Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 + ERS3 Seat HONEST Review
This is the Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 — it’s one of the company's top-of-the-line sim racing cockpits, which unsurprisingly looks absolutely menacing. More than that, I’ve paired it with the brand-new Next Level Racing ERS3, a $250 reclining seat that they claim is one of the best value sim racing seats on the market today.
All put together, I’ve been using this sim racing cockpit for several weeks now, and today I’m ready to give you all my review, going over all the good, the bad, and whether this really is the top of the line in sim racing cockpits. Keep in mind that if you are interested in purchasing this or any other Next Level Racing product, you can take an additional 5% off using the code “ocracing” and several more discount codes for different brands are available here.
F-GT Elite 160 | Specs & Features
The Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 gets its name from its 160x40mm aluminum profile beams. Carrying the theme from its predecessor, the normal F-GT Elite, it can also be adjusted to several driving positions, including Formula and GT, giving you the ultimate in versatility and adjustability.
From the start, this product is packaged tremendously well, with a single box containing everything necessary for assembly, including labeled nuts and bolts, a printed user manual, and another package housing the seat of your choice—in this case, the brand-new ERS3, which I'll touch on in a bit. Keep in mind that the integrated monitor stand you're seeing here is not included, and this particular one is not from Next Level Racing, although they do offer their own.
The aluminum profile beams arrived without a scratch and have a black anodized finish, which looks great, albeit it's an absolute fingerprint magnet, making filming this review a huge headache. However, assembling was not a headache; believe it or not, I was able to build it entirely by myself with zero points of confusion or uncertainty.
Throughout this build process, I also noticed a lot of very nice attention to details, including branded end caps, a buttkicker mount, sleek branding, an Allen key holder, cable management clips, and many more features like shock-absorbing feet, which I didn’t mount as I’m using this on carpet.
The Elite 160 cockpit I have here is the wheel plate edition, my personal favorite, as it’s not only $100 cheaper but also extremely convenient, having never failed to mount any of the now dozens of sim racing wheels I’ve tested before. Keep in mind that this wheel plate, along with the shifter mount that has a powder-coated finish, does scratch extremely easily, even when just mounting your gear. Perhaps Next Level Racing can find a solution that doesn’t scratch as easily.
As for its price, the Next Level Racing F-GT Elite Wheelplate edition cockpit is actually not so bad at $999 with free shipping if purchased from their website, plus an additional 5% off using my code. Unfortunately, at this price, no seat is included, but for only $250, the ERS3 seat does make an excellent choice.
Next Level Racing ERS3 Seat Review
Unlike traditional reclining seats, the ERS3 can be bolted down onto the included universal seat brackets, allowing it to maintain its reclining ability and its seat slider, all while being fully adjustable in both height and tilt—both of which are essential when switching driving positions.
All put together, this seat and cockpit combo offers the most adjustability I’ve ever seen, and that’s actually saying a lot. More importantly, this height adjustability allows you to mount the seat high enough to see over the tall uprights I’ve always complained got in the way in the past. It also provides a very high seating position, making it easy to get in and out and very realistic to what you would expect in many real-world road cars.
On its own, it’s hard to criticize the ERS3. While I always prefer the look of bucket seats for my sim racing setups, this reclining seat shines in its quality and comfort. It’s upholstered with synthetic leather, has a cool carbon weave pattern on the edge, and is legitimately very comfortable for both my lower back and torso. The only part that bothers me is this plastic insert on the headrest, which I did find annoying, particularly when lying flatter back in a formula seating position.
As for flex on the backrest, there is some, but it is heavily mitigated with the dual latch recline system. On track, once paying attention to the game, it wasn’t noticeable, though, and overall, considering its $250 price tag, the ERS3 is easy to recommend.
On-Track Performance
Looking back at the chassis, it’s important to keep in mind that although having the option to interchange between seating positions is great, the action of doing so isn’t easy and will require you to take out your allen keys and spend at least a few minutes making all the adjustments. I also found myself having to make adjustments to the monitor and cable management when drastically changing between driving positions, something I realistically can’t see myself doing often. Overall, while having this option is good, I would be lying if I said this is something I would be changing often, especially on those days when I just want to sit down, relax, and race after a long day of work.
I’m very happy to report that on track though, the Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 is an absolute tank. Despite me trying as hard as possible to find any visible or notable flex on the pedal plate, wheel deck, or shifter arm, I honestly couldn’t. The performance was certainly there and the immersion was as well with the various seating positions providing a unique experience which I’ll certainly be trying out with VR in the upcoming days.
All in all, from beginning to end my experience with the F-GT Elite 160 has been very pleasant and I do think that for an aluminum profile chassis, it is pretty good looking. Although making adjustments is more tedious than competitors like the Trak Racer TRX, the performance here when it comes to rigidity is superior and for that reason, along with several I mentioned in this review, the Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 along with the new ERS3 seat gets a strong recommendation from me, and I do think it’s very competitively priced.
OC SCORE: 8.00
FAQ’s
What is the Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160?
The Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 is a top-of-the-line sim racing cockpit featuring 160x40mm aluminum profile beams. It offers versatility with adjustable driving positions, including formula and GT.
Does the Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 come with a seat?
No, the cockpit does not include a seat at the base price of $999. However, the Next Level Racing ERS3 reclining seat can be purchased separately for an additional $250.
What are the main features of the Next Level Racing ERS3 seat?
The ERS3 seat features a reclining mechanism, seat slider, and is fully adjustable in height and tilt. It is upholstered with synthetic leather and has a carbon weave pattern on the edge, providing comfort and quality.
Can the seating position of the F-GT Elite 160 be changed easily?
While the cockpit allows for switching between multiple seating positions, the process requires using Allen keys and can take several minutes, making it somewhat inconvenient to switch positions frequently.
Is the assembly process for the F-GT Elite 160 complex?
The cockpit is designed for easy assembly, with clear labels on all nuts and bolts and a detailed user manual. Most users should be able to assemble it without confusion or uncertainty.
Are there any issues with durability or maintenance for the F-GT Elite 160 and ERS3?
The powder-coated finishes on the wheel plate and shifter mount are prone to scratching easily. Additionally, the black anodized finish on the beams is a fingerprint magnet, which could be a concern for some users.
What discounts are available for purchasing the Next Level Racing products?
Purchasers can obtain a 5% discount using the code “ocracing” on the Next Level Racing website. Additional discount codes for different brands are available here: https://www.ocsimracing.com/discount-codes
How does the F-GT Elite 160 perform during sim racing?
The F-GT Elite 160 is described as very stable with no notable flex in the pedal plate, wheel deck, or shifter arm. It provides an immersive racing experience, especially with the various seating positions.
What should I consider before deciding to purchase the F-GT Elite 160?
Potential buyers should consider the need for frequent adjustments if planning to switch driving positions often, as well as the additional cost for the seat if required. The ease of assembly and overall durability should also be factored into the decision.
What is the overall verdict on the Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 and ERS3 seat?
The F-GT Elite 160, combined with the ERS3 seat, is highly recommended for its adjustability, comfort, and performance. It is competitively priced considering its features and the level of immersion it provides in sim racing setups.
