Following SRT’s very timely review of the Logitech G27 steering wheel, the product has now been officially announced by Logitech.
The G27 picks up where the very popular G25 left off, improving several complaints about its predecessor and adding a bunch of features such as new buttons, the LCD meter as well as the addition of a helical gear system to the Force Feedback system.
Features:
- Dual-motor force feedback mechanism with helical gearing: Experience traction loss, weight shift, and road feel recreated smoothly and accurately, while enjoying the exceptionally quiet steering action.
- RPM/shift indicator LEDs: Keep an eye on the indicator panel to know just when to shift gears for maximum torque (in supported games).
- Sixteen programmable buttons plus D-pad: Map useful game functions to locations that make sense to you—whether on the wheel itself or on the shift module.
- 900-degree wheel rotation: Turn 2.5 times around lock-to-lock, just as you would behind the wheel of many real cars.
- Ultra-precise optical encoding: A sensor constantly tracks the wheel, ensuring that any movement you make is reflected in-game, without dead zones or lag.
- Carpet grip system: Retractable teeth flip down to keep the pedals from sliding around on carpeting.
- Realistic 11” (28cm) wheel with leather-wrapped rim: Enjoy true-to-life racing experience from the start line to the checkered flag.
- Six-speed shifter with push-down reverse gear: Quickly select exactly the right gear for the turn or the straightaway.
- Steel gas, brake, and clutch pedals: Sturdy true-to-life pedals deliver precise throttle, braking, and shifting control for heightened realism.
- Steel ball bearings: Two sets of solid steel ball bearings support the wheel shaft, for superb performance and long-term reliability.
- Hard points: All three components (wheel console, pedals, and shifter module) can be bolted to a table other surface for a solid racing experience.
- Platform and game support: Works with PC, PlayStation®2, and PLAYSTATION®3 racing games, including Gran Turismo® 5 Prologue.
While the G27 has been improved in many ways, Logitech has lost one important feature, getting rid of the sequential gear shifter option which is very sad for sim racers that love to drive sports cars or touring car machinery. Furthermore, the cry for Xbox 360 compatibility has not been answered as the G27 is again confined to the PC and the Playstation 3.
Our friends over at SimHQ.com have written up an extensive review that is very much worth to be read. The Logitech G27 will go on sale in September, selling for 299 Euros/Dollars, the exact same price tag that Fanatec has put on their Porsche 911 GT3 RS wheel & Clubsport Pedal combo.
Below are two ultra high-resolution shots of the new wheel, letting you check out the new gear in full detail.
ral42
August 17th, 2009 at 19:17
Looks nice. I’ll stick with my G25 until it dies or I find someone to give it to, but those additional buttons on the wheel would be useful. I never saw the point in using a shifter just to push it up or down, so no problem there – as long as the paddles work my sequential needs are satisfied.
One thing that would be nice is an option to buy just the wheel for less $$$, for those of us who already have better pedals and shifters. The wheel is where it’s at. But I guess we’re a tiny minority.
eiwfihaaa
August 17th, 2009 at 19:57
whoops.
cocker
August 17th, 2009 at 20:01
No SMG Stick Shift? What’s the point? For a lot of games like GTR Evolution, the main bulk of cars use a SMG. If it’s supposed to be an ultimate realism wheel then how can it leave that out?
Does anybody know if I can buy just the wheel without the gearbox and pedals? Because then you could just upgrade your G25 for less money. The additional lights and buttons do seem quite good.
tingri
August 17th, 2009 at 21:11
The g25 gearbox is not compatible with the g27 firmware so you can not buy the wheel only
ral42
August 17th, 2009 at 21:42
Ok, if your primary goal is to mimic equipment used in the real world – which is totally reasonable – I can see the point of a sequential shifter.
I just never liked the idea of the sequential shifter, whether it’s in a sim or a real car. To me, there are only two desirable ways to change gears: 1) the H-pattern, for freedom to choose any gear, maximum control of the gear change, and a fun and satisfying experience. 2) Paddles (or less preferably, buttons on the wheel), for the fastest, easiest, and most reliable gear changing (from the minimizing driver error standpoint).
In the real world, does a sequential shifter give any advantages over paddles other than cost, simplicity, or mechanical reliability?
Skazz
August 17th, 2009 at 22:02
First up I think the SRT review was very fair.
In comparison terms, until G25 stocks are exhausted we now have a DFGT for €100, G25 for €200 and at somewhere around €300 we have either a G27 or the Fanatec GT3 RS (although I suspect the G27 will be €250 here in mainland europe). All of these are PC and PS3 only. As SRT point out between their G27 and Fanatec reviews the Logitech wins on compatibility (with games and with peripherals) and has a proven track record of sturdiness (think how many abused G25s are out there doing their thing after nearly 3 years). Fanatec has their belt-driven FFB but it sounds like the helical gears on the G27 offer a viable alternative. Yes, the clubsport pedals are probably a little better, but Logitech now have their own advantages with the G27 pedals.
[The Fanatec Turbo S Clubsport offering all of this and XBox360 support currently retails for €440, which is a big chunk more of course]
At the moment I’d say the G25 is the best value proposition of all at €200 or so, but when stocks run out the G27 will probably have dropped in price a bit. It will also be available in all retail stores, unlike the Fanatec which requires preordering and has limited production runs. I wonder how many guys are interested in a Fanatec but simply can’t be bothered with all the annoyance of preordering and waiting months for theirs to be shipped: They will have a G27 instead.
And now the negatives: Personally I use my G25 shifter in sequential mode a lot. A G27 sound nice in terms of better quality FFB and adjustable pedals, so if my G25 dies on me I’d probably just switch to a G27 and go back to using paddles. No big deal.
cocker
August 17th, 2009 at 22:05
i honestly find an SMG more fun than the paddle shift. It’s less work and faster than an H-pattern shifter. But I find it more fun than the paddles. Paddles are to easy. But it’s always nice to have all the options especially if the previous model had them.
erazor
August 17th, 2009 at 22:35
it costs 350€uro not 299.
see here
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/pc_gaming/wheels/devices/5184&cl=de,de
DevonK
August 17th, 2009 at 22:42
+1 … I was all set to plunk down the cash for this, but no sequential = no sale. FAIL. I will stick with the G25, and look into Fanatec.
modbaraban
August 17th, 2009 at 23:26
Yes. Most cars with bigger steering rotation angle than F1 have the stick. When you have a bit of a moment and ‘fight the wheel’, paddles can be accidentally touched = big crash.
Martin Svensson
August 17th, 2009 at 23:32
Hopefully you can plug the old G25 shifter into the G27 for the sequential shifter. If not, I also think this is a big FAIL! Not very realistic to drive around in a FWD touring car with paddles… And when the BTCC98 mod comes out, I will be playing it all the time… wouldn’t feel good with paddles nor H-shift.
Logitech, have you got a brainfreze or something?! No sequential means no sale!
Gaiajohan
August 17th, 2009 at 23:48
I think seq is more important than H-gate..
jux
August 17th, 2009 at 23:57
Logitech lost the game in my view. It’s crazy how the G27 is in the same price range as the Fanatec GT3 RS + Clubsport pedals combo. Saying that the Clubsports are “probably a little better” is the understatement of the year. G25 pedals are utter crap compared to those, in build quality, feel and everything. The Clubsports are designed to last for years.
They didn’t fix the issues they should have, removed the sequential shifter, introduced a couple new useless features, and increased the price. I fail to see how that is a worthwhile improvement over the G25.
UncleChuckle
August 18th, 2009 at 00:04
WANT!
DevonK
August 18th, 2009 at 00:05
The Logitech G27 product manager has started a thread on the wheel here, let him know how you feel, I certainly did:
http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showthread.php?t=337582
cocker
August 18th, 2009 at 01:03
I think they should release the G27 as both the ‘whole package(wheel,pedals,gearbox)’ and as a ‘G25 Upgrade (just the wheel)’. Owners of the G25 or other good simulator wheels won’t want to pay all that money for a complete racing set.
Most people who own the G25 probably won’t consider buying it at all. If they released just the wheel for about £50 then I would probably buy it to upgrade the G25, but since they aren’t then I will not buy it and I doubt that a lot of people will buy it.
Howie47
August 18th, 2009 at 04:32
They must of done their research. Because I don’t use the sequential shift. I use the H shift and the paddles. Has some nice upgrades. But I’m not rich enough to upgrade. My G25 works great for now.
UncleChuckle
August 18th, 2009 at 09:59
I’d be sold on the wheel anyway as I’ve always lusted after the top of the line Logitech wheel, but the fact it has a built in shift indicator… That just makes me weep with joy.
Very excited about this wheel.
Ternauwies
August 18th, 2009 at 12:45
I don’t know if this would be more realistic, but it would be nice of there was a vibration motor in the pedals (not like fanatic). In my experience from real-life vehicles when you start the engine you can feel the vibration of the engine on the pedals. I think this would be a good thing to implement. Especially, the feeling on the starting grid when you step on the gas and feel the roaring sound of the engine.
ScHiRoCk
August 18th, 2009 at 14:09
Is there a way to only buy the wheel. Because pedals and shifter are just the same and i won’t buy a complete set just for getting the new wheel. Anyone have some thoughts about this?
I asked this one in a previous thread, can someone answer me AND wtf, they lost the Seq shifting? Hmm, it’s a downgrade of the G25 imo.
moppenheimer
August 18th, 2009 at 14:32
Can you read….asked and answered above.
ral42
August 18th, 2009 at 15:41
modbaraban – thanks for the explanation. I’ve never encountered that problem in a sim but I do keep the steering angle relatively low.
For the folks wanting sequential shifting: maybe helpful info, maybe not, but there are third-party shifters that are way better than the G25’s. (I’m wondering how much better the G27’s is.) The cheapest one I know of is the ACT LABS USB shifter, which does both H-pattern and sequential and comes to $112 if you need the sequential plate for it. This is the one I’ve had for years and it’s good, although I’ve never used it in sequential configuration. Then there are the two Frex shifters: Shift+ sequential only with DIY USB support for $123, and Hshift+ h-pattern (only?) with full USB support for $410 (!).
Paul Kelly
August 18th, 2009 at 15:53
All good information, Ral. But I think the point many of us are trying to make is that Logitech has removed a key feature for many sim racers yet is charging more money for a new package that only has minor upgrades in other areas.
$75 more expensive, no sequential shifter, only minor upgrades to pedals and wheel equal no Logitech G27 sale for many of us.
Raikku
August 18th, 2009 at 17:26
Thanks, I certainly said few strong words there about “No seq-shifting fail”…
ScHiRoCk
August 18th, 2009 at 17:59
Ty moppenheimer
moppenheimer
August 18th, 2009 at 18:23
you rossed the line….he’s at least talking to the community andyou and others are lynching him….if you don’t like don’t buy it, no eed to be an asshole
Raikku
August 18th, 2009 at 18:50
But that really has to be decade’s most stupid decision ever. Why those people doesn’t do market research? Are they too arrogant, and think that they know what ppl want, even without asking them?
Great empires has fallen due arrogance, Logitech is on danger zone due this failure.
ps.I don’t really care if you don’t like my opinion in this case. Free speech you know.
Gaiajohan
August 18th, 2009 at 19:06
What you were saying to just an employee on Logitech doesn’t fall under free speech imo. Nowadays there are a lot of people saying grief and other bad things under the caller ‘free speech’.
You can say the wheel is bad, but attacking a person who’s just an employee is just plain wrong.
Freedom of speech doesn’t mean: “I can attack anyone, because that’s freedom of speech, ghehe”
I just wonder: Why can’t you just think: “This wheel doesn’t have the features I want, so I won’t buy it”. Why do you have to insult people?
Sensekhmet
August 18th, 2009 at 20:54
First of all, the things you mentioned are VERY important. Second, it’s also a matter of regulations. For example group N rally cars are simply not allowed to use sequential transmissions, and S2000 cars are not allowed to use electrohydraulic semi-automatic sequentials with paddle/ring shifters that WRCs use.
Also, let me express my opinion that’d much rather have a big gauge to pull and push on, banging in gears than ‘playstation’ plastic paddles/ring.
However, I kind of miss proper paddles (for WRC and F1) on my DFGT…
ral42
August 18th, 2009 at 23:02
Yes, I agree that those are very important advantages in the real world. However, those particular advantages don’t seem to carry over to the sim world, hence my curiosity about other ones that might. At least, the paddles on my G25 haven’t given me any trouble yet. And they’re made of metal, by the way, not plastic.
You know, when I first got the G25, I never used the paddles. I’m not sure why, except that it may have had something to do with the paddles on my old wheel being pretty mediocre. I used the ACT LABS shifter for fun/immersive shifting and the two buttons on the wheel for fast/competitive shifting. Finally at some point I gave the paddles a fair shot and was surprised at how well they worked after I got used to them (which didn’t take long).
moppenheimer
August 19th, 2009 at 02:55
Being an asshole has nothing to do with free speech, you should never speak to someone the way you did in that thread….It’s embarassing for the rest of us…
Montoya
August 19th, 2009 at 02:57
Guys, please don’t let this get out of hand