Logitech G29, Thrustmaster T300 or Fanatec 911 GT3

[xkubunt]

Hi guys,

I was biding my time until there was more news on Logitech support but now I'm setting out to get a wheel for my PS4 (and project cars at the moment).

I've been looking around and my budget would be around £250 to £300 so wondered which out of the following would probably be the best option for the money:

- Thrustmaster T300
- Fanatec 911 GT3 RS V2
- Logitech G29

From what I've seen the top two seem to be better value for money (Fanatec comes in cheapest) so what would you recommend?

I've had a DFGT and a G25 in the past so anything that's the same if not better would be great.

 

[LVracerGT]

I'm looking at ordering the CSR wheel US. It says out of stock on the website but also says available for pre-order. Hopefully they're still making them otherwise I'm gonna have to spend more money on the T300

 

[xkubunt]

I'm looking at ordering the CSR wheel US. It says out of stock on the website but also says available for pre-order. Hopefully they're still making them otherwise I'm gonna have to spend more money on the T300

Is that the forza branded one?

 

[skazz]

Of the three, the right choice will depend on priorities...

- do you want guaranteed support for all PS4 games? Then the Fanatec drops out
- do you want smooth belt drive? Then the Logitech drops out
- do you want the highest quality FFB? then the T300 wins hands down
- do you want the least risk of issues? then probably G29 wins

Personally in terms of the user experience, I would rate the wheels Fanatec<Logitech<Thrustmaster.
The pedals would depend on how much you want to spend. Fanatec lets you spend up to €350 on pedals, although the CSR Elite pedals are probably the ones you would want and are very decent. Thrustmaster comes with mediocre pedals out of the box but two relatively cheap upgrade options (€100-150). Logitech limits you to the pedals in the box, but they are adequate. Good pedals are essential for sim racing, and you don't want to skimp on them, so the total package has to be considered.

 

[xkubunt]

Of the three, the right choice will depend on priorities...

- do you want guaranteed support for all PS4 games? Then the Fanatec drops out
- do you want smooth belt drive? Then the Logitech drops out
- do you want the highest quality FFB? then the T300 wins hands down
- do you want the least risk of issues? then probably G29 wins

Personally in terms of the user experience, I would rate the wheels Fanatec<Logitech<Thrustmaster.
The pedals would depend on how much you want to spend. Fanatec lets you spend up to €350 on pedals, although the CSR Elite pedals are probably the ones you would want and are very decent. Thrustmaster comes with mediocre pedals out of the box but two relatively cheap upgrade options (€100-150). Logitech limits you to the pedals in the box, but they are adequate. Good pedals are essential for sim racing, and you don't want to skimp on them, so the total package has to be considered.

Thanks, I've got the chance to have a go with the Fanatec today (there's one setup at the shop near me) so I'll see what I think.

From what I've seen already the Logitech/Thrustmaster have all the buttons so that pushes me towards them but it's all about what's best and cheapest.

 

[VBR]

Avoid the Fanatec 911 GT3 RS V2 at all costs. I was a G25 user, & recently bought a Fanatec GT2 which is very similar to the GT3. There are 2 main problems with this wheel that has entirely put me off using it, I don't even want to fire up Project CARS at all because of them! The first issue is the hand positions on the wheel; they are at 2 o'clock & 10 o'clock, whereas the DFGT & G25's are at 9 o'clock & 3 o'clock which gives you more control over the steering like you would get in a race car. The second issue is that there are buttons right where your thumbs are & it's very easy to accidentally press them in the heat of battle, it's a really bad design imo. Get a CSR or CSR Elite if you want a Fanatec, & don't even think about getting the GT3 or GT2.


👍

 

[Rich2086]

I was in your shoes. Get a T300 and if youve still got the g27 pedals you can use them with the t300 with a ricmotech adapter. If not get the t3pa pro pedals, im extremely happy with my T300 so sooth and nice strong force feedback

 

[LVracerGT]

Is that the forza branded one?

Yes the Forza branded wheel. They had a bundle sale on it about a month ago, I was going to pull the trigger on it and then Ian made the comments over in the WMD forums that made everyone think the G27 was getting support with the 1.4 patch. Now the Fanatec website is saying out of stock, but that they're taking per orders. It's the only wheel I want that I can afford now and I can't get it

 

[Saidur_Ali]

I think T300 is best value wheel followed by G29. Fanatec compatibility on PS4 seems a big gamble and also is expensive.

 

[LeMansAid]

Avoid the Fanatec 911 GT3 RS V2 at all costs. I was a G25 user, & recently bought a Fanatec GT2 which is very similar to the GT3. There are 2 main problems with this wheel that has entirely put me off using it, I don't even want to fire up Project CARS at all because of them! The first issue is the hand positions on the wheel; they are at 2 o'clock & 10 o'clock, whereas the DFGT & G25's are at 9 o'clock & 3 o'clock which gives you more control over the steering like you would get in a race car. The second issue is that there are buttons right where your thumbs are & it's very easy to accidentally press them in the heat of battle, it's a really bad design imo. Get a CSR or CSR Elite if you want a Fanatec, & don't even think about getting the GT3 or GT2.

The button placement certainly was pre-defined to a large extent by the adherence to the real world rim look - I'm sure that compromises were made due to this. Hand placement was never an issue for me though, and is also true to life - for better or for worse.

You're not appreciating the increased smoothness of the Fanatec? Have you found yourself wishing you had just bought a T300?

 

[VBR]

You're not appreciating the increased smoothness of the Fanatec? Have you found yourself wishing you had just bought a T300?

The Fanatec is no more smoother than my excellent G25. The GT2 cost me £17.71 (after a bit of 'wheeling' & dealing), so I have no desire to spend £299 on a Failmaster!

I'm on a very tight budget, & at the moment I'm looking for a good deal on a pre-owned CSR or CSR Elite.

 

[skazz]

My GT2 is most definitely smoother than my G25.... No cog rattle and turning the wheel gives a much smoother feel. However, it's also a much more resistive feel: you have to work against the belt and motor much more on a GT2 than a G25. That plus the hand position (which I also find uncomfortable) ranks the GT2 behind the G25 for me.

 

[VBR]

My GT2 is most definitely smoother than my G25.... No cog rattle and turning the wheel gives a much smoother feel. However, it's also a much more resistive feel: you have to work against the belt and motor much more on a GT2 than a G25. That plus the hand position (which I also find uncomfortable) ranks the GT2 behind the G25 for me.

I remember you mentioning "cog rattle" before with your G25. My one has nothing like that, no rattle at all. It's slightly notchy, but no more so than the GT2. I compared them side by side in Gran Turismo, & I preferred the G25 as it felt more precise whereas the GT2 felt more sloppy.

 

[LeMansAid]

However, it's also a much more resistive feel: you have to work against the belt and motor much more on a GT2 than a G25.

They do have some fairly heavy lube in them from stock. I thinned out the lube on my GT3 and it was notably less mechanically damped. The G25/G27 has incredibly low damping though.

I remember you mentioning "cog rattle" before with your G25. My one has nothing like that, no rattle at all. It's slightly notchy, but no more so than the GT2. I compared them side by side in Gran Turismo, & I preferred the G25 as it felt more precise whereas the GT2 felt more sloppy.

I get the feeling you've either got a miracle G25, or a dodgy GT2. Though I can certainly understand your T300 attitude, given the price for the GT2.

 

[skazz]

I remember you mentioning "cog rattle" before with your G25. My one has nothing like that, no rattle at all. It's slightly notchy, but no more so than the GT2. I compared them side by side in Gran Turismo, & I preferred the G25 as it felt more precise whereas the GT2 felt more sloppy.

Precise/sloppy is not what I mean with "rattle". I agree that the G25 feels more precise than the GT2, as if in some way the GT2 belt stretches slightly when changing direction, or at least there's a bit more latency in how it responds which gives you that kind of feeling.

I mean with "rattle" both the noise (which sounds like teeth hitting together) and the feel for example when going over bumps. After using various belt drive wheels I'm now sure that the G25 has a tendency to rattle around when presented with bumps on the road surface in such a way that you get the impression there are more bumps than the game actually is simulating.

Now it's perfectly possible that after 6 years of hard use (especially drifting) my G25 was worn, and your G25 is as good as new. But many many G25/27 users mention the same thing about the noise of those cogs and the lack of smooth feel when you turn the wheel.

 

[VBR]

I've never heard of any noise like teeth hitting together, & I've used 3 G25's over the years. The one I have now is 6 years old, & I have used it a lot for online racing in GT5 Prologue, GT5, & GT6 (did several 9 hour sessions in GT Academy 2010 too). I did have a G27 that made clicking noises, but the shop I bought it from just swapped it over for a new one as Logitech advised me it shouldn't make any noise like that & was therefore considered as being faulty.

As for the GT2, it feels pretty much the same as my mates Fanatec CSR. Both feel vague & sloppy to me compared to my G25. I don't think it's broken, it just feels sluggish by comparison. However, the lack of smoothness, or notchyness, feels the same in both GT2 & G25 wheels to me.

I just wish I could plug in my trusty 'ole G25 & carry on enjoying my sim racing - thanks a lot Sony/Logitech!

 

[GTguy88]

Of the three, the right choice will depend on priorities...

- do you want guaranteed support for all PS4 games? Then the Fanatec drops out
- do you want smooth belt drive? Then the Logitech drops out
- do you want the highest quality FFB? then the T300 wins hands down
- do you want the least risk of issues? then probably G29 wins

Personally in terms of the user experience, I would rate the wheels Fanatec<Logitech<Thrustmaster.
The pedals would depend on how much you want to spend. Fanatec lets you spend up to €350 on pedals, although the CSR Elite pedals are probably the ones you would want and are very decent. Thrustmaster comes with mediocre pedals out of the box but two relatively cheap upgrade options (€100-150). Logitech limits you to the pedals in the box, but they are adequate. Good pedals are essential for sim racing, and you don't want to skimp on them, so the total package has to be considered.

That's interesting. From all the big name sim racer people, the Fanatec wheels are by the far the highest quality compared to the thrustmaster and logitech ones.

 

[skazz]

That's interesting. From all the big name sim racer people, the Fanatec wheels are by the far the highest quality compared to the thrustmaster and logitech ones.

Fanatec use just as much plastic in their lower end wheels as Logitech or Thrustmaster. But Fanatec has wheels in much higher price classes than Logitech or Thrustmaster, which are indeed much higher quality kit.

Still, just because something looks great and is made of fully metal doesn't mean it is guaranteed to outperform the mass produced plastic alternative. It usually will, but not always