If you don't experience it in other titles, that points to it not being an inherent problem with the Logitech hardware/firmware. Rather, it may be an artefact of the way Race'07 models self-aligning torque due to mechanical/pneumatic trail and the degree to which the FFB generated is dependent on the SAT.

Another fantastic article Chunx! Love the side by side comparison.

I need to upgrade from my Momo Black in the near future and after reading the review, I'll definitely opt for the Logitech G27. The extra buttons on the steering wheel is a huge factor for me and the lack of a sequential shifter doesn't bother me too much as I use the paddle shifter most of the time anyway. Very impressed with the pedal geometry changes and the option to move the pedal face about. All in all, looks great to me!

Alan,

Agree - to a point. While it's true that the game sets the FFB parameters, it can also be how the firmware is set in the wheel, or in the drivers, or even the generic wheel settings. Obviously Race '07 was a problem, but that was also a recommended game (so I could test the LEDs). Other games are out there that I didn't get to try the G27 with (LFS, DiRT2, Race On, GTR2, etc). Having only a few short days to conduct testing, if I saw it in one place I had to comment, even if a single data point isn't a trend.

Nicely done Chunx.

Good to see they re-engineered the pedals so conclusively. I have been one of those pining for a more H&T friendly pedals. I have small feet and welcome their decision to make the pedals adjustable.

Not at all bothered with the lack of sequential mode. It was the sequential mode that broke in my first G25, causing all sorts of uncommanded gear changes...losing me quite a couple of races. To be honest, I'm glad they got rid of it. I don't have any immersion problems using H-shifter or paddles, ....so long as I can change gears effectively, it's all good.

I wonder when the G27 will reach Asian shores.


P.S. I considered getting one of those limited edition Fanatec premium wheel & pedal set, but they don't sell to folks outside USA, Europe. I asked, but got a very very belated reply from someone from their EU HQ telling me they are not in a position to support sales to Asia because they are still a very small company. They did suggest they will consider a special shipment if my order was a once-off, but I will need to pay shipping of EUR..... (they quoted a very exorbitant number which I found unreasonable because I had received larger European packages on overnight courier at much better rates). In any case, thank heavens for Logitech. At least their support is worldwide.

Great review.

Im glad Logi is continuing to develop the G25 series, I got mine when it first came out because it was anounced as a limited edition product. Still works and looks great btw.

Just a quick comment on this. While we don't control actual retail pricing, I do want to point out that in Denmark the recommended retail pricing (RRP) for the G27 is actually 100 DKK less than the RRP for the G25. While the G25 is likely to retail for less than the G27 until stocks are depleted from the channel, I don't expect that the retail price of the G27 will be as high as the RRP - at least, not for very long after launch.

Goo_

You are 100% correct. At Logitech's website the prices are quoted are:

G27 on Logitech's website: DKK 2599 / 5,2744 = $492,75
G25 on Logitech's website: DKK 2699 / 5,2744 = $511,71

I know of a legitimate retailer where I can get a G25 free of freight for DKK 1445 / 5,2744 = $274
What I don't know is what that same retailer will charge for a G27 once they get it, so my comparisons are not quite fair, I admit.

While stocks last and as long as the calculations above are valid, I'd get a G25 again should the need arise.

I do expect however my current G25 to last quite a way into the future, as noted in my earlier post, it has never given me any problems at all.

Talk about taking 1 step forward & 2 steps back, removing the sequential shift mode from the gear shift was a big mistake, that's a big disappointment to any serious race sim fan! I use that gear shift in sequential mode 99% of the time when racing on rFactor.

Ditto. I was crestfallen when I was briefed on the new product features by Logitech.

That said, recently I've been using the wheel with games and mods that don't replicate cars with a sequential floor-mounted shifter: Richard Burns Rally, rFactor's ILMS v2.77 and 1970 1970 World Sports Car Championship v1.0.

With RBR I use the paddle shifters to change gears, and use the shifter's 4th gear position as a hand brake. Using an H-pattern shifter to replicate a hand brake takes more coordination than a sequential shifter would, as the H-pattern shifter isn't spring-loaded to return to the 'off' position. With the H-pattern you have to engage 4th to trigger the hand brake, then physically place the shifter back in neutral. It takes time to learn that, but it can be done. So for Rally sims the G27 is quite an acceptable controller (altough I'd love to see future wheels include a hand-brake lever for drifting and rally).

With the ILMS v2.77 mod, I am driving the Prototype cars, which use paddle shifters. Again, the G27 is awesome, due to its smooth wheel response, precise paddle shifters and quantity of wheel-mounted buttons. If you're doing modern, paddle shifter cars like F1 or Prototypes, the G27 is again a great controller.

With the 1970 WSCC mod, the method of control is H-pattern with heel-and-toe shifting. With the firm and precise H-pattern shifter and raised pedal faces for brake and clutch, the G27 is perferable to the G25 for these types of mods.

Overall, with RBR and rFactor I am not noticing any of the 'soft spot' in FFB response near wheel center that I noted with RACE '07. That issue is now seeming more and more to be unique to that title. Overall wheel operation in the games listed above is smooth, precise and filled with nice FFB effects. I really like the G27 wheel's refinement in those titles.

Of course, driving those mods/games avoids that big hole in the G27's feature list. It's just not the same driving a GT1 or GT2 ALMS/LMS car with paddle shifters or H-pattern. In that way, Logitech has already spoiled consumers with the G25's shifting options. Once that genie is out of the bottle, it's hard to go backwards on a feature list, even if the remaining features are improved.

Chunx, can't you keep your G25 hooked up and only mount the shifter on your desk, using it in sequential mode for a handbrake and for sequential shifting? Space on the floor may get tight, but it is a possible solution for those who own both devices.