When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey everyone. I've never really been into he world of sim racing, but I'm starting to dabble in it a bit. It's a deep rabbit hole! I got started on this when my sons got me into Formula 1 online racing, and we now have a small league. It has been really fun.
I started off with a Thrustaster T300. It works okay, but it's quite limited in terms of customization. I've been running the F1 add-on steering wheel, but it's really just a cosmetic upgrade. It doesn't offer much over the standard wheel. I ended up ordering a Fanatec Podium F1 wheel, which should arrive in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to not only the direct drive wheel, but the ability to customize the controls. It also uses pedals that have a load cell, which should be a nice upgrade over the Thrustmaster pedals.
At this point, I'm using a racing seat/cockpit that's setup in front of a 50" 4K television. The system is powered by a PS5 at this point. I could see a point where I build a more dedicated rig that's powered by a PC, but I'm not quite there yet.
I'm looking forward to learning more from this group. So far, I'm impressed with the number of options that can be customized to make the experience more realistic.
I ended up ordering a Fanatec Podium F1 wheel, which should arrive in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to not only the direct drive wheel, but the ability to customize the controls. It also uses pedals that have a load cell, which should be a nice upgrade over the Thrustmaster pedals..
Congrats on the upgrades. If you've ordered the Clubsport V3 pedals, it's definitely worth the $30 to also order the Clubsport V3 "Brake Performance Kit" -- it makes a huge difference in brake pedal performance. I'm not sure why Fanatec hasn't just included the performance kit in the pedals -- kind of a pain to order separately and then install, but very much worth the time and effort. International shipping for small items can be brutally priced, so it would be worth seeing if they can tack it onto your existing order if you don't have the performance kit ordered already.
Probably too late since it sounds like you've already ordered the Fanatec pedals, but Heusinkveld Sprint pedals are a pretty significant upgrade for not a huge premium (the Sprints are about $570 for 2-pedal set, and $670 for 3-pedal). They used to be impossible to get, but now seem to be readily available (at least they are in stock at Heusinkveld's site as I type this).
I've been researching this as well, and inching closer to pulling the trigger to try this out. Already have a PS4 Pro and projector. Kind of leaning towards starting with the Logitech G29 wheel/pedals/shifter. What seat/cockpit do you have? I'll have to put this in front of my couch and move it out of the way when I or my kids are playing other games / watching movies, so I'm leaning towards the Playseat Challenge, it seems quite a bit smaller / lighter than the F-GT Lite.
Thanks for the info in the pedals. I did order the Clubsport pedals and I didn’t know about the upgrade. I’ll have to look at that.
I bought the Playseat Evolution. It seems okay for the money. It’s not quite as stable as I’d like, but it’s not really noticeable when I’m playing. I’ll eventually upgrade it, but it was a good place to start.
Probably too late since it sounds like you've already ordered the Fanatec pedals, but Heusinkveld Sprint pedals are a pretty significant upgrade for not a huge premium (the Sprints are about $570 for 2-pedal set, and $670 for 3-pedal). They used to be impossible to get, but now seem to be readily available (at least they are in stock at Heusinkveld's site as I type this).
Thanks for the suggestion. I just looked, and unfortunately they're only compatible with Windows based PCs. I can't use them with my PS5 setup.
I think it is a good idea to start low budget and then upgrade slowly as you get frustrated with weak points. I started with a PS4 and a Logitech. I will say however that after upgrading my system in all areas there is a critical mass to achieve a level of immersion that makes it really fun. I think that line is different for everyone. My sons, who are frequent gamers, can turn incredible laps with a G29 and a single monitor. I am a total mess on track with that setup. I started with a single big screen TV and I really struggled with immersion especially with a correct FOV setting. For me, triples or VR are ultimately required for me to drive well. My current rig is triples, with a decent gaming PC, Clubsport wheel and pedals, and a sturdy but lower cost chassis. It took me about 1.5 years to get it where it is but now it is a blast. For anyone starting out, it is okay to take it slow, but if you are frustrated with the setup just know that with the right upgrades it is possible to get a point where it all comes together.
Thanks for the info in the pedals. I did order the Clubsport pedals and I didn’t know about the upgrade. I’ll have to look at that.
It's worth calling to see if they can tack it onto your existing order. I think when I ordered it standalone, it was $30 for the brake performance kit and $30 for (international) shipping for a part that is tiny and probably weighs about 3 grams. Still worth it, but the "tiny order" shipping surcharge is kind of painful. I've talked to Fanatec at great length about a number of items, one of which was discussing offering customers a low-cost (slower) shipping option for small orders. They were receptive to the idea, so with any luck they might have changed that to offer a low-cost shipping option.
My first upgrade after buying the Thrustmaster T300 wheel was to get the PlaySeat racing seat. This not only allowed me to sit in a better position, but it put me closer to the monitor. This alone improved my lap times as I had better visibility and I was able to more consistently hit apexes, etc. I'm looking forward to the continued improvement as I upgrade the equipment. It is a deep rabbit hole, but it's a fun journey.
I can't wait to get the new Fanatec wheel and I'll try to get the pedal upgrade too.
I am working on configuring the hardware today. I did all the firmware updates. I installed the brake performance kit, currently set on medium. I also installed an adjustable damper on the accelerator pedal. I’m very impressed with this equipment so far. I’ll report back when I complete the setup and configuration.
I’m getting close to finalizing my setup. I’m still tweaking the seat and pedal positions. The Fanatec Podium F1 wheel is awesome. The PS5 version doesn’t have all the functionality of the PC version, but it has considerably more than my old Thrustmaster wheel. The brake performance upgrade kit is awesome, as is the damper that I added to the accelerator pedal. I’m still experimenting with the clutch and setting the proper bite point for launches. I’m getting too much wheel spin at this point.
I just made another upgrade that has made a big difference. I’m now using a hardwired Ethernet connection as opposed to a WiFi connection. I have good WiFi at home, but it doesn’t compare to a hardwired connection.
That's interesting, because I was looking at this last night after I got dropped from a race due to some network problem. Unfortunately I didn't have a long enough Ethernet cable for where the port is in that room, so I couldn't fix it right away. But outside of errors / glitches, what is the difference you are experiencing?
I used something called a MoCA 2.5 adapter that I bought from Best Buy. It essentially allows coax cable to be used as a hardwire for an Ethernet signal. It works beautifully.
The biggest difference that I noticed is that everything is smoother. There’s no jerkiness or unpredictable car movements that come as a result of a poor connection. I would also occasionally experience an inconsistent audio connection, and that has been eliminated.
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Slideshow: For a company obsessed with engineering precision, Porsche has occasionally named its cars in ways that left even loyal enthusiasts scratching their heads.
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Slideshow: Pogea Racing's latest Porsche 964 project blends carbon-fiber construction, modern chassis upgrades, and up to 500 horsepower while keeping the air-cooled 911 experience firmly analog.
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Slideshow: Talos Vehicles has transformed the Porsche 911 GT3 RS into a carbon-bodied, race-inspired machine that costs well over $1 million before the donor car is even included.
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Slideshow: Long before engineering consulting became trendy, Porsche was quietly helping other automakers build everything from supercars to economy hatchbacks.
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Slideshow: Some brands build cars. Porsche builds traditions, obsessions, and a few habits that stopped making sense decades ago but somehow became part of the charm.
Continuing to build my low budget sim rig
