Recommendation on first DD wheel? Upgrading from G29

[Sassanid]

I've been using a G29 for 2 years and honestly have been very happy with it for a $250 first wheel. No complaints at all for the price, but I feel like the time has come to upgrade to something better.

My budget for a DD bundle is around $600-700. I mostly race GT cars, drift and just cruise in road cars so I think a round wheel would be best at first. Would also like a clutch pedal and shifter but handbrake isn't necessary right now. Not sure if Moza or Fanatec is the best way to go in 2025 but happy to hear all suggestions. Thanks

[Brainspasm]

there is a thrustmaster entry lvl DD, this one might be a great start into Direct Drive.

Thrustmaster T598 Direct Drive 500€

if only PC then moza is great! https://mozaracing.com/product/r5-bundle/ +3th pedal + h-shifter and you are still in your max 700$ range

[sebo]

Between fanatec and Moza? Fanatec. i consider moza just a cheap generic china junk. Fanatec is all sim/racing engineered and they aren't off-the-shelf motors and wheels like other brands.

i do think they're a bit behind in newer pedals and wheel options with all the fancy backlit buttons, etc. but the quality is superior, including resale value which isn't important to me, but for some it night be if you buy/sell/upgrade often.

i recently upgraded pedals to Heusinkveld ultimates for better customizing spring/dampening, and while they're pricey, it's one of those things you buy once. the heusinkveld sprint pedals are another nice slightly cheaper option.

[B-Runner]

every DD wheelbase will be a massive step up, so buy whatever fits your wallet.
when i bought a direct wheel, there was not much else then Fanatec- so i got a DD1.

just be sure to buy a wheelbase which will give you enough headroom in the "power department" (nM). the linked R5 from moza seems a bit week with only 5NM....

[Sassanid]

Originalmente postado por Brainspasm:

there is a thrustmaster entry lvl DD, this one might be a great start into Direct Drive.

Thrustmaster T598 Direct Drive 500€

if only PC then moza is great! https://mozaracing.com/product/r5-bundle/ +3th pedal + h-shifter and you are still in your max 700$ range

Thanks, Moza is definitely on the shortlist, heard a lot of good things about them.

Originalmente postado por sebo:

Between fanatec and Moza? Fanatec. i consider moza just a cheap generic china junk. Fanatec is all sim/racing engineered and they aren't off-the-shelf motors and wheels like other brands.

i do think they're a bit behind in newer pedals and wheel options with all the fancy backlit buttons, etc. but the quality is superior, including resale value which isn't important to me, but for some it night be if you buy/sell/upgrade often.

i recently upgraded pedals to Heusinkveld ultimates for better customizing spring/dampening, and while they're pricey, it's one of those things you buy once. the heusinkveld sprint pedals are another nice slightly cheaper option.

Those are some nice looking pedals. I'm sure they're worth the money, and like you said it's not something someone would want to sell any time soon, long term investment.

[Sassanid]

Originalmente postado por B-Runner:

every DD wheelbase will be a massive step up, so buy whatever fits your wallet.
when i bought a direct wheel, there was not much else then Fanatec- so i got a DD1.

just be sure to buy a wheelbase which will give you enough headroom in the "power department" (nM). the linked R5 from moza seems a bit week with only 5NM....

I would prefer 8-9Nm wheelbase but it's only going to stretch my budget up even more. I can always get a 5, then upgrade later using the boost kit I guess. I've been on a G29 for 2 years which has 2.1Nm torque so even going up to 5 will feel so much better.

[Sassanid]

Two bundle options so far. The Fanatec options pushed the total over my budget but if it's really better quality gear than Moza, I'm willing to stretch, knowing that I'll probably use this gear for years to come. Thoughts on below?

Fanatec CSL DD bundle = $899.80

https://i.imgur.com/OBrAvWQ.png

Moza R5 bundle = $659.90

https://i.imgur.com/YLXzbYI.png

[MilorD]

Originalmente postado por Sassanid:

Those are some nice looking pedals. I'm sure they're worth the money, and like you said it's not something someone would want to sell any time soon, long term investment.

If Heusinkveld are out of your budget then you should consider Simjack Ultimate (or Pro for even cheaper option) they will cost you much less than any comparable pedals from other vendors. The ultimates are getting pretty good reviews.
Also please check out SHH shifter, its not as pretty looking as Fanatec but much cheaper and performs similarly.

[WilsySnipes36]

moza r3 or r5 i have just upgraded from a g920 to a r5 what a difference

[goblueteam]

I dont think I would go with the R5 it would have to be the r9 or r12...

I have the CSL DD 8nm and I feel like 8nm is just barely enough ive had it for 3 years...you do get used to these things.

The problem with the r5 is you cant just upgrade the power brick like the 5nm csl dd you have to upgrade the whole wheel base with the moza, with the csl dd you can just buy a power brick and get 3 more nm.

Also not sure If I would go with those pedals, lately there has been some really good budget options Im considering getting my self called Simsonn pro plus that are around the same price or less depending on what you get...150$ for 2 pedal set no mounting plate though(also a cheaper pro model)
3 pedals 200$ mounting plate is 85-100$ if you need it, many rigs already have a steel plate you could mount them to. There is also another set called Simjack Ultimate about the same price. These are both basically Heusinkveld knockoffs as said above but probably the best value pedals around also many people upgrade to the Heusinkveld controller and software later on as its possible.

Im sure those fanatec pedals are ok but they dont look very adjustable and pretty steep price.
you may just want to get the cheaper csl pedals and add the loadcell add on and save 100$ over those 300$ ones.. fanatec seems kind of behind in the pedals.

the simsonn and simjack pedals seem to be much better these can be found on amazon...if your in the US aliexpress otherwise I think.

Anyways I feel like it is hard to beat the csl dd because you can upgrade the power supply later on.

Also consider there is no need to stay in the fanatec eco system or Moza system only... you could still buy the cheaper moza shifter...or go on amazon and find a knockoff for 30-50$ and invest that money in a better wheel or pedals...

All of these devices can plug in separately to the pc with a USB if you were using it for console it would matter but none of the stuff you listed is compatible with console..

So you could just get the moza shifter 150$ thats 110$ less than fanatec.

one of the cheaper pedal options fanatec csl pedals+load cell or simsonn/simjack thats another 80-100+off the price

with the csl dd and wheel(you could just go 8nm right away with the savings on the pedals or no shifter too lol)

Or with that in mind that you can save 200$ on the shifter and pedals maybe you check out other wheel bases... lol.

Its a really tough choice... IF I had to stick around 800-900
id prob do the 3 pedal simsonn pro plus 190$ shipped on amazon(simjack might be 180)also the previous version is a little cheaper too.

csl dd and wheel 490$

and the moza shifter 150$(id probably really just buy a cheap on off ebay for 40$)
830$ so still not cheap lol.

If you just do the csl dd 5nm ready to race bundle for 400$ with the add on loadcell brake for 140$ and then get the moza shifter for 150$ the total would be 690$ so 200$ off of your fanatec cart. and 40 more than your moza...

but yea idk sorry that was long and I probably repeated alot lol..

[Sassanid]

Originalmente postado por MilorD:

Originalmente postado por Sassanid:

Those are some nice looking pedals. I'm sure they're worth the money, and like you said it's not something someone would want to sell any time soon, long term investment.

If Heusinkveld are out of your budget then you should consider Simjack Ultimate (or Pro for even cheaper option) they will cost you much less than any comparable pedals from other vendors. The ultimates are getting pretty good reviews.
Also please check out SHH shifter, its not as pretty looking as Fanatec but much cheaper and performs similarly.

Thanks so much for these alternatives. It's good to know it's ok to mix and match parts without worrying about incompatibility. I'll definitely check them out.

Originalmente postado por WilsySnipes36:

moza r3 or r5 i have just upgraded from a g920 to a r5 what a difference

Exactly the reaction I'm hoping for lol

[Sassanid]

Originalmente postado por goblueteam:

I dont think I would go with the R5 it would have to be the r9 or r12...

I have the CSL DD 8nm and I feel like 8nm is just barely enough ive had it for 3 years...you do get used to these things.

The problem with the r5 is you cant just upgrade the power brick like the 5nm csl dd you have to upgrade the whole wheel base with the moza, with the csl dd you can just buy a power brick and get 3 more nm.

Also not sure If I would go with those pedals, lately there has been some really good budget options Im considering getting my self called Simsonn pro plus that are around the same price or less depending on what you get...150$ for 2 pedal set no mounting plate though(also a cheaper pro model)
3 pedals 200$ mounting plate is 85-100$ if you need it, many rigs already have a steel plate you could mount them to. There is also another set called Simjack Ultimate about the same price. These are both basically Heusinkveld knockoffs as said above but probably the best value pedals around also many people upgrade to the Heusinkveld controller and software later on as its possible.

Im sure those fanatec pedals are ok but they dont look very adjustable and pretty steep price.
you may just want to get the cheaper csl pedals and add the loadcell add on and save 100$ over those 300$ ones.. fanatec seems kind of behind in the pedals.

the simsonn and simjack pedals seem to be much better these can be found on amazon...if your in the US aliexpress otherwise I think.

Anyways I feel like it is hard to beat the csl dd because you can upgrade the power supply later on.

Also consider there is no need to stay in the fanatec eco system or Moza system only... you could still buy the cheaper moza shifter...or go on amazon and find a knockoff for 30-50$ and invest that money in a better wheel or pedals...

All of these devices can plug in separately to the pc with a USB if you were using it for console it would matter but none of the stuff you listed is compatible with console..

So you could just get the moza shifter 150$ thats 110$ less than fanatec.

one of the cheaper pedal options fanatec csl pedals+load cell or simsonn/simjack thats another 80-100+off the price

with the csl dd and wheel(you could just go 8nm right away with the savings on the pedals or no shifter too lol)

Or with that in mind that you can save 200$ on the shifter and pedals maybe you check out other wheel bases... lol.

Its a really tough choice... IF I had to stick around 800-900
id prob do the 3 pedal simsonn pro plus 190$ shipped on amazon(simjack might be 180)also the previous version is a little cheaper too.

csl dd and wheel 490$

and the moza shifter 150$(id probably really just buy a cheap on off ebay for 40$)
830$ so still not cheap lol.

If you just do the csl dd 5nm ready to race bundle for 400$ with the add on loadcell brake for 140$ and then get the moza shifter for 150$ the total would be 690$ so 200$ off of your fanatec cart. and 40 more than your moza...

but yea idk sorry that was long and I probably repeated alot lol..

Thank you SO much for all these tips. It was REALLY helpful and you've saved me a lot of time with what deciding what the best parts are for the price. I'll definitely mix and match like you suggested. Thanks again

[Sassanid]

Ok after a little more research and contemplation, I've decided to go for a wheelbase in the 8-10nM power range. I know a 5nM base will still feel night and day different and better than my G29 which shakes and decides to do the Lambada every time I use it, but I feel like I want to go for something more close to the ideal range which is said to be around 10-15nM.

I then realized that there's no way I can fit an 8-10nM wheelbase, wheel, pedals and shifter all into a $700 budget.

I then found out that I could continue using my G29 shifter and pedals with any new DD wheelbase I buy, just plug them into my PC via USB. So this means there's no urgency to buy everything and upgrade all at once.

So I've decided to put the $700 now towards just the wheelbase and wheel in the 8-10nM range and then save up and upgrade later on maybe during xmas and get new pedals and shifter.

This is the short list I've come up with in the 8-10 range for around $700 and would love to hear what others would choose if in my shoes and why. I'm currently watching youtube reviews back to back to see if the SIMAGIC Alpha Mini is worth the extra bread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HbO-emtt5I

FANATEC CSL DD QR2 (8nM) - $450
FANATEC CSL Steering Wheel 320 V2 - $200
Total = $650

MOZA R9 V2 Wheel Base (9nM) - $369
MOZA CS V2P Steering Wheel - $279
Total = $648

SIMAGIC Alpha Mini Wheel Base (10nM) - $500
SIMAGIC GTS Steering Wheel - $289
Total = $789

[B-Runner]

i can't help with your decision. from all the wheels you posted, fanatec is the most "experienced" brand and is usually supported in any sim from day one on.

one other thing to consider (which i didn't back then when i switched from crap to DD-wheel): do you have a racing rig? or do you plan to mount your new beauty onto a table?...

[CLARKSOFF]

fanatec is having a lot of issues right now, Moza is junk.
I had this issue a few months back. i researched the arse of it..
Decided to save a bit more and then threw it all at simagic alpha neo & p1000's.
amazing and i'm glad i waited.

[Sassanid]

Originalmente postado por B-Runner:

i can't help with your decision. from all the wheels you posted, fanatec is the most "experienced" brand and is usually supported in any sim from day one on.

one other thing to consider (which i didn't back then when i switched from crap to DD-wheel): do you have a racing rig? or do you plan to mount your new beauty onto a table?...

I've been using this for the past couple years, it's very bare bones and basic but solid and does the job well with the G29. My guess is I'll probably have to upgrade to something heftier if I go for 8-10nM base

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HM6DR81?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1