With the recently announced R3, MOZA finally offers a Direct Drive steering wheel for Xbox consoles (and PC). After the outstanding R5 was completely convincing in our test, the cheaper model now also has to prove itself.
Technical data
| The product | R3 Bundle |
| Platform | PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One |
| Force feedback drive system | Direct Drive |
| Maximum force | 3.9 Nm |
| Maximum steering angle | Infinite rotations |
| Steering material | Aluminum |
| Steering wheel material | Aluminum & microfiber leather |
| Steering wheel size | 11 inch (28 cm) |
| Steering wheel buttons | 22 |
| Steering wheel RPM display | 10 RGB LEDs |
| Pedals material | High-strength steel |
| Pedal sensor | Hall sensor |
| Pedal configuration | Individually adjustable |
| Price: | € 343.00 * |
MOZA R3 Bundle: Scope of delivery and assembly
The MOZA R3 Bundle comes with everything that budding virtual racing professionals need. The large box contains the ES steering wheel in Xbox layout. Underneath you will find the MOZA R3 Wheelbase, as well as the pre-assembled SRP Lite pedals, which consist of brake and gas pedal pedals.
The scope of delivery is rounded off by a table bracket and, of course, all the necessary screws and cables. There is also an optional clutch pedal (SR-P Lite Clutch Pedal) and the Brake Pedal Performance Kit, which is designed to improve brake response. However, the clutch and add-on are available separately.
Assembly is relatively simple. First, the table bracket needs to be screwed on. To do this, first fit the long screws and then attach the base to the bracket. The composite can then be mounted on the table.
Now all that remains to be done is to connect the cables for power, connection to the PC or console and pedals and insert the steering wheel. The latter is also very easy thanks to the Direct Drive connection: it is attached to the base via a quick release system and can be removed just as easily by simply pushing the ring of the steering wheel forwards when it is switched off.
Design and workmanship
The workmanship of the MOZA R3 bundle is excellent and the steering wheel bundle also looks great. The wheel base is made of aerospace-grade aluminum and feels extremely high-quality. On the back, we find the various labeled connections.
In addition to the USB port for connecting to the PC/console, you will also find the connection for the power cable and the power button. Underneath, you can use all kinds of accessories. In addition to pedals, the R3 can be combined with a manual gearshift, handbrake, a display (Digital Dash) and more via RJ45 plugs.
With a robust steel construction, the pedals also make quite an impression, while the steering wheel with its artificial leather cover is comfortable to hold.
We already know the shape of the steering wheel from the R5 bundle. The only difference is that the variation here is based on the Xbox button designation. Start becomes the Xbox button, CAM and R become LSB and RSB and so on.
With a diameter of 28 cm, it is relatively compact and comes with a practical white 12 o’clock marking, while the lower end is flattened. It has a pleasant grip and sits very comfortably in the hand, while the two paddle shifters on the back have a high-quality feel.
The MOZA R3 bundle in practice
Once the MOZA R3 Bundle has been set up very quickly, it’s time to hit the racetracks. The wheel base is comparatively tiny. The R5’s was already very small, but the R3 is even more compact, but takes up the X design of its R5 counterpart.
This is absolutely remarkable when you consider that a Direct Drive motor is working under the hood. While the base feels absolutely high quality, this is not entirely true of the ES steering wheel.
The lower buttons in particular, such as the radio and Xbox, have a slightly spongy pressure point. In combination with the short pressure point, it sometimes happens that you can’t really feel in a race whether you have pressed the buttons or not. Fortunately, the other buttons offer a much better and more precise pressure point.
Above this is an LED light strip that can be configured on the PC or via the smartphone app and adjusted in terms of color. It serves as a switching indicator and shows when to switch up and down. If desired, the time can also be displayed early or late – very practical.
The shift paddles on the back score points with a pleasant pressure point and good resistance. However, triggering is relatively loud. In general, however, the steering wheel cuts quite a good figure.
In my opinion, the weak point of the bundle are the SR-P Lite pedals. Although their steel construction makes them feel very high-quality, they are noticeably weaker compared to higher-quality pedals from other manufacturers. There are several reasons for this.
One is the comparatively low resistance of the accelerator and brake, which can be a problem with the brake in particular. This ensures that the brake senses a light touch even when it is not actuated, resulting in a constant slight deceleration.
Although this can be easily adjusted in the software by shifting the dead zone, this shortens the brake’s range. In racing simulations, it is essential that the brake pedal responds precisely to inputs and even a slight lift of the foot can be decisive.
This is where the Performance Kit proves to be an absolute game changer, which in my opinion should be included in the scope of delivery and noticeably improves the resistance and response of the brake pedal.
The second problem with the pedals, in my opinion, is the fact that they slip very quickly on smooth surfaces such as laminate flooring due to the rather small and slightly insufficiently grippy rubber pads on the underside.
The rubber pads are only found in the lower area of the pedals, but not on the top. On my floor, the pedal base slipped really badly during the game, which noticeably reduced precision. Of course, this is not a problem in a sim racing rig, but it is definitely a problem when used on the floor if there is no stabilizing wall or similar behind it as a support.
App connection: MOZA Pit House
The MOZA Pit House software of the MOZA R3 Bundle proves to be very practical, even if only on the PC. This allows detailed customization of the steering wheel, base and pedals. Setting up the app is a bit adventurous with a mixture of Chinese characters and English, but once everything is set up, the software scores with its excellent scope.
For example, the maximum steering angle can be set between 90 degrees and 900 degrees, the force feedback of the base can be adjusted and many other parameters can be changed in the detailed settings.
The base settings in particular prove to be very useful. In addition to the strength of the torque, i.e. force feedback, the sensitivity of the road display can also be adjusted – a reduction here is particularly useful when playing rally or off-road games. There are also 7 presets to choose from if you don’t want to bother with the settings yourself.
The settings for the pedals also prove to be useful. In addition to a customizable curve for the response of each individual pedal, they can also be calibrated. The Game Launcher also allows games installed on the PC to be started directly via the software. However, this only works if they are installed and launched via Steam. Unfortunately, this kind of fine-tuning is not possible on Xbox consoles.
Gameplay with the MOZA R3 Bundle
I took a closer look at the MOZA R3 Bundle with various racing games. These include F1 24 (our test), Assetto Corsa Competizione, Forza Horizon 5, Forza Motorsport and EA Sports WRC. In some of the titles, the steering wheel is immediately recognized correctly and you can start driving straight away, but in F1 24 and ACC I first had to set it up manually.
The R3 cuts a very good figure on asphalt (or gravel). Above all, the advantages of the Direct Drive are quickly noticeable, especially if you are used to other steering wheels such as the Logitech G923 or similar.
Not only is the transmission of force feedback extremely strong and direct, but the feeling when driving is also noticeably closer to that of a real car. The fact that the R3, with a torque of 3.9 Nm, is set significantly lower than the R5 with 5 Nm or even the R12 (12 Nm) is hardly noticeable in practice.
However, FFB clipping, i.e. the cutting off of the tips during force feedback, occurs more quickly, but this can be counteracted with the software. Reducing the FFB by 10-20 percent quickly remedies this.
The force feedback feels very strong and gives you an excellent feeling for the weight of the cars. At the same time, after a short period of familiarization, the result is an incredibly precise and convincing driving experience which, thanks to the motor, is significantly quieter than with belt drives on cheaper steering wheels.
If you are not familiar with the other, more powerful wheel bases from MOZA, you will of course not notice the difference. The MOZA R3 Bundle delivers enough power to inspire both beginners and advanced players. In a direct comparison with the Logitech G923 or the popular Thrustmaster T248, the MOZA steering wheel clearly has the edge.
Especially on Xbox consoles, which benefit from the steering wheel’s full range of functions and can use the feature set without restrictions. The R3 also cuts a very good figure on the PC, where the majority of my test took place – although the minimal surcharge for the R5 bundle is worthwhile in my opinion, as this delivers even better performance.
MOZA R3 Bundle test: Conclusion
With the MOZA R3 Bundle, the manufacturer has created an attractively priced package that includes almost everything you need for gaming. Almost, because in my opinion the performance kit for the brake pedal should definitely be included, as it noticeably improves the response and resistance of the brake.
Apart from that, the R3 bundle delivers a convincing feel across the board, which is noticeably superior to cheaper steering wheels or models with a belt drive. And that despite “only” 3.9 Nm of torque. Especially on Xbox consoles, the driving behavior is unparalleled, but the steering wheel bundle also delivers more than enough power on the PC to inspire beginners and advanced players.
However, if you want to accelerate mainly (or exclusively) on the PC, you should consider paying the minimal surcharge for the MOZA R5 bundle, which delivers that little bit more.
Points are deducted for the slightly too slippery rubber coating on the pedals, which makes it somewhat difficult to use without a Playseat or a grip on the back. The lower buttons could also be a little more direct and precise, but apart from that, the MOZA R3 bundle offers a coherent overall package at a price that is well below the comparable competition.
MOZA R3 Bundle
Workmanship
Base
Steering Wheel
Pedals
Force Feedback
Features
Software
Value For Money
91/100
The MOZA R3 Bundle is a convincing direct drive steering wheel for beginners that scores with very good performance and great force feedback. The price-performance ratio is excellent.
