Is a Thrustmaster T80 an improvement on a controller?

[funewchie]

I was looking into trying out a steering wheel, but I'm not willing to spend a ton on it.
I saw Thrustmaster T80 available at $100, which is a bit more than I'd like, but I'm willing to go that much.

Up to now, I've only ever played on an Xbox wired controller, and was curious about trying a wheel.
Would a T80 work... or would it just be a colossal waste of money (thus I'd be better off sticking to the controller)?

Bear in mind I'm not looking for immersive or anything. I was just looking at a slight improvement on the controller.

[Simrealism]

i played with a controller for years -- never quite got it so that it was great both in town and on the highway. even used joy to key to set my second stick as a shifter.
a wheel is an order of magnitude better imo. A shifter and pedals is iceing on the cake

[Ryu]

T80 only has 200° rotation, no force feedback and centering spring is described as being like a "bungie cord". Not sure you're going to feel like that money is well spent... I'd suggest saving up for a better model later and stick with a controller for now.

[Capt Fuzzy]

I have a Thrustmaster TMX, which I got on sale a few years back for around $100, give or take a few dollars, and I wasn't disappointed.
I like the Thrustmaster wheels and pedals, as well as the T8HA shifter.
They are pricey, it took me a couple of years to put it all together.

I think your purchase will be pleasing to you. I've enjoyed mine immensely.

P.S. If you get it, make sure to update the drivers before using it in game.
The drivers on the included disc tend to be a little outdated.

[Red Wolf]

i used keyboard before i moved to a Logitech wheel/pedals, shifter, splitter(for 13-18 speed transmission) not sorry i spent the money bc they're a big upgrade from keyboard

[funewchie]

Originally posted by Capt Fuzzy:

I have a Thrustmaster TMX, which I got on sale a few years back for around $100, give or take a few dollars, and I wasn't disappointed.
I like the Thrustmaster wheels and pedals, as well as the T8HA shifter.
They are pricey, it took me a couple of years to put it all together.

I think your purchase will be pleasing to you. I've enjoyed mine immensely.

P.S. If you get it, make sure to update the drivers before using it in game.
The drivers on the included disc tend to be a little outdated.

I just looked that up, and if I'm seeing the right thing, then you definitely made out like a bandit with that sale.
(Looks like it's normally $228.
Which is definitely out of my range. For that, I might as well upgrade my graphics card (as it definitely needs it))

Originally posted by ~{DCMT}~ Ryu:

T80 only has 200° rotation, no force feedback and centering spring is described as being like a "bungie cord". Not sure you're going to feel like that money is well spent... I'd suggest saving up for a better model later and stick with a controller for now.

I know I hate to sound like the world's biggest cheapskate, but even if I did save up for a better model, I could never justify that kind of expense, at least for that.
A graphics card? Maybe.
A new console? Sure.
A new PC? ...Well, okay that would actually be even more expensive, but sure.

I was just curious if it was any better than a controller.

Granted, I did learn a lesson about cheaping out on VR experience. Tried it with one of those cheap headsets that uses a smartphone as the VR.
Fun to try, but the phone was far too weak, and the resolution far too pitiful, to work right. Nearly gave myself motion sickness.
Still was fun to try for a couple minutes, though.

Originally posted by Simrealism:

i played with a controller for years -- never quite got it so that it was great both in town and on the highway. even used joy to key to set my second stick as a shifter.
a wheel is an order of magnitude better imo. A shifter and pedals is iceing on the cake

That'd be interesting to try.
Up to now, I've just set it so "X" and "Y" are shift down and up (with R3 as "shift to neutral")

I wanted to set my new controller's "AGR" and "AGL" buttons (on the grips) as a flappy-paddle shifter, but oddly enough, Windows (and the game) don't seem to recognize their inputs.
Oh well, at least the rest of them work.

[Simrealism]

Originally posted by funewchie:

That'd be interesting to try.
Up to now, I've just set it so "X" and "Y" are shift down and up (with R3 as "shift to neutral")

I set it to up down and the four corners to mimic the h shifter
then i used a couple of buttons for range and split

Some dude wrote a guide on how to use a second joystick as a shifter and that got me thinking
worked pretty good too

[Simrealism]

here bro:
https://forum.trucksimulators.nl/viewtopic.php?t=12023

[jwc123]

As long as you don't expect it to feel like actually driving semi, A T80 wont disappoint.

I started out with it and the 2 pedal setup. While still very touchy despite hours spent tweeking the settings, config files, and trying various mods to improve lane control, it's decent and rolled 100K miles on it.

While not price checked recently, <$150 bucks US on Amazon at the time can't be considered a waste in my mind.

[aqweasd7]

first i bought a Thrustmaster T80, it's 270 degree.
then i buy a 900 degree steering wheel but its still like an 270 degree
how can i fix this?

[HighPlains Drifter]

I have a t80. For me its better than a controller, sure. But there is definately better wheels, but the price on the t80 is pretty good.

[Supernovae]

A T80 really isn't worth it for $100. You should be able to find a Logitech Driving Force GT for under $100 though. Instead of having 270 degrees of rotation like the T80, it's got 900 degrees and some degree of force feedback. It's not made anymore so you'd have to take a chance with buying one second hand.

[ttower]

I also moved from an Xbox 360 controller to a Logitech G920. The upgrade, IMO, was expensive and worth it, but it was not a huge improvement. The improvement from Keyboard to Controller is much higher than from controller to wheel. I wont go back to the controller, Im glad I got my wheel, but it is not some kind of magical immersion increase. If you are straining to afford a wheel, I would say hold off. Save for a good one. Full rotation, FFB (not haptic), good materials, three pedals if you decide to get a shifter later, etc. They are more expensive, but they are better. They will last longer, work better, and be more immersive.