Logitech G29 vs G920 Racing Wheel
One of the best sim racing gear companies in the market, Logitech caters to the novice sim racer. Their equipment is rather inexpensive, yet most of them perform well. The Logitech G29/G920 is their most popular wheel, and it’s also one of the best for beginners.
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It is a good sim racing wheel for beginners as it strikes an excellent balance between build quality, affordability, and performance. It provides enough force feedback and has a realistic feel. Another feature that makes it appealing to sim racing newcomers is the fact that it is compatible with the majority of racing games on the market such as iRacing, as well as more simcade choices, such as Gran Turismo Sport.
The G29 is backwards compatible with both the PS4 and the upcoming PS5. In terms of internal specifications, it is the same as the G920. The G920 is, as you would expect, compatible with the Xbox One and the forthcoming Xbox Series X. Both of these wheels are PC-compatible. The design is the primary distinction between the two. Some say that the G29 looks much cooler than the G920, which explains why it can cost a little bit more.
Looking at the pricing and what you receive, you can obtain a nice set of not just a wheel and pedals, but also a gear shifter, which is pretty much everything a novice needs for sim racing for a reasonable price. But first, let’s take a closer look at the steering wheel and pedals, as well as why we think this is such fantastic value for money.
Racing Wheel
The wheel looks fantastic right away. It features a gorgeous leather-style finish around the wheel rim, which feels pleasant and realistic while still looking amazing. There’s also a cool blue band at the top, which not only looks good but also makes it easier to feel for the top of the wheel.
The wheel has all of the buttons found on the PS4/Xbox controller, as well as a few more. There are the standard trigger buttons. However, they are situated on the front of the wheel rather than the rear of the controller. There are also plus and minus buttons. All these can be configured in-game to do anything you want, so having some extra functionality is nice.
A dial that revolves 360 degrees may be used to modify things on the go. Aside from the PS4/Xbox button and an enter button in the middle, the wheel also features the usual share and settings buttons. There are two paddle shifters at the rear of the wheel, which are contained in some of the nicest sections of the wheel physically. These are composed of metal and look and feel fantastic. When they are pushed toward you, they produce a gratifying click, and they truly make you feel like you’re driving an actual racing vehicle.
In between the paddle shifters, on the front of the wheel, there’s also a series of RPM lights. These illuminate as you speed up, providing an excellent indication of when to shift up and down. It also adds to a realistic feel as it is one that may be seen on the genuine steering wheels of certain racing vehicles, such as those used in F1.
The wheel has a good-sized body that connects to whatever you’ve got set up owing to its two easy clamps. These aren’t the most secure, and they wobble a little when used alone, however, there are screw holes in the base for appropriate supports.
The wheel comes with two cables: one for power and one for connecting to your PS4/Xbox. Other connections for pedals and gear shifters are available underneath, and they are all nicely organized thanks to some basic but efficient cable management.
Pedals
At first appearance, they seem to be what you’d expect, with a plastic base and a very normal configuration. They come in a set of three, each with its own gas, brake, and clutch. As a result, they are a flexible set in that you may utilize them manually or map the clutch to a certain function in-game. They are also potentiometer pedals, which are the most basic kind of sim racing pedals on the market. This is not to say they aren’t good enough, especially for beginners.
The pedal faces are constructed of metal with a few rubber patches for traction. They can be adjusted to a variety of configurations to suit your needs. They each have three horizontal locations to pick from, which is useful if you accidentally hit one of them while pushing another. Regrettably, there is no vertical or angular adjustment.
Other than the horizontal location, there is no adjustability available. However, for beginners, this is all that is required. If you wish to mount the pedals to an appropriate stand, the base also contains several screw holes. They come with a single cable that connects to the steering wheel, removing the need for additional wire management.
Gear Shifter
The gear shifter can be obtained for a reasonable price. It has six forward speeds as well as a push-down reverse gear. However, for most high-speed racing games, paddle shifters are handier and are significantly quicker.
So, unless you want to try a stick shift or appreciate the experience of physically changing gears, the gear shifter is not really a required upgrade. Some like the novelty of it, and you don’t need to use it while it’s plugged in. It doesn’t take up much room, but it doesn’t have the best attachment method, therefore it is highly advisable to obtain a good stand to support it.
Overall, given the cheap price, the set seems to be rather nice. It feels good to use, and you’ll grow accustomed to it and figure out what type of arrangement works best for you over time. The simplicity of use is perfect for beginners, yet it isn’t so inexpensive that you feel the need for an upgrade after two weeks of playing.
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Buying Guide
One of the most crucial factors to consider when purchasing a sim racing wheel is the strength and quality of the force feedback it provides. In the beginning, you may probably concentrate less on this since you won’t have something to compare things to. As a result, it is advisable to just choose an option that balances affordability and performance, which the Logitech G29/G920 Racing Wheel excels at.
Mechanism
The G29/G920 is a sim racing wheel with a gear-driven system that enhances the torque of the engine through a series of cogs. The gear mechanism is the least expensive and, as a result, the least technologically sophisticated. However, it is an excellent pick for novices.
You don’t need to worry about torque values at this point since as a novice, you’ll struggle to manage anything beyond 10Nm. The G29’s force feedback may be rather powerful when the in-game settings are turned up, but it works quite well on the low to mid-levels, providing a genuine sensation without too much opposing force. It has a lock-to-lock rotation of 900 degrees or more out of the box
The clunking sound of the gears grinding together, which sometimes occurs when you spin off the track or suffer significant under or oversteer, is the only disadvantage we have discovered with the G29’s gear-driven drivetrain. This may sound like the internals of the wheel are disintegrating, but this is exactly what occurs with a gear-driven device.
It doesn’t necessarily take anything away from the experience, and it’s more important to know that the wheel isn’t broken! In regular racing, you won’t notice any clunking, and even if you do, you’ll get used to it after one or two occurrences. Plus, as you improve at the games, you should have less experience with them!
Feel
Another excellent feature of this wheel and pedal combo is that it has three pedals. It has a gas and brake pedal, as well as a clutch pedal for individuals who like to operate manual transmissions. Because it is a mass-market and popular wheel, it is almost compatible with every racing game you can think of. So there’s no reason to be concerned about it.
The Logitech G29/G920 Racing Wheel has a respectable braking feel, but as you get accustomed to it, you’ll definitely notice a little less realism than you’re hoping for. However, for novices, the brake pedal feels excellent and provides enough resistance.
The accelerator is very comfortable. It has a decent feel and adequate travel. The general feel of the pedal faces is decent as well, however, they work best with shoes on, since they don’t provide the optimum grip with only socks.
In terms of general performance in-game, the G29/G920 does an excellent job of providing the gamer with a high degree of realism without overcomplicating things. The force feedback is adequate and can be fine-tuned using in-game options. The pedals also feel and work well, and the little flexibility they do provide is more than adequate for most beginners.
It’s covered in leather and smells fantastic. It smells just like a new automobile. We know it’s a little detail, but it’s quite nice. The leather is hand-stitched and aids in wheel grip.
Installation
Mounting the wheel and pedals is a breeze. For those who want to use it at a desk, the wheel includes desk clamps that will fit most workstations. If you want to install it on a cockpit, there are plenty of mounting holes at the bottom of the wheel that make it a breeze to install.
Because it is a popular wheel, it can be found in almost every cockpit. When it comes to the pedals, they have a retractable carpet grip that does a good job of keeping them securely in place. If you set them on standard wood or tile floors, you’ll need to put something behind them to keep them from shifting. The brake pedal takes a lot of force to fully depress, so you’ll definitely send them flying if you don’t. The paddle shifters on the wheel are brushed stainless steel. They have a nice click to them, however, they are not nearly as tactile as newer and slightly higher-end models.
What are the limitations of the Logitech G29/G920 Racing Wheel?
To be perfectly honest, there aren’t many drawbacks when you consider the wheel’s price and mass-market availability. However, there are a few things to bear in mind, particularly if you want to go seriously into sim-racing.
The wheel’s gear-driven mechanism restricts not just the quantity but also the quality of force feedback that may be sensed. This wheel’s force feedback is likewise subpar. It may seem jerky at times and be incredibly loud depending on whether you hit a curb or anything similar.
The most significant disadvantage has been the pedals, notably the brake. Though the pedals themselves are stainless steel and look good, the plastic shell detracts from their feel and appearance. The brake pedal is based on a potentiometer, which means it calculates how much you want to break depending on how far the pedal has moved. This does not really represent how an actual automobile feels.
Which is better, the G29 or the G920?
The Logitech G920 is a somewhat worse variant of the Logitech G29. It’s still a terrific wheel, and it’s the only Logitech choice for Xbox One owners. In terms of overall performance, though, if you play on PC, you’d be better off with a G29.
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Is the Logitech G29 a good buy?
Overall, the G29 and G920 wheel and pedal sets aren’t terrible for the price, but they won’t suit everyone. I would suggest this wheel to any young person needing a wheel to play Forza, Grand Turismo, or any other comparable sim-cade game on the market.
Conclusion
The Logitech G29/G920 sim racing wheel and pedal combination is an excellent alternative for newcomers to one of the most popular gaming sports. While it has several restrictions, it nevertheless provides a lot of realism and usefulness for a low-budget game. The wheel and pedals are compatible with the majority of sim racing games, ranging from arcade games to high-end simulators. Not only does the G29/G920 look beautiful, but it also has a lot of utility, including respectable force feedback and a genuine racing feel. It is well-made and should last you for many years.
Overall, the G29 and G920 wheel and pedal sets aren’t terrible for the price, but they won’t suit everyone. We suggest this wheel to any youngster or young adult who wishes to use a wheel to play Forza, Gran Turismo, or any other comparable sim-cade game on the market. These games do not need extreme accuracy, and this wheel will enable you to make a decent start in online racing without making too many sacrifices.