Thrustmaster T248 | 5 Things You Must Know
The Thrustmaster T248 is the companies newest sim racing wheel and is a hot topic of discussion within the community. As a result, I’ll be going over 5 things to keep in mind before making the purchase, and if you want to know more about this product, including all its features and my thoughts on it, I’ve also made a full in-depth review on the T248 which you should definitely check out right here.
1 - PlayStation or Xbox Compatibility
Similar to what Logitech does with the G29 and G920, the Thrustmaster T248 is available in two versions. One version works with Xbox and PC, and the other works with PlayStation and PC. So, will your T248 work with Xbox, PlayStation, and PC? No. You either have to buy the Playstation version, which works with PlayStation and PC OR the Xbox version which works with Xbox and PC. This is due to several licensing and other very complicated shenanigans that manufacturers have to work through when making console-supported hardware. So if you’re purchasing the T248, make sure to pay special attention to which version you are buying. Both the Xbox and Playstation versions look and perform identically and the only way to tell them apart is to look at the bottom of the wheel’s faceplate where they have their respective logos on a small button.
2 - Shifter & Handbrake Compatibility
In terms of attaching shifters and handbrakes, will the Thrustmaster T248 be compatible with them? It depends. With official Thrustmaster accessories like the Th8A shifter and Sparco handbrake, yes as they connect directly to the wheelbase. Third-party hand brakes and shifters will most likely work on PC where they can connect via USB but not on consoles. Could you use a separate Thrustmaster wheel rim with the T248? Unfortunately not as this wheel cannot be removed from the wheelbase since it has no quick release.
The included T3PM pedal set connects directly onto the T248 wheelbase. However, since it uses an RJ12 output and not USB, it can’t be used as a standalone alongside other non-Thrustmaster wheels.
3 - T248 Build Quality
The T248 is a relatively small wheel at only 27cm in diameter which is just about the exact same size as the Logitech G29 and G920. Its built mostly from plastic with some leather covering the outside half of the wheel rim. Due to its high use of plastic, it doesn’t really feel or look like anything other than a toy which is a bit of a shame coming at its $400 price point. However, it does feel at least somewhat rigid, what I mean by this is that I’m not afraid that anything will break as I throw it around in-game. It feels solid and well put together in that regard. The same can be said about the pedals, while they are mainly constructed from plastic, they don’t flex significantly nor feel delicate in any way. Keep in mind that this will all vary in the long-term after significant wear and tear.
4 - Force Feedback
The Force Feedback of the Thrustmaster T248 is one of its big selling points. If you don’t know what force feedback is, what it means, or why it’s important, feel free to check out this video where I explain exactly that. This wheel has what Thrustmaster calls a hybrid drive force feedback mechanism. This is used to emphasize how it uses a mix between belts and gears to provide higher overall torque, more precision, and make it quieter overall. The force feedback is good, and certainly adequate for beginners and amateurs but it doesn’t come close to higher mid-tear offerings like Thrustmaster’s own TS-XW or other high end offerings. The biggest downside for me regarding this wheel's performance is its relatively slow speed at which it rotates back to place. What I mean by this, is that when turning and letting go of the wheel, it doesn’t snap back as fast as I would like. Not a massive deal breaker, but something to keep in mind if you’re into drifting as this might limit your ability to do so.
5 - Magnetic Paddle Shifters
The T248 features Thrustmaster’s brand new “magnetic” paddle shifters which you should be aware of for several reasons. While they do feel relatively good to press down and take mere milli-seconds to react, they are far too loud: just take a listen. This is something to keep in mind if you or anybody else will be playing with this wheel in the middle of the living room or late at night as the obnoxious clicks will most definitely be noticeable. In terms of the paddle shifters, they are short and chubby and made from plastic which is disappointing at $400.
Other:
It’s important to note that the Thrustmaster T248 will not be adequate for everyone. If you are a beginner and will be picking up this wheel as your first entry into sim racing, this will most definitely suffice and you’ll have a great time. If you have some other entry-level force feedback wheel such as the Logitech G29 or G920 or Thrustmaster T150 and TMX, this won’t feel like a tremendous upgrade so I’d recommend saving up a little bit more for something like the Thrustmaster TS-XW or Fanatec CSL DD which will give you a far greater jump in performance. So in essence, for beginners who’ve never owned a wheel or have only ever used a non-force feedback wheel, the T248 will be great and I’d recommend it. If you already have an entry-level force feedback wheel, you’re better off saving up for something a little more powerful.
