Thrustmaster T818 Direct Drive Wheelbase Revealed

pai said:

Saw the former, at some points he's blatantly lying, making it beyond obvious that he got paid for that vid. Will watch the latter and see if there is some truth to be found.

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And still no serious reviewers got their hands on a unit nor TM was present at Sim Expo (terrible decision, even Logitech showed up again).

My brand new T-GT2 died few days ago after only 6 months of owning it, my old T300 RS GT was always plagued by disconnecting issues at the power cable proprietary socket and its stock rim is quite mediocre (at least I had got a good discount on the Open Wheel rim) and the TLC-M pedals are not worthy their full price especially since you need to buy aftermarket elastomers to get a decent performance out of them - quite the shitshow.

Tomorrow Simagic Alpha Mini + FX rim will get here. Too little, too late, adios Thrustmaster.

That second review was much better, much more honest, and allows to discern more on what the wheelbase actually is. Pretty clear to me that at this price tag, it has missed the mark, this is simply not worth it to somebody that does not own any TM rim.

pai said:

That second review was much better, much more honest, and allows to discern more on what the wheelbase actually is. Pretty clear to me that at this price tag, it has missed the mark, this is simply not worth it to somebody that does not own any TM rim.

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sorry, posted in the wrong thread, my bad

Perfect timing to do some hands-on testing...

If there's ONE review to rule them all... it's Barry's. And it's coming.

New firmware (ver. 5.20) for the T818 is available at TM website
(see link below):

Official Release notes:

T818: changes made in the new Firmware version of the base [V5.20]

• Fixed a force feedback issue found in previous version V5.18 (the DAMPER slider available in the options of games such as ASSETTO CORSA COMPETIZIONE, F1, and other games, was not functional and generated exaggerated and/or unwanted wobbles on the wheel / SPRING effects were not functional). It’s now solved. After installing the new firmware it may be necessary to adjust the DAMPER slider in the options of these games.

• Fixed the bootloader issue in previous version V5.14. It is now possible to update the firmware.*

* I can confirm that with the latest driver, updating the firmware through Bootloader works.

Sim Racing Garage just released a video review of Moza's HBP Handbrake... and if you look closely, when it gets tested, something familiar comes on screen... for sure Barry's next review.

I've had mine for over a week now and it's a excellent upgrade from my tx wheel base

beef said:

I've had mine for over a week now and it's a excellent upgrade from my tx wheel base

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What games are you playing, and what do you specifically like about it?
Has it allowed you to go faster?

justwannadl said:

What games are you playing, and what do you specifically like about it?
Has it allowed you to go faster?

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I've been using the T818 for 2 weeks now and I am positively impressed (that's coming from a TS-PC). So far I've done a couple of races (plus training hours) in RD's Multiclass events on Assetto Corsa and I am very, very happy with what this wheelbase can do. I have yet to try it in other sims I have (ACC, RF2, RR and AMS2) but I can report that it does work with LFS. Yet it doesn't get recognised in City Car Driving...

What the T818 has given me over the TS-PC is more confidence, by providing more detailed information about the track's conditions and the behaviour of my car (grip, tyres, weight transfer) at a much faster rate. This has allowed me to push the limit to which I exert the car on track, which has translated into improved lap consistency and extra tenths of a second. So yes, this wheel has made me a bit faster, because it communicates more and it does it swiftly, and luckily I have been able to profit from these features, so my investment on the T818 is paying off. I'm currently using it at constant 7nm on Performance mode and that's enough to give my forearms a good workout on a 2.5 hour stint.

It is a proper DD wheel that fits right in the bracket of the Moza R9 and the CSL-DD and if you already have TM wheel-rims then I think this is a no-brainer as a DD upgrade since, in such case, it has more value-for-money. I do think it is apalling TM does not include either a desk or rig mount with it (you have to buy what you need separately) but that's typical TM. I can definitely recommend the rig-baseplate instead of just drilling holes to make the T818 fit on your cockpit (it's not a standard size), since this provides a broader contact area and more screws (8 instead of 4) to share the FFB load. And it packs a punch! Also, the bottom of that rig-baseplate is VERY sticky so my wheelbase is now "glued" to the rig-plate, and so much I had to re-tighten all other screws on the rig to ensure rigidity haha!

I think the T818 is a proper, solid DD wheel. Of course, we still have to wait for the most important test... the test of time... and Barry's review, of course...

I can forgo Barry's review; your detailed review is enough to convince me to purchase this!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I've been considering a TS-PC racer as an interim upgrade, but will surely wait for the T818, instead.

justwannadl said:

I can forgo Barry's review; your detailed review is enough to convince me to purchase this!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I've been considering a TS-PC racer as an interim upgrade, but will surely wait for the T818, instead.

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Thank you for the compliment... happy to be of help!

My wheel-journey has been quite varied as I've had a bit of everything from Logitech (Formula GP, MOMO Racing, G25) and Thrustmaster (T300, TS-PC, T818) through the decades. I was very happy with the TS-PC as that thing is relatively strong and delivers quite good FFB, and it pairs well with my TLCM pedals and several wheel-rims. I saw DD wheels more as an expense rather than an investment, until the CSL-DD broke the price barrier, yet still had no theoretical reason to switch. But then I tried a DD1 at Racesquare a few times this summer (it was tuned down but still) and started to notice differences to the belt-driven wheel I had. Differences I thought were worth considering: mostly the amount of detail, the smoothness and the speed at which the FFB was delivered. Imola on a GT3 in AC felt like a much more complex track with a DD wheel and my laptimes had improved. That ought to change my mind.

So I pondered jumping ship but Fanatec was out of stock on the CSL-DDs and, as I was researching Moza's R9, the announcement of the T818 reveal date came out. Now, I was not really on a rush and as I own several wheel-rims from Thrustmaster already, the fact that it would be compatible with all my gear convinced me to have a bit of patience and wait for november, when all the specs and price would finally be revealed. I was expecting a tag of €575 (a nice Ferrari number) so the final price was not a bomb to me. I knew if I jumped ship to another ecosystem I could/would not just stop at the wheelbase, and that delivered very different costs on the long run, in comparison. That played a very important role in my choice as well, of course.

But again, the most important test is the test of time so I'll keep reporting my experiences with the T818 in this thread through the coming months... not every week of course, haha! Hopefully all other T818 owners can do the same. Cheers!

Dzul said:

I've been using the T818 for 2 weeks now and I am positively impressed (that's coming from a TS-PC). So far I've done a couple of races (plus training hours) in RD's Multiclass...

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You forgot the affiliate link!

Just kiddin Good to hear that you're enjoying your new wheelbase. For someone in the TM eco system it is a good choice. Few years too late for me but more competitors are good for all of us.

Good race and have fun!

Great feedback... unless we find out that your real full name is Dzul Thrustmaster...

Now seriously... I like that your comments are from a person who comes from using more or less accessible products and compares the T818 with them; sometimes I get the impression that many testers publish opinions influenced (wanting or not) by higher-end products than they are used to, which would not be a fair comparison.

Although the latter cannot be applied in the case of Barry Rowland; despite having tried all kinds of sim delicatessen, he seems to always review the products taking into account the price, the target market, etc... It's a Legend.

Ladies and gentlemen... we got 'm.... I still have to watch it, but here it is... Barry's review of the T818:

After Barry's review I'm sold. Now I have to find a way to buy it in Greece, as TM is not shipping to Greece through their website

It seems like Barry's review is pretty positive. It seems like his biggest grip is with the flex in the old wheels (rather than the new Quick Release itself). Personally I am really happy with my T818, it feels like a big upgrade from my TSXW. Just a shame that it isn't Console Compatible, but then I don't really play on Console much since getting a PC for VR.

Dzul said:

Ladies and gentlemen... we got 'm.... I still have to watch it, but here it is... Barry's review of the T818:

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I didn't know him well, I think I had watched one or 2 videos years ago. I must admit he makes really complete and fair reviews, it is high quality content there!

Something made me think about the manufacturer's honesty xhen sending their products to reviewers. As always with a reviewer, I've watched reviews of 2.products I had owned and opened (to try to repair them), to understand his way of reviewing and be able to judge products I don't know with his reviews.

I was absolutely surprised when he opened the wheel and the H shifter, the inside of both products was clean and he felt confident in terms of building quality. I had open the same hardware in the past, and several of the same 2 models, and the building quality had nothing to do : glue everywhere, it felt cheap and I wasn't surprised a new product, replacing the first defective one under warranty), was immediatly faulty (I had to ask for another one under warranty, no discussion, no need to send back the faulty product, obviously this was a common issue well known by the manufacturer).

So I wonder whether the manufacturers send "special versions" of the equipment they send to reviewers, which would make these reviews partially inaccurate. I would not be surprised but it is quiet obvious in what I saw.
To be fair about this specific review, he stated during the video that the wheel was known to be said long lasting product by some users and piece of garbage bu others ; he had done his homework and, by stating this, he made the warning.

roadyroad said:

I didn't know him well, I think I had watched one or 2 videos years ago. I must admit he makes really complete and fair reviews, it is high quality content there!

Something made me think about the manufacturer's honesty xhen sending their products to reviewers. As always with a reviewer, I've watched reviews of 2.products I had owned and opened (to try to repair them), to understand his way of reviewing and be able to judge products I don't know with his reviews.

I was absolutely surprised when he opened the wheel and the H shifter, the inside of both products was clean and he felt confident in terms of building quality. I had open the same hardware in the past, and several of the same 2 models, and the building quality had nothing to do : glue everywhere, it felt cheap and I wasn't surprised a new product, replacing the first defective one under warranty), was immediatly faulty (I had to ask for another one under warranty, no discussion, no need to send back the faulty product, obviously this was a common issue well known by the manufacturer).

So I wonder whether the manufacturers send "special versions" of the equipment they send to reviewers, which would make these reviews partially inaccurate. I would not be surprised but it is quiet obvious in what I saw.
To be fair about this specific review, he stated during the video that the wheel was known to be said long lasting product by some users and piece of garbage bu others ; he had done his homework and, by stating this, he made the warning.

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I guess we will never really know. Sometimes they do say they are reviewing a pre-production version, and that things will be changed or fixed in the final version. I am sure all manufacturers want to make a good impression, and maybe they take a little more time over a unit they know will be sent to a reviewer. Its a bit like a food critic visiting a restaurant. Do we get the exact same level of service as the food critic? Probably not

But I have never had any faults with my Thrustmaster equipment over more than 10 years. I can say that I am pleased with my T818, and I am equally sure I could have got something better if I had decided to sell everything and start over with a different eco-system. But I didn't really want to do that. So I am happy with that compromise.

roadyroad said:

So I wonder whether the manufacturers send "special versions" of the equipment they send to reviewers, which would make these reviews partially inaccurate. I would not be surprised but it is quiet obvious in what I saw.
To be fair about this specific review, he stated during the video that the wheel was known to be said long lasting product by some users and piece of garbage bu others ; he had done his homework and, by stating this, he made the warning.

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Fair points. I've always wondered the same... Barry posted the arrival of his T818 on december the 30th. which would indicate it's part of the "first batch". Mind that he's in the US so a week later than expected (mine arrived just before Xmas) would make sense... although TM said they won't be shipping across the pond until march, Barry is clearly an exception so I can imagine that TM at least triple-checked the unit they sent him for review.