As a long-time sim racing enthusiast, I’ve used my fair share of racing wheels over the years. From entry-level gear to direct drive wheels costing well over $1000, I thought I’d tried it all – until the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel landed on my rig.

Boasting up to 11Nm of torque paired with advanced haptic feedback technology, Logitech is aiming squarely at the high-end sim racing market with its new flagship wheel. I’ve been testing out the PlayStation-compatible model paired with the G Pro Racing Pedals to see if Logitech’s premium racing package lives up to expectations.

Introduction

The Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel is a big departure for a company that has focused almost exclusively on budget-friendly racing wheels in the past. Priced at a hefty $999 USD, with the accompanying pedals selling separately for $349, this direct drive wheel puts Logitech in direct competition with established players like Fanatec, Moza, and Simucube.

It’s clear from the moment you unbox it that the G Pro is built with quality in mind. Sturdy metal and plastic construction give it some serious weight, and the leather-wrapped 300mm diameter wheel looks and feels fantastic. Equipped with dual magnetic paddle shifters and clutch paddles, quick release interchangeable rims, and an OLED display for adjusting settings, the G Pro has all the hallmarks of a premium racing wheel.

Where the G Pro really sets itself apart is its advanced force feedback. Combining up to 11Nm of direct drive torque with Logitech’s proprietary TrueForce haptic feedback technology gives unmatched detail and realism compared to other wheels I’ve used. The G Pro transforms titles like Gran Turismo 7 by letting you feel details like road imperfections, engine vibrations, and gear shifts through subtle wheel movements.

Design

Weighing in at a hefty 15.4 lbs, the G Pro wheel base won’t be moving around on your rig thanks to its considerable mass. Construction consists mainly of thick plastic panels, with stylish metal mesh grilles front and rear that conceal active cooling fans inside. The textured plastic doesn’t look or feel cheap, but I would expect to see more metal incorporated into the chassis given the nearly $1000 price tag.

The removable wheel rim features a fused metal and plastic core, wrapped in stitched leather. A gunmetal gray finish with blue accents gives it a premium look, avoiding the toy-like vibe of some budget wheels. The slightly oversized 300mm diameter fills your hands nicely. My only gripe is that the cross-stitching pattern has a mildly scratchy texture that could be refined.

Dual magnetic paddle shifters clack satisfyingly with a short, firm throw. The lower set of analog clutch paddles move smoothly as well, with a broader range of motion. Both pairs can be configured to control acceleration, braking, or even mapped to other functions entirely.

Around back, a sturdy metal quick release allows tool-less mounting/removal of the wheel rim. Given the specialized locking mechanism, it seems likely Logitech has future plans for alternate rim accessories.

Force Feedback & Performance

Simply put, the force feedback on the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel is a game-changer. The powerful 11Nm direct drive motor enables extremely detailed and responsive feedback compared to gear/belt driven offerings. You can feel the nuances of weight transfer, tire slip, curbs, and road texture in the subtlest of wheel movements. After adjusting to the increased strength, going back feels lifeless in comparison.

Yet traditional force feedback only tells part of the story. Logitech’s TrueForce technology introduces high frequency haptic vibrations that dramatically increase immersion. These refined vibrations let you feel engine revs, gear shifts, scrubbing tires, and surface changes through the wheel. It brings another dimension beyond basic steering resistance.

The difference this combo makes becomes apparent booting up Gran Turismo 7. The game has notoriously numb force feedback, even when using officially licensed wheels. The G Pro gives GT7 vastly improved definition, making tire slip, rumble strips, and curb strikes vividly tactile events instead of vague clunks. It honestly feels like a whole new game.

Assetto Corsa, iRacing, GRID, and other TrueForce compatible titles also receive a noticeable boost in feedback fidelity from the G Pro. Bumps and scratches in the wheels lend an extra dose of realism you simply can’t find elsewhere. While the impact varies by game, none feel like a step backwards when switching to the G Pro.

Customization & Features

Getting set up with the Logitech G Pro is simple plug-and-play on PlayStation consoles or PC. However, you can deeply customize the wheel using either the onboard OLED display or Logitech’s desktop G Hub software. The wheel itself stores five customizable profiles for quickly switching settings based on the game or car.

From the wheel’s OLED menu, you can tweak options like force feedback strength, wheel operating range, TrueForce intensity, button/paddle remapping, as well as toggle compatibility modes. All adjustments can be made in real-time while driving for easy experimentation. The profile feature lets you fine tune options for titles like GT7 versus Assetto Corsa, then swap instantly.

For games that lack native support profiles, choosing the G923 emulation mode allows basic force feedback functionality. You lose out on TrueForce effects and some configurability this way, but it allows the G Pro work fully with popular arcade racers that don’t accommodate new wheels. It’s a handy stopgap that helps maximize compatibility.

Pedals

The Logitech G Pro Racing Pedals are a standalone $349 accessory, sold separately from the wheel. Offering a load cell brake and modular adjustability, they tick all the right boxes on paper. The all-plastic construction looks slick, with grippy heel pads and significant weight helping keep them planted.

Each pedal features swappable springs/elastomers to independently adjust stiffness. The load cell brake in particular takes some dialing in to find an ideal firmness in its short 18mm travel. Out of the box at mid-level stiffness, it feels too much like a basic pressure sensor for my taste. Cranking it to maximum provides a reassuringly solid sensation, though迭代 still falls slightly short of higher tier equipment.

Build quality, layout, and adjustability of the G Pro Pedals are excellent, making them a clear upgrade over Logitech’s previous sets. However, the plastic mechanisms simply don’t provide quite the same satisfying precision in brake modulation offered by premium pedals from Fanatec or other brands. At over $300, they leave room for improvement.

Compatibility

The Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel launches in two variants – one for PlayStation 4/5 + Windows PCs, the other supporting Xbox Series X|S consoles and Windows. Buyers should choose carefully, as console support does not cross over between models out of the box.

On PlayStation 5 specifically, the wheel performs flawlessly playing Gran Turismo 7. All buttons map correctly, force feedback comes through accurately, and TrueForce adds exceptional nuance. Xbox users unfortunately lose out on GT7, but Forza titles starting with Motorsports 7 do fully support the G Pro.

There are some compatibility caveats buyers should know, however. Switching to emulation mode is necessary to use the G Pro with several popular arcade racing franchises that lack dedicated support. Also, backward compatibility is limited – using older Logitech wheels or peripherals requires expensive adapter accessories. These limitations prevent the G Pro from working universally across racing games at this stage.

Value & Conclusion

Priced at the upper ceiling of consumer racing wheels, the $999 Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel + $349 G Pro Pedals represent a serious investment. Costing substantially more than wheels from Thrustmaster and Fanatec, Logitech is betting heavily that its TrueForce feedback technology redefines the audience willing to spend over $1000 sim racing gear. So does this package live up to the steep asking price?

There’s no question the G Pro wheel itself earns high praise. It’s hard to overstate how much stronger and more nuanced force feedback feels thanks to its large direct drive motor and advanced haptics. The overall build exudes quality and it’s incredibly fun use across supported racing titles. Add in highly customizable options with onboard storage for settings profiles and it ticks all the right boxes.

The pedals on the other hand largely disappoint, feeling clunky and imprecise relative to cheaper pedal sets – not something you expect when spending $350. Adjustability helps improve stiffness, but doesn’t alleviate their mediocre precision next to pedals costing half as much. Their largely plastic construction leaves a lot to be desired.

At the end of the day, competitive pricing isn’t the G Pro wheel’s main selling point – innovation is. The unparalleled feedback fidelity it enables simply has no rival, making it feel like a must-have upgrade for dedicated sim racers. Assuming you’re comfortable with the lofty asking price, the overall package delivers an excellent, uncompromising experience that sets a new high watermark for consumer racing wheels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What platforms can the G Pro Racing Wheel be used with?

The wheel comes in PlayStation/Windows and Xbox/Windows versions. PlayStation models work with PS5, PS4 & Windows PCs. Xbox models are compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One & Windows.

Do I have to buy the pedals separately?

Yes, the G Pro Racing Pedals are sold as a standalone $349 accessory and are not included with the wheel purchase. You can use the wheel without pedals, but their functionality is highly recommended for proper racing simulation.

Is this an upgrade over budget Logitech models like the G29 or G923?

Absolutely – comparing them is night and day. The G Pro far surpasses previous gear-driven wheels with its direct drive motor and advanced haptics. It’s much stronger, smoother and more realistic across the board. The difference is immediately noticeable.

Does the G Pro work on PlayStation/Xbox without connecting to a PC?

Yes, console compatibility is built right into the wheel so no PC connection is necessary. For Xbox owners though, PC compatibility is a must for accessing G Hub software to customize settings. PlayStation users can fully configure settings using the wheel’s onboard OLED menus however.

What is the expected lifespan of the G Pro?

Built with premium materials, the G Pro should easily last 5-7 years under normal use. The metal/leather wheel rim and sturdy base materials provide excellent long term durability. With proper care, the wheel could plausibly last over a decade before needing replacement. As with any heavily used electronics though, results will vary.