Oplite S8 Infinity Force Review
A well-finished tubular cockpit with a fantastic bucket seat, impressive rigidity and a price that makes it difficult to ignore.
I’ve been a fan of Oplite’s S-series cockpits for quite some time. Having previously reviewed the S1 and the original S8 Infinity, I was interested to see what Oplite had changed with the new S8 Infinity Force.
At first glance, the overall concept remains familiar. You still get a tubular steel frame, a distinctive design and a comfortable bucket seat. The main difference is the additional reinforcement intended to improve rigidity when using more demanding sim racing hardware.
And then there’s the price.
At âŦ550 for the complete cockpit and seat package, the S8 Infinity Force offers an interesting alternative to more expensive setups. Not only does it look good, but it also combines a well-finished frame with one of the most comfortable bucket seats I’ve tested.
So, let’s take a closer look.
đļ Price & What’s Included
At âŦ550, the Oplite S8 Infinity Force occupies an interesting position in the cockpit market. It’s not an entry-level product, but the complete package offers a lot for the money.
You get the tubular frame, bucket seat, Force reinforcement, mounting hardware, assembly tools and the accessories needed to put everything together.
What I particularly appreciate is that Oplite hasn’t compromised on the seat to keep the price down. A comfortable, well-finished bucket seat can make a substantial difference to the overall experience, and it’s one of the strongest points of this package.
When you consider the construction, finish, seat and reinforcement together, the S8 Infinity Force offers a combination that’s difficult to match at this price.
đī¸ Design and Build Quality
The S8 Infinity Force uses a tubular steel frame with tubes measuring approximately 4.8 cm in diameter. The glossy finish gives it a clean appearance, while the white frame and Oplite branding help it stand out from more conventional cockpit designs.
The paintwork looks good and feels reasonably resistant to scratches. The decals sit flush with the finish, and details such as the mounting hardware and rubber feet contribute to an overall impression of quality.
The pivoting rubber feet are particularly welcome. Besides helping the cockpit sit securely on the floor, they also help dampen vibrations and reduce noise during use.
The cockpit measures approximately 130 cm long, 60 cm wide and 105 cm high. It isn’t the smallest tubular cockpit around, but the footprint remains manageable for a permanent home setup.
At 40 kg, however, it’s not something you’ll want to move around too frequently. If you need to reposition your cockpit regularly, caster wheels are worth considering.
Overall, I think Oplite has done a good job with the design. The S8 Infinity Force looks like a complete product rather than a basic frame with a seat attached, and its styling is one of its more appealing characteristics.
𧹠Rigidity and Stability
Rigidity is one of the most important aspects of any cockpit, particularly when using direct-drive wheelbases and load-cell pedals.
The original S8 Infinity was already a capable cockpit, but the frame could flex when considerable force was applied to the pedals. The Force edition addresses this with additional reinforcement, and the difference is noticeable during testing.
đĻļ Pedal mounting rigidity
With the Logitech G Pro pedals, I experienced virtually no movement during normal driving. Even when applying considerably more force than I would typically use, the remaining movement was limited to around a millimetre.
The Sim-Lab XP1 pedals produced a similar result, with slightly more movement visible in the footage.
The important difference compared with the original S8 Infinity is that the frame tubes no longer flex in the same way under pressure. The small amount of movement that remains comes primarily from the front attachment of the pedal plate.
For a tubular cockpit, that’s an impressive result. The pedal platform should be suitable for everything from entry-level pedals to more demanding standalone pedal sets.
đšī¸ Wheelbase rigidity
The wheelbase holder also benefits from the Force reinforcement.
With the Logitech RS50 at 8 Nm, I couldn’t feel any significant movement while driving. There was a small amount visible in the footage, but it wasn’t something that distracted me during normal use.
The 18 Nm Fanatec revealed more movement, particularly when cornering. Nevertheless, the cockpit remained manageable, and the reinforcement made a noticeable difference to the stability of the chassis.
The Force design adds anchor points between the lower frame and the wheelbase holder. This reduces movement in the main chassis, leaving most of the remaining movement in the upper, segmented wheelbase support.
Oplite rates the wheelbase holder for 25 Nm and above. I haven’t tested it at that torque level, so I can’t independently verify the claim. Based on the results at 18 Nm, however, the performance was encouraging.
The S8 Infinity Force demonstrates that a well-designed tubular cockpit can offer a surprisingly high level of rigidity without requiring an aluminium profile construction.
It’s a meaningful improvement over the original, particularly for anyone planning to use a more powerful wheelbase or upgrade their pedals in the future.
đ Stability on the floor
Another aspect I appreciated during testing was how quiet the cockpit remained.
The pivoting rubber feet help absorb vibrations and reduce the amount of noise transferred to the floor. Even on a wooden floor, I found the cockpit pleasantly quiet during use.
It’s a small detail, but one that can make a difference if your setup is in a shared living space.
âī¸ Configuration and Adjustability
The S8 Infinity Force offers a good range of adjustment across the seat, wheelbase holder and pedal plate. This allows you to accommodate different driving positions, although there are a few limitations worth mentioning.
đšī¸ Wheelbase adjustment
The wheelbase holder consists of three sections, allowing you to adjust both its height and inclination.
The height ranges from approximately 63 to 70 cm, while the holder can be tilted upwards or downwards by around 30 degrees.
That’s a useful range of adjustment for a tubular cockpit, making it easier to find a comfortable steering position.
đĻļ Pedal adjustment
The pedal plate is mounted on two brackets that slide along the base frame. Both the brackets and the plate can be moved forwards and backwards, providing approximately 20 cm of adjustment.
The inclination can be adjusted from a flat position to around 30 degrees of positive inclination.
There is one limitation, though. Although the plate could theoretically be reversed to provide a negative inclination, doing so leaves insufficient room between the pedals and the seat to make this practical.
This is worth considering if you prefer a more laid-back pedal angle. When I tested the Sim-Lab XP1 pedals, their near-vertical orientation caused some strain in my ankles.
Pedals with their own inclination adjustment, or those designed with a backward angle, are less likely to present the same problem.
đĒ Seat adjustment
The seat slides forwards and backwards by approximately 20 cm, allowing you to adjust the distance to the pedals and steering wheel.
Its inclination can also be adjusted by up to 24 degrees in either direction.
Oplite specifies a recommended user height of 150â210 cm and a maximum user weight of 150 kg.
Combined with the adjustment available at the wheelbase and pedal plate, there’s enough flexibility to accommodate a wide range of drivers.
đĒ Seat and Comfort
The seat is arguably one of the biggest highlights of the S8 Infinity Force.
It’s made from a single fibreglass-reinforced piece and feels sturdy, with attractive stitching and Oplite branding on both the front and rear. The finish complements the rest of the cockpit nicely.
More importantly, it’s extremely comfortable.
The padding strikes a good balance between softness and support, while the bolstering helps keep you comfortably positioned without feeling overly restrictive.
I’ve tested quite a few cockpit seats over the years, and this is one of the best I’ve experienced. I wouldn’t feel the need to change anything about it.
That’s particularly impressive at this price point. The seat isn’t simply an acceptable addition to the frame; it’s a genuine selling point in its own right.
The solid seat rails also allow you to adjust your position without compromising the overall feel of the setup.
đĨī¸ Accessories and Expansion Options
Oplite offers a vast array of additional accessories to expand the functionality of the S8 Infinity Force. I was able to try out some of them.
đĨī¸ Display holder
The display holder supports screens up to 57 inches and a maximum weight of 30 kg. It can be moved forwards and backwards by approximately 10 cm, with two height settings separated by around 5 cm.
The monitor brackets provide another 20 cm of height adjustment, and the screen can be tilted downwards slightly.
I also appreciate the inclusion of cable channels, which help keep the installation tidy.
There is one drawback to the integrated design, though. When using strong force feedback, the display holder can vibrate, particularly during cornering. The rubber feet help dampen the effect, and I didn’t find it excessive, but a separate monitor stand will generally provide a more stable solution.
Edit: Oplite does have a solution for the integrated display holders in the form of the ScreenLock Pro. This addition is created to eliminate the vibrations almost completely. I will be testing this addition soon.
Oplite also offers an upper mount for an additional telemetry screen, supporting displays up to 34 inches and 20 kg. A triple-screen holder is available as well, although I couldn’t test it due to space and display limitations.
đŽ Shifter and handbrake holder
The optional shifter holder can be mounted on either the left or right side of the cockpit.
Its wide mounting plate provides room for a shifter and handbrake, while the various mounting points help accommodate hardware that attaches from underneath.
The brackets also provide adjustment in several directions, making it easier to position the controls to suit your setup.
The left/right mounting option may also be useful for certain flight simulation configurations.
đ Footprint and Compatibility
The S8 Infinity Force measures approximately 130 Ã 60 Ã 105 cm and weighs around 40 kg.
Oplite lists compatibility with hardware from Fanatec, MOZA, Thrustmaster, Logitech, Turtle Beach, Asetek and Revosim.
However, my tests with the Sim-Lab XP1 pedals show that you’re not necessarily limited to the brands listed by the manufacturer. As always, it’s worth checking the mounting pattern and dimensions of your specific hardware before purchasing.
The cockpit’s relatively compact footprint is another advantage. It provides a substantial frame and comfortable seating without requiring the space occupied by some larger aluminium profile setups.
đ Final Verdict
I’ve always liked Oplite’s S-series cockpits, and the S8 Infinity Force builds on that foundation in a meaningful way.
The additional reinforcement improves rigidity, making it a better match for more demanding hardware, while the original strengths remain intact. The cockpit looks great, the construction feels solid, and the bucket seat is genuinely excellent.
But what makes the S8 Infinity Force particularly interesting is the price. At âŦ550 for the complete package, the combination of a sturdy frame, a comfortable bucket seat and a polished finish is difficult to match.
There are compromises, particularly when it comes to pedal plate inclination and the movement of the integrated display holder under strong force feedback. Neither is a major problem for everyone, but both are worth considering before making a purchase.
For me, the Force upgrade is money well spent. The original S8 Infinity was already a cockpit I enjoyed, and Oplite has improved its rigidity without losing the qualities that made it appealing.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, stylish and capable tubular cockpit that leaves room for hardware upgrades without pushing the price into premium territory, the S8 Infinity Force deserves a place on your shortlist.
Extra resources:
- đĨVideo review
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