Racing simulators have long since replaced the joysticks that accompanied us for many years. The sensations we get from driving a virtual race car with a racing wheel are completely different and truly magical.

The French steering wheel brand Thrustmaster has established itself in the steering wheel market among its competitors by developing ever more innovative quality products. We decided to test one of its high-end steering wheels compatible with the Microsoft environment, the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this model, as we will talk about its main features, the type of player it is best suited for, its advantages and disadvantages , as well as where to get it and its price.

The characteristics of the Thrustmaster TX

The Thrustmaster TX, whose full name is TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition, is a high-end leather steering wheel, as the name suggests.

We have listed its main characteristics:

• Year of release: 2015
• The Thrustmaster TX steering wheel has a 28 cm diameter GT style wheel. It is made of hand-stitched leather that offers unparalleled comfort during play.
• On this model there are 6 buttons, a directional cross and a two position selector.
• The maximumrotation angle of the Thrustmaster TX is 900° and the adjustment can be done on the fly.
• The Thrustmaster TX steering wheel features two large metal rotary paddles on the wheel.
• This model features a fast 25-watt brushless motor and dual belt system for responsive, realistic force feedback and smooth play without dead spots.
• It features patented H.E.A.R.T. magnetic technology, which provides unlimited life and optimum accuracy.
• The TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition features a quick and easy wheel change system that allows you to exploit different racing worlds.
• This wheel is officially licensed by Microsoft, so it is compatible with the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, S, but also with the PC.
• The Thrustmaster TX includes a T3PA 3-pedal pedal board T-LCM Ped als, but is compatible with the Thrustmaster TH8A and TSS Handbrake shifters and handbrakes, which are all sold separately.
• Weight steering wheel : 4,5 kg / Weight pedals : 2,7 kg

For what type of person?

The Thrustmaster TX steering wheel is an excellent model for getting started with Sim-racing. It is suitable for both beginners and more experienced players.

It is also a model that can be used by the whole family, both adults and children.

We have noticed that on Xbox console, the power of the motorization is a bit limited and that it is, therefore, on PC that the TX wheel shows its full potential. That’s why we recommend it to PC users.

Its advantages

During our test of the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition, we were able to discover and appreciate the advantages of this model.

First, we noticed its powerful, dynamic and precise force feedback that never seems to run out of steam, even after several hours of warm-up. It offers the most realistic gaming experience. This model is a true benchmark in terms of feel thanks to its force feedback that allows you to feel every detail of the road, from the texture to the grip of your tires.

With the Thrustmaster TX, we’ve taken another step forward in terms of manufacturing quality. The finishing of this model is impeccable, all the material chosen for its design is very solid and we really appreciated the quality of the leather of the wheel which is very pleasant to the touch. Just pick it up and you’ll see that it’s definitely solid.

This model from Thrustmaster offers very good ergonomics and real comfort during the game. The layout of the buttons on the wheel is ideal, the large metal paddles are top notch as they fit perfectly under the fingers and the angle of rotation can be adjusted directly from the steering wheel. Everything seems to have been thought of to make you feel as comfortable as possible during the game.

In addition, the Thrustmaster TX wheel has the advantage of being an Xbox One and PCcompatible wheel. Its compatibility is perfect with all racing games, old and new. You can make extremely precise adjustments on the PC with the integrated software. It is very nice to be able to freely fine-tune the rotation of the flywheel, the power of the force feedback or the different types of motor forces.

Finally, we really appreciate that the Thrustmaster TX, like other models of the brand, is upgradeable thanks to its interchangeable wheel. In our opinion, Thrustmaster offers one of the most complete and customizable ranges. Its ecosystem is incredible and gives you the ability to customize your wheels to suit your different favorite racing styles. It also helps to give your steering wheel a longer life.

Its disadvantages

While the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition showed us that it has a number of advantages, we also noticed that it has a few disadvantages.

First of all, even if it is a wheel compatible with PC and Xbox consoles, we must admit that its performance on Xbox still leaves a lot to be desired. The update can only be done on PC for the moment and it’s really a shame. As we mentioned earlier, the motorization on Xbox and the steering wheel management are quite limited, especially on the Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon series of games.

Secondly, we were somewhat disappointed by the level of the pedalboard. Even though it is wide and has non-slip pads, it clearly lacks stability, whether on tile or carpet.

It is therefore important to make sure that the pedalboard is well seated when playing on this type of surface, as it can become slippery during play.

Another small negative point that concerns the Thrustmaster TX is the length of the USB cable that comes with the wheel, since it is only about 1.50 m. To connect it to your PC, this should normally be enough (although…), but for the console, its length is far too short in our opinion, especially if you want to have a sufficient distance from your TV screen.

It’s also a pity that this model of steering wheel from Thrustmaster does not include any gearshift. This will force you to invest a little more money if you want to be properly equipped for a better immersion in the game.

Finally, we would have really appreciated the possibility to manage profiles with the Thrustmaster TX steering wheel, which unfortunately does not offer this feature. Indeed, you have to set up the settings again for each game, which we think is a pity.

Where to get it and for how much?

The Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition is sold at € 449.99 on the official website of the brand.

You can also buy it from other retailers, for example on Amazon.fr where it is often on special offer and delivered more quickly

While you can sometimes find great deals on used car buying and selling sites, we recommend that you be very careful about the condition of the steering wheel. Make sure it works properly before you buy anything.

Conclusion

After this test, we can confirm that the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition is truly a quality model. Its design is virtually flawless, it’s easy to install and configure, and it gave us a great driving feel during the game.

Its few small flaws disappear completely if you use it on a PC where all its features and qualities come to the fore. The force feedback works wonders, both in terms of power and vibration accuracy.

In our opinion, despite the strong competition, this is one of the best steering wheels on the market for less than 500 €. We recommend the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition with your eyes closed. With this model, you will get your money’s worth and you won’t regret it.