Latest news with #Thrustmaster
Forbes
5 days ago
- Forbes
GameSir G7 Pro Review: Yes Sir, It's A Game-Changing Pro Controller
You've got to admire companies that like to get things done right, even when they don't go about it in the prettiest way. Much like Thrustmaster with its barmy yet ridiculously innovative eSwap X2 Pro, the GameSir G7 Pro is choosing function over fashion for Xbox, PC, and mobile. As far as wired controllers go, the GameSir G7 Pro isn't just up there with the Victrix Prime Gambit — it's better, depending on your usage and preferences. Despite its relatively dull looks, at least with its inaugural Mech White edition (a darker Shadow Ember design is in the works), it offers some of the best functionality for its mid-range price point in the market, with impressive attention to detail on the pro-level functions that matter the most. It's one of the most flexible controllers out there — and it's not difficult to see why it's gained the official thumbs up from Microsoft. What's in the box? As with a few Chinese controller manufacturers, like PB Tails, the unboxing isn't much of an event — lightweight foam rings protect the analog sticks, while the D-pad had come off the controller in transit — but these are daft complaints when you consider just how much the GameSir G7 Pro offers, given its specs. Gamesir G7 Pro specifications Prime competition FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder In your hands, the G7 Pro feels brilliant. This is mainly because it's practically identical in form and factor to Microsoft's standard wireless Xbox controller, but with nice, rounded grips that curve rather than sharpen at the base of your hands. Smaller-palmed players will have no complaints about it. The programmable L3/R3 shoulder buttons sit nicely under your fingertips, while the two rear buttons are within easy reach, though they're a little too easy to trigger. Not that it's a problem; the G7 Pro has trigger locks for these, which is a true rarity, but they're also gratefully received for those of us who like the option but may rarely use them — for me, I only really adapt them for manual shifting in racing games. You've got to love a flappy-paddle gearbox. While it's definitely reminiscent of the Victrix Prime Gambit, it feels more premium. The G7 Pro shares the magnetic faceplates of the Gambit, but in three sections, and they're just as easy to remove — a bit of a godsend when it comes to switching D-pads. The GameSir G7 Pro also differs from the Gambit by putting a bigger focus on its wireless flexibility. The Prime Gambit's recessed USB-C connection is perfectly fine for a controller that lacks an internal battery, but the G7 Pro's removable cable retainer means it protects the wire just as well, and allows the controller to look the part when it's in wireless mode on PC and mobile. It's a simple design idea, but genuinely brilliant. Admittedly, you can't swap out the analog sticks on the G7 Pro, but I don't care — they're pretty much identical to a classic Xbox controller, and with the TMR technology (and its supremely responsive feedback), they'll keep delivering for months, and years, to come. Mechanical energy Mechanical buttons are a godsend on any controller, and the GameSir G7 Pro doesn't disappoint. The ABXY inputs alone are precise and comfortable, even if these sit a little higher than you'd hope (especially compared to the fighting game-primed Victrix Pro BFG), but its greatest strength is its triggers. In standard mode, the LT and RT buttons work as expected — nothing to write home about, but perfectly fine nonetheless. Switch the trigger stops to low-profile mode, and they're probably the best I've ever used — the micro-switch haptics are superb and precise. There are no clacky sounds or lack of dampening to make every pull jar your fingers and trigger misophonia. The trigger-lock switches on the back of the controller are stiff, but not unusable, especially given that players will rarely switch them. It's not all sunshine and rainbows The GameSir G7 Pro is a great controller, but it's not without its issues. Crucially, its D-pad feels mechanical yet imprecise. You can hear the eight-way input, but on fighting games, you can't fully trust it — like the ABXY buttons, it feels like the mechanism sits just a tad too high, which isn't ideal for such a delicate section of the pad. The software, too, is very basic. On Xbox, the GameSir Nexus app is hard to read, as even the crispest resolution barely shows thin text, even on a 4K OLED TV. Mapping is a breeze, but there aren't options for combination inputs, which will turn off fighting game players. It's not quite as bad as the weird interface for the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless with Lumectra, but it's not far off. That said, the rest of the G7 Pro's criticisms are minor. My most common issue — at least, when it's wired to the Xbox, and automatically switches itself off after inactivity — is that it reconnects to, then disconnects from, the console. It can happen twice, or occasionally three times. You find yourself staring at the pad, hoping the light stays on. Then there's the charging station, which is a lovely extra, but it's useless if you're only buying the controller for your Xbox. Well, that's not strictly true; the G7 Pro still looks great sitting on it, even if you feel the overwhelming need to remove the wire and cable protector to make it look 'right.' A lovely little package My Gambit Prime was a go-to controller to switch between Xbox and PC, but between its wireless mode, grippier finish, and industry-leading clicky hair triggers, the G7 Pro is the better option. If only it was wireless on Xbox, it'd be the perfect recommendation. The GameSir G7 Pro doesn't pretend to be an attractive controller because it doesn't need to. It might not look beautiful, or offer a wireless mode for Xbox gamers, or provide a real depth of customization, but it just works — and incredibly well, at that.
Top Gear
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Gaming: can you have too many sim racing wheels?
Opinion Nowadays sim racing rims are separate from the wheel base, which means they're becoming more complex, and desirable Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading My name is Mike and I'm an addict. The things I'm addicted to are usually round in shape and produce a feeling of euphoria, but they're not drugs. Tragically, I'm talking about sim racing steering wheels. It's not really my fault. Back in the early days of sim racing equipment, the wheel rim remained resolutely attached to the base and was usually generic in design. Then in 1999 a company by the name of Thrustmaster, which I'll confess sounds like the alias of an adult movie performer, released a licensed Ferrari 360 Modena steering wheel. Proper automotive manufacturers had got involved in sim equipment and all bets were off. Advertisement - Page continues below These days, the rim and the wheel base are separate, hot swappable via motorsport grade quick release systems, and the effect on my bank balance has been, frankly, catastrophic. Depending on the type of pretend racing car I happen to be driving at any given time, I'll have a variety of rims to suit the job, whether that's a wide circumference circular wheel for rallying or a miniscule batarang festooned with buttons for formula cars. I have a McLaren wheel for driving McLarens and a Porsche wheel for driving Porsches. The other thing I have, clearly, is a problem. It's only getting worse as products become more complex, authentic and ultimately more desirable. Fanatec made arguably the biggest step five years ago with its Podium Steering Wheel BMW M4 GT3. That name is burying the lede slightly, the important part is 'BMW M4 GT3' because it is the exact same wheel, and therefore directly compatible, with the one found in an actual BMW M4 GT3 racecar. As a gamer, getting one feels like buying the first issue of one of those overpriced build it yourself magazine subscriptions. You might like More recently, Fanatec has pulled a similar trick with its Podium Steering Wheel Bentley GT3, this time adding a circular, self-centring display in the middle of the wheel and including rotaries that are 'knurled', a word I'm convinced was invented solely to sound expensive. The only thing missing is a hand stitched, diamond quilted Bentley branded bib to catch the drool every time I look at it. These more authentic wheel rims are only multiplying, with a small cottage industry springing up. Relative newcomer VPG Sim has secured the licence to produce a replica of the new Ford Mustang GT3 steering wheel, constructed from the same materials and moulds as the real thing. Is it excessive for me to have a different rim for every different GT3 car on the grid? It feels excessive. Advertisement - Page continues below I think the biggest test of my resolve, though, comes in the shape of the £8,000 Cosworth CCW Mk2 Pro Sim Wheel, which is built by Cosworth itself and is an exact replica of a wheel I've spent years staring at in the cockpit of various Indycars and sports cars in iRacing. Look, I swear I could quit any time I want but, just out of interest, what's the going rate for a human kidney on the black market? Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chinese tech firms up their game as reciprocal tariffs hit U.S. products
HONG KONG — Marcus Wu's home racing simulator setup needs one more thing: a manual gearshift. A decade ago, one from a Western brand would have been a no-brainer for gamers like the 12-year-old Hongkonger. As President Donald Trump's trade war with Beijing escalates, the fact that Wu opted for a gearshift from Chinese manufacturer Moza illustrates how far Chinese manufacturers have come in competing with their Western counterparts on affordability and quality. The deepening economic conflict between the U.S. and China, the world's two largest economies, has the potential to wreak havoc on a complex web of globalized commerce. And Trump's attempts to claw back manufacturing to American shores could have unintended consequences, including giving Chinese technology manufacturers an edge at a time when American products are already becoming expensive. Wu and his father-cum-financier, Mingfai, have already made their choice, opting for a Chinese alternative over American brands such as the Oregon-based Thrustmaster. 'If only the price was good but the quality wasn't, then I wouldn't have bought this,' the elder Wu said. 'But this is cheaper and works great.' The duo were browsing Hong Kong's Sham Shui Po computer market — a sprawling hub of small tech stores selling everything from computer parts to gaming equipment for casual gamers and enthusiasts alike. To residents and tourists from mainland China — a country with a gaming market of half a billion users — the market is a one-stop shop, featuring top American brands including Dell, Corsair and the Nasdaq-listed Swiss manufacturer Logitech. Those are just some of the companies competing for market share in a gaming industry that accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates will be worth $300 billion by 2027. According to China's Game Industry Report, China's gamers contributed $44 billion in sales revenues to the industry last year. To be sure, Western brands are still popular when it comes to big-ticket items like monitors, processors and storage devices, but sellers at the market told NBC News that Chinese brands have been knocking it out of the park when it comes to accessories, like mice, keyboards and simulator setups. 'So many Chinese manufacturers popped up after the pandemic,' said Dennis Leung, a sales assistant at a store that specializes in gaming peripherals. 'They often provide an extremely cheap and bargain price compared to the whole market,' he said. Standing in front of a table of 30 mice, Leung held up two with identical feel and weight. The Chinese option, which was cheaper and more powerful, had been outselling its Western counterpart, he said. The Trump administration last week issued a memorandum saying that electronics including computers, smartphones and some components will be temporarily exempt from levies imposed on Chinese imports. But Trump's indication that duties on semiconductors and other technology could be on their way means it's still unclear whether electronics could get more expensive in the U.S. and whether prices of American-made products could go up for the rest of the world, too. That uncertainty may already be causing nervousness at companies such as Dell — the $56 billion tech giant has a 20% share of the global gaming market — as well as the $12 billion market cap for Logitech and specialists such as Corsair, which is worth $630 million. The administration's market-roiling tariffs come at a time when the quality of Chinese products has already vastly improved. That's giving Hong Kong's vendors a chance to capitalize. When it comes to buying gaming accessories, shoppers don't really care where the end product is coming from, Kira Fong, manager of another store in the market, told NBC News. 'Most people just look for quality. They still want the best equipment,' he said. Analysts expect Chinese-made tech products only to get better. 'People are choosing more Chinese-made products in each industry, not just personal computers, gaming, smartphones or electric vehicles,' said Xiao Feng Zeng, who analyzes China's gaming and esports industry at Niko Partners, an Asian and European gaming intelligence firm. 'Their quality is better and the price is cheaper,' the Shanghai-based vice president said, adding that Trump's policies will hurt America's ability to compete for young gamers. The policies of the president, who refers to himself as 'Tariff Man,' are already feeding through into higher prices. Hyte, a gaming PC sister brand of the California-based iBuyPower, said this month on X that while it was standing by increased prices, those prices will not be sustainable long term. That was not a problem for Marcus Wu, and more importantly his dad, at checkout at the Sham Shui Po market. With his son excited to go home and play with his new gearshift, Mingfai Wu breathed a sigh of relief. 'It's Chinese,' the elder Wu said. 'That's why it's cheap and good!' This article was originally published on
NBC News
19-04-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Chinese tech firms up their game as reciprocal tariffs hit U.S. products
HONG KONG — Marcus Wu's home racing simulator setup needs one more thing: a manual gearshift. A decade ago, one from a Western brand would have been a no-brainer for gamers like the 12-year-old Hongkonger. As President Donald Trump's trade war with Beijing escalates, the fact that Wu opted for a gearshift from Chinese manufacturer Moza illustrates how far Chinese manufacturers have come in competing with their Western counterparts on affordability and quality. The deepening economic conflict between the U.S. and China, the world's two largest economies, has the potential to wreak havoc on a complex web of globalized commerce. And Trump's attempts to claw back manufacturing to American shores could have unintended consequences, including giving Chinese technology manufacturers an edge at a time when American products are already becoming expensive. Wu and his father-cum-financier, Mingfai, have already made their choice, opting for a Chinese alternative over American brands such as the Oregon-based Thrustmaster. 'If only the price was good but the quality wasn't, then I wouldn't have bought this,' the elder Wu said. 'But this is cheaper and works great.' The duo were browsing Hong Kong's Sham Shui Po computer market — a sprawling hub of small tech stores selling everything from computer parts to gaming equipment for casual gamers and enthusiasts alike. To residents and tourists from mainland China — a country with a gaming market of half a billion users — the market is a one-stop shop, featuring top American brands including Dell, Corsair and the Nasdaq-listed Swiss manufacturer Logitech. Those are just some of the companies competing for market share in a gaming industry that accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates will be worth $300 billion by 2027. According to China's Game Industry Report, China's gamers contributed $44 billion in sales revenues to the industry last year. To be sure, Western brands are still popular when it comes to big-ticket items like monitors, processors and storage devices, but sellers at the market told NBC News that Chinese brands have been knocking it out of the park when it comes to accessories, like mice, keyboards and simulator setups. 'So many Chinese manufacturers popped up after the pandemic,' said Dennis Leung, a sales assistant at a store that specializes in gaming peripherals. 'They often provide an extremely cheap and bargain price compared to the whole market,' he said. Standing in front of a table of 30 mice, Leung held up two with identical feel and weight. The Chinese option, which was cheaper and more powerful, had been outselling its Western counterpart, he said. The Trump administration last week issued a memorandum saying that electronics including computers, smartphones and some components will be temporarily exempt from levies imposed on Chinese imports. But Trump's indication that duties on semiconductors and other technology could be on their way means it's still unclear whether electronics could get more expensive in the U.S. and whether prices of American-made products could go up for the rest of the world, too. That uncertainty may already be causing nervousness at companies such as Dell — the $56 billion tech giant has a 20% share of the global gaming market — as well as the $12 billion market cap for Logitech and specialists such as Corsair, which is worth $630 million. The administration's market-roiling tariffs come at a time when the quality of Chinese products has already vastly improved. That's giving Hong Kong's vendors a chance to capitalize. When it comes to buying gaming accessories, shoppers don't really care where the end product is coming from, Kira Fong, manager of another store in the market, told NBC News. 'Most people just look for quality. They still want the best equipment,' he said. Analysts expect Chinese-made tech products only to get better. 'People are choosing more Chinese-made products in each industry, not just personal computers, gaming, smartphones or electric vehicles,' said Xiao Feng Zeng, who analyzes China's gaming and esports industry at Niko Partners, an Asian and European gaming intelligence firm. 'Their quality is better and the price is cheaper,' the Shanghai-based vice president said, adding that Trump's policies will hurt America's ability to compete for young gamers. The policies of the president, who refers to himself as 'Tariff Man,' are already feeding through into higher prices. Hyte, a gaming PC sister brand of the California-based iBuyPower, said this month on X that while it was standing by increased prices, those prices will not be sustainable long term. That was not a problem for Marcus Wu, and more importantly his dad, at checkout at the Sham Shui Po market. With his son excited to go home and play with his new gearshift, Mingfai Wu breathed a sigh of relief.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ECM and Thrustmaster Announce Partnership and Case Study on Simracing Wheel with PCB Stator Technology
Thrustmaster's T598 steering console integrates a direct drive, axial flux motor devised on ECM's PrintStator software platform. NEEDHAM, MA / / April 2, 2025 / US electric motor design software firm ECM and global gaming leader Thrustmaster have announced a partnership on the development of products integrating ECM's PCB Stator technology. To highlight the collaboration, ECM has released a case study on Thrustmaster's T598 simracing wheel, which incorporates an optimized motor designed on ECM's award-winning PrintStator platform. A first of its kind gaming product, the T598's innovative features include: A direct drive, PCB Stator axial flux motor with unique zero cogging innovation 5NM + overshoot for constant torque and boosted effects HARMONY technology that produces high-frequency force feedback that allows gamers to feel the details of the strips, tire screeching, and road textures like never before; and Compatibility with the PS5, PS4, and PCs Thrustmaster's new T598 is currently available for purchase online through BestBuy. The T598 is the first product developed through ECM and Thrustmaster's continuing collaboration to leverage Printstator SaaS and PCB Stator electric motor technology. ECM's new case study, available here, details the hurdles overcome by designing an optimized PCB Stator axial drive motor for the T598. The primary challenges to creating an ultra-realistic driver experience in a sim racing wheel included eliminating cogging in the motor, generating sufficient torque, and allowing efficient heat dissipation in the console motor and system. To solve for these, Thrustmaster leveraged ECM's PrintStator CAD platform. Using PrintStator, ECM optimized a custom PCB Stator electric motor for the new T598 that performs with zero cogging, smooth torque, and higher quality of motion. Furthermore, PrintStator's incorporated patented thermal features in the T598 PCB Stator motor enables Thrustmaster's new simracing console to dissipate heat more effectively, for operation without added active cooling. By pairing Thrustmaster's gaming hardware expertise to ECM's expertise in electric motor design, the partnership produced a first of its kind, axial drive sim racing wheel with unmatched performance, at this price range. Gaming enthusiasts can look forward to future Thrustmaster products with the benefits of integrated PCB Stator design innovation. "Our collaboration with ECM has enabled us to develop an innovative solution that perfectly meets the needs of our racers. This synergy opens up new perspectives for Thrustmaster by fully exploiting the potential of ECM technologies," said Development and Production Director Bruno Ormel. "ECM is thrilled to see Thrustmaster leverage our PrintStator Motor CAD and PCB Stator technology to elevate their gaming products. The T598 is a giant leap forward for racing simulation enthusiasts -- and just the beginning for our partnership," said ECM CEO Brian Casey. About Thrustmaster Guillemot Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of interactive entertainment hardware and accessories. The Group offers a diversified range of products under the Hercules and Thrustmaster brand names. Active in this market since 1984, the Guillemot Corporation Group is currently present in 10 countries (France, Germany, Spain, the UK, the United States, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Romania and China [Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong]) and distributes its products in more than 150 countries worldwide. The Group's mission is to offer high-performance, ergonomic products that maximize the enjoyment of digital interactive entertainment for end users: About ECM ECM PCB Stator Tech is an electric motor design software and technology company headquartered in the U.S. ECM pairs advanced Motor CAD and patented PCB Stator technology to power the design and manufacture of electric motors that are lighter, quieter, and more compact and energy efficient across multiple use cases. You can learn more about ECM's PCB Stator solutions and PrintStator Motor CAD platform at and in this video: "How Does a PCB Stator Work?". Contacts Jake Bright, jbright@ SOURCE: ECM PCB Stator Tech View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
