Review: Logitech G25 Force Feedback Racing Wheel - Part IV

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rFactor

Since GTR2 uses the same game engine as rFactor, you’d expect the two titles to work very well with the G25. That’s certainly true. But, the relationship they have with the wheel is somewhat different. Whereas GTR2 produces very robust FFB cues, rFactor’s relationship with the G25 is not quite as dramatic. Still, the FFB response is very well tuned and highly useful in providing car performance cues to the driver.

For rFactor, I chose the GSMF’s Porsche Carrera Challenge v1.2 mod, and did testing at the Adelaide v2.0 track (this allowed me to tie my review to preparing for an upcoming SimHQnet race, and test the wheel in a way that complimented the online racing scene that SimHQ offers to its members).  Having become accustomed to sequential shifting over the past three years with my Momo Racing wheel, I assigned a sequential shifter to the Porsche for purposes of the test.

Right out of the box, I started setting personal best lap times with the G25. That’s impressive, because it normally takes weeks to adjust one’s driving style to a new wheel. I know that when I transitioned to the Momo Racing back in 2002, it took me a few weeks of re-learning GPL to start setting PB lap times. In this case, I started setting personal best times within an hour or so of racing. All through the Adelaide race weekend, I was able to stay a few tenths ahead of my competition, due in large part to the consistency in lap times that the G25’s precision steering and pedals offer.

If I had to select a word to describe the relationship the G25 has with rFactor, it would be “subtle.” By that I don’t mean “weak” - the strength of the force feedback effects will vary with your in-game settings. But as you drive, you start to realize that there’s a lot of chassis and tire information being transmitted to you through the wheel. Again, the dual FFB motor arrangement dramatically improves the quality of the force feedback, such that I could really “feel” the grip status of the tires as I slid my Porsche GT3 Cup car through Adelaide’s series of 90 degree street corners. Having all that information at your fingertips makes it much easier to know when to get back on the gas, and the precise pedals allowed me to accurately meter in the throttle to keep the car accelerating without spinning the wheels.

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