Our Verdict
Pros
- Introduces the extra button configuration to the Xbox version
- Design still looks modern
- Trueforce FFB adds extra FFB
- Solid entry level wheel
Cons
- Not a huge improvement over old G29
- Same design and torque output as G29
- Clunky gear FFB
- Slightly pricey for an entry level wheel
The Logitech G29 racing wheel has been the go-to budget racing wheel for many years since its launch. Nobody expected a mid-generation upgrade, but that is exactly what Logitech did. Almost out of nowhere, one day in August 2020, Logitech revealed its new and improved budget racing wheel, the G923. This excited many sim racers until we saw how the G923 looked. It looked almost identical to the G29!
As you can imagine, this added a lot of confusion as to where the Logitech G923 racing wheel fit within Logitech’s racing wheel proposition. Was it truly a new generation of sim racing wheel? Or was it a simple iteration of the current generation of racing wheels?
We’ve owned the Logitech G923 driving force racing wheel since it was launched in 2020. This has given us plenty of hands-on time, allowing us to provide a detailed long-term Logitech G923 review and comparison between the Logitech G923 and G29.
Logitech G923 vs G29
How is the Logitech G923 different from the older G29?
Let’s try to address the elephant in the room. The Logitech G923 sim racing wheel looks almost identical to its predecessor, the G29, in almost every way. It features the same steering wheel design, button layout and identical-looking pedals. So, what has been improved in this upgraded racing wheel and pedal bundle?
Design updates
There are a few very subtle design changes which you’ll notice if you look hard enough. When we compare the older Logitech G29 wheel to the newer G923, you’ll start to notice these differences.
The centre logo is different, having been updated to the new Logitech G icon. The metal paddle shifters on the rear of the wheel are now finished in black instead of the bare metal look on the older racing wheel. All the push buttons on the front of the steering wheel are now black, and there is a new Trueforce sticker on the side of the wheelbase.
New features
So, other than the appearance, what is actually different between the G29 and G923? Well, the Xbox-compatible version of the G923 racing wheel now includes the 24-point selection dial that can be used to control your car in game. This selection dial was previously only found on the PlayStation version of the G29, not the Xbox-compatible G920.
The rev lights from the G29 have also been added to the Xbox version of the G923, making both console-compatible versions of the G923 completely parity in feature sets. This brings a little extra functionality for Xbox racers.
Read this detailed comparison between the Logitech G29 and G923 to see which is better.
24-point selection dial
With both versions of the G923, you can rotate the 24-point selection dial to set elements such as traction control or ABS settings up or down. This improves your overall immersion while playing racing games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, which strives for realism and immersion.
Programmable Dual clutch
Logitech has also introduced a dual clutch system to the G923. This worked pretty well during my testing despite being a little convoluted to set up initially. There aren’t any dual clutch paddles, like some premium racing wheels. Instead, you program the dual clutch by holding both paddle shifters and pressing the LSB and RSB buttons simultaneously.
This enables the launch control mode. You can hold one of the shifters from here and release it as you pull away from a standing start. It works well, but you do need some time to engage it.
Upgraded progressive brake pedal
One other improvement to the Logitech G923 is in the brake pedal, and this is possibly one of the bigger updates. The brake pedal looks the same as the older G29, but you’ll quickly notice the difference as soon as you drive a few laps.
When I took the G923 on track in iRacing, I immediately noticed increased levels of precision thanks to the new progressive brake feel. The pedal on the G923 is much stiffer and feels like a true progressive brake pedal due to the new stiffness.
Upgraded force feedback
Logitech says that the force feedback system within the G923 is entirely new. They have introduced new helical gearing to their gear-driven motors and a new internal algorithm called Trueforce.
Logitech is still using the tried-and-tested method of gear-driven force feedback. As you may have read from our Logitech G29 review, this isn’t the best force feedback technology available. However, the helical gearing system does allow for a really mechanical feel to the wheel. Despite this, it doesn’t produce the most accurate or immersive force feedback when compared to belt-driven or direct-drive racing wheels.
Despite Logitech updating the internals of this racing wheel, it still outputs roughly the same force feedback strength as the old Logitech G29. Although Logitech won’t confirm the exact strength of the new wheel, it certainly doesn’t feel stronger than the G29, which creates around 2.2Nm of peak torque.
The force feedback itself doesn’t feel any smoother than before, and we aren’t too surprised. There is a limitation to the smoothness you can achieve with helical gearing, and Logitech seems to have reached that limit with this generation of racing wheels.
As you drive, you can feel the gears turning, especially when making very fine wheel angle adjustments. If you are mid-corner and try to apply slightly more wheel input, you can feel the cogs in the gears.
The force feedback in the Logitech G923 racing wheel still isn’t quite up to scratch when compared to the belt-driven force feedback system in the Thrustmaster or Fanatec racing wheels.
What is Logitech TrueForce?
Logitech has named its new force feedback vibration technology TrueForce. It is designed to replicate the vibration that you would feel in a car’s chassis if you were driving it in real life.
The goal is to add extra immersion to your sim racing experience and allow you to feel a stronger connection to the car you are driving. Does it work? Well, yes and no.
When I spent time sim racing with the old G29 racing wheel, the only force feedback you would feel is the connection between your car’s weight shifting, its tyres and the road. This regular force feedback portrays the bumps in the road and your car’s grip on the road surface similarly to other racing wheels I’ve tested.
When I started racing with the Logitech G923, I still got the same force feedback as before but also noticed a vibration through the wheel rim. Logitech has designed the G923 to utilise the in-game physics and audio to add extra vibration to the wheel.
The force feedback algorithm inside the G923 wheel base converts the in-game physics and engine audio into vibrations that vary in strength. The louder your engine and stronger the car’s physics, the stronger the vibration in your wheel will be.
I noticed this immediately while racing, but it doesn’t always feel natural. In some instances, it can take away from the actual force feedback. The vibration can sometimes numb your palms or feel a little overdone.
However, in some cases, it can feel a little more immersive. You can dial this feature down in racing games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, where Trueforce utilises the game engines, and I think the more subtle this new force feedback is, the better it is.
Unfortunately, at launch, most racing games did not support this feature. The only games supporting Trueforce are Assetto Corsa Competizione and GT Sport.
Update: Since its launch, most racing games now support TrueForce giving you options to turn the effects up or down. Turning down TrueForce in game can result in more refined force feedback.
Is the Logitech G923 a direct drive wheel?
As mentioned, the new Logitech G923 uses helical gearing for force feedback. This is a shame, as many sim racers, including ourselves, were hoping for a direct drive wheel from Logitech.
When Logitech announced that they were releasing a new racing wheel, I was excited that another manufacturer was entering the direct-drive space. Oh, how disappointed I was.
We shouldn’t have been too surprised, though, as Logitech has never released a direct-drive wheel. The company likes to stick to mainstream gaming peripherals, leaving the hardcore niche peripherals to other manufacturers.
Update: Logitech has now released its first direct drive racing wheel, the Logitech Pro Racing Wheel. Check out our Logitech PRO Racing Wheel review.
Are the pedals upgraded?
At first glance, the sim racing pedals included with the Logitech G923 sim racing bundle look identical to the old pedal set. Other than the slightly changed Logitech logo that sits just under the pedals.
The pedal design, construction and positioning are identical to the old kit. This is good news for those racers who have nailed their heel and toe technique, as you won’t need to adjust to new pedal positions.
Despite the same appearance, Logitech says they have upgraded the pedal technology to make the potentiometer pedals a little smoother. Each pedal uses the same technology as before; however, Logitech has spent some time making the two-step brake pedal a little more fluid.
This is noticeable when you compare the two-pedal kits side by side, with the new brake feeling slightly softer and smoother across its movement range.
Although, all in all, this isn’t a huge upgrade in terms of performance or quality. And most racers wouldn’t notice a difference between the two pedals.
How compatible is the Logitech G923?
Like the previous generation of Logitech racing wheels, the G923 comes in two forms. An Xbox-compatible racing wheel and a PS5 and PC-compatible wheel. Unlike the previous generation, both variants look identical and use the same naming convention.
This may add a little confusion for those who are buying the new G923. This means you must be extra careful when purchasing the right console version.
Besides the two versions of the G923, the compatibility remains the same as the G29. This wheel will work across every racing sim available, although, as mentioned, the Trueforce technology isn’t fully supported yet.
The G923 will also work with the new generation of Xbox, the Xbox Series X. We haven’t had confirmation that the PS5 will support this racing wheel yet, but we would be amazed if it doesn’t.
This new racing wheel is fully compatible if you own the Logitech shifter. You can connect your shifter exactly like you did with the old G29, and it will work out of the box.
Who exactly is the G923 aimed at?
The Logitech G923 is a strange proposition. It’s almost identical to the older G29 and doesn’t change the tried and tested formula.
It is a racing wheel aimed at the entry-level racing wheel market. Those who don’t currently own any form of racing wheel but want to get into sim racing.
This wheel is still very well suited to that segment of the sim racing community. It is one of the better budget racing wheels available, offering a complete plug-and-play package.
The only downside of this entry-level wheel is the increased price. Logitech has added an extra $50/£20 to the price, boosting it to $399/£349.
This does put it almost out of contention when it comes to a budget racing wheel. Brands such as Thrustmaster offer racing wheels for around $100 less.
Despite this, unlike some Thrustmaster wheels, this racing wheel oozes extra quality in both design and build. This added quality, combined with the superb game and console support, does lead us to recommend this racing wheel for new sim racers.
Should I upgrade to the Logitech G923 racing wheel from the G29 or G920?
If you currently own a G29 or G920, should you upgrade to the new Logitech G923? We wouldn’t recommend it. The upgraded G923 offers little of a different experience from the G29.
And the new Trueforce force feedback certainly doesn’t revolutionize Logitech’s racing wheel proposition. If you have a G29 in full working order, I wouldn’t recommend upgrading to the newer G923 sim racing wheel.
If you are considering upgrading your sim rig, we recommend you start by looking at the much better Fanatec CSL DD racing wheel.
Technical Specifications
Review written by Felix König
