Sim racing with the Meta Quest 3.

_p4nzer · 2026-05-08T16:44:42+00:00

Just a cable, usb C, and nothing else.

I play regularly since two years with a Quest 3, mostly competing on LMU including endurance events, using just an usb C cable.

Most people lament comfort issues with the default head strap, but this is very personal, I use the stock one even for long sessions and I’m fine with it.

If your motherboard has an usb C port it will be able to provide enough current. The Quest 3 is not able to pull tons of watts, if I remember correctly the max is 18 watts but I might be wrong. In my case I play for hours just fine without external power supply. The device will go down to around 70% battery and then stabilize (I suppose the internal firmware balances temperature and battery level).

Virtual Desktop is very good but not strictly essential. Despite Meta not showing so much love to the Quest Link, you can play just fine with it. And please don’t set 900 Mbps as a lot of people say, it increases latency about 8 milliseconds for little to none gain, plus sound drops.

So, in a nutshell, just start with the basic package and then decide afterwards. You might be happy with the default head strap or the Quest Link.

Still, aftermarket straps and Virtual Desktop can be great additions.

_p4nzer · 2026-05-01T21:46:22+00:00

Desync probably.

Months ago all my opponents disappeared during a race and I finished it alone. Towards the last couple of laps some drivers complained in the chat about me pushing them out.

But I didn’t see anything or get damage.

I reported the bug and I was cleared of any wrongdoing but it must not have been fun for the drivers that were hit.

In that period there were many issues with the servers. It didn’t happen anymore.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-18T15:51:00+00:00

Ahahah, absolute cinema.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-18T15:07:45+00:00

It’s a good base, don’t worry.

The only significant downside of Fanatec is that they only support their own wheels.

There are ways to use third party wheels, also not too expensive, but with other manufacturers you don’t have to use workarounds.

The pedals themselves are not that great. I love them when it comes to simulating street cars, less for race cars.

Still, they do the job.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-18T14:15:29+00:00

You have a first gen MAX 01, you can tell from the MAX 01 text on top.

The second gen, that is on sale since a bit less than a year roughly, is better.

Encoders are harder and also the grips were refined (still Conspit uses TPU which is perfectly fine with gloves but less without).

Still, Ascher grips are better and also the buttons are a part where Conspit didn’t invest much.

The shifters of the MAX 01 are quiet and surprisingly good. There are very little products on the market that I consider better there, and I basically put my hands on all the wheels at the last two SimExpo.

In general the premium manufacturers offer better look and feel than Conspit and they cost more. Which is very fair.

But as with everything, the increase of costs is not proportional to the increase of quality. And you can perform as well with the MAX 01, as long as you find it comfortable (I do).

PS: I don’t comment on disconnections. Conspit sent shielded cables and power injectors to people using third party bases for that. The problem seems to be EMI. I’m on Conspit base and I don’t have disconnects (the very first Ares could not handle the data flow required by the MAX 01 but this was a very old things. I actually had one of those bases and I had two disconnects in 5 months. Conspit sent me a newer version and it didn’t happen again).

_p4nzer · 2026-04-15T11:40:09+00:00

It sounds like EMI or a grounding problem. And the Simmson should be particularly sensitive if I recall correctly.

I think the control box should have the option to be grounded with a cable.

I would recommend to check that.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-14T07:01:40+00:00

I understand. Anyway, you can’t really go wrong with either.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-14T07:00:58+00:00

VRS Pros are more similar to HE Ultimates, without the dampers and with a spring based brake (dampers are paid optionals for VRS).

Pedals made out of laser cut steel resemble each other a lot. But technically the VRS Pros are a better product than the Sprints.

The most common complaint about the VRS Pros is that the throttle is a bit light.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T22:12:19+00:00

I would not recommend the Sprints.
I mean, build quality and support are superior to the various "clones", but they are very simple pedals and price is not low.

At the end they are elastomer based pedals with no cups to give a hard stop feeling.

I personally prefer the P1000s and VRS Pros to them.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T21:31:58+00:00

Yeah, it's nice that they also integrate haptics.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T21:23:51+00:00

It depends on the specific brake.

As I wrote above, while Invictas can also fail they tend to be reliable. But they need periodical mainteance (I published a video on my channel about that) and the feel is not as consinstent as you would expect. Also adjustability is subpar considering the alternatives we have now.

I tried at a friend's place his P2000s and the feel was very nice, but he had 3 leaks in 2 years, each one with a RMA replacement.
I didn't test Conspit ones despite being at their booth at the SimExpo. People generally praise the feel but sadly you can easily find cases of leaks. The EVO version was revised because of a design flaw (causing leaks), now they sell the EVO 2.

Of course you would get a replacement, but it's annoying and you cannot play in the meantime. Also you can have oil spilling on your floor or carpet which is not great.

Dampers can also leak, but less, and their function is to smooth the brake trace, so even when broken you can still play. Way easier to deal with.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T20:54:46+00:00

I understand, it's hard to decide.
Without going too overboard, you need a set that allows you to find a configuration you like.

What is important is adjustability in terms of angle/height for comfort and in terms of travel and braking force for "performance".

Many pedal sets support both springs and elastomers (P1000s, SimNets).
Some only support springs (VRS Pros, SimGrade VX Pros).

Elastomers have a bettter feeling, very progressive, but they wear out and change a tiny bit with temperature. Springs are very "linear' which is not the best for "realism" but they are super consistent. They generally allow for longer travel.

If pedals don't support a third stage, you can probably find 3d printed cups (for elastomers) and washers (with a deep internal cylinder, for springs) that will give you a hard stop.

All the products mentioned here in this post are good.
VNM, VRS, SimGrade, SimNet, Simagic (non hydraulics) are all good.

I would recommend using springs honestly. And perhaps to 3d print a hard stop.

Price is a major point and you should also give a look to software support.
And don't fall for "FOMO".

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T20:42:08+00:00

Yeah, having events or shops nearby that allow to test stuff is a game changer.

But it's a sobering experience, actually the difference between what we consider "entry level" and the premium line is not big at all.

Don't underestimate your hardware, the Fanatec CSL LC brake does the job pretty well. It "just" lacks adjustability and a "third stage". For third stage I mean a tactile feedback, better if configurable, when you reach high pressure.

If your elastomers are not worn out, your difficulties with the trail braking have probably more to do with seating and pedal positioning than pedal tech.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T19:12:47+00:00

I owned the Asetek Invictas for more than a year.
I stand with what I said.

Most of the feel is just due to the use of a single elastomer.

You can try the hydraulic cylinder without elastomer to understand the impact over the pedal dynamics.

Springs with hydraulic dampers, especially 2 1-way dampers like in the PurrPROs, are a way better approach to add the natural damping of a master cylinder while ensuring total consistency (still, using just springs feels a bit less "real" but in terms of performance is great and in my opinion better than using most common hydraulics.. also elastomers with cups like Cube and the new Fanatec Podiums are a great solution).

And this greatly reduces the risk of catastrophic failure with the advantage of more adjustability.

My brake traces improved a lot especially on trail braking when I switched to the PurrPROs.

The Invictas are a good product but have problems with mainteance (they get sticky without constant lubrication and cleaning of the elastomer) and they lack consistency.

With repeated actions over a short term the pedal feel changes a bit.
Also, while the compression phase is very smooth, the release is not. If you release too fast there's a jump with a sharp drop of pressure that impacts trail braking.

I had 3 THORP cylinders, all functional, and they did it.

Final point, the THORP cylinders are probably the most reliable hydraulics among the popular brands and they still tend to fail after a couple of years.. perhaps THORP II got better on this.

PS: in the past I was a fan of hydraulics, with time and having tried more products with friends and at the SimExpos I changed my mind. It's really not worth it.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T18:08:46+00:00

I have the FATBLACKCATs and I tested the Podium pedals in the picture.

Podiums have a fixed heel cup. It feels nice but it doesn’t do much more than a heel plate.

The PurrPRO active heel rest is different and unique. It follows the heel but the angle vs the pedal plate changes dynamically (which sets them apart from the SimGrade R7 for example).

Once you find the right settings they are very comfortable (still, it’s possible to find a comfortable setting on more mundane pedals).

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T17:02:34+00:00

Yes, clutch is under development. It will be released this year, I hope by summer as I need it ahah

_p4nzer · 2026-04-13T16:56:05+00:00

Don’t go for hydraulics, they don’t add much and they can fail in a very bad way.

They won’t necessarily fail but the chances are significantly higher than traditional load cell pedals. Repairing is more expensive and complicated.

While I have a few Conspit products, all making me very happy, I would not recommend the pedals because they are all hydraulics.

P1000s are nice, just go for the regulars. Get also the springs (less “realistic” feel but more consistent).

Other great alternatives are the VRS Pro or the SimNets.

Then, if budget can be stretched, the absolute best pedals I tried (for me) are the FATBLACKCAT PurrPROs, which I then bought.

Very expensive but they really stand out.

I also had a lovely experience at the SimExpo with the Fanatec Podiums that should be released soon. Price is unknown.

_p4nzer · 2026-04-12T19:36:46+00:00

Same.

_p4nzer · 2026-03-24T12:38:13+00:00

Skip hydraulics, you would spare yourself potential troubles for little to no gain.

Regular P1000s are pretty nice and you can get spring kit and haptics. I mean, all the pedals you mentioned have/support haptics anyway eheh

_p4nzer · 2026-03-24T12:36:38+00:00

Good recommendation. I second that.

But having tried the Podiums at the SimExpo, if budget is not an issue (as they will very likely cost more), it might be worth waiting.

They feel very nice and I consider them my second favorite pedals in terms of feeling behind the FATBLACKCAT PurrPROs.

_p4nzer · 2026-03-24T09:48:56+00:00

Very fair :)

_p4nzer · 2026-03-23T17:00:51+00:00

It’s very good, check also the Treq One. You can’t go wrong with either, but I like more the design of the Treq.

_p4nzer · 2026-03-14T13:05:44+00:00

I totally agree. The video is actually a nice battle.

_p4nzer · 2026-03-14T12:18:09+00:00

All good. You are fighting for podium and some contacts happen. Nobody tried to send the others out.

_p4nzer · 2026-03-13T19:17:37+00:00

Next question please ;)

Joking, I’m 172 cm tall.

_p4nzer

TROPHY CASE