Getting the itch to switch & looking at this setup

Miscellaneous Hardware & Peripherals
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I’m still on the Xbox 360 and Forza 4 but I think this might be the right time to finally switch over to the Xbox One and FM5. I think with the price drop on the console, the new accessories that are available, and the new racing games that are about to come out, I’m getting anxious. Plus I’ve got some gift card money left over that I need to spend before the end of September so overall I think the time is right.

I’ve looked over the forums about wheels etc. and looked at the Inside Sim Racing Youtube channel and I think I’ve narrowed it down to what I think I want. I would welcome opinions in case I’m missing something or maybe some other recommendations.

Wheel: Thrustmaster TX 458 Italia - It’s compatible with most systems and if I want to PC race in the future it should work there too.

Pedals: T3PA - For FM4 I have Club Sport Elite pedals but I never used the clutch and never got a shifter and that was a big mistake because I underestimated how much slower it was without it so this time I want a clutch & shifter. I know the T3PA has a lot of plastic but I hope that won’t be a problem.

Shifter: TH8A - It looks like the most versatile shifter.

Accessories: Wider brake pedal. GTE and F1 rims. I’ve seen the F1 rim but I’m not really sure what the GTE rim looks like or even if I need one.

I currently have a Wheel Stand Pro stand for my Fanatec wheel and it works great so I will probably look to them for another one. But I’m unsure on how the shifter would mount to a stand like that. I don’t really want that shifter up high. I would want it to be lower and more realistic.

Thoughts?

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Good choices. Welcome to the Xbox One family. Make sure you get the Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 ($180). That will work with T3PA pedals & TH8A Shifter. Make sure when you get your TX, update firmware to V47! Last thing, I hope Project Cars is on your list :wink:

If you look at InsideSimRacing videos about FM5, 9 times out of 10 he is using GTE rim. Like video about the ring for example.

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Sounds like a well thought decision, you cant do anything wrong with that (given the limited choice of wheel hardware for Xbox One).

Wheel: after the MC wheel has now been reviewed as well, the TX458 seems to be a non-brainer, and they’re both playing in the same price-league. The belt driven TX is much smoother (even more with the recent FM5 update), has vibration/rumble, 4 DOR’s (the MC has only 2) and stronger FF. And its compatible with PC out of the box as you already mentioned.

Pedals: Yes, the T3PA are mainly plastic, but the most important parts seem to be all metal or made of very strong plastic. I dont see any major reliability issues here, and the price is very reasonable. Its fairly adjustable and the brake features an optional rubber cone for progressive resistance. Its not a load-cell but still much better than the stock pedals.
BTW, you can use the wide brake pedal face from the stock pedals on the T3PA as well, if you don’t want to buy any real car aftermarket parts.

Shifter: It hasn’t been released yet but it looks practically identical like its predecessor, the TH8RS, and that’s definitely not a bad thing.

Rims: I have both add on rims and i love them. Both are of better build quality compared to the stock rim, even though the GTE tends to develop a crackling noise which is mildly annoying, a very widespread complaint. I like the feel of the force feedback with the GTE, due to its slightly higher weight. And i don’t like these ergonomically shaped rims like the stock one. The F1 wheel is great for all open wheelers or any other cars you would drive with a small DOR. Just bear in mind that you cant use all the buttons on the console, it just doesn’t offer enough mappings.

Cant tell you anything about shifter mount on the WSP, i’m using a playseat challenge and i have yet to figure out how to mount the shifter there once its released. I’d like to have a lower position as well and that does require some custom built shifter mount.

To sum it up: I’d say you made the right decision, but there isnt much choice anyways, right? :wink: The TX had some QA issues with its first batch, but they seem to be mostly resolved by now, just make sure you get one of the newer ones (i guess they are now all coming with an external power supply).

On PC i like the TX even more than my Fanatec, it definitely feels like the next generation of FF wheels to me.

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I definitely have Project Cars on my list which is another major reason from wanting to switch on over.

I thought that might be the GTE rim but wasn’t sure because I didn’t know if it would have the Ferrari logo on it or not. But now going back and watching the video you referenced I see that is the GTE.

My Fanatec GT2 wheel also has developed a creaking or grinding noise primarily when trying to hold a left turn but it really hasn’t bothered me that much. When I saw the F1 rim I didn’t figure all those buttons could be used. At least not by someone of my low skill level.

Since I’m an apartment dweller I would like the whole setup to be able to fold down for easy storage like my GT2 setup does now but having a shifter might rule that out. Small price to pay for better times.

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Jezza, I would keep your Fanatec CS pedals and buy Bashers CPX adapter (40 bucks or so). In the end you have the the best setups possible on Xbox one☺
I currently have the CSR elite pedals hooked up to my TX wheel with the adapter and it works great! The only downside is that the adapter has to be plugged in to a power source, so it’s another wire.

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I have a guy that I work with that is interested in my setup but he wants it complete, wheel, stand, pedals, the whole thing. Otherwise I would love to hang onto them.

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Today I ordered my wheel stand from WheelStandPro. I ordered the TX 458 Italia wheel, GTE rim, F1 rim, T3PA pedals, and the TH8A shifter from Amazon but the pedals and shifter are on back order. I’ll go by a video game store I used back when I had to get my fat PS3 repaired to see what they will give me for my slim PS3 to trade in for the Xbox One console. So I should hopefully be up and running and joining the Xbox One / FM5 community real soon.

Thanks for all the advice you guys have given me

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I recommend you use the “B” button for clutch if you want to be faster with it.

Funny I did the same thing, but then dropped the pedals/canceled the order right when they shipped. Because after reading about the T3PA pedals it was clear that the brake was not really any better except the rubber cone. The pedals suck… I to had CS elite pedals and the CSR wheel, which now collects dust, shame!

Anyway, you get use to the pedals, the thing is T10 and MS stretched a story as FFB on XBone is not better (maybe for gamepad) but not better for wheel. FM4 with my CSR and pedals was much better, I really miss the brake vibrations.

Good Luck… friend me we’ll race online as we learn these wheels.
RKip