Logitech’s new steering wheel has finally arrived! They’re in stock right now at Amazon.com for $287.38, plus shipping. Reports in our forums also indicate the G27 is showing up on shelves at Best Buy in the United States. The obvious question, then -- should you pick this up? According to the reviews, here’s the simple answer: if you’ve already got a G25, you’ll appreciate the hardware upgrades, but you shouldn’t feel too pressured to pick up a G27. If you’re in the market for your first steering wheel (and don’t mind spending the extra cash over the discounted G25 prices), you’re going to get one of the best wheels on the market.

Ultimately, the Logitech G27 offers significantly refined internal technology, while eliminating some of the classic “pet peeves” that many have with the G25 (while introducing some new ones along the way). I’ll leave further explanation to this review by SimHQ, and this video review by InsideSimRacing…

Since steering wheels first became popular accessories for racing games, the search to find the best way to use them has been ongoing.  Over the years, we’ve seen lots of creative solutions from just about everyone (including Sony!), and lots of different products have attempted to fill this niche market with varying degrees of success.  While everyone else was making noise, though, one company has spent the last 5 years quietly developing and refining their own high-end racing seat.  So, does the VisionRacer VR3 take the lead?  Read our full review to find out…

First Impressions

It feels a bit like Christmas morning when the VR3 arrives in a large, heavy box, carefully protected under several layers of heavy-duty plastic.  Once you rip through the packaging and open up it up, you’ll get your first look at the the parts and pieces that make up your VR3.  My particular unit included smaller boxes for the LCD stand and G25 shifter mount, both of which were included in the larger box (so shipping them was not an issue).  Here’s what you’ll find in the box:

• Black Racing Seat
• VR3 Frame (2 pieces, front and back)
• Seat Mounting Plates
• Seat Adjustment Arm
• Logitech G25 Shifter Mount (optional)
• LCD Stand (optional)
• Leather Tool Kit

One thing you may notice missing in that list -- instructions!  At first I was a bit concerned, but I had the appropriate PDF file sitting in my Inbox just 30 minutes after contacting VisionRacer’s support department.  They were pleasant to work with and apologized for the packing oversight.  My VR3 is the first in the United States, so a minor kink is understandable.

Assembly

On the VisionRacer’s website FAQ, they compare the VR3’s assembly process to that of “building your new race car”.  They aren’t kidding!  My unit took 4 hours, grease, sweat, and a few drops of blood to assemble from start to finish.  There is nothing particularly difficult about it, but I was working alone and the stiffness of the tubular steel frame made a few steps particularly challenging.  Getting a friend’s help would cut the time in half.  If you don’t have any friends, don’t worry -- everything will change once you get this thing running.

The first step -- mating the two pieces of the frame together -- required quite a bit of wrestling (this is where a friend would be especially handy).  Next, I secured the arm which holds the wheel to the base, along with the faux-carbon fiber spine that increases its rigidity.  Things got a little more difficult when attaching the seat mounting plates to the adjustable brackets.  It looks simple enough, but you must find a way to get the brackets moved out far enough on each end to insert the bolts for the mounting plates.  Yes, you just attach and slide the seat’s adjustment arm, but without the weight of a seat on the brackets this is a bit awkward (and there’s not much a friend can do for you here).

You’ll be itching to attach the seat once its mounting plates are secure, but heed the instruction’s warnings and attach the shifter mount first.  Everything is fairly straightforward from there, but get ready to do a quick modification to your G25’s components.  The large clamp in the center of the shifter will have to be removed via tiny screws on the bottom, but it’s not a big deal -- just make sure you have a tiny Phillips screw driver ready to go (one isn’t included in the VR3’s tool kit).  You’ll also need to remove the “spacers” on the steering wheel’s clamps, but no tools are required for that.

One of my favorite things about the VR3 is how easy it makes cable management.  A small hole in the top of the steering wheel arm is perfectly situated to collect the cables as they exit the G25’s steering wheel, and a matching hole at the front of the unit keeps clutter to a minimum.  Unfortunately, there is no way to discretely route the cable attaching the G25’s shifter.  It’s not long enough to tunnel through the frame, and has to be strung directly up the “spine” to the wheel.  Although not messy, it’s a shame a more elegant solution isn’t available.

For the other cables, though, the VR3 includes a 1-meter long “wire feeding line” with a small hook at the end, which makes it a snap to get everything pulled through the wheel arm.  A word of warning: thread all necessary cables through the arm before you bolt it into place, as the end connectors won’t make it past the screws inside the frame.

Adjustment

The only thing adjustable about the VR3 is the seat itself -- it slides forwards and backwards (with the mounted shifter along for the ride), and the height of the front and rear of the seat can be selected (four selections are available in the front and two in the back).  As a result, my initial impressions were not good, and I was concerned that I would not be able to find a suitable driving position.  If I moved the seat forward to comfortably reach wheel, I was too close to the pedals, and when I  moved back, I was too far away from the wheel.

This initial conundrum was obviously a concern, but the problem was actually with my seating position.  I was sitting too far “down” in the seat, in a more reclined position like the one assumed in a formula car.  After ensuring that my own rear was as far back as possible, everything fell into place, and the VR3 suddenly fit like a glove.  I am not an ergonomics expert, and I have not had anyone of unusual size in my VisionRacer, but comfort could be an issue for taller players (I’m 5′11”) with long arms and legs (thanks to our commenters who mentioned they have had people as tall as 6′5” in their VR3’s without issue).  Everyone else, however, should be able to use the VR3 comfortably for hours on end with very little adjustment.

The Fun Part

So, what’s it like to actually use this thing?  As soon as you take control of the wheel, you will completely forget about the fact that you’re sitting in the middle of your living room.  It’s surprising how the location of the gear shift makes the experience considerably more immersive.  Unless you drive a Porsche Carerra GT, mounting the G25’s shifter at the same height as the steering wheel is a waste of the muscle memory you have developed over the years in a real car.  With a proper seating position and securely mounted steering wheel, pedals, and gear shift, you can “forget” about the real world and concentrate on what is happening on the screen -- and isn’t that how it should be?

Indeed, I’m not sure that you could give a racing seat a stronger complement -- you’re playing to concentrate on the game, not the seat or steering wheel, and a combination of the VR3 with the G25 allows you to do just that.  The seat itself is made of high quality materials and is very comfortable, and can quickly slide back for easy entry and exit.  As someone who has personally played Gran Tursimo with a controller for many years, it’s amazing to finally experience “optimal” conditions right in my own home.

Some people have raised complaints about the lack of a keyboard holder, and it is something which you will need to take into consideration of you plan on using the VR3 with PC racing simulators.  I have tried the seat with rFactor, and it can be tough to find a place for the keyboard.  A wireless keyboard offers the best temporary solution, but it won’t be an issue at all for console gamers.

Practicalities

As fun as it is to use, let’s be honest -- the VisionRacer probably isn’t for everyone.  At $899, it’s priced for enthusiasts, but considering its sturdy construction and ergonomic qualities, it begins to look like a reasonable investment for even more casual players.  Granted, you will need to find a place to keep it, and coming in in at 63” long, 23” wide, and 43” tall you need a good size closet to stow it away.  Of course, the VR3 looks so good, that’s the last thing you want to do!  The polished stainless steel chassis presents a clean look, and the quality of all the materials make the VR3 look more like a modern piece of furniture than a video game accessory.

Another practical aspect that’s unique to the VisionRacer is the available LCD mount.  It latches on to the wheel arm with two heavy-duty red clamps, and provides a standard VESA 100mmx100mm mounting point which should easily accommodate nearly any flat-screen TV under 26”.  The top of the mount even includes a small “platform” for your PS3/Xbox 360, turning the seat into a self-contained arcade machine.  This frees your VR3 from the entertainment center, and lets you keep it in any part of your house that works for you -- be it a basement, office, or spare bedroom.  You could probably even attach caster wheels to the holes in the unit’s “feet” and move it anywhere you like.

The Big Picture

If you take a look around their website, you’ll see that VisionRacer, as a company, has very ambitious plans.  Each VR3 unit is sold with a unique serial number, which will be used to identify and register owners into international online competitions sponsored and organized by the company.  They are also working directly with Sony and Logitech, which could pay significant dividends down the road.  Most of the details are just now falling in to place, but it’s encouraging to see the manufacturer embrace the community that will inevitably form around their product while becoming genuinely excited to foster an “ownership experience” long after the date of purchase.

Conclusion

To make a long story short, if you enjoy playing racing games, you want a VR3.  There are simply no alternatives at this price point which can provide the same comfort or build quality.  Yes, there are cheaper seats out there, and no, the VR3 is not completely flawless.  It’s special, though, in the way it fills that sweet spot between utility, luxury, and value.  If you’re serious about this hobby, you owe it to yourself to invest in a product that will let you get the most out of it for many years to come.

Where to Buy

Head on over to VisionRacer.com to learn more and place your own order.  International shipping rates are determined on an individual basis.

Photo Gallery

This head-to-head shootout between GT5 Prologue and Forza 2 by the Inside Sim Racing guys caused quite a stir in our forums last week, and it’s worth posting here for those of you who missed it.  Needless to say, the latest GT game didn’t fare quite so well, partly due to the fact that it wasn’t able to provide the features, size, or scale of a complete title.  This has put some GT fans up in arms, and you can argue that some of the evaluated criteria wasn’t appropriate.  That aside, their critiques are honest.  More than anything, though, the review spotlights what features Gran Turismo 5 needs the most in order to stay competitive.

Check out the video and see for yourself!

In a perfect world, all of us would enjoy our favorite driving games in the comfort of a purpose-built virtual cockpit.  Unfortunately, practical limitations like space, cost, and wives prevent most virtual racers from achieving this ideal.  Although such circumstances may inspire creative solutions, nothing is more frustrating than spending $250 on a Logitech G25 or Fanatec 911 without a proper place to enjoy it.  This is the problem the Wheel Stand Pro aims to solve -- read our full review to see how it stacks up!

First Impressions

The Wheel Stand Pro manufacturer is based out of Poland, but it did not have an impact on delivery time.  Tracking information was provided after the unit was shipped, making it easy to monitor its progress.  The box arrived in good condition, and all of the contents appeared safe inside.  Here’s what it contained:

• Instruction sheet
• G25 shifter plate
• Wheel Stand Pro unit
• Package of tools and small parts, containing:
  • Zip-ties (2) for managing wires
  • Wrench
  • Allen keys (2)
  • Wing bolt
  • Screws (4)
  • Metal bar

Customs had taken a peek at the contents, but nothing was out of place.  The instruction sheet was professionally laminated -- a minor touch, but the attention to detail did not go unnoticed.  The wheel stand itself was very heavy and appears to be made of smoothly finished, high quality materials.

Assembly

The simplicity of the Wheel Stand Pro means that there is virtually nothing to assemble, and the actual setup time simply involves attaching your steering wheel to the unit.  You begin by releasing one of the heavy-duty latches which controls the movement of the wheel stand on the base.  At first, the latch was a bit stubborn.  However, a quick adjustment of the bolt opposite the latch solved the problem and provides you, the user, with the option to control the strength of the latch as you see fit.

Next, the Logitech G25 pedals are attached to the base of the unit.  As indicated by the instruction sheet, the included metal bar and wing bolt do an excellent good job of holding them in place.  The only downside to this mechanism is the awkward method of installation.  As you may know, the G25 pedals are quite heavy, and you must find some way to hold them and the bar in place while turning the bolt.  I later discovered the bar is not entirely necessary, as four adjustable rubber sheaths on the base of the wheel stand are more than capable of holding the pedals in place.  However, if you are going to move your wheel stand around for storage, it’s worth the additional effort to lock everything down.

The Logitech G25 version of the Wheel Stand Pro comes with an additional metal plate used to mount the gear shift module.  Unfortunately, because this plate is not attached to the wheel stand itself, it introduces a layer of difficulty to attaching the steering wheel, and you must find some way to hold the wheel and bar in place while feeling for the necessary holes with the screw.  Of course, once the wheel is on, mounting the shifter is quick and easy.  As with the pedals, it’s best to do all of this while the unit is laying on its side.  The holes in the wheel stand and G25 attachment plate do line up perfectly with those on the steering wheel, and the provided screws are the correct length and easily adjustable by hand.

Adjustment

The Wheel Stand Pro can be adjusted in three different ways: the tilt of the steering wheel, the height of the steering wheel column, and the position of the column itself.  The tilt is controlled by using the wrench and Allen key to tighten the wheel plate.  Be careful here -- if you loosen up this bolt too quickly, the wheel quickly swings down.  The same warning applies to the latches that control the height and position, so always keep one hand on the wheel itself to prevent any surprises.  Once you’ve got everything set, though, the adjustment controls can be securely locked, and you probably won’t have to touch them again.

The Fun Part

At first, I was a bit skeptical of the wheel stand.  Would it be tall enough?  Would the support column get in the way of breaking and heel-toe downshifting?  Will it actually be sturdy enough?  After the first lap, all of these questions were long gone -- the height was perfect for my couch, I was heel-toeing without thinking, and only the most deliberately aggressive counter-steering could shake the support column.  Previously, I had used my G25 attached to a sturdy large table with a contemporary seat made of wood and metal, and I was not expecting the Wheel Stand Pro to provide the level of stability that I was used to.  I was quite happy to be wrong, and the driving position on my couch was much more comfortable than the wooden chair.  After just a few laps, I was setting top 30 times around Eiger in the tuned 350Z.  Thick, rubber coating at the edges of the base prevented the stand from sliding around on the carpet.  Here’s a quick video I put together which shows it in action:

Storage

As good as the driving experience was with the Wheel Stand Pro, I did not fully appreciate its convenience until I was finished playing.  Once folded and unplugged, the unit can be picked up and moved around without a fuss.  You can lean it up against the wall, slide it into a closet, and forget about it -- aside from the dangling USB and power cords, the wheel is completely self-contained on the stand.  This enables it to be put up and taken down quickly.  If you have the space in your own vehicle, it can easily be transported to a friend’s house.

Conclusion

Coming in at $179 (for the G25 version, $149 without the shift plate) you are going to be hard-pressed to find a better way to get the most out of your $250 steering wheel investment.  You don’t need me to tell you that the Wheel Stand Pro is not going to provide the same experience as a large, purpose-built racing seat -- that isn’t the point.  Instead, it offers a practical, affordable solution to a problem that has plauged living room racers for over a decade.  Despite a slightly awkward setup, the stand’s usability and convenience make it a no-brainer for anyone on a budget.  Highly recommended.

Where to Buy

Visit WheelStandPro.com to purchase the stand directly from the manufacturer.  They offer free shipping to anywhere in the world and provide a “no questions asked” full refund (minus return shipping costs) for up to one week after the date of purchase.

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