To really amp up your sim racing game, understanding the Rexing GT wheel is a huge first step. This isn’t just another steering wheel. it’s a seriously high-end piece of gear that can genuinely change how you experience virtual racing. Think full carbon fiber, super responsive feedback, and enough buttons and dials to make you feel like a real GT pilot. It’s definitely a premium investment, but for those who are serious about their sim racing, the quality, immersion, and sheer functionality of the Rexing GT wheel often make it a completely worthwhile upgrade. Whether you’re chasing lap times or just want the most authentic feel possible, this wheel is built to deliver.
When you’re talking about top-tier sim racing equipment, the name Rexing definitely comes up. They’re known for crafting some incredibly detailed and high-performance wheels, and their Rexing GT steering wheel, often specifically the “Timun” model, is a shining example of that dedication. This isn’t your average entry-level or even mid-range sim wheel. we’re talking about a piece of engineering designed to give you an unparalleled connection to your virtual race car.
What is the Rexing GT Wheel? The “Timun” Explained
Rexing, a company hailing from Croatia, has quietly built a reputation for producing high-end sim racing gear, especially their stunning carbon fiber wheels. While they also make fantastic formula-style wheels like the “Mayaris,” the Rexing GT wheel is their answer for endurance and touring car enthusiasts. The most prominent model you’ll hear about is the Rexing GT Timun steering wheel.
Imagine a D-shaped rim, 320mm in diameter, crafted entirely from a molded carbon fiber housing with a milled carbon fiber front plate. That’s the core of the Timun. It’s designed specifically for GT racing, where that slightly larger diameter and shape feel just right in your hands for those longer stints and precise inputs. These wheels aren’t mass-produced. they’re made with a meticulous, almost artisan approach, leveraging expertise from aeronautics and real motorsports to ensure every component meets a demanding standard.
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Unpacking the Premium Experience: Build Quality and Design
One of the first things you’ll notice about a Rexing wheel—and especially the GT Timun—is the build quality. It’s truly a standout feature. Rexing constructs these wheels from full carbon fiber, using a process that involves hand-laid carbon, vacuum-bagging, and autoclave curing. This isn’t just for looks. it results in incredibly strong, rigid, and surprisingly lightweight components.
The Timun wheel, without a quick-release, typically weighs in at around 1.15 kilograms or 1150 grams. That might not sound like a huge deal, but in sim racing, a lighter wheel makes a massive difference to your force feedback FFB experience. It allows your wheelbase to transmit details, vibrations, and the full range of forces with much greater clarity and less inertia, especially on “lighter” wheelbases. Rexing V1 SD Card Format: Your Ultimate Guide for Crystal Clear Recordings
Comfort is also key for long races, and Rexing nails it with genuine Alcantara grips. These grips aren’t just for show. they offer a comfortable yet firm feel, whether you’re driving with or without gloves. The grip section is often an oval shape, around 42x26mm at its thickest point, which many racers find fits perfectly in their hands. The whole package feels wonderfully solid and sturdy, giving you confidence every time you grab it.
Command Center at Your Fingertips: Features and Controls
The Rexing GT steering wheel isn’t just about a great rim. it’s packed with an impressive array of inputs and displays, making it a true command center for your sim rig.
The Vivid Display and Dynamic LEDs
Right in the middle of the wheel, you’ll find a crisp 4.3-inch USBD480 LCD display. This isn’t just a static screen. it’s compatible with popular sim racing software like Simdash, Simhub, and Z1, allowing you to pull up all sorts of telemetry data. Imagine seeing your lap times, gear, speed, fuel, and tire temperatures right there, front and center. To protect this vital information, the display is usually safeguarded by tempered glass, making it scratch-resistant.
Around the screen, and often on the sides, are a total of 11 RGB LEDs and 6 additional marshal RGB LEDs. These aren’t just decorative. they’re fully configurable to display telemetry data. You can set them up for RPM shifts, flag warnings, or even custom alerts. Most users, myself included, usually configure these through Simhub to match their car or preferences. You can even adjust their brightness using a potentiometer right on the wheel itself. Rexing Companies: The Logistics Powerhouse
Buttons, Encoders, and Multi-Switches Galore
For a GT car, you need a lot of inputs, and Rexing delivers. The Timun typically features 10 illuminated, dimmable push-buttons. These are high-quality APEM switches, known for their tactile “clicky” feel, short travel around 1mm, and a satisfying actuation force of about 3.5 Newtons. What’s really cool is that each button is configurable in Simhub or Simdash, allowing you to assign multiple conditions and priorities for various telemetry data. While you can adjust their brightness, the color of these button LEDs is fixed.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Rexing GT wheel also includes:
- Multi-switches: These are incredibly versatile, functioning simultaneously as a rotary encoder, a digital joystick, and a push-button. Having two of these on the wheel gives you a huge amount of control.
- Thumb Rotary Encoders: Usually two of these, placed where your thumbs can easily reach them, perfect for on-the-fly adjustments like brake bias or traction control.
- Additional Rotary Encoders: Often two more on the front of the wheel for even more control.
- 8-Position Rotary Switches: There are typically two of these. One might be dedicated to adjusting LED brightness, while the other can act as an “extra switch” with 8 programmable inputs, ideal for things like engine maps, ABS levels, or differential settings.
Magnetic Shifters
On the back of the wheel, you’ll find a set of magnetic shifters with carbon fiber paddles. These are designed to give you a positive, crisp feeling with every gear change, accompanied by a pleasant and audible click. While some higher-end wheels offer adjustable shifter paddles, the Rexing GT Timun generally has a fixed paddle position, though many find the travel and range to be quite good as is.
Connecting to the Grid: Compatibility and Setup
Getting your Rexing GT wheel up and running is straightforward, but there are a couple of key things to keep in mind, especially regarding connectivity. Can you add beadlocks to any wheel
PC Only, Unfortunately
First off, it’s important to know that Rexing wheels, including the GT Timun, are designed exclusively for PC games and simulations. If you’re hoping to use this on a PlayStation or Xbox, you’re out of luck. This is because the customization and software integration features, especially with Simhub, are PC-specific.
Universal Wheelbase Compatibility
One of the great things about the Rexing GT steering wheel is its broad compatibility with different wheelbases. It comes with an aluminum hub on the back that accepts standard 50.8mm and 70mm bolt patterns for quick releases. This means you can typically mount it to almost any direct drive wheelbase out there, whether you’re running a Simucube, Fanatec Podium Hub, Simagic, Asetek, or even some Thrustmaster/Logitech bases though those might require an additional adapter. You’ll usually need M5 bolts—10mm long for threaded bases or 16mm with nuts for quick releases like the Q1R.
Power Up! The USB Hub Requirement
Here’s a crucial tip: the Rexing GT wheel requires a powered USB hub for connection to your PC. This isn’t just a suggestion. it’s a requirement to ensure stable operation and maximum brightness for all those awesome RGB LEDs and the LCD display. Most PC motherboard USB ports just can’t supply enough power, which can lead to issues like connection drops or dim LEDs. So, make sure you plug the supplied coiled USB cable from the wheel into a powered USB hub, and then connect that hub directly to a back USB port on your PC. Using a high-quality, shorter USB extension cable under 2 meters between the wheel and hub is usually fine, but avoid long, unpowered extensions.
Software Symphony: Getting Your Rexing GT Wheel Dialed In
Once your wheel is physically connected, the real magic happens with the software. All the buttons and encoders will likely be functional as soon as you plug it in. However, to get the most out of your display and LEDs, you’ll need to dive into some software. Rexing M2 Firmware Update: Your Ultimate Guide to a Smoother Dash Cam Experience
Simhub and Simdash: Your Best Friends
For the Rexing GT wheel, Simhub is your go-to application. Rexing wheels are fully supported in Simhub, which makes configuring everything a breeze. You’ll use Simhub or Simdash, another great option to:
- Configure the 4.3-inch USBD480 LCD display with various dashboards and telemetry layouts.
- Customize the functions and colors of the 11 RGB LEDs and 6 marshal LEDs.
- Assign specific telemetry data and conditions to your 10 illuminated push-buttons.
- Adjust LED brightness, and even map the 8-position switches for things like brightness control or additional in-game functions.
When you install Simhub, make sure to check the option to install the necessary LCD drivers. Once installed, Simhub should automatically detect your Rexing wheel, allowing you to customize your settings.
Calibration and Best Practices
For calibrating your wheel’s analog axes like the multi-switch joystick, if applicable, it’s generally recommended not to use Windows calibration. Instead, calibrate these inputs directly within your games or, if needed, use third-party programs like Joy2Key or Antimicro to map joystick movements to keyboard keys.
Some users have noted that for older Rexing wheels pre-2019, specific software like “Ultimate Game Tech Manager” or “ArxSimInstaller.msi” might be needed for display and configuration. However, for the current GT Timun, Simhub is the universally recommended and supported solution.
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The Drive: Performance and Force Feedback
So, what’s it actually like to drive with a Rexing GT steering wheel? This is where all those premium features come together to create a truly immersive experience.
The lightweight nature of the full carbon fiber body is a must for force feedback. Because the wheel has less mass, your direct-drive wheelbase can transmit more subtle details and the full intensity of the FFB directly to your hands. This means you feel every bump, every bit of tire slip, and the nuances of the car’s behavior with incredible clarity. Many users report a significantly more detailed and powerful FFB response compared to heavier wheels, even on lower-end direct drive bases.
The Alcantara grips contribute to comfort, even during those grueling 2-hour-plus endurance races. The placement of the buttons, encoders, and multi-switches is well thought out, keeping everything easily accessible without having to take your hands off the wheel. The magnetic shifters provide a consistent, satisfying click, making gear changes feel precise and responsive.
Overall, the Rexing GT wheel is designed to immerse you deeply into the simulation. The combination of tactile inputs, a clear, customizable display, dynamic LEDs, and superb force feedback transmission truly elevates the racing experience. It’s the kind of wheel that makes you forget you’re sitting in a simulator and pulls you right into the virtual cockpit.
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Rexing GT vs. Formula Wheels: What’s the Difference?
Rexing makes a couple of different wheel styles, primarily GT and Formula wheels. While both boast that incredible carbon fiber construction and high-end components, they’re designed for different purposes and often have distinct features.
The Rexing GT wheel like the Timun is characterized by its 320mm D-shaped rim. This larger diameter and shape are ideal for GT cars, touring cars, and even some prototype classes, offering a comfortable and familiar feel for extended racing sessions. The button layout is typically more generalized, with a focus on easily accessible controls for common GT car functions.
In contrast, Rexing’s Formula wheels, such as the Rexing Formula Wheel Mayaris or the newer Mayaris 2, are generally smaller, often around 290mm in diameter, with an open-wheel design. These are specifically tailored for Formula 1, F2, F3, and other open-wheel racing series. The Mayaris 2, for example, steps it up with a 5-inch touchscreen display and often includes additional OLED screens above the rotary encoders, providing even more data at a glance, along with highly customizable RGB backlit push buttons. While the core quality is the same, the ergonomics and input layouts are optimized for the very different demands of formula racing.
So, while both are exceptional Rexing sim wheel options, your choice really comes down to what type of cars you primarily race. For most GT and endurance racing, the Timun is the perfect fit.
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Is the Rexing GT Wheel Worth the Investment? Pros & Cons
Let’s be honest, a Rexing wheel isn’t a casual purchase. It sits firmly in the premium, high-end category of sim racing equipment. So, is it worth the price tag? Let’s break down the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Elite Build Quality: The full carbon fiber body, Alcantara grips, and industrial-grade components like APEM buttons mean this wheel feels incredibly robust and looks stunning. It’s built to last and handle intense racing.
- Feather-Light Construction: At around 1.15 kg, its low weight significantly enhances force feedback detail and response, making your FFB feel more direct and powerful.
- Extensive Inputs and Customization: With a vibrant 4.3″ LCD, numerous RGB LEDs, 10 programmable buttons, multi-switches, and encoders, you have an insane amount of control and telemetry feedback at your fingertips. Simhub integration is seamless.
- Superb Driving Experience: The comfortable grips, precise magnetic shifters, and tactile buttons create an engaging and immersive driving experience that helps you feel more connected to the car.
- Wide Compatibility: Thanks to its standard quick-release hub, it’s compatible with virtually all major direct-drive wheelbases on the market.
- Durability: Rexing’s manufacturing process, derived from aeronautics, ensures high strength and endurance.
Cons:
- High Price Tag: This is arguably the biggest hurdle. The Rexing GT Timun typically costs around €1675.00 within the EU excluding VAT and quick-release, placing it firmly in the luxury category. It’s a significant investment that needs to be considered carefully.
- Powered USB Hub Requirement: While not a deal-breaker, needing a separate powered USB hub for optimal functionality especially for LEDs and display adds another component and potentially a bit more cable management to your setup.
- Fixed Shifter Position: Unlike some other high-end wheels, the magnetic shifter paddles on the GT Timun aren’t typically adjustable for reach or throw. For most, this isn’t an issue, but some may prefer adjustability.
- PC Only: No console compatibility means a narrower audience.
Ultimately, for serious sim racers who demand the absolute best in terms of quality, feel, and functionality, and are ready to make a substantial investment, the Rexing GT wheel is a truly compelling choice. It’s a product that delivers on its promises and significantly enhances the sim racing immersion, making those virtual laps feel more real than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Rexing GT wheel different from other sim racing wheels?
The Rexing GT wheel, particularly the Timun model, stands out due to its full carbon fiber body construction, which makes it incredibly rigid yet lightweight around 1.15 kg. This lightweight design significantly improves force feedback clarity and detail transmission from your wheelbase. It also features a comprehensive array of high-quality inputs, including an integrated 4.3″ USBD480 LCD display and configurable RGB LEDs, all housed within an ergonomic D-shaped rim.
Is the Rexing GT wheel compatible with my wheelbase?
Yes, the Rexing GT wheel is designed for broad compatibility with most direct drive wheelbases on the market, including Simucube, Fanatec, Simagic, and Asetek. It features an aluminum hub that accepts common 50.8mm and 70mm bolt patterns for quick releases. You will need a suitable quick-release mechanism for your specific wheelbase, as it’s often not included with the wheel itself. Reading Eggs App Cost: Your Complete Guide to Smart Learning
Do I need any special software for the Rexing GT wheel?
While the basic buttons and encoders might work out of the box, you’ll need software like Simhub or Simdash to unlock the full functionality of the 4.3″ LCD display and the numerous RGB LEDs. Rexing wheels have native support within Simhub, allowing you to easily configure telemetry data, LED functions, and button assignments. Remember to install the necessary LCD drivers, usually available during Simhub installation.
Why does the Rexing GT wheel require a powered USB hub?
The Rexing GT steering wheel includes a high-resolution LCD display and a significant number of RGB LEDs, all of which require a stable and sufficient power supply. Most standard USB ports on PC motherboards cannot provide enough power for optimal performance, especially for maximum LED brightness. A powered USB hub ensures the wheel receives consistent power, preventing issues like display flickering or connection drops.
Can I use the Rexing GT wheel on consoles like PlayStation or Xbox?
No, the Rexing GT wheel is exclusively compatible with PC games and simulations. It relies on PC-specific software like Simhub for its advanced display and LED customization features, which are not supported on console platforms.
What is the diameter of the Rexing GT wheel?
The Rexing GT wheel typically has a diameter of 320mm. This D-shaped rim size is specifically chosen to provide an authentic and comfortable feel for GT Grand Touring, endurance, and touring car racing simulations.
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