The sim racing hardware market has long been dominated by just a few major players, with Fanatec sitting comfortably atop the throne when it comes to mid-range direct drive wheels. However, a new challenger by the name of Moza Racing has burst onto the scene in the last couple years, rapidly expanding their ecosystem of pedals, wheelbases, and rims to offer a compelling alternative for PC users.

One of their most exciting new releases is the Moza GS formula rim, which takes direct aim at Fanatec’s venerable Formula V2.5 wheel. I’ve been fortunate enough to test drive the GS extensively across a wide variety of sim titles. Read on for my full review of this impressive new rim and how it stacks up against the competition.

Overview of the Moza GS Wheel

Right out of the gate with unboxing, the Moza GS makes a strong first impression conveying a sense of quality construction beyond its reasonable circa $450 price point. Here are the key specs and features that stood out to me:

Key Features and Specifications

• 300mm suede grip wheel rim – Perfect size for both open wheel and GT3 cars
• Dual magnetic shifter paddles w/ clutch – Crisp, tactile shifts plus excellent launch control
• 10 backlit RGB buttons – Fully customizable colors add to sense of personalization
• High quality metal rotaries and switches – Precisely machined with excellent feel
• RGB rev lights – Front-facing strip keeps you aware of rpm limit
• Carbon fiber front plate – Light yet extremely sturdy wheel mounting
• Excellent QR derived from motorsports – Near zero flex, perfect wheel swapping

Right away, the GS checks all the boxes you would expect from a high quality formula rim. The materials, construction quality, components, and features appear well sorted.

Visually, Moza aimed for a stealthy, understated look accentuated by glimpses of colorful teal rather than going all-out on aggressive styling. I’m a fan of this refined style, but looks are subjective.

Fortunately, the GS avoids any major aesthetic missteps and comes off as handsome piece of sim racing hardware you’ll be proud to bolt onto your rig.

Unboxing and Contents

Cracking open the packaging reveals clues that Moza focused on nailing the out-of-box experience. The wheel arrives neatly encased in custom molded foam and wrapped in a soft cloth dust cover.

Nestled neatly into specific spots you’ll find the quick release, tools, extra hardware, and manuals – no loose parts rolling around. It’s a small touch but representative of the care put into the product as a whole.

Testing the Moza GS Wheel

But enough about first impressions – now let’s get down to how this formula rim actually performs where it matters most: driving on the sim rig.

I tested the GS extensively across a wide swath of racing titles on PC including iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, RaceRoom, and more. Here’s what stood out:

Simple Installation and Setup

Getting the GS mounted up and running only takes moments thanks to Moza’s excellent quick release – derived directly from designs proven in real world motorsport.

Other brands would do well to follow Moza’s lead here (I’m looking at you, Fanatec). The simplicity and stability provided eases worries about getting your expensive gear properly configured.

After slapping it on my test Moza R9 wheelbase, the Moza Pit House software immediately recognized the rim and allowed quick customization of settings like clutch paddle mode and joystick directional detection.

Extremely Customizable RGB Lighting

I figured the backlit buttons lighting up when powered on was a basic feature, but discovered an extensive array of lighting customization that brought a true sense of personalization.

Being able to quickly assign a unique color to each of the 10 backlit buttons made the GS feel like my wheel. I set up color combinations to match various cars I drive regularly.

You can also control brightness and effects applied to the RPM rev strip without any software required. The only downside is the rev lights could be considerably brighter – they fade into the background too easily.

Driving Experience and Force Feedback

Enough about lights – time to go racing! Right away I noticed the Goldilocks-just-right 300mm rim diameter. Smaller 270mm Formula rims leave me feeling a bit cramped in hands and overloaded in heavy cornering.

The suede grips strike a nice balance between comfort and grip without becoming slippery when hands sweat. My only critique would be slightly thicker grips might fit a broader range of hand sizes more comfortably.

Mounted on my Moza R9 wheelbase, the precise machining and construction of the GS translated every nuance of force feedback directly into my hands.

I was able to dial in the force feedback to feel nearly identical to my previous CSL DD in terms of smoothness and detail after only minimal tweaking. This consistency across titles shows Moza nailed the software side too.

Shifters, Paddles, and Buttons

Now on to the business side of driving where you need easily accessible, precise controls on tap at all times without looking away from the track.

The signature magnetic paddle shifters feel amazing with just the right amount of resistance and snap back. They are quite loud by default, but included sound dampening pads transform them into subtler clicks.

I’m thrilled to see dual clutch paddles becoming standard – they are essential for consistent lightning fast starts. Between the auto clutch and handy bite point settings, my Formula Ford launch control improved massively.

Thumbs fall naturally onto the ridged metal thumbwheels and toggles. Each distinct notch provides enough force feedback to prevent accidental changes while remaining easy enough to turn precisely mid-race.

My only complaint is that the joysticks lack true analog input and rotate functionality compared to funky switches. But I appreciate the inclusion of joysticks nonetheless.

Build Quality and Rig Mounting

Build quality shines through with every component conveying durability and military-grade precision manufacturing. I detected no unwanted play, flex, or movement that would degrade the driving experience.

The quick release system in particular stands out – derived directly from professional motorsport designs, it provides rock solid stability once mounted to the wheel base. I never once worried about my expensive gear coming loose.

Combined with the relatively small footprint, the GS maximizes ergonomicmonitor positioning and overall immersion compared to larger wheel bases.

Comparisons to Other Wheels

The Moza GS enters a crowded field full of established competitors, so how does it stack up?

Moza GS vs. Fanatec Formula V2.5

Obviously the GS takes inspiration from Fanatec’s formula rim offerings. But crucially, Moza avoids producing a mere knock-off and succeeds in evolving the tried and tested design.

Notably, the GS trumps the Formula V2.5 with it’s excellent quick release, dual clutch paddles, larger 300mm rim, and extensive lighting options. At around the same $450 price point, the GS proves highly competitive.

Moza GS vs. Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2

Fanatec’s GT3 rim comes in $100 cheaper but feels noticeably less premium in materials and construction. The size matches well and it could serve as a budget alternative. However, the overall quality and performance of the GS shines through.

Moza GS vs. Simagic Formula Rims

Venturing into more premium territory, Simagic makes excellent rims but availability issues persist. The somewhat utilitarian styling also lacks the refinement of the GS. For those not locked into the Simagic ecosystem, the GS warrants strong consideration on features, performance and value.

Moza GS vs. Cubesim Formula Rims

Cubesim produces high-end bespoke rims with ultra realistic materials and features. But you pay for it dearly with prices often 2-3X higher than the GS. The Moza provides 80% of the functionality at a fraction of the cost.

Conclusion and Recommendation

After dozens of hours testing the Moza Racing GS across a wide variety of driving scenarios and racing titles, I’m thoroughly impressed with both the quality and competitive value proposition.

For existing Moza ecosystem owners, the GS becomes a no-brainer purchase as their premier formula-style rim option.

Even for those running other brands of bases, the GS warrants strong consideration given its competitive pricing and performance comparable to more established players.