[youtube]http://youtu.be/PolMv5B0IEg[/youtube]
Welcome to my review of the Thrustmaster TX 458 Italia Racing wheel and pedal set. You may have seen our un-boxing video and some of the test drives we’ve done with it, but now it’s time to review this new offering from Thrustmaster.
When we reviewed the Ferrari F430 wheel by Thrustmaster many years ago, our biggest complaint was it having only 270 degrees of rotation. It also lacked compatibility with the consoles. They did make it compatible with the PS3 eventually, but with limited support from game titles.
Then came the T500… The top of the line model in the Thrustmaster line up. 1080 degrees of rotation, a pedal set with a clutch, GT5 compatibility and a wheel that performed as well as ones priced much higher.
Now comes the TX One and here’s some of the specs.
900 degrees of rotation, brushless force feedback motors, belt driven mechanism, Xbox one and PC compatibility. It’s a modular system that they refer to as Eco where you can use the add-on GTE and F1 rims that Thrusmaster made originally for the T500. It comes with a two pedal set that is very similar to it’s older cousins, the F430. Matter of fact ,These are almost identical to the set that came with that package.
So.. Does this wheel compare to the competition in its price range?? Is it as good as T500 ?? Hopefully you’ll know after checking out this review.
How it feels on the PC – I’ve tried it with Assetto Corsa, Game StockCar 2013, iRacing and rFactor 2 and I honestly can’t tell the difference between it and the T500 once I have things dialed in when running the GTE or F1 rims. It seems you have to crank the force feedback up a tad more compared to the T500 if you want a heavy feel, but they really feel similar while driving. The only real difference is that the T500 may have a little more dampening than the TX. Less rolling or moving resistance is a good way to put it. I’d actually say the TX may be quicker turning than the T500.
The base is smaller, which makes it easier to attach to a rig, wheel stand or desk. The lighter weight also puts less of a load on your sim chassis.
On the console, obviously I’ve only tried it with Forza 5, but have to say, It’s probably the best sim racing experience I’ve had on the console. Great force feedback matched up with Forza 5’s new tire model actually makes it a better experience than some things I’ve tried on the PC recently. Doesn’t match up to iRacing or rFactor 2. But compared to say Sim Bins DTM Experience on the PC, I’d prefer to run Forza 5 with it.
Comparing it to the Xbox 360 offerings and Forza 4.. There really is a huge gap from that driving experience to this one.
So.. There’s some specs and opinion, now it’s time for some Pros and cons and to give you my final thoughts.
Pros:
PC / Xbox One compatible
Smooth turning
Strong FFB
Compatible with GTE and F1 Rims and unoffically the T500 pedal set works too
Smaller base than T500. More practical
Comes into the market as a wheel to compete against the G27 / Fanatec CSR
Same hard mount points as T500
No External Power Supply
1028 Steps or bits of movement in the pedal set while attached to the wheel.
Big pedal face on brake (actually installed it on my T3PA pedals)
Cons
Stock 458 rim feels cheap and small (but does the job)
No clutch (but a 458 doesn’t have one and you can get the T3PA pedals)
Only compatible with Xbox One and PC – . Would have been great to use this on the PS3 as well, but that’s a licensing issue Im sure.
Pedals could have been better with some progression on the brake. I could live without a clutch, but really like a progressive brake.
Final thoughts.. Would like to see this base sold alone. No rim. Then you could buy add ons and keep it affordable, and get exactly what you want.
Also would have liked to have at least seen a progressive brake for this price point. The pedals would bring the overall score of this package down. The wheel , with a GTE or F1 rim, would get close to a 10.. With the 458 stock wheel.. A 9.. The pedals.. Are maybe a 7 at best. No clutch, and no progressive brake.
As a package, I’d give this an 8 since you can add on or upgrade it. With the T3PA pedals, I’d give it a solid 9.
In closing.. This is my wheel of choice right now. Smooth, precise force feedback, quick turning mechanism, smaller base. I love this wheel. I have it on my big racing rig and am using it on the Xbox One.
That’s going to wrap things up, I hope you’ve enjoyed this review. Would love to hear your comments if you own one of these.
Just because of this review i am now adding this to my list of “must buy” sim racing products
Is this a review of the “TX Racing Wheel Ferrari 458 Italia” or a different wheel called “TX One Racing Wheel Ferrari 458 Italia” just curious. Is this the same wheel? I like the review and am looking at getting a new wheel.
It’s the same one.
As a CSR Elite owner I would really like to Know what “new” technology this wheel possess that OUR expensive (now Xbox360 only) hardware doesn’t do?
Obviously you like it,, but other than fleecing their customers, what OTHER reason is there for this so-called “New” protocol?
You seem to think it is comparable to your t500 which uses the old FF protocol So, be honest, other than being a good ff wheel does it do anything different ?
Um.. It’s a Force feedback racing wheel and the only one available for the XBox One. What else is it supposed to do ? I tried to drive my real car with it, didn’t work.
Obviously you are a disgruntled Fanatec customer. Maybe you should get with Fanatec and ask them why it doesn’t work..
I only asked if there was a better FF experience to justify Everyone (including Microsoft wheel owners)having to purchase all new equiptment for what is basically a PC in a console suit..
We all know you are anti_Fanatec, Darin but
realy?
Just a smartass remark?
I replied to your smart ass comment.. I’m not at all “anti Fanatec” and if you look at our last two reviews, you’ll see that..It’s not my prefered equipment, but I’m not against it. You’re obviously “anti Darin Gangi” and I’m not going to tolerate BS comments like yours at my site without replying. You know where you can go to bash me, so move on.. This was a review of a wheel, not the XBox one.
what??
what was smartass about my question?
It’s a question tons of Xbox360 owners have asked ALL over the net and nobody can seem to explain the difference/improvement of the new hardware over the old..
BS comments?
anti-Darin?? huh?
jeesh,, bite my head off..
why TX _ONE_ ? I think this is not the name when the product was officially presented and for sure this is not the commercial name here in Europe: is there going to be a TX2 soon then?
One probably relates to XBox One
Bought this wheel from the states at the end of last year (I’m in Aus) so I could play Forza properly. I have to say, its a great wheel. I actually like the feel of the standard wheel but I wish the package came with 3 pedals and a shifter (given the price was around AU$600). I find it works really well on iRacing as well.
@warpsp:disqus MS could make drivers to enable all the previous wheels and what not to work with the new Xbox hardware but they have chosen not to, and really, that’s smart business.
The console will last some 7-10 years and in that time you will probably buy one wheel (and most people only bought one in the previous gen) so it’s not a huge issue. I get it sucks but that’s life.
No point coming into a review about a new wheel and moaning about how MS didn’t release drivers and demanding to be told about the new FF in a smart arse way (but on that point, the feedback is very good in Forza, much better than anything I have felt using the G27 in iRacing).
wow another clueless one..
I simply asked .. if there was ANY IMPROVEMENT to justify robbing their customers..
that’s all !!!
sooo the answer is NO!!
Right??
there is absolutely NO improvement WHATSOEVER , UNLIKE what Microsoft said at launch..
Smartass way??
hahahahaa,, have you read your own post?? LOL!!
bla bla bla about the console life.. Sony’s PS4 didn’t feel the need to fleece their customers for profit WITHOUT any improvement in the gaming experience..
uuh DUH about the drivers…THAT’S my whole point.. the XBOX ONE is just a friggin PC! just like the PS4..
ANY intelligent gamer can see when they are being cheated.. soo @david j hawkins,,STOP justifying this greedy move by Microsoft with BS excuses..
Just say “Microsoft is greedy and cares very little about their fanbase”.. PERIOD!
P.S. If I WAS a “smartass” like you Microsoftians wish I would have posted this..
The REAL review should read:
decent base..
crap pedals
crap wheel
same ole same ole,, Brings nothing new to the genre
4 on the rev scale unless u buy the add-on pedals and real wheel
now THAT’S a smartass!
Microsoft is a business not a charity, they would rather make money than keep you happy (if they can do both then they do). The PS4 doesn’t support any old wheels either, it’s up to the game devs to do support them per game (which is a better way to do it).
I’m not excusing the fact that it is a crappy move by MS, I am just suggesting a reason for why they did it, no point crying about it.
The feedback in Forza 5 is very good, you feel everything and you get lots of small forces which is really cool, maybe it could be said that this type of feedback required the new functions or what ever.
THx for clearing up the whole MS/Charity issue for me.
PS4 is backward compatible with old hardware.. get it right, hater…the game developers can code if the hardware codec supports it. .period!
I have thousands of dollars in sim hardware since way back in the madcatz elastic feedback days..
I have no problem in updating hardware IF IT IS A REAL UPGRADE !!!
I am FAR from the only one complaining about it,,
You waisted your money on this overpriced/rated POS and have to justify your expenditure(ignorance)..
So don’t cry to me cause you just repurchased what you already had.. dumbass..
#nolyfe Stop hating on the man just chill… He didn’t mean to offend or hurt you in any way.
How would this wheel compare with the new mad catz wheel and pedal set for the xbox one?
How can you get the TX Wheel to work With the pedals for the T500RS, i have them both conected. but so far no Luck, should it just be plug and play?
Well i have been watching an reading reviews for 2 days trying to decide on equiptment for my soon to be first big rig and I think I have it.I really want the Fanatec pro dual FF and a wheel is 800.00 , Gulp This is my first rig so I want quality but My computor and 3 -27″ 1440p monitors ,arms and dual 780 video cars have been a chunk of cash already, I am going for the best bang for the buck kinda, I ordered this ferrari 458 wheel with a add on GTE wheel for $408.00 throw the pedals in the garbage,throw the stock wheel in the closet. Then put on the GTE wheel and later the F1 someday.$400.00 vs $800.00 Fanatec wanted. I ordered a Thrustmaster 7 speed shifter for $144.oo and I am tryin to decide but i am leaning toward the clubsport pro us pedals although I wish they could invert like the step down ones that cost the same but arent as nice!! (they both end up at 250.00 ) I thought about the better 3pc thrustmasters and adding a load cell but they just look so non adjustable and not in the same class. but about half the the price. I am probably just gonna go for the clubsports. I am stuck on tyring to decide on buying VS building my own rig because i am good with building and fabbing and have every power too known..If I do It will be the Ricmotech RS500 DIY Cockpit where I buy the Plans and Templates – Made for T500RS Wheel I really liked the R seat Evo Racing Rig for $500.00 only because I live alone and I dont know if I will be able to move the wooden base Ricmo tech. I also really like how Drin built the Frankenrig with the extrusion that holds the nuts. Where can I get that, Or was it some kind of kit initially? What do you think of my plan for a quality but reasonable rig setup. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks, New guy Paul
Wow I had a few spelling errors but I think the jest of what I am trying to ask still stands Does this seem like a good way to go for a quality rig without dropping 5k I got a Pro car seat ordered and the plans for 29.00 whether i use them or not I got the seat from Ricmotec with them. I am leaning toward the R-Seat EVO Racing rig though just because I would like to be able to move this thiing around my living room by myself. I am gonna do some thinking about some kind of flip up 4″ casters that can hold 4-600 lbs and roll possibly. The aluminum extrusion like Darin has would be a lot better and lighter I really like his rig he calls Franken Rig It would almost be better to build a wood carpeted base like the Ricmotech and have an upper and wheel pedal box of extrusoin like the square stuff on Darins rig. That would keep the weight down but give me a solid base a place thide the wiring and 4 butkickers and amps but still be lite enough to move but hold the wheel rock solid. Hmm The last decision here is gonna be the hardest.! Well any input is appreciated .:) Thanks Paul
The TX base is now available as a seperate product! http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/tx-racing-wheel-servo-base
Does this Italia have the same TX Base as the standalone unit?