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Do not, i repeat, DO NOT buy that wheel. It will cost you more in the long run. That wheel does not have force feedback. You'll find it incredibly difficult to drive a car without it. You'll most likely give up. Spend a little more for a force feedback wheel. Either you buy that wheel, realize your mistake, and spend more on a FFB wheel, or you give up trying to race because it's too difficult.
Something like this will be worth the extra money. If this wheel is too much, iRacing might be too expensive too. https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Force-Feedback-racing-wheel-WINDOWS/dp/B01CI97DNM
The wheel you listed is arguably less than entry-level, as it doesn’t have force feedback and that’s arguably one of the most important parts of any serious sim racing wheel.
Since your budget’s $150 i’d suggest the Thrustmaster T150, decent, fairly small but it’s got FFB and is a solid jumping in point to the sim racing hobby/market.
You linked to your shitty referral link farm site instead of directly to Amazon, that's how.
Here's the direct link without referral code. https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-Spider-Racing-Wheel-Xbox/dp/B00IVHQ0KI
Thrustmaster T.16000M is generally a good starter stick. Works well, has a twist rudder and integrated throttle so you can work with just the base unit, or you can purchase add-ons like a separate throttle and rudder pedals.
US Amazon shows it on sale for about $53 USD, about 47€ if you convert directly but I'd guess that price changes by location.
There's three tiers of wheels:
- Gear Driven
- Belt Driven
- Direct Driven
Tier 1 is the Logitech offerings and the low end TMs. (TMX and T150) They work, but are loud, and "clacky", and aren't as smooth or precise as the higher tiers. (Price Range $150 - $400)
Tier 2 is TM's T300, TX, and higher. Also Fanatecs lower end offerings. Belts offer a much smoother and quieter response. You also can get more torque from them. (Price Range $300 - $1,000)
Tier 3 is the King Tier. Direct Drive wheels use a wheel directly mounted to a motor shaft. This can get you the absolute best experience and power. Downside is price. (Price range $1,000 and up.)
If you want to dip your toes without going in too deep, look at the TM T300 or TX series. You can find them for around ~$400. (T300 RS)
If you want better, build a setup through Fanatec. Though, once you're done piecing everything together, you're looking at $1,000+.
Buy two Thrustmaster T16000 Joysticks, they go on sale on Amazon in 3 days for $59. I just ordered two. Cheers
That’s how it is. It uses a “Mixed belt-pulley and gears system with metal ball-bearing axle” for force feedback. You’re feeling the gears.
If you scroll down a little on the Amazon page for the wheel there’s a little diagram of how it works.
You want the Thrustmaster T150. Paddle shifters and cheap, but usable pedals included. Can find it on sale for $150 sometimes; Best Buy stocks it and will pricematch with amazon.
Works with PS3/PS4 too (as you can probably tell by the branding). It's been a great entry-level model for me; I use it for some PC games and with my PSVR. There's also a T150 Pro with a clutch pedal if you've got a bit more to spend, but I'm happy with the base model.
That looks like a Logitech G920. In which case ~$250 depending if you have the shifter included. I'm currently looking into wheels -- this and the Thrustmaster TMX Pro seem like the best "budget" wheels. I'm leaning more towards the TMX Pro though, fyi.
If you get a budget wheel, make sure it has force feedback. There's no point in a wheel if it doesn't have FFB.
https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Racing-PlayStation4-PlayStation3-playstation-2/dp/B014US02ZAI've been using this Thrustmaster T150 for almost 4 years of fairly vigorous and regular rallying, and while worn, it's still kicking. For US$200 there aren't many cheaper options that aren't used and/or crap.
I HIGHLY recommend a FFB wheel to take the next step into Simrallying. It'll be an eye opener in a way far bigger than switching to bonnet cams after you get comfortable with it (which shouldn't take long).
G920 link: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Dual-motor-Feedback-Driving-Responsive/dp/B00Z0UWV98
These are the successor to the G27, which used to be a highly recommended wheel. For $200, that's a good price. CCC says it's about as low as it's ever been on amazon.
The Thrustmaster T16000m is outrageously good and it's $40 on Amazon. They're reversible so can be left or right if you wanted to go dual for $80.
Playseat Challenge, sell the G27 on Ebay for $160ish, grab a T300 https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Officially-Licensed-Feedback-playstation-4/dp/B00O8B7D02/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=T300&qid=1561258265&s=gateway&sr=8-1 on amazon for $199, keep your G27 pedals and buy an adapter, sell the T300 pedals. That's literally the best setup you can get for < $500. Either way, the Playseat challenge folds out, I use it in hospital rooms when I ahve to stay after chemo.
I mentioned this already in another post, but the Thrustmaster T300 Alcantara Edition package is a very solid choice. Normally, the price is $469 on Amazon, but I saw it go for $299 during Black Friday and during the Christmas/holiday season. I picked it up when it was on sale, and for that price, its extremely well worth it. This setup is far superior to any of the Logitech wheels/pedals. My roommate has a Logitech G29, and that thing feels like a toy in every way compared to the T300. The T300 is much quiter, smoother feeling, and the pedals feel much more realistic (for this price range). Also just the diameter of the wheel alone makes a huge difference in the feel. It does not come with a separate shifter, but you can always add that in the future.
I have tried the G29 and the T300 side by side, and I can answer any questions you might have about them. Currently I'm using the T300 Alcantara package with a Fanatec 1.5 SQ shifter. The shifter adds ALOT to the experience, and it was totally worth the money IMO.
Amazon (US) has both the flight stick and flight pack on sale. Not sure if they'll go any lower.-
Flightstick: $40, down from $60
Flight pack: $130, down from $160
You can get the T300 RS GT for cheaper than that ($300 on Amazon. That's what I'd recommend too to the OP, and then save for a Fanatec/Thrustmaster shifter later on.
FYI T16000m sticks are on sale for $39 at Amazon
And for those in Canada- it’s cheaper still than buying from Amazon.ca even with shipping and currency exchange, and there is a 1 per limit cap on the current sale.
Source- just bought two, shipping north of the border.
Careful with the Thrustmaster naming convention. You're talking about the TMX <strong>which can be bought brand new off of Amazon for $160</strong>. Even the 3 pedal Pro version is only $250
What you're thinking of is probably the T300's or maybe T500 which is more around the $400 price point.
> What?
Logitech wheels are supported in Linux.
DRAG supports the use of Logitech wheels for driving.
There are better, more expensive wheels out there, but they are Window's exclusive, at least until the Linux community finds a way to create proper drivers for Thrustmaster and Fanatec wheels.
I bought a relatively inexpensive strand from Ali and it's well-suited for the Truckulator. It might not be stiff enough for racing/rally sims but it's been wonderful for this. It's easy enough to move out if the way when I'm not drivng. It shipped from the US and arrived in just a couple days... But hmm I don't see it listed...
Same one on Amazon for $15 more than it was: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PZKNDH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_JY14RFFVKZVQ4VBGPJC9
Thrustmaster Ferrari
Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider Racing Wheel for Xbox One https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IVHQ0KI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4HHQCMXXJ4A6JBVHRCN3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Used for $80
Hi, I know many people have answered your question in the context of the game, so I want to suggest something else as well.
Have you looked at some kinds of Flight Stick controllers, like this on Amazon (not an affiliate link, just random google search) ?
Like I see that it has 4 buttons on the thumb area and 1 trigger. So if you can find a flight stick with TWO to THREE triggers and 2 to 4 face buttons for thumbs, it might cover your use case for a looooot of games, especially fixed camera angle games and some VR games (like Skyrim even).
Alternatively you can look into Xbox Adaptive Controller. It is a system in which you can hook customisable parts to the main module for button mapping. So you can map two buttons as two or four pedals for your feet, a large joystick and other stuff. It's pretty good AFAIK.
Logitech G920 Dual-Motor Feedback Driving Force Racing Wheel with Responsive Pedals for Xbox One - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z0UWV98/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VE6X77WNAVSFBEQ6ARDR
Racing Wheel Stand with Shifter... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DTCZ4VB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The stand is fairly cheap but when pressed against the desk, it’s completely firm. I strongly suggest it for Dirt Rally and WRC. The G29 version of the wheel supports PlayStation however.
The Thrustmaster TMX is a great starter wheel from what I have read and watched. I ordered one on Amazon yesterday night after seeing it on sale. It's currently $179.62 at the moment.
This thread is now moot. TS300 and TS300 Alcantara went on sale on Amazon for $250/$300 and I'll be returning the G29 based on the opinions here and the research I've done elsewhere. Thanks everyone for your input!
A copy of what i sent to one user, but my recommendation still stands:
If you end up buying a joystick one day, I strongly urge you to look for Thrustmaster 16000, or for something with the equivalent of Thrustmaster's HALL effect. It really IS really-really nice. Because with whatever game you end up playing, you may end up using only a few buttons, but the joystick part of it will always be there, so THAT'S what you want to be top notch.
And I may be repeating myself, but that HALL effect is what they use in the pretty much highest end Warthog Joysticks and HOTAS, ones that go for $300+, so even though the buttons and the build itself of the 16000 is the same as of the other joysticks in the 30-50$, the action part of its is way above it's level.
Here's an Amazon link to the pre-order of the new version of the joystick by itself:
Holy wow thank you for the in depth response. Just really started getting into true sim racing and the whole community has been awesome so far. I've been using a crap wheel/controller so I'm basically looking at my first true set up. That means Logitech and others are out because I want to be in an ecosystem I can upgrade and grow over time. That seems to mean Fanatec or Thristmaster right now. With that in mind , I'm comparing integrated products, base wheel and pedals together. The best prices I've found on new products so far have been through Fanatec direct and Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-Alcantara-Racing-playstation-4/dp/B015KJ0SES https://www.fanatec.com/us-en/bundle/product;bundle_id;153
They both have awesome upsides with huge upgrades I can make over time, which is really the most important thing to me right now. If I wind up living and breathing sim racing, I'll eventually want to go direct drive, but I don't have any plans to do so as of yet. Plus, in all honesty, if I don't stick with sim racing for the very long term (which I think is unlikely, but always a possibility), the Elite and T300 both seem to retain their value pretty well, definitely better than the current crop of Logitech and other brands.
Thoughts on the above would be awesome! Thanks again.