Next Level Racing F-GT Racing Simulator Cockpit. Formula and GT racing simulator cockpit compatible with Thrustmaster, Fanatec, Moza Racing on PC, Xbox and PS

You can usually tell what kind of product you have purchased by how it was packaged when you receive it. The Next Level F-GT Racing Cockpit arrives in one box. How big you ask? Just look at the seat back which is packed tightly at the top of the box and you can assume the size of the box. Below the seat is another box banded secure, which weighs nearly 80 pounds. Because my cockpit would reside on the second floor in my mancave, it was decided early on to open the box downstairs and make several trips up the stairs with the contents in the box. How impressed was I in the packaging? It was packaged really well, so much so I must have taken thirty pics in the unpacking process. Next Level did a really good job in packaging as no space was wasted and it was packed so tight it helped in protecting it as well. With literally hundreds of parts, and use of bubble wrap, there was no damage in my box. So, I unloaded the box and relocated the contents upstairs into the room it was going to be used in. After laying everything out on the floor, I took the instruction folder, sat down, and read it cover to cover. After a quick read, I was ready to assemble. A note to anyone putting this together on carpet. All of the bolts, nuts, and washers were in very well put together shrink wrap cardboard. However, when you open these cards, you should use caution when you open them as they were shipped being oiled, and if you just dump them on your carpet, you'll need to clean the carpet afterwards from the lubricant on them, so, make sure you open the card(s) onto something other than the carpet. Once becoming familiar with the directions, assembly is pretty straight forward from there. Once assembled, this Sim rig is right at 65" long and about 22" wide. About 20 minutes into the assembly, I stopped, got online, and purchased the Next Level F-GT Triple Monitor Stand. Three hours later I was done, and after sitting there admiring my new rig, it dawned on me I had not yet purchased monitors, so back to laptop and a couple more hours later, I purchased 3 27" Asus gaming monitors. Approximately a week later, everything had arrived. The triple monitor stand was very easy to assemble as it matched the cockpit assembly exactly. I installed the Logitech G923 wheel and pedals, as well as the Logitech shifter. I got everything up and running for a couple of hours, then it was back to the laptop until I found someone who actually had one of the Next Level Racing keyboard and mouse stand in stock, and 5 days later when it arrived, it installed just like all of the other Next Level items purchased earlier.In summary, IMO Next Level Racing puts out an awesome economy racing cockpit package and accessories. If I had the opportunity to purchase all of this again, would I? Absolutely!

If you're currently sim-driving with a wheel clamped to a desktop, have your pedals flat on the floor (or carpet), and are sitting in an office chair not ergonomically designed for driving, then this cockpit will definitely be a big improvement.I surfed/searched the internet looking at options and this seemed the most likely to satisfy my needs at a price that wasn't crazy expensive. It's not low end but not high end either, but a compromise. I've learned not to go the cheap route, and this isn't cheap.The quality of materials is strong and the way it's designed (so far) seems up to the task of handling the movement at the pedals, wheel and where you sit. thus, minimizing and eliminating shake or vibration. Of course, I'm sure over time/use I will need to re-tighten some of the bolts, but that's to be expected with normal use over time. It is heavy and sturdy. Wait until you try to lift the box the parts come in.To accomplish that strength, besides quality metals, there are a gazillion different sized bolts, nuts and washers in the project. (They give you more than enough.) You'll see them and allen wrenches in your sleep after putting this together. Depending on your skills at interpreting diagrams and arrows, with very limited instructions in writing, you can assemble this in a few hours or perhaps it will take an entire afternoon. You may even do the work over a few days in installments, (especially if you are 73 and have any back pain.)Note that the seat does not move up/down. That aspect of positioning is not adjustable. Raising and lowering the shelf where you attach the wheel is how to approach the fit for a particular driver. If you plan on going back and forth from adults racing to your kids racing, that won't be quick or easy. Adjusting the pedal position (front/back) for leg length and the pedal angle is a rather long process, but doable. Aside from adjusting the seat position (forward or back) the other option (F or GT) for changing the positioning of pieces is not easy and can take a while to achieve. It's not a matter of easily moving pieces where you want them to go. It will take some study, thought, time and patience. The bolts must be positioned "just so" and it was typical (throughout the assembly) to re-adjust (loosen again and reposition and tighten again) to get the parts fitting snug and the angle or height you want.I was pleased to see they included a pair of braces to hold the wheel and shelf rock steady. The only problem is that the additional support pieces (where they attach) make it more difficult (than it already is) to get your legs/feet into driving position. This cockpit sits quite low to the floor. I opted not to use the extra support pieces for that reason, but I have 'em if I need them down the road. (No pun intended.)If any "corners are cut," (another pun) to help keep the price down (I suspect) it is the chair. If you race for hours at a time and don't have great cushioning on your body's butt, you may find the seat padding of the seat is adequate at best. The one adjustable position lumbar support piece that comes with it is fine. I find it more comfortable to include a second lumbar support (see photo) and a 1.5-inch soft pad designed to fit on the top of a chair seat to make it even more cushiony. It would add to the cost. I happened to already have the afore mentioned cushioning. I think you'll agree your comfort while driving is rather important. There are no doubt more expensive rigs (cockpits) with better padded seats available online, but you'll pay a pretty penny.Of course, having quality wheel/pedals that work with the rig is a HUGE consideration. Make sure the cockpit and the wheelbase and pedals are compatible. I bought the new Logitech G-Pro set, and they work fine with the rig.Another reason I gave this rig 4 out of 5 stars is because where the seatback attaches to the bottom of the seat there is a single "knob" (on each side) that allows for adjusting the seat from GT to F position, (an option.) It is also designed to provide 3 seatback angle options to choose from. My rig is positioned for driving a GT rather than an F but that's a subjective preference. The problem is, that because of the nature of the way the design works (where you adjust the angle of the seatback), even adjusted quite tight it wiggles a tad bit, (what I would call a structural weak point.) Therefore, I'm not opting to move the rig about by pushing or pulling on the seat. While less convenient I push/pull on the bracing below the seat itself. Once you have it where you want it, moving the entire cockpit about will (in theory) no longer be necessary.I have only been using this cockpit for four days, driving a few hours every day, so how it stands up over time remains to be seen. I'll edit this review if problems occur. My 33 yr old son (a gamer himself) likes this cockpit a lot.I have to say, for now I'm content with what I got. Using a wheel (with force feedback) and pedals makes the driving more realistic. When I look at the playback of the race I note that my car appears to move in a smoother more realistic and steady way.