Best TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020:

As one might hope, Thrustmaster has chosen to offer its very good TS-PC Racer in different console versions. If the PS4 is entitled to the very exclusive T-GT , the One benefits for its part from a version in the colors of the automotive supplier Sparco. Pledge of technical superiority or simple cosmetic modification? Put on our gloves, put on our boots and see what it turns out.

Presentation

The TS-XW takes the base of the TS-PC Racer and adds Xbox. One compatibility as well as an original wheel signed Sparco. Unlike the TS-PC, the TS-XW is sold with a T3PA pedal with 3 pedals, the manufacturer wishing to offer a ready-to-use set for console players. In any case, it would have been necessary to add a brand crankset to the steering wheel for use on One. The console being unable to operate the crankset independently – the latter connects directly to the steering wheel. The addition is logically more salty than with the TS-PC Racer: the TS-XW. Racer is sold at the recommended retail price of € 699.99, or € 150 more (T3PA alone is sold at € 109.99 per Thrustmaster). 

By the way, as of this writing, the selling price of the TS-XW is very close to that of the T-GT dedicated to the PS4, yet launched € 100 more expensive. With such a pricing positioning, these versions of the TS-PC are therefore placed directly opposite theCSL. Elite pack from competitor Fanatec  – to which we would have added the load cell brake pedal  -, for a battle that promises to be rather fierce.

Best TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020

1. Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 Competition Mod: racing wheel officially licensed for both Xbox One and Windows

2. Thrustmaster Competition Wheel Add-On Sparco P310 Mod (PS4, PC & XOne)

3. Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 Competition Mod: RFacing Wheel Officially Licensed for Both Xbox One and Windows

4. Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer for PC

5. Thrustmaster Sparco Add On Rally Wheel R 383 MOD (PC, PS4 & XOne)

An affiliation with Sparco with competitive flavors

Unlike the T-GT, the TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 directly takes the base of the TS-PC Racer. Thrustmaster simply changed the color of the aluminum cover by opting for a beautiful metallic red.

The chassis itself, made of steel, guarantees rigidity and robustness. A metal construction that can only be seen on the back and bottom. However, the base trim is otherwise made of plastic. The base in itself keeps reasonable proportions, the food being deported. The latter is also identical to those of the TS-PC and T-GT and therefore retains this original form of car turbo. A toric power supply of almost 2 kg. But ultimately quite compact and above all completely silent, as passive (devoid of fan).

Thrustmaster returns to a more classic wheel on this TS-PC, choosing to offer a full-size replica of the Sparco P310 steering wheel. Thrustmaster nevertheless manufactures this steering wheel by its own means and has endeavored to offer a manufacturing quality at first glance equivalent to that of its partner, with in particular the use of black suede carefully glued to the headband, a brushed aluminum bib and respect for the original shape characterized in particular by two flats – a shape suitable for narrow cockpits (protos, single-seaters …). 

The result is a steering wheel that does not lack pace and is intended to be resolutely competitive, rather suited to cars that do not require too much amplitude of rotation of the steering wheel (racing on a circuit rather than rally, in short). The all-plastic fixing system detonates a little, but turns out to be quite solid anyway. Above all allows compatibility with all of the manufacturer’s wheels. 

Installation and settings

Like the other flywheels of the brand, the TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 is supplied with a part allowing it to come and take a vice from any table or desk top. The maintenance is very good and you must above all ensure the good stability of the support. For optimal installation, however, it is better to opt for a racing cockpit (PlaySeat, rSeat type, etc.) on which the steering wheel is fixed via 2 M6 screws.

The crankset, for its part, can also be fixed on a support with 2 or 3 screws. A recommended solution, since the non-slip pads glued on the underside will have a hard time keeping it on the ground. Especially if you decide to use the optional cone that hardens the brake pedal. In the absence of support, it is better to refrain from installing it to use the pedals with more flexibility and thus limit the risk of rocking or slipping of the pedals.

In terms of connection, simply connect the bottom bracket to the base, connect the power supply to it. Then connect the steering wheel via USB to the console or PC. We would have appreciated being able to turn off the steering wheel via a switch to prevent it from self-calibrating automatically when you start your PC – it seems however to avoid this phase on Xbox when it has already self-calibrated for the first time. When powered, our test copy also emitted a rather unpleasant hiss, audible in a quiet environment. All the more reason to want to turn it off without needing to disconnect the plug.

On PC, drivers are available for Windows (versions 7 to 10). Allowing you to operate the steering wheel with most racing games.

In the race: constant precision

It is with pleasure that we find the powerful brushless ( brushless ) motor of 40 W developed by Thrustmaster, animated by a toric power supply of 400 W (peak) with an efficiency of 86% and driving the flywheel via a double belt. Unsurprisingly, the sensations are therefore similar to those provided by the TS-PC and the T-GT in simulations like DiRT Rally.  Assetto Corsa  and other Project Cars … The effects are reproduced with finesse and the engine is always responsive and powerful at the same time. We will even take care not to always set the power to the maximum if we want to keep a certain realism and preserve our arms. A particularly valid observation in Forza Motorsport 7, which exploits this TS-XW very well. But does not skimp on the power of the effects with its default settings.

In comparison, the CSL Elite shows greater flexibility – you feel notches when you turn the steering wheel with the TS-XW. But seems less precise in its direction and its effects when it comes to manhandling a little bit behind the wheel. We also appreciate the relatively large diameter of the steering wheel, giving very good control. Its shape makes it of course less suitable for rally games. But this wheel remains of course more versatile than that of the TS-PC Racer. The most demanding players can in any case easily replace it for a more classic model .

CONCLUSION

Precise, powerful and responsive, even during long racing sessions, the TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 Competition Mod brilliantly brings the know-how of Thrustmaster to Xbox One. The manufacturer is not alone in this market, however, and if the steering wheel itself is very convincing, the crankset provided, if not bad, is somewhat out of place.

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