If I might recognized that even an entry-level racing wheel stand would repair my largest complaints with sim racing at residence, I might have purchased one loads sooner. The Darkish Matter GT Foldable Racing Wheel Stand from Monoprice has completed simply that, nevertheless, and all for the affordable value of $153.
What’s my largest downside with sim racing at residence? My pedals slipping or shifting away from my toes underneath braking. It is a fixed concern of mine as somebody with the selection of both fluffy carpet or slippery faux-stone flooring, neither of which any pedals appear to have the ability to adhere to. It has been the scourge of my sim racing profession. Or what there’s of 1.
Some pedals have carried out higher than others on this regard. The newer Logitech Professional Racing Pedals are fairly hefty and have a gradual base, and in case you arrange the Fanatec CSL Pedals LC accurately, with a wide-enough stance, they are not so unhealthy both. However, typically, I discover all strikes with time, and it will get in my head whereas racing.
I’ve tried all types of DIY fixes to rectify the difficulty, together with at one level grabbing a log of wooden and stuffing it between my pedal set and the wall. Simply the correct sized log would snugly match for an honest setup, nevertheless, wasn’t resistant to the odd slippage every now and then. Additionally that solely actually labored within the setup I had on the time, and now I am nowhere close to a wall to prop the pedals up towards.
Stand specs
Body: Metal
Dimensions: 622 x 837 x 820 mm
Weight capability: 20kg
Contains: Cable routing clips, shifter mount
Pedal tilt: 7°/12°/18°
Guarantee: One 12 months
Value: $153
For all of the high-end sim racing cockpits on the market, together with the Playseat Trophy Logitech G Version I am additionally testing, it seems a foldable racing wheel stand corresponding to this one from Monoprice was all I truly wanted. It is under no circumstances as snazzy or snug over lengthy intervals because the Playseat, which I am sitting in as I kind this, and it will not place you into a correct racing place, both. However it’s fairly reasonably priced, suits my wheel comfortably, and conveniently folds all the way down to a storable measurement.
An important factor is that the Darkish Matter GT stays in place after I slam on the brake pedal. I’ve screwed the T3PM pedal set from the Thrustmaster T248 to the bottom and now it is firmly locked in regardless of how a lot I stab at it.
Actually, it is introduced again a number of pleasure in sim racing for me, and I did not completely grasp how a lot pedals that transfer about everywhere underneath braking affected my want to get my racing wheel out till now.
As for the Darkish Matter GT, it is a pretty stripped again idea. There is not any chair part, such as you would see on many cockpits, so you may have to offer your individual (might I like to recommend one with out wheels). It is merely a foldable body for the wheel base, pedals, and a shifter, you probably have one.
Setup was fast and painless. The core body comes largely assembled, and it is solely the hinge covers and some smaller items it’s essential to add on your self. No a part of the job is especially fiddly, and I had the entire thing put collectively in quarter-hour.
The wheel base mount has screw holes for just a few totally different base layouts, however notably fewer than the Playseat, which has masses extra compatibility. Nonetheless, for a less expensive base with a desk mount just like the one I used to be utilizing, the Thrustmaster T128, it is the right match. That is as a result of it seems to have been specifically designed to help the desk clamp included with the cheaper Thrustmaster wheels, and the under-desk clamps match snugly and stage.
The included pedals with the T128 did not truly match the Darkish Matter GT, however I am chalking that as much as this pedal set being a bit garbage fairly than a mirrored image of the stand. The T248’s T3PM pedals match simply superb. In the event you actually needed to, you undoubtedly might drill a pair screw holes into the mount simply and make absolutely anything work.
There’s top adjustment on the Darkish Matter GT to make it a greater match in your top, and as a 6’2″ man I discovered the longest setting the most effective match.
You too can regulate the angle of the pedals utilizing the three supplied notches. I’ve caught with the center possibility for now, however I am considering of going for a much less aggressive angle by placing it down a notch. It is just a bit too steep for my liking.
These changes are all straightforward to do, and that is as a result of there’s not a lot to mess up with the Darkish Matter GT. It is loads easier to construct and regulate than the Logitech G Playseat, that is for positive, however noticeably much less strong. The Darkish Matter GT feels stable when you’re racing, however I would not be too heavy handed with it when setting it up and placing it away.
For my functions, the Darkish Matter GT has been an excellent match. Admittedly it feels somewhat overpriced simply due to the standard of a few of the components, though it is not that costly within the grand scheme of racing setups. Nonetheless, it serves its objective properly.