Logitech G27 or Fanatec 911 GT3 clubsport edition?

[GAHmusic]

Hi
Some of you may have seen my post about my dissapointment at the DFGT. Well I've spent some time looking around for a reasonably priced G25 but have found everyone who is advertising them cheaply actually has no stock to sell so I have decided I am going to have to splash out.
I have decided on one of two options either the G27 or the Fanatec 911 GT3 clubsport edition. both of these retail here in the UK for roughly £300 in fact the Fanatec is slightly cheaper. On the face of it it looks like a no brainer the fanatec is a beautiful looking wheel and pedal set that makes the G27 look like a toy, the reviews are good and the tech spec is high but I've been caught out before and it's a lot of money for me to make a mistake so I thought you guys would know better than anyone.
I would be extremely grateful if you could let me know your opinion.

 

[Mr Latte]

id say you should point out what games or systems you intend to use your wheel on.

For example consoles only or just PC. Mention what OS your running.
Also are you a person that is likely to use H-Shift or happy to play with paddles.


I will say as a G25 GT3RS and Turbo S owner personally I find the GT3RS the most comfortable wheel and I prefer it over the G25. However I mainy play on consoles and use the paddles. IM not that impressed with either Logitechs or Fanatecs shifters, they still feel more like toys compared to the wheels.

 

[GAHmusic]

Hi Mr Latte
You're quite right. I should have said it will be for a PS3 and mostly GT5 prologue until GT5 is released I also ocasionally like to drive around like a nutter in games like need for speed. I much prefer paddle to an H shift too.

 

[Raitziger]

I like the feel of fanatec turbo S and GT3 kind of same. I had G25 previously.

 

[Biggles]

Check out the in-depth reviews here:

http://www.insidesimracing.tv/

although you're not going to find a clear-cut answer to your question there either!

I have G25 (not the G27) & GT3 RS wheels. Here are my comments:

Both the Logitech H-shifter & the Fanatec H-shifter leave something to be desired (I can't tell you how much better the G27's shifter is than the G25 shifter), so they come out about even IMO.

The Clubsport pedals are unquestionably far superior in build quality to the G25 pedals, but whether that makes a real difference in practical terms is harder to say.

Both the G25 & GT3 wheel look good & feel high quality: the Fanatec wheel feels heavier & more solid overall, but the G25 wheel is actually more firmly set on its steering column.

The Fanatec wheel definitely feels more like a "real" steering wheel, with stronger, smoother FFB. However, I think I actually prefer the lean, "custom" look & feel of the G25 wheel - although that is a highly subjective opinion.

The G25 rotates faster than the Fanatec, which may make it better for certain kinds of intense driving: rallying, F1 racing & drifting.

The mounting system of the G25 wheel is definitely simpler & more effective, if you're not hard-mounting.

The "stock" rod-mounting system of the Fanatec shifters is not good at all, while the G25's "stock" shifter mount is flawless.

I much prefer the paddles on the G25 to the Fanatec paddles.

The variety of buttons on the Fanatec wheel make it easier to race with than the shifter-mounted buttons of the G25 - but, of course, the G27 has a lot more wheel mounted buttons than the G25.

I really like the straightforward way the G25 fits onto my Playseat Evo cockpit.

Both wheels are good. If you're a drifter or F1 racer, I think I would choose the G27. If you have a Playseat Evo I think I would choose a G27. If you're more into racing road cars & have a custom cockpit or no cockpit, I would lean towards the GT3 RS.

Hope that helps!

 

[Mr Latte]

The Clubsports are the tricky part of the decision, as are they really needed for a console, and well mmm. I dont think particulary on a console game you would be really much faster with them over say the G25 pedals.

Id say yes the GT3RS "actual wheel" is better than the G27 and having the ability to adjust it mid game is often underestimated. Wheel shape and comfort is even much better than the Turbo wheel in my opinion. Like said above I agree the paddles are better on the G27 but they arnt bad on the GT3RS.

The thing is, I think the CSP are really good but may start to be seen as overpriced. For example you can actually find a G25 cheaper than a set of CSP.
This gives you a complete whole wheel and pedals. It is then possible to get Fanatec to perhaps supply you with a G25 converter cable. I also see someone on the forums has made one.

So a GT3RS in "PURE" form with no shifters, just paddles and buy a G25. You could use this with an adapter cable and also probably buy the "load cell" upgrade for the Logitech pedals that is also on recent forum discussions. This seems a really good package having the GT3RS wheel and upgraded G25 pedals. The benifit of all this would be youd have a great set of pedals and two wheels, which you could spread the wear/tear or just change over if you feel one wheel is better on a particular game than the other.

Alternatively and coming back to the CSP again. I see within the UK now its possible to get the G27 from OCUK for £260. So is a full G27 better than a CSP set of pedals for about £60 more and get the GT3RS wheel as well, now thats a question!

 

[blacbul67]

Reading these comments I'm happy my primary concern was the compatibility of the wheel so I chose the Fanatec Turbo S wheel clubsport edition. Pleased I didn't have to choose between the Fanatec wheels just about everyone who has tried or owns both prefers the feel of the GT3RS wheel. As for Mr Latte's comment about the lack of need for the CSP with consoles I didnt buy them to go faster (though it would be nice!) but in order to have as settled a set up for as long as possible. I saw the them as lasting longer the other options.

I don't have a gaming PC just a bob basic laptop but looking to get one and run it through my 40" Samsung LCD HDTV specifically to run rfactor, GPL etc. So CSP will obviously come into their own as will the flexibility of the wheel, with only change in set up needed between platform being the need to connect the pedals to the PC directly in order to benefit from the increased resolution of input (control) afforded by PC over my Xbox 360 and PS3.

 

[Raitziger]

The G25 rotates faster than the Fanatec, which may make it better for certain kinds of intense driving: rallying, F1 racing & drifting.

True in normal mode, but i Fanatec seems to be much faster to me than G25 if you put some of the drift modes on. Also 540 steering setting is good for some drift cars. I drift a lot and could not be happier with the turbo S wheel BTW i have some new drifting videos on youtube played of course with turbo S.

 

[GAHmusic]

Hi
First of all thanks to everyone who has helped out in making my choice.
After going over all the info I have decided to buy the Logitech G27 and here are my reasons why.

Firstly there is no doubt that the fanatec is a good bit of kit however I have found severel people complaining of issues. I understand that thiscan happen with Logitech too but living here in the UK dealing with issues with Logitech is a lot easier than Fanatec. Also I am not impressed with the paddle shifters on the fanatec wheel compared to the G27 that is quoted as being improved over the G25 which I understand were good anyway. Thirdly I am a bit concerned with the compatability of the Fanatec as I have heard you need to install specific drivers on the PS3 in addition to having to set the date back on the system to make work. I am a huge fan of online racing and understand that GTP5 requires sycronised times on the PS3 to enable conection so that could be a big problem where as I understand the G27 plugs strait in, works and undoubtably will become even more compatable as new games including the full GT5 are released.
In summing up whilst I think the Fanatec may be a bit better build quality that all in all the G27 is a better prospect for trouble free enjoyment and that I would not notice the difference where the Fanatec is better.

Again many thanks for your help
Gary

 

[Raitziger]

Thirdly I am a bit concerned with the compatability of the Fanatec as I have heard you need to install specific drivers on the PS3 in addition to having to set the date back on the system to make work. I am a huge fan of online racing and understand that GTP5 requires sycronised times on the PS3 to enable conection so that could be a big problem where as I understand the G27 plugs strait in,

Not true, Fanatec plugs strait in also. Problem was like year ago with turbo wheel and not turbo S or GT3RS.(firmware update fixed this also for turbo)

 

[12thgear]

Firstly there is no doubt that the fanatec is a good bit of kit however I have found severel people complaining of issues. I understand that thiscan happen with Logitech too but living here in the UK dealing with issues with Logitech is a lot easier than Fanatec.

Fanatec is small and a victim of their success. It seems they don't have enough CS people on staff.

Also I am not impressed with the paddle shifters on the fanatec wheel compared to the G27 that is quoted as being improved over the G25 which I understand were good anyway.

The Logitech paddles are a lot nicer in feel, placement, and size. But the Fanatec paddles do the job.

Thirdly I am a bit concerned with the compatability of the Fanatec as I have heard you need to install specific drivers on the PS3 in addition to having to set the date back on the system to make work. I am a huge fan of online racing and understand that GTP5 requires sycronised times on the PS3 to enable conection so that could be a big problem where as I understand the G27 plugs strait in, works and undoubtably will become even more compatable as new games including the full GT5 are released.

This has not been my experience with the 911 Turbo S wheel. Perhaps with older ones?

Anyway enjoy your G27. If you don't need Xbox compatibility it's a great wheel too.

 

[Biggles]

I haven't had to install any drivers to make the GT3 RS work with PS3 games. I believe it's only an issue with PC games.

I really think the Logitech paddles are much nicer to use.

The "build quality" is equivalent in both Logitech & Fanatec (except for the Clubsport pedals). I think its only the technology that is more sophisticated in the Fanatec wheels (belt-drive). However, that technology is relatively untested over the long-term.

Logitech's customer support is very good, but only while the wheel is still under warranty - after that you can't even buy replacement parts from them. Fanatec offers every individual component separately, which could wind up being very helpful.

As I've pointed out, there are pros & cons to each wheel - there's no clear overall winner - you'll be happy with whatever wheel you choose, so don't sweat it.

 

[oqvist]

I can´t comment on the G27 though I do hope to get a chance to do more then dry sim it.

But compared to G25 the latest driver releases for the porsche wheels really put the plusses down to only the paddles on the G25. In Richard Burns Rally where the G25 was easier to handle with it´s non existant resistance... A bit cheating perhaps but now you can cheat with the drift mode on the Fanatec wheels as well. I have also noted that my Turbo S runs more free with no ffb applied then my GT 3 RS. If your only goal to get a wheel to make you faster I would say there is really a tie. The wheels themselves are as precise as you can expect. Pedals the CSP pedals is in a total other level but there is cheapish mods for the G25 pedals which give you good brake feel like nixim brake mod. The load cell mod also seem to do it´s job though I doubt they fully match the sturdy feel of the CSP pedals and they do lack some adjustability.

Fanatec wheels have a kind of a higher resolution in their force feedback and a more powerful ffb motor. The rim is bigger and the grip is better. Uses better material but as mentioned they are more of an immersion upgrade then speed upgrade.

As for paddles yes that is the round that goes to the G25. The paddles on the porsche wheels get the job done... Perhaps some milliseconds faster too but again nothing that make you go faster.

 

[Raitziger]

As for paddles yes that is the round that goes to the G25. The paddles on the porsche wheels get the job done... Perhaps some milliseconds faster too but again nothing that make you go faster.

And i think he is going to use 6-speed as he i planning on G27. DFGT is quite good if you do not use the paddles.

 

[Biggles]

I don't know if your wheels are the same, but the steering column on my GT3 RS has a little bit of movement in it, so that although the wheel rim itself is much thicker & more solid than the G25's, the overall feel is less sturdy than the G25, which after more than two & a half years is still absolutely tight on the steering column. Similarly the wheel casing of the GT3RS, while quite "fancy" in graphics & materials, does not feel as solid as the G25's - it creaks & groans a little. Overall the G25/G27 just has a more minimal, solid, "industrial" quality to it.

The smoothness of the GT3RS takes a lot of the "rattling" FFB out of F1CE which is one of the things I love about that game. In combination with the paddles - which may be fine for "regular racing, but less good when you're really crunching down through the gears as in F1 racing - it means I much prefer F1CE with the G25.

 

[Bandit6]

I had the opportunity to try out the Fanatec 911 wheel the other day and I wasn't really impressed with it at all. The wheel felt "clunkier" than the G27 wheel when turning and the paddles are a bit stiff in my opinion. The shifter feels somewhat similar to the G27's, I don't like either wheels shifters. The Fanatec pedals are nice but will add little in terms of racing I think.

I was surprised that the FFB on both wheels felt similar to me as I had always heard that the Fanatec had stronger FFB.

Both wheels are great overall, so whatever wheel you choose I think you can't go wrong.

 

[GAHmusic]

Hi
I've been using the G27 for a couple of days now and I'm very happy so far. It's a shame the paddles don't work in GT5P but they work fine in the GT5 Demo so that's something to look forward too. The pedals are nice too, better than I imagined because in all the pics I never realised they were so large, lol and they feel nice. I also had a cracka t the h gate shifter which was a lot of fun however am I right in thinking the clutch is non linear as it seems to either be on or off, plus sometimes it doen't engage unless I release it quickly, so again in normal use cool but my starts are a bit bummpy.
All in all very happy though, I have also had a crack at Colin mrcrae Dirt 2 demo and enjoyed that imensly.

cheers All

 

[Biggles]

The G25/G27 pedals are high quality & work well - mine have been working flawlessly for two & a half years now - however, if you saw the Clubsport pedals in person, you would see they are much more solid & "serious" than the Logitech pedals.

Yes, the clutch is not easy to use in GT5P - there's no feel & it's easy to miss the shift. The H-shifter is also hard to use at first, but after many hours of use it starts to feel "natural".

 

[jasonb1985]

G27 > any Fanatec wheel.

my experience with Fanatec was not good.

 

[jjsahagun]

The smoothness of the GT3RS takes a lot of the "rattling" FFB out of F1CE which is one of the things I love about that game. In combination with the paddles - which may be fine for "regular racing, but less good when you're really crunching down through the gears as in F1 racing - it means I much prefer F1CE with the G25.

@Biggles:
Have you experienced any problems with the GT3RS paddles while playing F1CE? I played in auto but when in the pits the left paddle does not work.
This only happens in F1CE;all other games work fine.

Thanks

 

[Fanatec...]

Hi
First of all thanks to everyone who has helped out in making my choice.
After going over all the info I have decided to buy the Logitech G27 and here are my reasons why.

In summing up whilst I think the Fanatec may be a bit better build quality that all in all the G27 is a better prospect for trouble free enjoyment and that I would not notice the difference where the Fanatec is better.

Again many thanks for your help
Gary

I could be dissapointed with your decision but in fact I am not. Our target is to sell more wheels and it is always diffcult to find the reasons why people prefer other products. It is easy to ask the own customers what they like but you rarely get feedback from the lost opportunities.
I know where we need to work on and what to focus on. Our service and quality has been an issue last year but it is now a challenge for us to communicate that this has changed.
So thanks for this poll and good luck with your G27. See you in a few years when you buy your next wheel

PS: And thanks for all the other fanatec users which recommended our wheel here!

 

[Moloch_horridus]

Maybe if Fanatec have an Australian distributor in time for GT6 I will look again, until then we seem to have no choice.

 

[strtgng]

Maybe if Fanatec have an Australian distributor in time for GT6 I will look again, until then we seem to have no choice.

You probably still have 2-3 years before GT5 comes out.... no worries...

 

[Fanatec...]

We will make a special bundle for Australia with Duke Nukem Forever.

Seriously, we haven't given up on this market and in 5 minutes I will make a call with an australian distributor. I am confident we can make it in time before GT5 comes (whenver that will be)

 

[Moloch_horridus]

Seriously, we haven't given up on this market and in 5 minutes I will make a call with an australian distributor. I am confident we can make it in time before GT5 comes (whenver that will be)

Unfortunately for me it is too late - I did a lot of research and came to the conclusion that the Fanatec wheels were probably a bit better, then discovered I couldn't buy one anyway. So I went and bought a G27.

Maybe in another 5 years or so I will be allowed to buy another one.

 

[Raitziger]

I am confident we can make it in time before GT5 comes (whenver that will be)

No hurry then

Only major thing better on g27 is the speed it changes direction. Everything else is better or about equal with fanatec. I would(and did) buy turbo s over GT3RS any day as turbo s can be updated and also console support is guaranteed.

 

[strtgng]

Only major thing better on g27 is the speed it changes direction. Everything else is better or about equal with fanatec. I would(and did) buy turbo s over GT3RS any day as turbo s can be updated and also console support is guaranteed.

Agree... and with the drift modes on the Turbo S, I have no problem finding a wheel speed that fits any game.

 

[12thgear]

Fanatec and Logitech both make great wheels, but I wish their products could mate and create offspring.

In my opinion the perfect wheel would be the same overall size, shape, and beefiness as the GT3 RS (with the Alcantara), but instead of the circular cross-section of the wheel rim, it would be more oval (not quite as wide, a bit deeper), like on Logitech's wheels. I love the feel and (lack of) noise with Fanatec's belt-drive system. Keep the large, F1-style Logitech paddle shifters.

Put that in an overbuilt package worthy of the Clubsport name, retain Xbox compatibility, and you would have the king of "affordable" wheels.

 

[Ustasa]

We will make a special bundle for Australia with Duke Nukem Forever.

Seriously, we haven't given up on this market and in 5 minutes I will make a call with an australian distributor. I am confident we can make it in time before GT5 comes (whenver that will be)

The supplier for Australia is Pagnian Imports but they charge an astronomical and unrealistic price for the steering wheel ($799) that is meant to compete directly against the Logitech G27 (which cost $350 even less if you shop around) it seems you have totally given up on the Australian market as charging the prices the importer does it might as well not be available here at all and we just go through the difficult task of trying to buy through an American distributor which would still be by far considerably cheaper.

I have been E-mailing for a 1 year and a half now to Fanatec and have been told to constantly look on your web store that Australia will be available as a country selection only just recently to be told that is now available from Pagnian Imports . (HES has informed me that will not be selling the Porsche 911 GT3 RS wheel or clubsport pack )

Australia does not charge a VAT tax and it is closer to import from China to Australia so the price of the wheel should actually be cheaper than in the United States ? (And if we were to pay GST tax this would still be less than the VAT tax the United States charges there is an import tax for items above $1000 dollars but this item clearly does not fall into that category) ?

"Seriously" you definitely have given up on the Australian market as not putting it in as an option on the Fanatec website and then going back on that promise and putting it through an (middleman) Australian importer that charges 2.5 times the retail price because they have it exclusively is definitely and absolutely giving up on the Australian market this steering wheel is a direct competitor to the Logitech G27 in price and function not mega dollar wheels for sale out there .

Your comment of "five minutes" seems to be all the effort you have actually made for the Australian market because $799 I think currently is the most expensive price to pay for the wheel on the entire planet which does actually cost more than a PS3 console with the game Gran Turismo 5 and a Logitech G27 wheel without actually discounting the products because of it being bundled so your comment of "seriously we have not given up on the Australian market" holds absolutely no weight what so ever it is a shame to see what seems such a lucrative market for Fanatec to be held with such contempt and also the lack of support for the Australian customer ?

Regards Paul

 

[Ustasa]

Maybe if Fanatec have an Australian distributor in time for GT6 I will look again, until then we seem to have no choice.

By that time GT6 comes out the Fanatec wheel will be that expensive in Australia that the console will be thrown in with the game as a formality .

So not only will you have no choice but also no choice that you can now also not afford .