Porsche 911 GT3 RS Wheel
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: racing, wheel, gaming | Themes: Digital Entertainment
4. Porsche 911 GT3 RS Wheel
$170 ($300 Clubsport Edition). PC compatible only
Unlike the 911 Turbo S Wheel, Fanatec’s 911 GT3 RS Wheel is made for a different kind of user. It indeed works with all consoles, but it isn’t formally compatible with either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, meaning developers must design their games to work with the wheel. Our tested model has an orange chassis, which is remarkably different from the black and chrome design of both the G27 and S Wheel. It’s also significantly less expensive than both.
Inside, the GT3 RS is nearly identical to the S Wheel. It uses the same force feedback drive and the same motor, is the same size, and besides a few aesthetic differences, could be a long-lost twin. But it does not perform at the same level. The major differences between the GT3 RS and S Wheel are clear upon observation. The GT3 RS is based on the Porsche 911 GT3 and has Alcantara leather instead of the automotive-grade leather seen on the other two wheels. All of the buttons are unmarked, giving the face of the steering wheel a classic and refined appeal. Even the smell is unique, like that of a brand-new car.
Most other differences are moot. The GT3 RS doesn’t come with shifters, although the metal poles are equally difficult to insert and remove. There is no power button; it cannot connect to the PC or PlayStation 3 wirelessly; and the paddleshifters are smaller and not made of stainless steel. They are, in fact, much smaller and, in comparison to both the S Wheel and G27, pathetic.
Because we tested the Clubsport Edition, the pedal board is a giant piece of hardened aluminum instead of the standard plastic, and it’s the best pedal board we’ve ever tested. These retail for an additional $130 ($200 if purchased separately), but the quality is stunning. Heavy as can be, the clubsport pedals work with bare feet, sandals, or shoes. They are perfectly trimmed and tightened. And even if the height isn’t right, or if the brake isn’t to your liking, each angle is adjustable. It can plug either into your wheel or directly into your PC via USB.
Driving
The driving experience with the GT3 RS wheel is different from the other two racing wheels. The buttons worked identically, if not better than the S Wheel’s because they don’t contrast the rest of the wheel, making the action on-screen most important. The buttons are also more tactile and push back when fully pressed.
Holding the Alcantara leather is different. The softness of the leather makes it seem slippery, but the grip is just as solid as the leather on the other wheels.
The act of driving was a tad odd, mostly because the force feedback is shakier than it should be. While the S Wheel and G27 both shook properly, the GT3 RS vibrated like it could come loose from its seating, even when properly secured. It isn’t a huge problem, though it does put into question the stability of the wheel.
The wheel itself isn’t as fast as either the G27 or S Wheel, and it is jumpier as well, presumably due to the shaky force feedback. Driving is slightly unsteady, but manageable. It almost feels as if the motor powering the wheel is stronger than the wheel itself.
The Clubsport pedals, on the other hand, are a dream. They are the best racing pedals we’ve ever tested. They work well with or without shoes, on carpet or hard surface, and with any and all wheels. Out of the box, they had the proper strength and tautness, and even then they’re adjustable. It’s simply the best pedal board on the market.
Overall
While the other racing wheels are pretty clear cut, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS Wheel raises eyebrows, both because of its looks and its performance. Though it is visually stunning, it seems to have all of the faults of the S Wheel and few improvements. Then again, it is $180 cheaper, which is an incredibly fair amount considering the differences.
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Hmmmm should of also included a part for service and customer support. Good luck getting a Fanatec #1, and #2 good luck getting it serviced or supported when you have a problem with it, which you will.
My vote will always go to the Logitech G series wheels. The only shame is Microsoft won't support it on the 360. That would be a huge selling point for a lot of people.
I have the Logitech G25 and couldn't be happier.
Its an amazing wheel, as mentioned in the article 360 support would be a very nice update, right now I have it running on the PS3 in my basement and it works wonders.
I'd buy a 360 and the forza games if it was supported!
You guys got the labels and pics for the Logitech G27 and Fanatec GT3 RS mixed up.
yep definitely need support for the 360 and forza 3. then you could actually feel like you were driving each of those 400 vehicles...
Wow, I've always used a joystick in racing games. Should I try a wheel?
I'll tell you what James: You send me the racing wheel of your choice, and I'll send you a high-end motherboard of my choice, you name the socket
wheels are good for sim games but for arcade style games they are a joke. the problem is the amount of time it takes you to turn from full left turn to full right turn. if you race rc cars you know what i am talking about, we pay hundreds of dollars for the fastest servo and controller. i wish there was a compromise between the game controller and the wheel.
i have an old (win 95) controller that is just that. a hand held wheel just like a rc car controller it has force feedback but needs a game port and only works on win 95. i wish a new version of this was made. it was made by interact and is called the fx racing wheel.
Is the G27's manual shift as flimsy as the G25's? I have a G25 and all I can say about it is that they sould have made the shifter stronger with metal all over it. Also Tom's doesn't mention it but in GT5 Prologue, as in all games that I played, you can switch gears without using the clutch. Now thats also a huuuge blast on the feel of it, since using your not using some of your driving skills with the clutch...
I've heard people who ordered the Fanatec are still waiting, up to one year after paying for it. If that company can't create the manufacturing infrastructure to support volume orders, I believe they may go out of business.
Lots of excellent comments! A few responses:
Adamkob32: While Fanatec is based in Germany and does sell in many regions, US included, I would guess that yes, repairs and support would be more difficult through them through Logitech. But for the purposes of this article, we couldn't test that.
92Sileighty: Yes, the fixes have been submitted and will be updated shortly.
Crashman: We'll see!
Superhighperf: Agreed, though arcade racers aren't necessarily bad with a wheel as well. We played with mostly racing sims, which is to say games made with the wheel in mind. However, you can play games like GTAIV with a G25/27, and it can make the experience more fun. Just depends on the game.
Aerobernardo: The G27's gearbox is excellent, the best we tested here, and much better than the G25's. As for GT5 Prologue, its not that you can switch gears without a clutch, but the game doesn't support a clutch (to my knowledge). I've used the game for testing in the past, but its not the racing sim of choice because its not a full game, nor does it support everything I'd look for in a racing game.
NewJohnny: To my knowledge, Fanatec's wheels are put out in small amounts. They make 5,000 or 10,000 wheels of one kind, and another set for others, etc. Why, I couldn't say...might be part of the deal they have with Porsche for branding rights. I haven't heard any stories of people waiting for years though. I can only imagine that being some sort of perpetual order/shipping snafu.
What's your option of the 911 turbo wheel (without the S). Fanatec is pricing them at $200, which is tempting price point with shifter and paddles. Is it basically the the RS wheel with turbo S shifter and paddles. Also is possible to mount the fanatec shift on something without use the metal rods?)
Wonnaawheel, the 911 turbo wheel, which came out last year, is nearly identical in design and form to the S Wheel. The main difference is that the S Wheel works with the 360, and the pedals built for the Turbo are not as sensitive. My testing with that set had the gas pedal go at 0/100% power, with little room inbetween, though the pedals can be purchased separately and may have been updated along with the wheel itself.
As for mounting the shifter, you cannot. It only attaches via metal poles to the steering wheel, not to a surface. The only options you're given are which side they sit on the wheel, the left or right.
$300 for a racing wheel is outrageous.
Hate that the cheaper $50 versions don't turn the full 450 or 600 degrees. They turn less than 180.
Have not read the whole article yet... but I HAD to comment about this:
"Normal racing makes drivers slow down at turns, while drifting requires that drivers time their turns and maneuver their vehicles to slide through turns without losing speed"
ahem... that's because drifing cars are going so pathetically slow that they don't NEED to slow down.
Drifting is what you get when you think to yourself "how can I take a car that goes like stink and corners like it's on rails and make it slow?". You shave the tires so they don't have any traction, you adjust the suspension so the car's so loose it can hardly go in a straight line, and then you drive on pavement while pretending you're on dirt.
I've got the G25... It's a solid wheel and for some time has been the only real "High End" wheel on the market. The Fanatec seems like a solid design and for that extra investement you get XBox 360 compatability (something by all reports you'll never see for the G25/27). If I were buying today I'd consider the Fanatec... even though it's a LOT more money.
The other thing that I really like about the G25 is the paddle shifters... the stick IMO is too floppy but the paddels are nice aluminium parts, big with a nice positive click. It's hard to tell but it looks like the Fanatec either doesn't have them ore their buttons (buttons stink for paddle shifters).
Also (wish I could edit my posts)... one plus for the Fanatec is that it has an extra motor for vibration, ideally it should allow the wheel to convey more information to the driver about traction - though I'm not sure if it makes a difference in real life (some reviews think it does). I'd really like to try one to see, you guys get all the cool toys!
D_Kuhn, the gearbox is greatly improved in the G27, so much so that I rarely used the paddle shifters. Which, by the way, are improved over the G25's as well.
As for the motor, the G27 also has an extra motor for force feedback. It does make a difference, unless you drive in game like you do in real life.
One of these days, we'll fix that.
Well, I can't comment on the G-27 yet, for I don't have one, but I have a G-25 for almost two years now, and I must attest the G-25 is a solid and reliable wheel, for just about any kind of racing you prefer.
If you really like racing as much as I do, and you want to race online in various Sims Racing Series like Nascar Sim Racing, ARCA ReMax, R Factor, on different organizations that have the Nascar Cup, Nationwide,or lower series right down to Modifieds, or even Formula 1, and there are Hundreds of the organizations online that require a membership, you better have a good, decent wheel (NO JOYSTICKS). Most won't let you race or become a member if you don't have a wheel. Even the real life NASCAR drivers race in these online series, for practice or prior to their upcoming weekly event.
I'm considering one of the G-27's, but right now I couldn't be happier with my G-25. While racing online, I prefer the paddle shifters to the stick shifter, whether it be on a oval or road course, to where it lets me keep my hands on the wheel than worry about distracting me to shift, plus not worrying about a shifter when you have to downshift say from fourth gear to third gear and accidently throw it into first gear resulting into a blown transmission or blown motor.
And the cost of these units, the G-25, G-27, or others listed here in the forum are not that bad in price or outrageous on price as stated. There are others that manufacture wheels for true diehard online racers like me who like this, like the Thomas Super Wheel(www.thomas-superwheel.com) and ECCI (ECCI6000.com), and I'm seriously looking at a TSW right now. But get ready to spend some bucks if your serious and like this as I do.
Logitech makes a good wheel, so if you really want to see how good you are as well as the wheel, get online and race with about 30-40 others and that will tell you how good these wheels are.