Previously owned one of first FFB wheel - Logitech Wingman Formula Force (the rubber red one).
But decided it's time for an upgrade. G25 was about twice the price of F430, and with as much time (not that much) I spend playing LFS or similar games, did not find it worth to cash so much more for G25, nor did I find I would miss 720 rotation/H shifter that much dissatisfying.
So, the choice was Thrustmaster F430.
Reviews that I found said it was quite good, with decent FFB, and hopefully a bit better quality from Thrustmaster than their previous wheels.
Package was really nice when I got and mounted.
Wheel really feels 'good' in hands with it's design. But, as it is rubber after some time spent playing my hand did start to sweat a bit, but not enough for wheel to actually slip.
Design of wheel is really good done (hey, it's a replica anyway
), and wheel itself seems sturdy and with decent quality, as do paddle shifters (although they do seem to be a bit 'up').
Pedals are decently 'heavy' with brake having progressive feel when pressing it, which is good. Watch out only when pressing both pedals, as bottom might 'lift' up, due to force both pedals require (base could be heavier).
But.. after 2 days wheel started producing 'plastic' noise, like something is rubbing in it. I looked way to open it myself, but two screws are under 'Thrustmaster' logo on top of it, so decided not to void warranty and return it to the shop. After some days got it back - repaired. Apparently something inside needed some lubrication.
Also after some days tightening and removing proved to be a it harder - clamp does hold, but part where you tight it in needed some lubrication.
But.. (again), something didn't feel right - there was too much 'dead zone' play, basically when turning wheel to one side I had to turn it few degrees to opposite before it actually registered something. This made driving straight quite hard and 'swirvy'.
Since top of cover where screws are was now obviously opened, decided to take a look myself. Problem was pot was having some free play in contact to wheel itself. Getting pot out and adding some duct tape fixed the issue, and it worked perfectly.
But.. (yet, again) - after few weeks heard some 'clunk' from pedals, and something came loose inside.
Again, a bit mad ad things, open it up, and there was reason. Magnet which adds for progressive feel in brake came loos - plastic it was fixed in broke. Fixed it myself, and voila - works great again.
Overall, wheels works really good - feel is good in game, it sits really good in hands.
But, Thrustmasters build quality came into play once again, and even though it looks at first sight as sturdy wheel, inside it's quite fragile.
Looking at the belt inside the wheel - I am not wondering if it could break in some time - but when it will break.
Another niggle is tension pulley on belt - for some reason it's not centered properly, and while turning wheel one can feel it a bit.
Overall, too much plastic in some parts, and just pure lack of quality (again, *inside*, as outside it does look much better quality).
It's really a shame, as it could have been really GREAT wheel.
I still use it, and will use it as long as it lasts, and prolly will try to fix/improve it myself when needed - but it should have been much better out of the box.
But decided it's time for an upgrade. G25 was about twice the price of F430, and with as much time (not that much) I spend playing LFS or similar games, did not find it worth to cash so much more for G25, nor did I find I would miss 720 rotation/H shifter that much dissatisfying.
So, the choice was Thrustmaster F430.
Reviews that I found said it was quite good, with decent FFB, and hopefully a bit better quality from Thrustmaster than their previous wheels.
Package was really nice when I got and mounted.
Wheel really feels 'good' in hands with it's design. But, as it is rubber after some time spent playing my hand did start to sweat a bit, but not enough for wheel to actually slip.
Design of wheel is really good done (hey, it's a replica anyway
), and wheel itself seems sturdy and with decent quality, as do paddle shifters (although they do seem to be a bit 'up').Pedals are decently 'heavy' with brake having progressive feel when pressing it, which is good. Watch out only when pressing both pedals, as bottom might 'lift' up, due to force both pedals require (base could be heavier).
But.. after 2 days wheel started producing 'plastic' noise, like something is rubbing in it. I looked way to open it myself, but two screws are under 'Thrustmaster' logo on top of it, so decided not to void warranty and return it to the shop. After some days got it back - repaired. Apparently something inside needed some lubrication.
Also after some days tightening and removing proved to be a it harder - clamp does hold, but part where you tight it in needed some lubrication.
But.. (again), something didn't feel right - there was too much 'dead zone' play, basically when turning wheel to one side I had to turn it few degrees to opposite before it actually registered something. This made driving straight quite hard and 'swirvy'.
Since top of cover where screws are was now obviously opened, decided to take a look myself. Problem was pot was having some free play in contact to wheel itself. Getting pot out and adding some duct tape fixed the issue, and it worked perfectly.
But.. (yet, again) - after few weeks heard some 'clunk' from pedals, and something came loose inside.
Again, a bit mad ad things, open it up, and there was reason. Magnet which adds for progressive feel in brake came loos - plastic it was fixed in broke. Fixed it myself, and voila - works great again.
Overall, wheels works really good - feel is good in game, it sits really good in hands.
But, Thrustmasters build quality came into play once again, and even though it looks at first sight as sturdy wheel, inside it's quite fragile.
Looking at the belt inside the wheel - I am not wondering if it could break in some time - but when it will break.
Another niggle is tension pulley on belt - for some reason it's not centered properly, and while turning wheel one can feel it a bit.
Overall, too much plastic in some parts, and just pure lack of quality (again, *inside*, as outside it does look much better quality).
It's really a shame, as it could have been really GREAT wheel.
I still use it, and will use it as long as it lasts, and prolly will try to fix/improve it myself when needed - but it should have been much better out of the box.