T500 RS Racing Wheel Review: The REAL Driving Simulator (PSU.com)

Eric Blattberg of PSU.com writes, "There’s no doubt that the T500 RS is incredible piece of hardware, but with a suggested retail price of $600 USD / £450 GPB / €500 EUR, is its monumental cost justified? I was initially unconvinced, as most people would be when greeted with a $600 video game accessory. After spending two weeks with the wheel, however, I shifted gears: for the dedicated Gran Turismo fan, the T500 RS is unequivocally worth its colossal asking price."

[porgep]

Ouch, $600! But, man, that thing looks incredible. Seems like this would make GT5 even better.

[Schism20]

600 bucks? no way

[CrzyFooL]

For the price of this wheel, GT5 and a PS3 you could buy an actual working real life car.

[NaiNaiNai]

my car cost me 400$, 50$ for a new alternator. insurance, and registration/inspection.

came out to about what the wheel costs.

and I could get it up to 132mph on the highway. :D yea way better then a wheel. and now I've purchased several parts to make the car even better for another 600$.

[upturned2]

Yea, well, we can say that about a lot of things.

Have a good day now.

Ever occur to you that the only people who would purchase this are those who have money and those who are racers. What makes you two so special?

[Neko_Mega]

Yeah for a used car, used isn't good.

I think I might buy this, not to bad of a price, less I heard it was going to be $800.

[mrmancs]

i want this bad boi , but way above my price range , besides im saving for my monolith plus sub! so many things to buy and want, and so little money! :( lol

[Scottyabanks]

I want it now! Can't wait till work opens up this year. My only concern though is the fact it's only supported by GT5. I don't want it to turn into a 600 dollar brick.

[NBT91]

Dude that thing costs double the price of the PS3 (GBP price)! Sorry but nothing is going to make me spend that much on a racing wheel, especially when the DFGT is available and and like £400 cheaper lol.

[Si-Fly]

Personal preference isnt it? I used to use a DFGT but have just spent £1000 on a Fanatec GT2 with clubsports and a Gamepod but then I really enjoy racing games. The T500 looks great, if they ever do a 360 compatible version id definitely consider one.

[Scottyabanks]

I've never owned a racing wheel. It's always been a goal of mine. I guess you could say I'm a tad ignorant as to what's a good wheel to start off with.

[Shinuz]

So what makes this wheel better than the Logitech G27? which btw has a Six-speed shifter and is only 350$.

[steve30x]

It has three force feedback motors , twin belt drive , 1080 degree , stronger force feedback , the wheel turns almost twice as fast as the G25 / G27 and fully adjustable pedals with a brake pedal that feels more real.

The G25 G27 has two force feedback motors , is not belt drive , 900 degrees , weaker force feedback than T500R , the wheel isnt as free turning as the T500R and the pedals arent as good as the T500R.

[Boody-Bandit]

Shinuz, EVERYTHING!
The T500 makes the Logitech G27 feel like a plastic toy. Trust me I have owned and tried them all. Currently I own 2 Fanatec 911 S, a Fanatec GT2 and the T500. I used to own the G27, G25 and Momo. My only gripe with the T500 is no shifter, no 360 support, no stand alone shifter (at this time) and it doesn't support older PS3 title.

The force feedback on the T500 is in a league of it's own. It is the best wheel I have ever tried -$2k. IMHO this is how I would rate them T500 > GT2 > 911S > G27.

The Trustmaster T500 with GT5 almost feels like you are cheating.

[Gran Touring]

If the T500 makes you feel like you're cheating, then that wheel gives you an unfair advantage. Racing isn't and shouldn't be that easy to perform.

I'll agree, that on paper, the T500 is technically the best wheel you can buy. Excellent FFB, mostly metal construction, great ergonomics, fully functional with GT5. However, the same reasons everyone's talking about is why it doesn't come close to justifying its price:
1) ONLY supports GT5 at this time
2) Does not yet support an H-shifter
3) It costs $600
4) Reasons 2 and 3; the shifter will most likely be at least $100, if the wheel is anything to go by

As it stands, the G27, while it isn't the best wheel on the market, is currently the best value for the money. At around $200-250, (you can get this wheel online for under retail folks), you get a solid wheel with good ffb, 3 pedal system and 6-speed shifter. Not to mention modifications are very simple for this wheel.

I'm sorry but comparing the T500 to the G27 at least; it costs nearly 3 times as much but with a lack of support for games and embarrassingly enough, a lack of an H-shifter, the T500 may costs nearly 3 times as much as the G27, but it's not even being close to 3 times better than the G27

[Boody-Bandit]

You took part of my response to literally and another part not seriously enough. The Thrusmaster T500 makes the Logitech G27 or below feel like a plastic toy. IMO, and that of hundreds of others that have tried them all, its more than 3x better than a G27 and it doesn't cost nearly 3x as much. Currently it's 2x and once the shifter comes out it will be 2 and 1/3 more.

Mine only costed $500 but I had a gift card for $50 and found it for $550 w/free shipping. Where did you purchase yours from?

The GT2 is significantly better than the G27 but not as good as the T500 for response and FFB. You literally feel every bumped and imprfection in the road with the T500. The FFB is fierce!

With that said. If I could only own one wheel it would clearly be the Fanatec GT2 over all others for the consoles. Compatability and variable adjustments on the fly makes it my wheel of choice.

On the PC, -2k, the Thrustmaster T500 has no equal.