Introduction
Black Week is a great opportunity to improve or upgrade your setup. Retailers will be offering a range of discounts on their gaming products. You can get great deals on items such as steering wheels, wheelbases, pedals, cockpits, monitors and accessories. However, you’ll need to be careful that you’re getting the most value for money. The quality, performance, compatibility, durability and your own requirements all play a big part in ensuring you’re really getting a good deal. Whether you’re new to sim racing and putting together your first setup or a seasoned driver wanting to improve your setup, knowing what to look out for can help you make the most of black week.
Understanding Black Week Deals
Black Week is a big time to purchase products as many retailers will be offering discounts. This gives racers an opportunity to upgrade their equipment. Some popular items like direct drive wheelbases, load cell pedals, racing seats and ultra wide monitors will be put on promotion. But not every item will be giving you a great deal. Some retailers will inflate the prices. Others will be offering discounts on old stock. Therefore, it’s best to look up the current price and compare it to previous prices, look at the specifications and find out how reputable the seller is. This will help you know what is a good deal.
Know What You Need
Before you start looking for deals, it’s important to know what you need for your preferred racing. A full setup will include a steering wheel, wheelbase, pedals, cockpit or mounting, monitor and accessories. As a new racer, you don’t need to buy all these items. Identify any issues with your current setup and figure out what will improve your performance the most. For example, if you’re using a basic controller, purchasing a quality steering wheel and pedal set will improve your performance a lot more than investing in an expensive monitor. If you’re an experienced driver, then upgrading to a direct drive wheelbase or load cell pedals will improve your performance more. Knowing what you need to improve will help you focus on the right deals.
Look at Steering Wheels and Wheelbases
Steering wheels and wheelbases are one of the most important parts of your setup. Entry level wheels will give you basic force feedback and simple controls. However advanced wheels will have better force feedback, responsiveness and quality. Direct drive wheelbases are popular amongst enthusiasts as they provide great force feedback as the steering wheel connects directly to the motor. Look at the motor strength, how much the steering turns, quality of materials, mounting options and if they’re compatible
with swappable rims. Don’t just go for the cheapest price. If they don’t have the features you want for your preferred racing style or need to purchase expensive accessories to make them work, then they aren’t the best choice.
Look at Pedals
Your pedals will greatly affect how consistently you drive. Basic pedal sets may be enough for casual racing, however if you want more precision then look for more advanced sets. Load cell brakes are great as they give you feedback on how much pressure you’re applying. This will help you to brake more consistently, especially when turning. Look at the quality, adjustability, resistance, sensors and replaceable parts. Metal pedals with adjustable features will be more durable. Being able to customize your pedal positions will help with your preferred driving style. Ensure they connect directly to your wheelbase or if they need to be connected via USB. This is important as the pedal set may seem cheap but you may need to purchase extra items.
Look for a Racing Cockpit
A racing cockpit will help keep your steering wheel, pedals and seat secure. Many new racers will start off with a desk mounted steering wheel and a standard chair, however having a racing cockpit will help with comfort, stability and consistency. There are many types available. Foldable, fixed frame and aluminium profile. Foldable cockpits are generally a good option if you have limited space. Fixed frames will generally be more stable. Aluminium profiles allow for lots of adjustments. Look at the materials used, weight limit, comfort of the seat, adjustability and compatibility with your steering wheel and pedals. Measure how much space you have. If you don’t have enough room for the discounted cockpit then it won’t be a wise investment.
Look for a Good Monitor
Having a good monitor will help with track awareness and knowing when to brake. Standard monitors may be enough for new racers. However ultrawide or triple monitors will give you a larger view. Consider the size, resolution, refresh rate, response time and panel type. A high refresh rate can give you smooth movement, especially if your gaming system can provide enough frame rates. However if you purchase an expensive monitor but your computer/console isn’t powerful enough then you’ll be wasting your money. Compare the actual specs of the monitor. Consider if you’ll need to mount it, how much space you have on your desk, what ports it has and if it can provide the resolution and refresh rate you want from your favorite gaming platform.
Look at Useful Accessories
Although accessories may not seem as important as other items, they can help improve the comfort, organization and function of your setup. Items like monitor stands, wheel stands, shifters, handbrakes, button boxes, cable management, seat sliders and protection, if you enjoy rally or drifting simulations then purchasing a handbrake or shifter that is compatible with your setup can help improve your control. Having a monitor stand will help position your screen and give you more space. However don’t purchase any accessories just because they’re discounted. Consider if they’ll improve your driving experience, if they’ll fix an issue with your current setup or if they’ll help with your planned upgrades. Look at the quality, how they connect, if they need to be mounted and if they’re compatible with other items to avoid any unnecessary spending.
Where to Find Good Sim Racing Black Week Deals
To get the best deals, compare the offers from different retailers. Specialized sim racing retailers will have quality products from well-known brands. General electronics retailers and official brand sites will also have seasonal promotions. Search for Simracing black week deals to find discounted sim racing items. However always check they’re currently in stock, what they’ll actually be sold for, delivery costs and any conditions. Check if the discount applies to the whole product or just certain setups and accessories. By comparing items from multiple sellers you can be sure you’re getting a good deal.
- Do Your Research
It’s important to research products to ensure they’re a good deal. Whilst the brand will provide useful info on their products, independent reviews can help you see what the real pros/cons are. Look for detailed reviews on performance, quality, ease of fitting, reliability and long term use. Sim racing communities, specialized magazines and experienced reviewers can help you compare products. Compare the price of the item on promotion. Look at how much they’re usually sold for across different retailers. Check if there is a newer generation of the item, if it’s discounted due to it being an old model and if there are any extra costs such as delivery or mounting accessories. An item with a smaller discount may be a better value if it performs better is of a better quality and will last longer.
- Check for Compatibility
Compatibility is one of the most important things to consider. Not all steerings, wheelbases, pedals and accessories will be compatible with all gaming platforms/simulators. Some items will only be compatible with PC whilst others will be compatible with select PlayStation/Xbox consoles. Even items from the same brand may not be compatible with your platform. Check the brands compatibility page. If you’re using PC then look at if they’re compatible with USB, what drivers they have, what software they require and if they’re compatible with your favorite racing simulators. Popular games may have different hardware support. If you have existing hardware then consider if the item will work with your current kit. This will help you avoid any expensive mistakes.
- Create a Realistic Budget
One of the easiest ways to overspend during black week is to purchase multiple discounted items. Creating a realistic budget will help you stay within your budget. Split your budget into the most important items you need. Allow a little extra for any unexpected delivery costs or essential accessories. If you’re building your setup from scratch then focus on items that will help you upgrade in the future. Compatible steering, wheelbase and pedals, if you already have a working setup then look at what is holding you back. Don’t upgrade items that still work for you just because there’s a newer model on sale. Gradually upgrading can be a cheaper and more practical option.
- Consider Warranty, Delivery and Returns
The actual price may not be the only thing to consider. Warranty, customer service, delivery and returns can affect how good value for money the item is. Look up how long the item will be under warranty for and what faults will be covered. This is especially important for expensive items like wheelbases and monitors. Check if the seller provides technical support, spare parts and clear processes for faulty items. If you’re ordering internationally then look at the delivery costs, customs and how long it will take to arrive. Large/heavy items can be difficult to return. A slightly more expensive item from a reputable seller may be a better value long term. Read through the terms of purchase to avoid any nasty surprises.
Conclusion
To get the best deals during black week it’s important to prepare research products and know what you need. All the items listed will impact your racing experience. However how important they are will depend on what you already have and what improvements you want. Don’t just go for the biggest discounts. Compare the specifications, quality, performance, durability and warranty. Research independent reviews, compare prices across multiple retailers and check what promotions are available. Most importantly create a realistic budget and focus on items that will really improve your setup. With a bit of thought, black week can be a great opportunity to create a more capable, comfortable and enjoyable sim racing setup without going over your budget.
