The desperate Thrustmaster vs Fanatec choice

[mecaNICK]

Hello guys,

I'm here, because I'm desperate to find the trigger that make me buying something to replace the G27 wheel and shifter.

Some facts:

- I'm occasionally racing on a SIM, especially in the karting winterbreak.
- I currently use a G27 wheel + shifter with CSP loadcell pedals on a wheelstand pro, which will be replaced this week with a Playseat hence the upgrade of the wheel.
- I have read hours and hours all the discussions I could find, over and over again. Watched all the video's youtube could offer.
Still most of the content is aged, since it's 2020 some things might have changed hardware/software related?
- 50% says go A because B is meh, other 50% says go B because A is meh. Who tried different options?
- I only race on PC (AC, ACC, ...) but who knows a PS someday.
- Don't really need to replace the CSP pedals


The competitors:

1- Thrustmaster T300 RS with TH8A Shifter - 390€
2- Thrustmaster T300 RS Ferrari Alcantara Editrion with TH8A Shifter - 490€
3- Thrustmaster TS-PC Ferrari Alcantara with TH8A Shifter - 609€
4- Fanatec CSL Elite with Fanatec Shifter - 758€

Price wise a lot have changed, Fanatec seems to be lot more expensive then few years ago.

I do know that the CSW 2.5 is superiour to the above, but really cannot talk myself into spending 850€ on a wheel only, and I really need a good shifter.
DD is out of the question.

The goods/bads:

Reliability? I've read horror stories about TM and Fanatec.
Support? I've read horror stories about TM and Fanatec.
Enjoyment? Will it be worth paying double option 1 vs option 4?

I need a reliable source that can talk me into the right option

Thank you guys

 

[gnoshme]

Worth considering if you might want to add an ebrake at some point. Based on the "PS someday" comment my understanding is then you have to run all accessories through the wheelbase, right? Which means trying to go with a single vendor?

In that case, the Fanatec starts to look more affordable compared to the TS range. The Fanatec ebrake (and shifter) are truly awesome and I think the highlight of their lower priced parts. I recently did the same kind of calculations and no matter how I ran the numbers I found that by the time you get to wheel + 3 pedals + H shifter + ebrake, the difference in price between TM and Fanatec is almost nothing so that's what I went for.

I previously had Fanatec CSR stuff and worried that the TM T300 gear would feel like a step backwards so ruled that out.

I unfortunately can confirm that Fanatec support leads a lot to be desired, and personally I think the plastic wheel backs on their cheaper wheels are under engineered and I can attest to the fact that a wheelbase malfunction can create enough force to break them (and I have that on video). Hell.. it could break your hand. At least with TM if you bought it on Amazon and it arrived DOA or stopped working with 30 days you could do a return with no issues. If I look at the Fanatec support thread I've had in over the last 6 weeks there has never been 2 steps forward in the same day, and it's normal for days between response. There's only a 2 hour phone support window each day, and it's in the afternoon in Germany.

 

[Emery]

4- Fanatec CSL Elite with Fanatec Shifter - 758€

I own a Fanatec CSWv2 and shifter. I enjoy Fanatec gear, but I'm not a fan of the CSL Elite wheel base due to the set screw in the wheel and cheaper materials (plastic faceplate instead of metal). IMHO, you're probably better off going with a Thrustmaster instead of the CSL Elite, but it's just an opinion because I've never touched a CSL Elite.

 

[Denis Betty]

I've owned a TH8A shifter for years and, touch wood, it hasn't missed a beat. It's a fairly good step up from a G27 shifter - which I hated. If you've researched it, you'll know that there's a common breakage with the Fanatec H shifter, it's repairable, but it costs money and time. I'm sorry, I've never owned one, I can't recall the details.

After my G27 I bought a T500RS, then I got a great deal here on RD for a used TS-PC. After around 18 months I was offered a great deal on my current wheel so I sold the T500 & TS-PC to help with the cost of the upgrade. Both went to buddies on RD and both are still going strong (touch wood).

So, in answer to your question, even though I had a bad time with TM support for a T3PA pedals clutch spring, from the choices you have, I'd recommend the TS-PC and TH8.

However, as with anything you can have a problem free experience or a nightmare whichever way you go. Sometimes it feels like whatever you do is gonna be wrong - does to me, anyway. Whatever you decide, I hope it goes well for you. Good luck.

 

[Peter van de Kolk]

I just had my TS PC 488 delivered today after my T300 broke last year. Have been without a wheel for about 10 months because of study and moving and in those 10 months had the same dillema as you. Coming from the T300 and reading a lot of reviews on the TS PC were positive I decided to stick with Thrustmaster and I'm not regretting it. The 488 wheel is a really good looking and feeling wheel. Great size, good quality, definately the best wheel I've ever had. TS PC wheel base feels good, smooth, fast enough for me and good FFB.

On of the things that made me choose TM was the addon wheels and their prizes. Looking at any decent Fanatec wheel your looking at €250 minimum and €400 for most of the wheels. I'd love to add some different style wheels to my collection (start one that is ) and with TM it'll be much cheaper. All wheels are max 200,- besides the 250 GTO. If only TM added an oval rim to their package... One can dream right?

 

[newbert]

FWIW - I recently upgraded from G29 to TS-PC Racer Ferrari Edition. Couldn't be happier.

Considered Fanatec but got scared off by customer service stories (although I already had Fanatec peds which posed me no problems). As someone stated above, I bought thru Amazon due to their easy return policy, in case I had problems with the TS-PC Racer.

Note: TS-PC Racer does NOT support PS consoles. But I relate my experience only to explain that I'm happy with my decision to go with Thrustmaster.

 

[Pedro Azevedo88]

Honestly, if you don't want so spend to much, go with the Thrustmaster T300. It's a very solid base (I had one for 2 years) that only suffers from Fan problems (which are easily solved).
Even if later you want to use it with consoles, you can still use something like Drivehub in order to connect different parts from different companies.

DriveHub for Xbox One and PS4

The DriveHub is a revolutionary, industry first cross over gaming adapter that makes it possible to use virtually any Force Feedback Steering wheel on your Xbox One or PS4 gaming console.

shop.cronusmax.com

This way you can take, for example, the base, gearbox from TM and match it with the pedals and handbrake from Fanatec.

 

[smasha]

Both overly expensive.

Sim Racing Garage opened up a Thrustmaster wheel and they don't look much different to a Logitech,wires aren't as neat.

 

[MarkR]

I faced the same dilemma back in 2015, like you, I wanted both PC and console (Xbox in my case) compatibility, I already had the TX458 wheelbase as it was the only Xbox wheel back in 2013. Initially, I went for the Fanatec CSWv2 hub and the basic Xbox compatible wheel. As @Emery has already said the retaining screw on the non-quick-release wheels is unconvincing, it never felt right and there are warnings against over-tightening. In any case, the CSWv2 wheel hub failed (where the wheel hub attaches rattled lose within 4 days), the replacement did the same and I refunded the whole package.

Having returned the Fanatec gear I upgraded the TX458 wheel and added the 599XX 30cm wheel (big improvement imo), T3PA pedals and TH8A shifter. I'm on my second TX458 servo base (first one lasted 4 years and many many virtual miles and I feel I had my money's worth from it, friends have experienced much the same pattern after 4-5 years of use). I've been completely happy with the Thrustmaster gear for this console generation. It's also good that Microsoft has confirmed all peripherals will work with the next Xbox too as that was an expensive reset last time.

I have the Fanatec shifters with the previous 2012 generation Forza CSR wheel and the TH8A is a far superior product and much more fun to use when snicking gears through the click-clack gates.

My view would go with the Thrustmaster gear unless you want to spend the extra on a quick release wheel with Fanatec.

 

[Alz_D]

When I had the choice I ended up going with a Fanatec set up. CSL Elite Ps4 with CSV3 pedals and later added the shifter and the handbrake. I did have an issue with the base but had no issues with Fanatec support and the base was turned around in less than a working week free of charge.

I'm glad I spent the extra and I'm happy with my gear. I'd make the same decision again.

 

[mecaNICK]

Thank you for the replies guys.

I ended up buying a used T300RS, TH8A, Obutto Tripple stand with 3 monitors, heuskingveld handbrake, ... in combination with my CSP pedals. The TM Pro pedals felt not as good.

 

[senrab51]

Have you considered buying from eBay or Amazon where returns are 100% (verify this can vary depending on the seller). Buy the wheel you feel best about, don't mar it or get it dirty and if it's not right return it! That's part of selling where the buyer can't test drive the product. I sell cameras on both of them and I don't love returns but realize it's part of whole e-commerce model.

 

[Oxtar_]

Since you wrote that you race karts I assume you are used to have pretty heavy steering forces.

T300 on heavy settings is not probably the best to last heavy settings very long. FFB might start to fade if you try to use it heavily for long and bumpy track. 1 hour on nordschleife for example.

Fanatec max force is 6Nm vs T300 4Nm. So if looking for example more realistic kart racing on sims like rfactor 2 I would get fanatec.

Edit: oh didn't notice you bought T300 already. I have it too and im very happy with it but DD or fanatec's belt wheel base will be next step soon still for me.

 

[ThelegendofWhaat?]

Guys I know this is late but the Fanatec CSL elite is a great choice for the money or budget. The pedals are solid as and adjustable. I have had mine for 2 years now, the xbox/ pc version and it has worked flawlessly! I have previously owned a Logitech g920 and a fanatec porsche v3 wheel and csr pedals and the csl elite shits on them in performance and value for money. One day we may all have a budget for a DD wheel and a motion rig!!

 

[graham123]

I have just moved up from a G29 to a T500rs.. could'nt be happier with it....but I have found in this game you really do get what you pay for..

A DD will be my next wheel If and when I can afford it

 

[dud]

The Fanatec price is way too close to a DD wheel like the Accuforce. I would definitely either get a Thurstmaster or jump to the DD.