Logitech G923 review
Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The G923 is a subtle improvement on its predecessor and remains the best-value wheel for sim racing
When Logitech announced the G923 there was a lot of excitement, quickly followed by disappointment that there was ‘nothing different’ about it compared to the G29 and G920. And that’s partially true: the G923 does reuse a lot from its predecessors.
But the company has sensibly refrained from making unnecessary changes when the G29 and G920 were already widely regarded as the bestentry-level wheel that money could buy.
What has changed is that there’s just one model name for both the PlayStation and Xbox variants which will undoubtedly cause a few problems when the wrong model turns up. If you’re buying for PC use, then it really doesn’t matter which one you go for as they bothwork.
Previously, there were a few differences in buttons with the Xbox/PC version lacking shift lights and a rotary dial (that’s often used to adjust brake bias). Now, though,it’s the same layout on bothmodels, with only theconsole-specific buttons at the bottom beingdifferent, as well as thesymbols on the four ‘game pad’ buttons.
The pedals and power supply connect to the wheel, and the wheel has a single USB connection to your console or PC. It clamps to your desk, or rig, via two L-shape prongs on the underside which you tighten using the hand screws on top.
Soother than the bluecentremarkerand G29-style button arrangement on the Xbox version, there’s nothing outwardly to tell you that you’re looking at a new wheel.Well, nothing except theTrueforcebranding on the side.
This is more of a software change than hardware:the drive system inside the wheel is basically the same as before.TrueForce works by hookingdirectlyinto agame’s engineand using the data availableinstead of using a profile and a library of haptic effects, as has been the case for the past 20 years or so.
This is combined with a higher1/1000second polling rate to give what Logitech says is force feedback that’s much more realistic and akin to the jump from standard-defto high-def TV.
Because it’s a software thing, gameshave tosupportTrueForceandeven at the time of writing in 2021the listcomprises of just five titles. There are some popular sims on it though, includingiRacing,AssettoCorsaCompetizioneand Gran Turismo Sport.Codemasters is adding support in F1 2020 and Dirt Rally 2.0, but it’s a shame more support hasn’t been retroactively added by now.
There is one notable hardware change: to the brake pedal. The G29 and G920 had horrible brake pedal which wascaused by a rubber / foam insert. Thiswas designed tomimic a realcar with hydraulic brakes, but many owners took their pedals apart and removed it or replaced it with a third-party loadcell.
The latter is usually found on high-end pedal sets, but Logitech has simply used a progressive spring to solve the issue and keep costs down. And it feels great.
Another change, which threw this reviewer, is that you need to install Logitech’s G Hub softwareon Windows, not the old Logitech Gaming Software used with the G920.
Using this you cancustomisebuttons and settings as you’d expect, but it also works with Logitech’s other recent gaming hardware.It’s a decent improvement on the old software, too.
And in case you’re curious, there isn’t a new H-pattern shifter for the G923: the existing one sold for use with the G29 and G920 still works, not that you’ll want oneas it was never much good. I’ve always preferred the flappy paddles for faster, last-minute changes and they’reexactly the sameon the G923.
There’s one last feature: launch control. Logitech calls it ‘Dual Clutch’ which is misleading, but despite the absence of clutch paddles, it’s a handy feature that can allow you to get off the starting line quicker.Documentation is sorely lacking on how to use it, but you pull both paddles and press both LSB and RSB at the same time. You then pick LSB or RSB to be your ‘clutch release’ and then you press the down (-) button to adjust the bite point.
This part takes a bit of trial and error but once you’ve got it set to the point where the car starts to move forward you can do some practice starts. The way it works is that you wait until the start lights go out and release the button to immediately put the clutch at the biting point, while keeping your clutch foot flat to the floor. Once the car starts rolling, you can release the clutch pedal fully.
The wheel handles this feature itself, and while it could theoretically be added to the G920 and G29 with a firmware update, Logitech is keeping it as a reason to buy the G923 at the moment.
Performance
Swap straight from using a G920 to a G923 and you might initiallythinkit was a slightly pointlessexercise. In non-TrueForcegames, such asAssettoCorsa, you won’t notice any real difference. Obviously, you’ll benefit from the rev lights andthe new buttons, but thebiggestimprovement is that brake pedal.
It’s much easier to apply the right amount of force without damaging your foot or spending time fiddling around with brake power settings in your games.
Since the internals, particularly the two motors are the same as before, force feedback feels the same and although it can feel ever-so-slightly notchy,the wheel still feels good quality, helped by the stitched leather instead of plastic as you find on some entry-level wheels.
It’s when you fire up aTrueForce-supporting title that you’llreallyfeel the difference. In Grid 2019, for example,feedback is completely different to, say,AssettoCorsa.There’s a tangible sense of engine idle through the wheel when you’re sat on the grid waiting for a race to start and a real difference in how things feel, from riding over saw-toothkerbsto contact with other cars.
AsTrueForcealso taps into a game’s sound engine, there’salso – in Grid at least – a slightly strange hum from the FFB system which changes as engine revs and overall speed rises.This is much more noticeable if you use speakers rather than headphones, and I’m not convinced it adds to the realism at all.
Overall, I wouldn’t sayTrueForceis a huge leap forward: it’s just different. My mind might be changedwhen other developers addTrueForcesupport,as it won’t be identical in every title. But right now, it’s not a compelling enough reason to upgrade from a G29 or G920.
Price& Availability
The fact that the G923 is more expensive makes an upgrade an even trickier decision, but as far as RRPs go, there’s only £20between the new and old models.
In the US, there’s no difference at all: they’re all $399.99, but at the time of review, the G29 and G920 were discounted to $249.99, a big difference.
You canbuy a G923 direct from Logitech, but you may find discounts elsewhere such asCurrysandAmazonin the UK, where it was £300.
For alternatives, see our roundup of thebest racing wheels.
Verdict
If you already have a G920 or G29, there’s little point in upgrading until more titles haveTrueForcesupport. Even then, you might prefer to jump considerably higher toaentry level belt-drive wheel.
But for anyone looking to buy their first racing wheel, the G923 is excellent value and should be top of your shortlist.
Author: Jim Martin, Executive Editor, Tech Advisor
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
