MOZA R5 Bundle Review | MASK | Blog
One day, I got a message from MOZA Racing’s Instagram account, and they will provide R5 bundle if I review, so why not?
Note: MOZA R5 Wheel base, ES Steering Wheel, SR-P Lite Pedal, and R5&R9 table clamp can be purchased separately.
Unboxing the MOZA Racing R5
The items were shipped from Shanghai, China and DHL delivered to Japan.
The box of the product was enclosed in a brown cardboard box. Even the outer box also arrived in good shape.
I think it’s obvious if you watch this video. ES Steering wheel on top.
On the lower level space, the pedals and wheelbase are packed. The steering wheel and wheel base are packed in a bag, which is good quality.
When I opened the blue box of the product, there was a steering from the top, and when you take it out, R5 wheel base, pedals and table clamp were stored in the lower stage. It smelled like new product.
It is an unboxing short video of the wheel base. It’s in a cloth bag that looks like it’s going to cost a lot.
Youtube seems to be better for posting on the blog, so I posted it here. As for the R5, the outer case other than the back pannel is made of aluminum and has a solid feel. It’s also compact, so you can easily hold it in one hand.
MOZA Racing R5 wheelbase installation
MOZA Racing has four screw holes for fixing the wheel base, unlike FANATEC.
As for my rig, which I made for FANATEC’s wheelbase installation, the two holes in the back can be moved freely, but the front hole is a hole drilled in aluminum with great effort.
The Link is How I made my rig.
That means I have to drill two extra holes for a secure fit. This R5 set includes a clamp that can be fixed firmly. I think that there are many light users of R5, so I tried it with this clamp first.
The included R5&R9 Table clamp is very easy to install, and it is versatile enough to be attached to desks and pillars of various thicknesses.
The result is as follows:
In my position, my feet will hit due to the knob of for the bolt as my sim seat tilted upward. Still, operation for the 3 pedals was possible. Perhaps this clamp is intended to be fixed to something like a study desk or dining table. A flat desk, office chair, or dining chair should work just fine.
I may have to lower the table a little more to fit my position. I think the reason why the bolt protrudes so long is because it has versatility so that it can be used with thick tables.
R5&R9 Table clamp can be fixed firmly, so it won’t loosen even after hours of play.
Due to the structure of the clamp, you may be concerned about the rigidity in the pitch direction (See the picture from wikipedia)
In this state, I tried to touch it while bending around the maximum value of FFB at F3 and drifting with Rally vheicle. It doesn’t bother me at all. If you’ drive with the correct posture, you shouldn’t have to pull the steering wheel like below, so don’t worry about it.
However, since it’s a direct drive from a high-quality company, I think it’s better to mount it directly in order to get a solid sense of rigidity. It goes without saying, but direct mounting is the best choice for those who have a solid cockpit in order to move my legs freely and experience 100% of FFB. So I tried to fix it.
After all, this one stays firmly.
Temporarily from the backside(See below picture), I fixed the MOZA R5 wheel basewith only these two points. My cockpit is designed to FANATEC specifications, but in terms of these two points, the spacing between screw holes in the horizontal direction is the same as FANATEC, so they were fixed as they were without any adjustment. There are also 2 screw holes under the MOZA R5 wheel base, so you need to fix it with 4 bolts in the end.
In particular, there is no shake, play, etc. and it is firmly fixed. I will review this for now.
By the way, this article had been already uploaded in Japanese some month before this was uploaded. This was rewrote in English. If you feel interested in my article, please check my original website (if you click, all page will be auto translated in English). You may find new information about my sim rig earlier.
MOZA Racing R5 size
By the way, about the size of MOZA R5, it may not be your reference at all, I compared the MOZA R5 with my FANATEC Podium DD1.
The top is MOZA R5, and the bottom is FANATEC’s Podium DD1. Compared to the DD1, the MOZA R5 is compact and reasonably light, so it’s much easier to install than the DD1 (*^_^*)
By the way, compared to the R9 below, which has a torque of 9Nm, the depth is shorter, and the position of the M5 hole for fixing on the bottom is slightly different in the depth direction. (R5 is 40mm, R9 is 66mm)
MOZA Racing R9 size for your reference
About MOZA Racing R5 quick release
I will compare with FANATEC, but with the current metal quick release (QR1) of FANATEC, if you intentionally apply high torque with Podium DD1, which generates a maximum of 20Nm, you may hear a clicking sound. I’m not that muscular, so I use Podium DD1 at around max 10Nm. (With this, the maximum torque is 10Nm. This weight is enough for training.)
There is no problem with the current quick release: QR1, but those who are driving with more power than that. I think that QR should be carefully considered. (Perhaps because of these shortcomings, the next-generation QR2 is about to be released.)
I would like to compare it with the current FANATEC QR1. Fanatec’s QR1 has 5 balls to absorb force. On the other hand , MOZA receives 10 balls, and the force applied to each ball is small, ensuring solid rigidity. I have to say that this structure is enviable for those who want a fairly strong torque. It can be said that it has a enough mechanical strength for the 5.5Nm of R5.
MOZA Racing SR-P Lite Pedals
There is no rattling in the left and right direction, and it is a pedal that can be used normally. The R5 bundle includes 2 pedals and an optional clutch pedal. This time, they also provided the clutch pedal.
Hall sensor is used for the enclosed pedal. The hall sensor is a system that detects the angle of the pedal by non-contact magnetism.
Advantages of Hall sensors of MOZA SR-P Lite Pedals
Hall sensors are non-contact, so malfunctions caused by dust are less likely to occur. Some pedals made by other companies use a potentiometer type sensor, and there is information that malfunction is occurring due to dust etc. With no contact, that risk may be less.
Not can be selected the Load Cell sensor for the brake
There is a hall sensor used for the brake. Load cell sensors are said to be better than potentiometers or hall sensors, which do NOT detect the force from our foot but angle. When the load cell is stepped on, the weight felt by the foot is output to the PC. It has the advantage that the brain can easily remember the feeling of the weight of the foot compared to the angle, and it is easier to decide on the brake. Just like in a real formula car, there are products that can handle braking force up to 100kg, and high-end sim pedals have load cells up to 200kg. (Although a solid cockpit is required to receive it)
I recommend load cell pedals from any manufacturer if there is an environment where the pedals can be firmly fixed. If you choose among MOZA Racing, they also sell non-contact pedals and load cell pedals called CRP pedals and SR-P pedal, so I think you will eventually want that side.
But this time, the bundle that I received was $599. This is the one of the cheapest bundle of direct drives. After introducing SIM, you may want load cell pedals after seeing and hearing various information and experiencing various things, but if you want to start direct drive at a cheap set price, let’s close your eyes and ears.
MOZA Racing SR-P Lite Pedals needs to be fixed to some measures
There is a rubber on the back of the pedals to increase the frictional force, but this alone will definitely cause it to slip with out any fixing with bolts&Nuts.
I put this MOZA SR-P lite pedals directly on the floor without fixing anything and stepped on the accelerator and brake. The accelerator is barely okay, but the hard springs are used for the brake, so when you step on the brakes, the base plate of the pedals will definitely move.
It is necessary to introduce a cockpit, fix it to the floor with duct tape, put metal or wood in the back and use it as a stopper, or fix it with bolts, so those who purchase MOZA SR-P Pedals should prepare it.
It is also possible to remove the each pedals from the attached base plate and fix it individually, so you may be able to take various positions.
Remove the 4 bolts on this side and it will come off.
The position of the pedal plate can also be adjusted in the height direction.
Note: Loadcell pedals are not sold as an option
As of now (December 2022), these SR-P Lite Pedals do not have the option of loadcell pedals. With this, when you become interested in load cell pedals, you can’t easily upgrade by purchasing the pedals alone, and you have to buy a completely different product, and you’re spending your additional money. It may be a heavy burden for young people who are trying to scrape up and buy a part-time job. It would be nice if MOZA Racing offered an optional load cell pedal for the SR-P lite pedal…
Below is SR-P Pedal (Not Lite version), which the pressure sensor (=Load cell) is used
Expandability of MOZA Racing R5
The number of connectors on the back is the same as R9. The shape of the power cable connection port is slightly different, but from the left, the pedal, the LCD dash panel, the USB-B connector for connecting to the PC, and the power connector.
By the way, Fanatec’s CSL DD and GT DD PRO have connection ports for side brakes and shifters in addition to these. This makes it possible to use the shifter and handbrake on FANATEC’s dedicated PlayStation machines. Even without the handbrake or shifter connection, this R5 seems to be a PC-only machine at the moment, so all you have to do is connect the shifter and handbrake directly to the USB of your PC. I think that ordinary people do not have to worry too much about the expandability of the back.
MOZA is selling Universal Hub for wheel, Dash, Shifter, Handbrake. If you buy a lot of MOZA items and concerns number of USB inlet, it’s one of the way to consider to get this.
I used this Hub and actiavted FSR sterring wheel without MOZA wheel base. Article is here (will Auto translated to English)
MOZA Racing R5 attached ES steering wheel
I think that the grip part is made of leather and has good texture and rigidity. It has a moderate weight and feels luxurious. It is also comfortable to hold.
The quick release is solid and it seems to be durable. (I haven’t tested it with a high-torque wheel base yet, so I cant’ mention that it’s trully strong, but I feels it is strong. The steering is made of aluminum and has a high texture. Personally, I like the simple looks without the cross key, but MOZA Racing seems to want to support PlayStation, so it seems that this cross key is arranged.
Below is the article “I asked MOZA Racing about PlayStation compatibility” (Will auto translated to Englsih)
You may feel that the paddle is less rigid than the higher grade ones.
To be honest, if you’ve never experienced a magnetic paddle, you might not feel anything. However, compared to the magnetic paddle, the paddle may feel a little less rigid.
I think it’s because I’m comparing it to the actual car I’ve ridden in the past, which has a paddle mode, and the magnetic sim paddle, which has a solid feel of clicking.
After you feel a click when you pull the paddle, you can also continue to pull the paddle, you pull against the spring, and you will feel a dull feeling. The paddle isn’t bent, but it may feel less rigid. As a direct drive, it’s a low-priced product, and I don’t think it’s possible to use all the same parts as high-end equipment, but the money is spent on the necessary parts such as the grip and quick release, and the price is reasonable. Compared to other companies’ products, the texture is high, so I think it’s a product that you will want to use for a long time.
Let’s splurge a bit in the future and add a more luxurious steering wheel! When you think about it, you may want to buy a MOZA GS steering wheel. Then it is 469 dollors.
MOZA’s CS racing wheel can change the steering to a commercially available one, it costs 249dollors.
The newly announced MOZA FSR costs 649 dollors.
If I buy the R5 bundle and then want to step up, even if I buy a wheelbase over R9 and replace it with a load cell pedal, I feel like I’ll keep this handle. It’s a little small and just the right diameter (it seems like it can be used for old formula cars and Karts), and I think it has a high quality feel.
How does the MOZA Racing R5 feel?
First of all, in what kind of environment was tested, I ran F3 with iRacing.
For that reason, select the FFB setting of Formula 1 in the software Pit House on the MOZA Racing side.
On the iRacing side, check Use Linear Mode as shown below, and drive with the original signal output from the iRacing without forcing FFB to be strong or weak.
Max force is the maximum load actually applied to the steering of the actual vehicle. (This is auto calculated if you drive a 1 or 2 laps. and please click “auto.”)
Wheel force is R5’s maximum output =5.5Nm.
For example, when the steering wheel of the car in the game produces 27Nm of force, the R5 outputs 5.4Nm. Since it is in Linear Mode (proportional mode), when 13Nm is generated in the game, 2.7Nm will be output from R5.
The wheel base I’ve had so far was the 8Nm FANATEC CSW2.5, the 20Nm Podium DD1, the Xbox 360 wireless racing wheel a long time ago, and the GT Force for the PlayStation. When I was using GT Force and wireless racing wheels, I bought it for a little over 100 dollors. It was fixed with the included plastic clamp.
Looking back on that past, beginner of sim racing will find the R5 to be a very good one. First of all, the quick release and the rigidity of the shaft are very solid. Also, the steering turns smoothly without feeling friction or rough taste.
I think one of the advantages of direct drive is that it operates quietly. The torque or R5 isn’t so high, so it might be just right for people who use a foldable cockpit while worrying about the eyes of their family and people on the upper and lower floors of the apartment .
When a person, who has experienced a high torque wheel base, touches 5.5Nm…
In the SIM world, there is a word called clipping. Originally, stronger FFB is generated on curves, etc., but even if FFB of 10Nm that exceeds 5.5Nm is generated, only 5.5Nm is generated all the time, a phenomenon called clipping that reaches the limit point of FFB. will occur. In order not to reach that clipping, we set the curve where FFB is applied the most in the course to 5.5Nm. Doing so will weaken the FFB on other curves. Even so, the force on the tires can be clearly seen in every corner, but in terms of the strength of the FFB, it feels like it can be driven with one hand for filming.
5.5Nm is a reasonably strong torque that can’t be produced by cheap belt drive or gear drive wheel base, so if I may say it’s rather high torque. However, once you get used to it and know about the high-torque wheel base, I think you’ll start thinking, “It’s not enough,” or “I want more information from the road.” If you touch an 8Nm direct drive with a boost kit with CSL DD, or R9, you may be worried about the weakness of this FFB.
I use the Podium DD1 with a maximum torque of 20Nm at 40%,that is maximum of 8Nm (this is the same torque as CSL DD and GT DD PRO). After all, trivial information such as small undulations will be reduced. It is true that I thought, “5.5Nm is not enough for me”
MOZA Racing has R9 , R16 and R21 with more torque. It’s true that the direct drive starter pack costs $599. However, if you want something over 5.5Nm, you will need to replace the wheelbase.
There is no booster kit that can power up wheel base’s FFB just by purchasing an additional AC adapter like a certain F company’s product. If you want something with higher torque, you need to replace it with R9 or R16 if it is in the MOZA racing lineup. For those who have limited initial costs, I think there is a way to buy MOZA R5 for the time being. However, if you can afford it, I think it would be better to buy R9 or R16 from the beginning, so that you don’t have to worry about replacing it later. You can also buy FANATEC’s CSL DD or GT DD PRO 5Nm, and if you feel that FFB is not enough, buy booster kit and easily upgrade to 8Nm. However, FANATEC has an old quick release design. There are many options of products in this price range, and I think consumers are happy but annoy.
MOZA Racing R5 won’t support PlayStation or XBox
Also, please note that this MOZA R5 bundle is not compatible with PlayStation and is for PC. Just like there is a cross key, MOZA Racing seems to want to support the PlayStation and XBox. We don’t know how it will be supported in the future, so if you are looking for a genuine PlayStation compatible product, you have no choice but to purchase a compatible third-party product or wait for the day when MOZA Racing officially supports PlayStation. .
Worth Buying the MOZA Racing R5 Bundle! ?
I think that 599 dollors for the racing controller is quite a lot of money for young people who are likely to be users of this, so I will write my personal impressions seriously even though the product is provided by MOZA Racing.
“Worth Buying” or “Not” depends on the person!
MOZA R5 bundle meets the needs for Persons who thinks FFB doesn’t need that much torque, but needs of wanting a smooth direct drive FFB and a high level of mechanical texture,
Worth buying for
・People who think “I’ve been playing with an entry-level racing contorller like the G29 for a long time and am happy with it. I’m considering buying a new one soon. I don’t play on PlayStation.”
・People who use a folding cockpit, don’t have plans to introduce a heavy-duty cockpit in the future, and don’t need high torque, so they want a smooth and quiet direct drive FFB.
The quick release has a solid mechanical design and processing and is rigid. I also think the overall texture is good. In addition, I feel that FFB comes out beautifully. It is common to the whole direct drive, but the operation sound is quiet.
Concern
If you feel that 5.5Nm is unsatisfactory, it is not a system like F company’s that can increase FFB by purchasing an additional boost kit, so it is essential to replace the wheelbase. If you would like to upgrade your pedals to a load cell model, as of December 2022 there is no option for load cell brake pedals. (If MOZA Racing sells this, one problem will be solved.)
If you want MOZA Racing, there are R9, R16, R21, SRP pedals and CR-P pedals. With Fanatec, you have the option of increasing the FFB to 8Nm by purchasing an additional booster kit for CSL DD or GT DD PRO, so please consult with your budget before making a decision.
Is MOZA R5 worth buying? If you can afford to spend $599 on a racing controller, why not buy a model with a slightly higher FFB torque like R9? Can’t you choose a model with a load cell for the pedals? And you may try to think about it once.
Regarding the MOZA R5 bundle, compared to the 5Nm FANATEC CSL DD/GT DD PRO, the mechanical precision and strength seem to be higher. On the other hand, if you think about the future that you can’t purchase options to strengthen FFB like the booster kit of CSL DD or GT DD PRO. There was also a point that I felt. If you are worried about these two companies, I think it is very annoying because there are advantages and disadvantages. Please carefully consider the explanations and evaluations of various people! !
Every product has advantages and disadvantages.
Believe in your own feeling considering usage and environment. And finally please purchase what you think is best for you!
Lastly, it was provided by MOZA Racing.
After reading the above, if you think “Isn’t the R5 good for your purpose?”, I think it’s worth buying for you.
I would be happy if you could give me a “upvote” (*^_^*)
