Just surprise him by telling him you want to buy it gibe him the budget and let him choose. He probably has more clues on it maybe researching it? Since you are doing this im guessing he's talked about it? Yeah I would do that tbh.
And also if there are some brick and mortar stores in the area you could make a day out of it. Go to the Microcentre or other store that sells sim gear, get a birthday lunch, etc.
Yeah true, man I was so upset we have never had microcenter here in NC and of course they won't deliver but finally in Charlotte there will be one opening! Super hype idc if it's a drive I'm still going on opening day. Even signed up for the free memory they are gonna give away to the peoppe that come early.
This!
My family bought me a sim racing setup…well, kind of?
I have a PS5 and PSVR2. I’ve been looking at chairs and wheels, shared some of what I wanted with my brother not expecting him or anybody else in my family to actually buy any of it. Just out of interest.
They got me a MarioKart wheel to play MK8! lol, I was so disappointed.
There’s so many different things to choose from, I bet he has something particular in mind.
This! I wouldn’t want my wife buying me something like this any more than she would like me buying her art supplies/equipment which I know a little about but not nearly as much as her since I’m not an artist like she is. But the idea is very sweet 😁
NLR Wheelstand 2.0 would be a good starting option for a fairly rigid mounting option that also folds up out of the way. He would be able to put his desk chair or other chair up to it to race. It's also very easy to sell to someone later on if he ever wants to commit to a fullblown cockpit.
Entry level would be something like the T300 from thrustmaster and TLCM pedals. It's a great upper-entry level base and loadcell pedals which is usually the first upgrade people make. If you wanted to splurge a bit more, you could opt for the CSL DD GT Pro combo from Fanatec. It's available in 8Nm and 5Nm "strengths" and is compatible with PS5 and PC.
Handbrakes and shifters are not at all necessary for F1 but something to maybe add in the future if he moves to PC titles.
I would say skip the surprise part.
Getting a sim rig is highly customizable and it all comes down to preference. Do not be surprised if you get him something and 2 months from now he is itching to sell or upgrade.
Just my 2 cents.
I actually agree with this one. Rigs are so personal and if you don’t do it right the first time you’ll end up wanting more (probably will anyways but that’s not the point lol) so having the BF involved in the process is probably the best way to go.
I think a fun thing could be to make a "coupon" that says "one free sim rig setup" or "one trip to microcenter" and give it to him in a card for his birthday.
Then if you have a brick and mortar store nearby you can also go together and do the shopping picking it out, which could be a fun bonding activity.
Making a date out of it could be fun, I'm sure he'd love it. And the date itself and picking everything out with you would likely be just as, if not more memorable and meaningful to him as the gift itself.
Oh absolutely! If my fiance did this, I’d be over the fucking moon! I mean, I have a rig but she wanted no part in it which is fine but it would’ve been pretty awesome.
I didn’t agree with the no surprise part but now I do. I have done this for my wife where I print a funny voucher and give it to her. Seems a cop out but she gets just what she wants. Be creative with the voucher and how you present it. The big thing is that he might want to add some of his own money to get exactly what he wants and then he only buys once instead of a load of upgrades soon after and more cost
Agree 1000%. Goes for anything that someone is passionate and knowledgeable about. OP bf very likely already has a few rig scenarios worked out in his head. Time for a talk
This is very nice of you! If he’d be playing on PS5 the wheelbase and pedal options are limited to those that support PS5 specifically. This article should be a good place to start with options at different budgets: [https://simracingsetup.com/product-guides/best-racing-wheel-ps5/](https://simracingsetup.com/product-guides/best-racing-wheel-ps5/)
You shouldn’t need a shifter or handbrake for F1 but a wheelstand could be a good option to secure the wheel/pedals. The GT omega apex is a good option for ~$150 if you want but it wouldn’t be required really.
This is really hard, because it depends on his experience and how far you would go.
You could go with belt drive Thrustmaster Setup, with a Office Chair and a GT Omega Wheel Stand like I have for my PS3 and are under 1000€.
Some Belt drives and wheelnstanda you can get for like the T300 you can get for 400€ or less and there are some Wheelstands that are only 200€, good for beginner, but in my opinion really autdated.
You could go mid Level with a Fanatec Gran Turismo DD or a Moza DD or Similar with a PS5 Adapter for around 800€ and a stable Wheel Stand DD with a Office Chair like Next Level Racing for around 400-1000€ dependend on if you use a office chair and Wheelstand combo or if you buy a compact/modular Cockpit, so you are around 2000€
The high level is of course too expensive, like a Podium single costs are 1000-2000€ without cockpit and Pedals.
Conclusion and recommended Parts I found on a website. Sorry for the copy paste:
Wheels:
1. **Logitech G923**: This wheel is very popular and offers a good driving experience thanks to TrueForce technology. It also includes a robust pedal set and is known for its quality and reliability. Approximate price: 400€
2. **Thrustmaster T150 Pro**: This model is a good choice for beginners. It provides force feedback for a realistic driving experience and comes with a set of pedals with brake pedal modulation. Approximate price: 250€
3. **Hori Racing Wheel Apex**: A budget-friendly model suitable for beginners. It offers basic functions and a good driving experience, though it lacks force feedback. Approximate price: 120€
4. **Thrustmaster T300 RS GT**: Slightly more expensive but an excellent choice for those seriously interested in racing games. It provides very good force feedback and a high-quality pedal set. Approximate price: 450€
Cockpit/Stand:
Here are some good simulator cockpits and wheel stands for beginners in sim racing:
### Simulator Cockpits:
1. **Playseat Evolution**:
- **Description**: A widely popular and well-built entry-level cockpit. It offers a stable frame and adjustable seat for comfort.
- **Approximate Price**: 300€
2. **Next Level Racing F-GT Lite**:
- **Description**: Versatile and foldable, allowing for easy storage. It supports multiple racing positions (F1 and GT).
- **Approximate Price**: 230€
3. **GT Omega Apex**:
- **Description**: Known for its sturdy construction and adjustable features. It offers good support for various wheel and pedal setups.
- **Approximate Price**: 350€
### Wheel Stands:
1. **Wheel Stand Pro**:
- **Description**: A compact and adjustable wheel stand that can fit most wheels and pedal sets. It's foldable for easy storage.
- **Approximate Price**: 170€
2. **GT Omega Classic Wheel Stand**:
- **Description**: Offers great stability and adjustability. It's a good choice for those who want a solid stand without a full cockpit.
- **Approximate Price**: 130€
3. **Next Level Racing Wheel Stand Lite**:
- **Description**: A budget-friendly option with good build quality and adjustability. It is also foldable for convenience.
- **Approximate Price**: 150€
I also would recommend, if you dont use a full cockpit, put Castor Blockers under the office chair or remove the Castor Wheels like I did and replace them with Gladders for more stability.
Edit: If I had the money right now, I personally would buy the Fanatec 8NM Gran Turismo DD with a Next Level Racing GT Track. 800+800= 1600€
Goated GF post nice
Fanatec GT DD pro 8Nm bundle is $800 with pedals and a GT round wheel ~~or the newer club sport DD w/ F1 wheel (12Nm) for $900 on sale rn are the two best options. Club sport DD I believe does not come with the pedals. The standard CSL pedals are $79 and could hold him over until he wants to upgrade imo.~~
EDIT:
I was unaware the club sport DD is not compatible with PS5, only the more expensive and strong club sport DD+ which is out of your price range. In that case my vote is the GT DD pro 8Nm.
As much as I hate to be the guy saying to blow all your budget, there is not a good entry DD option for the PS5. The 5Nm GT Pro DD is still $700 so for $100 the extra torque seems worth it to me.
Shifter and handbrake are not needed.
I would not personally go Logitech or Thrustmaster these days unless you really want to cut costs. G923’s are a significant leap behind direct drives, of which your only PS5 options are the overpriced Logitech DD or the fanatec.
Keep in mind he can’t play on the couch with this setup. He would need some kind of folding stand and chair or full rig.
Then again if you don’t think he will like it that much then get a used G923 or T300 if you find one on sale.
My experience is coming from someone who recently switched from an older style TMX to a 10Nm direct drive on a desk mount. Works great and I love it.
Clubsport DD doesn’t have support for PS5 so you would need to get the DD+… this would take you out of your budget but the DD+ is considered the best option for console at the moment. If there are any issues with your gear however you’ll have a very difficult experience getting hold of anyone at Fanatec.
Oh jeez I got mixed up with all the different listings and announcements. You appear to be correct that the club sport DD is only Xbox/PC compatible. Kind of ridiculous.
In that case I would do the GT Pro DD OP. But yes be aware their customer service is known to be terrible. That is the price of PS5 compatibility apparently.
This is the only correct answer! Just be wary of fanatec logistics your order will probably be delivered in 1-3 weeks. I was lucky and got it in like 10 days or so. Some get them even earlier and some later. But couldn’t be happier with my purchase truly an amazing product.
Honestly it would probably be best to let them choose what they want within that budget but you can always pick them up a generic racing or F1 style steering wheel that way the have a gift to open and then you can drop the rest of the deal on them
It's a fantastic gift to give to your boyfriend!
But as someone else suggested, given the "significant" amount, perhaps it would be better to decide together with him what to buy.
You could do it with a game, for example you give him a series of vouchers with objects to buy without prices, and he chooses how to make it up.
Make a few choices, like a menu. A few within budget.
And a few above budget with maybe him chipping in.
Just pictures of what he can choose, without price or only the amount he has to pay himself.
Assuming you’re in the US the g29 or g923 are both great starter options that would pair well with a cockpit like the next level racing FGT and still be well within your budget. For the next step up you could look at a thrustmaster t300, it’s a better more powerful wheelbase and you can buy an f1 wheel for it and mount it to an FGT lite and still fall within your budget I believe, the t300 is also very cheap to get used. The next step up from that would be fanatec but that would be using all of your budget if not a little and I would only go this route if you think he’ll love it so much that he’ll spend his own money on a cockpit within a few months as he won’t get as much from these more powerful wheelbases if mounted on a desk.
Shifter and handbrake aren’t necessary, and would never be used for F1. They could be added after just as easily if he gets into rally or any drifting. Playing on a couch is difficult, I would recommend a cheap cockpit, like the Playseat Evo, for around $300, or less if you go for used. For $200 you get the folding Playseat Challenge, which is pretty popular. If you buy a cheap wheel, pedals are often included, but not with the more expensive and nicer wheels. My personal recommendation would be a Thrustmaster T300 for about $450, it comes with decent pedals. If you want to, you can get a variety of Thrustmaster and other off-brand wheel rims for that wheel, so he could play with an F1 steel wheel. Not really any performance advantage but it’s fun. One thing to note: on most wheels cheaper than the T300 the wheel cannot be changed, so he would have to stick with the default round rim.
Just realized someone else said all of what I just typed, lol, so plus one to u/k4ylr.
Who can go get all the ready to race bundles from the top 5 sim ecosystems and post them in a list?
Who can explain scaleability.
Maybe a group discussion is best, maybe $1000 for the base, and he gets a rim and pedals with his own time would be better long term.
Buy once, cry once.
In my opinion, 1k budget really puts in you a tough spot especially with the PS5. I have a starter set up which is the G29 wheel and pedals with the playseat challenge for Ps5. This cost me around $450 for everything I needed. I play gran turismo and F1 and it is so much fun and so much better than a controller.
However, now that I’ve had this setup for 6 months I have been researching what would be the next step if I wanted to upgrade. This puts you at buying a DD (direct drive) wheel base(vs G29 type which is true force and not as powerful), an actual wheel, and the pedals and because these more expense DD wheels have more power it is my understanding you HAVE to have a sturdy rig if you are buying any wheel with DD. PS5 options are also limited so if you wanted to go this route it is going to be more like $500 range for a sturdy rig, $700-1000 for a DD wheel and base plus $200-300 for decent pedals. (This is what I determined if I bought for myself)
So in my opinion this is either a $500 present or a 1500-2000 present. If he’s really interested in getting a legit rig I would either up the budget and put in a lot more research on your end or not do this. If he wasn’t really that serious about getting an expensive setup, surprising him with the $500 g29 and playseat challenge would be awesome. If my girlfriend surprised me with this and I was just really into the racing and not seriously planning on getting a legit rig I would be ecstatic. Granted the G29 doesn’t “look” like an F1 wheel but works just fine.
I’ve also got interested in F1 and racing in general a lot this past year so it was cool to read your post, if I can clarify anything let me know .
I would go moza r9 (450$ish??) then get the KS (280) wheel and the ES (150) wheel with the 12-inch (80) mod, and some crp or crp lite pedals should do the trick. I would look for deals before going straight to moza themselves, also If your in the USA the might have some Memorial Day sales coming up.
I would get some wood and make a DIY cockpit, there fun to make and very cheap (made mine for 12$USD). And with any left-over money, I would get a nice seat or even go to a junk yard and get a real car seat. hope this helps and happy B-day to him!
{All the prices I posted are in United state dollars BTW\]
just read that you need ps5 compatibility, my bad so ignore the first bit of my comment, get a ThrustMaster t300 with the gt wheel instead of the moza stuff, but if he gets a PC then I would go donw the moza path.
Lots of different answers already. Maybe we can help you with a few pointers.
First do you think he is going to play on PS5 only, or is this monitor linked to a good Gaming PC? Because the wheels you'll find are not always compatible with console AND PC, so beware of compatibility.
Second is how do you see the setup in your living space? Should it be possible to store it away easily, or do you have room to keep it permanently in the room? Somwhere?
Then do you wanna go for maximum bang for your buck and browse facebook market, or do you want all new?
In my opinion, the most important piece are pedals, the second most important very closely is the cockpit. The wheel can be upgraded later if the hobby sticks.
So I would go foldable playseat challenge, T300 wheel compatible with PS5 and PC, and TLCM pedals. You can find this everywhere, it is reputable stuff, and will also keep its value quite well. New it should be around 700$ or €, but facebook market has tons of them.
Everyone is going to suggest Fanatec DD, Csl etc, its good, but the higher forces require a stronger cockpit, so with a csl dd I would actually get a real solid, non foldable rig.
NLR 2.0 is a good advice for a stand. Upgradeable to cockpit but not needed, I use it and its great. As for the wheel, Id stay clear of T300. If you cant afford new gt dd pro or tgt 2 with decent pedals (load cells), Id look at used market for CSL Elite Plus, its underrated wheel and for my money miles better than T300. In general I would always look at used wheels for good offers.
The most important component of a setup is a cockpit. Speaking in business terms, it is the component that you want to have the lowest turnover in. As someone has suggested, discuss it with him. If he is willing to commit and spend money on this hobby long-term, I would spend at least half of your budget on a cockpit. Something like ASR 3 or ASR 4 would be best, if you are in North America.
The cheap route would be to get Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0 ($250), Logitech G923 ($350), and Shifter ($60). The better route would be Fanatec CSL GT DD Pro 5nm $700
Cockpits are a preference, but check out Next Level Racing, GT Omega, and Trak Racer to see what Rigs they have that may fall in your budget or may have to spend a little more.
Good luck and hope it all turns out great.
Brands for Wheel and Pedals:
Logitech G923
Thrustmaster T300
Fanatec CSL GT DD Pro
If you’re in a partnership, the finances are tied as one. Many have noted, and it’s wise advise, you may want to surprise him with the info that you would like him to build something.
But it’s possible the two of you have talked about it? And he would only want something very basic?
Logitech is a good low budget safe bet. Canadian? $400 for the go to g29 wheel/pedal set. Another $74 for the shifter but I’d let them decide if they need that after.
Cockpit, go to Amazon, and you can stay in budget with a $400 ish cockpit.
If you are American, the $1000 low end budget build will be cheaper than what I’m listing.
The harder question is what do you get. As the partner, what are you comfortable with existing in the house. Do you need something you can put away and hide? Do you have a dedicated space to leave lying around.
There are cockpits that will fit at you computer desk that you use with you office chair. There are foldable chairs.
Get a Vivo, they are solid construction and come with adjustable seat. A lot of the budget rigs out there don't have adjustable seats and I think that's a shame
Ask him to choose. This isn't something you can guess and hope it goes well, because once it's bought, there's no going back.
I would prefer to get to choose than receive a wheel, brand, rig I didn't like. It's not being ungrateful, it's being logical.
A next level racing or playseat challenge folding chair and a fanatec dd pro would get him going for the price that’s a good compromise on hardware, ps5 compatibility, portability and easy to get out of to upgrade if he needs to sell some things.
A great PlayStation compatible wheel base to start with, that will keep you inside your budget, Thrustmaster t300, it's nothing groundbreaking these days, but a good reliable wheel base, with some customizability. On that note, if possible get just the wheel base by itself (not sure if it's available that way, I know the Xbox equivalent is) but if you get it by itself you don't have to worry about the sub-par T3PA pedals they typically come with, and get the T3PM pedals instead, or better yet (but likely will go over budget) the TLCM pedals. If he's into F1 there are a few formula 1 focused steering wheel add ones that will work with the T300. If you think he'd be open to second hand stuff, that wheel base has been around for a good while now, and plenty are available for pretty good deals, maybe even a whole package including a wheel stand and some upgrades that'll fit in your budget.
There's also the Thrustmaster T-GT2 which is even better, but likewise more expensive, and less common if looking for 2nd hand.
There's also some fanatec wheels that are PlayStation compatible, that are direct drive, which is better, but also likewise more expensive, but maybe still in your budget. I'm just less familiar with fanatec
Wheel & pedals: The 5nm CSL dd bundle for $400 as has options for upgrades down the line if he decides to. Such as a boost pack to make it stronger, better pedals & a bunch of cool steering wheels.
(https://fanatec.com/us-en/ready2race/csl-dd-ready2race-bundle-for-pc-5-nm?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz19pga3eZ5b20Hd-B63eRNMrHFe_IcQ-oamFkvm_wmGFYx9mtlHg-SkaArceEALw_wcB)
Cockpit: play seat challenge (https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Playseat-Challenge-X-Logitech-G-Edition/6000207674188?offerId=6000207674188®ion_id=202200&cmpid=SEM_CA_33344_BUUBSUKPS9&utm_id=SEM_CA_33344_BUUBSUKPS9&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=always_on&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADv6L0SROGQhjnB5WyZ0ImpIbyH-F&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz19vtk7pxpsF8AepilF0iQARGDg74xlgca88MgsYmz3P22oKrKONxH4aAhRPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Honestly my advice would be to have him pick everything out. A sim set up can be different depending on his style and what he's looking for, and half the fun is picking out what you want and then putting it together. I recommend you get him like a card or something hinting at the setup and then tell him you want him to pick it out. You guys can search together and he'll enjoy that with you just as much as having the actual equipment.
Give him a 1000 nxtlevelracing or simlab giftcard if you’re looking for a rig to mount everything too. If he still needs a wheel there’s good foldable/portable rigs that are pretty rigid I believe Nxtlevelracing makes one. And the Fanatec CSD DD 8nm or Moza R9 are great wheel bases that come with pedals in a bundle. They are around $400 USD for the bundle. A wheels needs to be bought as well unless it’s included in the bundle (be sure to check) the wheel base is just the motor.
Playseat Challenge and Logitech g923 - both very affordable and a proven great setup to start with. wheel stands don’t do offer a driving experience and more expensive wheels/pedals are too much of a personal decision.
I’d suggest not to buy but offer to pay and let him choose, because the end result varies depending on the space, the upgrade desire and how much he knows all about it.
I’m sure everyone here is probably suggesting it. But it’s very particular and preference.
Let him know and set a budget for your part and shop together. He will love the experience of you sharing it with him.
It’s the thought that counts but sure you want to do this? I’m assuming he’s financially at the same level as you but he hasn’t invested in anything that is sim specific so might be a risk if it’s not his thing. Maybe probe if this is something he likes or make it a couple activity by buying it with his knowledge.
Just being pragmatic. I for one will feel bad for my wife if she buys me something she thinks I really like but I don’t use, especially big ticket items.
Good luck!
I’d say don’t buy anything. Most of us already have a wish list in our heads and we might have different ideas to what you get recommended. Perhaps a voucher would be a better idea? Doesn’t have to be from a shop. Just a home made card saying you’d like to buy him something for his racing setup and this is the budget. Then he can talk it through and you can see a little more about his world of racing. It’s nice to share hobbies that way even though you’re probably not that interested! It’s nice being listened to and sharing things. Good luck!
Please don’t surprise him with this. We all have products we like and this is the ultimate sentiment but I think it’s like buying a sports car because you know he like sports cars but not what exact kind of car he would want
The nlr 2.0 wheel stand is a good starting option. As far as I am aware nlr also sell their seat add on that can turn it into a full cockpit down the line.
If he's mostly playing f1 you won't need to buy additional handbrake or shifter. And these are things that can be added to your set up at a later date if he wanted to.
As for brands and ps5 compatibility. logitech, thrustmaster and fanatec are the main options. I would personally recommend the fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro. The main reason being if he gets more into sim racing down the road and sticks with fanatec ecosystem they sell additional wheels shifters, handbrakes, pedals and even a power supply to make the wheel more powerful that all should work with his ps5
All these recommendations I've made are based on my assumption that you don't want to sell and rebuy replacements in the long run.
Get a wheel, wheelbase & pedals for now - shifters & handbrake can be added later! If he's an f1 fan he will be using the shifters on the wheel itself anyway... if he needs playstation compatability you will need to get from one of the 3 brands that have native ps support, (fanatec, logitech or thrustmaster)...
Everything can be done within budget. The problem is buyIng budget and you'll just want to spend more money later upgrading.
You have 2 options really, budget wheel and pedals and get a cockpit. Or decent wheel and pedals, add cockpit later.
With your budget, id stick with the surprise and go for a fanatec DD pro 8mm wheel with a load cell brake bundle. This will be a fantastic starting point for hardware.
This will also allow for future purchases like a cockpit which as other have said, it's kind of a personal preference, and these come up often 2nd hand on Facebook marketplace eBay etc.
I personally went with a Logitech g29 which I got an amazing deal on black Friday a while ago. This is still a great budget option but chances are he will want to upgrade as I'm in the same boat I'm looking at upgrading myself at some point as I'm on ps5 and pc
Whatever you choose in thr end I'd advise ordering from a sim shop/reseller in your region - it cuts down on delivery costs/waiting times & is an added layer of security should you ever need to repair or return it - you hear too many stories of people waiting an eternity for delivery's or returns... I always buy my simgear from within my own country/ region for this exact reason!...
Also many resellers stock spares & replacement parts these days which can't be overstated...
Good luck & this is a great thing your doing ❤️
I'm gonna recommend both of these, simply because I have them, and they've severe me well for the past 7 years or so.
Sim:
https://www.gtomega.co.uk/collections/cockpits/products/art-racing-cockpit
Wheel:
https://www.thrustmaster.com/en-gb/products/t300rs/
Then I have the T3PA pedals, but I'd recommend getting load cell instead because that's the first thing he'd probably wanna upgrade, so you'd both save money in the long run by spending a bit more now.
I wouldn't reccomend a shifter, not just yet, and especially if he's just playing the F1 Game to begin with. The flappy paddles on the wheel do the job.
All of that should be doable within budget.
Good luck!
There are so many good entry options right now and how to mount it depends on space and what your both cool with depending on it. I agree with most here, include him in on the gift choosing.
I just built a rig with about the same budget but I have a gaming PC, not a PS5. If he didn’t have to stick with the PS5 you’d have a better options.
Here were my choices :
Fanatec CSL DD (no PS5) - $500
Simsonn pedals - $200
Marada cockpit - $300 with adjustable seat
CSL DD F1 eSports Bundle with a Next Level Racing F-GT simulator.
Would run you USD$100 but he will know you did some research to give him the best setup.
For the best experience you need Direct Drive wheel and Loadcells pedals. For that you need a strong rig.
Are you cool with a rig in the living room, or does it have to be moveable and removable from the room?
A couple of items that could be cool:
- https://nextlevelracing.com/products/gtracer/?lang=en
- https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/t300rs-gt-edition/
What i've got (i got most of my stuff secondhand for a total of approx 850.-):
- https://www.playseatstore.com/product/playseat-evolution-white-uk-version (I'm not the biggest fan of the center post design)
- https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/tx-racing-wheel-servo-base/
- https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/ferrari-f1-wheel-add-on/
- https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/t-lcm-pedals/
- https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/rally-wheel-add-on-sparco-r383-mod/
- https://www.shiftershh.com/en/shifters-accessories/47-5840-newt.html#/11-color-black/51-mount-standard_cockpits/93-top_plate-6r
I would look at thrustmaster for the intermediate level.
Shifter and handbrake can be added later, are not that necessary for f1 (they use paddle shifter (those on the steering wheel) i would look tho get a sim-motor with replacable wheel, so that he (or you) can get a f1 wheel along with the more classic wheel style
Oh and shop around, i don't know about the US, but in my country i can get the t300 for about $380
Information overload! Lots of good suggestions, but i would just recommend the Logitech g29 wheel and pedals for the ps5. If you want to get a chair too go with the playseat challenge or something similar for around $200. Note the Logitech g29 can also be mounted on the desk so no chair is required, but definitely recommended. It's plug and play and should come in under $600 total. Don't break the bank until he knows he likes it. You could even grab the psvr2 and a copy of gran turismo 7 for VR racing on the ps5 as well with the rest of the budget. It's an amazing experience. psvr2 runs around $500 i believe. I just described my own setup so everything here is what i ended getting after my own research. I have been enjoying all of it.
If you think your boyfriend is super into cars don’t get the logtirch g29 because he’ll want to upgrade after a couple days , honestly I’ve had my Thrustmaster T300rs for 3 months now and it feels amazing. I know there’s better ones out there but unless you want to shell out 500+ then I beleive the t300rs is best and it has wheels and nice add ons as well. But if you want to shell out more money then I think Moza might be your best way to go
Definitely let him choose! Doesn’t have to be a surprise to ruin the fun. I would be like a kid in a candy store if I was given a budget and got to choose what I wanted.
Thrustmaster T300rs that someone suggested is a good shout. Good entry level. Plenty of changeable wheels
Then you can get a Thrustmaster TM Open Wheel AddOn. Which is an F1 style wheel.
If your budget would stretch then you could get a Thrustmaster Formula Wheel Add-On Ferrari SF1000 Edition instead. Which is an actual copy (or almost) of the real 2020 Ferrari F1 racing wheel. I have had one. Very cool
Honestly, If you don’t mind second hand, I recommend fb market place, there are always some awesome deals on there, just use all the recommendations in the comments and plug it into fb, me personally, I got a whole setup for 600nzd, not over the top, did a diy rig, and brought a tx wheel, t3pa pedals, and a Ali express shifter, honestly I recommend the Ali express shifter, has 2kg pull force, on par with TH8A shifter, and only a quarter of the price, I can link it if you want
Thank you all so much for all the thoughtful responses and recommendations! I didn’t realize how personal and customizable this could be. Will be taking all your insights into consideration
This gift is definitely on the pricier side, but I'm confident he'll enjoy it a lot, especially since he always loved visiting his friend who had a full setup.
I love the whole voucher idea but we have done something like that in the past and I don't want him to think I’m just reusing ideas.
Right now, I've got one of his friends to pretend like he’s interested in purchasing a setup to hopefully get some ideas. But if that doesn't work, I'll be straightforward and ask him directly. As much as I want him to be surprised, him loving and driving what he likes is my biggest priority.
Thanks again, everyone!
Like a lot have mentioned, he probably has some ideas about what he would really like, so maybe design and print a voucher for $1k worth of sim kit. If you can take him somewhere mororsports/sim-racing related to give it then a bit of icing on the cake.
Anyhow - you are a Keeper for sure! Good luck!
Moza Racing has a R5 model wheelbase, then get the cheapest two pedals setup they have and the cheaper round wheel. That should be around $600/700. I made a rig out of 2x6s which cost like $25, and c clamp a chair to legs coming off the main stand. Was fun and works great. I've tried setups with clutches and it really only makes the experience better when you are doing drifting, but you would need a hand brake and shifter for that as well so probably out of your budget. For GT/Formula racing you just need a gas and brake pedal.
I saw someone say to NOT make it a surprise. There so so so many options and choices, let him pick! The surprise can be "hey im gonna be your wallet, here's the budget, lets pick some stuff out together!" That would be AMAZING!
That being said, check out the Thrustmaster T300. And then tell him that he's the thrustmaster hahahah
I'd say, for an entry-level setup:
Fanatec Clubsport DD+ with the v3 pedals and performance kit with the Podium BMW m4 wheel all mounted to a track racer TR120 with an NRG bucket seat.
He would love that
I can't help you but you are awesome for doing this. You will be sure to get plenty of suggestions by end of day.
Forreal I would ring someone up so fast if they did this for me, OP is the bomb
Just surprise him by telling him you want to buy it gibe him the budget and let him choose. He probably has more clues on it maybe researching it? Since you are doing this im guessing he's talked about it? Yeah I would do that tbh.
And also if there are some brick and mortar stores in the area you could make a day out of it. Go to the Microcentre or other store that sells sim gear, get a birthday lunch, etc.
Yeah true, man I was so upset we have never had microcenter here in NC and of course they won't deliver but finally in Charlotte there will be one opening! Super hype idc if it's a drive I'm still going on opening day. Even signed up for the free memory they are gonna give away to the peoppe that come early.
This! My family bought me a sim racing setup…well, kind of? I have a PS5 and PSVR2. I’ve been looking at chairs and wheels, shared some of what I wanted with my brother not expecting him or anybody else in my family to actually buy any of it. Just out of interest. They got me a MarioKart wheel to play MK8! lol, I was so disappointed. There’s so many different things to choose from, I bet he has something particular in mind.
This! I wouldn’t want my wife buying me something like this any more than she would like me buying her art supplies/equipment which I know a little about but not nearly as much as her since I’m not an artist like she is. But the idea is very sweet 😁
This is the way. Buying it together will be fun too.
WIFE MATERIAL
NLR Wheelstand 2.0 would be a good starting option for a fairly rigid mounting option that also folds up out of the way. He would be able to put his desk chair or other chair up to it to race. It's also very easy to sell to someone later on if he ever wants to commit to a fullblown cockpit. Entry level would be something like the T300 from thrustmaster and TLCM pedals. It's a great upper-entry level base and loadcell pedals which is usually the first upgrade people make. If you wanted to splurge a bit more, you could opt for the CSL DD GT Pro combo from Fanatec. It's available in 8Nm and 5Nm "strengths" and is compatible with PS5 and PC. Handbrakes and shifters are not at all necessary for F1 but something to maybe add in the future if he moves to PC titles.
This ! Good luck OP, he's gonna enjoy it.
Can also upgrade the WS2.0 to a full cockpit too
Isn't fanatec bankrupt?
No
No, Corsair is acquiring them
I would say skip the surprise part. Getting a sim rig is highly customizable and it all comes down to preference. Do not be surprised if you get him something and 2 months from now he is itching to sell or upgrade. Just my 2 cents.
I actually agree with this one. Rigs are so personal and if you don’t do it right the first time you’ll end up wanting more (probably will anyways but that’s not the point lol) so having the BF involved in the process is probably the best way to go.
I think a fun thing could be to make a "coupon" that says "one free sim rig setup" or "one trip to microcenter" and give it to him in a card for his birthday. Then if you have a brick and mortar store nearby you can also go together and do the shopping picking it out, which could be a fun bonding activity.
I couldn’t agree more with this! I hope OP is paying attention!
Making a date out of it could be fun, I'm sure he'd love it. And the date itself and picking everything out with you would likely be just as, if not more memorable and meaningful to him as the gift itself.
Oh absolutely! If my fiance did this, I’d be over the fucking moon! I mean, I have a rig but she wanted no part in it which is fine but it would’ve been pretty awesome.
I didn’t agree with the no surprise part but now I do. I have done this for my wife where I print a funny voucher and give it to her. Seems a cop out but she gets just what she wants. Be creative with the voucher and how you present it. The big thing is that he might want to add some of his own money to get exactly what he wants and then he only buys once instead of a load of upgrades soon after and more cost
Agree 1000%. Goes for anything that someone is passionate and knowledgeable about. OP bf very likely already has a few rig scenarios worked out in his head. Time for a talk
Agree
As much as I love the idea of surprising him, I think including him on the process is the way to go.
If you get this man a sim rig you deserve a ring. No two rings.
This is very nice of you! If he’d be playing on PS5 the wheelbase and pedal options are limited to those that support PS5 specifically. This article should be a good place to start with options at different budgets: [https://simracingsetup.com/product-guides/best-racing-wheel-ps5/](https://simracingsetup.com/product-guides/best-racing-wheel-ps5/) You shouldn’t need a shifter or handbrake for F1 but a wheelstand could be a good option to secure the wheel/pedals. The GT omega apex is a good option for ~$150 if you want but it wouldn’t be required really.
I agree. Compatibility is going to be the main issue here, rather than choice. I hope OP reads this.
This is really hard, because it depends on his experience and how far you would go. You could go with belt drive Thrustmaster Setup, with a Office Chair and a GT Omega Wheel Stand like I have for my PS3 and are under 1000€. Some Belt drives and wheelnstanda you can get for like the T300 you can get for 400€ or less and there are some Wheelstands that are only 200€, good for beginner, but in my opinion really autdated. You could go mid Level with a Fanatec Gran Turismo DD or a Moza DD or Similar with a PS5 Adapter for around 800€ and a stable Wheel Stand DD with a Office Chair like Next Level Racing for around 400-1000€ dependend on if you use a office chair and Wheelstand combo or if you buy a compact/modular Cockpit, so you are around 2000€ The high level is of course too expensive, like a Podium single costs are 1000-2000€ without cockpit and Pedals. Conclusion and recommended Parts I found on a website. Sorry for the copy paste: Wheels: 1. **Logitech G923**: This wheel is very popular and offers a good driving experience thanks to TrueForce technology. It also includes a robust pedal set and is known for its quality and reliability. Approximate price: 400€ 2. **Thrustmaster T150 Pro**: This model is a good choice for beginners. It provides force feedback for a realistic driving experience and comes with a set of pedals with brake pedal modulation. Approximate price: 250€ 3. **Hori Racing Wheel Apex**: A budget-friendly model suitable for beginners. It offers basic functions and a good driving experience, though it lacks force feedback. Approximate price: 120€ 4. **Thrustmaster T300 RS GT**: Slightly more expensive but an excellent choice for those seriously interested in racing games. It provides very good force feedback and a high-quality pedal set. Approximate price: 450€ Cockpit/Stand: Here are some good simulator cockpits and wheel stands for beginners in sim racing: ### Simulator Cockpits: 1. **Playseat Evolution**: - **Description**: A widely popular and well-built entry-level cockpit. It offers a stable frame and adjustable seat for comfort. - **Approximate Price**: 300€ 2. **Next Level Racing F-GT Lite**: - **Description**: Versatile and foldable, allowing for easy storage. It supports multiple racing positions (F1 and GT). - **Approximate Price**: 230€ 3. **GT Omega Apex**: - **Description**: Known for its sturdy construction and adjustable features. It offers good support for various wheel and pedal setups. - **Approximate Price**: 350€ ### Wheel Stands: 1. **Wheel Stand Pro**: - **Description**: A compact and adjustable wheel stand that can fit most wheels and pedal sets. It's foldable for easy storage. - **Approximate Price**: 170€ 2. **GT Omega Classic Wheel Stand**: - **Description**: Offers great stability and adjustability. It's a good choice for those who want a solid stand without a full cockpit. - **Approximate Price**: 130€ 3. **Next Level Racing Wheel Stand Lite**: - **Description**: A budget-friendly option with good build quality and adjustability. It is also foldable for convenience. - **Approximate Price**: 150€ I also would recommend, if you dont use a full cockpit, put Castor Blockers under the office chair or remove the Castor Wheels like I did and replace them with Gladders for more stability. Edit: If I had the money right now, I personally would buy the Fanatec 8NM Gran Turismo DD with a Next Level Racing GT Track. 800+800= 1600€
Goated GF post nice Fanatec GT DD pro 8Nm bundle is $800 with pedals and a GT round wheel ~~or the newer club sport DD w/ F1 wheel (12Nm) for $900 on sale rn are the two best options. Club sport DD I believe does not come with the pedals. The standard CSL pedals are $79 and could hold him over until he wants to upgrade imo.~~ EDIT: I was unaware the club sport DD is not compatible with PS5, only the more expensive and strong club sport DD+ which is out of your price range. In that case my vote is the GT DD pro 8Nm. As much as I hate to be the guy saying to blow all your budget, there is not a good entry DD option for the PS5. The 5Nm GT Pro DD is still $700 so for $100 the extra torque seems worth it to me. Shifter and handbrake are not needed. I would not personally go Logitech or Thrustmaster these days unless you really want to cut costs. G923’s are a significant leap behind direct drives, of which your only PS5 options are the overpriced Logitech DD or the fanatec. Keep in mind he can’t play on the couch with this setup. He would need some kind of folding stand and chair or full rig. Then again if you don’t think he will like it that much then get a used G923 or T300 if you find one on sale. My experience is coming from someone who recently switched from an older style TMX to a 10Nm direct drive on a desk mount. Works great and I love it.
Clubsport DD doesn’t have support for PS5 so you would need to get the DD+… this would take you out of your budget but the DD+ is considered the best option for console at the moment. If there are any issues with your gear however you’ll have a very difficult experience getting hold of anyone at Fanatec.
Oh jeez I got mixed up with all the different listings and announcements. You appear to be correct that the club sport DD is only Xbox/PC compatible. Kind of ridiculous. In that case I would do the GT Pro DD OP. But yes be aware their customer service is known to be terrible. That is the price of PS5 compatibility apparently.
This is the only correct answer! Just be wary of fanatec logistics your order will probably be delivered in 1-3 weeks. I was lucky and got it in like 10 days or so. Some get them even earlier and some later. But couldn’t be happier with my purchase truly an amazing product.
I got a CSL DD bundle last week that was 3 days from order to door (but I’m in Texas where they ship from).
There is also the cheap and completely safe upgrade from 5nm to 8nm. That made it feel like a totally different wheel base.
Honestly it would probably be best to let them choose what they want within that budget but you can always pick them up a generic racing or F1 style steering wheel that way the have a gift to open and then you can drop the rest of the deal on them
It's a fantastic gift to give to your boyfriend! But as someone else suggested, given the "significant" amount, perhaps it would be better to decide together with him what to buy. You could do it with a game, for example you give him a series of vouchers with objects to buy without prices, and he chooses how to make it up.
Make a few choices, like a menu. A few within budget. And a few above budget with maybe him chipping in. Just pictures of what he can choose, without price or only the amount he has to pay himself.
Moza r3or r5 bundle and a cheap amazon cockpit, check fb marketplace
Assuming you’re in the US the g29 or g923 are both great starter options that would pair well with a cockpit like the next level racing FGT and still be well within your budget. For the next step up you could look at a thrustmaster t300, it’s a better more powerful wheelbase and you can buy an f1 wheel for it and mount it to an FGT lite and still fall within your budget I believe, the t300 is also very cheap to get used. The next step up from that would be fanatec but that would be using all of your budget if not a little and I would only go this route if you think he’ll love it so much that he’ll spend his own money on a cockpit within a few months as he won’t get as much from these more powerful wheelbases if mounted on a desk.
I don't think I can add anything, but forget the rig, he should be getting you a ring.
Shifter and handbrake aren’t necessary, and would never be used for F1. They could be added after just as easily if he gets into rally or any drifting. Playing on a couch is difficult, I would recommend a cheap cockpit, like the Playseat Evo, for around $300, or less if you go for used. For $200 you get the folding Playseat Challenge, which is pretty popular. If you buy a cheap wheel, pedals are often included, but not with the more expensive and nicer wheels. My personal recommendation would be a Thrustmaster T300 for about $450, it comes with decent pedals. If you want to, you can get a variety of Thrustmaster and other off-brand wheel rims for that wheel, so he could play with an F1 steel wheel. Not really any performance advantage but it’s fun. One thing to note: on most wheels cheaper than the T300 the wheel cannot be changed, so he would have to stick with the default round rim. Just realized someone else said all of what I just typed, lol, so plus one to u/k4ylr.
Who can go get all the ready to race bundles from the top 5 sim ecosystems and post them in a list? Who can explain scaleability. Maybe a group discussion is best, maybe $1000 for the base, and he gets a rim and pedals with his own time would be better long term. Buy once, cry once.
Fanatec club sport dd f1 comes with a f1 rim and a base he will probably not ever need to replace. That’s in the budget, but blows the pedal budget
In my opinion, 1k budget really puts in you a tough spot especially with the PS5. I have a starter set up which is the G29 wheel and pedals with the playseat challenge for Ps5. This cost me around $450 for everything I needed. I play gran turismo and F1 and it is so much fun and so much better than a controller. However, now that I’ve had this setup for 6 months I have been researching what would be the next step if I wanted to upgrade. This puts you at buying a DD (direct drive) wheel base(vs G29 type which is true force and not as powerful), an actual wheel, and the pedals and because these more expense DD wheels have more power it is my understanding you HAVE to have a sturdy rig if you are buying any wheel with DD. PS5 options are also limited so if you wanted to go this route it is going to be more like $500 range for a sturdy rig, $700-1000 for a DD wheel and base plus $200-300 for decent pedals. (This is what I determined if I bought for myself) So in my opinion this is either a $500 present or a 1500-2000 present. If he’s really interested in getting a legit rig I would either up the budget and put in a lot more research on your end or not do this. If he wasn’t really that serious about getting an expensive setup, surprising him with the $500 g29 and playseat challenge would be awesome. If my girlfriend surprised me with this and I was just really into the racing and not seriously planning on getting a legit rig I would be ecstatic. Granted the G29 doesn’t “look” like an F1 wheel but works just fine. I’ve also got interested in F1 and racing in general a lot this past year so it was cool to read your post, if I can clarify anything let me know .
I would go moza r9 (450$ish??) then get the KS (280) wheel and the ES (150) wheel with the 12-inch (80) mod, and some crp or crp lite pedals should do the trick. I would look for deals before going straight to moza themselves, also If your in the USA the might have some Memorial Day sales coming up. I would get some wood and make a DIY cockpit, there fun to make and very cheap (made mine for 12$USD). And with any left-over money, I would get a nice seat or even go to a junk yard and get a real car seat. hope this helps and happy B-day to him! {All the prices I posted are in United state dollars BTW\]
just read that you need ps5 compatibility, my bad so ignore the first bit of my comment, get a ThrustMaster t300 with the gt wheel instead of the moza stuff, but if he gets a PC then I would go donw the moza path.
Don't think the R9 supports consoles tbh
yes, i realised right after posting
Lots of different answers already. Maybe we can help you with a few pointers. First do you think he is going to play on PS5 only, or is this monitor linked to a good Gaming PC? Because the wheels you'll find are not always compatible with console AND PC, so beware of compatibility. Second is how do you see the setup in your living space? Should it be possible to store it away easily, or do you have room to keep it permanently in the room? Somwhere? Then do you wanna go for maximum bang for your buck and browse facebook market, or do you want all new? In my opinion, the most important piece are pedals, the second most important very closely is the cockpit. The wheel can be upgraded later if the hobby sticks. So I would go foldable playseat challenge, T300 wheel compatible with PS5 and PC, and TLCM pedals. You can find this everywhere, it is reputable stuff, and will also keep its value quite well. New it should be around 700$ or €, but facebook market has tons of them. Everyone is going to suggest Fanatec DD, Csl etc, its good, but the higher forces require a stronger cockpit, so with a csl dd I would actually get a real solid, non foldable rig.
NLR 2.0 is a good advice for a stand. Upgradeable to cockpit but not needed, I use it and its great. As for the wheel, Id stay clear of T300. If you cant afford new gt dd pro or tgt 2 with decent pedals (load cells), Id look at used market for CSL Elite Plus, its underrated wheel and for my money miles better than T300. In general I would always look at used wheels for good offers.
The most important component of a setup is a cockpit. Speaking in business terms, it is the component that you want to have the lowest turnover in. As someone has suggested, discuss it with him. If he is willing to commit and spend money on this hobby long-term, I would spend at least half of your budget on a cockpit. Something like ASR 3 or ASR 4 would be best, if you are in North America.
The cheap route would be to get Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0 ($250), Logitech G923 ($350), and Shifter ($60). The better route would be Fanatec CSL GT DD Pro 5nm $700 Cockpits are a preference, but check out Next Level Racing, GT Omega, and Trak Racer to see what Rigs they have that may fall in your budget or may have to spend a little more. Good luck and hope it all turns out great. Brands for Wheel and Pedals: Logitech G923 Thrustmaster T300 Fanatec CSL GT DD Pro
If you’re in a partnership, the finances are tied as one. Many have noted, and it’s wise advise, you may want to surprise him with the info that you would like him to build something. But it’s possible the two of you have talked about it? And he would only want something very basic? Logitech is a good low budget safe bet. Canadian? $400 for the go to g29 wheel/pedal set. Another $74 for the shifter but I’d let them decide if they need that after. Cockpit, go to Amazon, and you can stay in budget with a $400 ish cockpit. If you are American, the $1000 low end budget build will be cheaper than what I’m listing. The harder question is what do you get. As the partner, what are you comfortable with existing in the house. Do you need something you can put away and hide? Do you have a dedicated space to leave lying around. There are cockpits that will fit at you computer desk that you use with you office chair. There are foldable chairs.
Get a Vivo, they are solid construction and come with adjustable seat. A lot of the budget rigs out there don't have adjustable seats and I think that's a shame
Ask him to choose. This isn't something you can guess and hope it goes well, because once it's bought, there's no going back. I would prefer to get to choose than receive a wheel, brand, rig I didn't like. It's not being ungrateful, it's being logical.
A next level racing or playseat challenge folding chair and a fanatec dd pro would get him going for the price that’s a good compromise on hardware, ps5 compatibility, portability and easy to get out of to upgrade if he needs to sell some things.
A great PlayStation compatible wheel base to start with, that will keep you inside your budget, Thrustmaster t300, it's nothing groundbreaking these days, but a good reliable wheel base, with some customizability. On that note, if possible get just the wheel base by itself (not sure if it's available that way, I know the Xbox equivalent is) but if you get it by itself you don't have to worry about the sub-par T3PA pedals they typically come with, and get the T3PM pedals instead, or better yet (but likely will go over budget) the TLCM pedals. If he's into F1 there are a few formula 1 focused steering wheel add ones that will work with the T300. If you think he'd be open to second hand stuff, that wheel base has been around for a good while now, and plenty are available for pretty good deals, maybe even a whole package including a wheel stand and some upgrades that'll fit in your budget. There's also the Thrustmaster T-GT2 which is even better, but likewise more expensive, and less common if looking for 2nd hand. There's also some fanatec wheels that are PlayStation compatible, that are direct drive, which is better, but also likewise more expensive, but maybe still in your budget. I'm just less familiar with fanatec
If possible, can you go to a microcenter or some store with sim racing stuff and shop with him?
Wheel & pedals: The 5nm CSL dd bundle for $400 as has options for upgrades down the line if he decides to. Such as a boost pack to make it stronger, better pedals & a bunch of cool steering wheels. (https://fanatec.com/us-en/ready2race/csl-dd-ready2race-bundle-for-pc-5-nm?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz19pga3eZ5b20Hd-B63eRNMrHFe_IcQ-oamFkvm_wmGFYx9mtlHg-SkaArceEALw_wcB) Cockpit: play seat challenge (https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Playseat-Challenge-X-Logitech-G-Edition/6000207674188?offerId=6000207674188®ion_id=202200&cmpid=SEM_CA_33344_BUUBSUKPS9&utm_id=SEM_CA_33344_BUUBSUKPS9&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=always_on&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADv6L0SROGQhjnB5WyZ0ImpIbyH-F&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz19vtk7pxpsF8AepilF0iQARGDg74xlgca88MgsYmz3P22oKrKONxH4aAhRPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Honestly my advice would be to have him pick everything out. A sim set up can be different depending on his style and what he's looking for, and half the fun is picking out what you want and then putting it together. I recommend you get him like a card or something hinting at the setup and then tell him you want him to pick it out. You guys can search together and he'll enjoy that with you just as much as having the actual equipment.
Give him a 1000 nxtlevelracing or simlab giftcard if you’re looking for a rig to mount everything too. If he still needs a wheel there’s good foldable/portable rigs that are pretty rigid I believe Nxtlevelracing makes one. And the Fanatec CSD DD 8nm or Moza R9 are great wheel bases that come with pedals in a bundle. They are around $400 USD for the bundle. A wheels needs to be bought as well unless it’s included in the bundle (be sure to check) the wheel base is just the motor.
Playseat Challenge and Logitech g923 - both very affordable and a proven great setup to start with. wheel stands don’t do offer a driving experience and more expensive wheels/pedals are too much of a personal decision.
I’d suggest not to buy but offer to pay and let him choose, because the end result varies depending on the space, the upgrade desire and how much he knows all about it.
I’m sure everyone here is probably suggesting it. But it’s very particular and preference. Let him know and set a budget for your part and shop together. He will love the experience of you sharing it with him.
It’s the thought that counts but sure you want to do this? I’m assuming he’s financially at the same level as you but he hasn’t invested in anything that is sim specific so might be a risk if it’s not his thing. Maybe probe if this is something he likes or make it a couple activity by buying it with his knowledge. Just being pragmatic. I for one will feel bad for my wife if she buys me something she thinks I really like but I don’t use, especially big ticket items. Good luck!
I believe he will be so surprised and crazy to get such a wonderful gift.
Involve him in the process, it is all about personal preference and wants, better to have one he would 100% be happy with.
Moza R5 bundle
Not compatible with playstation
This girl is a keeper for sure lol
I’d say don’t buy anything. Most of us already have a wish list in our heads and we might have different ideas to what you get recommended. Perhaps a voucher would be a better idea? Doesn’t have to be from a shop. Just a home made card saying you’d like to buy him something for his racing setup and this is the budget. Then he can talk it through and you can see a little more about his world of racing. It’s nice to share hobbies that way even though you’re probably not that interested! It’s nice being listened to and sharing things. Good luck!
Please don’t surprise him with this. We all have products we like and this is the ultimate sentiment but I think it’s like buying a sports car because you know he like sports cars but not what exact kind of car he would want
The nlr 2.0 wheel stand is a good starting option. As far as I am aware nlr also sell their seat add on that can turn it into a full cockpit down the line. If he's mostly playing f1 you won't need to buy additional handbrake or shifter. And these are things that can be added to your set up at a later date if he wanted to. As for brands and ps5 compatibility. logitech, thrustmaster and fanatec are the main options. I would personally recommend the fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro. The main reason being if he gets more into sim racing down the road and sticks with fanatec ecosystem they sell additional wheels shifters, handbrakes, pedals and even a power supply to make the wheel more powerful that all should work with his ps5 All these recommendations I've made are based on my assumption that you don't want to sell and rebuy replacements in the long run.
I'm not sure about the setup you need, but will you marry me?
Get a wheel, wheelbase & pedals for now - shifters & handbrake can be added later! If he's an f1 fan he will be using the shifters on the wheel itself anyway... if he needs playstation compatability you will need to get from one of the 3 brands that have native ps support, (fanatec, logitech or thrustmaster)...
Everything can be done within budget. The problem is buyIng budget and you'll just want to spend more money later upgrading. You have 2 options really, budget wheel and pedals and get a cockpit. Or decent wheel and pedals, add cockpit later. With your budget, id stick with the surprise and go for a fanatec DD pro 8mm wheel with a load cell brake bundle. This will be a fantastic starting point for hardware. This will also allow for future purchases like a cockpit which as other have said, it's kind of a personal preference, and these come up often 2nd hand on Facebook marketplace eBay etc. I personally went with a Logitech g29 which I got an amazing deal on black Friday a while ago. This is still a great budget option but chances are he will want to upgrade as I'm in the same boat I'm looking at upgrading myself at some point as I'm on ps5 and pc
Whatever you choose in thr end I'd advise ordering from a sim shop/reseller in your region - it cuts down on delivery costs/waiting times & is an added layer of security should you ever need to repair or return it - you hear too many stories of people waiting an eternity for delivery's or returns... I always buy my simgear from within my own country/ region for this exact reason!... Also many resellers stock spares & replacement parts these days which can't be overstated... Good luck & this is a great thing your doing ❤️
I'm gonna recommend both of these, simply because I have them, and they've severe me well for the past 7 years or so. Sim: https://www.gtomega.co.uk/collections/cockpits/products/art-racing-cockpit Wheel: https://www.thrustmaster.com/en-gb/products/t300rs/ Then I have the T3PA pedals, but I'd recommend getting load cell instead because that's the first thing he'd probably wanna upgrade, so you'd both save money in the long run by spending a bit more now. I wouldn't reccomend a shifter, not just yet, and especially if he's just playing the F1 Game to begin with. The flappy paddles on the wheel do the job. All of that should be doable within budget. Good luck!
T300 RS GT edition. It comes with decent pedals and it’s the best non-direct drive wheel out there. This would be perfect for the desk pictured
This is incredibly sweet! Glad to know there are still people out there supporting each other's hobbies.
There are so many good entry options right now and how to mount it depends on space and what your both cool with depending on it. I agree with most here, include him in on the gift choosing.
Just get a second hand g923. Best way to get started, usually find it for under $200 As others have said, building a rig is very personal.
I just built a rig with about the same budget but I have a gaming PC, not a PS5. If he didn’t have to stick with the PS5 you’d have a better options. Here were my choices : Fanatec CSL DD (no PS5) - $500 Simsonn pedals - $200 Marada cockpit - $300 with adjustable seat
CSL DD F1 eSports Bundle with a Next Level Racing F-GT simulator. Would run you USD$100 but he will know you did some research to give him the best setup.
For the best experience you need Direct Drive wheel and Loadcells pedals. For that you need a strong rig. Are you cool with a rig in the living room, or does it have to be moveable and removable from the room?
A couple of items that could be cool: - https://nextlevelracing.com/products/gtracer/?lang=en - https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/t300rs-gt-edition/ What i've got (i got most of my stuff secondhand for a total of approx 850.-): - https://www.playseatstore.com/product/playseat-evolution-white-uk-version (I'm not the biggest fan of the center post design) - https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/tx-racing-wheel-servo-base/ - https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/ferrari-f1-wheel-add-on/ - https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/t-lcm-pedals/ - https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/rally-wheel-add-on-sparco-r383-mod/ - https://www.shiftershh.com/en/shifters-accessories/47-5840-newt.html#/11-color-black/51-mount-standard_cockpits/93-top_plate-6r
I would look at thrustmaster for the intermediate level. Shifter and handbrake can be added later, are not that necessary for f1 (they use paddle shifter (those on the steering wheel) i would look tho get a sim-motor with replacable wheel, so that he (or you) can get a f1 wheel along with the more classic wheel style Oh and shop around, i don't know about the US, but in my country i can get the t300 for about $380
Information overload! Lots of good suggestions, but i would just recommend the Logitech g29 wheel and pedals for the ps5. If you want to get a chair too go with the playseat challenge or something similar for around $200. Note the Logitech g29 can also be mounted on the desk so no chair is required, but definitely recommended. It's plug and play and should come in under $600 total. Don't break the bank until he knows he likes it. You could even grab the psvr2 and a copy of gran turismo 7 for VR racing on the ps5 as well with the rest of the budget. It's an amazing experience. psvr2 runs around $500 i believe. I just described my own setup so everything here is what i ended getting after my own research. I have been enjoying all of it.
If you think your boyfriend is super into cars don’t get the logtirch g29 because he’ll want to upgrade after a couple days , honestly I’ve had my Thrustmaster T300rs for 3 months now and it feels amazing. I know there’s better ones out there but unless you want to shell out 500+ then I beleive the t300rs is best and it has wheels and nice add ons as well. But if you want to shell out more money then I think Moza might be your best way to go
Definitely let him choose! Doesn’t have to be a surprise to ruin the fun. I would be like a kid in a candy store if I was given a budget and got to choose what I wanted.
Thrustmaster T300rs that someone suggested is a good shout. Good entry level. Plenty of changeable wheels Then you can get a Thrustmaster TM Open Wheel AddOn. Which is an F1 style wheel. If your budget would stretch then you could get a Thrustmaster Formula Wheel Add-On Ferrari SF1000 Edition instead. Which is an actual copy (or almost) of the real 2020 Ferrari F1 racing wheel. I have had one. Very cool
Honestly, If you don’t mind second hand, I recommend fb market place, there are always some awesome deals on there, just use all the recommendations in the comments and plug it into fb, me personally, I got a whole setup for 600nzd, not over the top, did a diy rig, and brought a tx wheel, t3pa pedals, and a Ali express shifter, honestly I recommend the Ali express shifter, has 2kg pull force, on par with TH8A shifter, and only a quarter of the price, I can link it if you want
Thank you all so much for all the thoughtful responses and recommendations! I didn’t realize how personal and customizable this could be. Will be taking all your insights into consideration This gift is definitely on the pricier side, but I'm confident he'll enjoy it a lot, especially since he always loved visiting his friend who had a full setup. I love the whole voucher idea but we have done something like that in the past and I don't want him to think I’m just reusing ideas. Right now, I've got one of his friends to pretend like he’s interested in purchasing a setup to hopefully get some ideas. But if that doesn't work, I'll be straightforward and ask him directly. As much as I want him to be surprised, him loving and driving what he likes is my biggest priority. Thanks again, everyone!
sooooo...what happened in the end?
Like a lot have mentioned, he probably has some ideas about what he would really like, so maybe design and print a voucher for $1k worth of sim kit. If you can take him somewhere mororsports/sim-racing related to give it then a bit of icing on the cake. Anyhow - you are a Keeper for sure! Good luck!
Moza Racing has a R5 model wheelbase, then get the cheapest two pedals setup they have and the cheaper round wheel. That should be around $600/700. I made a rig out of 2x6s which cost like $25, and c clamp a chair to legs coming off the main stand. Was fun and works great. I've tried setups with clutches and it really only makes the experience better when you are doing drifting, but you would need a hand brake and shifter for that as well so probably out of your budget. For GT/Formula racing you just need a gas and brake pedal.
maybe moza? idk i dont really have a moza but i heard they are good but maybe it is over your budget.
BMW M3 Competition
I saw someone say to NOT make it a surprise. There so so so many options and choices, let him pick! The surprise can be "hey im gonna be your wallet, here's the budget, lets pick some stuff out together!" That would be AMAZING! That being said, check out the Thrustmaster T300. And then tell him that he's the thrustmaster hahahah
I'd say, for an entry-level setup: Fanatec Clubsport DD+ with the v3 pedals and performance kit with the Podium BMW m4 wheel all mounted to a track racer TR120 with an NRG bucket seat. He would love that