and asked me if I wanted to download the appropriate drivers for it. I think I may have clicked the mouse maybe once during the whole process. I was very impressed 👍

The issues with the fasteners ..... a low quality or poorly made "Allen wrench" will round out even a high quality fastener in short order. The videos posted showing the incompatability looked EXACTLY like the experience I originally had with the fasteners with the G25. Using a high quality Allen wrench fixed the problem. To me, this is not a deterent in the least nor is the fact that the loose nuts can fall out of their recesses when not in use. Very minor points to me.

And to those who can't find a Fry's on the East Coast .... Alpharetta, Georgia.

I've owned every Logitech wheel they've ever made with the exception of the DFGT (and G27). I usually wore them out and replaced them every 2 years. My G25 is 4 years old and has given thousands of hours of impeccable service. I did have to disassemble it once to get to the micro switch (which was sticking) on the paddle shifter (upshift) which was fixed with some contact cleaner.

The CFO (my wife) has informed me that our budget won't support the purchase of the new TM for a couple months yet, so I'll continue to monitor this thread and pick one up maybe in March. If anyone is interested, I'll sell my G25 for $100

 

[.Hz]

More junk comes out of China than not.

Sorry if reality hurts.

You DO realize what I said IS reality, so sorry if you can't handle that. More junk comes out of China because it's the place of many, many products of manufacture, and because many of those products are unfortunately products of a company that doesn't care to ensure quality control, however the reality is is that it all comes down to the manufacturer.

If you were able to comprehend this then you're sense of reality would be much greater

 

[.Hz]

More junk comes out of China than not.

Sorry if reality hurts.



A fan spinning faster is NOT the same as a fan in distress.

Having been in the hardware support "game" for 25 years now, I do believe I know what a struggling brushless fan sounds like. If it is NOT failing and sounds like that, the fan is poorly sized/designed/mounted and creating an unwanted harmonic with the rest of the chassis and making a noise. But TM already claimed they tested this thing for thousands of duty cycles - so that must mean the fan is on the way out rather than poorly sized/designed/mounted.

Either way, if that is the result I do not want it.

I guess now that the "shine" is off the T500RS the real topic at hand is no longer the "1st impressions" and we adrifting waaaaaaaay off topic.

Oh well, off to test the replacement wheel.

That IS what an effed up fan sounds like for sure, hopefully it was just a fluke, but w/ any new product fluke's happen, please let us know how you're replacement wheels fairs man, if you can put it through just as much stress if not more, that would be awesome, you should feel lucky having the community request you to enjoy a $600 for the greater good, haha

 

[7HO]

Now they are accusing me of being a fanatec plant and damaging my new $600 wheel on purpose. Nice people they have signing up on face Book...

All I did was accidently walk up and buy a bloody nice steering wheel... who knew this wold be the outcome - the FaceBook Wars of 2011

Source? I didn't see anyone calling you a Fanatec plant and I seriously doubt anyone thinks you are a Fanatec plant. I may have been looking in the wrong place though.

You do however seem to come across as trying to make this wheel look bad. Sure you said the wheel feels great but that is no surprise, you would lose all your credibility if you said otherwise but what a statement it makes when a guy who thinks a wheel that feels so great wants to return it because it is actually a overpriced cheaply built unreliable toy. The impression I am getting and I think some others are getting is that you are trying to convince people as opposed to simply reporting the issues you have found and that is why I feel I need to read reports from other users to make a decision.

It is a good thing for me I can't possibly buy it until some time in February and can't afford it until I sell one of my guitars anyway. By then ISR should have their review up and there should be at least a few user reviews, I think we will know all the issues by then.

 

[crox]

By the ISR should have their review up and there should be at least a few user reviews, I think we will know all the issues by then.

Trust expert users over pros.

 

[Ranger099]

Sample population just doubled - I picked up a replacement wheel this afternoon. The main reason I did not want to do the "online purchase' was for warranty/replacment so I realize I have been lucky to find a local store that has had 2 in stock.

And I only make valid points... I was a big mouth a long time before I moved to TexAss

LOL. 👍

Those b@stards have more wheels in the store yet my "pre-order" hasn't even shipped yet!

Let us know how the second one works out. I'm certainly concerned about quality given the limited warranty options and no bricks/mortar store to buy/return if there's a problem.

 

[Ranger099]

Retailer typically marks up 50%. Fanatec GT2 CSE sold thru B&M retailer would likely be $700-900.

That might be true for clothing or housewares. Electronics are on much tighter margins. No way there's a 50% markup on the wheel.

 

[RC45]

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[7HO]

The guy (or Thrustmaster) deleted his posts to their FaceBook discussion already. I didnt get a screenshot -- why would I make this up?

I have not said anything that wasnt true...

So what you are saying is there is no way for us to see the comment for ourselves. What I can say is I didn't see it and I check the Facebook discussion more than this one.

You feel because i am honest and dont fall in love with the wheel I am out to make it "look" bad?

I have no reason to trust that you are honest.

I am not a "reporter" - I am a private individual and can "report" on the wheel any darn way I please.

You seem to have missed my point, perhaps you didn't

If "candidness" offends you, don't read my posts.

This is the second time now, you obviously have me confused with someone else. Earlier in the thread I was defending you.

ACtually, you hanging on the edge of your seat and "waiting tilll ISR tell you what decision to make" is the real flawed thinking, not mine.

You didn't read what I said did you? I can guarantee I wouldn't buy anything based on one review or because someone told me too but you may have. You either bought this wheel because Thrustmaster and/or ISR claimed it is great or you bought it to bad mouth it. Or do you simply buy every new product that comes out?

Don't you guys have your own minds? Can you only do/accept what someone else tells/suggest you do?

Man oh man, people are spineless these days.
Be your own man, go out on a limb and make a choice for yourself for once

Perhaps that is what really gets to many of you - I jumped in and bought this wheel even though I was unsure and had critiqued it BEFORE hand and while I was still in the middle of evaluating the GT2.

It seems foreign to youguys that one can change their minds halfway through and/or give a product a second or third chance even afetr being critcal of it.

I enjoy being an independant thinker - you should try it out some day

As I pointed out buying a product that a company just released based on the promise that it is the best doesn't show independent thinking. I can think for myself that is why I choose to research a product before I buy it blind (I live rural/remote, there is no chance of me seeing this before I buy it). I also live in Australia so this will not be available until February giving me plenty of time to be informed but even still if it was available now because I can think for myself I think it is preferable to let early adopters to discover the issues (if it has any) for me since I know there are always others who must have the new best toy first and there are others who make a living from providing this kind of information to people like me. While I am waiting I will read as many reviews as possible both good and bad and decide for myself based on the information I find.

Of course in that process I will evaluate the credibility of the poster. ISR have earned my respect because I have found that I usually agree with their opinions about other products and they have not shied away from posting the negatives about something when it warrants it. I also respect their resolve to fully test a product before giving an in depth review despite the obvious benefits to them if they posted a review immediately.

In the case of this product I have already decided there are elements that I think could be better and I have posted them, this is just another reason why I would decide to wait for more information than a glowing initial impression from ISR before I decide it this wheel is worth my $800.

Retailer typically marks up 50%. Fanatec GT2 CSE sold thru B&M retailer would likely be $700-900.

Actually the GT2 is only available in Australia through a retailer and the Clubsport package is exactly the same price as the Aussie RRP for the T500RS. Both are $799 in Australia.

 

[RC45]

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[RC45]

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[chromatic9]

This is the biggest rationalization in the entire thread and it's WAAAY off topic. Now that's amusing.

I suspect it was Canada that saved us all from speaking German. That and a Mexican Chihuahua named Juan.

Waaaay off topic there chap.

ISR needs to get a move on me thinks. Those aggressive yanks Darin and Shaun can save us from the Facebook wars no doubt.

 

[kikie]

I wonder if this is a T500RS thread or a who-can-flame-RC45 the most? This thread is getting off topic, I think.


Reading through the last paged of this thread, I can honestly say that I'm loosing interest in this wheel. Maybe it will change again if there are more positive reviews.

 

[RC45]

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[chromatic9]

Reading through the last paged of this thread, I can honestly say that I'm loosing interest in this wheel. Maybe it will change again if there are more positive reviews.

I believe three people have the wheel here and two have reported noisy fans. Still not grounds to prove anything but it's not a case of one wheel out of X that was stated by some.

It's best to wait a few months and see how people get on. I'd love to see the T500 internals.

I'm sure for RC45 it's water off a ducks back but would be nice to see others stop trying to put him down and change his manner, it won't get us anywhere apart from jibes at Texans and even saying people like Mr Latte would be speaking German for heavens sake.

 

[.Hz]

How's the second wheel RC? Righteous of Thrustmaster, awesome stuff so far for their suppport.

 

[7HO]

I believe three people have the wheel here and two have reported noisy fans. Still not grounds to prove anything but it's not a case of one wheel out of X that was stated by some.

It's best to wait a few months and see how people get on. I'd love to see the T500 internals.

As was mentioned earlier one seems to be a fault the other seems to be the fan is loud when it is working hard. Only RC45's fan sounded like it was about to die or hitting something.

 

[kikie]

I believe three people have the wheel here and two have reported noisy fans. Still not grounds to prove anything but it's not a case of one wheel out of X that was stated by some.

It's best to wait a few months and see how people get on. I'd love to see the T500 internals.

Yep, that's what I was thinking. I'm going to wait for ISR's review next month and for the pc driver to be released. Also I would like to find out, in the near future, how many game developers are going to support the T500RS in their games, PC and PS3.

The shifter is not that important because I don't use the shifter on the G27 that often. BTW the G27 shifter is not that impressive anyway.

 

[RC45]

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[crox]

Actually the GT2 is only available in Australia through a retailer and the Clubsport package is exactly the same price as the Aussie RRP for the T500RS. Both are $799 in Australia.

Isn't $799 between $700 and $900?

 

[PyroZona]

Well, we can add one more to the owners of this wheel list! Got mine earlier tonight. I've preliminarily mounted it to the stand/half-cockpit that my G25 was mounted on 'cause I cound't wait until tomorrow to try it out...Home Depot had already closed by the time I got home with it.

Anyway, after doing the newest Seasonal Event races, I can definitely say I'm more impressed with this wheel...and pedals, for that matter...than I thought I was going to be! Granted, the wheel unit is indeed a big S.O.B., which will require some mods to what I have it mounted to, but I figured that might be necessary. The size of the wheel itself was pleasantly surprising, though! Feels much closer to real car size than my G25. The only thing that actually having it to try hasn't changed for me is the stationary flappy-paddles. Yes, they are bigger than anticipated, allowing fingers to reach them through much more of the steering rotation than I had thought they would be, but I'd still much rather have them rotate with the wheel like the ones on the wheel of my M5. Guess I'll just have to get used to it until the shifter module comes out.

I'll have to do some more driving with it to form a solid opinion on the pedals, but so far I'm anything BUT displeased. I haven't mounted the included mod to mine yet, but did open the bag to check the allen bolts after reading about RC45's parts. Mine came with SIX, not 5, and only one of mine is unable to accept the allen wrench into its head...so I have 5 useable ones.

As for the fan issue, I honestly didn't even know there was a fan in it until reading this thread! But after doing so, I did put my ear down closer to the wheel and can confirm that there definitely is one in there, I just can't hear it without getting close to it. Could be because of my Onkyo-Definitive Technology surround sound setup, though. Heh...

Overall (so far), I'd say it seems to be worth the money if you've got it. It's definitely encouraging to hear that Thrustmaster's support division is responsive and realistic. Hope that continues!

 

[Timppaq]

Well, we can add one more to the owners of this wheel list! Got mine earlier tonight. I've preliminarily mounted it to the stand/half-cockpit that my G25 was mounted on 'cause I cound't wait until tomorrow to try it out...Home Depot had already closed by the time I got home with it.

Anyway, after doing the newest Seasonal Event races, I can definitely say I'm more impressed with this wheel...and pedals, for that matter...than I thought I was going to be! Granted, the wheel unit is indeed a big S.O.B., which will require some mods to what I have it mounted to, but I figured that might be necessary. The size of the wheel itself was pleasantly surprising, though! Feels much closer to real car size than my G25. The only thing that actually having it to try hasn't changed for me is the stationary flappy-paddles. Yes, they are bigger than anticipated, allowing fingers to reach them through much more of the steering rotation than I had thought they would be, but I'd still much rather have them rotate with the wheel like the ones on the wheel of my M5. Guess I'll just have to get used to it until the shifter module comes out.

I'll have to do some more driving with it to form a solid opinion on the pedals, but so far I'm anything BUT displeased. I haven't mounted the included mod to mine yet, but did open the bag to check the allen bolts after reading about RC45's parts. Mine came with SIX, not 5, and only one of mine is unable to accept the allen wrench into its head...so I have 5 useable ones.

As for the fan issue, I honestly didn't even know there was a fan in it until reading this thread! But after doing so, I did put my ear down closer to the wheel and can confirm that there definitely is one in there, I just can't hear it without getting close to it. Could be because of my Onkyo-Definitive Technology surround sound setup, though. Heh...

Overall (so far), I'd say it seems to be worth the money if you've got it. It's definitely encouraging to hear that Thrustmaster's support division is responsive and realistic. Hope that continues!

Thanks, keep the comments coming

 

[kikie]

It's definitely encouraging to hear that Thrustmaster's support division is responsive and realistic. Hope that continues!

I wrote an email to their support a couple of days ago and nothing so far. I'm NOT impressed with their support so far.

 

[Mr Latte]

I'm sure for RC45 it's water off a ducks back but would be nice to see others stop trying to put him down and change his manner, it won't get us anywhere apart from jibes at Texans and even saying people like Mr Latte would be speaking German for heavens sake.

Now others have noted on the aggression and pointed out they feel the attitude could of been turned down a bit. I have no problem with RC45 finding faults and reporting things to him that are issues. I have questioned if the faults are as big of an issue as he put them across as being. Also as one other poster commented the focus of what he is saying is drowned out by how he is saying it.

I would say my CSP although from the first ever batch (which had some issues) has had the heads go wonky from repeated building/repositioning of the pedals. Not sure if this has happened to other people or on newer batches improved. RC45 may find the quality parts on the CSP could be better as well. I have to say that post above is more like it and better to see him report such a thing in a more controlled way than acting like a wrestling commentator, lol.


Has this thread now become the RC45 Vs He Who Dares?
He knows many of us do not have the wheel because of availability issues. So a lot of attention has been directed to this thread. Yet he has been smug on occasions knowing that.
People on Facebook are entitled to their own opinions just as he has expressed his. This however seems to be a main focus now and he has helped fuel that. Perhaps RC45 loves the attention.....

I too in general take on board the factors he has pointed out and look forward to do my own review but in a completely non aggressive or offensive way and in more depth.

 

[7HO]

Isn't $799 between $700 and $900?

If you live in Australia but last time I checked the US price for the T500RS was $599.

 

[PyroZona]

I wrote an email to their support a couple of days ago and nothing so far. I'm NOT impressed with their support so far.

Regarding what issue? Have you taken into account that "a couple of days ago" would have been during the weekend?

If you live in Australia but last time I checked the US price for the T500RS was $699.

Nope. Got mine last night from Fry's for $599.00 + tax.