Thrustmaster T598 Direct Axial Drive Force Feedback Racing Wheel Bundle Review

TweakTown Rating: 90%

Our Verdict

The Thrustmaster T598 bundle is a great choice for entry to mid level sim racers. It offers good value and performance, but the form factor might be off putting for some.

Pros

• PlayStation compatible
• Build quality
• Overall performance
• Ecosystem extras available

Cons

• The wheelbase form factor won't be convenient for some
• Dash screen use is fiddly
• Conventional direct drive bases exist at this price point

Should you buy it?

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Buy at Amazon for $802.27 USD

Buy at Newegg for $899.99 USD

Buy at Amazon for $1299.99 CAD

Buy at Amazon for £904.61

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

Thrustmaster is no stranger to the sim racing world, with the hugely popular T500RS and T300RS becoming the belt-driven wheel of choice for many casual racers over the past decade or so. Times have moved on, though, and direct-drive wheels are becoming the new norm, with entry-level wheels priced very competitively compared to a belt-driven equivalent.

Thrustmaster stayed away from this segment of the market for quite some time before releasing its first direct-drive wheel base, the T818. Now, though, Thrustmaster has another wheelbase to add to their direct-drive lineup, in the shape of the Thrustmaster T598, a 5Nm constant-torque wheelbase that should appeal to the masses, given its PC and PlayStation compatibility out of the box.

The Thrustmaster T598 is priced at $599.99, it includes a 30cm wheel rim and a two-pedal set that can be upgraded down the road, should you want to add a little more feel and convert to a three-pedal setup. Today, I will cover the T598 bundle, the Thrustmaster GT Wheel Add-On, and the Raceline LC Upgrade. The GT Wheel Add-On will give Gran Turismo fans a familiar-looking wheel for an additional $299.99, while those who want to upgrade their pedals can add the new Raceline Load Cell pedal for $179.99.

This isn't any ordinary direct-drive wheel, though. Thrustmaster has implemented Direct Axial Drive technology, with one side effect being the shape of the wheel base itself. So then, out of the box, is the Thrustmaster T598 a solid choice? Does the form factor pose any issues, and does the T598 need the available add-ons to make it worth the investment? Let's see what we get in the box and go over everything you will need to know about this bundle, and the extras available.

Best Deals: Thrustmaster T818 EVO 32R Racing Wheel with Pedal Set

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	$802.27 USD	$801.50 USD	$677.75 USD	Buy
	$899.99 USD	-	$899.99 USD	Buy
	$1299.99 CAD	$1299.99 CAD	$1299.99 CAD	Buy
	£904.61	£904.61	-	Buy
	$802.27 USD	$801.50 USD	$677.75 USD	Buy
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Packaging

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Thrustmaster uses full color packaging for the T598. The PlayStation logo sits in the top left, with the Thrustmaster and model to the top right. The center is filled with an image of the wheel itself, including the pedals, which are indicated at the bottom left, with the PlayStation Official Licensed Product stamp at the bottom right.

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One side shows information about the features included with the Thrustmaster T598. Sports style rim, wheelbase, included dash screen, and button functionality are all detailed.

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The back provides more detail on the features, topped by Thrustmaster's Direct Axial Drive technology. This information is featured in a range of languages.

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Finally, the other side shows some details of the included pedal set in the standard two-pedal configuration.

Unboxing the Thrustmaster T598 Direct Axial Drive Bundle

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Upon opening the packaging, Thrustmaster includes a welcome message thanking you for your purchase, followed by a sheet of cardboard to protect the contents. This is topped with some community information and QR codes, along with the manual.

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Internally, everything is well packaged, with the wheelbase and sports-style rim visible. Two boxes are also included, one for accessories and one for power cables. All components are wrapped in a bag to offer dust protection.

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The bottom layer included the pedal set and the desk-mounting, angled plate.

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First, the accessories include power and data cables, along with the required regional wall plug. A USB cable is provided to connect the wheel to your PC or console, while an additional cable for the pedals is present.

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Our second accessory box includes carpet grips for the bottom of the pedals, both brake and throttle spring and mechanism packages, a table clamp kit, and finally mounting screws and hardware. The table clamp kit will provide a mounting depth of 50mm for your desk.

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The first item to go over is the detachable wheel rim. This rim features a versatile, sporty look and a layout suitable for a wide range of racing disciplines. At 11.8 inches / 30cm, it's a good size for quick changes of direction and driver input. Coming in at 1.8lbs / 811g, this is a lightweight wheel that reduces rotating mass and feels quite well-built in your hands. There is a little flex, but nothing concerning.

The wheel features mag-shift paddles and uses Thrustmaster's new quick-release system, meaning the T598 base is compatible with all new-style quick-release rims. Made from composite and rubber, the grips are separated from the rest of the rim with four red accents. Rather than having a single marker at the top to indicate the wheel is centered, this might confuse some people in fast-paced action, who are looking for a visual cue to tell them when the wheel is centered.

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Concentrating on the front wheel controls, laid within a carbon-effect textured plastic, there are red L2 and R2 PlayStation-labeled buttons above the traditional Triangle, Square, X, and Circle. For PlayStation users, this will be a real plus for denoting which control sits in which position.

Below, to the left, are four buttons for up, down, left, and right, with an encoder selector to the right. The encoder also features an LED that indicates whether it is active and in which configuration. This isn't what I would call a traditional encoder, and we will cover this more within testing to explain it further.

Centrally to the bottom, Create, PS, and Option keys are included to continue the inclusive PlayStation-themed layout. While not the most premium on the market, all buttons have a satisfying click and can be mapped in-game. Everything here is within fairly easy reach of your hands, though you may need to adjust for the lower-positioned buttons.

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To the rear of the wheel rim, the paddle shifters, being magnetic, are sufficiently snappy for the price. While they obviously don't match Asetek or Simagic build quality, they are on a par with the Fanatec GT DD Pro wheel. No adjustment is possible for the metal paddles' length, but I would not expect to see this at this price point.

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I am pleased to see the new style quick release being featured. If you remember the old T300RS and T500RS, a threaded collar was used that wasn't exactly a quick release. Here, the clamp mechanism suits the T598 well, but it's still well below the standard set by MOZA and Simagic, with their variant of the full metal quick release that is employed. Spring-loaded pins are visible on the wheel side of the connection. Screw holes around the back also seem quite sensibly placed, so that you don't encounter these when holding the wheel rim.

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Here, you can see the wheel rim a little better; it's a nice ergonomic shape with plenty of room at the back to access the paddle shifters.

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Moving on to the T598 wheelbase, the first thing you notice is the shape. This isn't a traditional direct-drive base, though, which is why the base has this shape. Thrustmaster uses a Direct Axial Drive system that implements an Axial Flux motor. Direct Axial Drive is supposedly the next generation of direct-drive motor technology for sim racing, aiming to eliminate cogging entirely when the wheel is in motion. Thrustmaster says that this should result in better, high-fidelity feedback and clearer effects transmitted to the driver. This new approach delivers 5Nm of constant torque, with Thrustmaster stating that the T598 is capable of providing an overshoot of 100%, to increase output with low latency. Thrustmaster is also using its HARMONY high-frequency force feedback technology to deliver crisp, detailed immersive vibrations to the user.

The T598 wheel base measures 210mm x 210mm x 165mm, and this immediately raised some questions in my head about mounting to an aluminum-profile-style cockpit. Made primarily from aluminum, the T598 weighs 4.7kg, with the wheelbase housing also featuring high-performance composite parts at the front and rear. It feels solid and well-built, should last for years to come, and includes a two-year warranty for peace of mind.

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The front of the housing features four buttons, two on either side, with a display in the middle. Thrustmaster calls this their Race Dash Screen, and while quite small compared to a full-blown dash, it can display data to the user, and settings can also be adjusted here with visual confirmation. Again, we will cover this in more detail during testing.

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The wheelbase-side quick-release connection includes the clamping mechanism, and it is indeed a good step up from the system previously employed.

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A side-on image shows the housing's profile and the unusual dimensions of the Thrustmaster T598 wheel base.

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Connecting everything up, all our ports are on the back of the wheelbase, along with a power button. From left to right, there is the power port, handbrake/shifter port, and pedal connection. There is then a port that is currently unused (Feature coming soon), with a USB-C port next to it.

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Showing the underside, four mounting holes are provided with a spacing of approximately. 63x79mm. The wheel base can be mounted using the included clamp or directly to a cockpit with a suitable wheel deck.

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A quick look at the clamp mechanism when in the open position, and at the wheel base with the rim attached. There is good clearance to the base from the paddle shifters.

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Thrustmaster includes a paper manual to guide you through the setup process, detailing all the installation and connection requirements.

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The included table clamp mounting plate is angled for a comfortable driving position, with all-metal construction for a solid foundation and foam pads to protect the surface being clamped to.

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The included Raceline Pedals LTE are flat-packed to reduce packaging dimensions, but are easily built up. Thrustmaster has taken a leaf out of Fanatec and MOZA's book, with the all-metal heel plate providing the mounting locations for each individual pedal. It's a tried-and-tested method, and a good decision for Thrustmaster to follow suit.

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Underneath, rubber pads provide non-slip contact, but I would certainly recommend bolting these down using the included threaded inserts. Of course, if running these on carpet, grips are included in the accessory pack that simply clip into position.

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Thrustmaster includes mechanisms for both throttle and brake; the slot design makes for quick, easy adjustments. Two different springs are included for the brake, so you can change the stiffness, and a single spring for the throttle.

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The rear of the pedal housing includes three slots; you can install the mechanism in one of the three positions to adjust the tension for both the throttle and the brake.

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Pedal faces can also be adjusted in height, with four positions available. In the standard two-pedal configuration, the spacing between the pedals can also be adjusted using the pre-drilled holes in the heel plate.

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Pedal travel can also be limited using the included rods within the accessories; the only other thing to note is the 3.5mm connection port on each pedal.

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We will cover the upgrades here too, before testing. First up is the Raceline LC Upgrade, which adds a load-cell brake pedal to the setup. This requires the Raceline LTE pedal set, with the original brake being repurposed as a clutch. Full color packaging is once again present, with a picture of the pedal and the upgraded, wider heel plate and pedal face plates taking center stage.

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Information on the upgrade package is shown to the rear, with box contents to one side and an image of the pedal face plate. On the other side, an image of the adjustable pedal mechanism features further information below.

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Opening the box reveals the product manual and welcome message, the same as the T598 bundle.

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Removing the top layer of packaging reveals the replacement heel plate, with the accessories and cables below on either side, and the pedal contained within a further box in the middle.

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Thrustmaster includes everything you will need for the pedal conversion. Cables, additional carpet grips, springs and elastomer, tools, and all-metal pedal face plates.

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The first thing we need to do is strip the existing pedals down, ready to mount them to the new heel deck. Here, you can see the size difference between the two.

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The Raceline LC pedal comes preassembled, so it can be bolted straight into position. From there, you can make further adjustments. The pedal features a 24-bit, 100 kg sensor and four configurations with the included springs and elastomer. The tension can also be fine-tuned using the preload dial to the rear of the pedal mechanism.

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The pedal includes connection ports on either side of the housing.

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Swapping out the springs and elastomer is as easy as with the original brake and throttle: pop out the assembly, change what you need, and reinstall it with minimal fuss.

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With everything ready to go, we can remove the pedals from the old heel plate and refit them, along with the Raceline LC, to the new, larger plate. This process took about 10 minutes, and four screws were used to attach each pedal.

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We are now indeed ready to get testing, but before we do, it's time to check out the GT Wheel Add-On. More full-color, blue-and-white packaging indicates the Thrustmaster - PlayStation lineup, with an image of the wheel rim taking up most of the front. There isn't too much to note on the side, while the back includes some product information in English and French.

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Lifting the flap to open the box, we find a manual with the wheel rim below, wrapped in a plastic bag.

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Being the official Thrustmaster Gran Turismo wheel, the GT Wheel Add-On is a 28cm / 11" round sport-style rim, with the outer wrapped in fine, smooth-textured leather. It certainly feels more premium than the standard wheel included in the T598 bundle, and given the cost of this add-on, it's no wonder.

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The GT Wheel Add-On includes four metal rotary encoders, with each featuring a push button, along with the standard PlayStation-themed controls laid out around the center. This rim was designed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital, just like the Fanatec version I checked out previously. Two additional mini sticks sit more centrally on the top of the center badge, for quick adjustments on the road. A small blue wheel-center indicator is included at the top.

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The transition from the leather to the rest of the wheel housing is really neat, with nice stitching making the wheel feel high-end. Weighing in at 2.8lbs (1.26 kg), the wheel is light enough for quick changes in direction and has low inertia.

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Moving to the rear, two metal shifters complete the inputs, with the same new quick-release mechanism that Thrustmaster has adopted.

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For reference, the Thrustmaster SPORTCAR rim is next to the Thrustmaster GT Wheel Add-On, and then the Fanatec GT Wheel, which features a more D-shaped design. Here, I prefer the Thrustmaster implementation over Fanatecs, with the buttons feeling better spaced and arranged more sensibly.

Installation & Software

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Installing the T598 requires some adjustments to my Trak Racer TR120S V2 chassis. I usually run a Simagic base, using the Trak Racer Universal Wheel Plate. I have this inverted, so the wheelbase nestles within the front deck to keep things nice and compact. For the review, I have had to remove the assembly and rotate it, to give the T598 wheel base a platform to sit on. While I understand the technological needs for the wheelbase shape here, if you are moving from a more traditional base, be prepared to make a few adjustments to your rig.

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With everything in a comfortable position, I could wire everything up, connect to my PC, and start running through the setup process. I downloaded the "My Thrustmaster Panel" software, installed it, and launched it. As expected, there is a firmware update for the T598 wheel base, and getting it completed proved to be somewhat of a challenge.

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Following the instructions, it would not detect that it was in boot mode, so I had to "Run As Administrator" and complete the update via the Thrustmaster Firmware Updater. Once complete, it was plain sailing from there.

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Running through the software, all the usual, familiar options are included, as you find with many other variants. The wheelbase itself contains a Settings and Testing tab, and all connected devices also feature a Links tab.

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The pedal section also includes most commonly implemented adjustment controls, with the option to select an inverted layout and pedal range. While not as comprehensive as some other software packages, the Thrustmaster offering is enough to dial things in to your preferences.

Kris' Sim Racing Test System Specifications

Final Thoughts

My sim of choice for today is Assetto Corsa Competizione, and as soon as I jumped in, it detected the connected controls, and I could go racing straight away. I raced a variety of sessions at different tracks and in different GT3 cars.

Running laps, there's a nice familiarity with coming back to a Thrustmaster wheel, and while I can't reminisce too much about my beloved T300RS days, the T598 is a pleasant upgrade into direct drive. Feedback and detail are above what I expected from a 5Nm wheel base; everything is smooth and feels refined, even at default settings. Road texture and running over curbs feel realistic, and traction loss is well implemented into the T598. Thrustmaster also includes what they are calling gear jolt, which, you guessed it, provides a jolt every time you change up or down a gear. It reverberated throughout the rig, and it's a feature I would certainly leave on to enhance the immersive experience the T598 brings.

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At no point did I feel uneasy with the T598, and the smaller SPORTCAR bundled rim held its own. One thing to touch on with the rim is the encoder we mentioned earlier. This can be set to one of four input iterations, denoted by the LED's color. For example, in red, I could adjust ABS settings using the +/- buttons, while pressing the S button changed it to a blue LED; here, I could then change TC, and so on.

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My biggest gripe with the T598 is the display and how to change what is shown. Here, you can display a range of information, including gear, RPM, laps, and more, but to change the display, you have to use the wheel base-mounted buttons, L3 and R3, to access the menu, then use the wheel rim-mounted D-Pad to select an option. It's a little clumsy and detracts from the usability. I must say, though, for the screen being so small, it is certainly a useful feature to have included, and if Thrustmaster can figure out how to access the menu system and change settings without taking your hands off the wheel, it's a real positive.

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Both wheel rims were tested, and personally, I actually prefer the included, more basic rim. Yes, the GT Wheel Add-On included more encoders, but it adds another $299 to the overall price, and if you aren't an avid Gran Turismo fan, then it certainly isn't a necessity. The Gran Turismo wheel is better built, feels more premium, and certainly isn't a bad wheel by any means. If you are buying a T598 base on its own, and then need a wheel rim, then that is where I would consider it over the SPORTCAR one.

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When it comes to making a car stop and go, the included pedals in the standard configuration are a little lacking, similar to the MOZA SRP Lite pedals. They are functional, but that's about it. If you are new to racing, they will feel fine, but once you add on the Raceline Load Cell upgrade, things change quite a bit for the better. I played around with the preload and quickly found a nice, firm feel to the pedal that allowed me to pick my brake points consistently without locking up.

In summary, the Thrustmaster T598 bundle certainly exceeded my expectations. It's a great wheel bundle, but not necessarily revolutionary, purely because the gap between wheel bases is now exceptionally close, with only small details separating them that most users won't notice without considerable time behind a range of wheel bases. Would I choose it over, say, a MOZA R5 bundle, or a similarly priced Fanatec offering? On that, I would certainly need to think about the ecosystem and the further upgrade options available from each manufacturer. For a standalone entry-ish level bundle, to get into sim racing, then it's a great choice, as long as you can get over the shape of the wheel base.