Playseat Challenge Review - 5 Years of Use and Many Mods Later

I've now had my Playseat Challenge for five years, during which times it's been used pretty much every day, and had all manner of kit mounted on it.
Currently, that includes a T-300, TH8A shifter, L-PCM pedals, Handbrake, Tactile Unit, Buttonbox and phone mount.
So how well has it held up to this use and how did I get all of this kit onjto it, I walk you around it to find out.
Links to the stuff used for mounting are as follows:
Garmin RAM Mount: www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-RAM-M...
20mm P-Clips: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
Phone Mount: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
Handbrake Fitting Karl Gosling: • Playseat Challenge Han...
Handbrake Mounts: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
27mm Key Clamp: www.amazon.co.uk/Clamp-Tee-27...
Reckhorn BS-200: shakercentre.co.uk/gaming-sim...
BS-200 Mount: shakercentre.co.uk/gaming-sim...
SimHub Software: www.simhubdash.com/

[@BlackbirdMoosic]

Thank you so much for the T clip idea. Just bought a pack of 5 for £3 rather than buying one of that various pedal mount kits on ebay and amazon that are more around £30. Really nice ideas here.

[@olintopalito]

I've got one as well, I love the driving position on that. Supoust to be temporary but now is permanently. It's just so handy, looks nice and if you want extra space in the room just fold it.

[@Whitty321]

This was a terrific review. I live in small flat and have wanted to get in to sim racing for a while but been worried for space. Have finally taken the plunge.

[@Icza]

Just ordered one of these with a T150 Pro, nice to see it's held up for you so long! Can't wait to start using a wheel and not a controller anymore.

[@slaphead90]

I bought one of these just after we entered the first lockdown as it was pretty much the only thing available at the time, and I was intending to upgrade as soon as products started flowing again. I laughed when I set it up, and honestly wondered why I'd spent so much on a bloody modified camping chair. Then I started using it, and then realised that the upgrade I had in mind would only happen if and when I went for a DD wheel. You can laugh at it all you want, but it works amazingly well for what it is. It's now kitted out with a couple of buttkickers and a TS-PC and I'm as happy as a pig in the proverbial.

[@cedric9608]

Hi Scaff ! Quite big customisation you did there! And yes,I confirm that the playseat Challenge is a real good seat for his money, I've got it now 3 years, with a t150 , T3PA pedals and mounted an TH8A shifter on it keeping it foldable,also use a couple of phone holder ,one for the phone for UDP and the other for an USB numberpad which I use as buttonbox. Enough to have my little joy time simracing and fold it up in a few minutes so my wife see the living room nice and clean after the racing session,😂 I really recommend this playseat, good value for the money and excellent for people who don't have enough space for mounting a fixed cockpit

[@cedric9608]

@@ScaffsSimRacing well yes, just the essential for different games and needs 👍

[@steverambo4858]

ordered the P-clips you linked, even with rubber removed was a bit tight. Ended up cutting holes in the foam on the pedal tray, kept rubber on the p-clips. Worked in the end, thanks for the mounting idea.

[@maicitos]

Great adjustments mate, love your video.

[@Retrorixy]

Looks like I'm not the only one who's now ordered Tlcms to attach to my playseat. Thank you for this video

[@ScaffsSimRacing]

No problem

[@Cortazart]

Great set up! hope to have something like this someday.

[@roovinmo]

Great idea for mounting the pedal set! I immediately ordered a couple of clamps. Thanks!

[@farisbabsail2675]

What length are the m6 screws

[@jelly8594]

Did you succeed in mounting the pedals?

[@jelly8594]

@@farisbabsail2675 what length are they now? 😌

[@write2nick]

@@jelly8594 M6 x 12mm worked for me. However, I had to get 25mm p-clip because 20mm was way too tight and couldn't close it properly. After installation, I have to say it looks and works perfectly!

[@swississue8550]

Looks good ! Good post, thanks.

[@ac3arcadia]

Thanks for sharing! Excactly one year after your upload I got my rig and fixed the Shifter the same way and it works great so far. Was thinking about the LCMs, but sticking to the defaults so far until I have a solution for making the pedal part stick to the ground while braking heavy. Next thing might be a short shifter mod, like yours from Ricmotech for the Thrustmaster TH8A.

[@jelly8594]

Do you use the t3pa pedals with the brake mod and attached with the velcro strap and it moves under breaking?

[@dashandtuch7183]

I Just got mine Yesterday and I was really surprised how sturdy it is. Very little flex, comfortable, adjustable and very easy to fold and hide. In fact folding it is faster than unscrewing my ts300 from my table.

[@bestopinion9257]

How about now after a year?

[@dashandtuch7183]

@@bestopinion9257 still holds Up great.

[@flee4urlives]

bro thank you. im looking into buying one of these, as i'm just starting my sim racing journey, and with all the reinforcement kits on back order i'm going to have to copy and paste some of your solutions.

[@ScaffsSimRacing]

Glad I could help

[@buddhapest]

fantastic! was hoping to see you fold it (:

[@JimmyTheFish3]

Great Video, i've got one of these and was looking to upgrade to the T-LCM pedals but was wondering how to go about mounting it, the solution you showed looks great and has really helped me figure out how to mount them securely

[@jelly8594]

Did you mount them with 20mm p clamps and m6 screws? What length are the screws? Any more parts needed?

[@iSaturnUK]

@@jelly8594 any update on this?

[@jelly8594]

@@iSaturnUK you need to tag the original poster. I don't know, sorry.

[@FlyingFlynn95]

Hi! Great video. Which position do you have the wheel plate and the Velcro straps in? I feel like my T300 is a bit close and I’ve got the plate in the furthest away position. Thanks!

[@OldSkoolTechnoFreak]

Any idea if that shifter mount would fit the g29 alternative?

[@michaelneyzen5693]

I got a question: Don´t you have flex with the T-LCMs and doesn`t the RS-GT also wobble? I am wondering about that, before buying this or an alu rig.

[@florisvanvliet3542]

How would you describe the upgrade from the t150 to the t300? I'm considering upgrading from the t150 to either the t 300 or the ts pc racer wheel.

[@liamsenn77]

hi , may I knew the screw size that you use to lock the pedal to the p clips ? length n thread size. thank you

[@chaseshadow]

New Subscriber Scaff - Lowdown Shifter

[@shieldslfc]

Hi, where can I get those isolater feet pads ?

[@kugijavacookies]

How do clean the seat? Do you clean it with water?

[@MCjamzzz]

How did you solve the load cell lift problem when you push brakes and it lifts the whole playseat challenge thing

[@driftzone5586]

Where can I get those isolaters for the feet you did not say?

[@emilianomontanari283]

every time i lift it to bring it back the back pops out - what did i do wrong??

[@jelly8594]

Now I want one even more 😆

[@Scientists_dont_lie]

Its awesome. Had mine for three days. Fits my brother whos 6foot3 1/4 inches and fit my friends 10 y old son who is around 4 foot 8.

[@gergelykoszegi9541]

this seat was a pleasant surprise to me as well, I didn't expect that much sturdiness, immersion and comfort from a "glorified folding chair" (as described by another british reviewer :). I like it's adjustability as well, it was easy to find the good setup for me. I used it with G25/drivehub on a PS4, with a 3D printed shifter mount found on thingiverse (among other G25 mods like magnetic paddles, handbrake with chilicoke mod). I just bought a T300RS GT, it fits nicely also...and sorry for being offtopic here but since you also used the T300 on a PS4 may I ask you for some advice? although the t300 is much smoother and faster the the good old g25 it doesn't seem to be much stronger, has some slight vibration under load. I don't mean extreme load here, it's obvious in AC even with 60%, in PC2 with 80% FFB, this vibration feels like when use grab a battery operated drill's chuck and it can't provide enough torque to rotate, like it's just straining. is this normal?

[@gergelykoszegi9541]

@@ScaffsSimRacing thanks for your response! I've found some similar complaints on the net, most customers sent it back, others live with it as it's not obvious all the time, or were told by TM customer service that it's normal/acceptable. I tried firmware update, changing gain settings in the control panel, using it via drivehub - none of them helped. drivehub made it even worse, I only had centering force, nothing else, in both ps3/4 mode. I contacted the retailer and will send it back. despite being a lemon it made it clear how outdated, slow and coggy my g25 is...should have go for the csl when it was available.

[@DavyFotosenvideos-mc2lw]

What handbrake are you using? I want a handbrake for ps5

[@nineteen76]

Thanks for the video. Any issue with the wheel base mount flexing over time? Have you done anything to reinforce that area?

[@SabayonCompiz]

I bought one of these second hand and it has quite a lot of vertical wobble in the wheel plate. I’m looking to reinforce mine to get rid of that now

[@craigpugh4148]

Incredible video mate, very insightful for playseat challenge mods! Re: pedal mounting… do the 20mm p clips clamp over the foam? Or was some foam trimming required ?

[@jelly8594]

Did you mount your pedals?

[@write2nick]

I didn't want to do anything to the foam. 20mm p-clip was way too tight and I couldn't close it even with a plier. So I ended up ordering 25mm p-clip and everything worked out beautifully.

[@jamesgrant4227]

Had one of these for console gaming and it is great if you are short of space and surprisingly comfy and sturdy! Since moving to PC I decided to upgrade to GT Omega Art cockpit at xmas. Btw would you recommend a button box? Have been thinking about one but not sure how much I would use it or best way to attach it to my Art.

[@chipspclounge7871]

How bigs the art mate in length?

[@jamesgrant4227]

@@chipspclounge7871 Mine's is 1.5m long using the smaller extender bar but they also provide a longer bar for taller folk with longer legs etc You can also move the seat position forward/back on it's rail to suit. I have it sitting on the floor mat they sell to protect the carpet and it's 1.8m long so guessing the max length must be just short of that.

[@Wr1terTyp3]

Great video. I'm 6'0" and 218. Will this work with my dimensions?

[@Scientists_dont_lie]

Yes. Easily. Im about 5'11 190lbs and it fits me perfectly. My brothet is 6'3 230lbs and change and he fit very well in it. He did say he wished he could lean the seat back another half inch but he admitted he really didnt need it. My frieends 10 year old son tried it yesterday and he fit in it. Son is about 4'8 and 100lbs and he fit in it aswell. Its pretty amazing to see the seat fit a person 4'8 and also fit another person whos 6'3.

[@diwi_pl]

Hi, great video! I just bought T-LCM and was searching for a way to mount them properly to playseat challenge. Can you just say what length of those M6 screws you've used ?

[@farisbabsail2675]

Did you find out

[@write2nick]

@@farisbabsail2675 Did you find out? How come no one is telling us...

[@farisbabsail2675]

@@write2nick I think I used 20mm

[@Retrorixy]

10mm m6

[@craigpugh4148]

Did the 20mm P clips fit okay mate? Or did you have to trim some foam?

[@phaedrussocrates7636]

How about investing in pCars4 😁

[@letsgobrandon4691]

Will that ram mount work for the Logitech G shifter?

[@letsgobrandon4691]

@@ScaffsSimRacing that’s not the garmin that’s a monitor mount I have seen this one bud thanks for the reply

[@letsgobrandon4691]

@@ScaffsSimRacing also that speaker looking thing under your seat what does it actually do ?

[@ponderatulify]

what kind of screws do you use through the p clips?

[@ScaffsSimRacing]

10mm M6 bolts

[@jelly8594]

@@ScaffsSimRacing thank you for answering! Why did you dismantle the rubber from the 20mm p clamps and then added foam? Wasn't it fitting or what was the reason behind that. Would the cable construction in the middle point be really necessary?

[@ScaffsSimRacing]

@@jelly8594 the foam is already on the legs, to stop the pedals moving around. The cable ties were just to make sure nothing moved when it was folded up.

[@jelly8594]

@@ScaffsSimRacing perfect, thanks! So the clamps were 20mm inner diameter with the rubber and without the rubber maybe 24mm? How thick is the cushioned base for the pedals? Could you answer at what eye level height you are when sitting in a normal GT position? My monitor is on a desk and I am worried, that the chair might be to low or I need to think about a way to increase the altogether height.

[@MrAllister88]

Ha 'industrial cableties'!

[@stevehayward8385]

Seat does as you say punch way above its weight. Mine is a year old and still very comfortable and has been modified in a similar way to your rig although i did fit 4 transducers into the seat itself so no need to isolate. The only problem that has not been mentioned is the lack of stiffness on the wheel mount and pivot point with use over a short time. I have fixed the mount flex with camera mount but still trying to fix the wear in the pivot point on the frame. Will try the Chinese 3d print mod but not expected to work. Still, a great rig for sure.

[@jelly8594]

Would you care to elaborate on fixing the wobble?

[@flippy9133]

haha I ripped the red tabs on the straps the first time i tried to adjust mine :D 0:58

[@Scientists_dont_lie]

Me too!

[@nitropsycho9117]

As a fellow brit, im offended have your gears and handrake on the right side 🤣

[@nitropsycho9117]

@@ScaffsSimRacing funny enough i learnt most of my skills driving in sicily, weirdly feels more natural to me. But to make your sim left hand drive....shame on you 🤣🤣🤣im joking. Or am i.... All jokes aside you made me realise my challenge is more than a nice seat. Great video mate 👍

[@RDEstevao]

Awesome ideas man!! Will mount my recently acquider T-Lcm pedals like yours. Some questions if possible, regarding the shaker: 1) does it worth the trouble 2) is the one that you use good, and does 1 suffice? 3) How do you control the amount of shake? Many thanks for your inputs, you got one more subscriber ;)

[@jelly8594]

Did you successfully mount your LCM? I'm about to buy this chair....

[@RDEstevao]

@@jelly8594 Yes, I did, and it works like a charm. Regarding the chair, I true recommend it, specially if, like me, you do not have much space and want to fold it after playing. It stays really compact, and no more wife blablablas... loll Well, even if you don't want to fold it, it is a nice chair anyway.

[@jelly8594]

@@RDEstevao 😂😂 much appreciated!!!

[@filipivan5125]

2:21 thats a fart 😂

[@bubudge8855]

The Playseat Challenge is tough, but you who have been racing every day for 5 years are also tough.

[@bestopinion9257]

Rather 5 weeks of using it LE: ok, it is reinforced, but still I hardly believe these fabric on sticks systems are 5 years lasting.

[@carlgray6764]

i like the use of homebrew adaptation ... the playseat wouldn't suit me but i can see it does for you. i use an office chair with the rear wheels clamped,and the wheel permanently mounted to the desk which allows me to use the pc for any other task without it getting in the way. its all a personal preference and i totally get that! here's to another five years for the seat !