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Logitech G920 Fast Take
Logitech lately despatched us considered one of their Driving Drive racing wheel and pedal controllers, the Xbox-based G920. The quick model is that the Logitech G920 is priced proper and solely has a number of usability points.
Just like the PlayStation wheel (the G29), the Logitech G920 hits a candy spot. Based mostly on my expertise, Logitech’s Driving Drive wheels will not be as technically proficient or over-engineered because the Thrustmaster or Fanatec wheels. Each of these are modular, direct-drive setups which are superb certainly, however, like the whole lot else on that stage, they’re additionally pricey certainly.
When you go the Fanatec route (which was my outdated wheel), you higher put aside at the very least a grand. Sure, that’s sufficient to purchase a go-kart, and that’s greater than double what an Xbox prices. However, like shopping for a Ferrari, you get numerous efficiency for that money. The Logitech G920 provides you about the identical quantity of efficiency, with the variations starting from the delicate to the inconsequential (kind of). As of this writing, the Logitech G920 will set you again $270 on Amazon.
Logitech G920: What We Preferred
The upsides to the Logitech G920 are many, contemplating the worth level. Here’s what stands out.
Craftsmanship
It’s leather-wrapped and smells identical to a brand new automotive. The leather-based is hand-stitched and helps with gripping the wheel.
Customization & Drive Suggestions
Out of the field, it has 900 plus levels of rotation, lock-to-lock. I like a a lot shorter throw than that, and adjusting it to my most well-liked 190 levels was only a menu possibility away. You may, after all, tweak the power suggestions settings as properly.
On their highest setting (the place I often put them to make issues as immersive as attainable), issues work swell on the G920. All that energy and kickback are despatched to the wheel by way of a dual-motor design with metal ball bearings and overheat safety.
On some surfaces and in some situations, in some video games, you’ll be able to really feel it rattling and attempting to work out which tooth to choose, however like I stated, solely in some situations. More often than not, I’m by no means conscious of the drive mechanism.
Setup & Set up
The wheelbase used the identical mounting gap sample as my outgoing Fanatec. It bolted to the Fanatec wheel/pedal base, used the identical holes, and even the identical thread rely on the bolts. I’m undecided if there’s an business commonplace or something, however this was an enormous time-saver.
The pedals weren’t as direct of an set up job however labored to the place I might mount them to the stand. It’s apparent Logitech’s thought course of right here is that the pedals will (probably) simply be plopped onto a carpeted flooring. There’s a strip of grippy offers to maintain it from sliding round in the event that they’re simply free-standing. After all, mounting them to a wheel/pedal base is most well-liked. When you want some help with this, see this useful information from Logitech.
Logitech G920: What We Didn’t Like
The Logitech G920 has a number of points. Here’s what I’ve run into whereas utilizing my Driving Drive wheel and pedal.
LED Mild Place & Brightness
The ability gentle on the wheel itself is obnoxious. It’s a white LED mounted on the six o’clock spoke that glows when the wheel is powered up. The issue is that it’s method too vivid. I imply manifestly, virtually blindingly vivid. Enjoying in a semi-darkened room virtually renders the wheel unusable. It’s staring you proper within the face, so it’s unimaginable to keep away from
My answer, easy although it might be, was to place blue painter’s tape over the sunshine to dim it down. It took 5 layers of tape earlier than it wasn’t brighter than the TV display. 5! Logitech ought to discover a totally different bulb or take away it solely. I used to be seeing spots for hours.
Stiff Brake Pedal
The second challenge with the Logitech G920 is the brake pedal. This can be a identified challenge, as you’ll be able to inform from the variety of YouTube movies on the subject. Typically talking, you need a agency brake pedal to extra effectively modulate the brakes when they’re proper on the edge of locking up. All severe wheel/pedal controllers have laborious brake pedals – shoot, all severe automobiles, like a Porsche 911, have agency brake pedals.
What Logitech has achieved, it could appear, is put a truncated cone of plastic between the pedal itself and the cease on the finish of the pedal’s journey. There’s a return spring, however that chunk of plastic regulates all of the braking power. I initially thought one thing wanted to be eliminated to get the pedals working, like a protecting delivery pad or one thing. However after poking round on-line, I came upon that no, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. And, to make issues probably worse, the brake pedal is non-adjustable. That’s as stiff as Logitech needs it to be.
Will The Stiff Brake Pedal Trigger Issues?
Now, my left calf is gigantic, and I’ve grown used to the quantity of power wanted to cease. I additionally respect that firmness since I turned the ABS off. Locking the whole lot up, then backing off simply sufficient has turn into virtually second nature.
To this point, I’ve thrashed the daylights out of the Logitech G920, and the whole lot appears to be holding up. I at all times attempt to be mechanically sympathetic (thanks, dad!), so I’m not attempting to bust something on goal. Nonetheless, typically a man can panic, you already know? You may get in too scorching and simply mash the brakes with all ya bought, or begin sawing on the wheel like Mr. Toad in the midst of “His Wild Experience,” however my Logitech G920 has held up.
There’s some creaking now, nonetheless, from the brake pedal after a number of months of every day use. It wasn’t current at first, nevertheless it’s began to point out up step by step. I determine (or hope) that’s from the plastic block deflecting and deforming below stress, not one thing within the bracketry starting to provide method. Solely time will inform.
Can I Repair My Logitech Brake Pedal?
There are tutorials about the way to disassemble your pedals and get that hunk of plastic out, however I made a decision not to do this for a number of causes. One, I like a stiff brake pedal. Two, I determine I ought to be taught to dwell with it for the sake of this evaluate. And three, disassembling the pedals regarded like an actual ache within the keister.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to modify the place of the pedals to the left or proper utilizing a 2.5mm hex key. This may also help with heel-toe maneuvers or enhance your consolation with the pedals.
Ought to You Purchase The Logitech G920?
After a number of months of utilizing the G920 each day, together with testing my expertise as a monster truck driver, I used to be solely capable of finding two points: the brilliant pilot gentle and a too-firm brake pedal. That’s all I might give you as “improper” on this Logitech wheel and pedal setup. That’s kind of like getting one of the best filet mignon you’ve ever had for $25 however having to take care of water glasses that had been too small. In different phrases, I can put up with these “flaws” for a really very long time certainly.
When you’re entering into Xbox racing, the Logitech G920 is the fitting wheel to personal. It really works, and the worth is correct. On the time of this writing, you’ll be able to seize a Logitech G920 on Amazon for about $270. We additionally advocate the Driving Drive shifter for $60 as a pleasant complement to the wheel and pedal.
Longtime Automoblog author Tony Borroz has labored on in style driving video games as a content material skilled, along with working for aerospace corporations, software program giants, and as a film stuntman. He lives within the northeast nook of the northwestern-most a part of the Pacific Northwest.
Incessantly Requested Questions
What comes with the Logitech Driving Drive wheels?
Each unit comes with the steering wheel, pedals, energy adapter, and consumer guide.
What’s the distinction between the G29 and the G920?
The G29 is for the PS4, PS3, and PC. The G920 is for Xbox One and PC.
The G29 clutch pedal, RPM indicator lights, and elective Driving Drive Shifter attachment is not going to perform on the PS3.
Will the Driving Drive wheels work on my PC?
Sure, they may. You have to have both Home windows 10, 8.1, Home windows 8 or Home windows 7 or macOS 10.10+
Logitech Gaming Software program (LGS) 8.70 or later have to be put in in your pc for the G29 and G920 racing wheels to have full performance. When you’ve put in LGS, all buttons and equipment will perform within the video games that assist them.
How lengthy is the guarantee?
Each Logitech Driving Drive wheel comes with a two-year guarantee.
The RPM lights don’t work. How do I repair them?
It’s attainable there may be nothing improper together with your Driving Drive wheel. LED assist have to be supplied by recreation builders, and never all video games embrace this assist.
I don’t have any power suggestions.
Just remember to’ve put in the most recent model of Logitech Gaming Software program (LGS). Each the G29 and G920 racing wheels require LGS to be put in in your PC for power suggestions to perform.
Verify that the steering features (together with power suggestions) are correctly mapped within the recreation’s management choices or settings, and in Logitech Gaming Software program (the place relevant).
I used to be in a position to get the power suggestions to work, nevertheless it nonetheless cuts out.
Each the G29 and G920 racing wheels have twin motors that present power suggestions on supported video games and methods. Each merchandise comprise an overheat safety circuit to safeguard them below high-temperature working situations.
In uncommon situations, power suggestions options could shut down throughout use, whereas the controls proceed to function. If this occurs, enable the wheel to chill down by utilizing the next steps:
-Disconnect the wheel unit’s energy adapter from the ability supply.
-Disconnect the wheel unit’s USB connection from the sport console or PC.