The new PC and X Box-compatible Moza R3 marks a new turning point in the world of console simracing. The number of brands on the PC market is increasing, with products of ever-higher quality and ever-lower prices. But on consoles, beyond the 3 leading brands Fanatec, Thrustmaster and Logitech, nothing seemed to get past the Microsoft and Sony commissions.
The arrival of Moza on the console market was eagerly awaited by many gamers. But if Moza R3 is good news for X Box, what about PlayStation 5? R3 is all very well, but if you’re going to end up with an asthmatic engine that saturates at the first bend, it’s not exactly a party in the village.
In any case, the bundle includes a Direct Drive base , steering wheel, pedals and table clamp . So let’s take a look at what’s currently available in the pack.
The Moza R3 bundle in brief
What does the Moza R3 look like on paper?
| Compatibility | PC and X Box |
| Dimensions Weight | 14.5cm long (including QR), 13.5cm wide, 12cm high. 2.3Kg |
| Motor | Direct Drive – Not communicated |
| Torque | Peak: 3.9Nm Slew Rate : Not communicated |
| Encoder | 15 bits (32,768 PPR) |
| Steering amplitude | Adjustable via Moza Pit House software |
| Connections | Power supply, USB-B to console, sockets for pedalset, shifter, handbrake, torque cut-off. |
| Wheel attachment | Quick Release based on NRG model. Steering shaft gripped by 10 steel balls. |
| Steering wheel Diameter Knobs Paddles Display | Moza ES XBox version 27cm 22 buttons 2 aluminum paddles (non-magnetic) LED lap counter bar |
| pedalset | SR-P Lite 2 pedals Magnetic sensors |
Design and ergonomics
There are no surprises in the design of either the Direct Drive chainstay or the rest of the bundle. We find an aluminum base case with a plastic rear panel, as on all the other bases from the R5 to the R12.
What may come as a surprise is its size! 14.5cm long and 12cm high, that’s “tiny”! At least compared to what we’re used to seeing on the market. This should appeal to desktop gamers who often lack the space to set up properly.
All the sockets on the rear allow you to plug in your entire Moza ecosystem (handbrake, gearbox, dashboard…). The ignition button is also located at the rear.
The steering wheel is simply a Moza ES model converted for the X Box with a compatibility chip and buttons in Microsoft console colors. You might think that 27cm in diameter is a bit small, but after all, the base only develops 3.9Nm, and a larger steering wheel would have been fatally detrimental to the details felt and the sensation of force sent by the motor.
The grip is molded and textured rubber, and the knobs leave 22 functions to be set, not forgetting the two rear paddles for shifting gears. They’re not magnetic, but then again, this is a very affordable bundle. It’s hard to be picky. We’ll talk about the pedalset a little later, but for now let’s concentrate on the mounting options, if you don’t mind.
Chassis / desk / bedside table mounting options
So, let’s move on to mounting on chassis, desk, stool, and so many others! There are two options for the discerning simracer. Either you have a fixed chassis, in which case the most interesting option is to use the 4 M6 screw threads on the underside of the base. The center distance is 78.4mm wide and 40mm deep.
But if you’re playing on a desk or table, the pack comes with a steel table clamp. It can be easily installed on any tabletop up to 6cm thick, and gives the steering wheel a 30° angle to the tabletop.
Settings via Moza Pit House software
Before moving on to the settings, remember to update your software. Even if you’re riding on XBox, a quick trip to the PC to make sure everything’s up to date will ensure that everything works perfectly once the console is plugged in 😉
So, for PC settings, the Moza Pit House software is the place to be. You’ll be able to fine-tune your force feedback and your brake and accelerator pedal curves, for example. On the console, however, we use the smartphone app (Android and IOS), which communicates via Bluetooth with the base unit. Whether on the app or on the software, you can create settings from A to Z and save/restore them whenever you like.
Moza V2 Quick Release
On the Quick Release, it’s no surprise to find the QR Moza V2. A model borrowed from Simagic and inspired by the NRG systems found on certain racing cars.
There are 5 pads to supply energy to the steering wheel and transmit information between the wheel and the base. From an efficiency point of view, this system is very good, since it installs or uninstalls in 4 or 5 seconds. As for the 10 steel balls between the steering wheel and the steering shaft, they don’t allow any flexibility or play between the parts.
SR-P Lite 2-pedal pedalset
Given that this is an entry-level bundle, don’t expect miracles from the pedalset. Moza packs a 2-pedal version of the SR-P Lite, which you can either place on the ground thanks to its 4 non-slip pads, or attach to a chassis if you have one. Its metal construction is fairly basic, with magnetic-sensor gas pedal and brake and spring-loaded movements. It’s a technology that won’t allow the most demanding rider to achieve braking worthy of the name, but it does at least drastically reduce costs.
For a more coherent brake, you’ll need the SR-P Lite Brake Pedal Accessory Kit, which gives you a much more coherent spring and elastomer movement system. Beware of one point, however: with this kit on the brake pedal, you’ll need to attach the pedalset to a frame. The force required for braking goes beyond the capacity of the 4 rubber pads under the bottom bracket.
How much does the Moza R3 bundle cost?
Moza’s advertised price is €439 for the bundle, which includes the Moza R3 base, the ES X Box steering wheel, the SR-P Lite 2-pedal pedalset and the table clamp. But this price is on Moza’s Chinese website, and doesn’t take into account shipping and possibly customs duties. Fortunately, distributors are there to offer us alternative solutions. In France, for example, we start at €449 incl. VAT.
To give some context to this price, here’s a table summarizing the X Box-compatible simracing bundles in this price range:
Torque: 3,9Nm
Steering wheel ES XBox
SR-P Lite pedalset
2 pedals
Table clamp
Powerful QR
Technically limited by its motor/encoder/responsiveness components
Torque: 5Nm (8Nm optional)
Steering wheel CSL Elite P1 V2
CSL Pedalset
2 pedals
Scalable base in 8Nm version
The QR1 Lite of the CSL steering wheel has flexibility points.
Torque: 2.2Nm
Pedalset
3 pedals
Engine technically outdated.
Very limited feeling of force feedback.
No detachable steering wheel. Noisy
Noisy
Torque: 3.5Nm
T3PM pedalset
3 pedals
Engine a little more efficient than the G923
Outdated technology and feeling.
Very toy finish.
No detachable steering wheel (a shame for this brand!!)
Steering wheels and peripherals compatible with the Moza R3
Whether you’re on console or PC, it’s important to understand what’s compatible and in what configuration.
Steering wheel side
On XBox, only the Moza ES X Box steering wheel sold with the package works at present.
On the PC side, you can vary the pleasures: other brand-name steering wheels are compatible , provided they have the 2 cross connector bars in their Quick Release. If you have older Moza flywheels with only one connector pin bar, this won’t work.
The rest of the ecosystem (Dash – Shifter – Handbrake)
For the rest of the Mozaecosystem (shifter, handbrake) everything works fine on console by connecting your peripherals directly to the R3 base.
The Moza CM Dash works well on X Box (on compatible games) and PC with the R3 base. To install it, you’ll need to screw it to the two screw holes on the top of the base and plug its cord into the corresponding socket on the back.
Can other Moza bases be connected to XBox?
That’s a question I couldn’t wait to get the answer to, to find out how Moza would handle the rest. The compatibility chip is in the steering wheel, not in the base. This is why the brand’s other steering wheels are not X Box compatible.
But if the compatibility chip is in the wheel, then in theory plugging the ES Xbox wheel into another Moza base would make it console-compatible?
Well, yes. But on one condition! You need to be able to connect your pedalboard directly to your base, because on a console you only need an incoming USB for the wheel/pedal inputs. The Moza R5 and Moza R12 bases are therefore de facto XBox compatible if you have the XBox ES steering wheel.
Beyond the R3 itself, the real good news for console gamers is certainly here 😉
However, we don’t know if the ES Xbox wheel will be sold on its own (outside the R3 bundle) or when other console-compatible wheels will see the light of day.
When will PlayStation compatibility be available?
Of course, many Sony console gamers would love to see a little novelty on their own. However, this will most probably require new chainstays to be released for the occasion, as the compatibility chip must be present in the PS chainstay for it to work. No news on that front for the moment. No information has been leaked for the moment by either Moza or Sony, so we’ll have to be patient!
A quick review of the Moza R3
The Moza R3 bundle in brief
With 3.9Nm of torque, an ES flywheel and a Load Cell sensorless pedalset, this is clearly an entry-level product. Moza is surely counting on the forthcoming release of Forza Motorsport to sell its package to new players in search of fun. However, I have a feeling that simracers who are a little more “simu”-oriented will prefer to wait for the sequel. A sequel that will take the form of new steering wheels equipped with chips to be plugged into an R12, for example.
And finally, please note a detail raised by Boosted Media: the R3 base does not currently work with Assetto Corsa Competizione on X Box. An update is sure to be rolled out soon, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Anyway, I’m personally waiting for the next step. Seeing Moza release other steering wheels with compatibility chips would be great news for XBox gamers, who would then have the opportunity to bring an R12 or R5 to console.
We’ll be happy to discuss it in the comments!
Sam
I have always dreamed of becoming an F1 driver or an ocean liner captain. Eventually I bought a PC and started simracing. I regularly discover simracing equipment and experiences to share with you on the blog!
