Sim racing is exciting to me. Finding new ways to save tenths of a second here and there adds up, and nailing a previously difficult section of track gives a strong sense of earned accomplishment. New equipment can also make a major difference. Moving from the 5 Nm force feedback Fanatec GT DD Pro to the 11 Nm Logitech G Pro significantly improved my capabilities. With the release of the Turtle Beach VelocityOne F-RX rim for the already well-regarded VelocityOne Race system, as well as the brand new Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 racing set, I was keen to see if it brought a similar leap forward.
Before the unboxing, it is worth briefly explaining what a formula-style rim is for readers who may be unfamiliar. A formula-style rim takes the traditional round wheel design and cuts off the top and bottom, leaving only the nine and three o’clock hand positions. This gives the driver fingertip access to all the buttons on the face of the wheel, which is valuable here since there are 10 available.
For the unboxing itself, Turtle Beach has chosen a “less is more” approach, including only the wheel and a quick-start manual aside from the packaging. The wheel is striking, with a rubber, non-textured grip and aluminum faceplate. The labelled buttons stand out right away, which I appreciated compared with other rims that simply provide stickers for customization. The buttons are still mappable in-game, which I tested in Assetto Corsa EVO and F1 23.
In addition to the buttons, the VelocityOne F-RX includes five rotary-style dials on the wheel for adjusting settings such as brake balance, traction control, the energy recovery system (ERS, used in Formula One), and more. Each dial falls easily to hand and is stiff enough to prevent accidental nudges that could alter an important setting.
“As for aesthetics, the VelocityOne F-RX has it in spades.”
As for aesthetics, the VelocityOne F-RX delivers in spades. All the buttons are backlit, making them easy to spot in a dark room (I sometimes race with only the glow of the TV and its lighting system), and the rotary dials are illuminated as well. The reinforced aluminum chassis keeps the VelocityOne F-RX lightweight and easy to move, while the wheel itself is among the best-looking formula-style rims I have seen.
For shifting gears, the VelocityOne F-RX is equipped with two paddles on the back of the wheel, along with two clutch paddles. The gear paddles are magnetic, while the clutch paddles use a hall effect sensor to ensure they return to position without any drift.
If you prefer a traditional round rim, included with the VelocityOne Race system, the VelocityOne F-RX features a quick-release collar that makes swapping wheels simple. Pull back the collar’s locking mechanism to release the wheel and change it out.
I’ve talked a lot about the wheel itself, and now I want to move on to how it feels to use. At first, I was overwhelmed by all of the buttons and what they could do. I am very used to the Logitech RS Track wheel, where essentially all the buttons are mapped to match the buttons on my PlayStation controller. A quick tour of the buttons in the settings of Assetto Corsa EVO, and I was ready to go.
On track, I immediately felt the confidence I do not usually get with new equipment. The VelocityOne F-RX feels lightweight in the hands, and the paddle shifting is smooth and light without being flimsy. The shifting paddles seemed small at first, but I quickly adjusted by using two fingers on each side instead of the three or four I use on my regular Logitech wheel.
“The reinforced aluminum chassis enables the VelocityOne F-RX to be lightweight and easy to move, while the actual wheel itself is probably the best-looking formula-style rim I’ve seen.”
I enjoyed nearly everything about the VelocityOne F-RX, with one notable exception. When changing from Xbox to PC, you need to change the mode on the base, and that is done using the two buttons at the bottom of the wheel and the little dial in the middle. The dial is inlaid to the wheel and is facing you, which makes turning it a little cumbersome. I would have preferred the dial to be facing the opposite way, going into the wheel rather than on the face of it. It’s a small gripe that may be exclusive to me, but I know what I like. The dial itself turns very easily and is fantastic to use so that’s turning a frown upside-down, at worst.
Coming in at a very reasonable $249.99 USD, the VelocityOne F-RX is a fantastic formula-style wheel upgrade for VelocityOne Race and Race KD3 users. Unfortunately, it isn’t compatible with other setups, but since the VelocityOne Race is a competent setup, the issue isn’t all that bad. I would highly recommend this rim to seasoned racing veterans and those just starting out, thanks to its comfort, ease of use, and pleasing aesthetic.
- Ultra-Realistic Formula Racing Layout and Ergonomics
- 10 Mechanical Switches with RGB Lighting for Authentic, True-to-Life Control
