Want to give someone a gift of sim-racing? Here's a sim racing starter package from Cyber Monday deals
You want to start sim racing? You've picked a good time to shop around. I've found some great deals on sim racing accessories and racing wheels.
Sim racing gear is also a great present for PC gamers who already have the peripherals and rig sorted. I was introduced to this as a child by my parents, who bought me a racing wheel for the Gamecube along with a copy Need for Speed Underground 2.
We've curated the best Cyber Monday PC Gaming deals right here We curate the best Cyber Tuesday PC gaming deals right Here
If you are new to sim-racing, you will need a wheel and some pedals to start. A mount will help you to improve your racing setup and avoid slippage.
Quick Links
- $140 @ Newegg
- $439 @ Moza Racing
- $59 @ Amazon
Beginner Set-up
This is the racing wheels that I would recommend to complete beginners. It's cheap and cheerful, but it's also a great way to learn to race.
I reviewed the T128 in May 2023. It feels like a lifetime ago. But I still remember its positives as if it were yesterday...
The hybrid force feedback may not be very powerful, but you can still get a sense of how well you are gripping the wheel and when you are about to lose it and spin out. The resistance of the wheel when you turn it is better for hone your lines than a loosey-goosey device. It's not a big burn to the Logitech G923 wheel I'm referring to, but Logi's wheel works better for games like Forza Horizon because you can really throw it around.
The T128's build quality is not great, with a plastic wheel and buttons that spring. It's sturdy and comes with flappy gear shift paddles.
Included are pedals. Thrustmaster T2PM pedals are also included. This is just the brake and accelerator pedals. It's nothing fancy. It's just a standard 'press it and it will go' lever. If you want anything more, you'll need to buy a whole new set. I would recommend the T3PM for an upgrade. These pedals are included with the Thrustmaster T248 that I also reviewed. This is an overall improvement and $290 during the ongoing Cyber Week sales.
Intermediate Set-up
Our top picks for the best of the best Best budget direct drive racing wheelIt's just that. It's a shame Moza raised the price right after my review, but it's now back at $439. This is a stunning direct drive pedal and wheel combo that's cheaper than all the rest. Just make sure you buy the extra Performance Kit for $29To get the most from it, you need to use a load-cell brake mechanism.
Price check: Amazon $49.99" data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">
Andy Edser, my colleague and sim racing enthusiast, will not stop talking about this set. I think I might have steal his Moza set just to try it myself.
It's a set that's more advanced than the Thrustmaster, as it has a direct-drive wheel base. This means that the force feedback feels more powerful and direct (duh), which is great for racing.
The Moza set is upgradeable. You can buy the base and then add pieces as you go, similar to something from Fanatec. This is a great option if your budget is limited.
The 'Performance Kit" is the upgrade you should get first. This is a kit for load-cell brakes that will make the brakes feel more realistic. This is a great deal for a load-cell braking system.
The Moza is a great deal when you consider that our choice for the best racing wheels, the Logitech Pro Racing Wheel with Pedals, costs more than twice as much. The Logitech base has excellent power, and the pedals have some of the best technology around, but it's the Moza that stands out as a smart pick.
Although I should mention that the Moza was less expensive at launch and when we reviewed, but since then, its price has increased. This deal brings the price down to what we saw when we looked at it. If you ignore inflation then it's not a huge saving, but can anyone do that in these days?
Racing stand
It's a mouthful, isn’t it? I'm using the name exactly as it appears on Amazon. I assume this is a clever way to appear in as many searches as possible. This is a simple, foldable chair for your pedals and wheel. This is important if you're trying to avoid pedal slipping, which I consider a scourge for any sim racer." data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">
I hatepedal slipping. You know when your pedals slip under your feet in heavy-braking zones? These stands are not just for me. Or at least partially. They stop the slippage.
This is a topic I'm very passionate about. I even made a video about it for the PC Gamer TikTok. In the video, I compared different options for reducing pedal slipping, including a similar stand.
The stand I reviewed is the Monoprice Dark Matter GT. It's almost the same as the Cyber Monday offer from GTPlayer.
You can race with your shifter on the side and pedals on top. No more stuffing pieces of wood in between your pedals, and the wall. That was what I used to do before I bought something better.
If you want to go all-out, I use a Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition. This is a great product, but it cannot be folded and tucked away neatly like the Monoprice. It is also available for $499 which is a reasonable price when you consider its past pricing.
Comments