Thrustmaster is launching, this October 21, a new entry / mid-range steering wheel which is positioned alongside the T300: the T248. The latter uses a hybrid technology, gears and belts, and is announced compatible PC and Playstation 4 and 5. Delivered with the T3PM crankset, the set wants to come to walk on the toes of the new Logitech G923, and make us forget the old G29 and G920.
And it's a brand new steering wheel, with its own design, that Thrustmaster offers with this T248. Covered in leather on the outside, and with some aluminum parts, it is especially its small digital screen on the upper part that sets it apart. Even if for now, compatible games are not legion, it is able to display a wide range of information: RPM, speed, position, lap time, best stopwatch, gearbox ratio and so on. The screen is easy to read as long as it is positioned directly in front of it (arms extended or semi-extended). A “Display” button is dedicated to telemetry in order to juggle between different information.
Steering wheel PlayStation requires, there are twenty buttons including the 4 stamped round, triangle, cross, square and a "PS" button in the center of the steering wheel. A "Mode" button allows you to go to the steering wheel adjustment menu without going through an external program. The T248 has 3 preset force feedback curves. Besides, speaking of the software offer, it is rather thin, and only a driver, for PC, allows you to check that all the buttons work well, and to set the default max angle for games that do not manage not the parameters of the steering wheels. Fortunately, most recent games are taking over and we haven't had any major compatibility issues. Our simulation library has widely accepted this Thrumaster T248.
The force is with us
Let's move on to the controls. The force feedback is announced "70% more powerful than the T150". You still have to have the reference… I don't have it. What I see today is that the T248 is violent. Very violent. On WRC10, the arm wrestling is linked and the slightest gravel that passes under the wheels vibrates the steering wheel, even if you are already battling it to turn it. Hybrid technology, belts + gears, provides power and precision. In most of the games we tested, we slightly lowered the force feedback power… for the well-being of our office.
Thrustmaster has it all covered. The T248 comes with a proven 2-pad fixing grip. Once tight, the steering wheel becomes one with its support. We have not tested it in cockpit configuration, but the fixing perforations are present, both on the steering wheel (x2) and on the crankset (x5).
Let's talk about the pedal, the T3PM. It has 3 aluminum pedals, and above all a large rather imposing and heavy support. It is equipped with 5 rubber pads which offers good grip even on the very slippery parquet of our office. Positive point to note, the connection cable to the steering wheel is located on the left or on the right of the plate, but by on the back. This allows the pedal to be wedged on a wall complaint without risking cutting the connection wire. It's silly, but it has happened to us more than once on competition wheels.
The pedal sensors are magnetic, and offer very precise control. For the hardness of the brake, 4 settings are possible. Thrustmaster provides a rigid spring and an elastomeric spacer. The manual, rather well stocked, explains what hardness to use according to your configuration and your use. In addition to strengthening your arms, you can also strengthen your legs. For more heavy-duty use (ETS, ATS, Bus Simulator, etc.), we opted for the “flexible spring without spacer” setting to better adjust the braking.
Finally, only the steering wheel paddles will not require superhuman efforts to master them. Large, they fall to the hand naturally and are very precise. Note that the reminder is a bit noisy.
Finally something new on the entry / mid-range market
Footnotes
While the competition timidly advances on the renewal of the ranges, Thrustmaster positions an armored T248 with new patents and equipped with an innovative telemetry screen. The manufacturing does not suffer from any assembly problems, and the general robustness encourages you to always force more during the standoffs that oppose you to the direction of your vehicle. There is only one thing missing to make it flawless: an Xbox compatible model.