Released in 2011, alongside the Gran Turismo 5 sim-arcade, the Thrustmaster T500rs is still the talk of the virtual racetrack. The reason for Thrustmaster ‘s success? A steering wheel that was out of the ordinary for its time, both in terms of technical features and performance.
In fact, let’s be serious for 5 minutes, before the arrival of the PS4-compatible Fanatec CSL Elite, the T500RS hadn’t found a competitor capable of truly marking a profound improvement.
The Thurstmaster T500RS from a technical point of view
- Compatibility: PC, PS3, PS4 (in-game only)
- Force feedback: Yes
- Wheel diameter: 30cm
- Pedals: 3
- Customizable buttons: 10 on wheel, 2 on base
- Gear change: Fixed paddles, ( Thrustmaster TH8a manual gearbox optional)
- Turning range: 1080
- Sensor(s): 16-bit (65536 values)
- Motor: double-belt brushless
- Connections: 1 outgoing USB to console, 1 incoming power supply, 1 pedalboard connection to base
- Weight: 16.3 Kg
Design and ergonomics
Call your friends or arrange for a team of movers: the Coli weighs in at 16.5 kg, which means you’ll have done your daily workout before you’ve even unpacked the wheel.
This is certainly the weight of experience and quality in this Thrustmaster bundle. The base and steering wheel weigh in at 4.6 Kg, and the size of the wheel should make you happy!
30cm in diameter, yes, I said thirty! Which makes it the most realistic PS4 steering wheel on the bundle market in the mid-range category.
A larger diameter may seem trivial, but beyond the aesthetic aspect, it should also make steering more precise. We’ll be checking this out later in the test.
The materials mix metal, plastic and rubber. It’s very pleasant to the touch, even if it’s not leather or suede.
The very large fixed paddles also look very sturdy, and their size allows you to shift gears even when cornering. For GT driving, these fixed paddles are perfect, but less suited to F1 enthusiasts.
The famous Thrustmaster T3PA Pro pedalboard
Thrustmaster has pulled off a master stroke with the T500RS pedalboard. Instead of supplying you with one of the usual plastic soaps found in every entry-level or mid-range bundle, you discover the Thrustmaster T3PA Pro pedalboard.
But what makes the T3PA Pro so great? Well… It’s got great looks, 3 pedals, and a construction combining metal, aluminum and sturdy plastics. It weighs in at 7.3 kg, so you’ll have a harder time getting it through the living room if you hit the brakes a little hard!
And if you’re like me and you’re into F1, but you also want to get back to the driving sensations of a GT, simply turn your T3PA Pro upside down and reverse the pedals using the Allen keys supplied. Press the mode button at the base of the steering wheel to swap the gas pedal and clutch pedals, and you’re ready to hit the track!
It took me quite a while to realize how much work Thrustmaster had put into making this T3PA Pro pedalboard as customizable as possible.
Not only can you switch from F1 to GT mode, but you can also add a Realistic Brake pad to your brake spring and adjust pedal travel and hardness.
As if that weren’t enough, you can adjust the position of your pedal heads from left to right and from bottom to top, as well as their inclination. No more excuses for missing a heel-and-toe before a turn!
Can you see why, even after 10 years of service, that good old T3PA Pro is still adored by thousands of racers?
Installing the Thrustmaster T500RS
Let’s move on to installation. There’s nothing complicated about installation. You can adjust your base on a table thanks to a mounting system that really inspires confidence. And if you’re the proud owner of a Playseat, you can opt for fixed mounting thanks to the 2 M6 screw slots provided.
Note, however, that for F1-type mounting on a Playseat, it’s best to have a tilt mount, as the base of the steering wheel is molded at an 18° angle. For GT mounting, on the other hand, there’s no problem.
The pedalset is heavy, and rubber pads underneath prevent it from slipping too easily. Its right-angled shape means it fits perfectly against a wall or the bottom of a Playseat.
Connection is simple: plug your T3PA Pro pedalboard into the base of the steering wheel, then plug in your power supply and finally the USB cable from the T500RS base to your console or PC.
Finally, if you want to fine-tune your force feedback settings on a PC, simply use the simple and effective driver.
Console compatibility
Let’s not forget that this steering wheel is 10 years old… When it came out, we were still in the golden age of the Playstation 3. Remember, Gran Turismo 5 was making its debut! A special bundle was released at the time, bringing together the T500RS and Polyphony Digital’s title. As a marketing masterstroke, a second bundle was released a few years later for Gran Turismo 6.
So, of course, on PS3 it was brilliant, with total compatibility. But in the age of PS4 steering wheels, the Thrustmaster T500RS has one drawback: you won’t be able to navigate the console’s menus with it.
Rest assured, this won’t prevent you from enjoying it in-game at all. You’ll just need to have your Dualshock 4 handy. You’ve been warned!
Comfort and feel
Indeed, the comfort of a 30cm steering wheel is top-notch, making you feel more precise in your movements. The grip is good, and even though they’re fixed, it’s easy to operate the paddles thanks to their XXL size. In fact, these paddles are really a question of taste and simulation modes.
Having tested them on F1 games, I can tell you that they’re not really suited to this style of driving. In GT, on the other hand, the fun is definitely there!
The force feedback was one of the most powerful on the market 10 years ago, and to tell you the truth, it’s still going strong today! And its power doesn’t compromise on precision. It’s even better than its successor, the T300RS, that’s for sure..
Of course, the T500RS is not without its faults. You can feel the notches in the motor when you gently apply force feedback. When racing, you won’t pay much attention to this detail, but when riding in the pits or discovering the track, these little notches can be felt. This is quite common on belt-driven steering wheels, but I felt I should point it out.
Another annoying detail is the noise. Sudden movements of the mechanism are noisy, and the base fan adds its own note to your mechanical opera, which for some is a drag. If, like me, you’re totally oblivious to the outside world when you’re on the track, I don’t think this detail will prevent you from getting your kicks.
But really, if I had to single out one of Thrustmaster ‘s greatest achievements on this T500RS, it would be its pedalset.
It’s so nice to feel that you’ve got quality under your skin. Stability is disconcerting, even without attaching it to the Playseat. Comfort is top-notch, thanks to the multiple pedal settings. In short, I love it.
Customizing the Thrustmaster T500RS
Now let’s get serious. You can’t possibly think of installing your superb T3PA Pro pedalboard without making the effort of adding an H-shaped gearbox!
We agree. Buying a Thrustmaster Th8A gearbox will be almost indispensable. Unless, of course, you only drive F1 2020…
I’ve got one minor quibble with this add-on. I would have really appreciated it if the Th8A box could have been connected directly to the steering wheel. Why would I do that? Because on PS4, your T500RS steering wheel and your Th8A Shifter each occupy a USB port on your console.
Can you remind me how many USB ports there are on a Playstation 4? Two! Exactly… So when you set out on an endurance race, remember to recharge your Dualshock 4 beforehand, or try plugging it in somewhere else to avoid running out of power.
Changing the steering wheel on your T500RS
By the way, if you’d like to change your steering wheel, it’s possible and quite simple. Simply remove a small screw and loosen the mechanism that holds the wheel to the base. The system is far from the formidable efficiency of a Fanatec quick release, but you can still enjoy the pleasure of changing your steering wheel between two sessions.
Thrustmaster’ s range of steering wheels is quite extensive. You’ll find GT, Rallye and F1 wheels, all with attractive value for money.
Durability
I’ve enjoyed a long relationship with my Thrustmaster T500RS. To give you an example of its durability, I bought mine second-hand. It already had two years of service in the wheels, but that didn’t stop it from remaining my main steering wheel for 3 years. I do an average of 120 to 140,000 virtual km a year, and if I replaced my T500RS today it’s not because of a technical problem but purely to upgrade my setup to semi-pro equipment.
