So finally it arrived, the big talk during the end of the summer was the release of Logitech's new steering wheel. Everyone been saying how good it will be, for our sim-racing standards, that's because it has all the gismos a hardcore sim-racer drool to get, 3 pedals, a H-gearbox, 2 Force Feedback motors, 900 degree of turning, toping it all off with a smooth steal and leather finish.

Coming to the post office, once inside the first I saw was a rather small dull looking package (smaller then the Momo Force), but it had "Logitech" written all over it which made me happy. Another good sign was the box was rather heavy - that means quality:



Opening it I saw another much more pleasant looking package:



Having unpacked all the parts, I was thinking you would get all these extra features (screws, map where to drill the holes in the table - I get to that, stickers n stuff) but there is nothing of it, just an extra plastic bag where they had put the power cable.

What you do get though is so much better:





1x steering wheel
1x pedals
1x H-shifter
1x power cable
1x instructions (including a CD with drivers)

The first thing that really strikes you, is how good the steering wheel smells with the leather, there is this an overall good smell you only get when opening it up for the first time (it really does smell good!!)

I couldn't wait to take it for a spin, but let's dig bit closer and see what you get starting with a very essential part, pedals:







As you can see, the pedals itself are made out of steel and are static screwed against the arms. I did prefer the Momo Force pedals because they adjust to the angle of the foot, what is good is that these pedals are made out of steel so the foot will slide over the surface as you press the pedals up and down. Barely noticeable, but in theory they will as the pedals will either move away from the foot or closer. I still think they are great. The unit is quite heavy and it feels very sturdy, this is important (who haven't had spiking or randomly lost pedal output!!) as a pedal unit will wear over time, it feels like they will perform forever. No gap or spaces for the pedals to move around inside the unit but it moves up and down very straight and firm.

Tell you the truth I manage to sprain a muscle in my left foot trying out the heel-n-toe technique in LFS. Now I do jogging during the weeks, I was surprised by it. From what I heard the pedals would be hard and harsh to move with hard springs inside them. They are harder then the Momo Force, but I was surprised in a good way that they were not as hard as I first had imagine. Each pedal has a varying degree of resistance.





Having a look underneath you will see the feature of 6 screw fixings, which allows you to attach the unit to any surface of yours i.e. racing frame. Unfortunately there are no screws included so you have to go find them on your own, although I don't think it will be that much of a problem.

It is also possible to fold this plate into position, a carpet griping system with small nails to ensure it won't slip and slide, it does work well too.

Let's have a look at the steering wheel:









Steel and leather in a beautiful combination. Just looking at the steering wheel gives you an indication this is no average product but a genuine designed sim-racing steering wheel. You might not come across perfectly circular steering wheels in Formula 1, but this wheel will suit most sims and games out there and it will increase your racing experience. Holding the wheel at usual 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock, it is much thinner then the Momo Force and Momo Racing, but nevertheless it feels comfortable holding. It feels very steady - ready to take a beat or two out on the track. The shifting paddles behind the wheel are quite long and it makes it easier for shifting gears when turning. The wheel is also bigger, not very much, but it felt different and it is something I been looking for. The unit doesn't make very much noise either baring in mind it has two FF-motors. Not to forget the massive 900 degrees steering range.

There is only two buttons on the steering wheel, if you are driving RBR or NR2003 I wouldn't say it is an problem, I can easily use the buttons on the H-gearbox when I need to, but if you are mainly into GTL, GTR or LFS, it might be a problem as there a bunch of functions available - which you also need. If you're simultaneous ability is high driving these games, I don't think it is a problem, although it would be nice to press a button on the wheel instead of moving your hand onto the H-gearbox unit.

A comparison shot with two of my other wheels, the Momo Force and the Thrustmaster T2:



Few more things worth noticing:








Installing the wheel is quite easy too, all cables goes to the steering wheel, which then uses a USB cable that goes into your computer. On this unit there are mounting for two screws, but remember you need to find them yourself, using these you will make sure the wheel is absolutely fixed when driving. That on the other hand that is something the wheel lack because there is no rubber underneat the wheel that will prevent it from moving around on the table, my guess is that if you spend the amount of money this wheel require you will also have an option were you can make use of the two screw fixings.

Another thing that is worth having a look at is your table and how it is constructed:



My table has this border and I will have to either remove it or use another table, somehow it will be fixed (it always does!!).

Over to the shifter:











The shifter is a very nice feature to this already good wheel, the gearbox cover as well as the knob is made out of leather and it gives you a nice feeling holding. The clamping works pretty good, as well as previous parts there are also an option to attach it using screws so you can make sure the unit is perfectly fixed. The whole unit is rather plastic beside the front panel and for each gear you select there is a clicking sound I could very well live without. There is a bit of spacing when selecting each gear as you don't have to put them perfect, it helps when doing fast shifts during a race. It is hard to select wrong gear, each time you go into neutral the gear sticker will move to the center just like a real car and the distance between each gear also help you as a guidance. There is a gear for reverse that you can't move to with an ordinary arm move, but to use it you have to push the lever down and then move it into position.

On the middle of the unit there is a circular selector where you can adjust the gearbox, 2 options, either a fully manual H-gearbox or a sequential gearbox were you can only move the lever back and forward.

Software-wise, the drivers you can find on the CD are necessary otherwise the wheel won't work properly. I am used to the options available in the controller menu as I have been using a Logitech wheel for the previous 4 years. I have to admit, using a Momo Force for that long I was skeptical if there was anything that would be able to replace it. I had my thoughts, problem was the FF-motor was starting to get even worse, at the same time I am looking forward to the racing-sims released in 2007 so I figured it will be worth it.

There is many settings to choose from inside when adjusting the controller and it's settings, I was using the one found in Windows but there is even more features in Logitech Profiler that comes with the CD. You can change the turning degree physical, which means if you set the software to 400 degree, it will be used in that range, but outside the FF-motor will step in trying to prevent the user from turning the wheel any further.

Speaking of the Force Feedback, the wheel has 2 of these motors inside the cover which obviously makes it amazing, the experience you have will be multiplied by 10 in any sim. You heard of steering wheels that has firm and strong FF, this product dodge all opposition and any other steering wheels I tried.

What is there to say about this steering wheel to summarize it properly, well having used it for 3 hours swapping between LFS, NR2003 and RBR, I am positive for the purchase I did. I happened to have some money in spare - racing is a big hobby of mine - the call was easy. But as I said, I had my thoughts switching from a Momo Force, I'm not sure if it was really worth all the money, at the same time it is hard to understand how much fun I had trying LFS using the new wheel for the very first time. If you enable all the 900 degrees steering, it is hard to actually get around any track at all. It require practice and it is harder then you realize, as you figure it would be like driving a normal car, then I most rarely go through corners at 160km/h+ in real life. I'm not very keen of what it requires fixing the units preventing them from moving (beside the pedals), you have to drill holes and get some screws to attach it all. The pedals are fun, fun, fun. It is enjoyable trying different settings, as I mentioned earlier it is possible to physical turn the turning degree down and it helps. I am used to a steering range of 240 degree, now going to 900 all of a sudden is a big step and it helps adjusting the settings to match your old wheel. Not only will you have a setting you are comfortable with, but you will have a superb steering wheel with 2 FF-motors, 3 pedals and a H-gearbox unit.

If you got the cash for a new wheel, who race a lot and like to increase the racing experience, that is also easy to get hold on, I think the G25 is the choice. Remember, the best thing would be if you have a surface you can drill holes in to make sure all units are perfectly fixed, neither the steering wheel or the H-gearbox unit comes with any rubber fixing underneath to prevent it from moving. If you already have a wheel that works another 6 months/year that you bought in the 100-200 EUR range, I might wait and see what happens maybe it brings the price tag down, if you're impatient you buy it

This post was last modified: 06-18-2008 03:43 AM by Caspar.

Wow, nice review Caspar.

I got my G25 this monday and I love it. Best 300 euros I've spent this year.

Nice review Casp.

Last night I had my first race with new G25. Race really went badly but it wasn't the fault of the new wheel

I like G25 too.

wow great wheel. but U will be lot slower

This post was last modified: 11-09-2006 01:38 AM by Cruo.

You wish

Came up with a little solution for the slippin n' sliding over the desk, I took couple of those rubber bearings from one of my spare Momo Force and glued them to the underside of the G25 steering wheel and shifter, it works really well:

I'll be away for a while... Robbing a bank, brb!

Bring some cash to me will you

If anyone wonders, the big piece of plastic on the shifter for attaching is 'removable' with couple of screws. I only need two of the clampers to make it stick. At first I couldn't get it onto the table but it works now.

My G25 developed a "sexy" little noise when I turn it left: http://nismo.1g.fi/g25/g25kaput.avi

It feels a bit sticky when I try to turn it fastly to the left too.

I seen other people who received faulty product and they sent it back on the warranty.

Having such a new wheel I wouldn't open it up trying to adjust or tighten the FF-motors, if you bought it in a store I would return it and you might even get a new one right away in your hands.

Yup, I'm going to give a call to Logitech first thing tomorrow. I just hope this problem is in a few wheels (4 out of 5 of my friends who have G25 have reported this same problem) and not in all G25's out there that just take longer for the problem to start appearing.

Today I brought a drill with me so I could make two holes for the wheel. Problem was there wasn't any screws included in the G25 package but sitting down thinking about where to get them it struck me the Momo Force wheel as similar screws on it's clamping, check this out:



Fortunately I could snatch them from my spare one. The two screws are stuck with a bolt on each end, so I had to remove the cover and un-screw the bolts which wasn't any hard at all.

Next thing was to get the exact holes for the screws, I took a piece of paper and placed it to the underside of my G25, then it was easy getting the position for the holes and I laid the paper down on the table in which I could make two markings. I made sure there was some margin for the screws so I took a drill being a bit bigger then the screws that came from the Momo. Result:



As the screws from the Momo was bit too long I had to put some metal plates inbetween so I could tighten it properly.

This post was last modified: 09-16-2007 04:43 AM by Caspar.

Anyone bought a G25 in the last couple of weeks? Just curious if anyone else has encountered the 'turn left rumble' problem lately. I got a refund on my wheel because that was really the easiest and fastest way, since when I called Logitech they said they don't have a single G25 in their main european warehouse in Switzerland.

I see the wheel going for ~230 euros at some stores now. Really tempted to give it another try. But if it's the same rumble.. bleh, dunno what to do.

I buy it, yesterday did come home. no strange noise. all ok.

I guess I'll drop an order in the upcoming days then, thanks for the info.

*Fingers crossed*

I guess I'll drop an order in the upcoming days then, thanks for the info.

*Fingers crossed*

Will be doing the same. We should soon change our team name to vMaxG25

Received my G25 today, I'm a happy camper now

Got my second one yesterday. The sound is different in this one definately, done around 700km in lfs with it now and it's holding up pretty good. The noise has changed maybe tiny bit when turned left, but it still feels the same both directions.

So far so good.

This post was last modified: 12-31-2006 04:22 PM by Toni.

Nice plant...

I am probably sticking with my trusty MOMO at the moment...

But once I have moved all the PC gear into the back bedroom I might 'build' something to hold the pedals at a better angle.

This post was last modified: 09-16-2007 04:43 AM by Caspar.

i got a g25 too few days ago, it works amazing with gtr2 and decent with lfs
but with nr2003 it feels too "light" around the centre.
if i increase ff it has acceptable weight around centre but the forces are very strong and i can't countersteer correctly.
only workaround i see is to enable centering spring to 20-30 but still don't like the overall feel it has maybe not used to yet.

Maybe you aren't using the correct setting, these are mine for NR2003:



It's in Swedish but you got the same order, with the overall strength set to 97% as you can see and everything else at 0%. The settings are from my old Momo Force but it works well with the G25 too. I always ran NR2003 on low FF to be able to counter steer and such, but with the G25 I had to turn the strength up. I still want a little resistance to get a feeling for the car but it ain't much at all, so inside the NR2003 controller menu I got my FF set to 15% compared to 4-5% that I was running earlier. It feels just the same and it suits me.

i had almost the same settings with you when i had the momo black,
except that centering force was clicked but slider to 0.
ff was at 15% at ovals, a little more at ss and 4-6 % at rc's.
when i installed the g25 i used the same settings but it doesn't have the resistance of momo.
i also raised the ff a little but the lack of resistance troubles me.
good thing it's more precise and larger and that helps even more.
btw have you noticed that the wheel is not a perfect circle?

Look at you all with your fancy G25's.

When I finally thought I had got used to the hard brake pedal, I decided to switch. I work the brake pedal quite much in my driving style and it's almost impossible to do it when you have to press it harder, so I've now changed the units putting the clutch where the brake use to be.

It is pretty easy doing it, first you have to remove the pedals pads (on the pedal arm) and you'll see each have 2 screws attaching the pads. To do that you need a very tiny allen key. When you done that you remove the screws underneath the platform for the cover using a normal screwdriver, which is the silver ones (don’t forget there is two under the carpet gripping thing too!). Now you can open it, in which each pedal unit has 4 screws attaching a steal casing that each pedals sits in, to a small piece of plastic. Just remove the screws from the desired pedals and switch them around as you like, put it back together and there you go. Remember to align the cables inside the cover so their not squeezed.

Each pedal uses the same kind of potentiometer and each have the same range, the only thing you'll see in Windows is that the brake is actually the clutch as they are switched, but it's only the software and it doesn't affect you in any way. Happy driving!

Almost a year gone by so today I took a look under the cover to put some new grease in there and tighten the screws up, here's a few pictures:









When I was putting it back together I noticed the threading on the cover holding the FF-motors started to weaken a bit since their fitted in plastic, so I took some screws I had laying around which were a dimension bigger. As you can see on the last pic the two top and bottom ones are different so I got a really nice and tight fit now which won't loosen.