So my new T300rs wheel from Thrustmaster started to make light grinding noises not long after I got it, then after about 40 days it started to clunk or click when turning back and forth around the center. A few emails back and forth, a video, and proof of purchase later my wheel was in the mail and it took about 18 days before my replacement arrived. Yeah they are having some reliability issues over there at Thrustmaster, but I still really think the T300 is a great wheel.
Before I RMA'd my wheel I ordered a TH8a shifter and T3PA-Pro pedals. The shifter arrived before I sent my wheel it was fun to use as a sequential but the H pattern cried for a clutch. The pedals arrived while my wheel was gone, so for about 2 weeks they were a funny looking paper weight. But now... these things are pretty awesome. The pedals come with a "conical brake mod" which is a fancy way to say a rubber cone that simulates real resistance in the brake pedal. Of course at first all these new inputs did slow me down as I got used to proper three pedal H pattern racing (clutch action, switching right/left foot braking, heal-toeing) and just in general getting used to them compared to what it is like in a real car. I was doing some research and found advice that adding a wider brake pedal really finished them off nicely, and the pedal plates can be found on Amazon for between $10-15 depending on if you get them new, used, and/or if you get the 3 pedal set. Shown in the image above, I got the 2 pedal set because I wanted the wider brake pedal and did not see the need for a larger clutch pedal.
Now with the 3 pedal set and the TH8a shifter I have all the components I need.. over the next month or so I will be moving and then will be able to get the modifications done to my stand to get everything mounted. Currently I am still using the old home depot special stand to hold my shifter and keyboard, so I have not completely replaced it wit the wheel stand pro, yet.
All this was over three times the cost of my old budget DIY setup (ps3, DFGT, home depot stand) but man oh man is it worth it. Racing games / Sim Racing has really come alive for console users with the introduction of this type of equipment and of course the game Project Cars. In case you are wondering.. PS4 = $400, T300rs Wheel = $400, TH8a Shifter = $130, T3PA-Pro Pedals = $150, Wheel Stand Pro = $190. Still compared to the two gaming PCs I built before I got into consoles ($1,500 a build with no peripherals), it really is not all that expensive considering the quality and amount of enjoyment I get from it.
But just more fancy gaming stuff to realize that
yeah.. I am not that good. -CC
