Test cockpit simracing Next Level Racing F-GT

Next Level Racing is an Australian brand that has been developing cockpits for flying or racing for years, as well as dynamic motorized systems to enhance sensations. Compatible with steering wheels and pedal sets from Thrustmaster, Logitech, Fanatec and others, Compared to the GT Omega Titan, which we have already tested here, this F-GT, which we are testing today, is in the mid-range of the brand at around $500. Will it be more compact and scalable, offering the comfort and rigidity required for this type of activity?

Buy the Next Level Racing F-GT at the best price

F-GT features

	specifications
Type	Fixed cockpit
Adjustable seat	Front/rear and angle, F1 and GT position
bottom bracket angle	Gradually adjustable
bottom bracket depth	Adjustable by slider
steering wheel adjustment	angle and height
shifter bracket	Included
Handbrake bracket	Not available
screen support	Optional (integrated or separate)
Keyboard and mouse support	Optional
Butt kicker an exercise	Compatible butt kicker
Dimensions	140-170x60x125cm

Assembly: Two positions for the price of one

Count an hour alone to assemble the F-GT Starting from his huge box (almost 40 kg) with the tools provided by the manufacturer. The exercise requires a little patience and a good reading of the instructions, which would have deserved additional explanations at certain stages but are quite effective overall. Also count on little space and good protection of the floor, since the cockpit is large and entirely made of metal, with parts that, with the various manipulations, could easily damage a parquet or laminate floor.

For almost 80% of the assembly, the instructions offer you two alternatives: Mount the cockpit in the GT position with the seat upright, or in the F1 position with the backrest much further back.

Obviously nothing prevents playing an F1 game in GT position and vice versa. The choice is clearly determined by your own feelings, the height of your screen and maybe your size. In the GT position The F-GT can accommodate players between 1.50 and 1.85 meters, with the F1 position intended for a range between 1.60 and 1.90 meters. In either case, the cockpit is not suitable for children, who will have difficulty reaching the pedals and gripping the steering wheel while leaning their backs against the seat back. For them, aim for the Oplite NitroKart instead.

Settings: easily create your ideal position

The setting options of the F-GT are numerouswithout going through the radio button. On the left side of the seat there is a rail system controlled by a joystick with a translation of 15 centimeters back and forth. While the system isn’t quite what you’d find on a GTMega Titan or a real mechanically tuned car, it works reasonably well in the GT position.

In position F1 you have to remove your body weight in order not to go completely backwards because the rail is placed on the seat and not on the horizontal part of the frame. In this case, it is difficult to fight against gravity. So you will notice thatThere is no seat angle adjustment outside of F1 and GT modes. The back nevertheless offers 3 angles, with a system of thumbscrews that can be removed on each side to switch from one position to the other. We’ve seen faster, but it works well.

Like the backrest, the pedal set also offers 6 angular positions adjustable by screw, but this time without a wheel. It is therefore necessary to take out the tools, in this case a pair of wrenches, to move the crankset from a horizontal position to an angle of almost 45° . There are also two sliders per side, which are tightened with Allen screws to adjust the depth of the support depending on the angle. To note that The F-GT does not offer any reinforcement at the end of the crankset, as offered by the GTTRACK of the same brand, which inevitably plays with the rigidity. But we will come back to that.

The F-GT stands out from the tubular models thanks to its steering wheel height adjustment options. We start with the lower part of the support, which can be moved back and forth 15 centimeters with a tool. The two rising stems also offer height adjustment through notches and sliders. Finally, the support plate offers 5 notch rotation. So it’s enough to position your steering wheel precisely, as long as you take the time to pull out the Allen key.

Finally, the shift/handbrake lever finds its place on the dedicated module included, detachable, easily adjustable laterally and in depth and can be placed either on the right or left. And overall the F-GT offers just as many adjustments as the GTTRACK, which should allow anyone to find a comfortable position, with precision if you’re willing to take out a few tools.

Comfort and Performance: Good overall rigidity despite some flexibility

Let’s start with the topic of comfort. With its very thin seat, a far cry from the usual bucket and GT seats, the F-GT had reason to worry about its ability to give us a good fit. However, that thin thickness, dense enough to abs orb the weight of a massive adult

, is perfectly capable of receiving you in good conditions for a few hours of play, of course it is still a good step below a well-adjusted bucket seat, especially in terms of shoulder support, but overall we are satisfied. The F-GT also comes with a rather welcome lumbar cushion in the F1 position, but this is removed in the GT position.

The crankset is therefore supported by a simple axle and its angle adjustment via a mechanical part just over a millimeter thick. This system offers decent stiffness, even with a LoadCell crankset or a big spring, but you have to put up with a degree or two of sag at the end of the race, especially if you use the cockpit in F1 mode with pedal assistance set very high.

On the steering wheel side we also find good rigidity, as long as all the screws are tight to keep the F-GT stationary highly recommended for powerful steering wheels like the GT DD Pro or the T-GT II, ​​​​even the largest direct drive models, but again with a small fore, aft and lateral flexibility of only a few degrees. Nothing that detracts from the fun or performance, but for once you can feel the difference compared to a GTMega Titan or an aluminum profile model.

The fact remains that overall and regardless of whether the cockpit is mounted on feet or wheels, the F-GT offers us absolutely the same rigidity and comfort in GT mode as in F1, which will be perfect for amateur players. Its system of square metal bars withstands high pressure and it is even possible to upgrade its cockpit with support bars to increase tension on the steering wheel, but also with a butt kicker. Next Level Racing would even study to adapt this model to its dynamic systems on cylinders. To have.

Conclusion: The choice of the multi-position

Slightly less comfortable and stiffer than a GTMega Titan, The F-GT presents its many settings and its two GT or F1 positions to position itself as an excellent model around 500 $. It would certainly be a mistake on certain decisions that require you to take out the tools to switch from one setting to another, but overall the F-GT is a healthy model that adapts very well to all body types, all steering wheels like as well as all pedals. For a much lower price than the same brand’s GTTRack, the F-GT makes a less scalable offering, just a little more flexible, but fairly consistent and able to appeal to amateur players even when fitted with large steering wheels.

Buy the Next Level Racing F-GT at the best price

Conclusion

Next Level Racing’s F-GT is a good mid-range cockpit that, if in good condition, can accommodate any steering wheel, pedals and shifter. Its rigidity, while lower than some rivals, is enough to absorb your hits from the steering wheel and other brake pedal climbs, and its comfort is surprisingly much more successful than expected. Above all, its adaptability at all levels and its dual F1 and GT position make the F-GT one of our favorite models in the category.