Sim racing can be expensive. But fear not, if you do not have thousands of Euros, Pounds or Dollars to throw at a fully integrated sim racing cockpit, then here are four options you could go for at under €500 each.
These four cockpits are listed in no particular order. Feel free to let us know in the comments section down below which cockpit you would go for if your budget was €500. There are plenty of other options at this price point, feel free to do some research and come to your own conclusion on what you want to spend your hard-earned money on.
Keep in mind, however, that the prices for the rigs listed in this article do not include seats, but only the cockpits themselves. Accessories like seat brackets and sliders, monitor mounts and similar parts can add more to the total price.
Trak Racer's Alpine Simulator. Image: Trak Racer
One aspect that stands out with the PRIME Lite is the included gear shifter mount. Many other cockpits at this price range do not include this and often you end up paying a fair amount more, just for the mount. The PRIME lite has this included, and it is great to see that on an aluminium profile rig at this price point.
GT Omega Prime Lite cockpit. Image: GT Omega
The cockpit is light, considering the size, but sturdy. A wide range of wheelbases will fit the PRIME Lite. If you have a side-mounted wheelbase, you can buy the external mounts and you do not have to change or drill anything to make it all fit together.
The real downside to the PRIME Lite is that you are locked into a GT-style driving position. Consequently, if you drive a lot of formula games like the F1 titles you may struggle to grasp that same level of immersion compared to something like the Next Level Racing F-GT.
GT Omega's PRIME Lite cockpit adjustability. Image: GT Omega
As a first aluminium profile rig, this really does set the bar high. The stability and sturdiness of the rig as well as the potential for future upgrades from GT Omega are fantastic. The pedal plate is well adjusted to most mid-range loadcell pedals or below. GT Omega does sell a stronger pedal plate if you decide to upgrade in the future, too.
Fanatec CSL Cockpit. Image: Fanatec
One standout feature of the CSL cockpit is that the GT driving position can be adjusted to become a karting sim. This is especially rare for a cockpit of this nature and price point. The pedal plate is built to withstand most mid-range loadcell pedals and the wheelbase side-mounted brackets allow for a much sturdier solution to making sure you are driving in the same position each time you step into the rig.
It is not all great news for the CSL cockpit, the side-mounted brackets mean that you are limited to Fanatec hardware. Other manufacturers that do side mounting, Asetek for example, might be possible to mount but some modification to the mounting players would be required.
The CSL Cockpit's karting setup. Image: Fanatec
Outside of the limiting wheel mounting options, the CSL Cockpit is a great choice for any sim racer looking to upgrade from a wheel stand or desk setup. Especially if they already have Fanatec equipment.
If you are interested in purchasing this cockpit when it comes out on November 18th, 2024 and you like what we do here at OverTake, please consider using our Fanatec affiliate link. We make a small commission on each sale made using this link, without any extra costs for you. And with that, you support your favorite sim racing community, so that we can keep hosting all the downloads you need and post all the news, reviews, features and more.
The upgradability of the TR80 Lite is almost unlimited. Image: Trak Racer
With full adjustability, the locked GT driving position is really good and just like the previous two entries, it has full adjustability when it comes to the position of the seat, the angle of the wheel deck and the position of the pedal tray.
The Trak Racer TR80 Lite is not perfect, the shifter mount might not be the best choice for heavy-duty handbrakes. However, the wheel plate can withstand just about anything you throw at it as TrakRacer even list powerhouses like the Asetek Invicta or Fanatec Podium DD2 as compatible. The pedal tray also works with heavy-duty gear such as the Simucube Active Pedal.
Trak Racer TR80 Lite dimensions. Image: Trak Racer
Overall, the TR80 Lite is one of the best options for those who want a future-proof base that is adjustable and modifiable with a wide range of additional extras like supports and further adjusters like seat and pedal tray sliders.
@Yannik Haustein's Sim-Lab GT1 Evo cockpit
Fully kitted out with a seat, built-in monitor stand and adjustable wheels the cockpit will be just over €700, depending on which parts you choose. That is a major price hike from the original budget of €500, however, the quality does back the price up with some of the most stable monitor stands available and some good quality seat options, when they are available.
The Sim-Lab wheel plate is nothing too fancy, however, it is swappable with different styles of wheelbase mounts if your base requires that, and even the standard plate can withstand forces from the majority of wheelbases on the market. The side arm allows for handbrakes or shifters to be mounted, but that can require an additional mounting plate depending on the model of hardware.
Sim-Lab GT1 Evo. Image: Sim-Lab
If you are planning on buying a Sim-Lab GT1 Evo and you like what we do here at OverTake, please consider using our affiliate link to Sim-Lab. We make a small commission on each sale made using this link, without any extra costs for you. And with that, you support your favorite sim racing community, so that we can keep hosting all the downloads you need and post all the news, reviews, features and more.
As you can see, there are great options to be had at the €500 mark. However, make sure you come to your own conclusion when researching rigs, and shop around to find the cockpit that will suit both your wallet, the space you have in your house or apartment, and the compatibility with the other hardware you are planning to buy or currently own.
There are plenty of other cockpits below €500, what would be your choice? Let us know in the comments down below and join the discussion in our hardware forum!
These four cockpits are listed in no particular order. Feel free to let us know in the comments section down below which cockpit you would go for if your budget was €500. There are plenty of other options at this price point, feel free to do some research and come to your own conclusion on what you want to spend your hard-earned money on.
Keep in mind, however, that the prices for the rigs listed in this article do not include seats, but only the cockpits themselves. Accessories like seat brackets and sliders, monitor mounts and similar parts can add more to the total price.
Trak Racer's Alpine Simulator. Image: Trak Racer
GT Omega PRIME Lite - (€480)
Coming in at just under €500 is the GT Omega Prime Lite Cockpit. This is a fully 40-80 aluminium profile racing cockpit with an adjustable seating position, pedal plate and wheel plate. The PRIME Lite is the little brother to GT Omega's flagship cockpit, the PRIME.One aspect that stands out with the PRIME Lite is the included gear shifter mount. Many other cockpits at this price range do not include this and often you end up paying a fair amount more, just for the mount. The PRIME lite has this included, and it is great to see that on an aluminium profile rig at this price point.
GT Omega Prime Lite cockpit. Image: GT Omega
The cockpit is light, considering the size, but sturdy. A wide range of wheelbases will fit the PRIME Lite. If you have a side-mounted wheelbase, you can buy the external mounts and you do not have to change or drill anything to make it all fit together.
The real downside to the PRIME Lite is that you are locked into a GT-style driving position. Consequently, if you drive a lot of formula games like the F1 titles you may struggle to grasp that same level of immersion compared to something like the Next Level Racing F-GT.
GT Omega's PRIME Lite cockpit adjustability. Image: GT Omega
As a first aluminium profile rig, this really does set the bar high. The stability and sturdiness of the rig as well as the potential for future upgrades from GT Omega are fantastic. The pedal plate is well adjusted to most mid-range loadcell pedals or below. GT Omega does sell a stronger pedal plate if you decide to upgrade in the future, too.
Fanatec CSL Cockpit - (€399)
The Fanatec CSL Cockpit is amongst the best you can get without going one step up to an aluminium profile rig. Whilst fairly basic looking with tubed framing, the cockpit is sturdy, as we found out when trying it at gamescom 2024, and can handle up to 25 Nm of force from Fanatec's DD2 Podium wheelbase, according to Fanatec.Fanatec CSL Cockpit. Image: Fanatec
One standout feature of the CSL cockpit is that the GT driving position can be adjusted to become a karting sim. This is especially rare for a cockpit of this nature and price point. The pedal plate is built to withstand most mid-range loadcell pedals and the wheelbase side-mounted brackets allow for a much sturdier solution to making sure you are driving in the same position each time you step into the rig.
It is not all great news for the CSL cockpit, the side-mounted brackets mean that you are limited to Fanatec hardware. Other manufacturers that do side mounting, Asetek for example, might be possible to mount but some modification to the mounting players would be required.
The CSL Cockpit's karting setup. Image: Fanatec
Outside of the limiting wheel mounting options, the CSL Cockpit is a great choice for any sim racer looking to upgrade from a wheel stand or desk setup. Especially if they already have Fanatec equipment.
If you are interested in purchasing this cockpit when it comes out on November 18th, 2024 and you like what we do here at OverTake, please consider using our Fanatec affiliate link. We make a small commission on each sale made using this link, without any extra costs for you. And with that, you support your favorite sim racing community, so that we can keep hosting all the downloads you need and post all the news, reviews, features and more.
Trak Racer TR80 LITE Racing Simulator - (€450)
Trak Racer is a well-known brand in the world of sim racing and their entry-level aluminium profile rig the TR80 is a great first cockpit. The rig is well-built with the usual 80-40 aluminium chassis as well as optional extras to make this the ultimate sim racing cockpit. Be aware, this cockpit can swiftly go north of €600 with some of the extras included like the seat and the monitor mount.The upgradability of the TR80 Lite is almost unlimited. Image: Trak Racer
With full adjustability, the locked GT driving position is really good and just like the previous two entries, it has full adjustability when it comes to the position of the seat, the angle of the wheel deck and the position of the pedal tray.
The Trak Racer TR80 Lite is not perfect, the shifter mount might not be the best choice for heavy-duty handbrakes. However, the wheel plate can withstand just about anything you throw at it as TrakRacer even list powerhouses like the Asetek Invicta or Fanatec Podium DD2 as compatible. The pedal tray also works with heavy-duty gear such as the Simucube Active Pedal.
Trak Racer TR80 Lite dimensions. Image: Trak Racer
Overall, the TR80 Lite is one of the best options for those who want a future-proof base that is adjustable and modifiable with a wide range of additional extras like supports and further adjusters like seat and pedal tray sliders.
Sim-Lab GT1 Evo Sim Racing Cockpit - (€440)
A popular choice in the budget class below €500, and the personal choice of our resident historic sim racing expert Yannik Haustein, the Sim-Lab GT1 Evo is a fantastic choice that can withstand any equipment you could possibly throw at it. The downside of the GT1 Evo is the expense of adding essentials such as seat brackets and a seat, of course.@Yannik Haustein's Sim-Lab GT1 Evo cockpit
Fully kitted out with a seat, built-in monitor stand and adjustable wheels the cockpit will be just over €700, depending on which parts you choose. That is a major price hike from the original budget of €500, however, the quality does back the price up with some of the most stable monitor stands available and some good quality seat options, when they are available.
The Sim-Lab wheel plate is nothing too fancy, however, it is swappable with different styles of wheelbase mounts if your base requires that, and even the standard plate can withstand forces from the majority of wheelbases on the market. The side arm allows for handbrakes or shifters to be mounted, but that can require an additional mounting plate depending on the model of hardware.
Sim-Lab GT1 Evo. Image: Sim-Lab
If you are planning on buying a Sim-Lab GT1 Evo and you like what we do here at OverTake, please consider using our affiliate link to Sim-Lab. We make a small commission on each sale made using this link, without any extra costs for you. And with that, you support your favorite sim racing community, so that we can keep hosting all the downloads you need and post all the news, reviews, features and more.
As you can see, there are great options to be had at the €500 mark. However, make sure you come to your own conclusion when researching rigs, and shop around to find the cockpit that will suit both your wallet, the space you have in your house or apartment, and the compatibility with the other hardware you are planning to buy or currently own.
There are plenty of other cockpits below €500, what would be your choice? Let us know in the comments down below and join the discussion in our hardware forum!
