Thrustmaster · handbrake
Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod+
Metal Sparco-knob handbrake/sequential shifter with Hall sensor; USB for PC, DIN for Thrustmaster bases
A Sparco-branded metal handbrake that doubles as a sequential shifter, connecting by USB on PC or through Thrustmaster bases on consoles. Built for rally and drift, solid but pricey for a niche control.
AI rating
- Feel
- 7
- Build quality
- 8
- Compatibility
- 7
- Value
- 6
Who it suits
- First rig
- 3
- Console racing
- 6
- Competitive racing
- 5
- Small rooms
- 5
- Tight budgets
- 4
- Enthusiasts
- 6
Scores are AI analysis of public information (specs, manuals, published reviews and owner reports), not a hands-on test. How we rate
Pros and cons
- Analog magnetic sensor for progressive handbrake input
- Switches to sequential shifter mode
- Metal construction with a Sparco grip and adjustable resistance
- About $250 for a niche controller
- Needs a rig mount; the desk clamp struggles with hard pulls
Watch out: On consoles it only works plugged into a Thrustmaster wheel base; with other brands it is PC-only via USB.
What it feels like
- Throw
- Resistance
- Progression
Solid metal lever with a heavy, rally-style knob.
Progressive pull with firm resistance rather than a light, toy-like feel.
Switch it to sequential mode for a short push-pull shifter.
Feels like a real car's handbrake lever, only smaller and not as stiff.
What the TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod+ works with
- Connects by USB on PC, or plugs into a Thrustmaster wheel base, which is how it works on console.
- On PC it works next to any wheel base.
Wheel bases it plugs into
Plugged into one of these, it works on the platforms shown.
| Part | Works on | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Thrustmaster T598 (PS5/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 73 |
| Thrustmaster T598-X (Xbox/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 71 |
| Thrustmaster T248R (PlayStation/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 70 |
| Thrustmaster T818 Direct Drive Base (PC) | PS5XboxPC | 70 |
| Thrustmaster T248 (PlayStation/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 69 |
| Thrustmaster T248 (Xbox/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 68 |
| Thrustmaster T300 RS GT Edition (PlayStation/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 67 |
| Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition (Xbox/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 64 |
| Thrustmaster T-GT II (PlayStation/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 63 |
| Thrustmaster T128 (PlayStation/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 60 |
| Thrustmaster T128 (Xbox/PC) | PS5XboxPC | 58 |
Tech facts
| Sensor | Hall |
|---|---|
| Analog | Yes |
| Sequential mode | Yes |
| Connection | USB (PC) or DIN to supported Thrustmaster base (detachable cable) |
| Software | Thrustmaster drivers/control panel on PC (not verified) |
| Size (W × D × H) | 6 × 10 × 13 in (15 × 25 × 34 cm) |
| Weight | 4 lb (2 kg) |
| Materials | Steel, aluminum and plastic |
Our take
AI analysis of public information, not a hands-on review.
The TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod+ is a mostly metal (about 90% steel and aluminium) lever with a 1:1 Sparco knob, and it works in two orientations: vertical for rally and drift handbrake use, horizontal for GT-style use. It can also be set to sequential shifter mode. Thrustmaster says it uses contactless H.E.A.R.T. Hall-effect sensors, so the pot wear that affects cheaper handbrakes shouldn't apply. At roughly 2 kg, it should stay put when clamped. The Mod+ version has both a USB cable for PC and a DIN cable for supported Thrustmaster bases (T-GT, T300 series on PlayStation; TS-XW and TX series on Xbox). For a first-rig buyer, the key question is the platform. Anyone on PC can use it with any wheel. Console owners need a supported Thrustmaster base, and a T598 isn't listed. Street prices are well above entry-level handbrakes at about $250-280, so it only makes sense if you play rally or drift games. You'll need your own mounting solution, since it has no rig-specific bracket. No power supply is needed. No hands-on testing was done for this analysis.
Questions buyers ask
Does it work on PC with non-Thrustmaster wheels?
Yes. Plug in the USB cable; Thrustmaster lists it as compatible with all PC racing wheels, and it shows up as a separate USB device.
Can I use it on PlayStation or Xbox?
Only through the DIN cable into a supported Thrustmaster base: T-GT and T300 series on PlayStation, TS-XW and TX series on Xbox. Other bases, including the T598, aren't confirmed.
Can it be used as a shifter?
Yes. It has a sequential mode alongside the progressive handbrake mode. Vertical orientation suits rally handbrake use and horizontal suits GT-style use.