Hey folks. I've been tearing it up with a red Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP since Need for Speed III, which has apparently been several decades. https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Controller:Logitech_WingMan_Formula_GP
This controller was designed for Windows XP but functions fine under Windows 10 and Bazzite. It's pretty sturdy to have lasted all this time, but its limitations have become a bit clear (only paddle shift, steering isn't smooth but jumps incrementally at higher increments than desired) and the power cable is having some issues (can be replaced).
I'm exploring the idea of dipping my toes into something more modern. I can see a number of Logitech G29s and G920 wheels on Facebook marketplace in my area and a speckling of other options like Monza. I'm not necessarily looking for a 100% realistic racing experience, I just enjoy hooning and driving around like a maniac (in-game of course). I do appreciate the finer aspects of physics and immersion as I imagine most sim-racers do.
I mostly play on Linux and would expect to set up a wheel in front of my desk. I play Asseto Corsa, some F1 games, BeamNg, Dirt Ralley, Euro Truck Sim and a bunch of other games.
I did some research on this already, but there are 3 questions on which I would appreciate some community input:
In your opinion, what is a reasonable price for one of these G29 G920 wheels nowadays?
Is there a feature on another more expensive wheel you would absolutely consider worth splurging for?
At what point do you feel like spending money on a wheel only results in marginal gains in usability and experience?
4 Comments
fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 32d
I've used a G920 with pedals and shifter for years now, and I think I've been exclusively a Linux user for 10 - 15 years. I play everything you listed above, as well as other varied driving games. It really made each one of those games so much more fun and I'm really glad I got it.
I upgraded this from a "Driving Force GT", which didn't have a proper gearstick (Probably similar to your Wingman). I really wanted a proper gearstick and clutch pedal, for playing stuff like Euro Truck, My Summer Car, Revhead etc.
A new boxed one is £230 at Argos (a UK shop, I don't know where you're based), and I think that's probably fair to be honest, though you can probably get new ones for between £150 and £200 if you shop around or wait for a bit.
If you can afford a new one, it's probably worth getting a new one - wear and tear on a 2nd hand one could be problematic. However, if you're getting a 2nd hand one, I've seen them on Ebay for significantly less than £100.
I don't think I'd bother upgrading to a "better" one, unless I was really into competitive Sim Racing etc - and good enough to notice the difference. I'd possibly change/upgrade if there was better Linux support, or support for some particular game.
I think it's worth spending extra on one with force feedback, three pedals, a proper gearstick. If there were a few extra buttons for lights/windscreen wipers/etc, that'd be great.
The price jump up to "direct drive" force feedback etc, isn't worth it for someone like me. If I was top 20 in the world at Dirt Rally or whatever, it would probably give me better times, but I'm more of a "top 10,000" sort of player :)
The wheel I do have though, absolutely completely 100% worth it over just using a controller.
njordomir@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 27d
Coming back for another reply as I remembered what I wanted to say. You mentioned a lack of buttons and I feel that too. I have a little buildable macropad (Duckeypad) that is fully programmable and has pages of colored keys with labels that show on a little screen. I think you can just buy a kit with the PCBs (if you have keys and switches) or a kit with everything in it. It's nice for games because I can program the keys to have different colors so I can easily orient myself at a glance, even across multiple pages (built in layouts). If you're a build-it-yourself person, this might be a good solution for you too.
njordomir@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 27d
Thank you for your reply. It was very detailed and I feel lucky to have found another Linux user with some experience in the hobby. I picked up a used G920 with shifter for a good price. It wasn't exclusively because of your comment, because I was actually hoping to find a G29. Based on my research the wheels are nearly the same but the G29 has rev lights and an extra scroll axis. That said, this is what popped up for sale in my area and the price was right. I've been having a blast on Asseto Corsa, BeamNG,and Motortown, but couldn't get F1 2012 to play nice with my widescreen monitor (likely on account of being made for consoles nearly 15 years ago)! :D
The force feedback strikes me as slightly weaker than the Wingman in regular driving (the Wingman had a nice rumble that made it feel like the wheel was going to jerk out of your hands and break to pieces if you hit a big bump. Where the G920 does shine is general driving feel (feels like my car), precision (no jumpy steering), and preventing you from turning the wheel when you want to turn it but the force feedback is working against you. In that last scenario it feels much stronger than the Wingman, much more akin to the wheel in a real car. I'd say my performance is at least 200% of how well I was driving before and continues to improve rapidly. It made a massive difference and the FUN factor is also through the roof.
I also appreciate the comment about the direct drive wheels. One of the hard things about getting into a new hobby is there is a base level of gear that you have to have to try out the hobby properly. You could play golf with plastic wiffle balls and a toy club, but you're not going to get the real experience like you would if you picked up some cheap clubs at a secondhand shop. There's also the ability to spend unlimited sums of money chasing smaller and smaller improvements. Only people already in the hobby know where that sweet spot is and I think the G920 and similar wheels seem to be plenty good. I'm glad I chose an affordable wheel and I don't think I need to upgrade anytime soon. If I upgrade anything, I need to go to the junkyard and get the front half of a car to mount some screens in and have even more fun! :P
I'm also a top 10,000 kind of player. My preference is often for roaming open worlds at sightly (hehe) faster than the speed limit. I forgot about Euro Truck Simulator, which I already own, and American Truck Simulator, which has my own U.S. state as one of the DLCs.
If someone comes after me with a similar question:
Logitech G290 is pretty good and the shifter is worth having. I wouldn't go back to having no clutch and shifter because I drive a standard in real life and it feels very correct and real, both shifter and the clutch (though my real clutch requires a lot more force. Seems I can tune that.
Thanks again for the reply!
fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 27d
Great! I forgot to mention before - if you're not using them already, if you need them, "pylinux wheel" and "oversteer" will let you mess around with the settings a bit, for force feedback strength etc.