Have Your Say - What’s Your Next Major Sim Racing Purchase?

Next Major Sim Hardware Purchase 01.jpg
Continuing our Have Your Say series, today we want to know what you plan to buy for your next major sim racing purchase.

Sim racing is an ever-evolving hobby. The best hardware or software in your price range from today may be eclipsed by something newer or better next year. Those of us with a bit of extra money to spend on our hobby are always on the lookout for ways to improve our immersion and enjoyment.

With Black Friday sales right around the corner, many of us in the sim community are plotting our next big buy. We want to know in the comments below what yours will be. For some of you it might be a game you’ve been waiting for a sale on. For others it might be upgrading to a direct drive wheel or a load cell brake pedal. Or maybe you’ve finally saved enough money to buy that motion setup.

Often the buildup to a big purchase is as exciting as clicking the “Buy Now” button itself. Researching a specific type of hardware and learning which brands and products stand out in their respective field, for example, adds to the excitement of adding it to your rig. If you’re at that stage, or still early in the research process, let us know in the comments below. And if you see someone looking for feedback on a product you already own, be sure to help them out by sharing your own experiences with it.
About author
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

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OverTake
Premium
I got a Sim-Lab GT1 Evo on the way to finally have a permanent setup instead of a wheelstand and IKEA chair (shoutout to POÄNG Gang member @PiotrGT). Next big one I'm not sure about yet, but I definitely need a button box now.
 
D
Used Fanatec Clubsport v2.5 Base
Used Fanatec Formula 1 Black
Used Fanatec Porsche 918
Used Fanatec V1.5 Shifter
Used Heusinkveld Seq-shifter
Used Heusinkveld Handbrake
Heusinkveld Sprints
SRM Magnetic paddles for F1 Black
GT1 Evo Sim Racing Cockpit
GT1 Evo Mouse / Keyboard Tray
GT1 Evo Buttonbox-holder
SimXPro Single Screen Stand
SimXPro 4x Casterwheels with Brakes
Aluprofiel Pedaltray
TreQ Pedalplate
Autostyle Retro / 64SL Seat
Buttonbox with 31 Functions
Rapoo 8100M Bluetooth Mouse/keyboard
KGL Racing Dashboard (LCD)

This is my current simrig. I think a Direct Drive wheel will be the next upgrade. Perhaps next year. I am waiting for a CSW DD. I could go Simucube, tho, but I already have two rims that does the job....

Talking about (side/up)-grades I think replacing the old HE handbrake for the new one, and replacing the V1.5 Shifter with something better are also in the books. Perhaps even two Flag-leds that work with Simhub. Or even a totally new seat.
 
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I prefer to have my simracing experience evolution to start from evolving of simulation software.

I don't think accessories such as next level gear, rigs etc... makes sense, if the fundamentals are forgotten.

Unfortunately approximately 85% industry of simracing is toys, real stuff to put in your home, take in your hands, to sit in, to put on your head... The stuff that comes within the mind and brings meaning to this whole industry is majorly underappreciated, misunderstood and in many other ways lacking respect, care, attention, surrounded by ignorance and taken for granted.

So I don't know why anyone who is past beginner level should do a "next big purchase". But obviously toys industry is thriving, I guess it is better than nothing, maybe.
 
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Last friday I received my latest upgrade for the upcoming months, Heusinkveld Sprint Pedals :cool: Just sold my old Fanatec CSL Elite LC pedals, and drove like 2 hours with the Heusinkvelds, they are really awesome! The brakepedalfeels really good and the throtle also after some small adjustment in strength. Smart Control software is also a good addition to finetune the pedals.
 
A house, I've currently got nowhere to put my rig. There's a bit of a housing crisis in Ireland and there's literally no houses left to rent or buy. I'll be building one at some stage in the next year.

After that I'll look at building a better rig.
 
A house, I've currently got nowhere to put my rig. There's a bit of a housing crisis in Ireland and there's literally no houses left to rent or buy. I'll be building one at some stage in the next year.

After that I'll look at building a better rig.
I have a house for sale/rent in north Co. Cork if you're interested.
 
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I have a house for sale/rent in north Co. Cork if you're interested.
I'm up in Galway. I have land it's just my father never wrote a will and it's taken ten years of fighting with solicitors to get to the point I can actually use it. I've lost all respect for the legal profession over this.
 
I couldn't buy anything hardware-wise at the moment, but I do want a proper sim rig. :)
After that, then the load cell pedals. CSL DD may be great, but I'm waiting for that Thrustmaster DD they might announce someday so I don't need to change the ecosystem.
 
It's advice I'm after actually: My PC is running through my 48 inch TV, I currently have a G920 attached to an IKEA coffee table, which I can drag and plug in and currently use a beanbag to sit on.
My question is this: How can I improve my setup? I've looked at racing rigs, ideally foldable, but I'm at the stage in my life where I've got more free time than I ever have. I want a direct drive wheel. I'm assuming a direct drive wheel screwed into the table just wouldn't be worth the outlay.
I've been simming since Revs (!) and I like the setup I have, but I want to step up. Space is a bit of a premium, I don't have anywhere I can leave it up, unfolded, anywhere where it's not in the way.
My tech philosophy has always been, 'save up for the one you think you want, then save a bit more and get the next one up in the range or you'll straight away regret not doing'.
1: What (if any) direct drive wheels might I feel any benefit from as my setup currently is? And as I'm assuming that answer is "None, you need a racing rig"..
2: What foldable rig and direct drive wheel would give me the best bang for my buck? I'm not rich but I'm not skint either.

Thanks in advance for any advice. Cheers
 
Probably a better rig. I made quite a few bigger sim racing purchases this year (used Fanatec CSW 2.5 wheelbase and F1 Esports, and recently bought the CSL Elite WRC rim and a Thrustmaster TH8A (along with a Lowdown Shifter mounting system for the TH8A on the rig, but I'm still waiting for it to arrive). But all mounted to a Playseat Challenge...
Been thinking about the NLR F-GT/GT Lite, but I don't know how much of an upgrade they'd actually be compared to the Playseat Challenge, and the type of rig I really need doesn't seem to exist (something more solid than those rigs, but still compact/foldable). My main issue is a lack of space.
 
Premium
I'm up in Galway. I have land it's just my father never wrote a will and it's taken ten years of fighting with solicitors to get to the point I can actually use it. I've lost all respect for the legal profession over this.
We all, rightly so, assume the law is about justice, the law has the main purpose of protecting the rich and powerful irrespective of guilt.
It hides behind the pretence of serving justice to the people. So the protectors of the law are really as near to criminals as you can get; protected by the rich and powerful and the institute that then protects them.
Occasionally someone slips through the tight net that actually cares about justice and what is right.
So I would say your predicament is quite normal, my father always taught me to steer clear of the taxman and anything to do with the law. :)
 
My question is this: How can I improve my setup? I've looked at racing rigs, ideally foldable, but I'm at the stage in my life where I've got more free time than I ever have. I want a direct drive wheel. I'm assuming a direct drive wheel screwed into the table just wouldn't be
I have the GT omega pro, although just checking on heir website it looks like they don't make it anymore. While it doesn't fold up it does brake in half for easy storage in a toilet. The rig does make a difference. I think you should have one in your budget if you plan on upgrading past the G920.

sim2.jpg
 
  1. Intel i9 12900KS
  2. Asus ROG z690 motherboard
  3. 32gb of Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB memory
I already have a RTX 3080ti. I assume I will need a bracket for my AIO to fit the new motherboard.
 
A NjMotion compact R AL, but before i have to try it if will not make me sick with VR...
Meanwhile i am waiting my CSL-DD.
 

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