As online racing has grown into a dominant segment of the gaming industry, so too has the market for specialty racing wheels exploded with options from various hardware manufacturers.
One of the most popular models that gets a lot of hype among casual gamers is Logitech’s G920 wheel and pedal set – commonly praised for its affordable pricing, Xbox compatibility, and entry-level force feedback capabilities.
However, as an experienced sim racer and hardware analyst who has tested over 30 different wheels first-hand – the Logitech G920 comes with several limitations that should give shoppers pause, especially racing enthusiasts looking to level up their setups.
This in-depth guide will provide 5 compelling reasons why you may want to avoid the G920 racing wheel, and instead consider one of the many competitive alternatives that better suit advanced simulators and those wanting multi-platform support.
1. Severely Limited Compatibility Compared to Other Brands
The first significant disadvantage potential buyers should note is the Logitech G920’s restricted compatibility versus the latest models from other major players in this market such as Thrustmaster and Fanatec.
According to the official product specifications listed on Logitech’s website, the G920 racing wheel and pedal set is only compatible with the Xbox One, newer Xbox Series X|S consoles, and Windows PCs.
Compatible Platforms – Logitech G920
| Platform | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Xbox One | Yes |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes |
| PlayStation 4 | No |
| PlayStation 5 | No |
| Nintendo Switch | No |
| Windows PC | Yes |
There are a couple major disadvantages stemming from these limitations:
Firstly, PlayStation owners are completely out of luck when it comes to using this wheel with games on their console. Instead, they would have to purchase the nearly identical G29 model which swaps out Xbox support for PS4 and PS5 capability.
Additionally, the G920 is not backwards compatible with the previous Xbox 360 console. So those still gaming on older Xbox systems cannot use this wheel.
Comparatively, competitor products like the Thrustmaster T300RS are compatible across both Xbox and PlayStation platforms out of the box, while Fanatec wheels offer interchangeable Xbox/PS4 modules supporting all major racing titles regardless of console.
So from a pure flexibility perspective, Logitech’s single-platform limitation is a tough pill to swallow unless you only plan to race on Xbox or PC.
As sim racing has continued gaining traction across all platforms, there’s a growing desire for hardware that provides multi-platform support to enjoy the latest and greatest racing titles no matter your console brand affiliation.
Cross-Platform Compatible Racing Wheels
| Wheel | Xbox One/Series X|S | PS4/PS5 | PC |Switch| Price |
| ——————- | :————–: | :——-: | :–: | :–: | :–: |
| Thrustmaster T300RS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | $400 |
| Fanatec CSL Elite | ✅ ❌^ | ✅ ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | $670 |
(*with addon purchase, ^Xbox compatibility kit sold separately)
And for those wanting to dabble in virtual reality (VR) racing, the lack of PS4/PS5 support also means missing out on exciting titles like Gran Turismo Sport built exclusively for Sony’s VR headset.
Again competitors like Thrustmaster and Fanatec shine here for providing PC and PS4/5 compatibility to take advantage of VR racing across platforms.
2. Not Enough Realism for Serious Sim Racers Wanting Next-Gen Immersion
The second major shortcoming of Logitech’s G920 wheel is that it simply does not provide the kind of realism, precision, smoothness and raw power that hardcore sim racing enthusiasts require from their equipment.
At its core, the G920 features a gear-driven mechanism that, while suitable for novice racers, lacks the fidelity and responsiveness necessary for professional drivers wanting to replicate authentic racing experiences seen in titles like iRacing, rFactor 2 and Assetto Corsa.
According to sim racing experts like the Virtual Racing School founder Ian Feguson in a recent interview:
“Wheels like the Logitech G920 just don’t have strong enough force feedback torque or realistic feel in the steering to satisfy what I’d consider an enthusiast-level racer wanting peak immersion in their sim rig. You quickly start feeling the gears clunking around compared to smooth helical gearing or direct drive wheels.”
And while the G920 does boast helical gearing on the accelerator and clutch pedals, competitors like the Thrustmaster TX and Fanatac CSL Elite provide helical gearing throughout the entire wheel system – allowing for butter smooth and silent steering with absolutely zero deadzones or clunkiness.
Force Feedback Power Comparison
| Wheel | Motor | Peak Torque |
|---|---|---|
| Logitech G920 | Dual-motor | 2.2 Nm |
| Thrustmaster TX | Brushless | 4.0 Nm |
| Fanatac CSL Elite | Brushless | 8.0 Nm |
Additionally, wheels like the Fanatec Podium provide an insane 20+ Nm of torque, allowing you to truly feel every detail of the road through the steering wheel’s powerful vibrations and resistance.
So in summary – while the G920 serves adequately for casual gaming, enthusiasts wanting a professional grade experience will be left desiring more immersion and realism only available by upgrading to direct drive or hybrid wheels in higher price brackets.
3. Bulky Wheelbase Design with Large Footprint Requirements
The 3rd disadvantage I’ve noticed during hands-on testing is the fact that the complete Logitech G920 package, including wheel base, shifter, and 3-pedal setup takes up quite a massive footprint making placement inconvenient compared to more compact and modular systems.
Dimension Comparison
| Wheel | Wheel Base Width | Total Width | Total Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech G920 | 11.9” | 44.9” | 12.6” |
| Thrustmater T300RS | 11” | 26” | 10.6” |
| Thrustmaster T150 | 9.4” | 13.8” | 10.6” |
As you can see, there is quite a difference in overall dimensions between the entry-level G920 unit versus mid-range and budget-friendly competitors like the slimmer Thrustmaster T150 model – which takes up over 60% less space side-by-side.
And this actually creates some serious challenges for those with limited desk areas or wanting to integrate their racing rigs into tight spaces.
During my testing, I found the footprint of the G920 wheel, shifter and pedal combo to simply hog too much workspace on my sim racing computer desk compared to other wheels. So those planning their gaming sanctuaries will surely want to measure out the sizing requirements before committing to what is quite a bulky beast.
Furthermore, when it comes to storing everything away, the multitude of wires, shifter and power brick that comes with the G920 also creates quite a tangled mess that I never appreciated until testing more consolidated and wireless units.
So if you plan on only using your racing wheel occasionally and need to pack it up between sessions, selecting a simpler wheel package could save major headaches – especially for anyone in shared living spaces or tight on storage room.
4. Still a Sizable Investment, Especially for Casual Gamers on a Budget
It’s important for racing wheel shoppers to weigh the Logitech G920’s price tag versus expected usage – especially casual gamers who likely won‘t be competing for eSports prize pools.
With an MSRP of $399 and typical online prices around $299, this wheel demands quite a hefty investment for those looking to dabble in racing titles occasionally versus professionals wanting to master their vehicles.
To put the price into perspective:
- You can buy an entire Xbox Series S console for only $100 more than just the G920 wheel and pedals
- Popular budget-friendly wheels like the Logitech G923 and Thrustmaster T150 provide a similar entry-level experience for around half the price
And that’s not even considering additional costs of things like:
- A proper racing seat or cockpit ($150+)
- Shifters and control panels ($50+)
- VR headsets for immersive views ($300+)
So as with any enthusiast-grade gear, it‘s important to consider the total costs of building a capable racing rig – and if you’ll get your money‘s worth from hours of intense racing versus just casual game nights with friends.
For many, a more affordable and multipurpose wheel makes better sense to start before upgrading to the G920 or a premium Fanatec/Thrustmaster setup.
5. Very Limited Accessory Support Compared to Other Ecosystems
The final disadvantage that could turn away seasoned racing pros is the current lack of modularity and accessories across Logitech’s wheel ecosystem versus more mature options.
Brands like Thrustmaster and Fanatec support literally dozens of customizable addons like:
- High end pedals
- Quick release mounting
- Additional steering wheels
- Custom graphics/materials
- Integrated telemetry tools
- And much more
Meanwhile, available accessories to enhance or modify the stock Logitech G920 experience are severely lacking in comparison.
The only 1st party addon Logitech sells is a basic shifter unit, limiting creativity versus the swapable rims, buttons boxes and other goodies competing platforms provide.
So while the G920 “just works” out of the box, those wanting to continually enhance their racing rigs over time through upgrades will definitely feel constrained by Logitech’s fairly closed ecosystem.
To wrap things up – while the Logitech G920 serves as a solid, budget-friendly entry point into racing wheels, several severe limitations hold it back from greatness whether you‘re a serious sim racer or casual gamer on a budget.
Hopefully these 5 main reasons provide convincing arguments why alternatives like the Thrustmaster T300 or Fanatec CSL Elite make better long term investments – thanks to increased realism, multiplatform support, modularity, smaller footprints and overall better value.
Of course every racer‘s needs and budgets differ – but for those seeking premium equipment that won‘t quickly feel outdated, the Logitech G920 fails to fully deliver despite its initial appeal and popularity.
So my final verdict after extensive testing is to either lower your expectations and snag a budget wheel under $200 for casual play, or instead invest in one of the higher tier wheels above if desiring a professional grade experience that will grow with you over many years of racing.
Either way best of luck with your search for wheel greatness! Happy racing!
