Moza Racing offers a new package for beginner simracers: The Moza R5. An entry-level Direct Drive base sold with steering wheel and pedals for just €639. A very low price for a complete Direct Drive package.
But is this really surprising from Moza? The Chinese brand has been making a strong name for itself since 2021, regularly releasing quality models at relatively low prices. It’s an interesting choice, even if we’re bound to see the limits of this method sooner or later. In any case, with such a low price tag, the Chinese brand will also start knocking on Thrustmaster’s belt-driven models. We’re still waiting for the Franco-American response on the DD market, but that’s another subject.
What we’re interested in today is whether or not this bundle is really worth it.
What is the DD R5 Bundle?
The bundle includes 4 distinct products. Firstly, the Moza R5 base, the brand’s entry-level model. The steering wheel is the new Moza ES model, a round wheel with a flat. The pedalset is a Moza SRP Lite sold with two pedals as standard, but you can add a third pedal as an option (more on this in the article). And finally, a table clamp for those who don’t have the inclination, space or finances for a fixed frame.
The Moza R5 Bundle in brief
Moza R5 Direct Drive features
- Compatibility: PC
- Dimensions: 15.7 x 12.4 x 17.4cm
- Motor: Direct Drive
- Power: 5.5Nm
- Steering amplitude : Adjustable via Moza Pit House application
- Connections: 1 USB port to PC, 1 pedalboard port, 1 dashboard port
- Wheel mounting: NRG-type Quick Release (50mm)
What does the Moza ES steering wheel look like technically?
- Console compatibility: PC
- Vibration: No
- Wheel diameter: 28cm
- Materials: Leather, aluminum, plastic
- Paddles: 2 metal paddles
- Customizable buttons: 22 customizable buttons
- Lap counter : 10 LED lap counter display
- Display: None
- Connections: Quick Release NRG type (50mm)
- Weight: NC
Moza SRP Lite pedalset
- Compatibility : PC
- Pedals : 2
- Sensors: Magnetic
- Load Cell : No
- Vibration : No
- Connections: 1 USB output
- Option : third pedal for 44€ HT
Design and ergonomics
In terms of design, the Moza R5 base takes up the features of the Moza R9 model, but is slightly shorter. The finish is just as meticulous, and the base comes as standard with a table clamp. An opportunity to appeal to the tens of thousands of players who don’t have a fixed chassis. The steel clamp allows the base to be fixed to a desk or table.
As for the Moza ES steering wheel, it plunges us straight into the world of the entry-level. At this price, you’d think. At 28cm in diameter, its grip is very similar to that of a Logitech G923. The button positions, for example, are very reminiscent of Logitech models.
The real advantage of this steering wheel, however, is its functionality. 22 configurable buttons! It’s very complete, and allows you to be versatile on the track. The metal paddles are neither adjustable nor magnetic. They’re very similar to the paddles found, for example, on the Fanatec CSL BMW (Fanatec’s inexpensive steering wheel).
As for the pedalset, it offers only the bare essentials, with no frills. It’s made entirely of steel, which promises good resistance over time, but says goodbye to the sexy design of Moza’s superior models.
Hardware installation
To begin with, you have the choice of placing your base on a table using the steel clamp supplied. Or install it on a fixed frame.
The travel of the clamp allows you to mount the equipment on a table up to 8cm thick. All with a 15° angle, the same type of angle found on Thrustmaster bases, for example. It’s versatile, but the downside is that it’ s not an adjustable angle. Still, at this price, we can’t really quibble..
For chassis mounting, you’ll find 4 M6 screw threads under the base. All hardware and tools are supplied, of course. And the screw threads are spaced exactly the same as on Fanatec models, which means that the vast majority of chassis are compatible without having to get out a grinder or soldering gun 😉
Attaching the pedalset
Once you’ve decided on the location of your pedals, which you can spread apart on the steel board that serves as a support, you can move on to installation. If you don’t have a fixed frame, you’ll have to make do with the 4 non-slip pads under the pedals. But given that you don’t have a Load Cell on the brake, and therefore no opportunity to press it like a maniac… this shouldn’t pose any slipping problems.
For those who want to fix them, there are 4 screw slots. But you can also remove the pedals from their mounting plate and mount them directly on your rig.
The Moza Quick Release system (attaching the steering wheel to the base)
The very good news is that the NRG-type Quick Release is indeed present on the Moza R5. This is an opportunity to finally offer beginners a high-performance, low-cost steering wheel attachment system.
If you’re a beginner and don’t know the term yet, don’t worry, we’ll take a quick look:
A Quick Release is a system for attaching the steering wheel to the steering shaft, enabling it to be detached and attached in a matter of seconds. Moza’s models feature a high-performance Quick Release system inspired by NRG (a company that makes models for real racing cars).
Settings and compatibility
For force feedback settings, you’ll find the Moza Pit House software. Inside you can adjust not only the force feedback, but also the LED displays on the steering wheel and the curves of each pedal.
If you need a hand setting up your force feedback, here’s the article I wrote a few weeks ago on the Moza Pit House software 🙂. The software comes with a mobile app that lets you make your adjustments even while you’re racing.
Compatibility is limited to PCs, so if you’re planning to play on a console, the natural choice is Fanatec’s CSL DD and GT DD Pro models.
Moza R5 bundle FAQ!
I’ve already received quite a few questions about this new model, and I’d like to thank you for them, whether on YouTube or by e-mail. So I’m taking this opportunity to share them with you, along with the answers I’ve found 😉
Why did you release a 5.5Nm base?
That’s a very good question. Moza’s main argument is clearly price. But from an economic point of view, it’s an interesting choice. Remember that Fanatec released the CSL DD model in 5 and 8Nm versions. The 5Nm didn’t sell very well, and they’re now concentrating on the 8Nm version.
5.5Nm is roughly equivalent to the torque found in belt-driven bases like the CSL Elite, for example. So it’s relatively light. On the other hand, having 5.5Nm of torque in a Direct Drive is very different in terms of feel from having 6Nm on a belt-driven flywheel. In the vast majority of cases, the Direct Drive will transmit more road details, while being much faster and more precise.
With a bundle costing over €600, is Moza really aimed at beginners?
Yes and no. Just over 80% of players who take up simracing do so with an overall budget of less than €400. The Moza R5 bundle is therefore aimed at those who have a larger budget to invest in order to go straight to Direct Drive technology. These may be players who want to move upmarket after spending time on a Logitech or Thrustmaster T300, for example.
Are other Moza wheels compatible?
Not all of them! The top-of-the-range Moza FSR steering wheel with its 4.3″ LCD screen is not compatible with the M5 base. No problem, however, with all the brand’s other steering wheels.
Can I connect my pedalboard to the Moza R5 base?
Yes! Moza has finally integrated a port for connecting your pedalboard directly to the base. Great news for those who don’t have 60 USB ports permanently available!
Why aren’t the connectors in the Quick Release the same as on other Moza bases?
A very pertinent question, to which Moza has yet to give a clear answer. I do, however, have a theory on the subject (to be taken conditionally…)
Until now, Moza steering wheels communicated with the base via a Bluetooth connection. All they needed was a connection for power. But the new entry-level Moza wheels are unlikely to be equipped with Bluetooth chips, so Moza had to equip its R5 base with a new system to enable information transfer between the steering wheel and the base.
The Moza R5 Bundle in brief
Moza R5 or R9
Let’s put our cards on the table: if you really want to switch to Moza Direct Drive, take a look at the R9. This bundle’s main argument is its price, but that doesn’t mean you should throw yourself at it without a second thought.
With only 5.5Nm of torque, the base will encounter exactly the same feedback from simracers as the CSL DD 5Nm. Lack of power, lack of fine detail… In short, if Fanatec proved anything last year with the CSL DD, it’s that 8Nm is really the bare minimum for a Direct Drive.
The pedalboard is below that. There’s an adage in simracing that the first thing to improve when you’re on a budget is the pedalset. Because it’s thanks to the precision of the brake pedal that you’ll be able to gain in consistency and performance on the track. Without a Load Cell sensor and with a completely linear brake pedal, you’ll never get maximum precision and consistency in your braking.
I’d be delighted to hear from you in the comments! What do you think of this new “cheap Direct Drive” offer? See you below 😉
