TH8 RS Shifter Thread!

[LogiForce]

The clutch mod is an interesting thought 💡 nothing like what is on the brake is necessary, but possibly a spring with about 1-2kg more resistance would feel a bit more precise?? in saying that though I agree with Logi saying you pick up the feel fairly quickly and it just becomes a muscle memory where the friction point is set.

@ Logi: can the friction point be change using the calibration software (I don't have a windows computer running ATM so can't test until next week when I get one )

Friction point of what? The pedals? There isn't any calibration software for the pedals.

 

[VINCE__]

Friction point of what? The pedals? There isn't any calibration software for the pedals.

I think he is talking about the shift points you can manipulate in the firmware from the pc software.

 

[Sick Cylinder]

Thanks to posters for the tip to cancel the TH8RS Amazon PS3 order and change to a PC order - mine should arrive Thursday.

Given the height of the shifter unit it is going to be a challenge to make a mount for my Wheelstand pro which will place the gear knob in a low enough position to feel natural, yet still allow me to sit on the couch. I'm thinking of building a bracket which will mount to the central pillar rather than the wheel mount

 

[BNGTracer]

@ Logi: can the friction point be change using the calibration software (I don't have a windows computer running ATM so can't test until next week when I get one )

I think he is talking about the shift points you can manipulate in the firmware from the pc software.

Sorry all for the bad wording, what I meant was when you depress the clutch pedal on the T500 pedals the point it engages is about 4/5 of its travel, can this be moved to about 3/4??)
You already answers this here

There isn't any calibration software for the pedals.

so my question is now obsolete thanks.

After a 4 hour endurance race on the weekend I have become quite accustomed to the feel of the pedal and wouldn't want to alter it anymore.

 

[lunarwolf]

Thanks to posters for the tip to cancel the TH8RS Amazon PS3 order and change to a PC order - mine should arrive Thursday.

hehe just got mine luckily you ordered yours just before they ran out, because now Amzon UK is completely out of stock

 

[rebla47]

Very good TH8RS review by VirtualR.net

http://www.virtualr.net/thrustmaster-th8-rs-shifter-review

He say:

"Pros:

High-quality materials, very durable... "


That remains to be seen...

 

[Carson79]

Well Its got here! After a little DIY and setting up I've it working..........With a little freaking out as for the last 30 mins it wasn't......But all update's and firmware installed, just need to get used to it ........nice bit of KIT it is to

 

[lunarwolf]

well really having fun with it. except my times now suck even more than they did .

plug and play with PS3/GT5, although haven't tried on PC. only change i made was too harden the shift resistance. think i will add brake mod to clutch pedal now.

clamped at the moment and is very sturdy, but will hard mount when my seat mount arrives this week

 

[Mr Latte]

Good to hear you got yours Lunar.
Im going to hold off a bit, see what Fanatec are doing.

The compatibility really annoys me and as Im really just using consoles, well X360 games are already out and only a few PS3 games its just not getting me that excited.

Really Hope Codemasters patch Dirt3 for it.
I dont know of any other good racing games on PS3 due out that would make good use of this and work with it.

 

[Sick Cylinder]

Received mine this morning before setting off for work - amazing service and as Lunarwolf said - very lucky to change my order in time.

Haven't used it yet, but very impressed with the design - looks robust and top quality. It is obvious to me that given the height of the unit it will not be possible to mount to a wheelstand pro when used with my sofa and have a natural shift position. The sofa is in three parts which slot together so I will make a 13cm insert for the sofa, upholstered to match. It will be possible to have the shift knob at just the right height to replicate to replicate my car.

Some might think it a bit odd to have a shift knob sticking up out of a sofa, but if it is done well it should look ok. I thought it probably best to build and fit it without telling my wife - shouldn't be too much of an issue as it is in a second sitting room where the kids play Mario Kart and I play GT5 and she hardly ever ventures.

 

[Carson79]

Yeah tension screw is the same??? It does turn two full turns if you go counterclockwise
The Thrustmaster one is 13.5cm (5 1/2") from top to base!!! 3.5cm is a huge difference!!! might have to invest in a new knob
The cockpit your using looks identical to the frame (different seat) to the GTxtreme i'm using, what name was yours sold under
nice pics by the way...hope to see a vid of it in action soon 👍

The tension screw might trun two full turn's .....But I would advice it. I tightened mine about a full turn and it was quiet hard to change gear. And didn't sound healthy at all.

 

[Carson79]

Good to hear you got yours Lunar.
Im going to hold off a bit, see what Fanatec are doing.

The compatibility really annoys me and as Im really just using consoles, well X360 games are already out and only a few PS3 games its just not getting me that excited.

Really Hope Codemasters patch Dirt3 for it.
I dont know of any other good racing games on PS3 due out that would make good use of this and work with it.

It's no exaggeration that it really does change the game. Even though it's only compatible with GT5 I really believe it's worth having

 

[Hwangm]

i can't believe the locked this with T500 wheel in PS3, i mean it's USB FGS.
GT5 can accept multiple input ie ( DS3 and Steerign wheel on the same controller number)
wanna gt5 with fanatec wheel and I hate the shifter but love the CSP. GARRRRr

 

[rebla47]

Mine received.

I´m the only one dissapointed with the feeling?. Reviews told about "real car feeling". Real car feeling?. Where?. Resistance is not enough.

Turning the screw, ok; you get increase the hardness between gears, but you loose the auto-return to neutral (especially between 3th and 4th gear), and you must to take off the gears by yourself.

I see this shifter made for durability, but not to create a gearshift of real car (and if TM wanted to, they have not achieved).

 

[lunarwolf]

but you loose the auto-return to neutral

tightning the screw only affects the resistance on the y axis it doesn't affect the x axis, so if you are in 7th, when you pull gear lever back it will autocenter between 3rd and 4th on the x axis

where i feel there is room for improvement is how "loose" the clutch feels. hopefully the brake mod may help, but somehow i am doubtful it is a realistic solution. ideally there should be some sort of vibration effect to mimic the gear change

 

[Carson79]

tightning the screw only affects the resistance on the y axis it doesn't affect the x axis, so if you are in 7th, when you pull gear lever back it will autocenter between 3rd and 4th on the x axis

where i feel there is room for improvement is how "loose" the clutch feels. hopefully the brake mod may help, but somehow i am doubtful it is really a solution. ideally there should be some sort of vibration effect to mimmick the gear change

I'm happy with the gear change with a bit of tightening. The clutch isn't great, but saying that I only played a few hours altogether yesterday and could feel it in my leg lol ( need to start running again). Have a piece of pipe insulation in behind the pedal now and it would probably do........If it wasn't for the squeaky noise it makes........more R & D I think lol

 

[Simracer92]

Mine received.

I´m the only one dissapointed with the feeling?. Reviews told about "real car feeling". Real car feeling?. Where?. Resistance is not enough.

Turning the screw, ok; you get increase the hardness between gears, but you loose the auto-return to neutral (especially between 3th and 4th gear), and you must to take off the gears by yourself.

I see this shifter made for durability, but not to create a gearshift of real car (and if TM wanted to, they have not achieved).

no auto-return to neutral with maximum resistance? then your shifter is broken!

watch this video.. that is maximum resistance and you see it does auto-return to neutral.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nII3U5aLF8w&feature=player_embedded

 

[LogiForce]

Mine received.

I´m the only one dissapointed with the feeling?. Reviews told about "real car feeling". Real car feeling?. Where?. Resistance is not enough.

Turning the screw, ok; you get increase the hardness between gears, but you loose the auto-return to neutral (especially between 3th and 4th gear), and you must to take off the gears by yourself.

I see this shifter made for durability, but not to create a gearshift of real car (and if TM wanted to, they have not achieved).

Ehm, if your car shifts that heavy there is something wrong with it I reckon. It shouldn't be that hard to shift gear in a car. Might want to check that out? Cause although transmission characteristics differ per car, heavier then in the vid of ^ is not very natural unless you love the feeling of driving a tank. Normally it should just offer some resistance but still let you easily enough (with not much force) switch gear, so that you don't have to be the hulk to drive it and so that a woman can drive as well.

Auto return to neutral? Which car ever returns to neutral automatically? It shouldn't just jump out of gear, mate. That's dangerous! You always have to give it a slight nudge past a certain point to get it out of gear and into neutral. Therefor is the center spring. You didn't tighten up yours too much and snapped that spring did you? Cause that might be the case

Anyhow, to each is own I guess. But I am glad my car doesn't shift like yours does. If that's the case I would start to think the wrong oil is in the transmission, synchro isn't good or something else is wrong.

 

[rebla47]

no auto-return to neutral with maximum resistance? then your shifter is broken!

watch this video.. that is maximum resistance and you see it does auto-return to neutral.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nII3U5aLF8w&feature=player_embedded

Thanks Simracer92.

It is probable: If I turn the screw to top-right, it losses totally the autoreturn to neutral in 3 and 4 gears. I need to set the screew near top-left to get autoreturn, as in your video.

I think is a problem from the up-down autoreturn; side autoreturn seems work properly.


I do not know how to proceed: should request a change to Amazon, or a repair service from Thrustmaster, considering it is a new article?.

(For these things I don´t like to buy import electronic products, and less from a brand with such dubious quality... ).

 

[lunarwolf]

Thanks Simracer92.

I think is a problem from the up-down autoreturn; side autoreturn seems work properly.

there shouldn't be an up down auto return. seems like yours is working like it should. do you drive manual in real life?

 

[Simracer92]

Thanks Simracer92.

It is probable: If I turn the screw to top-right, it losses totally the autoreturn to neutral in 3 and 4 gears. I need to set the screew near top-left to get autoreturn, as in your video.

I think is a problem from the up-down autoreturn; side autoreturn seems work properly.


I do not know how to proceed: should request a change to Amazon, or a repair service from Thrustmaster, considering it is a new article?.

(For these things I don´t like to buy import electronic products, and less from a brand with such dubious quality... ).

Now I know what you mean...
The shifter is really NOT auto-return to neutral from 3/4 as in my video.
I also know why.. You tighten the screw too much.. I set the resistance to more than maximum (very much power) and then you really have to go from 3/4 to neutral only when doing this complete by yourself and not with just one finger as I showed in my video..
So, set the resistance 1/4 less and it should auto-return with nearly the same resistance..
Hope you understand this, not easy to describe

 

[Carson79]

Now I know what you mean...
The shifter is really NOT auto-return to neutral from 3/4 as in my video.
I also know why.. You tighten the screw too much.. I set the resistance to more than maximum (very much power) and then you really have to go from 3/4 to neutral only when doing this complete by yourself and not with just one finger as I showed in my video..
So, set the resistance 1/4 less and it should auto-return with nearly the same resistance..
Hope you understand this, not easy to describe

Makes sense to me, when it's really tight it take's a bit of force to change gear. And it sounds bad

 

[rebla47]

Well, I have recorded two videos:

- First, with the screw turned to top left position (minimum resistance) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoiZHZf-9Z0

The return to neutral resistance is under Sinracer92´s shifter in his video between the second 25 - 35 (from third and fourth gears).

- Second, with the screw turned to top right position (maximun resistance) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoMwqjC2Vx8

As you can see, there isn´t any return to neutral effect. This can´t be normal.

 

[Simracer92]

Well, I have recorded two videos:

- First, with the screw turned to top left position (minimum resistance) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoiZHZf-9Z0

The return to neutral resistance is under Sinracer92´s shifter in his video between the second 25 - 35 (from third and fourth gears).

- Second, with the screw turned to top right position (maximun resistance) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoMwqjC2Vx8

As you can see, there isn´t any return to neutral effect. This can´t be normal.

Thanks for the vids.
As I wrote some posts above this is because you set the resistance too strong.. I have exactly the same situation as your second video shows when I set the resistance too strong, then I know that I only have to give it a liiiitle bit less resistance and then I get the auto-return back. So please try that.
Set it it a half turn less and post your impressions. when the shifter does not auto-return to neutral then you got a broken shifter but I expect that my suggestion will solve the issue because it happenes to me also but only in the situation descriped above.

 

[Carson79]

Well, I have recorded two videos:

- First, with the screw turned to top left position (minimum resistance) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoiZHZf-9Z0

The return to neutral resistance is under Sinracer92´s shifter in his video between the second 25 - 35 (from third and fourth gears).

- Second, with the screw turned to top right position (maximun resistance) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoMwqjC2Vx8

As you can see, there isn´t any return to neutral effect. This can´t be normal.

It looks like even at "Your minimum resistance" that it's very tight. Is that as low as it can possibly go?

 

[rebla47]

It looks like even at "Your minimum resistance" that it's very tight. Is that as low as it can possibly go?

Yes, that is the minimum (the screw before recording the first video was set to the top left, sure).

EDIT: there is a point, around 1/2 turn to left (from the top-right) that seems the end (the top-left). But you can get turn forcing more. In any case, I did not get a better result.

Thanks for the vids.
As I wrote some posts above this is because you set the resistance too strong.. I have exactly the same situation as your second video shows when I set the resistance too strong, then I know that I only have to give it a liiiitle bit less resistance and then I get the auto-return back. So please try that.
Set it it a half turn less and post your impressions. when the shifter does not auto-return to neutral then you got a broken shifter but I expect that my suggestion will solve the issue because it happenes to me also but only in the situation descriped above.

After receive the shifter this morning, I have been trying different setting (points in the screw turn), to get one where the shifter has a "decent" return-to-neutral, but still a "decent" travel resistance. This point, is near the middle, in my unit.

there shouldn't be an up down auto return. seems like yours is working like it should. do you drive manual in real life?

I drove a 12 years old Peugeot 406 Coupe. This afternoon I have recorded a video of the shifter for you and for all users saying that a real shifter must haven´t a return-to-neutral mechanism -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frjw99pPJx4

As I say, the shifter or this car has 12 years and around 110.000 km, and this shifter isn´t particulary strong: any other car I drive habitually has one harder.


I don´t know if this is an issue of my unit, of if it´s common to all. I have ordered a return (with a money refund), because if it is the first, I prefer to buy another unit in my country, later (when V2, V3, etc are for sale, with improved return mechanism) . And if it is the second, I am, as I said in my first post, very dissapointed with the feeling of a shifter announced as "real car feeling" (really near G27´s shifter).

Moreover, after this, the crunch noises of my T500 case, and the shoddy paddle repair, I am considering selling my T500 to buy a set of Fanatec Clubsport (steering wheel base, BMW rim, shifter and pedals V2).

 

[WildRun]

It's a "H - Sport Shifter" (of course not same feeling than tourism cars):

 

[rebla47]

It's a "H - Sport Shifter" (of course not same feeling than tourism cars):

It seems it has much more resistance than my TH8 RS...

It looks like even at "Your minimum resistance" that it's very tight. Is that as low as it can possibly go?

Ok: I revised the manual, and it talks about "two complete turns... ".

I was turning 1/2 turn only. I have tried to turn the screw more to the left (around one complete turn more), but then the stick becomes slack and weak.


I have reviewed the others TH8 videos on youtube, and I¨m convinced that my unit has a return force problem (less than the rest).

 

[sandboxgod]

no auto-return to neutral with maximum resistance? then your shifter is broken!

watch this video.. that is maximum resistance and you see it does auto-return to neutral.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nII3U5aLF8w&feature=player_embedded

That's a very nice vid there 👍

It's rude word excellent.

Just like a real car.

Ready for a close up...

Very awesome!

 

[VINCE__]

Got my mount, knob and boot. All I need now is a shifter. Think I have the cart in front of the horse.