The Thrustmaster T818 Ferrari SF1000 Simulator: An Overview
Formula 1 cars are magnificent, engineering icons that look as good standing still as they do roaring at over 320 km/h on a track. But one of the most fascinating components is one that can only be appreciated from the cockpit – the steering wheel. Made of carbon fiber, packed with controls, and featuring a color screen in the center providing information about braking balance, sector times, and engine modes, these wheels are beautiful pieces of equipment in their own right – even if Formula 1 drivers occasionally throw them out of the cockpit in anger after spinning off track and into the gravel trap.
Unboxing and Setting Up the Thrustmaster T818 Ferrari SF1000 Simulator
Quickly going through the installation process, connecting the SF1000 steering wheel, and seeing it come to life is a magical moment. You go crazy having a full-size Formula 1 wheel in your hands, with the advanced materials producing something that feels easy to maneuver and comfortingly dense in the hand. The screen in the center provides information on supported games, such as F1 23, while the well-spaced buttons and dials are easy to press even while wearing racing gloves.
Despite being a PC-focused peripheral, you won’t find useful simplified icons or numbered labels on each of the 25 buttons – only precise descriptions like DRINK or RADIO. This is great for immersion and style, but maybe not ideal when F1 23 asks you to press button 15 and you have to figure out which one is button 15 by pressing them all sequentially.
Performance and Customization of the Thrustmaster T818 Ferrari SF1000 Simulator
Getting familiar with the buttons, this wheel stands out. Being able to wrap your thumbs around the wheel, as Formula 1 drivers do, makes a big difference in the amount of force feedback it can handle – and that extra detail provides vital information on how the car is gripping the track (or not), if it’s on a curb, and overall if it’s safe to accelerate.
There is even 10Nm of torque, which is easily enough to yank the wheel out of the hands of an inexperienced driver, but fortunately it comes with a smoother setting by default and can be adjusted according to preferences. The robust rear paddles also have a good feel, although I almost prefer the lighter click of the Fanatec DD Pro wheel. Interestingly, there are also a pair of analog paddles that can be used for various functions, including braking and acceleration for people with insufficient foot mobility.
The Thrustmaster T818 SF1000 simulator wheel and base is an impressive piece of equipment, with a focus on authenticity rather than usability. While not ideal for beginner drivers, once you get used to the unlabelled buttons, the wheel is fantastic to use and has the best look of any setup I’ve tried.
Pedals are not included in the package, so you’ll need to budget for additional items like the T-LCM pedal set. Keep in mind that this is just one part of a complete racing simulator setup, and you’ll also need a sturdy cockpit to support the feedback force.
Currently, the T818 wheel base is only compatible with PC, but there may be future support for PlayStation. Overall, it’s a cool option for Ferrari F1 fans with racing simulation experience. The T818 wheel base competes well with alternatives from Fanatec and Logitech in terms of direct drive steering.
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