Some RC Controllers can be used for certain games so it's not even a new concept, just nobody really supports it. I'm not sure about Stick Radios as I'm not into Planes/Drones but for Cars the FlySky G7P and Noble NB4 are the cheapest that have OEM support for PC that I know of. The G7P is around $80 and the Noble is around $200-400 depending on retailer. Onwards from them is Futaba mainly but those can range from about $300-800 with Sanwa in a similar Price Range with Spektrum just behind at around $250-500. The only game I've seen to fully support it though is VRC Pro on Steam, apparently some of the F1 Games do too but I've never tried. Stick should be easier since Drone Sims are more common although most of those Transmitters are even more expensive, FrSky is a good place to look though with their Taranis.
think they would NEED a small motor in the wheel module to give the tiniest bit of force feedback. otherwise maybe hard to control a steering wheel with no feel.
I imagine its sprung like an analog stick and like an analog stick, its input is just a button axis. So its basically a single axis analog input instead of a dual axis stick. The game still recognizes it as a normal controller input so the sim steering setting on FH5 isn't going to give you a 1:1 input from the controller wheel to the in-game front wheels when you're moving. Whereass with a sim wheel setup like a G920 or TMX, you can yank the wheel full left or right at 200mph and drag the front wheels as they understeer with some cars/setups with sim steering on.
@@ClonesDream Proper FFB is essential for more sim-oriented titles. It gives you helpful, intuitive information about what the car is doing, and even in Horizon the gamepad feedback they have is very good on the Xbox controller.
Not a bad idea, I'm likely going to be making another video more focused around the wheel module specifically once I get used to it, so I'll keep that in mind!
I'd rather see the wheel module with telemetry overlay showing the actual amount of steering that being registered by your inputs, even on sim steering with controller your maximum angle is limited unless you're moving slow or drifting.
The wheel doesn't match input. According to the devs that's why there is a dash view so when you use a wheel it doesn't distract. The "wheel" insert on the controller is just acting as the x axis. So it will be the same. Forza has a built in filter regardless. So max steering is not actually wheel lock
Hey this reminds me of the JoGcon from Namco!! Nice to see someone bringing that idea back to the table. Now if someone did the same thing with it's older brother the NeGcon, twisting action just feels more natural for racing games, and with the analog possibilities of today it can easily be the gap closer between wheel and pad
I remember finding a Negcon at a shop in Denden town in Osaka and wondering what the hell it was. Seemed a great concept. With all the cheap controllers out there it seems incomprehensible that nobody's bothered to revisit that concept.
This was not my experience with this controller. I just found that I couldn't control the car better than using a stick. I felt the wheel had too much travel even after setting the outside dead zone to 100. My thumb was always slipping off the wheel or me having to constantly reposition it during turns made my racing suffer tremendously. After a few days with it I switched back to my Elite 2 and returned it.
thanks for the review! do watch out though, from what I can see on their website, Thrustmaster does not sell different sizes of joysticks; what they call the "mini sticks" are just the name of the only stick modules they sell (they even specify that the box does contain said mini-sticks, in the controller's product page).
Just to add some points that you left out: The modular desing gets rid of the stick drift problem and gives space to future improvement for ex.: hall effect sensor sticks or new type of control mechanisms specified for each game if needed, like a shifter for racing games, this mini wheel, a roller of some kind for fishing games, touch pad, linear potmeters for throttle like is space ships. Easy to make these work and bring it to production. The potencial to have the AIO controller is really fricken cool.
Buying new sticks to swap when they start to drift isn't solution xD. Tech they build in the PS2 controller to calibrate the sticks when pushing to x and y max would be nice (or hall effect sensors). Both features were found 23-25 years ago in OEM controllers, but they don't generate money, so they don't come back.
ye it is not really a solution. but something needs to be done. i break too many controllers because of it. as well as bumpers breaking. i want a good lasting controller damn it...
Been using my e-swap pro since it came out and still love it. Was pleasantly surprised when I held it for the first time and noticed the larger size than the standard xbox controllers as someone with larger hands. I even use thumbstick risers on mine. After consistent use I have zero stick drift. Haven't even had to purchase a replacement module. Looking to pick up one of these wheels though.
I've had this wheel for a couple of days and your review is spot on, it takes some getting used to but a lot of fun to use. It has very good rumble effects too. I don't think you mentioned that it is a wired only controller, with micro usb connector, a good quality cable though and a sort of socket on the controller which holds it firmly. You can still use any micro usb cable with it though. Might not suite small hands as you point out. As a racing game fan I love it.
Also i know this is sorta promotional material for forza just as much as the gamepad, but would love to see you post a vid using it in a sim racer like assetto corsa
I was really interested in this due to the mechanical buttons, not even the wheel or anything, so just the regular controller would've done it. Sadly not being wireless is a deal breaker for me. I wonder if it's possible for any manufacturers to be able to make some replacement mechanical buttons that can be swapped onto a regular controller?
I'm just gonna say it being wired should never be a deal breaker because having that wire makes it very useful for being PC only and plus saying such things makes anyone out to be spoiled hypocrites because let's be real no one had issues with wired controllers until the days of the Xbox 360 and PS3 began to each their own I know but it's still just wrong to class wired controllers as deal breakers that said on the topic of buttons I believe all buttons can be swapped from one controller to another given they're all relatively the same in terms of shape and size but I wouldn't know as I've never properly tinkered with swapping buttons on a controller before
@@theunhingedgamer3762 the problem for me with a wired controller is the 13feet of wire needed between me and the TV that all my family members will trip over as they choose the most critical moment in the race to walk in front of the TV 🙄
@@theunhingedgamer3762 Don’t know what any of this has to do with “class” or being “spoiled” lol. I simply prefer to use the controller wirelessly so that I can be any distance from a tv or monitor and not have to worry about a cable that will inevitably deteriorate and require replacement. Being wireless also brings the advantage of being much more cross platform through Bluetooth than you are claiming a wire to be. Ask yourself why many peripherals are coming standard as wireless and not keeping a cord? Sure older technology used wires.. so what? We aren’t in a time where we need to be held back by wires for simple electronics anymore. If we kept your ancient thinking, we would still be stuck with corded phones because they were “good enough”.
@@theunhingedgamer3762 I play on PC with series controller connected wirelessly using microsoft wireless adapter usb stick, would be nice if that one supported it too
The best “steering wheel” game pad attempt I ever liked was the original NegCon, that released at the PS1 launch. That controller twisted in the middle and worked flawlessly in the Wipeout and ridge racer series. That twist with your wrists to steer, was was more precise than using a thumb, facts! I’m amazed nobody ever revived such an awesome concept.
It seems weird to me, i feel like its too difficult to make precise movements with your thumb alone. I remember my dad had a racing controller for the PC maybe 15-20 years ago, that was basically just a giant knob and a trigger, similar to an RC car remote control. I wish we had something like that today, it was great.
Since the moment is mapped to a larger distance, it's much better than just the thumbstick. SEGA Rally on the Saturn had to be played this way on the 3D controller, and it felt great. For those wondering, you push up and then roll left and right to simulate steering.
smoothsteering (rolling the stick by pushing forward and then tending left and right to steer) is used by a decent amount of the fastest drivers in pro forza (ESV Mars, XNDR DID IT to name a few). This new wheel module is intended to be used exactly like that with more rotation, just it has tried to make it more accessible I guess
I own one and it's really not as long as the car doesn't use a full 900 degrees of lock. The wheel provides some resistance which helps you make smooth and precise inputs. It's better than any other game controller I've used for racing games but still falls short of a racing wheel. If portability or space is a must it's a good buy.
@@nrXic I think you might be getting confused with Sega Touring Car Championship that game is virtually unplayable with a dpad and needs analog inputs, Sega Rally handles pretty decent with a dpad
@@dandrawsit4915 I'm talking about using the official Saturn 3D analog controller with SEGA Rally, as it maps the steering input 1:1 with the analog stick. Meaning holding it fully right meant full lock to the right. So to make it easier to get more precise inputs, You would push the analog stick up from underneath the concave thumb part and roll it right or left. When you roll it results in a larger range of motion, making precise inputs easier.
Just picked one of these up. Took a bit to get used to but once I did I will not go back to normal sticks. Biggest thing is give it time, so many of us have been using the sticks for so long our brains and muscle memory need to relearn.
really happy that a company finally did this, but I hoped for a higher degree range. 95 is a bit small and I think something like 135 or 180 would be better.
TM should design a wheel module that offers force feedback to the dial; integrate a small camera gimbal style BLDC to offer low torque feedback to the dial position. It would be a literal game changer for doing sims on a handheld controller.
Maybe this will incentivize them to stop forcing us to waste input mappings on ANNA and Link, while not even making the D-pad context-sensitive for menus like telemetry and link prompts
For the bundle price of this ecosystem + two sets of aesthetic covers, I was able to buy and customize my G920 (~$300usd. The base bundle is $180 and the cover sets are $50 each) for decent FM7 gameplay and now use it for Assetto/ACC. In other words, just buy a wheel if you have a remotely suitable desk.
I could be wrong but I really don't think the target market is people who just want a cheaper alternative to a wheel. If you want a wheel buy a wheel, this is something else entirely.
completely agree. I have a G920 as well! I feel like the only way a controller can compete with that is with gyro controls. tbh a mario kart wii wheel would be more feasible than this wheel module
this is a controller not a wheel and not everyone who plays racers uses a wheel given roughly 98%-99% of people run controllers unless the game is strictly made for use of a wheel (iRacing) and the market for this is controller users specifically they aren't trying to beat other wheel makers with it
@@HokiHoshi Its TM. They have their own wheel ecosystems already so yeah I get the point. They could have made a good entry level wheel option. Instead they chose to make this. The only redeeming quality is being able to swap back and forth between a PS/XBOX stick and d-pad setup for PC users. Being brutally honest, everything else screams gimmick.
I knew you would get your hands on this . I did myself minus the paint job but what they don’t tell you is that it does work with the Eswap S the smaller and more updated controller, their marketing blew it on that one. I looked everywhere and the official marketing even it’s online listing only mentions the X pro and this is NOT the case. As someone who cannot use his feet for pedals due to a disability and considering, none of these manufacturers have made a wheel with gas and brake as paddles in addition to the shifting paddles on a wheel essentially a four paddle wheel needs to be made by someone !! One for gas brake and 2 more for shift up and down. This thing is a game changer. It’s the closest I will get to ever driving a real car. They just need to be clear in their marketing that this does not only work for the big, bulky controller. It also works for the smaller and updated Eswap S! @Hoki Hoshi the Eswap S is smaller and has real grips! The module does not only work for the X pro. The updated ESwap S is wired BUT has USBC as well much more reliable !!!
I'm not going to lie but this controller is beautiful, I absolutely love the colour scheme. I really don't love the Pricetag however 😂 Really cool Video to see it in action and hear how you're finding it so far, it's definitely one of the most unique innovations in Controller features so far.
From a person who owns both consoles and a PC, I was looking for a controller to use on my PC. The best controller I have owned Razer WUT, which I think is the best, at least for my hands. Owned Elite 1,2, Dual Sense, Razer Chroma V2, which was a horrible experience, Victrix, but this I was actually surprised. I think it'll be my goto controller for now on. At first, watching reviews the back buttons were said to be horrible. However, I went ahead and got it today. And I tell you it fits perfectly and drift will no longer be a problem since I could just buy the modules. Best controller I have ever owned.
I have been using the Razer Wolverine V2 with mechanical buttons for 2 years, and it's so much better than rubbrer dome buttons, just like mechanical keyboards are better.
I was excited to see if this could be implemented to have more precise control of your car in Rocket League. But somehow forgot in my 3k+ hours in that game that you need the joystick to have up and down movement, too.
Now we just need a 3rd trigger to simulate clutch pedal. That and also something to resemble force feedback for wheel and load cell triggers like in the Dual Sense controller
I want to see how long it takes for stick drift to kick in or for the A button to blow out (from so much clutching). One (too many) brand new Elite S2 set me straight in that regard. If it makes it past the 6 month mark, reckon I'll give it a go.
12:57 Its doesnt hurt (becomes tired) because its a different position or anything like that, its the fact tgat your thumb need to be in a precise point for a long period of time, it happens to me often with my ps4 controller when doing long races in F122 and GT7
Does it have hall/electromagnetic thumbsticks? I use a GuliKit controller ($60) which is wireless, has mechanical buttons, gyro and can be used on mobile/PC/PS5/Xbox/Switch. $180.00 is a bit steep for a controller for me...
The Thrustmaster controllers are much more premium than the KingKong2 controllers. More features, more buttons, better quality materials. Only downside is they don't make them wireless. I recommend the Flydigi Apex controllers as well. Pretty much anything is better than a KingKong2, to be honest. It's not a very well made controller.
@@aweigh1010 But they're also $60, LTT did a full breakdown of the controllers and the rest of your assessment seems anecdotal rather than based on a factual basis (such as how you mention more features). I'd certainly hope a $180 controller has better material than a $60 controller
@@Jamezontoast I own all of the controllers I'm talking about. KK2 does not have extra buttons or trigger stops or anti-friction rings nor does it have rubberized grips. It's missing all the features people want in a premium controller. Its hall effect analog modules also leave a lot to be desired in terms of tension strength and quality of movement. It's a fine "budget" controller but to say it's better than a premium controller is wrong.
THIS is the kind of controller I've always been hoping for, since full size wheels are just so large. I always felt like someone should have made a much smaller size wheel for people who just want more control in car games. Makes me wonder if there are other ways to grip this. Like a claw grip: Thumb and Index on the wheel (upper left position) and middle finger on the left trigger.
Does the dpad work if you install the racing module? The official website says the front dpad is deactivated, and instead, remapped to the rear buttons.
I have to correct you on the switches. I know that the Razer Onza also used Omron clicky mouse button-like switches. It actually had a neat feature where you had a ring under the thumb pad of the analog sticks that you could twist to get a tighter or looser analog stick. Great for racing games or fighting games where you wanted a more heavy feedback or free flowing stick. Sadly, the mechanism wasn't really up to scratch and caused the sticks to break if you got it too tight. And the replacement Onza had a trigger that would go up to 95% pressure fine, but at 100% it would drop down to 50-70% 'throttle'. So really annoying in race games. This controller looks like its doing a lot of good things though, it might be a worthy replacement for my Xbox Series X controller whenever that one dies.
IMO the only way to get this idea right is something like a RC car wheel to use with fingers, but then comes the question of where to put the brake trigger without making it awkward as hell.
This would be great wheel for AC while traveling. I take my XBOX controller and play at airports and when I fly; and it is always a bit if learning curve each time.
I've been driving racing games with gyro steering for some time and i don't see how this can be better. Here you have a thumb and with gyro you have both hands for precision.
I use gyro in GT7 and this controller with F1 22. Here are some important differences: PS5 gyro: - Excellent precision and responsiveness - Calibration settings are a bit lacking - Awkward to use at the limit where you're almost hand over hand - No resistance and unimpressive force feedback (the triggers are great at telling you how much torque you have but aren't that good at communicating grip) means that you need to focus on reading what the car is doing from the screen. Racing Wheel Module - Precision very good but slightly less than gyro at the highest sensitivity - Excellent calibration settings in the Thrustmapper software - Resistance from the wheel makes inputs feel smooth and linear all the way to the limit - For the rare case where the car wheel does a full 900 degrees of rotation it doesn't have enough travel but is great for racing cars - More informative force feedback through the main motors and the triggers. It's worth noting that the main left FFB motor is more powerful than the right so I turned it down in the software. All that being said, not even the Elite 2 has gryo support, so it's simply not an option with Xbox!
Well that settles it, I'm getting one. I used to have something similar for my PS1 or 2 (I think it was). It was great! I've been waiting to see something like it ever since. The absolute BEST that I ever played with was the controller that came with the special edition of Wipeout. It twisted in the middle and worked so well we didn't allow it when we played multiplayer. I really wish someone would recreate it.
So glad to come across this testing video. I need a controller for driving sims in which I am a beginner coming from FPS shooter games on PC. It has been 10 months since you uploaded this video, do you still have positive opinion on this controller for driving sims?
I just want to sat that thrustmaster owns the Hercules DJ midi controller hardware aswell and they just recently launched a really cool DJ controller called the Hercules T7. a Midi controller with motorized blet driven platters! Wich is making really big noise in the DJ community right now as people are going bananas for an affordable DJ controller with motorized platters. I know uits off topic, but I found it real interesting thrustmaster (through there subsidary company Hercules) makes DJ equipment aswell. But it make snece as miotorized Turntables can be belt or direct drive and thrustmasters steernig wheelsa are belt or direct drive. makes sence.
I would have really liked if they had put full on paddles on the back of it rather than the buttons, the paddles make manual with clutch VERY easy to me, and the extra control you get from that is really handy, especially for off road / drifting imo
As someone who has never used a controller with rear buttons/paddles, I get that sometimes they simply remap the front 4 buttons, but what if I want to use them for 4 additional functions/bindings in games separate to the front ones? I play on PC.
on PC I'm guessing that they would register as separate buttons, that would make the most sense, allowing them to be extra inputs rather than mirrored inputs. If anything, software such as reWASD allow you to create inputs/macros out of most controllers. AHK is also an option if you know how to script with it.
Nice video! Btw would have liked to see it as well, matched with an immersive cockpit/first person view and see if the very limited driving wheel animation angle of Forza matches the angle range of that module.
2 things that NEED to be covered when talking about this controller, are the vibration/haptic feedback, and the fact that this controller NEEDS TO BE PLUGGED IN ALL THE TIME
wonder how this would feel in other games, Like Dirt rally 2, ACC and so on. I do have a wheel but I don't always want to bust it out to race and feel immersed
Interesting you want an even shorter stick. I use the elite series 2 with the extended stick and then another extender on top giving me something like a 3.2 times increase in length.
Would love to see how that machanical buttons hold up after a month of me rallying that’s the only issue I have buying these controllers. Yes the parts are interchangeable though what’s just huge.
They had one for the original Playstation that was way better. I wish I could remember what it was called. Looked it up. It's the "interact ultra racer" I used this controller habitually for gran turismo. Best racing controller ever imo.
This is something right up my alley! I am using gyro in controller (imagine Dualsense gyro) for steering in racing games for a long time now and as you said, controller is universal and easy to pick up, so definitely better bang for buck, than dedicated steering wheel and pedals. It would be cool if Thrustmaster notch it up a bit and put loadcell in trigger for braking and electro motor for force feedback in that steering wheel module:) So a few questions about this: 1) Does the wheel have infinite range, or does it have a set range after which it stops turning, like with real steering wheels? 2) How does the emulation work? Does the wheel module simulate thumbstick movement or is it detected as a steering wheel ingame? 3) Does it work in other games or only in Forza?
Very late reply but here you go: 1) it's about 180° rotation 2) it's picked up as a normal controller, the wheel is just an analog stick with a very linear axis 3) Works in any game that supports an Xbox controller
@@kspectre21 thanks, from what I have seen in other videos, it is definitely less than 180°, which is big deal from my experience. You want 180° degrees at least.
controller is a bit expensive for me with my current budget...but i might have to save for 2 or 3 months for this controller as i love the concept of a wheel while using a controller thanks for the review Hoki
Is there vibration in the triggers like the regular Xbox controller? I find that very useful for shifting and easing on brakes and also general feel of the road
Such a good idea. So simple. So elegant. Yet such a no brainer. Seems like best ideas are things you see and say to yourself … they haven’t made that yet? I
I bought it on launch and an very satisfied, except for the buttons on the back which are much less usable than controllers that use paddles on the back
I think this controller will be more beneficial for the people who tap steer. roll steering feels pretty similar too this I also feel like the game is more immersive when roll steering also but from personal experience roll steering does hurt the hand after a while ive noticed
Got it the other day. I have to say the wheel thingy is gonna be hard to get used to. I'm not sure is it worth the time. I'm like 5sec off my times in Rivals with it. Lol The rest of the buttons are amazing as you said.
Looks pretty cool, but micro-USB is a deal breaker for me. I don't mind wired controllers since I'm on PC, but not having USB-C is a major bummer for me.
I've been rotating my left joy stick like a steering wheel on racing games since Project Gotham Racing 2 on the Xbox. Actually shoot, I think since maybe even since the N64 with Nascar 99.
Damnit I didn't need to spend more money. And yet, now it must happen. (Great overview!) How is the vibration/feedback in comparison to standard X series? And is it wiresless capable as well as wired?
holy sheet..... i love my xbox controller, i was sceptical when your voice was kinda hyping it... but damn, it looks awesome, i love the idea of modularity.....
That’s very cool! I would buy it if I didn’t already have a wheel. Very cool would of bought if I was still a kid who couldn’t afford the wheel setup lol
That wouldn't work well in Forza Horizon though. You need instant reactions to be fast in this game, because a lot of steering is actually a full lock. Everything is happening so fast. I would actually reduce the degrees.
