Esports – What equipment to get started? 2/4

There are different types of steering wheels, pedals, gearboxes, handbrakes, chassis, button boxes, etc. Small presentation by budget and by type of player (from beginner to pro), without forgetting the notion of size as well as the sites where you can find what you're looking for. Episode 2, choices for larger budgets.

What we are going to offer you in this second category is more than enough to really have a blast… and perform well! You will be able to evolve your configuration over time, which is not negligible.

by Laurent DEHEPPE

Part 1: Low budget

Part 2: Average budget

Part 3: High Budget

Part 4: XXL budget

flying

Thrustmaster T300RS GT edition with 3 pedal crankset. approx. €370 (PC, PS4)

The T300 from Thrustmaster is the assurance of having something good. The driving feeling is very good, the pedal set (that of the T-GT) is very correct. This steering wheel benefits from the entire Thrustmaster ecosystem. So you can change the wheels (F1, GT, Rally). It is compatible with PS4/PC and also PC/One (in TMX version). Before we get down to business, this is a great place to start.

Most :

Good driving feeling

Attaches easily to a desk

Accepts all wheels and cranksets in the range

Cons:

He's not very young!

sometimes noisy

Where to buy it: thrustmaster.com, Fnac, Micromania, certain supermarkets

The alternative

Fanatec CSL Elite Starter Kit. approx. 570€ with 2 pedals (PC, PS4)

Certainly, it's €200 more than the Thrustmaster set, but it's also a more efficient steering wheel/pedal set. Indeed, at Fanatec, all steering wheels have “preset” buttons (5 in number) on which it is possible to act. Directly from the steering wheel you can change the rotation angle, force feedback intensity and many other parameters.

Either way, this means you can preset your steering wheel to 5 different games. Position 1: Dirt Rally, position 2: GT Sport, etc. You can of course vary the settings while playing. We immediately understand the price difference with the T300.

Most :

Excellent driving feeling

5 presets for 5 different games

Accepts all brand wheels and cranksets

Cons:

A little expensive

Where to buy it: Only on the site fanatec.com (don't worry, it's safe! UPS delivery)

Chassis

JCL Seat static. approx. from 550 to 1€ depending on the configuration (without the seat) 

There, we are on a chassis made of aluminum profiles. Which means that it is possible to do absolutely anything you want. The other big strong point is the rigidity of the whole thing. Absolutely any steering wheel/pedal assembly can be installed on this type of chassis, even the most technologically advanced steering wheels.

Most :

Rigidity

Accepts all types of steering wheel

All settings and configurations are possible

Cons:

Bulky

Two people move it!

Where to buy it: jcl-simracing.com

The alternative

PlaySeat Sensation Pro approx. €1 with seat

This time, it's a tubular steel frame. It has the same characteristics as an aluminum profile chassis – apart from a few details – but not the same look! It also accepts any steering wheel/pedal assembly, even Direct Drive.

Most :

The style

Rigidity

Accepts all types of steering wheel

Cons:

Bulky

We move it together

A little less modular than an aluminum profile chassis