Logitech G29/290 versus Thrustmaster TMX + T3PA Pro Racing Wheel

[LadySky89]

Hi, I decided to move from keyboard to a driving kit, so I can finally drive with sequential transmission. After a few days of researching, I selected two models that seem to be good that I plan to buy NEW (I know G27 is also one of the best, but used gear is a no for me, I don't trust private vendors and I don't have the time to search for a good deal).

So far I heard that the Thrustmaster model above is better than the Logitech at realism and silent use, also pedals seem to be of a better quality... the problem about this model however is that I'd be forced to buy their shifter at the little cost of... 155 euro just for it alone (which is almost the same price I'd pay the other 2 parts of the gear, is it actually worth it??).

The Logitech on the other hand, it seems to be mostly fine too, the shifter would cost me only 40 euro extra, and the price is the same of the Thrustmaster currently, but I read that the quality is overall slightly inferior, same for realism, and it's quite noisy during the use...

So I'm writing here, to hear your opinions about it. Maybe among you there are actual users of these 2 kits that can share their experience and help me to make my mind.
Thanks in advance.

[マスキュリン]

I can only speak for the G920. The noise might only be an issue if you don't use headphones.

I was in the same situation, and found a while back a discussion about it from hardcore peoples (you know, the kind of people who don't usual look at anything below 1000 bucks). The statement was: Both are similar, but the Thrustmaster uses a V-belt which is a more smooth experience (and a lot less noisy). BUT the Thrustmaster is a lot less stable because it only uses one single point to fix it on the table. If you don't use a racing chair (or something similar) this is something to consider (it's also the reason I choose the G920, because it's fixed like it's part of the table).

Otherwise they considered getting an old Thrustmaster T500 if you can find it. But even this (by there words "beginner" wheel) costs already 500 Bucks. Some people are crazy.

[LadySky89]

Originally posted by Masqurin:

I can only speak for the G920. The noise might only be an issue if you don't use headphones.

I was in the same situation, and found a while back a discussion about it from hardcore peoples (you know, the kind of people who don't usual look at anything below 1000 bucks). The statement was: Both are similar, but the Thrustmaster uses a V-belt which is a more smooth experience (and a lot less noisy). BUT the Thrustmaster is a lot less stable because it only uses one single point to fix it on the table. If you don't use a racing chair (or something similar) this is something to consider (it's also the reason I choose the G920, because it's fixed like it's part of the table).

Otherwise they considered getting an old Thrustmaster T500 if you can find it. But even this (by there words "beginner" wheel) costs already 500 Bucks. Some people are crazy.

500 bucks is absolutely out of my mind, it feels already quite expensive to spend 200 euro for it, and I'd need to spend 155 more for the shifter, and that's really bothersome.
I'm saving money (I need 4000 euro) for a real car, which I can't afford yet, and only willing to do this investment because I play ETS2 for many months now, and I don't want to stop "driving" entirely for the time I'll need to save up for a real car (it might be up to 2 years, which is a long time)... But 500 bucks is definitely overkill....

I don't use an headset tho, so yeah, noise might be troublesome for me, if it's a lot of noise.

[マスキュリン]

Well, the noise is mostly from the force feedback. Lowering the permanent force feedback from the motor effect (ingame) to zero gets rid of the loudest part for ETS2. And yes, 500 Bucks is a lot, but like I said: It's that hardcore people say. I can say I'm happy with my G920.

[LadySky89]

Originally posted by Masqurin:

Well, the noise is mostly from the force feedback. Lowering the permanent force feedback from the motor effect (ingame) to zero gets rid of the loudest part for ETS2. And yes, 500 Bucks is a lot, but like I said: It's that hardcore people say. I can say I'm happy with my G920.

But then is it not like giving up on the force feedback entirely? wouldn't it be like cutting the fun and realism to half? What effects would I miss by removing it? Does the steering wheel feel like a real one a bit, or does it turn like a simple wheel?

[Karlia]

Modern trucks are not heavy to drive in fact they are extremely light for their size and weight, in normal motorway driving you can sit back and fingertip steer them with ease, around town you can steer them with the fleshy part of the palm of your hand.... If you think modern heavy trucks give huge resistance and feedback you are mistaken. So in summing it up, if your force feedback is set so hard you can hear the gears grinding and you are fighting the wheel then you have not got any realism at all...

For the money the G29 or 920 will give you all the synthetic feedback you need if set correctly.

edit... video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N87uxyDQT0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clv7emcs84Y

[LadySky89]

Originally posted by Karli:

Modern trucks are not heavy to drive in fact they are extremely light for their size and weight, in normal motorway driving you can sit back and fingertip steer them with ease, around town you can steer them with the fleshy part of the palm of your hand.... If you think modern heavy trucks give huge resistance and feedback you are mistaken. So in summing it up, if your force feedback is set so hard you can hear the gears grinding and you are fighting the wheel then you have not got any realism at all...

For the money the G29 or 920 will give you all the synthetic feedback you need if set correctly.

edit... video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N87uxyDQT0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clv7emcs84Y

Well, I admit I didn't know this... I can't drive trucks irl unfortunately (I wish I could!), so I'm pretty much used to a car "realism" and the feeling of a car steering wheel... I don't know much what to expect from the driving kit (although I do know that it will never be the same as reality, at this price range).

[マスキュリン]

Originally posted by LadySky89:

But then is it not like giving up on the force feedback entirely? wouldn't it be like cutting the fun and realism to half? What effects would I miss by removing it? Does the steering wheel feel like a real one a bit, or does it turn like a simple wheel?

ETS2 has multiple settings for different force feedbacks. I only tuned town the "motor shuttering" or however it's called down to zero. And yes, LadySky said it already. Real hard and "feedbacky" would be something for the old trucks.

[Foxman]

Do you play any racing games? If yes, go with Thrustmaster; if no, Logitech is fine.

[LadySky89]

Originally posted by Foxman:

Do you play any racing games? If yes, go with Thrustmaster; if no, Logitech is fine.

No, I don't. I prefer driving simulation than racing... I like the idea of having a realistic simulation (as much as possible in this price range), that's it.

Originally posted by meh:

I was also considering a mid-range wheel upgrade. I have my eye on a Thrustmaster T150 RS Pro, which sits around the same price as a G29. I hear it's the better wheel with smoother FFB.

However, the G29 goes on sale quite often, so if it's considerably cheaper then probably the better option.

My problem with most models is that they only offer 2 pedals, while I want the clutch and shifter too, so the number of models to choose between is limited for me.

[Foxman]

Originally posted by meh:

I was also considering a mid-range wheel upgrade. I have my eye on a Thrustmaster T150 RS Pro, which sits around the same price as a G29. I hear it's the better wheel with smoother FFB.

It absolutely is the better wheel. It uses a hybrid belt & gear drive rather than a full belt drive but it will still be much smoother, more accurate and quieter than Logitech wheels.

Originally posted by LadySky89:

No, I don't. I prefer driving simulation than racing... I like the idea of having a realistic simulation (as much as possible in this price range), that's it.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that - Logitech will do the job for you there no trouble at all.

[LadySky89]

Originally posted by meh:

The Thrustmaster T150 RS Pro has the three pedals. It's the non-pro that uses two. It's probably the best you're going to get at this price point.

I see it's even cheaper than the model I mentioned in the title, what's different between the two, other than console compatibility and less buttons? I really like these wheels and pedals, and the fact they are silent is a strong perk for me, it bugs me so much that their shifter is so expensive, I wish I could find an alternative shifter to work with them...

If I were to choose between G29 and G920, which one should I prefer? or are they technically identical?
Also, @Masqurin, can you modify your G920 pedals' position in height/angle/strength?

[Vellari]

Originally posted by LadySky89:

If I were to choose between G29 and G920, which one should I prefer? or are they technically identical?

can you modify your G920 pedals' position in height/angle/strength?

G29 has PS button layout, G920 has XBox button layout (G29 having a few more buttons). Otherwise they are the same, and use the same shifter.

Pedals are not easily adjustable, requires actual physical modifcation. For example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXYelmecchw

[マスキュリン]

Well, Vellari answered it now already.

Another factor I choose the Logitech was it seemed to me the Logitech uses a lot more metal for the pedals, while the Thrustmasters only seem to have a plate of metal, but the below is all made of plastics. And I wanted to let my dad drive from time to time and he REALLY slams the pedals usual. Not sure if it was necessary or how thick the plastic on the Thrustmasters are.

[Foxman]

Originally posted by LadySky89:

I really like these wheels and pedals, and the fact they are silent is a strong perk for me, it bugs me so much that their shifter is so expensive, I wish I could find an alternative shifter to work with them...

Just to be clear - no wheel is silent. You will still get noise when turning the wheel (particularly when turning it rapidly) and with force feedback, it's just that the TM wheels from the TMX/T150 model and up are quieter than Logitech wheels.

As for the shifter, the TH8A is a high end piece of hardware with only the Fanatec and other specialist brands being better products. However, you can get a USB adaptor for the Logitech shifter and use it separately as an alternative.

[LadySky89]

Thanks everyone for the answers! :)

I wouldn't have any problems about slamming pedals, I'll be the only user for this gear, and my touch is velvet usually, but I had read that Thrustmaster pedals can be better modified; as for the quality and realism of the pedals themselves, some people say that the Thrustmaster model is better, someone prefers the Logitech model.

Yes I know the TH8A shifter is quite a good piece of hardware, it totally looks like it, but it's just out of my budget at the current price... I didn't know that the Logitech shifter can be adapted tho, Amazon users asked about this and they always received negative answers, what kind of adapter would I need?

Now the only thing I need to check is how all of these wheels will fit my desk... I'm going to attach them to the upper part of it (where my monitor stands too), and a bit below I have a drawer for my keyboard (typical desk for PCs), so there are only 5 cm for any levels and other things I'll need to mount to fix the wheel to the surface...