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

[Sassanid]

Oprindeligt skrevet af eqalidan:

hard to argue with the logic there, personally I play whatever I feel like that day, may be drifting/rally/circuit, so I tend to want more all around wheels, I also play with a vr headset as my monitor for games that dont have vr because I cant have a rig with a monitor mounted to it, and there is no space to put the seat in front of the monitor, so my preference is simple but easy to locate things wheels. looking at the site, the only consideration I would consider is the non mini version of the wheel base is 150$ more for 15 advertised (probably a bit stronger than) nm of force.

I really doubt you would need more than 10, most reviews I seen say it feels stronger than mozas 12 and 12 is about the limit of actual physical benefits, clipping benefits are another thing but how much that matters... I say it alot, someone on a controller will be faster than you, practice and hitting things the way you need to hit them matter more than anything else, the wheel just makes it easier to tell.

It's funny you mention that because last night I was thinking that exact same, $150 extra for an extra 5nm which would be nice but then I noticed the two below deals where the 15nM alpha bundle comes out only $35 more, thanks to Simagic's high delivery cost.

1. Simagic.com
10nM Alpha mini base
GT Neo wheel
$95 delivery
3% discount code
total $859.36

2. Simshop.com
15nM Alpha base
GT Neo wheel
FREE delivery
total $891.00

With a difference of $35, I think it's a no brainer to go with the 15nM Alpha deal here instead of the alpha mini deal.

[NeRvEaGeNt UK]

Simagic Alpha or mini

[eqalidan]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Sassanid:

Oprindeligt skrevet af eqalidan:

hard to argue with the logic there, personally I play whatever I feel like that day, may be drifting/rally/circuit, so I tend to want more all around wheels, I also play with a vr headset as my monitor for games that dont have vr because I cant have a rig with a monitor mounted to it, and there is no space to put the seat in front of the monitor, so my preference is simple but easy to locate things wheels. looking at the site, the only consideration I would consider is the non mini version of the wheel base is 150$ more for 15 advertised (probably a bit stronger than) nm of force.

I really doubt you would need more than 10, most reviews I seen say it feels stronger than mozas 12 and 12 is about the limit of actual physical benefits, clipping benefits are another thing but how much that matters... I say it alot, someone on a controller will be faster than you, practice and hitting things the way you need to hit them matter more than anything else, the wheel just makes it easier to tell.

It's funny you mention that because last night I was thinking that exact same, $150 extra for an extra 5nm which would be nice but then I noticed the two below deals where the 15nM alpha bundle comes out only $35 more, thanks to Simagic's high delivery cost.

1. Simagic.com
10nM Alpha mini base
GT Neo wheel
$95 delivery
3% discount code
total $859.36

2. Simshop.com
15nM Alpha base
GT Neo wheel
FREE delivery
total $891.00

With a difference of $35, I think it's a no brainer to go with the 15nM Alpha deal here instead of the alpha mini deal.

its both funny and sad that they do stuff like that. but yea, 35$ is just get the alpha, at 150 it was a toss up and I would lean to getting it, but 35... nah.

Like I understand the people who say get the good thing once and not upgrade to the good thing, I went from a g29 to cammus because of the g29's horrendous software issues. for me this wasn't really an upgrade so much as it was seeing if I even liked sim raceing enough to justify better, the g29 sapped all will to even start games out of me because of the hour+ troubleshooting it usually had to go through each time I wanted to play something.

at this point im willing to buy a 'forever' wheel when it comes time. I think the c5 is strong enough that im not missing out enough force for what I want to do, so I can let it ride till the next 'kingslayer' kind of product hits.

[Sassanid]

So I'm about to order the simagic alpha mini and the GTS wheel which comes to $688 but Simagic wants to charge $145 for shipping!!!!

If anyone knows any other good sources in the US to order an alpha mini with GTS wheel combo, let a brother know. $145 for delivery is ridiculous when you're spending close to $700!!

[MrGrrnjeans]

Sassanid - curious, have you made a choice/purchase?

[MrGrrnjeans]

Oops - just now saw the simagic post. Best wishes 2u brother!

[Sassanid]

Oprindeligt skrevet af MrGrrnjeans:

Oops - just now saw the simagic post. Best wishes 2u brother!

Thank you bro, yes I'm ordering today. Hopefully I can find a good reseller than doesn't charge an arm and a leg for shipping

[Lud1crous]

Oprindeligt skrevet af 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.

fanatec are bust because their gear is crap junk and don't look after their customers where as moza use military grade electronics and all metal connections unlike fanatecs composite plastic that always fails.

[Sassanid]

Quick update. Ended up ordering from simhq.com as they are currently offering a 20% discount if you buy a wheel base with a wheel at the same time. $709 out the door, tax free, free shipping for the simagic alpha mini and GTS wheel. That's the best price I found in the US. Will update once everything arrives and is setup.

Wanted to go with Simshop but they said they can only offer a 5% discount.

[goblueteam]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Sassanid:

Quick update. Ended up ordering from simhq.com as they are currently offering a 20% discount if you buy a wheel base with a wheel at the same time. $709 out the door, tax free, free shipping for the simagic alpha mini and GTS wheel. That's the best price I found in the US. Will update once everything arrives and is setup.

Wanted to go with Simshop but they said they can only offer a 5% discount.

That sounds like a really good deal! Let us know how it turns out, Im sure you will be very happy! I wish I could go buy one too haha,

Ive been wanting to upgrade from my Fanatec CSL DD, it works great still but Im on the old QR system(plastic lite at that) and dont really like all the updates/changes fanatec has done, I still think Fanatec products are fine/good or w/e.

I will say my CSL BMW rim did crack around some screws behind the right paddle shifter(after years) and fanatec never responded but this was also when they were having tons of issues,
I still have used the wheel rim for 6 months+ after the cracking started,
I just put some tape over it lol I do think one day it will break though, I will try to use some epoxy putty to fix it someday.

In general I really want a new wheel but I dont really like the fanatec offerings as much now that there are many more options, and even a rim is a lot of money.
Also I just would like a few more nm of FFB range. I would still say the Fanatec CSL DD 8nm is a really great entry to DD wheels,

but at 700$ shipped I think the simagic alpha mini is probably much better as well you got a really nice rim too, that I am sure is much better than the cheaper CSL fanatec rims.

[lewiswood20585]

Oprindeligt skrevet af 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 :lunar2019piginablanket:

I have a Simagic Alpha. Defiantly recommended.

[MrGrrnjeans]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Sassanid:

Quick update. Ended up ordering from simhq.com as they are currently offering a 20% discount if you buy a wheel base with a wheel at the same time. $709 out the door, tax free, free shipping for the simagic alpha mini and GTS wheel. That's the best price I found in the US. Will update once everything arrives and is setup.

Wanted to go with Simshop but they said they can only offer a 5% discount.

Outstanding! Have fun and update after you have had some time with your new gear.

[lewiswood20585]

Oprindeligt skrevet af MrGrrnjeans:

Oprindeligt skrevet af Sassanid:

Quick update. Ended up ordering from simhq.com as they are currently offering a 20% discount if you buy a wheel base with a wheel at the same time. $709 out the door, tax free, free shipping for the simagic alpha mini and GTS wheel. That's the best price I found in the US. Will update once everything arrives and is setup.

Wanted to go with Simshop but they said they can only offer a 5% discount.

Outstanding! Have fun and update after you have had some time with your new gear.

+1

[Partizan]

Definitely 15Nm - more reserve, less chance of clipping.

[t_stang]

I bought my Alpha from Simshop (Texas), but there's also Apex Sim Racing out of New Jersey that sells a full line of Simagic products. I've had mine for almost a year with no problems and it has far exceeded my expectations.