Thrustmaster T818 Review: The Pros and Cons of an Elite Racing Wheel
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- #simracing #simracinghardware
Here is my review of the Thrustmaster T818 direct drive wheelbase for PC. This is Thrustmaster's first entry in the DD space, and it is an impressive piece of sim racing hardware with only a couple of obvious shortcomings
.🕐 CHAPTERS 🕐
0:00 Intro
0:24 Thrustmaster T818 Overview
1:49 Features and Specs
8:38 Thrustmaster Tuning Software
11:19 In-Game Testing
17:57 Good, Neutral and Bad
28:55 Final Thoughts
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Using a t818 myself for a couple of months now, I mostly agree with your review. Only thing I see differently is the topic of software, I personally love the fact that there is no real software needed, more or less just a driver. Imho the settings for strength and the 4 profiles are enough to set up in terms of FFB, everything else I think the sim/game should take care of. And I am happy to not have to run another software. But that's all a matter of taste in the end ofc. : )
I agree with you on the software topic. In my opinion, it's totally better for a beginner/intermediate person than all the finely granular sliders you can find in things like Simucube; no one has time or wants to learn what each settings does, they just want to hop into the software, maybe adjust a thing or two & play a game right after that while letting the software figure out the rest. I've seen a bunch of people complain about this but it makes 100% sense to me & it's much better than the finely detailed software other DD manufacturers provide
Great review as always! Couldn't agree more, I've had my T818 for a few weeks now and aside from the annoyance of having to buy the mounting plate separately, I absolutely love this wheel base! Glad I chose it over the csl dd. Anyone coming from the Thrustmaster ecosystem will love this thing!
I loved my TS-PC, I still think it was the best belt drive unit available and TM's eco system is wallet friendly with decent mods to elevate tactile feedback in a few key areas. I would've liked to have tried this out but I ended up with the CSL DD. I'm very pleased with it but it looks like Thrustmaster have another classic for their fans. Enjoy
Refreshingly simple driver control panel. Could never understand why so many manufacturers have ones that look like you'd need a degree just to understand all the options. Currently running a Fanatec CSW v2 but will no doubt upgrade to a direct drive base at some point.
Excellent review, I echo every statement you made. Had my T818 since your first impression video and have been extremely happy with it. I think your videos come off very non-biased and informative, and that's why I tune in!!
Great review! Also appreciate the heads up about the recommended settings from TM. I’ve had my wheelbase for a month and have been blindly tweaking game settings.
Good review and as usual, your honest comments. God bless and race on 👍😎🏁
Thanks so much! God bless
With a Sparco 383 wheel on a T300 Base I guess I'm the right person for this base. Thanks for the detailed and honest review. I'm looking forward to get one.
Agree with u on the looks dept, it certainly looks alot better then the competition. Moza R21 looks good too!
Thanks Mike, I've had my 818 for two months, I bought as I was into thrustmaster with three wheel rims. As a firstime DD buyer I was unable to compare so to hear a balanced review was very helpful. I'm very happy with it so far. I'm not an E RACER and on a budget. The software is the only disappointment but I'm hopeful it may be addressed in the future. I drilled my rig using the template so it sits very steady.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I think you’ll be happy with it for a long time
Edit - Meanwhile got in contact with TM and was helped very correctly. They've fixed my T818 so I expect to receive it back soon.
They told me the issue I had only happend to a few T818's.
---------------------------
Just a small headsup - after 4 months mine already died. I switched a wheel using the quickrelease and from that moment the T818 didn't recognize any of my wheels anymore. Meanwhile that happened to several other people. Apparently a power spike or something somehow fried the pcba while attaching the wheel.
I don't know if I and the other people who had this were just unlucky with a poorly made T818 or if it's a horrible design fault and we'll see this issue happening on a much bigger scale.
I had to ship my T818 back to Thrustmaster to get it fixed so it will be a couple of weeks before I have mine back. What bothers me more is that TM support won't respond to my question what causes this and if they found the issue or that I have to be really nervous each time I swap my wheel. I only got a standard RMA procedure as a reply, ignoring my questions.
And ofcourse my T818 got somewhere lost in France with the postal service, it should have been delivered at Thrustmaster 4 days ago already. I wish TM would have sent me a new T818 as soon as I shipped mine back so I don't have to deal with all this nonsense.
Oh, that’s brutal. I hope they get that sorted ASAP. That’s a major issue
@@SimRacing604 Yes, especially since more people have exactly the same issue this is quite worrying. Until TM states what the issue is and that it won't happen again after they replaced the pcba I can't recommend to buy the T818 until more is known about this issue - despite how much I love this wheelbase itself. The ffb is tremendous.
That’s quite concerning
That's TM for you, I've had 3 products from them and all had issues within a month from purchase...returned them and gave up sim racing altogether...
@@TheBadBone23 meanwhile there are 10 y old Logitech wheels still working
Great review :) I have TS PC and I ser two things: 1 - why is it so big - it complicates mounting screen close or add any HUD screen. 2 - TM is good in these details of FFB. I was sure I have motors in my rim but it is just the FFB from the base!
Hey Mike really awesome video thanks so much! Can you tell me, im deciding on a DD wheel how does this T818 compare to the mozar21? As far as detail goes how do they compare and is the power that much more realized in the r21 or does the T818 punch above its weight? Thanks so much!
If it was ps5 compatible I would already own it. I have a lot off trustmaster, so a good ecosystem you can use all your stuff. Wanted to bye fanatec last year, but nothing was in stock. And it would be expensive to buy everything back. I'll wait till they fix the issues with mounting and compatible with consoles
Good day, Mike!
I know that you may have been asked many times before. But I would like to know how does the Thrustmaster TGT 2 compared to the T248 with both came with stock pedals? Or should I scrap the belt driven wheels and opt for Fanatec's GT DD Pro instead?
I'm currently using the T248 and considering an upgrade in the future.
P.S.: Great review on the T818! Informative as always.
Great review thumps up
Mounting setup comes included in the Ferrari bundle.
But looks different then what you show in the video. All hardware included to mount o your rig...plus optional 2 heavy mounting brackets for desk mount
Quick release is excellent.
Flex between wheel and base that I had read about it is no difference then my real world Jaguar x100 I drive. ..actually less.
Nothing artificial about the road feel .
@100% in performance mode.
Software is an ridiculous. I mean I guarantee you will say wtf at least once. Smh
Extremely happy with the purchase. So happy I held off so long!
Hi Mike. Love the vid. How would you compare and rate the FFB of this vs the Logitech g pro?
Excellent review - Thanks! It seems the bottom line is the FFB is great - But with compromises being made in the materials, the software
and the mounting, you'd expect a trade-off with a far more competitive price-point, especially as an entrant into the DD market. Inflation
makes judging value harder ATM, but minimal control software and a questionable mounting system are hard to overlook, or forgive.
The plastic is of such a hard type that it's practically impossible to see a difference with metal. Plastic sounds so.. cheap and plastic, but the base itself is really very sturdy build. The only thing that is noticably plastic is the top part of the quickrelease which you open and close when inserting a wheel - that part does feel cheap and squeeks a bit when closing the quickrelease.
The base.. yeah seeing the amount of complaints, they should have used a more standard layout. Even with the addon baseplate I had to drill 2 holes.
More customisation options in the software would be very nice, but to be really honest - it makes the setup dead easy and I can tweak most things I want in the sims so I haven't really missed any extra settings. But still hopefully they'll improve the software, adding more setup options.
The FFB is really phenomenal. Since my T818 broke and is now in RMA, I installed my TS-PC again and while I loved the TS-PC when I used that for a couple of years, only now I realize how much ffb details and force is missing compared with a DD base.
I imagine most people would prefer a metal case, but once it's in place, it's not that important and easy to overlook. Perhaps the design choice came down to hexagonal plastic or 'shipping container' metal, with hexagonal metal just being too costly? Also I imagine plastic is a bit cheaper to ship.
Thanks for all the extra details. Fingers crossed TM will checkout Mike's review, see your comments and rush to make ammends.
@@cafepuschkin3955 I would have preferred a metal case too but especially the quickrelease part is made of almost metal-like plastic and is very sturdy so I think people get a wrong idea when they hear the word plastic :)
And thank you, I hope so too! :)
As an SF1000 owner should I go for it or switch eco systems. Was thinking Leoxz and CSL DD otherwise
What are your AC setting that works well for this wheel. Im getting strong oscilations that i cant dial out
What if the shifters and sim hub I have on my tgt? Or do we have to run usb to the pc
Great review Mike. I love my T818, but I have to agree paying extra just to be able to mount it to your rig or your desk is a total rip off.
Weren't Simagic the 1st to offer the NRG style quick release, only for Moza to copy them?
I was just thinking the same. NRG quick Release has been on Simagic Since 2019
yes but most reviewers are Simagic snobs . guess they don’t send stuff out for free . Moza are the kings of marketing of the new players for sure .
I think the issue with mounting hole arrangement is. The 818 has a smaller foot print then any thing they offer so the had to make a new mounting pattern for this base. You have to start somewhere in that situation and unfortunately until mounting plates start offering a pattern on their plates for this new thrustmaster pattern the bolt on mounting plate was the only real option at the point until rig plates get updated. I just wish they would have added in with the 818.
Hopefully they release a higher end pedal set and a new stick shifter
When is it gonna be available in Canada?
Imagine walking into a shop and buying a t818 for ps5 , can't wait for the day .
Hi Mike, i am just about getting one to my Birthday soon :D Do you know where to find settings recommendations for sims like AC, rF2, AMS2, R3E, LMU, EA WRC ?? Btw. Great Video :)
You’re in luck! Thrustmaster is one of the few manufacturers who supports their wheel by sharing presets. You can find them here: support.thrustmaster.com/en/product/t818-en/
@@SimRacing604 yeah thx, so you have tested in your video with thrust master settings? Just asking because I have read negatives about them (too strong etc.)
Eventually they updated them.
Still up in the air on the T818. Can't find one in Canada, and not sure about all the plastic. Been looking at the Moza R9 now.
In Canada as well. What did you decide and from where if you don’t mind me asking.
I Just bought the Ferrari T818+SF1000 Edition and that version come with the Mounting plate for a Sim Rig, not exactly the same than the one they sell separatly but it align correctly with an existing Rig. I have the same taught as you on this why did they just dont make it align correctly directly on the wheelbase in first place.
Yeah, I don’t know what they were thinking?
I dont want a Thrustmaster thats PC only but it could be interesting to see how a console TH DD version will do compared to the Fanatec DD Pro. By then i will probably have so much fanatec stuff and rims it could be difficult getting out of the Fanatec echo system, i hope TH doesnt wait to long releasing theyre console DD.
I want a thrustmaster DD but I play on pc and ps5... I would have bought a t818 at release but I'm afraid their answer for console is going to be a different wheel base with less power.
I would buy one today if they said they'd have a firmware update for console compatibility so I guess I'll wait
Big question, it seems that the handbrake or shifters aren’t compatible with this servo, completely different female plug???
I think they had released a new shifter that is compatible with this wheelbase
When it comes to Console I will get one I heard they working on a adaptor to allow it to work on consoles once they do ill get one
Can you please compare this to the r12?
I wonder if console compatibility will come via firmware update or an entirely new unit?
Most probably new unit, especially for PS as they normally have a security chip in the wheel base. Whereas Xbox has that in the steering wheel, so maybe for Xbox you can get a compatible steering wheel in the future.
How does it compare to the Logitech G Pro in terms of feel and ffb?
I have the same question
The plastic is more a auper strong resin, extremely strong and not at all an issue. Once mounted and using it I dont even notice at all ! This is an amazing base IMO , smooth as butter and the FFB is more than anyone could ever need . As for the bottom mount , what is so hard about drilling a few holes? Anyway this is a great DD and I couldn't be happier !
Will the stock wheel from a T500RS fit on this?
Yes
FINALLY!!!
If and when my two T300s fail eh! Not available in Canada yet eh :)
Will they ever release one compatible with ps5. Sick of waiting
Hi Mike this is off topic. I am very new to pc gaming and I just got one downloaded Assetto Corsa but I can’t get it to open. Any help would be appreciated thanks.
It’s a very tough question to answer without all of the details. What I would suggest is visiting the Assetto Corsa / Kunos forums. It’s a great community of friendly people, and I’m sure you could get the help you need there
@@SimRacing604 thanks I’ll check it out
Purchased this wheel, 2 days after it arrived I set it up, didn't go smooth but got there. 2 days maybe 10 hours max iracing (MX5) wheel started grinding with resistance, screeches and feels nasty, something has broken inside, I'm an engineer I've not taken it apart warranty and all but it seems a magnet or something similar has become detached inside. For £600+ I expected 2 years, not 2 days. I await TM response
Nice review, Mike. As a T500 owner, I go way back with TM. But the non compatibility with PS5 & strange quick release is what pushed me away. Hopefully MOZA gets PS5 support soon.
Thanks Isaac!
Good to know I made a good decision 😅
as a beginner in sim racing, can i go wrong with this ?
Not really. You’ll be locked to a limited selection of wheels, but it’s a good overall choice
I think the only downside is the price and the mounting, the R12 costs 580 which is 70$ less than the T818, and if you include the mounting bracket then it comes up to 100$ which deems the T818 as a bad deal
I've just got mine setup, whilst the feedback is great. God my thrustmaster sparco wheel doesn't half creak about under load. I have the adapter on as tight as it goes. Really not impressed
Complete bundle ~ $1150+ship+tax = $1200+...ummm ok. My R5 = $560 total. BTW...why is tThrustmaster website POS? I can't even configure a bundle and put in cart???
The R5 has 5.5Nm, the T818 10Nm. R5 base is 399 euro, T818 base is 650 euro. The R5 is good value for money, but you can't compare it with the T818. I had the R5 before I bought the T818.
Brilliant review - Totally agree with everything 👍👍. I purchased the desk mounting kit with mine - it seems like Thrustmaster are all about the money, and how much they can screw out of you. Building the entire thing out of plastic, having mounting holes on the wheel base that are totally useless, unless of cause your willing to drill your wheel deck 😮 - your arm is up your back to purchase additional item(s) in order to mount this thing. I get that due to the size and shape of the T818, that mounting holes in the wheel base could be an issue, so why not supply the mounting kit with the wheel base?!?! - shame on you thrustmaster. The software issues is nothing short of a joke. You pay top Money for an item like this to be given the basic of the basic software - again, its all about thrustmaster screwing the consumer for all we're with - seems like they've gave up.......and just for the record i still prefer my ts-xw because of the very reason. 👍
TS-XW like the TS-PC king of the belt drives IMO, not sure how much the T818 is but I thought Logitech's new DD unit to much plastic for the asking price. I upgraded to a CSL DD 8Nm with a WRC wheel (cos it felt closest to my treasured TM F 488 Challenge wheel) I'm very happy with it but for me the main difference between belt and direct drive is the DD responds instantly. I appreciated the simplicity of TM's software, but at least there's a bit more choice now, and a DD unit is now in reach for many more people.
4 years ago this DD base would be a great value. Right now? With all the competition in a budget DD? Call me unimpressed.
Thrustmaster late to the party. As always.
I feel somewhat the same, but I will give them credit for (eventually) delivering a great entry into the mid-range DD market
Not sure why someone would invest in this hardware over other options in the market. The MSRP is abit outrageous for what we get and the value proposition is basically non existant. Thanks for the review Mike. May more peace be upon us.
The windows 95 lookin software windows are a no go for me in 2023 lmao
Agreed, but when it’s such a minor part of the experience and still useable, it’s certainly not a deal-breaker.
Forgert The T818 Logitech G PRO is So much better feeling & BTW they are working on Rally GT3 & F1 Rims For the Pro Logitech is Listening 100%
Thrustmasters locking screw design is just plain stupid. I hate it it literally destroys your equipment 😂