The Logitech G923 aims to bring added realism to sim racing on consoles and PC. This high-end wheel features TrueForce feedback technology and a redesigned brake pedal. I spent many hours testing it to see how it performs.

Introduction

As a long-time sim racer, a proper force feedback wheel with pedals is essential. The immersion and precision offered transforms games like Assetto Corsa and iRacing from a detached experience to making you feel truly connected to the car. The newest offering from Logitech, the G923, promises to take that immersion even further.

The G923 enters a crowded market, competing with Thrustmaster’s well-regarded belt driven wheels and higher-end direct drive options from Fanatec. It’s priced at a premium $400, aimed at serious sim drivers. Owners of Logitech’s previous G29 and G920 models may be wondering if it’s worth upgrading. For newcomers to sim racing wheels, the G923 presents a full package ready for console and PC racing.

Design and Features

Unboxing the G923 reveals a design almost identical to the previous G29 and G920 models. The wheel rim uses a real leather wrap on brushed metal with stitching details. Beneath the leather, the contours make it comfortable and grippy to hold. All the buttons, paddle shifters, and D-pad retain the same smooth plastic as before.

There are a few visual tweaks over older wheels, like a black finish on the metal and shifter paddles instead of silver. Otherwise the base, clamps, and button layouts are unchanged. This isn’t a reinvention of the wheel, just a refinement.

TrueForce is this wheel’s banner feature, using data from game engines to translate audio and physics into granular force feedback effects. It’s a step towards recreating sensations that even expensive direct drive wheels struggle to match. On paper, this technology sounded extremely promising to me.

In terms of compatibility, both Xbox and PlayStation logo versions of the G923 are available. PC support is excellent as expected from Logitech. However TrueForce is only functional in a handful of titles so far.

The set of pedals included match the quality of aftermarket sets costing over $100 alone. The clutch and throttle exhibit smooth travel and feel accurate. But the brake steals the show with its all new progressive spring that gets stiffer the harder you press. This allows excellent modulation for trail braking techniques vital for quick lap times.

Performance and Usage

Setting up the G923 is straightforward on PC by following Logitech’s instructions and Windows automatically installs the proper drivers. Getting adjusted on a console takes moments too thanks to built-in default profiles for all major racing games.

Once racing, the TrueForce feedback immediately made its presence known. Under acceleration I felt constant vibrations indicating torque delivered to the wheels along with traction control kicking in. Gentle steering wheel shakes started conveying the sensation of riding over curbs and bumpy surfaces. This extra layer of feedback absolutely increased immersion.

However, the basic force feedback itself feels like a modest evolution over the G920/G29. The gear driven internals lack the smoothness and detail transmission of belt driven designs from Thrustmaster. For example, understeer is met with a sudden spike in resistance rather than building gradually. It’s still strong enough to make wrestling the wheel realistic though.

The rattling and knocking emanating from the wheel base unfortunately reaches staggering volumes when TrueForce is active. Disabling TrueForce makes it reasonable again, but of course removes key functionality. This noise can be very distracting and annoying for others around you.

After extended play sessions, I developed blisters on my hands – an indication of the grippy materials used. The wheel showed no signs of overheating or slipping to diminish control. I’d certainly recommend driving gloves for hardcore racers, but general users should be fine.

While flipping through car setup options, I appreciated the 24-position dial encoder making precise adjustments easier than on the G29. I don’t have the muscle memory to navigate intricate tuning menus solely by button presses. This small quality of life upgrade stood out to me.

I spent most of my testing in iRacing, rFactor 2 and Assetto Corsa Competizione to analyze precision and road feel. Trail braking into hairpins produced excellent pressure modulation thanks to the new brake pedal internals. The brake offers critical improvements for any aspiring alien lap timer.

Ultimately over my testing the G923 simply couldn’t match a mid-level belt driven setup for detail and smoothness. But it conveys road features and weight shift well enough for most users as long as expectations are set properly. Casual players just looking for enhanced realism over a controller will find it satisfying. Avid league racers demanding the highest accuracy may want to consider upgrading further.

Value and Long Term Ownership

With a $400 MSRP including quality pedals, the G923 hits a sweet spot balancing cost with capability. The overall package features premium materials that should endure years of play. While the wheel won’t receive the same veneration as a $1000+ direct drive setup, it’s priced appropriately. New sim drivers should feel comfortable growing their skills without immediately itching to upgrade.

Compared to its closest sibling the G29, currently $250 cheaper, the improvements feel subtle outside of TrueForce. That technology still isn’t supported broadly enough yet to demand the price premium. Existing Logitech wheel owners like myself don’t have a compelling reason to upgrade based on my testing.

I value extras like the rev indicator LEDs but they have no impact during play. When choosing between the G923 and G29, budget conscious buyers should grab the older G29 to save some money. Those fixated on what TrueForce could become may want to invest in the cutting edge G923.

While setup requires trial and error dialing in preferences, everything feels customizable enough for personal driving style. I ultimately settled on 50% overall force feedback with some audio effects disabled to retain road feel without deafening rattling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the G923 worth upgrading from a G29 or G920?

Probably not currently unless you’re enthralled by the TrueForce system potential. Stick with the G29 or G920 for now unless trouble a great discount or trade-in value.

How difficult is initial setup?

All necessary cables and tools are included for mounting to a desk or rig. Installation takes under 30 minutes thanks to clear instructions and automatic driver installation. Configuring controls precisely to your liking takes 1-2 hours.

What PC hardware is required?

Essentially any gaming desktop, laptop or console made in the past 5+ years can run racing titles well. Higher settings may demand a mid-range graphics card. Budget hardware still provides good experiences.

Can I mount it without clamping onto a desk?

Yes, the base provides two threaded holes to permanently screw into rigs, just supply your own hardware. This prevents potential stability issues using the clamps.

Does the G923 work with Xbox Series X/S or PlayStation 5?

Absolutely! The wheel functions perfectly on next-gen platforms. Compatibility should continue into the future unlike some older accessories.