Most companies wouldn’t direct potential customers to competitors, but SimAbility isn’t most companies. We want to be sure you find the best option for you, so please explore all possibilities before deciding.
- Fanatec Podium Advanced Paddle Module
These clutch paddles have a built-in gas/brake mode that emulates Fanatec pedals. It therefore works on consoles, unlike most other options on this list. We are also working on hand controls which contain no electronics, but rather operate the existing Podium paddles. That means you can easily upgrade to a SimAbility product in the future, no money wasted!
Fanatec released a video showing how the Advanced Paddle Module fits their new ClubSport Steering Wheel BMW GT2 V2. Imagine this setup with the large paddle shifter plates mounted to the analog clutch inputs.
- Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 (all versions)
This wheel comes with analog clutch paddles that can be switched into gas/brake mode, like the Podium Advanced Paddle Module. Therefore, these will also work on consoles. This is a great alternative to the Podium Advanced Paddle Module if you’re looking for something at a more affordable price point. But we caution that the paddle shifters and analog paddles are both fairly stiff, requiring full-strength fingers to operate. (We could likely make them easier to press by developing extenders that would put more leverage on the paddles.)
October 2022 update: our products for this wheel are now listed and will be in stock soon. We provide both inexpensive paddle extenders to make the paddles larger and easier to press and a full paddle replacement system to provide even larger paddles and progressive braking.
- Thrustmaster Formula Wheel Add-On Ferrari SF1000 Edition
This wheel rim was announced on April 20, 2021 and provides “programable analog paddles.” Bsimracing has more information on the Thrustmaster Ferrari SF1000 wheel. A gas/brake mode is available, so it also works on consoles.
- Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel
This direct-drive wheel offers clutch paddles with gas and brake functionality, and it works on consoles. One unique feature is that each paddle’s mode can be set individually, so it is possible to swap the sides of the throttle and brake without any in-game remapping.
- 3DRap Hand Controller
This unique USB throttle-and-brake controller clamps onto your hand, so it will work with any wheel.
- MOZA Racing GS GT Wheel (all versions), RS Steering Wheel (all versions), and FSR Formula Wheel
These MOZA wheels offer clutch paddles that also provide an “independent axis” mode, which makes it possible to assign them as throttle and brake.
Note: Unlike some other high-end, PC-only wheels, these connect directly to a MOZA base. The downside of this approach is that the GS and RS wheels won’t work on other brands’ direct-drive bases. The FSR Formula Wheel, however, can be used on non-MOZA bases with the MOZA Universal Hub and Third-Party Wheel Base Mount Adapter. (Both are needed.) Furthermore, neither version of the GS wheel is compatible with the R5 base, while the RS wheel must be the V2 in order to work on the R5 base.
- PXN V10
This entry-level wheel has small analog paddles below the shifter paddles. It also works on consoles. Because these paddles are labeled “L2” and “R2,” they seem to be intended to work as throttle and brake rather than a dual-clutch system. This package includes petals and an H-pattern shifter. Note the game compatibility is somewhat limited, and it is not supported on the PS5 or original Xbox One.
- Ascher Racing Clutch Paddles
These need to be manually wired into a separate controller board (such as a DSD 12 Bit Controller), so we only recommend them for more technical users.
- SteelSeries Simraceway SRW-S1 Gaming Steering Wheel
This discontinued wheel can still be found. It is a motion-controlled wheel that you hold in the air with analog paddles for throttle and brake. There are ways for technical users to attach it to a force-feedback base. Be aware that it can be difficult to map the steering to the force-feedback base because the motion controls are still active. We have a DIY video guide for mounting the SRW-S1 to a Logitech G27.
- Custom builds
If you have a large budget, you can also check with custom wheel builders like SimSpeedShop to see if they can build something with analog paddles.
- Gamepads and joysticks
Don’t forget about regular game controllers like Xbox or PlayStation gamepads and even traditional joysticks (flight sticks). Most sim racing games can be configured to make better use of these controllers. And we know of at least one customer who went from a joystick to a steering wheel with hand controls and then back to the joystick. Depending on your capabilities, you may find these options more compatible with your hands.
Tip: The Xbox Adaptive Controller can be used to make standard PC joysticks and gamepads work on Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X.
- Automotive hand controls
Lastly, some have adapted standard automotive hand controls to their sim-racing wheels. Here’s a clever setup by Mark Thomson using the Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V2.5 and Monarch adaptive automotive hand controls
Any suggestions we missed? Feel free to put them in the comments below.
vorrei sapere se ce un metodo per usare il joypad per ps4 per non usare il volante
grazie
Hi Francesco,
Google translates your message into: “I would like to know if there is a method to use the joypad for ps4 to not use the steering wheel thank you”. That’s more of a question for the game developers, but I know there are many people who play various sim racing game with a joy sticks and game pads. Some are very fast too!
Do you know when you will be opening back up if you are how soon do you know
Hi Adam,
Standard Paddles for Thrustmaster and Paddles for Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel should be available in a couple months!
Jacob
Still super excited by the idea of Fanatec compatible ring systems. I started with their APM (advanced paddle module) add-on to the Fanatec Formula wheel, but developed “trigger finger” on the pinky I used for throttle. I’m taking a break for a couple weeks, then will switch to my ring fingers for throttle / brake.
Thanks for the comment Justin. Hopefully we’ll have the ring systems someday and sorry to everyone who’s been waiting for them. They take a lot of time, and as such, they keep getting pushed out, but we’ll get there eventually.
Paddle extenders for the Fanatec McLaren GT3 Wheel are very easy to make and work quite well for me with good finger capabilities. Max steering angle is set to 60degrees.
That’s right Alois. I’ve even seen customers attach paddles from their SimAbility for Thrustmaster products onto their new McLaren GT3 wheels 🙂 We’ll be providing simple paddle extenders in the future for the less DIY customers who are on a budget.
I used to have a Thrustmaster Grand Prix 1 wheel. It’s not really relevant now as it’s not supported, but it would be great for a manufacturer or 2 to release wheels like this again (it didn’t have pedals, instead just paddles for brake/throttle and sold as a ‘cheaper’ version of the then current T2 wheel).