Thrustmaster TH8A Shifter Review and Comparison

The Thrustmaster TH8A Shifter came out last year as the replacement for the original TH8RS shifter for simulated racing. The new version, the TH8A is a direct replacement for that older shifter and they are identical in nearly every way. But despite the identical appearance and function this new version does more then the original shifter. THe TH8A is compatible with the PC, and the PS3 much in the same way as the TH8RS was. However it is also Xbox One and PS4 compatible if used along with the Thrusmaster wheel for each console. The TX Racing wheel for the xbox, and the T300 for the PS4.
In this review we inspect the shifter and talk about its main features. We then move on to installation and mounting of the shifter into our simrig for driving. And in the end we talk about the good, the not so good and the bottom line about this shifter. And to finish things off we compare it directly to its biggest competitor, the Fanatec Clubsport Shifter SQ.
If you would like to comment on this video, or have any questions about this shifter please head over to thesimpit.com/e... and place your comments there. We will do our best to answer all questions posted at The Simpit.

[@DannyWalker1949]

HI Shaun, Please don't apologize for a Long Review. This is what we want, a First class and Honest review. Just like you pretty well do anyway! And, Thanks for that my friend. Take Care and G00D Day!

[@MaXGTS1]

Incredibly detailed review. Big thumbs up.

[@fone5003]

I don't think the long review is such a bad thing! You go into so much detail and explain every inch of the product! Also, I think Thrustmaster also released a sequential shift knob which is quite cheap

[@TheCR85RIDER]

This is probably the best review of a product I have ever seen people need to take a leaf out of his book!

[@sGInfekted]

I don't use my TH8A shifter enough but it is a blast to drive with it. I watched this review before buying but nothing could prepare for me how solid the shifter is. Definitely adds to the realism even if it adds difficulty to racing when you're used to paddle shifters. Great review!

[@markweatherall7437]

Is the clutch needed for sequential pal?

[@JebidiahSpringfield]

@@markweatherall7437 it depends on the settings in game

[@markweatherall7437]

@@JebidiahSpringfield Ok thanks.

[@JebidiahSpringfield]

@@markweatherall7437 No problem!

[@noiamhippyman]

Extremely helpful. Thanks for making such an extensive review.

[@IspiraGaming]

This is exactly the video I've been looking for and I found it by accident after I'd given up at finding this video. Thank you, very much. I'm about to spend a lot of money to get into sim racing and this REALLY helped with the decision on which shifter to purchase.

[@Director414]

man I´m not even into shifters but stayed the full 22 min for the awesome review. man, gotta hand it to you!

[@MrDoncarnage]

This is the best gadget review for simracing on youtube. I am overwhelmed by tons of info. Professionalism can be found here. Thanks

[@atempo206]

Good job man.This is how reviews are made.Explanatory.Lots of info. And actually showing product unlike some reviews where 80% of time we are presented with gameplay of presenters preferred game. Keep it up!

[@imaner76]

I have the Fanatec SQ shifter and with a Fanatec V2 wheel base, it also works with PS4 and Xbox 1. Much like the Thrustmaster. I do like your reviews, I stay glued because you deliver so well. Personally I like the shorter assured response from the Fanatec. I guess this review was done before support was added, but was great in assuring me that my choice was right for me.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

Articulate and explicit. This is how to do reviews

[@JonahHax]

This has to be one of the most informative videos I have seen so far. It only leaves me with 1 question. Shifting gears in a real car while forgetting to use or not pressing the clutch enough, will give some very nasty noises and the gear shift will not work (unless you are lucky enough to hit the right revs). Are there any gear shifters on the market that can simulate that? What happens if you shift gears with the TH8A while NOT stepping on the clutch? What will happen when you do it with the Fanatec shifter? I recently got the G29 and am now looking for a nice shifter to use for ETS2 and rally games.

[@CalculatedRiskAK]

+scarystuff1970 Currently, there are no shifters on the market that offer force feedback to signify a failed gear engagement. I'm hoping an advance will eventually be made in that department since it would be sweet.

[@mro9466]

if you shift without the clutch in game, you will go to the next gear with grinding noises

[@MrPati0]

scarystuff1970 they should just add a locking mechanism to it, so only by pressing the clutch gears will unlock.

[@OhKnow379]

Just play beaming. That seems to have the best engine damage model currently.

[@MartinTerroR]

@@MrPati0 I thought the same about it. If it is possible that after pressing the button, reverse gear will be unlocked. It is also possible for the mechanism to unlock the gears when the clutch is fully depressed

[@decarlolamb]

EXCELLENT IN-DEPT REVIEW! THANX DUDE! I'M ADDING YOU TO MY FAVORITES & GOING TO LOOK FOR OTHER "SHIFTER & STEERING WHEEL" REVIEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE DONE.

[@devous987]

Just throwing out there, you can get nice 3rd party aftermarket shifter plates for these in billet aluminum in 4, 5, and 6 speed configurations for your preferred car. Kind of neat.

[@magzire]

The thing is a war horse! I spilled water right into it, water even came out of the wire, dried it and still worked

[@DiegoT]

The only problem with your videos is that they aren't daily. keep up the great work, Shaun!

[@BadTanLines]

Holy shit, been subscribed for a long time but never happened to see this vid. Good work!

[@Retrogamer71]

Watching in 2019 Still enjoying Shaun Cole reviews.

[@koopzz]

Just a tip, would be way better with better/brighter lightning in the studio.

[@swsephy]

If you're talking about the master wide shot it's usually fine. Not sure what's up this time. It's also a little soft. Anyway, shifter looks awesome.

[@koopzz]

***** Personally I think it looks like this in every video.

[@chimpyman92]

convinced me to buy it. 130$ on newegg with 4$ shipping. thanks for the review!! cant wait for it to get here

[@WiccaRobin]

That was an excelent review. Thank You for taking the time to be honest and compare it with others, very much apreciated since I'm getting rdy to purchase a shifter. I think this is modable and will work very well for trucking sims. not perfect but I can't argue with its price. Now if I can just find a knob that mounts to it and I can add a few switches to it.

[@simracingfan3002]

Nice shifter and nice review. I am happy that I got the Fanatec Clubsport SQ though, from what the reviews have all said it just has a more solid feeling.

[@stewvlogs5084]

That is an awesome review and an great piece of kit. I can add this to my Thrustmaster TMX wheel in the future. Looks like fun to use. My pedals lack a clutch. I guess I can use a button on the wheel as a clutch. Shouldn’t be too difficult but takes away from the realism. Loving the channel, your reviews are really good and presented and edited brilliantly, great job👍

[@riloh58]

Thanks Shaun. You've just answered all the questions I had about the TH8A. Cheers.

[@JL-cn1qi]

Rotated sideways you can use the neutral gate travel as an analoge handbrake ! You'll need to download a driver from the thrustmaster site and select it in the shifters software but it works fine. You can then use your paddle shifters on the wheel and the stickshift as handbrake..

[@SeamusMcNeil]

Great review Sean. I was checking out the Thrustmaster and you have cleared up all my questions - Just ordered one Cheers Jim

[@EPCG]

Great review, full of details. I've been eyeballing this shifter for quite some time now, but the overall size interferes with my current setup. Hopefully my custom built desk will come sooner, rather than later.

[@SimRacingLife]

thanx Shaun, awesome and detailed review. helped me make up my mind to buy the Fanatec :)

[@dsalomao]

Awesome review. Helped a lot! Thanks

[@Mr.Everything]

Thanks for the great video. I'm not sure what the deal is with Thrustmaster not being able to keep their products in stock. This is the first time that shifter has been in stock in months and the 3 pedal set is still out of stock. I'm not sure if I'd want the shifter without the pedals even if I can run without a clutch. I had money saved for both but got tired of waiting for them to be available so I spent it on other things lol. I've seen the price of the shifter go way down to around $100 while it was out of stock so if you reserve it during that time you could get it for a lot less so I might wait until that happens again before I buy it and the pedals.

[@HardwareAddiction]

Great review.. answered pretty much everything I wanted to know.

[@huyked]

What an amazingly detailed video. Thank you, sir! Wow.

[@T0BBi94]

Great review! I had the TH8RS but the only problem I had with it was that it was to loose.. It was great but for me realism is when you need to man-handle the shifter. I now have the Frex seq shifter and it is might not harder to handle but it is just so much better imo!

[@Pick_Lock]

Wait a minute now.. The CSW v2 and Xbox One compatability was announced, that means the Fanatec CS shifter(and all other Fanatec shifters) will be compatible to X1 and possibly PS4 if Fanatec and Sony can ever make a deal. It may be currently the best choice, but soon to be, i don't see it as the "clear winner" for compatibility. Lets hope Fanatec releases the X1 rim soon. Thanks for the video!

[@RWoody1995]

I find the clamp of the TH8 to be actually worse than the clamps of the G25/7 shifters, no matter what you do it will just slide out of position after a few shifts... I ended up giving up on the clamp and hard mounting mine.

[@mattalford3932]

I plugged the shifter into my ps4 with the USB connector and it works fine.

[@gentlemenRick]

I just got this baby in today and it will change your racing experience like you cant imagine. Thrustmaster TX was decent but when you add the TH8A, you won't want to stop playing Forza 6.

[@SimwitsRacing]

Great vid as always Shaun. Had one of these and stepped up to the Fanatec CSS SQ, It's was a wise choice, as the TH8 feels like a toy comparatively.

[@e39_potato]

Did you know you can use this shifter as a handbrake?

[@xarbiol]

its true, you can use it has an analog handbrake!

[@apfeltee34]

But why its expensive?

[@Algernon7]

@@apfeltee34 Because its made out of mostly metal with decently high quality materials, as well as the research and development to create this product. Plus manufacturing costs and shipping. All that adds to the final cost.

[@apfeltee34]

@@Algernon7 Let me correct But why would you do this... Its so expensive

[@apfeltee34]

@Zwenk Wielwhy is the handbreak so expensive thou

[@PurplePapayaPies]

Damn that was a detailed review

[@Dankman9]

you can merge any gears you want, doesn't lock out the gears but you can merge them with the DL software on a PC, so you can turn reverse into 6th gear or 4th gear, and turn 7th into 5th, incase you are worried about accidentally shifting into those gates, also you can adjust the throw length for the gears, the shifter still moves the same physically but can engage the gear sooner.

[@andretoniolo4992]

Nice review Shaun! I have seen somewhere that you can actually control (via software) how early or late each gear really engages based on the travel of the snifter rod inside the gates. Is this true for the TH8A? Is this control included with the driver? Thanks!

[@TJCook-jo8pg]

A note on the fanatec shifter, the price you mention is for the model that comes with an extra knob for sequential shifting. The same shifter is the same price as the th8a without it.

[@anotherneedlessnetwork6956]

Wrong, the cheaper Fanatec shifter has no sequential mode at all. The SQ adds sequential shifting and the extra knob.

[@TJCook-jo8pg]

Well, shit. I supposed that's what the SQ means, isn't it.

[@anotherneedlessnetwork6956]

Well, $50 would be an awful lot to pay for just a different knob.

[@SimonChampagne]

It's nice to have the comparaison with the Fanatec Clubsport shifter but I think the pricing shown is a bit misleading, at least in certain locations, like here in Canada. I paid 199$CA (148$US) for the TH8A and that included tax and free shipping. If I were to order the Fanatec (and I wanted to) it's 199$US, plus 30$US for the clamp and 20$US for the required USB adapter to use it in standalone. And the shipping is actually a whopping 69$US. So, out here at least, you're looking at 320$US or 420$CA for that sweet shifter and in my case, that was stretching the budget quite a bit too far. So yeah, my point is that it obviously seems like a better device, but for some, it's actually twice the price and not a mere 50$ difference like depicted in this otherwise very nice, well presented and thorough review.

[@chubskj]

Thank you for a very thorough review!

[@brendanhobbart]

Good review Shaun! Can you give a brief comparison of the TH8A and CSS in sequential mode vs the DSD sequential shifter? Is the DSD a lot more substantial in terms of the pressure needed to activate it? Thanks!

[@30MinuteGamer]

Great review! Thanks for the info.

[@vukos]

Excellent review. Very thorough

[@anotherneedlessnetwork6956]

The Fanatec is incredibly easy to mount as it uses T-Slots, mine was on my rig in about 1 minute flat! There is no need for the clamp if you have a rig, that's for desk racers and it's a bit overkill for that.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

I'm using my TH8RS with my PS 4 Pro// Just so you know - Works fine.

[@liquidgenesis01]

I like that Tamiya Eneos RC-F body. Gotta add to my collection..

[@JuniorAngel]

Hi Shaun. I own a T500 with the Ferrari wheel and I'd like to know which of them you recommend to install in my PC. Thanks and congrats on your videos.

[@Rontti]

Very good review, thanks!

[@zironemegeaz]

your the best reviewer I have ever witnesed

[@tkdcoilsthekilteddevil1910]

Idea for drifting h shifter and great video shaun. I would recommend to anyone starting or amateur SIM racer. Av been using this shifter for the last 6 months with no problums . Only one drew back keep it Upto date with Ur wheel base ( Danny stenburg )

[@jochenstark6348]

You do an excellent job! Great detailed presentation, Iam know a fan of your channel. I have a Logitech G 25 set, it's not bad but the shifter and the break pedal is not so good. The wheel is maybe also not the best, I didn't had an other this far. What do you recommend for a more simulated drive experience?

[@HipsterNgariman]

Why don't you get a T500RS ?

[@alm3thab707]

Thanks for this review; It helpful

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Goos review . Fanatec Clubsport Shifter SQ is over £400 on Amazon UK jeez

[@stayin91degrees]

Hey Shaun, will you be doing a full review on Project Cars? I'd like to hear your full opinion on it

[@max1492a]

What a great review!

[@ML-Nano]

Sean, you are a winner.

[@sexycowman]

Bro nice TSM logo

[@Zoeyinterface]

amazing review im gonna buy it thanks

[@markweatherall7437]

Always used paddle shifters but waiting on new kit arriving the TS-XW. Is the TH8A compatible with the TS-XW? Thanks.

[@jaymistry1607]

Hey, just a question about the th8a shifter. I have a wheel stand and want to hard mount the shifter. How do I hard mount the shifter and are the nessesery screws included or will I have to get them Elsewhere? Any help is appreciated 👍

[@callummitchelmore8097]

If your wheel does not have the slot in the back of it for the wire to go in can you just use the usb?

[@brianhaynes6109]

Is it compatabil with the ferrari 458 spider wheel for xbox i need to know asap because i plan on buying one

[@lratafia]

it would be nice to add that also works a hand brake axis by installing the driver

[@niteowl9354]

so i'm assuming you cannot plug shifter directly into base 'din' plug when using pc mode ? however, when using ps3-4 you should use din and plug into base? my Gear: t300 servo base ps3-4, 599xxevo wheel, t3pa-pro peddles, th8a shifter. (all items purchased separate during after Christmas sale on amazon. $480 or so, all ergonomic build ) i wanted the pro peddles so this was lil higher than getting the alcantra wheel set with better shifter. now learning the configurations for pc and ps3-4 is a lil different. i plugged shifter into base and no shifter showed up in control panel with no game running. only with usb cord would this show up. I didn't see much in depth in this review about using shifter din/usb connections on different platforms. and what to expect. also assuming i will have to get a ps4 wheel to use this on console. thanks in advance for any feedback

[@zef6749]

My desk measures 4.4 centimeters thick. Would it be able to clamp on my desk?

[@owenjones-wells9395]

Would this be a good shifter to use for Euro Truck Simulator 2? I am not into car race games but truck simulators instead. Also is this a good pair for the Thrustmaster T500RS that I also plan to get?

[@yesto9676]

Yes, it's probably the best one for ets2.

[@proarmy70]

I was allso wondering on that

[@Duke-CenturionAirsoft]

I love the level of detail in this review! I do have a question though. I am looking to get one for Forza Horizon 3 on PC, but there is a lot of controversy on whether it works, and I want to know how I would hook it up and make it work. (There is no way to map out gear positions, Forza just detects your controller) there is also a lot of controversy that you can only use one Usb device with Forza, so will this work in Forza with a Logitech driving force GT?

[@-aleeke-2526]

Did you find out? Thinking to get this shifter and I have a dfgt + I play some fh3, might get fh4 to.

[@SpatialDragon]

I am guessing that this shifter will just plug in with the usb in a PS4 if used with the T500. I have had mine for a couple of months and I LOVE it.

[@SpatialDragon]

Also, great review. I use mine in sequential mode only. I am going to want a metal sequential plate.

[@rymdskrotet]

Which are the top mods for this shifter to make it stiffer? I have heard about rubberbands (?) but I have found no other alternatives.

[@Xbot4Life]

I loled when you showed us how the H gate works.. im from UK btw

[@freekshow]

Gamer version of Steve-O is making some good points

[@DuBB900]

Awesome how you can use that shifter as a E brake also, found that out today.

[@smokinviet]

How do I emulate the shifter as a handbrake? I have set the box as analog mode in the program on the pc.. but what next? Do I change a setting in the game in order to use it as a handbrake? Please guide me through how I would do this.. thanks

[@freedomnow2214]

i have a question. can i use it to manage windows. minimize maximize windows. start programs. or any kind of shortcut combinations?

[@user-tw8zu5we7e]

My th8a shifter shifts propely when going from 1st gear to 2nd to 3rd etc but when i jump gears it just downshifts 1 gear for example when i downshift from 4th gear to 2nd gear it goes to 3rd even if its in the 2nd gear gate do you know why it does this??

[@hunterhd13ajk66]

Hey can I use this on the T500rs? If so does it have a DIN plug or a USB plug? Thank you

[@olevet75]

Shaun is such a nice guy!

[@TinoushGTR]

You can plug the th8a directly into PS4 USB and it will work.

[@driftozphotography]

nice shifter i just hate having to switch the plates over from H pattern to sequential so i just leave it in H pattern. cant wait to get my fanatec shifter though.

[@MBimmer]

Just bought TH8a and would really like to find out if it will work with the Fanatec club sport V3 or/and csl elite LC. Have a T300rs as a wheel. And Which pedals would you recommend? Thank you.

[@RalfBlees]

M-Bimmer -- You need to use a direct USB cable to your computer. and the fanatec wheelbase on another USB port. I have the Fanatec CSL elite LC Pedals plus the V2.5 wheelbase. I tested the TH8A for a few days and decided to take tha Fanatec SQ for 2 reasons. 1. protected R and 7th gear 2. easy Switch from H to Sequential

[@gentlemenRick]

Great review

[@alcamerc9970]

There are too many reviews and not enough videos on how to get them to work and how these things work. Show them in action. That’d be helpful too.

[@lratafia]

thanks for the stick lesson, i didn't know how to shift gears :) Lol

[@shenight8293]

Is the Th8-A Shifter compatible with the G 920 steering wheel?

[@incar95678]

Interesting comparison - I have a wheel stand pro, Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S wheel and pedals and am looking at upgrading the gearshift. While the gearshift does the job, it makes an EXTREMELY loud clicking sound that ruins things a bit. Both shifters in the review look good. The only issue really is on mounting, cord length (I sit 6 feet away). I've recently just bought Assetto Corsa for the PC. Anyone have any thoughts?

[@cobratoxic]

Why you no longer make videos for inside slim racing?

[@everythinggaming7938]

How long is the usb wire? I need it to reach from my PC tower to my racing seat....

[@Brad_Black]

Does this work with Logitech g29 and ps4?

[@brentonscott895]

I'd like to see a review on the Pro series sequential GT shifter from simworx, and is it worth the $650 price tag.

[@traceysharpe6330]

How do ya make it not so load squeaky, and no matter how much I turn that screw it is still hard to move.. can you help please

[@Racer57]

What kind of screwdriver should I use to adjust my tension? I have a Th8RS, and I've tried but never successfully managed to adjust tension in mine, appears to be a flat head but its really hard to tell.

[@driftozphotography]

yes its a flat head

[@CrazyHenkie777]

At about 12.30m in the video shaun demonstrates how the stick "snaps" into the 3d gear. I noticed however that my shifter only does this in the upper gears. (gears 1, 3, 5, and 7). It doesn't in the lower gears (2, 4, 6 and reverse) Can someone confirm this please?

[@danielpedersenemdsyra6607]

my th8a is stuck so whene i release it it does not go back in to the middle of 3/4 gear. do you now how to fix it ?

[@pulka6298]

When I connect TH8A with USB and my old steering wheel (with USB), can I use it? I'm afraid it will not work.