The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

[TheDabbinDave]

Got a link to proof of that? I find it very hard to believe that MS took over a billion dollar loss for the sole purpose of beating the launch of PS3, very hard to believe indeed.

Common knowledge dude. This is why they buckled and extended the warranties. Google.com is your link.

You don't think getting a jump on their primary completion has been beneficial? Do the math: how many XBL subs are there? How much does that cost? $50, well $60 now. That's a couple bucks I think. Name recognition, product placement in movies & tv shows (House on Monday), commercials where gaming may not be the focus but a controller is used, primary platform for things like Madden competitions. Get it now?

They are ruthless and will do anything to try to beat Sony.

I find it amazing that I can still play some PS2 games online. How many Xbox 1 games can you play online? Wow, that was a vicious thing to do to your consumer base to convince them to buy the new console.

If memory serves me right, the failure rate was independently calculated to be 67%.

Gotta spend money to make money. The Wii was/is the cheapest console to make. The 360 had profits from day one. The PS3 lost $200 for every console sold for, what, a year and a half to two years?

Yeah, real good American company; profits are king at any cost.

 

[hampus_dh]

Nobody in here owns a T500RS and Iracing? Oh and a videocamera?

 

[Coxis]

I concur 100%. TM/Hercules sure are on the ball as to wanting to get their hands on my burnt up POS.

I thought it would quote both you and RC.

 

[GainSym]

GT5 Update 1.06: The Force Feedback Strength of the Thrustmaster T500RS can now be adjusted across a wider range.👍

 

[sidfire]

can someone please provide me the setup (exe) file for firmware version 33? their download link on their support website seems to be down : http://ts.thrustmaster.com/download/pub/webupdate/T500RS/2011_TTRS_3.exe


please I just got my T500 RS today and I want to update its firmware!!!!!

 

[Gigantoad]

Tried iRacing. FFB feels nice, but less flashy than GTR Evo. Although I think it's probably because of those less agressive rookie cars. Should probably buy a Corvette or something.

Also, I can barely get around the track currently. Doesn't get anymore sim than that I guess. Will take some practice

Also just ordered Clubsport Pedals. Does Fanatec have a long backorder for these too, or just wheels?

 

[DemonBlade]

Ignore. Edited.

 

[hampus_dh]

Tried iRacing. FFB feels nice, but less flashy than GTR Evo. Although I think it's probably because of those less agressive rookie cars. Should probably buy a Corvette or something.

Also, I can barely get around the track currently. Doesn't get anymore sim than that I guess. Will take some practice

Also just ordered Clubsport Pedals. Does Fanatec have a long backorder for these too, or just wheels?

Yea the rookie cars are very gentle on FFB, mainly due to the power-steering.
The F1 is also a car with very easy FFB because of the PS.

You should buy the Riley if you want wonderful FFB. Or the vette.
Although the Riley needs a certain way to drive it fast.

 

[Simracer92]

I got my third wheel from Thrustmaster now.. And it comes with chipped paint.. Color issue, so I will send them the third wheel back to get a fourth wheel.. For 500 Euro I want to have a perfect wheel with no issues.. Info: This is not removable! I cant wash it away or something else.. The Paint is chipped so there is nothing to wash.. I can paint it black with my edding but thats holy ****^^
Here some pictures..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58579936@N05/sets/72157626081007928/detail/

 

[zacharyPL]

I wanted to only have a problem like this in the future. THRUSTMASTER whether fanatec PWTS who now have
and I thought that I like to complain for no reason.

 

[bryann]

;

 

[hampus_dh]

They say a picture says more then a thousand words..

Clearly that´s not the case here.

 

[bryann]

;

 

[TheMoose]

Engadget review

For a long time -- a long, long time -- Logitech and Gran Turismo have gone together like rubber and asphalt. Like carbon fiber and fender flares. Like drivers' privates and their Nomex underpants. The two were tight, but with GT5 came a changing of the guard. Thrustmaster, a company world-renowned for its high-end flight controls and its giggle-inducing name, stepped in and bought the license. The purpose? To release the decidedly high-end T500 RS wheel, the controller designed to abolish memories of all the plasticy racing controllers that have come before from the company. Does it succeed, and is it worth the pucker-inducing price of $599? These questions and more answered below.

You don't even need to take the T500 RS wheel and pedal set out of the box to know you're dealing with a serious piece of kit. The weight stamped on the side, 18KG or 40lbs, should be required by law to come with a warning about lifting with your knees. Those with weak lower backs be advised.

Strip away the shipping tape, gaze inside, and you'll see where that weight comes from. The pedal set is wrapped in diamond plate steel, the petals are made of metal, pedal box is made of metal -- in fact just about everything save the cord sticking out the back is made of metal.

The wheel assembly itself is not made of metal -- a good thing because it'd make heaving it up onto a desk more of a challenge. Even with its plastic construction it's still not an easy process, the wheel assembly itself being a full 13 inches deep and far bigger than the Logitech G27 or the Fanatec GT2 we just reviewed. Suffice to say it's sizeable, the power brick alone being nearly as big as the one that new Xbox 360 owners gape in horror at upon first unboxing their console.

Cabling is a bit more simple than with those two wheels mentioned above, but that's only because there's no separate H-pattern shifter available here. You get only big chrome paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, but not to the wheel itself. They don't turn, staying fixed in place. So, there's a cable running from pedals to wheel, another cable running up from the power brick, and naturally a USB cord running from the wheel on down to a PC or PS3.

It's only compatible with those two devices, and if you want it on your PS3 you'll need the latest system update from Sony. Even then it has only limited compatibility with games. Gran Turismo 5 is quite naturally on the list, and the upcoming Dirt 3 is as well, but that's it for now. That said, the wheel will work with just about any game you like on the PS3 -- but not with force feedback.

On the PC you'll need drivers as well and, thankfully, compatibility is more or less assured with everything from there on out.

The wheel mounts to a desk or table with a single, two-pronged clamp extending from underneath that giant plastic box. To clamp it down you simply spin a screw and it squeezes in place. Once clamped we found we were still able to tilt it slightly forward if we pulled, not quite as much as on the Fanatec GT2, but more so than the G27, which is still king for ease and stability for temporary mounting.

Indeed this is a wheel that's better held in place with bolts, and there are threaded holes in the bottom for just that purpose. It's so huge it's hard to fit on your average computer desk without moving some monitors and unwieldy enough to make mounting and dismounting a chore. Not a wheel for sometimes simmers.

Plug it in and connect it and it sweeps through its full range of motion to self-calibrate, 1,080 degrees. That's 180 more than most other wheels on the market and, really, 180 more than are seemingly needed. It's rare that racing games even make proper use of 900 degrees at this point -- the polygonal hands on the wheel in GT5 can't even shuffle-steer.

GT5 quite naturally works well with the wheel, offering a picture of the thing to help you assign controls to the buttons that are scattered throughout the wheel stalks and base. Every button on a PS3 controller is here, but you'll have to hunt to find them. Almost all are well out of thumb reach so you'll need to take a hand off the wheel. And yes, taking your hands off the wheel while driving is not a good idea.

Speaking of thumbs, we found ours not fitting comfortably in the narrow area where the spokes meet the wheel, and none of our fingers enjoyed the rubberized coating the wheel uses. It is effective enough at being grippy, but when the much cheaper competition are offering leather and Alcantara, well, rubber is disappointing.

We did extensive testing in GT5 on the PS3 and on the iRacing on the PC, both of which did a great job of highlighting the wheel's main asset: its force feedback. The 65 watt, belt-driven motor inside is strong, certainly having enough power to make your forearms burn and to rattle everything off of whatever desk you've mounted this to. It's impressively quiet, too, but most important is it's precision, offering extremely sharp and sensitive renditions of bumps and pavement creases.

The feel is fantastic and, with 16 bit resolution, responsiveness is high as well. The wheel uses a hall effect sensor to detect position magnetically, which should mean that precision will be maintained through the life of the wheel. The pedals, however, use rather more traditional potentiometers. They offer a good feel but pale in comparison to the Fanatec Clubsport pedals. Sure, Thrustmaster's floor jewelry is bigger, heavier, and more customizable, but all that weight just feels excessive. You can flip 'em upside down to replicate the layout of a formula or GT car but there's really not much difference in the experience. And, given how long it takes to un-screw the base plate and move everything about it's certainly not worth it if you'll be jumping from one type of car to another frequently.

Finally, the brake pedal here is not a load cell, just a potentiometer with a bunch of adjustable springs. It offers a better feel than that in the middle stomper on the Logitech G27 but again doesn't compare to the Clubsports.

And then there are the fixed shift paddles on the wheel, which some will deal with and others will hate. They don't rotate as you turn the wheel so up- and downshifting can be a bit interesting while turning. Their static position means they need to be very large, which makes it even more difficult to get your fingers behind. Their chrome finish looks and feels nice but it's more sticky than the matte paddles on most other wheels, grabbing your fingers a bit when you shift, creating a non-conducive environment for shifting while counter-steering. But, it must be said that the paddles' feel is quite good when it comes to the actual business of shifting. There's a surprisingly long throw here but a very positive clicky engagement that means accidental shifting is unlikely.

At $599 it's awfully hard to recommend this wheel and pedal combination. The wheel itself has a magnificent feel that's beginning to knock on the door of much more expensive offerings like a Frex or ECCI, and the number of inputs makes managing button-happy cars easier. But, those buttons are hard to find while driving and the rubber coating feels unfortunately low-rent. The massive size of the thing makes it best suited for semi-permanent installations and the limited PS3 compatibility is, for the moment at least, a disappointment.

Meanwhile the pedals are overkill yet underwhelming. They're heavy and won't go anywhere but all that weight feels excessive, unnecessary, and adorned with rubber feet that kept falling off. Not exactly what you'd expect for $599. Ultimately either the Logitech G27 or the Fanatec line of wheels offer nearly as good performance at a much more palatable cost -- and with designs less likely to give you a hernia when hauling about the house.

 

[Topyn]

I've tried "GT5 Update 1.06" and can confirm that new Force Feedback Strength settings works perfectly 👍

 

[Simracer92]

I've tried "GT5 Update 1.06" and can confirm that new Force Feedback Strength settings works perfectly 👍

I feel no difference to 1.05.. FFB seems to be the same..

 

[doublecheese]

I got my third wheel from Thrustmaster now.. And it comes with chipped paint.. Color issue, so I will send them the third wheel back to get a fourth wheel.. For 500 Euro I want to have a perfect wheel with no issues.. Info: This is not removable! I cant wash it away or something else.. The Paint is chipped so there is nothing to wash.. I can paint it black with my edding but thats holy ****^^
Here some pictures..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58579936@N05/sets/72157626081007928/detail/

If its working fine I wouldn't change it.....
Why waste time and spend some more days without your wheel ?

 

[MisterStatic]

If its working fine I wouldn't change it.....
Why waste time and spend some more days without your wheel ?

or worse yet, get another bad wheel?

 

[Gigantoad]

Yea the rookie cars are very gentle on FFB, mainly due to the power-steering.
The F1 is also a car with very easy FFB because of the PS.

You should buy the Riley if you want wonderful FFB. Or the vette.
Although the Riley needs a certain way to drive it fast.

Bought the Corvette but still FFB seems a little underwhelming. Nothing like GTR Evo. I'm almost beginning to think there's something wrong. Also noticed the wheel doesn't center when I leave a track which happens in any other game.

Are there some iRacing specific settings for the T500 I'm missing?

 

[Ranger099]

Engadget review

Ultimately either the Logitech G27 or the Fanatec line of wheels offer nearly as good performance at a much more palatable cost -- and with designs less likely to give you a hernia when hauling about the house.

[/I][/B]

Unfortunately, "nearly as good" is ALWAYS the false logic in comparisons. As a photographer I've owned a 300 f4 lens and a 300 f2.8 lens. The 300 f4 is TECHNICALLY nearly as good but when you get the right opportunties with the 300 2.8 - WOW - nothing is better.

Same with wheels or just about any gear. The T500 gives me a feedback experience that is unmatched by the G27. AT TIMES the G27 is nearly as good but overall it's really not.

It's also borderline double-talk to say on one hand the T500 is close to Frex, ECCI, etc. yet it's not a better choice than the G27.

 

[Jeff G]

I love mine so far. No complaints. And as much as I really like my G25, there's really no comparison. Frankly, the lack of leather on the wheel makes it feel MORE like a serious piece of equipment to me. But that's probably just a personal preference.

 

[ara]

Hey guys, if you haven't already you should try the RUF CTR2 with this wheel, it communicates really nicely about what way the rear end wants to go in the RR drivetrain that makes driving on the edge particularly satisfying...

 

[Siefex]

Just got the t500 rs last Thursday and absolutely LOVE it! No problems whatsoever. After using a Fanatec GT3 for a couple of weeks, I have to say the t500 rs is a better wheel. I love the overall feel of if and the force feedback is just on another level IMHO.

 

[sidfire]

okay guys, I am part of the T500RS club now , since yesterday afternoon :-) and absolutely love it, being G27 User all this time, I have to say.. worth every penny!!!!!

loving it, updated to Firmware 33.. which is now available (was not available the past two days for some reason, but is now back up online) , no issues whatsoever .. loving it together with my Pagnian cockpit simulator.

 

[Topyn]

-Engadget review-
.Ultimately either the Logitech G27 or the Fanatec line of wheels offer nearly as good performance at a much more palatable cost -- and with designs less likely to give you a hernia when hauling about the house.

Unfortunately, "nearly as good" is ALWAYS the false logic in comparisons. As a photographer I've owned a 300 f4 lens and a 300 f2.8 lens. The 300 f4 is TECHNICALLY nearly as good but when you get the right opportunties with the 300 2.8 - WOW - nothing is better.

Same with wheels or just about any gear. The T500 gives me a feedback experience that is unmatched by the G27. AT TIMES the G27 is nearly as good but overall it's really not.

It's also borderline double-talk to say on one hand the T500 is close to Frex, ECCI, etc. yet it's not a better choice than the G27.

Completely agree with Ranger. I've T500 RS since now one month and can confirm it's really another world compared with my previous Fanatec GT3 RS + Clubsport (I've tried last week to play again with GT3 but fail result because of toy feeling especially for the wheel).

 

[hampus_dh]

This what i said in the beginning if some people remember. And i had not even seen the wheel then, just looked at the specs.

Hopefully now, more people will realise what a wheel this is.

 

[hampus_dh]

Bought the Corvette but still FFB seems a little underwhelming. Nothing like GTR Evo. I'm almost beginning to think there's something wrong. Also noticed the wheel doesn't center when I leave a track which happens in any other game.

Are there some iRacing specific settings for the T500 I'm missing?

Strange.. I´ve had GTR EVo and compared it to Iracing and imo nothing comes close to the fidelity of Iracing´s FFB.

You shouldn´t worry about the wheel not centering. My fanatec doesn´t center after i leave the track. there´s no point in doing that really.

If you can afford it, i strongly suggest you buy the Riley. Get a set in the forums and go out and drive the car.

What do you mean by underwhelming? FFB too soft?
The C6R has steering servo so it might be that which makes it feel underwhelming.

 

[Willfred_1]

can't find the vid but gt5 unofficially endorsed as the g27 as it was on one of there display stands at a convention or something

 

[Simracer92]

"- The [Force Feedback Strength] of the Thrustmaster T500RS can now be adjusted across a wider range."

Someone knows where to find the option? I only can switch the Force Feedback Strengh in the option where you also click the wheel to simulation... I have it on 8 and feel lower Force Feedback reactions than in 1.05 with ffb strengh on 7...
Is there an extra option for the ffb of the t500 rs or whats meaning with the change in 1.06?

 

[ara]

"- The [Force Feedback Strength] of the Thrustmaster T500RS can now be adjusted across a wider range."

Someone knows where to find the option? I only can switch the Force Feedback Strengh in the option where you also click the wheel to simulation... I have it on 8 and feel lower Force Feedback reactions than in 1.05 with ffb strengh on 7...
Is there an extra option for the ffb of the t500 rs or whats meaning with the change in 1.06?

The FF Strength item in the options screen for the logitech wheels now works for the T500 despite the incorrect text on the screen. The difference between 1 and 10 is now pretty obvious.