WC - yes I've been considering this combination for a while (G25 + CSPs in my case). It would indeed make a fantastic combination. Unfortunately, however, I can't muster the courage to order a Fanatec product at this time (for all the reasons I've mentioned above).

What would be some good non-Fanatec upgrade options to the G25/7? Looking around, all I can find is the TM T500 and the CST pedals. Thoughts?

-Hap.

I reviewed the T500 RS wheel last year. The FFB is really nice, with a lot of fidelity and very robust output, and the buttons are mostly well laid out. There are (or will be) optional wheels to attach to the wheel housing (some F1 styled wheels, etc). They now offer a shifter unit that can be H-pattern or sequential mode. Their pedals are also nice, using HALL effect sensors, but not as nice as having a load-cell brake (a la CSP) They can, however, be 'flipped' so that the pedal axis is above your feet like most cars.

On the cautionary side, the housing for the wheel is huge, requiring (IMO) a wheel stand or sim cockpit. Clamping it to a desk can be difficult due to the size, and the strong FFB can make your desk really move around a lot.

My only real gripe was that TM opted for paddle shifters fixed to the wheel housing vice the wheel. This means the paddles are in the same place relative to the housing, vice rotating with the wheel. Since the paddles don't rotate with the wheel, TM placed them further away from the wheel rim so that they didn't impact your fingers when turning the wheel. That, in turn, means you have to 'reach' for the paddles more than you would if the paddles rotated with the wheel. I personally found that hard to get used to and I found it hard to make up-shifts while groping for the paddles when accelerating out of a turn (that required me to loosen my grip on the wheel to reach for the paddles). Some street cars mount their paddle shifters this way (but not all), while racing applications (F1, ALMS, etc.) do not.

With a wheel stand or sim-pit, the T500RS with the shifter unit, and matched w/ CSPs, could be a nice combo - if you can get over the price of that combo, and the fixed paddle shifters.

It's been 25 days now since I resent Fanatec my last response (the one reformatted according to their wishes), and I've heard absolutely nothing in response. It's been 66 days since I first contacted them and I'm still stuck with an undrivable wheel.