Thrustmaster T300RS Racing Wheel Thread

[ynot]

Update:
Had the T300rs a couple of days now. I like it. Very different from the DFGT. Wheel base is heavier. Pedal base fit perfect on the base I had. I did not do a side by side comparison but seems like the footprint front to back is a little shorter than the DFGT. Pedals are a big improvement over the DFGT. The angle of the pedals tilt forward more. They are harder to press than the DFGT so I find myself pressing the brake with the pressure I am used to only to realize that I am not applying break at all. When I do mash the brakes I am slowing down more on corner entry and not over shooting. Improvement already. Because of the force needed to depress the brake and gas, the pedal base lifts up from the bottom causing it to move. I had to use the mounting holes on the bottom to secure it to the metal plate. Works awesome now. Will take some time to get used to it. The wheel is the same diameter of the DFGT. The D-Pad is smaller and closer the the center so you have to stretch your left thumb over to reach it. Again just a matter of time to get used to it. The quality of the wheel seems good. Very solid. Nice metal rim. Paddle shifters feel solid and have a nice click to them when depressed. The force feedback is also different. Very smooth and quiet. I do not feel the lateral forces like I did in the DFGT however when I was driving my car today I noticed it felt more like a real car. Some say the force feedback is stronger than the DFGT. I don't know if it is much stronger but it feels very different. I don't run a lot of force feedback anyway due to the arthritis it my wrists and thumb joints. The USB cable is shorter than the DFGT cable so I had to move the rig closer to the TV. I have sent an e-mail to Thrustmaster to see if it will work OK with a USB extension cable. My DFGT did not like being connected to a USB extension cable and did not work correctly. Over all I think after time I will adapt to the new sensations and I feel it will make me a better driver.

Update: 7/26/2016
When I was hooking everything up I noticed that the RJ connector that the pedals plug into the base has a defect. The little pop up tab that hold the plug into the base was lying flat against the plug. I had hopped that this would not be a problem. However after a week it has popped out and will not stay plugged it. I have got it rigged so that it will. Called Thrustmaster. They sent me an e-mail requesting photos of the sticker on the bottom of the pedal base and the wheel base, photo of the defective plug, and copy of my Amazon receipt. Sent it all in yesterday. Today I received an e-mail that they are sending me a new pedal set. ETA 1 week. I only asked for the cable but he said it is hardwired and they don't want the end user to have to solder anything. Lets hope it is not a refurbished unit. I want a new one since mine is only 1 1/2 weeks old. Pleased with the customer service so far. Very rapid.

 

[ynot]

Update: 7/26/2016
When I was hooking everything up I noticed that the RJ connector that the pedals plug into the base has a defect. The little pop up tab that hold the plug into the base was lying flat against the plug. I had hopped that this would not be a problem. However after a week it has popped out and will not stay plugged it. I have got it rigged so that it will. Called Thrustmaster. They sent me an e-mail requesting photos of the sticker on the bottom of the pedal base and the wheel base, photo of the defective plug, and copy of my Amazon receipt. Sent it all in yesterday. Today I received an e-mail that they are sending me a new pedal set. ETA 1 week. I only asked for the cable but he said it is hardwired and they don't want the end user to have to solder anything. Lets hope it is not a refurbished unit. I want a new one since mine is only 1 1/2 weeks old. Pleased with the customer service so far. Very rapid.

Update: 7/30/16
Received the NEW pedal set with a good plug yesterday. Faster than expected. Not had the chance to hook it up yet. So far customer service is good. Pleased with my purchase.

 

[ynot]

The T300 might have crappy pedals, but you can upgrade those as you go along. If you get the G29, you might have great pedals, but you'll always be stuck with the vastly inferior performing wheel base.

I am liking the pedals on the T300 just fine. Since they are so much better than the DFGT they seem just fine to me. Pleased so far with the T300rs. Let's see how they hold up. I play several hrs a week.

 

[BrainsBush]

After being present at the Hockenheim F1 race, with another outstanding performance of 'our' Max, I just bought a F1 wheel. Let's see if this rim also has the same issues as that one of Nico Rosberg

 

[Blood*Specter]

Guy's going to try T300RS TH8A and sequential shifter add-on with G27 pedals & RICMOTECH adapter.

Questions:

1. Do I need any other connectors?
2. Tell my why T300RS is better than G29 or Fanatec Club Sport equipment.
3. How does T300 perform in PCars and Assetto Corsa on PC?

Hoping you guys can help me out. Still not sure about quality of Thrustmaster. So many horror stories. 👍

 

[crowhop]

Guy's going to try T300RS TH8A and sequential shifter add-on with G27 pedals & RICMOTECH adapter.

Questions:

1. Do I need any other connectors?
2. Tell my why T300RS is better than G29 or Fanatec Club Sport equipment.
3. How does T300 perform in PCars and Assetto Corsa on PC?

Hoping you guys can help me out. Still not sure about quality of Thrustmaster. So many horror stories. 👍

1. Can't answer because my setup is different.
2. The guy I know who owns a G29 would rather he had a T300. I have a T300 and would like to have Fanatec.
3. Plays very well in both.

 

[ynot]

Guy's going to try T300RS TH8A and sequential shifter add-on with G27 pedals & RICMOTECH adapter.

Questions:

1. Do I need any other connectors?
2. Tell my why T300RS is better than G29 or Fanatec Club Sport equipment.
3. How does T300 perform in PCars and Assetto Corsa on PC?

Hoping you guys can help me out. Still not sure about quality of Thrustmaster. So many horror stories. 👍

Have not had my T300rs that long yet but I am very pleased with it so far.
Works fine on Project Cars.
Do not have Assetto Corsa yet since I am on PS4
Works great with GT6 on PS3. Actually improved my driving. Better car control. My DFGT would make the car fight me down the straights and coming out of a corner. T300 does not. Very smooth.

 

[Ian_83]

My DFGT would make the car fight me down the straights and coming out of a corner. T300 does not.

I wish that people would stop comparing the DFGT and T300. (I don't mean to single out you @ynot, because lots of people have done exactly the same thing. )

The DFGT is a toy in comparison to the T300, that's fairly obvious. But the G29 is a massive step up from a DFGT and this is what people are really interested in.......the T300 and G29 comparison. The T300 and G29 are going head-to-head and although the T300 is the better wheel (FFB and eco system), the G29 is possibly better value and by the sounds of things a bit more reliable.

I think that this gen of consoles has been the most difficult when it comes to choosing which steering wheel to buy. There seems to be no clear winner.

 

[Blood*Specter]

Crowhop, ynot and Ian_83

Thank you all for your opinion. It does help. I would love to give the CSW v2 and accessories a go.
But the wheel base alone costs as much as a full setup (minus pedals) of Thrustmaster TS300 or the Logitech.

I have a G27. However Windows 10 update of three weeks ago ruined the G27 USB drivers. My wheel no longer works with either PCars or Assetto. And because I wanted to run both those games on PS4 and PC, I have to break down and buy a wheel compatible with both platforms. I think Ian may well be right about Logitech reliability. However, the TS300 by all accounts feels as good as the Fanatec. But the stories about weird sounds and ghost calibration give me pause.

Thanks again guys. I do appreciate it.

 

[Ian_83]

I have a G27. However Windows 10 update of three weeks ago ruined the G27 USB drivers. My wheel no longer works with either PCars or Assetto.

Hang on!!!

Is that the same Windows 10 update that gave me issues with playing Spintires?

Does your Logitech profiler software no longer detect the G27 and instead it shows as an older wheel (probably the Momo)? If you have this same problem, disconnect the wheel from the PC, uninstall the Logitech drivers and the Logitech profiler and then re-install it from the Logitech website, making sure to select the correct version (probably Windows 10 64-bit). Once re-installed, connect the wheel and open the Logitech profiler and hopefully it detects your wheel.

I had this issue recently and it bugged me for about an hour. Also I get issues if I plug into a USB 3.0 port, luckily I've still got a USB 2 port on the front of my case.

 

[Blood*Specter]

Ian

The Wheel I saw was the Driving Force GT. Yes, I had the same problem. But I had complications.
First the calibration graphic changed. I no longer saw the G27 wheel and shifter. Also, the pedal gauges were running horizontally vice vertical. And there was no graph for showing the turning of the wheel.

The end result was that inside Assetto Corsa I could not control the steering when running the calibration utility.
Also the configuration of pedals and shifter was balky.

Perhaps the worst thing was the steering was so twitchy that when I turned the wheel slightly to either the right or left, the steering went to full lock in that direction. Driving was impossible.

So I did research on the internet, and found some solutions. Even the one you recommended. I was able to get the G27 Profiler visual back. But the steering never returned to normal. It still goes hard left or right when I just slightly turn in it in either direction.

Needless to say driving is not happening. I was able to gain some control by overdoing the wheel sensitivity in Assetto Corsa. But all that does is decrease the tuning radius to the point where I cant take any turns.

In Project Cars, if I have the wheel connected, I cant navigate menus. I cant even select items with my mouse.
(Please remember I'm using the PC versions of Assetto and Pcars). None of this happened prior to that Windows 10 update that removed the original G27 driver. I have not been able to play either game since.

So I am getting a new wheel. Logitech, Sony and Microsoft won. There are forcing me to spend money on a next gen wheel when my G27 was a giant killer. But it's dead now. I refuse to use a game pad, and will never play GT6 again.
So I am without driving. I guess it's back to Battlefield 4 until I can afford a new wheel.

 

[Ian_83]

I'll try Pcars this weekend myself. I'm fairly confident that it will work, but I could be proven wrong. I haven't played Pcars for a while now.

Silly question here.....you've set the degrees of rotation up correctly in the Logitech profiler? I accidentally had mine set to a silly level once and the default is 270 degree.

It took me a while of fiddling around trying to get mine going again, it was really frustrating too.

I'm on the Windows 10 insider preview build, which has been getting a few more updates recently. I'm not sure what version of Windows 10 you're using, but if you're on the retail version you may well be on a slightly older build and the update should be imminent.

 

[Soulfresh_ACV]

--- DELETED ---

 

[ynot]

I wish that people would stop comparing the DFGT and T300. (I don't mean to single out you @ynot, because lots of people have done exactly the same thing. )

The DFGT is a toy in comparison to the T300, that's fairly obvious. But the G29 is a massive step up from a DFGT and this is what people are really interested in.......the T300 and G29 comparison. The T300 and G29 are going head-to-head and although the T300 is the better wheel (FFB and eco system), the G29 is possibly better value and by the sounds of things a bit more reliable.

I think that this gen of consoles has been the most difficult when it comes to choosing which steering wheel to buy. There seems to be no clear winner.

Not sure the G29 is more reliable. Check the reviews here on gtplanet in the G29 thread and elsewhere online. Many complaints about the wiring harness that connects the G29 wheel to the base. Problems with it breaking. The responses I have seen posted from Logitech seem to be just generic sorry about that with no real solutions. Some guy even found the same connector plug form a supplier in China and is importing them and selling them to G29 users for $20. Others are having to re-solder the wire and fill in the connector with hot glue to provide additional support. So I took my chance with the T300rs. Liking it so far. Very quiet compared to my online friends G29 which I can hear rattling around as he is racing.

 

[ynot]

I wish that people would stop comparing the DFGT and T300. (I don't mean to single out you @ynot, because lots of people have done exactly the same thing. )

Only making a comment about how nice the T300rs is to my old wheel.

 

[Blood*Specter]

I'll try Pcars this weekend myself. I'm fairly confident that it will work, but I could be proven wrong. I haven't played Pcars for a while now.

Silly question here.....you've set the degrees of rotation up correctly in the Logitech profiler? I accidentally had mine set to a silly level once and the default is 270 degree.

It took me a while of fiddling around trying to get mine going again, it was really frustrating too.

I'm on the Windows 10 insider preview build, which has been getting a few more updates recently. I'm not sure what version of Windows 10 you're using, but if you're on the retail version you may well be on a slightly older build and the update should be imminent.

Using 900 degree of rotation in profile and Assetto Corsa. My Windows 10 was update via Microsoft network store.
I did not buy any software. And I do not have the developers install. Thanks for the advise Ian.

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

Just got some t3pa pro and boy what a difference it makes compare to the original pedals. Next is a bigger wheel and I'll be good

 

[ynot]

Just got some t3pa pro and boy what a difference it makes compare to the original pedals. Next is a bigger wheel and I'll be good

Speaking of bigger wheels. I thought the T300rs had a bigger wheel than the DFGT. A little disappointed when I took it out of the box at it was the same. Works fine though.

 

[Blood*Specter]

Speaking of bigger wheels. I thought the T300rs had a bigger wheel than the DFGT. A little disappointed when I took it out of the box at it was the same. Works fine though.

I think the 599XX EVO Alcantara is life sized. Looks like the F1 style wheel is real size as well.

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

I think the 599XX EVO Alcantara is life sized. Looks like the F1 style wheel is real size as well.

80% I think sadly, but still better than the stock one.

 

[Ian_83]

@Blood*Specter I've just been playing Pcars and I've not noticed any problems with the G27. So, Win10 64-bit with Project Cars, G27 and Logitech Profiler are okay together. 👍

You must have something wrong either in the settings somewhere, or you're still not on the correct drivers. Whatever it is, I think that you should persevere and hopefully you can fix it.

My Logitech Profiler is version: 5.10.127 Date: 06/14/2010.

 

[Blood*Specter]

@Blood*Specter I've just been playing Pcars and I've not noticed any problems with the G27. So, Win10 64-bit with Project Cars, G27 and Logitech Profiler are okay together. 👍

You must have something wrong either in the settings somewhere, or you're still not on the correct drivers. Whatever it is, I think that you should persevere and hopefully you can fix it.

My Logitech Profiler is version: 5.10.127 Date: 06/14/2010.

Thanks for the research Ian. I'll check those dates against the software that I downloaded. Funny thing is I helped a gamer with a Logitech profiled problem in Windows 10. I pointed him to the profiler software I was using.

I do think it's between the Windows 10 G27 driver and perhaps the wheel it's self. I'll keep working it.
Especially with the rumor that GT Sport might allow the G27 and other legacy wheels to be used.
Thank you for helping.

 

[skazz]

I know the G29 is slightly different from the G25, but for me coming from 6 years using the G25 as my PC simracing wheel I can tell you with certainty that the T300 (with pedals like the T3PA or Fanatecs) is better than the G25 in absolutely all areas.

Compared to G25, the T300 is:
- faster (about 50% faster spin speed in my testing using iRacing wheelcheck)
- smoother (no cogging, no rattle)
- quieter (the belt drive makes little noise, only the fan makes noise)
- very similar or slightly better internal resistance (spin the wheel around just as easily as a G25, which means way less resistance than a DFGT, Fanatec Porsche wheel or T500, all of which I've also owned)
- not noticeably worse latency of FFB effects
- nice rim button ergonomics
- much better paddle shifters

The pedals are worse, but T3PA solves that. The rubber rim might not be to everyone's taste, but there are leather and alcantara options. Yes, they cost more, but we're talking about comparison of the experience, not value for money.

While owning my G25 I found myself using belt driven wheels like the Porsche GT2 and T500 but the internal resistance was always a downside. T300 is belt driven but low internal resistance, and it really is the first belt driven wheel I owned which was able to beat the G25 as a result (I think the other one is CSWv2 but I've never owned one). I find T300 almost "easy mode" to use, due to the spin speed, the good FFB clarity, lack of cogging. As soon as I had one on my PC rig I knew I could never go back to the G25, simple as that.

The TH8A, while expensive, also blows away the G25 shifter by an even bigger margin. It's a lovely piece of kit.


I am sure the G29 is good value for money (when found well below MSRP), but if you want the best FFB experience in that kind of price range the T300 is considerably better in my opinion.

 

[Awong124]

Yeah, for me the rubber rim for my T300 wasn't particularly pleasant. It's not bad by any means for rubber, but coming from the leather of a G27 definitely ruined rubber for me. So I got the TM28 leather rim and the leather on that feels even nicer than the G27 (it damned well ought to considering the price). I didn't get the larger GTE rim because I prefer the feel of leather over alcantara. But yeah, there really is no comparison between the T300 and G25/27/29. The difference is massive. Before I got the T300, I thought the G27 was pretty damned good, and I didn't think the T300 and T500 could be that much better, but I was wrong.

 

[Blood*Specter]

I thought the G27 was pretty damned good, and I didn't think the T300 and T500 could be that much better, but I was wrong.

As soon as I had one on my PC rig I knew I could never go back to the G25, simple as that. The TH8A, while expensive, also blows away the G25 shifter by an even bigger margin.

You guys are making my decision easier to make. I am going to keep my G27 pedals. But I was still thinking about Fanatec which I think is wonderfully engineered and nice to look at. I also think the Fanatec pedals may be the best thing about that entire line of products.

But the CSW v2 and accessories are really expensive. My cost with shipping is $1,425.00. My G27 (in 2011) cost $300.00
My only worry about T300RS is the phantom calibration, noise and dead in the water issues that folks have posted.
Also, I appreciate your views on the base steering wheel vs. the TM28 and the Ferrari 599XX Alcantara.

I really like the TH8A with the option for sequential function. I've been checking between Walmart, Newegg and Amazon trying to find the best deal/combination. Right now buying the wheel base, Alcantara and TH8A from Amazon seem the best value. I've already got the adapter for the G27 pedals from RICMOTEC. So it's pretty clear which way I'm leaning.
But buying the pedal adapter ($20.00) wont stop me from bailing if something better comes along.

 

[Blood*Specter]

A note to anyone wanting to buy T300RS. A vendor named B&H out of New York is running the Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition for $469.99 USD.

The wheel base and wheel are shown without the T3PA. But the T3PA is mentioned in B&H's description.

The TH8A is going for $145.54. I priced what B&H calls "SquareTrade 2 Year Protection plan" for the wheel set at $39.00.

So my total with free shipping from B&H is $654.53. Also even after entering my credit card information, and being one click away from placing the order, I still see no sales tax being charged.

AMAZON has Thrustmaster VG T300 Ferrari Alcantara Edition Racing Wheel for PS4, PS3 and PC listed for $469.99 USD.
They show the T3PA pedal set and mention it in their description.

The TH8A sells at Amazon for $149.99. I do not see any extended service protection plan with Amazon.
And I don't know if they offer one by default. Tax come to $28.10 and brings the total to $648.18.

So, it looks like B&H is the daddy. Their cost for the Thrustmaster equipment and a two year protection plan comes in basically six USD more than Amazon. AMAZON offered no protection for the wheel kit if it goes bonkers.

I still think the sales tax should come into play with B&H. But as of now, if I place the order, no sales tax has been added.

Hopefully this will help folks looking to try the T300RS and Alcantara wheel combo and TH8A shifter. 👍

 

[Blood*Specter]

Went with B&H because of protection plan, free 2 day shipping and low price on TH8A. They have scheduled delivery to my home on Friday 12 August at 11AM. I'll be at work. So we shall see.

 

[ynot]

Yeah, for me the rubber rim for my T300 wasn't particularly pleasant. It's not bad by any means for rubber, but coming from the leather of a G27 definitely ruined rubber for me. So I got the TM28 leather rim and the leather on that feels even nicer than the G27 (it damned well ought to considering the price). I didn't get the larger GTE rim because I prefer the feel of leather over alcantara. But yeah, there really is no comparison between the T300 and G25/27/29. The difference is massive. Before I got the T300, I thought the G27 was pretty damned good, and I didn't think the T300 and T500 could be that much better, but I was wrong.

I like the rubber rim. Easier to clean than leather and will not absorb sweat.

 

[MrF1]

Hi all. (PS4)
Just purchased a T300RS off gumtree.. barely used. In A1 nick.
However..
Im using it and it keeps going to the 'share screen' unwarranted. Then it goes crazy and spinning and thru random screens till it takes me back to many. Currently playing PJCars.

Man im gonna put this thing thru the window soon..
I done a firmware update.
Still getting this ****. Sometimes it doesnt shift up or down when i immediately select either.

ANY help appreciated.

 

[skazz]

Hi all. (PS4)
Just purchased a T300RS off gumtree.. barely used. In A1 nick.
However..
Im using it and it keeps going to the 'share screen' unwarranted. Then it goes crazy and spinning and thru random screens till it takes me back to many. Currently playing PJCars.

Man im gonna put this thing thru the window soon..
I done a firmware update.
Still getting this ****. Sometimes it doesnt shift up or down when i immediately select either.

ANY help appreciated.

Sounds bad, but it sounds like issues with the rim not the base.
Have you tried removing the rim and checking that the connector is still good?