Review: Playseat Challenge Actifit version

The Playseat Challenge is the flagship for portability and budget rigs out there. And they made it even better with the Actifit version of it.
00:00:08 Introduction
00:00:25 Configuration
00:01:54 Build quality
00:03:20 Features
00:04:44 Options
00:05:20 Price
00:05:59 Conclusion
#review #playseat #challenge #simrig #simracing

[@iFBNm8]

Can someone tell me the life hacks for the neck pain? Also do you have tips on how to set up the seating position?

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

I pinned it. Hopefully you'll get some feedback

[@YorenM]

What you can do is try to bend it back a bit. Look up how to bend a pipe, tools enough

[@DropDMurphy]

I just recently purchased and received one of these. I have to say this is wonderful for someone with a small living space because the ability for it to fold up while the pedals and wheel remains attached, is amazing. One thing I will say is that if you have a wider frame (hips) you may find it a bit uncomfortable at first but you will eventually mold into it.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Your remark is indeed one of the only reasons why people should buy a NLR GT Lite because it is a bit wider for seating. But for the rest, like you say is how I experience it too. Amazing piece of hardware. Thank you for adding your user experience friend! 👌👍

[@-detectivealec8937]

Thanks for this review, just ordered mine. Brand new to sim racing. Have PSVR2 and GT wheel/pedals. Set it up on my couch with a table and immediately knew I needed some kind of chair. Pedals kept sliding away from me and sofa just doesn't cut it for back rest

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

A very sensible choice if you play in the living room. Set up in a minute and most space efficient when not in use. Have fun friend 👍

[@robertovisentin1112]

If you own the Thrustmaster T-LCM pedals you can drill holes through the two metal bars (you will be unable to adjust them after this), and screw some M screws (I forgot the numer). The holes on the pedals are perfectly aligned to the metal bars. Pedals will be permanently fixed but in a very, very solid manner.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Good tip!!

[@jelly8594]

Which 2 metal bars specifically? Do you mean the outer ones going parallel to the line of sight?

[@robertovisentin1112]

@@jelly8594 once you've set your length you drill holes through both metal pipes.

[@kalebasphalt]

Great video! For the price - the sizeable flex is understandable, but what's your experience testing the rig with the T-GT wheelbase? More flex? I mean with a T300 or a G29 this rig is OK, but for higher torque wheels I think this is not the rig to go. Maybe a bit of strengthening mods you can find online could help. All in all, comprehensive review and I can see this rig age very well in the years to come.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Its fine. Same motor as the one that I tested this one with. But you are correct to say, mostly when people buy higher end bases it is or to improve their performance or to improve immersion and if you have a rig then that has a wheelbase that shakes a bit when driving, yeah, thats a problem. It is a compromis... the challenge is easy, light and you can fold it, but no matter what you do (short of completely reinforcing it so it loses its foldability) it is no match for a more expensive fixed rig.

[@XxM1G3xX]

I ordered the actifit version by mistake and it was a pleasant surprise when I received it thinking they just moved away from the alcantara, it is too hot where I live so this sure helps.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Alcantara is a good fabric. Very maintenance friendly and durable but indeed when it was Hot 🥵. Have fun with it friend!!

[@jelly8594]

​​@@SimulatedDrivingResource so you will definitely definitely go for the Actifit instead of the Alcantara but that I CAN'T find used in my area?😢😅

[@giogamer4825]

Im here again and have the old and new Playseat Challenge beside each other. The Actifit has some approvement! But the headrest is the same on both, so good to know for some of you. They did fix some issue between the old and new one. For example the straps with Challenge name on it, have now an extra metal ring that prevent that the seat can open up if the strips get lose, so you will never fall on the ground 😂 Also the clamp you use after sitting is improve, smaller but tighter and less flex. I like the Actifit myself and happy with the new one with those small changes (sold the old one now)

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Thank you very much for posting this!!!! 💙👍👍👍👌👌👌

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

There is just 1 thing I wonder. Why didnt they fix the most obvious issue on it 😈

[@giogamer4825]

@@SimulatedDrivingResource And that is?

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@giogamer4825 the pedals 🙄

[@giogamer4825]

By the way, I almost did buy the Playseat Trophy (what a great looking seat in black!), but it was to heavy with a DD Pro and V3 pedals on it, to move it everytime around from one room to another (girlfriend dont want it permanent in livingroom with Ps5), so that is the reason i stayed on the Playseat Challenge

[@sparkpaul]

Will it work with Direct Drive? I bought a Logitech g pro wheel and pedals with load cells. I need a foldable solution.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Will it work with Direct Drive. Yes it will, but a Logitech G Pro can already generate a lot of Nm power. If you really need a foldable solution for a Direct Drive, I would go more for a Next Level Racing wheel stand 2.0. That would be more suited

[@JayKBra]

Playseat challenge is a great way to begin. Once you start to need more, you can cheaply mod its shortcomings until you are ready to graduate to the next level. I had the original Alacantra and it lasted like brand new for years before going to a new home with zero issues. I now have an actifit playseat trophy and I suggest new owners just go for the cheapest challenge at the time of purchase. The Alacantra looks beautiful and is super durable, while the actifit seems a step down in overall quality “looks” but functions just fine… Cheers.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Thanks for the user experience feedback friend 👍👌

[@giogamer4825]

What is your experience now after a couple of months with the Actifit version? I can get both at same price, so wondering what you would suggest and the reason why?

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@giogamer4825 personally, I like it better but others like the alcantara one better so at this moment very subjective. The real test would be more towards the Summer when it is Hot. Normally then, the difference will be more then just estethics with your back being able to breathe more through the microfibers of the Actifit. For durability, I think they both are the same. Resale value-wise the Actifit scores better because it is newer. If they are the same price, my personal choice remains the Actifit version.

[@giogamer4825]

@@SimulatedDrivingResource I will check the Actifit, As I have the Alcatara, but will sell one of them after receiving the Actifit. Thanks

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@giogamer4825 ehhhhh... dont buy the same seat just for the fabric eh 🤭

[@TheSerbianG]

Currently here in BestBuy Canada Actifit version is $349 and the Alcantara is $319. Which one would you take based on those prices?

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Second hand is not an option? I would say with Actifit. Resale value will remain higher, has some minor fixes as someone pointed out in the comments and I personally like the look and feel of Actifit better than Alcantara

[@giogamer4825]

Do you have the "old" playseat challenge? Wondering if the headrest did really change or not on the update one

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

No, not any longer but if it comes in again, I will give you a definite answer. Afaik it looks the same.

[@giogamer4825]

Thanks

[@claudiustanciu05]

What would you recommend between this Actifit and the Challenge X? Thanks in advance!

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

New, I personally like the X much much better and the extra money is worth it for me. The Actifit one can however be found second hand for around 100€ and that is a great price for a first simrig.

[@ptgfern4588]

Great re-Review! I have to say I agree that the upper seat curvature is very uncomfortable. I have the NLR F-GT rig and the seat that comes with is very bent towards the upper portion and makes the GT position very uncomfortable. I have replaced my seat with an NRG cockpit seat from Amazon. 1,000,000 % better!!

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

That shows I listen to you guys. Sometimes I am not critic enough for some things and is great I get pointed out those little details 👌💪

[@PJDobbs]

Great video bud. Do you ever do any Iracing?

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Thank you my friend 💙 and not really, the one brief moment in the week I can actually drive, I just do some objectives in beamng.

[@PJDobbs]

​@Neosphinx How about putting up a KZbin donations. Need to help you buy stuff to review.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@PJDobbs you are a fountain of good ideas my friend. I am going to try and set up the affiliate links first though but I will put the donations on my backlog👌👍👍👍

[@TT0P_G]

If you the thrustmaster t80 ferrari 488 gtb ps4 edition will it work with the seat? Also is the thrustmaster t80 ferrari 488 gtb ps4 edition compatible on my PS5? Do you think this chair would be good for my bedroom which is quite small

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

The T80 will fit on the challenge and will work on the PS5. The challenge is the most space efficiënt chair you can buy at this moment. However, the T80 does not have active force feedback. I really would advise looking second hand for a T128. I promise you it is much more fun to play a game with force feedback.

[@YorenM]

Ik hoor een Vlaams accentje ;) merci voor de review!

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

100% correct. 😎

[@ccramit]

So, other than the seat material, there's nothing different? Like nothing to stabilize it more?

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

No my friend. Someone left in the comments that they fixed something else but to my knowledge, its only the fabric that changed. Not even a longer strap to accomodate wider pedals.

[@ccramit]

@@SimulatedDrivingResource and they're charging an extra $30-$50 for that? Come on.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@ccramit owkee... when I did the review it was same price! Thats not good👎👎

[@Jim_Plays_lol]

Mate, How many cm is it from the base to the back of the seat. Also W review

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

A very difficult question since it depends on wheelbase and the seating position itself. I have a Challenge X (same for config as normal challenge) in GT position with a Fanatec CSL DD on it and it measures 117 cm from the back of the wheelbase to the back of the seat.

[@EddieRuizFishing]

Hi this or the playseat evolution? Actifit 350 dlls and the evo 400 in amazon mexico

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Hands down challenge is the better seat but is it not available on second hand market?

[@EddieRuizFishing]

@@SimulatedDrivingResource here its no second hand market for cockpits jeje, few People buy them, and the next level challenger its not strudy? Its better the playseat challenge actifit? I really want a seat need to take a desision thanks for answer

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@EddieRuizFishing NLR challenger is really No good. Playseat Challenge is really the most stable/comfortable/bang-buck of the 3

[@EddieRuizFishing]

@@SimulatedDrivingResource thanks I suscribe and try to see more videos sorry for my english

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@EddieRuizFishing thank you very much and sorry for my english too. 💙

[@MuscleSet]

Thank you! You helped me not to want one. Neck pain, no good and bouncing whee,l is deal breakers to save my cash for something better.

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Well, in its defense, it is a budget solution and still the best out there bang/buck in its category.

[@YorenM]

Nothing that some graftape can't fix!

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Or superglue 🙄

[@roseorchid7981]

My 1st time hearing about this "seat". Is it just the chair or can it be bought with wheel and pedals?

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Just the chair. Afaik, Playseat doesnt offer any packages for the Challenge officially but I am sure some local retailers bundle this with a steering wheel and pedals.

[@marcianzero_yt]

One question I got about the Actifit is: Is it somehow machine washable? If I imagine I buy this thing 2nd hand, I’d want the material to be freed from previous owners things. :)

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Washable at 30° to get the blood, sweat and tears of previous owners out of it 😎

[@marcianzero_yt]

@@SimulatedDrivingResource Thanks. Great stuff then! With modern day detergents I would feel ok with even the low temperature washing.

[@bestopinion9257]

@@SimulatedDrivingResource Don't forget dead skin and thousands of farts. :)

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

@@bestopinion9257 ok... for the love of God, i still need to test seats. Dont say stuff like that 🤣

[@jelly8594]

Is the Alcantara washable?

[@kie-skatemods4141]

Why didn’t you show a video of you in the chair? That way we would of seen how good or bad the sitting position is

[@kie-skatemods4141]

Word

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

Good sugestion friend

[@jimdoc05]

Hey. Thanks for the great review. I’m setting up mine now and just have to ask about the top strap. On the box and in the instructions it shows the strap under the armstrap. However when setting up myself and in your video it seems that the strap fits more naturally above the armstrap. Think it matters? I changed mine around to fit the picture but just figured I’d ask. Thanks again!

[@SimulatedDrivingResource]

It doesnt really matter I think. I have it above and works fine also when folder.