Thrustmaster TH8S Sim Racing Shifter Review
After years of extremely limited choices in the entry-level sim racing shifter market, Thrustmaster has finally heard our cries. They have just released the $70 TH8S, a more affordable sibling to the pricey TH8A and a direct competitor to the massively popular Logitech shifter. They were kind enough to send me one for review so today, I'll be going through the good, the bad, and discussing whether I would recommend the Thrustmaster TH8S shifter.
Constructed almost entirely of plastic, the TH8S immediately reveals its entry-level price tag. Although small in size, similar to other shifters in this price range, Thrustmaster has managed to design it as a 7-speed with a separate slot for reverse. The distance between the gears is minimal, but the travel between them feels sufficient. Inside, hall effect sensors are used to enhance the product's longevity and reliability, while a small piece of fabric prevents debris from entering the mechanical components.
One of the major selling points of the TH8S is its compatibility. Thrustmaster has included a USB-C cable that allows you to connect the shifter directly to a PC. This means you can use it with any combination of wheels and pedals, even those from other brands. For instance, if you're using a Fanatec wheel on your PC, you can plug this shifter into a USB slot, configure it in-game, and use it alongside all your other equipment. For console users, Thrustmaster has also provided a DIN cable that is compatible with nearly all Thrustmaster wheelbases. If you're playing on a console, you'll need to connect the shifter to a compatible Thrustmaster wheelbase; plugging it directly into the USB slot on your PlayStation or Xbox will not work.
Designed for entry-level sim racers, the TH8S, like the Logitech shifter, comes with an integrated table clamp that will allow you to easily hook it up to your setup without the need to drill holes or anything of that sort. Out of curiosity, I unscrewed the table clamp from mine, and it does seem to appear that this shifter can be hard mounted, though for the purpose of this review, I simply clamped it onto my rig.
One of the things I do not like about this shifter is the look of the knob, but here’s where things got a little confusing for me. You see, from what I’ve seen online and in other reviews, it does seem like the shifter knob can be removed by removing the plastic tab on the top, and unscrewing where it connects to the shaft. However for me, the bottom part of the knob was completely stuck, seemingly glued on, and impossible for me to take off like I saw many others easily do online. So while I do think this shift knob is supposed to be removable, on mine, it was seemingly stuck on there. Now im sure that with enough persuasion, I could knock it off but for the purpose of this review, I just re-attached it and moved on with my life.
An important feature that sets the TH8S apart from competitors in this price range is the ability to adjust the shifting resistance slightly. By inserting a flathead screwdriver into a small hole on the side of the shifter, you can either tighten or loosen it to change the resistance. Personally, I thought the stock resistance was too light, but with a few minutes of tweaking, it felt better. With that said, let's discuss the in-game feel and performance of the Thrustmaster TH8S.
Right away, the TH8S, with its plastic knob and overall build, doesn't feel premium or realistic to the touch. This is an area where the Logitech shifter, with its leather knob and boot, performs much better. However, when it comes to actual shifting on the track, the TH8S does its job. While it lacks a tactile or mechanical feel when shifting through gears, the amount of resistance is decent and adds a bit of realism on the track. I won't overly praise the feel or performance of this shifter; it essentially feels like a $70 shifter and can't really compete with higher-end models. But, the TH8S gets the job done, offering more resistance than the Logitech shifter, and the travel between gears feels realistic. Initially, I experienced frequent mis-shifts due to the lack of tactile feedback, making it hard to control the knob when shifting gears quickly. However, over time, the mis-shifts became less frequent. Personally, I was not a fan of the included plastic "sport" knob. It feels like a toy in hand and significantly reduces the immersion of having an H-pattern shifter, which is why I'd recommend purchasing a third-party knob.
In conclusion, the Thrustmaster TH8S shifter offers what you’d expect at its $70 retail price. While it may lack the premium materials and tactile feedback found in higher-end models, it checks off several boxes that make it a worthy contender in the entry-level sim racing shifter market. Its 7-speed mechanism, independent slot for reverse, and compatibility across multiple platforms and wheelbases make it a versatile addition to any sim racing setup. Although the knob and overall build quality may not offer the most immersive experience, it does the job well and reliably on track. It's particularly notable that the TH8S allows for adjustment in shifting resistance, giving you some leeway in personalizing the feel. Future third-party mods are likely to further elevate both the tactile feel and performance, making the TH8S an even more compelling option for budget-conscious sim racers. All in all, if you're looking for an entry-level shifter that does its job without breaking the bank, the Thrustmaster TH8S stands as a solid option worth considering.
