Software, Setup, Experience, and Conclusion
Software
While the G29 was seen by a PC when switched to PS3 mode, the Logitech Gaming Software package has been updated to add support for the two new wheels. Once installed, the software initializes and communicates with the wheel directly, regardless of the location of the PS3/PS4 switch.
The software is flexible, with built in profiles which are really just sets of game-specific commands that can be mapped to the various buttons on the G29.
Setup
We tried the G29 with a few games. Project Cars has a pre-configured selection for it and mapped everything accordingly. Dirt Rally took some remapping to get everything working properly, except for the pre-racing selection GUI navigation, which we could not seem to get unlinked from the throttle pedal (selection would constantly move upward with pedal released / downward with pedal depressed). All was fine while driving though.
Experience
I had my doubts as to how good of an experience a racing wheel could bring, but after using the G29, I’m certainly a believer. When paired with a driving sim that correctly simulates the tire’s physical interaction with the road surface, the G29 *felt* just like driving a real car on the track. If the car shifts towards oversteer and begins to rotate, you can feel it in the wheel feedback long before you see the effects of it on-screen (when it would be too late to do anything about it, in the case of the light weight and twitchy Ariel Atom I was driving). When coming over crests, the feedback reduces as the front wheels lift off of the track. Front wheel drive cars torque steer just as they would in real life. Hit a curb at a specific angle and the game will try to rip the wheel out of your hands. The G29 does have its limits in this regard, but the dual motors can provide an adequate level of feedback – similar to the maximum effort required for a modern car with power assisted steering. I did notice a bit of a ‘notchy’ feeling to the wheel while slowly turning against the feedback (common while making small steering adjustments in a sweeping turn at speed). It was not to a bad degree, as Logitech wheels use helical gearing to minimize the effect, but in the places where it was noticeable I was reminded of why some shy away from gear-driven wheels in favor of smoother belt-driven wheels.
G29 vs. G27
When the G29 launched, there was some grumbling about this being a more expensive wheel than its predecessor. They do have a point, as the G27 came with a shifter (a $60 add-on for the G29). The G27 also launched a full $100 cheaper than the G29’s $399 price tag, and currently sells in the $250 range. While the G29 reportedly has higher resolution encoders and more buttons, the lack of a shifter is an annoying proposition considering the $150 increase in cost.
G29 vs. Thrustmaster T300RS
The T300RS is an interesting contrast to the G29. Thrustmaster’s wheel features belt drive and comes in at the same $399 price point, but it only comes with dual pedals. Triple pedal sets range $100-$150, and the shifter add-on comes in at another $150 (compared to the G29 shifter at $60). Thrustmaster does hold an advantage over competing wheels in that they have a very reasonably priced F1-style wheel add-on.
G29 vs. Fanatec
Fanatec gear is in a completely different league here, with $600 belt-driven wheel bases and $300 pedal sets, you’re cracking a grand before you even add a shifter or even an actual steering wheel. Basically, if you want as authentic of a simulation as possible (and have plenty of money to burn), Fanatec is the way to go. The rest of us working class folk will just have to stick with our lower cost wheels and drool over their wares.
Conclusion
The Logitech G29 Driving Force is a solidly built racing wheel. The included pedal set is just as solid, and works together with the wheel to give a surprisingly realistic driving experience, especially when paired with modern racing sims. Fans and owners of prior Logitech wheels may scoff at the omission of a shifter, (long overdue) lack of belt drive, and higher cost of this new wheel. There is also the need to have two separate products for PS3/PS4 or Xbox One. The pricing of the G29 and might be justified if they were updated to belt drive. Further, the G920 matches the G29 on cost but not on features, which seems to be gouging Xbox users, as they get roughly half the buttons and no RPM LED readout.
Ryan…
What…no
Ryan…
What…no masturbation comments?
You’re out of luck man…I
You're out of luck man…I didn't write it. I guess you'll have to save your fantasies for later.
I like you guys are reviewing
I like you guys are reviewing wheels be it needs to be compared to Thrustmaster’s and Fanatec’s offerings hands one to form any conclusion.
Also some would argue that the Thrustmaster T500 is better than the Fanatec
Wheels/ SIMs are not their
Wheels/ SIMs are not their thing; it would be much better to leave that to The Simpit, Inside Sim Racing and the many other sites dedicated to SIM racing. They have the experience, the many review samples and for the most part, the balls to attempt objectivity.
Then again, since everything has to start somewhere, it would be good to see PC Per dive more into this area.
It would be disappointing for
It would be disappointing for pcper to review one product from a category and leave it there. Considering several of the review team openly say they like racing games with a wheel I don’t think its asking much to at least get one product from each company and do a shootout.
Which fanatec you talking
Which fanatec you talking about? The t500 isn’t better than the csw v2.
Great video review on the
Great video review on the wheel Ryan and Allyn, I hope all is well. Sincerely, Joseph
Just bought the G29 and used
Just bought the G29 and used it successfully on PS3 for Dirt 2 and Dirt 3. Just great! No problems. Realism and wheel weight are awesome.
But…
Got a new ASUS G20aj PC and sure enough downloaded Steam DIRT RALLY and eventually got it to work but it wasnt obvious to get the right settings. Better now still dont have all the functions. But I’m getting the feel of it.
Also downloaded DIRT 3 and DIRT SHOWDOWN. Can’t even get the wheel recognized.
Can anybody help! Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
Have a G29 and DiRT Rally
Have a G29 and DiRT Rally isn’t detecting it at all.
Works fine with other games
Please help
dirt Showdown on PC does not
dirt Showdown on PC does not match with the G29!
the steering in Extras cannot be set…
Have anybody a tip ?
the pedals are working….
thanx
I got my son the g29 for
I got my son the g29 for christmas once he hook it up to his ps4 it doesnt work. Can someone please tell how to get it to work so my sons christmas doesnt get wasted. Thanks
Have you put the switch on
Have you put the switch on the top of the wheel to ps4? I had the same problem, turn on a ps4 controller with the wheel plugged into the USB port when you get to the home menu for ps4 try all the buttons and if they work then check if the game that you might be trying to play it with is actually made to play that specific wheel.
I got my G29 yesterday for
I got my G29 yesterday for Christmas as well and I managed to get it to work with WRC 5 on Ps4. However, today I bought Asseto Corsa because I know that the g29 works with the game, however when it comes to setting up the wheel, the computer thinks that the clutch is the x and y axis for the steering wheel and can’t actually detect the steering wheel when it is turning. The only good part is that it can detect the pedals on shifter… any suggestions?
Ive had nothing but problems
Ive had nothing but problems with the g29, wont change degrees of rotation and issues with iracing. im stuck having to use the g27 wheel the the pedals.