Have Your Say - What’s Your Next Major Sim Racing Purchase?

Next Major Sim Hardware Purchase 01.jpg
Continuing our Have Your Say series, today we want to know what you plan to buy for your next major sim racing purchase.

Sim racing is an ever-evolving hobby. The best hardware or software in your price range from today may be eclipsed by something newer or better next year. Those of us with a bit of extra money to spend on our hobby are always on the lookout for ways to improve our immersion and enjoyment.

With Black Friday sales right around the corner, many of us in the sim community are plotting our next big buy. We want to know in the comments below what yours will be. For some of you it might be a game you’ve been waiting for a sale on. For others it might be upgrading to a direct drive wheel or a load cell brake pedal. Or maybe you’ve finally saved enough money to buy that motion setup.

Often the buildup to a big purchase is as exciting as clicking the “Buy Now” button itself. Researching a specific type of hardware and learning which brands and products stand out in their respective field, for example, adds to the excitement of adding it to your rig. If you’re at that stage, or still early in the research process, let us know in the comments below. And if you see someone looking for feedback on a product you already own, be sure to help them out by sharing your own experiences with it.
About author
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

Comments

I have the GT omega pro, although just checking on heir website it looks like they don't make it anymore. While it doesn't fold up it does brake in half for easy storage in a toilet. The rig does make a difference. I think you should have one in your budget if you plan on upgrading past the G920.

View attachment 514915
This is the best Rig-post I have ever seen :D
 
I'd like to replace my RX 580 card with something newer but with those prices.. I have put my money on the CSL DD and it was definitely a wiser choice. The difference in driving experience between the T500RS and the CLS DD is significant. With a newer graphics card I would get more bling but nothing substantially better.
 
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My sim's been 95% "complete" for the past year, so the only thing I've been looking at is a Pro Sim H shifter to replace my Fanatec Clubsport shifter.
 
Depending which breaks first either a gpu or monitor. Would really like to update my gpu but the prices don't make sense as my old gpu is just fine for now. That being said my current monitor is 1080p so updating monitor to more pixels would need updating gpu as well because my ancient gtx970 can't really push out any more pixels...
 
Premium
If everything goes as planned...

Desk mount triple monitor stand
2 more 27" monitors

I need to be able to see while having a proper FOV.
 
New wheel and pedals. My G25 is unbreakable but I need more. Would love the CSL DD but it isn't suitable for PC/PS4. Hoping Thrustmaster will be announcing a DD with PC/PS support. In the meantime have been trying to find a CSL Elite that someone isn't aasking a billion $$ for. Just putting together the GTR simulator so need that wheel set.
 
a rig, but not sure which, probably wont be GTOmega unfortunately because of brexit with crazy taxes for the package to get in france
 
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Probably a better rig. I made quite a few bigger sim racing purchases this year (used Fanatec CSW 2.5 wheelbase and F1 Esports, and recently bought the CSL Elite WRC rim and a Thrustmaster TH8A (along with a Lowdown Shifter mounting system for the TH8A on the rig, but I'm still waiting for it to arrive). But all mounted to a Playseat Challenge...
Been thinking about the NLR F-GT/GT Lite, but I don't know how much of an upgrade they'd actually be compared to the Playseat Challenge, and the type of rig I really need doesn't seem to exist (something more solid than those rigs, but still compact/foldable). My main issue is a lack of space.

I upgraded last year from a Playseat Challenge to a NLR F-GT rig and I can confirm it makes a positive difference in rigidity, stability and getting a sore back after long stints. :thumbsup: Yes, you may not be able to stow it away but the space it takes is virtually the same, that was one of the reasons why I chose this particular model from NLR, next to the 2 sitting positions option. On that rig I have a TS-PC wheel with T-LCM pedals and I have no flex whatsoever when in use. Yes, some say (no not the Stig) that in NLR rigs you can "see" a bit of flex but truth is, if you don't "feel" it there's no bother, which is my case. I guess for your CSW 2.5 it would be the same. :coffee: Cheers!
 
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The Ferrari SF1000 wheel IF Thrustmaster announces a DD wheel thats compatible with the PS4 too
 
I need a new cockpit and am rooting with a dof reality h3. I have everything else to run a VR rig, but some my last basic platform when I moved. So hard to part with that much money, yet it goes up a cookie hundred dollars every time I outside to think about it. Almost makes me think I should invest since I can sell later for a bit of a profit if needed.

Help me rationalize...
 
Taking a deep breath and not looking at how much it would cost me,,

Moving from my current playseat evolution with TSPC wheel and CSL GEN1 non load cell Pedals to...

DOF Reality seat mover on 8020 DIY rig
Simagic alpha mini with fanatec v3 pedals
 

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What's needed for simracing in 2024?

  • More games, period

  • Better graphics/visuals

  • Advanced physics and handling

  • More cars and tracks

  • AI improvements

  • AI engineering

  • Cross-platform play

  • New game Modes

  • Other, post your idea


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