The Logitech G29 is a well-priced racing wheel and one of the best wheels for PS5 gamers. It has some great features, such as force feedback, that many other low-cost wheels don’t include. Unfortunately, the G29 isn’t faultless; some people complain about it.
- Compatible with PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as PC gaming titles
- Force feedback simulates a real driving experience, letting you feel the tires and the terrain
- Adjustable floor pedals including throttle, pressure-sensitive brake, and clutch
- Wheel has 900-degree rotation like an F1 racing car
- Hand-stitched leather cover
Nonetheless, Logitech G2 provides some pretty realistic driving at a great price. While not perfect, it is a good option for those just starting with racing who aren’t ready to splurge. As long as you plan to play on a PlayStation console or PC, the G29 is fantastic, but it is even better with some minor upgrades and accessories.
1. G29 is Only Compatible With PlayStation Consoles
A major complaint among enthusiasts is a somewhat obvious limitation of the Logitech G29. The G29 works with PlayStation consoles, including the PS3, PS4, and PS5, in addition to PC. This notably leaves out Xbox consoles, which are not supported by the wheel. In fact, the G29 is a PlayStation accessory because the center cap even has the PlayStation logo on it.
The wheel also features all of the buttons from the PlayStation DualShock controllers. It is really lovely that the wheel still supports the PS3. Most accessories ended support long ago for the aging console. Logitech makes an almost identical wheel known as the G920. It is designed for Xbox One and Series consoles and similarly features all the necessary buttons.
Some pretty obvious controller differences and licensing issues make it hard for a company to support both brands with the same device. The fact of the matter is you will need an entirely different wheel. Fortunately, a device called the Ras1ution lets you use the G29 with an Xbox console or even a Nintendo Switch.
2. Paddle Shifter Buttons Are Sloppy
A clutch pedal and paddle shifters are two vital additions to gaming wheels for a realistic driving experience. The actual pedal and levers are substantially better than lower-end wheels with cheap buttons for shifting gears. Unfortunately, the paddle shifters on the G29 are not the best or most realistic.
The paddles themselves are great as they’re made of solid metal gives them a nice feel. However, when you get down to pressing them in a game, you will quickly notice they aren’t very responsive. It takes a decent amount of force to push the levers, which is good as they would otherwise be easily bumped or simply not feel flimsy.
The problem, though, is it takes a bit of travel before activating the switch inside. You have to pull back on the paddle to shift gears. While not a huge issue, it can be a nuisance that does take some getting used to. A practical solution to this problem is to get the Logitech stick shifter, so you don’t need to worry about the paddles.
3. The G29 is Loud
One of the most frequent complaints about the Logitech G29 is its noise. The wheel uses a force feedback system, one of its highlights. But there is also a significant downside to it. When you think of racing, you probably imagine the roar of an engine or the noise from tires skidding on the pavement. Unfortunately, most people don’t think of the noise from their racing wheel.
A motor inside the wheel’s housing drives a force feedback system that turns the wheel. But the motor doesn’t sit directly behind the wheel like the motors on a servo wheel. Instead, a smaller motor drives a belt system that transfers power to the steering wheel. Logitech and other companies use this cheaper system as it can use a smaller motor with gear reduction.
The downside is that all of those moving parts create a significant amount of friction and noise. This also means the force feedback isn’t nearly as strong as servo wheels which use larger motors. Needless to say, hearing the motor and gears turning inside the wheel when you play is annoying. Luckily, you can play without the force feedback by simply unplugging it.
4. Force Feedback isn’t Strong Enough
Force feedback on the Logitech G29 is a major selling point. Not to mention, it’s among the cheapest racing wheels on the market to utilize the technology. Unfortunately, G29’s low price also means it isn’t the best or strongest force feedback system. As mentioned, the G29 uses an indirect drive system where a small motor spins belts that turn the wheel.
While the belts provide some extra torque through gear reduction, they are still no match for more powerful servo sets. Their motors are directly attached to the steering wheel. In a race, the force feedback system forces you to steer into turns and provides extra resistance in a hard turn.
You will also notice the wheel starts to move in different directions when you lose control of the car. All this is unessential, yet adds to the racing experience. Because of the belt system, the force feedback can sometimes feel delayed. If you want the best force feedback experience, you may want to upgrade to the Logitech G923 TruForce or one with a servo motor like the Logitech Pro.
5. The G29 Brake Pedal is Stiff
©Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock.com
We are down to the final major complaint that people have with the Logitech G29m and one that’s complicated too. A car’s pedal will require different pressures depending on the type. For instance, the accelerator is pretty easy to press, while the brake pedal requires a firm push. The clutch pedal usually falls somewhere in the middle.
But the pedal set on the Logitech G29 has a notoriously hard-to-press brake pedal. The others are sufficient, but the brake requires a lot of force to depress the entire length. Unfortunately, adjusting the pedal pressure isn’t that easy. So, games that require a lot of slowing can feel like a real leg workout.
Fortunately, a couple of DIY fixes can help you resolve this problem. You can start by removing a piece of rubber behind the pedal. On PC, you can raise the sensitivity so you won’t have to push it down. If none of the above works, you can replace the spring or rubber stop with something softer. Alternatively, you can upgrade to the Logitech Pro pedal set.
Should You Buy a Logitech G29?
At this point, you now know some of the biggest complaints about the Logitech G29. But is it a worthy choice for a racing wheel? If you have a PlayStation console and want to dip your toes into the racing wheel experience, then definitely consider the G29. At its price point, you can’t find a better option.
However, if you want a realistic sim driving experience, you may want to hold off for something better, or explore some Logitech alternatives. Keep the above complaints in mind to see if something sticks out as a dealbreaker. Most of the complaints can be fixed. If you are worried about the noise or feel the force feedback won’t be strong enough, then you shouldn’t get the G29 in the first place.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©aslysun/Shutterstock.com.
