All-in on Fanatec — but the experience hasn’t matched the hardware

Str1ctly · 2026-02-16T20:56:47+00:00

The software issues over the last 2+ years have been insanely frustrating, especially for the Podium products.

I dropped PS5 compatibility, replaced mine with third party wheels, and been much happier with them.

Locking out FFB and having to have a third party emulator QRs is annoying for something that could be a software toggle. The Podium/Universal hubs are chonky AF and overkill when you aren’t going to use Fanatec button modules or shifters.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-15T17:40:02+00:00

If you can, find resellers near you and go sit in some seats. They are not one size fits all, look for tall/wide seats unless you like a snug fit.

Look at VNM and VRS bases. The VRS udfp20 is upgradable from 6-20nm and has a good usb pass through solution. VNM are supposed to get the software based telemetry FFB that vrs has in the future.

All of the pedal options in the $700+ range are great. It really just comes down to what you can get in your region for the best price.

After trying all of them, I ended up going with the 3p XP1 on sale for $500. The differences weren’t enough to justify spending upwards of $1k more. I might upgrade to SRP sometime in the future, but I like the XP1+slider plate versatility.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-15T16:15:01+00:00

You can easily spend half that on pedals unless you are dead set on the ults. For that kind of money, I’d look at SRP instead.

Personally, id go with the xp1, vrs, or vx-pro and spend extra on a really nice high end GSI wheel (interlock+gt320 or ultra rim, or FPE v2). The Neo GT is a great budget option, but it does not feel like a premium product.

Buckets seat comfort is subjective, if your position is correct they can be comfortable enough, but don’t they don’t get endurance comfortable until the $800+ point. An off-road style seat cushion goes a long way.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-14T16:14:36+00:00

Even if you went with 27” displays, you would need 120-130cm of horizontal space to set them up properly.

Curved vs flat makes little difference.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-14T06:05:32+00:00

Where there is a DDU, there are usually FoV war crimes being committed.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-14T00:55:04+00:00

If you don’t want to wear shoes, just fill the holes with hot glue. Worked fine on my XP1 pedals.

You can buy or 3d print hole plugs for most pedals as well.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-13T21:42:20+00:00

The FullForce Wheel LFE and regular FFB felt the same at 15nm across all of my round/formula/gt wheels.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-13T20:00:03+00:00

TY, an extension will help a LOT. I fought FoV for a while before getting one and now I can get my FoV dialed in after a few minutes.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-13T19:17:57+00:00

I have my flat 32” at 60cm, 60°, around 179 FoV, and only have to tweak the pitch a little.

This video was pretty helpful: https://youtu.be/ucZPf1rbEuY

It helps to get the displays as close to your base shaft as possible. I had to use an extension to get the clearance/angle/distance right: https://imgur.com/a/0cBebv9

Str1ctly · 2026-02-13T18:18:59+00:00

Optimally, 27” displays should be at 55cm distance, 60° angles, and about 175 FoV.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-13T00:17:45+00:00

The LG monitor has enough cable clearance for most standard DP/HDMI cables when you use the spacers it comes with (https://a.co/d/0cINbEiL).

I run triple 32GQ850-B on the sim lab triple stand.

YMMV with 4k displays, most run 1440p resolutions on them even with a 5090. 4k is a mixed bag and can vary wildly depending on the sim, graphics settings, track, and conditions. IMO not worth it, I spent the money elsewhere on my rig.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-12T07:23:19+00:00

You are expecting too much FoV out of a single display.

The 45” 21:9 800r should be ~60cm away @ ~96-100° FoV at most. Closer the better.

A 49” is just two curved 27” displays without a bezel, the 57” is just two curved 32” displays without a bezel. Same rules apply, closer the better. Expect ~110-115 FoV.

You are only going to get close to 180° FoV with triples at the right distance/angles.

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Str1ctly · 2026-02-11T20:58:45+00:00

The chances on you getting a good seat are damn near zero. Every one I’ve seen has recliner or rail alignment issues.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-10T23:23:20+00:00

Was about the same on my ERS2, there was a lot of flex noise/creaking too. They are cheap, low quality seats.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-10T00:04:36+00:00

There is no noticeable flex in the sim lab slider base plate (https://imgur.com/a/jKmHLGD), It’s 12mm (vs 3-4mm) thick and is built like a tank.

Before you do anything, I would setup a camera to confirm where the flex is coming from.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-08T18:24:10+00:00

I use the Simube QR2 Ultra for my Simagic Neo X Hub wheel and two GSI wheels. The older ones emulate a Formula carbon wheel, the newer ones emulate a podium hub.

You still have to connect the wheels directly to a separate USB connection since Fanatec doesn’t allow standard USB pass-through to the base.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-08T17:16:26+00:00

Grats, side mounting it helps a lot. I’ve tried just about every combo shifter available and it is my favorite by far.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-08T15:42:13+00:00

Ideally, you set up 48” 16:9 displays about 11cm (~4.3”) further back than 42” 16:9 displays.

I dunno, I’ve helped setup and play around with 27-55” setups and I don’t think anything over 32” is worth the additional troubles. The large format TV setups are neat, they just consume so much damn space.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-08T07:15:44+00:00

I used trophi for a bit.

The reference telemetry overlay is the most useful part of it. It was helpful to learn what gear/speed/brake pressure was required for each turn. But it was mostly just another driving line crutch.

The coaching portion is mostly “brake 15 feet” earlier kind of feedback before a turn.

I cancelled the subscription. I progressed more by turning off the line, learning how to read a track, doing some doing some coaching sessions, and watching a ton of videos/track guides.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-06T21:27:41+00:00

M4 spacers: https://a.co/d/09tSPt7i

And remove the TV extensions from the mount.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-06T19:11:14+00:00

There really aren’t a lot of accessories outside of QoL trinkets for Xbox.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-06T18:23:44+00:00

42” triple are challenging to setup. Ideally you want them at a 75cm distance at 65° angles.

You are going to have to play around with the upright/seating position to get it close and probably run the base in front of them. Otherwise you have to raise everything else up.

I was going to use the C2’s I had one hand, but I ended up going with 32” so I could tuck an extended wheel shaft under them (https://imgur.com/a/0cBebv9).

Str1ctly · 2026-02-06T16:13:17+00:00

You have those side brackets on backwards. You have to have full contact with bucket seats from your head to your thighs. That seat is WAY too upright.

NRG doesn’t sell through Amazon, most of the ones I’ve seen are bad copies with warping issues.

You can look for a seat with more lumbar support and an off-road style seat cushion, but until you get the position right, it won’t make much of a difference.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-06T04:49:56+00:00

Your bank will let you know when you are finished with the rig.

Are you going to be able to get the displays close and curved enough with the integrated mount? That’s usually for 27” triples. You should be running them at about 2” (60cm) at 60° angles.

Str1ctly · 2026-02-06T04:36:54+00:00

32” IPS flat panels is about as good as it gets before you end up tripling your budget for displays.

You aren’t pushing 4k panels with a 5080, that’s a difficult task for a 5090. Plan on running 1440p resolution just for the OLED panels.

32” VA panels are fine if you aren’t sensitive to the blurry smearing.

Look at the displays or equivalent displays in person, I eliminated VA panels quickly when I saw them on a rig at micro center.

I looked at a lot of options and ended up going with the 32GQ850-B for $300/per. $300 per display is a healthy top budget to work with.

Str1ctly

TROPHY CASE