DFGT vs. G27 vs. T500RS (revived)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Conza
  • 44 comments
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Which wheel did you choose?

  • SIXAXIS/DS3

    Votes: 3 2.9%

  • Logitech Driving Force GT

    Votes: 23 22.1%

  • Logitech G27

    Votes: 40 38.5%

  • Thrustmaster T500RS

    Votes: 32 30.8%

  • Other

    Votes: 6 5.8%
  • Total voters
    104
Conza

Conza

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Conza_No1
I know this debate has been done several times in various formats, and I did a working search this time, but nothing recent or exact came up, so this is partially revived.

Logitech Driving Force GT - it's going for about $120-$250 if you hunt long enough, it has sequencial and paddle shifters plus an accelerator and brake. Made from high quality plastic, has GT5 in game menu adjustments and central horn button.

Logitech G27 - For $200-300 (More if you're not that fussed), larger paddle shifters, plus a 6 speed shifter (and reverse), with accelerator, brake and clutch peddles. Leather wrapped wheel, rpm indicator leds, and 16 programmable buttons

Thrustmaster T500RS - $460-750 (unless you count the shifter too, than $650-$1000). Static paddle shifters, accelerator, brake and clutch peddles. 30cm(?) large wheel made of high quality plastic, standard DS3 buttons.

So obviously DFGT < G27 < T500RS. But considering the prices involved, it seems to me there's basically no point buying the G27 if you already have the DFGT (please disagree if you have), and likewise, if you have the G27 no point buying the T500RS.

But, It might be worth buying the T500RS IF you stilll have the DFGT. I love my DFGT, it re-invented the game for me, I have done several tests me vs. me on a DS3 vs. DFGT, I can't beat myself and love that fact, but it doesn't have a clutch pedal, nor of course a 6 speed shifter, and the shifter buttons are small... not that this really bothers 'me', and you can upgrade them, but overall its still the best value wheel for 150-200 bucks.

That was until I found I could land a G27 in Australia for $245, and suddenly that 'nah for $500? no way!' wheel became, extremely tempting. Other than it's the same size, and I think you'd have to program in/bind the programable keys to replace the in game adjustment wheel of the DFGT, it adds in all the right areas - I even just realised you can move the shifter to your LEFT SIDE! How awesome!

But, that was quickly ruined for me, by the T500RS. Despite the fact it should come with a stick shifter but doesn't, it has massive paddle shifters (although they're stationary, which'd be weird at first, they are still huge), a 3cms larger wheel, and better motors and peddles too.

You know, if I could get the G27 shifter to work with the T500RS wheel, you can get the shifters for around $35 delivered, I could get the package for around $500. But even with the shifter, is the T500RS worth twice the G27? And then, is the G27 worth twice the DFGT?

Anyway, it'll post 5 options, the DS3, all of these threee and an 'other' option too, will be interesting to see which people have chosen and why. Still undecided at this time whether I'll swap my DFGT, it is a bloody brilliant wheel.
 
Like all things in life you get what you pay for and this couldn't be more true in the case of the three wheel options you presented. Giong from the G25/27 to the T500 is a massive upgrade without a doubt, the wheel just blows past the toy-like feel of the DFGT and G27 by miles.

That's all I can say, you have to have the thing in your hands to get it. Yes it's "pricy", but if you have a job I say just hang on to your money, save up for a few more months, skip the G27 and enjoy your DFGT until you have the funds for the T500. No question from my point of view.
 
occasionalracer
Like all things in life you get what you pay for and this couldn't be more true in the case of the three wheel options you presented. Giong from the G25/27 to the T500 is a massive upgrade without a doubt, the wheel just blows past the toy-like feel of the DFGT and G27 by miles.

That's all I can say, you have to have the thing in your hands to get it. Yes it's "pricy", but if you have a job I say just hang on to your money, save up for a few more months, skip the G27 and enjoy your DFGT until you have the funds for the T500. No question from my point of view.
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Completely seperate to that assesment - why does 'Toronto, Canada' show up with the German flag?
 
Hi Conza,

I am going to recommend you wait and get a T500RS and the TH8 if you can stretch the budget that far. I have only used the G27 briefly at an in store setup and compared to my T500 it's a toy! Yeah you pay almost twice as much, but it's worth every cent 👍

The FFB is incredible to say the least, it has zero dead zone in the centre so every mm of input yields the result desired. I use FFB at 8 and after a 2h endurance race at Nurburgring you really know it. The paddle shifters being fixed took a few day's to get used to, but that are so large you can get to them from any point in the turn (although you rarely change mid corner)

The pedals are streets ahead of the G27 pedals (even though they use a potentiometer not a load cell like the Fanatec CSP's, there is someone working on a load cell mod for them here) and they are very responsive and accurate.

Add the TH8 into the equation and the immersion goes up 10 fold. It's solid as a rock and as smooth as silk through the shifts, plus it looks awesome to boot.

One very important thing to mention about the T500 though is it's weight and strength. I you decide to budget for one make sure to include enough for a decent wheel stand or cockpit as the normal 'coffee table setup' will not hold together for long!!

Although I have not used one there is the Fanatec Elite range to consider if you end up looking at the higher end wheel like the T500. It has got great reviews and has xbox compatibility too.

I hope some of this helps in your decision, and remember to read through some of the threads related to each of the wheel's you have listed, they may provide you with more of the answers. PM me if you would like any more info about the T500.

BNGTracer
 
I got my T500rs for $381USD, so it was an easy buy. That being said, after a lot of testing I am only a tic or two quicker with the T500rs vs the g25.
 
paskowitz
I got my T500rs for $381USD, so it was an easy buy. That being said, after a lot of testing I am only a tic or two quicker with the T500rs vs the g25.
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Wow amazing that you're actually quicker! I wasn't even thinking of that, I was thinking of a more realistic gaming experience (larger wheel, more lifelike feedback, ect).
 
ok, to answer your first post, sorry abit late buddy, I had DFGT and G27 made it look like a toy, then I bought GT3RS and it is bit better than G27 FFB wise but good thing is no noise and alcantara grip and 30mm rim.
I know that next step Im not going CSW way but T500 way.
now I tried 3 different wheel so far and I still want a T500, I wish I went straight to T500 and save my money. how bout you.? hope this clears your afflictions more.
 
I think a lot of people on here have probably gone from a DFGT to a G27. I have anyway. Below are my thoughts on the two wheels

I like the shifter buttons on the DFGT than the paddles on my G27 due to performance reasons only. The ergonomics on the DFGT is better for the buttons and I also miss the PS button and other buttons. The two main reasons why I 'upgraded' are due to wanting a wheel that makes less noise and getting the G27 for a very cheap price. The pedals makes a difference in games like F1 2010 but for GT which equalises hardware it makes very little difference. I also wanted the option to use clutch and H-Shifter. I think the FFB is better on the DFGT than the G27 on GT5 but the G27 makes that up with the quicker wheel speed. The G27 with the dual motors overheats more than the DFGT and does not centre as well as the DFGT due to the extra motor.

It would be awesome if Logitech update the DFGT wheel with options of adding a shifter to it and better pedals in the future and also making it use helical gears. It would make the already awesome wheel the ultimate entry level wheel for PS3 and PC.

I can see why people say the G27 is toy like compared to more higher end wheels as it feels that way to me without even trying the better wheels out there. Best thing to go for the best wheel you can afford while looking at the positives and negatives of the wheels from your perspective. If the DFGT used helical gears, I most likely would not have got a G27 as the noise can get annoying for me and probably others.
 
Conza
Wow amazing that you're actually quicker! I wasn't even thinking of that, I was thinking of a more realistic gaming experience (larger wheel, more lifelike feedback, ect).
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I can sum the T500rs up for you in a couple of bullet points

Pros:
- Very strong FFB (best in the business unless you go into the super PC sim wheel range)
- I preferred the fixed paddle shifter (good click)
- Precise steering input (you can point your car exactly where you want it to go)
- No deadzone (BIGGEST pro over the G25/27)
- Very solid construction (especially the pedals
- Good FFB effects (sensations you get through the wheel)
- Decent pedals
- Makes you a slightly better/ more aware driver (no more yanking at the wheel. Smoothness is key with this wheel... like in real life)

Cons:
- FFB strength is almost a weakness (this wheel will jolt on you if you do not tweak your in game FFB settings. I found this annoying)
- Pedals are only decent (IMO they are only marginally better than the G25/27. Considering how much better the wheel is, I expected a bit more)
- Value? (Its only a value on sale IMO)
- Thrustmaster Customer service (My experience was good, but I have heard other stories)
- Reliability (With the G25 this is not really a question. My T500rs came with a broken paddle shifter. The FFB strength has also slightly faded)

If the Wii wheel attachment is a 1, MS wheel a 4, DFGT a 5, G27 a 7, Fanatec CSR w/CSR pedals 7 and change, and ECCI/Frex a 10... then I would put the T500RS at a solid 8.
 
A lot of really good feedback from everyone.

I have a G27 upgraded from two DFGTs (given to my wife and brother). Like others, I have been considering the T500rs, and these reviews might have been the decider for me.

Are the T500 pedals better than the G27 pedals with nixim mod v.2? Are they at least compatible/interchangeable? Interchangeable shifters?

I'd ideally like to keep the G27 as well, so the T500 needs to be worth it. (Maybe I can give that one to my eventual new wife, since this one will leave me soon if I keep bringing wheels into our house!)

That being said, there is supposedly a new free-roam Forza game coming out, which, if true, means a 360 purchase as well. So the no compatibility with 360 is a big minus.

More consideration to be taken......
 
Conza
Completely seperate to that assesment - why does 'Toronto, Canada' show up with the German flag?
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I decided to use the German flag because that's my nationality, although I'm currently residing in Toronto. I moved here when I was 19 with my folks but I'm still constantly back and forth between the two countries for business reasons.
 
I started off with the DFGT and I fell in love with it, because it's a really good wheel, and for me the only downfall was the pedals. Then one day I used a G27 and using those pedals felt a lot better, the difference was like night and day, so I had to get one. Now that I have one I enjoy racing even more and I love using it, but the T500 and the Fanatec wheels have got me thinking about another upgrade. I've never used a T500 but everyone says that it's much better than the G27 and the shifter is also better, and the fact that it also works with the PC is a definite plus.
 
The most obvious shortcoming of both Logitech G27 and the DFGT wheels is the fact that they both use small(er) motors and low voltage power supplies (1.75A and .75A for the respective wheels) which result in less powerful FFB compared to the T500RS. Prior to the T500RS, I was using the G25. It's not quite the G27 but aside from the move to helical gear and improving the H-gated shifter, it retains the same power supply and my guess the motor as well.

That is not to say the FFB can't feel strong. Under the right circumstances (with GTR2, for example) it can feel snappy and powerful. But after a few minutes of playing you'll start to feel some loss in power and more importantly the quality of the FFB. That's where stronger motor and power supply come in handy.

My move the T500RS has not been wrought in tragedy- the pedals are working, the FFB still feel as strong and my TH8RS shifter still clicking (that's 3 months of ownership). Unlike paskowitz I paid the premium price for the wheel. At the price point I was willing to spend the other alternative was the CSR-E. I was strongly considering the wheel (although I was actually longing for the CSW) but having had a good experience owning the trouble-free G25 for over three years, I wasn't willing to take a chance with the initial production of the CSR-E. I waited almost a year after the T500RS have been on the market to finally make the purchase.

Get the CSW if you can afford both the wait and the cost. The CSR-E if you own an Xbox. If you're in to PC and PS3 driving game/sim, the T500RS provides a good alternative. Its pedal isn't great especially compared to load cell equipped pedals but personally I find it a good improvement over my stock G25. The brake pedal, for example, provides better modulation and a good progressive feel. Not so much an issue with most PC sims which are software adjustable but in GT5, for example, the T500RS brake behaves more realistically than my stock G25's.

On top of the wheel itself, I also bought the shifter and recently the Ferrari F1 wheel (although not being a Windows user, I have yet to update my T500RS firmware and therefore unable to use the wheel). Both are price nicely although I'd say the shifter presents a better value than the F1 wheel. With that said I can't wait to use the wheel not only with F1 cars but also LMPs and even Super GT(500) cars in GT5.
 
tazj_7
I started off with the DFGT and I fell in love with it, because it's a really good wheel, and for me the only downfall was the pedals. Then one day I used a G27 and using those pedals felt a lot better, the difference was like night and day, so I had to get one. Now that I have one I enjoy racing even more and I love using it, but the T500 and the Fanatec wheels have got me thinking about another upgrade. I've never used a T500 but everyone says that it's much better than the G27 and the shifter is also better, and the fact that it also works with the PC is a definite plus.
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Well the DFGT words with the PC, it works even better than it does on the PS3 as far as I've seen (GT5 anyway, this if Dirt 3's use of it), the FFB is greater, it centers better, ect.

I would never get a Fanatec from their current model range, as I don't want to be stuck with a single manufacter's wheel, especially one that isn't even in GT5, the Fanatecs for GT5 are just stupid imo, just get a T500RS or a G27, that covers most of the Fanatec range pretty well.
 
Fanatec CSR-elite with clubsport pedals.

I guess I must be stupid because this is my wheel /pedal choice and they are fantastic. imo
 
tlsuth41
Fanatec CSR-elite with clubsport pedals.

I guess I must be stupid because this is my wheel /pedal choice and they are fantastic. imo
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Not exactly, I said the wheel and game combination 'specifically' and exclusively, for GT5, was unwise/stupid, however, for those with a PS3 and a 360, the Fanatec is basically the only option. My most critical point with the Fanatecs is their brand exclusive, particularly a brand not in GT5, virtually any other car brand would've been more acceptable, but still only one brand, even a Ferrari wheel I wouldn't want.
 
G27, for 270$ with a 4 year warranty it is the best bargain. You might complain its pedals are squishy but there is always the cheap nixim mod that cost only 60$ for a full set of springs.
 
I love the T500rs but the pedals are not as good as CSPs (load cell) in my book. T500rs has a lot of pluses still. The stock rim is a little bigger than the CSR-E rim I think. The T500rs can deliver monster FFB. The CSR-E can feel smoother

The CSPs can feel much more accurate and responsive. The T500rs pedals feel less accurate but are really solid and beautiful to look upon. The CSPs delivers better performance but it still seems more fragile too me. I have children and fear one day they may step on it. With the CSPs, I fear they can break it easily. The T500rs pedals I'd worry it might injure them to be perfectly honest

Tough choices yo. Obviously CSR-E is the way to go if you have all the major platforms. T500rs is a little cheaper and has the f1 integral wheel rim and TH8RS shifter.

T500rs is the official wheel for GT5 so there is that whole 'gt5 pride thing' going for it. You can see your wheel in the options and all that.

I play with my csr-e more but I also still enjoy playing with my T500rs here and there.
 
CSR, again, not even a consideration from my point of view because

A. I don't have a 360, and never will (owned one of the original few that didn't RROD themselves, traded it for my current slim PS3, best console decision I ever made, including trading a GameCube for a PS2!).

B. It's even more expensive? Crickey! Whatever for? Better pedals? I think the componentisation should also be allowed to be speced into packs, so you could get a discount on multiple purchases, I'd never buy it if it were more expensive.

C. It's a Porsche wheel for a game 'without' Porsche? Doesn't make any sense.
 
With the CSR-E I can achieve faster times than with my T500rs. The combination of the very nice attached paddles (I drive f1-like cars such as Acura HPD, Star Mazda, and a little f1) + load cells (CSP).

Even when I had just my T500rs I vastly preferred the CSPs. Much more accurate when plugged in via USB (PC....).

If all you care for is speed I'd choose a CSR + CSP no question I am sorry to say. I very much adore my T500rs but the pedals are just blown away by load cell technology.

but if you are just a casual driver than perhaps you care not for acquiring that next tenth of a second or whatever. I only drive online against others so just a little extra consistency can get me a favorable result in a long race

* Btw, there is no Porche logo on CSR-E. I guess its a Forza 4 logo? I like the logo since I drive a little fm4 too

Disclaimer: I never really compared both these wheels very much in GT5. I mostly play iRacing so all my comparisons were done there. GT5 I just play for fun with friends, etc.
 
sandboxgod
With the CSR-E I can achieve faster times than with my T500rs. The combination of the very nice attached paddles (I drive f1-like cars such as Acura HPD, Star Mazda, and a little f1) + load cells (CSP).

Even when I had just my T500rs I vastly preferred the CSPs. Much more accurate when plugged in via USB (PC....).

If all you care for is speed I'd choose a CSR + CSP no question I am sorry to say. I very much adore my T500rs but the pedals are just blown away by load cell technology.

but if you are just a casual driver than perhaps you care not for acquiring that next tenth of a second or whatever. I only drive online against others so just a little extra consistency can get me a favorable result in a long race

* Btw, there is no Porche logo on CSR-E. I guess its a Forza 4 logo? I like the logo since I drive a little fm4 too

Disclaimer: I never really compared both these wheels very much in GT5. I mostly play iRacing so all my comparisons were done there. GT5 I just play for fun with friends, etc.
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Yeah, for GT5, the CSRs don't really work. Forza/Porsche logo are just not fitting, an alcantara wheel might be a bit nicer than plastic, and neither wheel comes with a shifter, which imo is just highway robbery, so yeah, see previous post for full reasons why CSRs wouldn't work for me.
 
Well it seems you have your mind made up which is good really 👍

So I would focus on the T500rs which would obviously be my next choice. However, you just said you believe it is highway robbery for the price because it includes no shifter. From experience, I know it blows away that DFGT.

Ideally, for a skeptic like yourself, I'd recommend walking into a store and 'trial' out the T500rs. I did this with my local FRY's store. and was blown away

But in the absence of such an option then it becomes a hard decision.

I do believe you are looking for confirmation perhaps in your choice of going with the G27 perhaps? There are more G27 users out there perhaps but those guys may not frequent this section as much as us t500rs / fanatec users
 
Problem is, almost everyone agrees the T500RS is better than the G27, if they were both free, you'd probably go T500RS, even without the shifter.

But, the G27 is covered in leather, comes with a shifter in the package, and that price is half that of the T500RS.

So for me load cell or not, it's T500RS + TH8 vs. G27. I think I'll save up more dough when I can afford both, but still have to justify the extra expense. I would definately consider a Fanatec, if it didn't have a Forza or Porsche logo on it (I know, such a small thing, but even still).
 
It's kind of strange comparing the 3 wheels - they aren't really in the same category and compete at different price points.

I think it would be fair to say that the 3 wheels perform well at their respective price range.
 
Well a G27 will still get the job done. In PC land, I know of some aliens using G27s however the one alien I know 1st hand uses CSPs for his brakes. But surely a G27 can get the job done

At least now the buttons and stuff can be mapped properly in Gt5.

* G27 can be upgraded too all sorts of ways. It still has way more mods then any other wheel atm to my great dismay haha

[edit] You know the upcoming CSW (super wheel++) will not have a Forza logo, etc? It's going to be crazy good I am sure. It will cost some money but should be worth it. If you get the G27 for now you can still save up for the CSW.... Cant hurt to have 2 wheels. That is how I roll! One wheel goes down I have backup
 
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sandboxgod
Ideally, for a skeptic like yourself, I'd recommend walking into a store and 'trial' out the T500rs. I did this with my local FRY's store. and was blown away
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Do they have a T500RS setup for demo? I gotta go there then
 
Sorry I meant to add what I meant by 'trial' was that they told me it was ok to buy the T500rs, try it out for 30 days, and if I did not like it I could return it for any reason and receive a full refund. So that worked out well for me.
 

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