The Thrustmaster T500RS Thread

  • Thread starter TomN
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rebla47
RC45:

I come along this thread and your comments with particular interest. I've never criticized nobody. You know that I have formulated some questions, and you has always responded to me with interest. To me your posts has been the main source of information about this wheel.

I've seen the video with the sound of the fan on your first unit several times, and mine does not sounds like (a broken).

But I admit I lost the thread of your comments the last few weeks, and I dont know if you received a replacement unit that does not have this problem.

If you have been, could you confirm that your new wheel also turns the fan at top speed every 20 minutes, but without that odd (defective) sound?.
Click to expand...

Yeah - I wasnt directing the comment at you - sorry for the miscommunication, it was directed at "ahem" others ;)

My second wheel does in fact turn up the fan after about 20 minutes play on GT5, it takes about 40 minutes for the same behaviour when playing rFactor or other PC games - it is almost as if GT5 'works' the wheel harder.

And sadly about every 3rd or 4th session the fan does make that horrid grinding noise - the other 70% of the time it just speeds up and stays at that higher speed for about 5 to 7 minutes then slows again.

The speed change I believe is the intentional behaviour, the grinding sound is the fan itself. Hopefully its just a "noise" and not an indicator of some future failure.
 
RC45
Yeah - I wasnt directing the comment at you - sorry for the miscommunication, it was directed at "ahem" others ;)

My second wheel does in fact turn up the fan after about 20 minutes play on GT5, it takes about 40 minutes for the same behaviour when playing rFactor or other PC games - it is almost as if GT5 'works' the wheel harder.

And sadly about every 3rd or 4th session the fan does make that horrid grinding noise - the other 70% of the time it just speeds up and stays at that higher speed for about 5 to 7 minutes then slows again.

The speed change I believe is the intentional behaviour, the grinding sound is the fan itself. Hopefully its just a "noise" and not an indicator of some future failure.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the confirmation.

This weekend I will try to "overcharge" my wheel playing several hours with higher force feedback, to know if I will find this grinding noise.

We must start to consider that the quality of the fan is very low, and for me the first mod necessary for this wheel could be replace it for one with low noise and better quality (missing the warranty, unfortunately).

Thanks again.
 
I've just moved my pedals about a bit. Still in F1 mode.

- Turned the wedge behind the pedals to make them less vertical (on the playseat v1 I use)
- Moved the pedals and wedge from the top to the bottom position
- Moved the clutch and brake to the right
- Moved the gas to the left.

This is so much better for me; with the gas and brake closer together I've been able to brake with my right foot for the first time in six years and my times have improved. 👍 Can't wait for the shifter.

IMAG0014.jpg
 
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I was racing the other day with a mix of PC (can't get NR2003 to recognize the wheel itself :( ) & GT5 for about 8 hours. After 2 days of rest, I've noticed an odd noise during rotation only to the left and the wheel is not powered.

From lock to lock to the right, typical drivetrain sounds. To the left it sounds like something is either touching the teeth on the belt or on the gears. It's a light buzzing noise. The noise was not present while the unit was all warmed up.

I'm still considering this to be break in noises.
 
Reviews from IGN are mostly absolutely ****!

"Features
As of this writing, the T500 only works with one game : Gran Turismo 5. Not exactly a huge library. And it doesn’t come with a stick shift (one will be available for purchase later). Otherwise, it does everything a wheel should do."
He didnt noticed that there are drivers for the PC to work with iRacing and co? ******** rating..
 
Simracer92
Reviews from IGN are mostly absolutely ****!

"Features
As of this writing, the T500 only works with one game : Gran Turismo 5. Not exactly a huge library. And it doesn’t come with a stick shift (one will be available for purchase later). Otherwise, it does everything a wheel should do."
He didnt noticed that there are drivers for the PC to work with iRacing and co? ******** rating..
Click to expand...

Think they must have changed it:

As of this review, Gran Turismo 5 is the only game the Thrustmaster T500 RS is compatible with on the PlayStation 3. The company has confirmed that it will work with the upcoming off-road racing game Dirt 3, but no other titles have been officially mentioned. I tested the wheel with a copy of Dirt 2, and it worked but did not have force-feedback enabled. I did not test the wheel with a PC, although Thrustmaster does make drivers available.
 
Today, 12:39 AM #3454
DaveTheStalker Diamond Member
I was racing the other day with a mix of PC (can't get NR2003 to recognize the wheel itself ) & GT5 for about 8 hours. After 2 days of rest, I've noticed an odd noise during rotation only to the left and the wheel is not powered.

From lock to lock to the right, typical drivetrain sounds. To the left it sounds like something is either touching the teeth on the belt or on the gears. It's a light buzzing noise. The noise was not present while the unit was all warmed up.

I'm still considering this to be break in noises.
Click to expand...

I experienced exactly the same with mine and rest assured it does go after a while. I was very close to ordering a replacement with Amazon but seems to have worn in ok now and this issue has gone!
 
Anyone ever figure out the V1 and V2 differences?

Not that it matter much, just curious why so soon there is a V2 out.

As well V2 prob mean version 2. It could have other meaning, unlikely though.
 
Mr Latte
Get well soon!!!

Seriously though how you getting on with yours?
Click to expand...

Thanks I'm all better now :-)

As for the wheel it is v2 and has been flawless so far. Just updated the firmware and loaded the pc drivers.

What does the firmware address exactly? Im probably going to be told off by RC45 now but I am the sort of person who would always update to the latest version.

All good so far, I will report if anything changes.
 
My wheel has had a fair bit of use in the last week.. Running the GT Academy.

Had 0 issues with it, and still loving it immensely :D
 
Hyper-Dan
Had 0 issues with it, and still loving it immensely :D
Click to expand...

Just found out I scored a big job and gonna make a nice chunk of cash so I will be ordering the T500 in a few weeks. Looking forward to comparing it to the GT3 V2 I just got. 👍
 
Received my replacement wheel today, only to find upon opening that a couple of washers on one side of black frame were not attached and they are impossible to get back on!! Not happy, will be calling Thrustmaster about this! Not acceptable for a £400 product!!
 
Is anyone else experiencing the knocking noise that I was talking about??
My wheel doesn't have any major issues, I just don't feel that the knocking noise is normal.
Especially for a $600.00 product.
I know its coming from the motor, because it only happens when the motor is warm.
Contacted TM, but I don't think they know what I'm talking about. They think that I'm talking about the fishing line noise.
And this is not the fishing noise.
The noise is also more present when the FFB is set at 10.
However, even at 1 it is still slightly present.
What bothers me most is not the noise, but the fact that you can feel the knocking.
I'm going to wait to see if it gets worse before contacting TM again.
 
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Ive ran FFB 10 from the start only briefly changed it a few times only to whack it back upto 10 again on GT5.
Just seem to prefer it like this but on PC it may be stronger which I dont know as havnt played on PC.

Updated the firmware to the latest (ohhhh no's) but so far not having any weird noises or fan issues.
Will keep you guys posted as the wheel is getting plenty of usage.

Their are motor noises and you can feel the feedback tightening if the wheel is idle on a menu etc but I prefer not to turn the wheel when it is not receiving FFB from a game.

Oh and I have not once after 40 hours of play touched the "Mode" button by mistake, lol. :dopey:
Poorly designed or positioned my backside and I expect the "Chinese" build quality or components to be just as good as other "Chinese" manufactured wheels like I assume Logitech and Fanatec are too. Why "Chinese" is perhaps highlighted by you know who as some inferior circumstance or issue related to just this product is unfounded.

Sorry to hear of some V2 owners having issues, that is always frustrating but if TM service easily send out replacements then well it is reassuring if something does go wrong it is quickly sorted.
 
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While my fan works fine (only play with PC) I find the constant 45 minute "on time" after racing too much. I don't understand why it needs to run that long. I doubt any significant heat input occurs when it's stationary...

I've timed it on 3 different occasions and all three were at 45 minutes.
 
I think we saw some pictures of a T500 RS in this thread. Is not it?.

We could investigate what type of fan mount these wheels to try to find an ultra-silent replacement one.
 
5520932578_3378702e1e_z.jpg



I decided to join in on the fun and picked up a T500RS at Fry's today (V1) 👍


I have played with the new wheel for a couple of hours now on GT5 and have been hopping back and forth between my Fanatec PWTS w/CSP and the T500RS to compare.

I tested both wheels on specific tracks (below) in GT5 to give me a wide sampling of different FFB effects.
  1. PDI Kart @ Beginner Special race
  2. Lotus Elise RM @ Autumn Ring
  3. SLS AMG @ Intermediate Special event on full Nurburgring
  4. Mazda 787B @ La Sarthe 2009

T500RS initial impressions: I set up the pedals in F1 style with the realistic brake mod (foam pad only) and left the firmware stock. I can hear the fan speed up after about 15 minutes but it's smooth (no bearing / grinding noises yet - LOL) The wheel feels very precise and mechanically consistent when turning left or right. The buttons, d-pad and paddles are also of excellent quality and very responsive with a positive click that you can feel.

T500RS vs Fanatec PWTS: For the tracks I tested on I have to give the nod to the Fanatec PWTS in overal FFB....let me explain why: The Fanatec wheel definitely communicates lateral grip and loss of traction better / stronger through turns in the scenarios I tested. The T500 RS does translate rumble effects much better over curbs than the PWTS and has a much smoother feel with the FFB (although somewhat "dampened" at center).

I also plan to compare the two wheels with several of my PC Racing games as well and then decide if I am going to hang onto the T500RS or not...

Here's my settings that I use for the PWTS and GT5:

Fanatec PWTS w/CSP
  • 669 UE Firmware (Note: I prefer 669 > 681)
  • SEN - 700
  • FFB - 100
  • SHO - 40
  • LIN - 10
  • ABS - 85
  • DRI - 2
  • DEA - 0

GT5 Steering Settings
  • Steering Type - Simulation
  • Power Steering - off
  • FFB Strength - 5
 
rebla47
I think we saw some pictures of a T500 RS in this thread. Is not it?.

We could investigate what type of fan mount these wheels to try to find an ultra-silent replacement one.
Click to expand...

I tried to identify the fan this afternoon by trying to remove the top cover (it seemed possible to do from the top at first... but I ended up with 1 un-removeable screw...)

What I got is:

(MAKE IS HERE)
model:cc6010h12s
DC 12V 0.20A
sleeve bearing

This is from looking through the fan air holes with a flashlight.

While I was there I got the motor:

Buhler Motor Gmbh
1.13.044.289
00
279/10 (Date? day 279 2010)

EDIT: From the Buhler encoder PDF, the 1.13.044 series motors can be ordered with a "Agilent HEDS 55x0 Hall sensor" as an encoder. (I have not confirmed this physically but it seems a safe assumption)

And one of the belts

Gates GT3 325 5MGT
 
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Raudi
hopping back and forth between my Fanatec PWTS w/CSP and the T500RS to compare.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your comparison! I am also thinking of picking up the T500 and own a GT3 V2 now. Was going to do my own comparison as well.

I am reading a lot about fan troubles with the T500. I had a minor problem with my GT3's secondary exhaust fan. It's a tiny little thing but when my entire wheel would vibrate due to FFB the little sucker would start making a hell of a racket.

The fan never stopped working or anything but I was getting annoyed at the sound it would make from time to time.

I am in the process of replacing it now. Just waiting on shipment. It's an evercool fan. Not the original that comes with the GT3 and I matched up the specs.

I personally can contest to the Fanatec wheel being a piece of cake to open up and mod if one desired to do so.

Hopefully the T500 I get in the future won't have any issues but if it did I sure would like to fix it myself if at all possible.

I only started to mod the GT3 myself because I didn't really feel like dealing with Fanatecs support or lack of. I suppose if it where a bigger issue than a little fan I might have not had a choice though.

You didn't mention anything about the pedals? CS/TM's pedals? How do you think they compare?

I have my CS's inverted in my sim pod so unless something went wrong with them I probably wouldn't even use the TM pedals unless I was using GT5 because then I would have no choice.
 
JerkinJohn
Thanks for your comparison! I am also thinking of picking up the T500 and own a GT3 V2 now. Was going to do my own comparison as well.


You didn't mention anything about the pedals? CS/TM's pedals? How do you think they compare?

I have my CS's inverted in my sim pod so unless something went wrong with them I probably wouldn't even use the TM pedals unless I was using GT5 because then I would have no choice.
Click to expand...

By installing the "Real Mod" (foam pad only without the spring) on the T500 RS brake pedal it is pretty close to how the CSP's feel. IE: it gets to about 90% travel and then you have to push down a bit harder to get to 100%.

I need more time with the T500 RS wheel / pedals to give a better evaluation. However, note that I only recently switched to CSP's from G25 pedals, so I am still getting used to those too! LOL
 
Raudi, I've also a Fanatec GT3 & T500RS. Important point if you want truly compared these 2 wheels on GT5:

1) You must install patch 1.06 (or more) and disable all driving helps

2) You must put ForceFeedback at 10 (and not at 5 like on your previous test). This point is very important to compared Forcefeedback capability of these 2 wheels.

3) You must try in 3 different roads: Asphalt + Snow + Rally

Without this, your test will be wrong 👍

NB: Of course I highly recommends to compared on PC (where the difference is enormous between these 2 wheel). For this, the best is to try GTR Evo (or RaceOn) with "Profile 2" here: http://ts.thrustmaster.com/eng/index.php?pg=view_files&gid=1&fid=2&pid=316&cid=12. Result is just crazy :crazy:
 
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