By Chris Pate // Global Product Marketing Manager on August 17, 2009
153 Comments
+ 47 Replies
Filed: News and Announcements, PC Gaming
Today marks the announcement of the new Logitech G27 Racing Wheel, which will be replacing the venerable G25 Racing Wheel. Though I’ve been seeing unofficial reports about a Logitech G27 Racing Wheel floating around the Internet since January, I’m now able to officially confirm the existence of this new racing wheel for PC and PS3. In designing it, our primary goal was to improve upon the already-great G25, focusing particularly on the number of buttons on the wheel, the feeling of the shifter module, and the sound and feel of the force feedback transmission.
The wheel of the G27 is 11” in diameter and is wrapped in real leather. Its spokes are made of brushed stainless steel, and it features six buttons and two stainless steel shifter paddles. The wheel also features ten LEDs just above the center hub (two red, four yellow, and four green). These LEDs can be programmed by games to act as an RPM gauge or as shift indicators. The LED SDK has been provided to several developers already, and a few titles (including the trial version of rFactor that ships with the wheel) will support the LED panel as soon as the wheel is installed.
As with the G25, the G27’s shifter features eight buttons and an eight-way D-pad. It also has two clamps with knobs that can be pushed down and recessed after the clamps are tight, and an anti-tip screw. Additionally, its internals have been redesigned to have a greater centering force and a more positive feeling for each of the gear engagement positions, so shifting by feel is significantly improved.
The pedals remain largely unchanged, with steel arms and frames and brushed stainless-steel faces, but do feature two important improvements:
1. The brake and clutch pedal standoffs have been increased in height by approximately 13 mm, so that their faces are closer to the user than that of the throttle pedal.
2. The pedal arms have had four extra holes drilled in them so that the pedal faces can adjust to the left or the right with the help of a 2.5 mm hex wrench.
Together, these two features make heel-and-toe braking significantly easier than on the G25, and give serious racers much more control over how the wheel fits their setup and racing needs.
Overall I’m pretty excited about this new wheel, as it directly addresses a number of the concerns that people have expressed to me about the G25 over the years. And, now that I can finally talk about it with the public, I’m also very interested in hearing what you think. Post a comment and let me know!
Quick Overview of differences from G25:
- Buttons on wheel face: G25 has two, G27 has six
- Force feedback transmission: G25 features straight-cut (spur) gears, G27 features diagonal-cut (helical) gears
- Pedals: G27 features taller standoffs for clutch and brake pedals, as well as horizontal adjustability, making customizability and heel-toe downshifting easier
- Shifter: G27 features stiffer centering spring and more positive gear engagement feeling, improving the overall feel of the shifter.
- RPM/Shift Indicator LEDs: G27 features 10 LEDs that can be used by game developers to indicate RPM, redline, or to indicate the user should shift gears.
(8 votes, average: 3.88 out of 5)
153 Comments + 47 Replies Add your own comment >>
Brian | September 1st, 2009 at 12:18
I would give anything to know an actual release date, I guess we just know what that date is when it shows up at my door, I can see you guys point on the sequential shifter even though on the PC sims I do H-pattern is mostly used I have had really no issues with the old one it is somewhat slower on shit time compared to say paddles or even sequential. I had great success with the G-25 on Stock Car game I hope that the G-27 is more is better.
Eric | September 4th, 2009 at 08:33
the 6 puttons on the wheel what do they all do and how can they be programmed?
cpate | September 4th, 2009 at 15:17
Hi Eric,
The buttons on all our PC game controllers are typically able to be configured to do whatever in-game action the game developer or the user desires. Default assignments for the buttons vary from game to game, and it is usually possible to change these assignments from within the game if you\’d prefer they do something different. If it is not possible to do so within the game, you can use the included Profiler software to map the buttons to whatever function you like.
-Chris
Brian | September 4th, 2009 at 12:29
I find it kinda odd that no one here at logitech wants to give a release date I mean you got people pre-ordered about to spend over 300$’s with you and no insight as to when we will be charged for, I may very pleased with the product but I wont be very pleased with the way this is handled. Its amazing that amazon has an actual ship date but logitech has nothing can someone answer me as to why that Is? I dont believe its too much to ask to find out when yall plan on shiping this wheel. Its close whats the big secret now? Everyone knows its coming out who are we hiding it from? Other than customers who want to buy a product I can’t see any reason why we can’t just get a answer to this question.
cpate | September 4th, 2009 at 15:22
Hi Brian,
No secret about the availability date — we released that information on our press page. We expect to be shipping the G27 later this month, but we can\’t provide an exact date until the units arrive in our warehouse.
-Chris
Ryan | September 5th, 2009 at 09:12
Hi there. I use an Obutto oZone gaming chair with my G25. Is the mounting system the same or have some changes been made? Thanks for all the great products.
Almog | September 5th, 2009 at 09:42
Hello, is the new wheel will have the option to order it from out side of the US?
(like to israel)
sorry for the bad english i’m sure you understand me. THANKS!
john | September 6th, 2009 at 22:06
Hi. Very Excited looks great On my third g25 now keep wearing them out lol. Cant wait for an upgrade. Does it still support sequential on the shifter still ? Or only on paddles now ?
I noticed the knob on the shifter has been removed.
THANKS A LOT.
john | September 6th, 2009 at 22:19
Hi again . Sorry didnt read earlyer comments. Not having sequential shifting in the shifter is a major bummer. Sequential with a clutch is pretty badass. Im really gonna miss it.
PLEASE tell me i can plug in my g25 shifter an it will register ? or am I Dreaming.
You should make add ons for it. An E-Brake Handel and Sequential Shifter options would be amazing. Then i could stop dreaming about a FREX wheel.
Eric | September 8th, 2009 at 10:13
Thanks for the reply Chris…….
Gabriel Furtado | September 8th, 2009 at 15:44
Hi Chris.
Why G27 does not appear in the Brazilian site? I’m a Brazilian and I want to buy one.
Many Brazilians have the G25 and want to switch to G27.
Drilling continues in the pattern CGT?
Thanks.
cpate | September 9th, 2009 at 15:56
Hi Gabriel,
I’m not sure when it will be available in Brazil, but you might want to see if you can order it on Amazon and have it shipped to you.
The drilling pattern for the G27\’s hard points is the same as the G25\’s.
-Chris
rebla47 | September 9th, 2009 at 07:03
Hello Chris.
Could be the G27 pedals connected and used in a G25?.
Other wheels with license to use the G25 pedals (as Fanatec Wheels) could use the G27 pedals also?.
Thanks.
cpate | September 9th, 2009 at 13:57
Hi rebla47,
The G25 and G27 pedals are interchangeable. There are no third-party pedals licensed for use with any Logitech racing wheel.
-Chris
adadad | September 9th, 2009 at 18:21
when will this be available in canada?
john | September 9th, 2009 at 18:59
Hi Chris
I was wondering my G25 shifter will work with the G27 ?
Thank You
Ben | September 12th, 2009 at 12:36
Hi Chris,
Hi i’m from Singapore(Asia) and i’m asking if know know like when will G27 out in Asia ?
Thank You
Ben
Anish | September 13th, 2009 at 16:12
Hey Chris,
one of the all time asks from sim racers have been, progressive resistance on the brake pedal, does G27 address this? This would be very important for a lot of people, and usually we have mod our wheels to do this.
Thanks
Jonathan | September 15th, 2009 at 08:42
Just watched inside sim racing and they show the wheek making a terrible noise. This cant be what the final product is like or that would be very badly recieved and reviewed. Could you please confirm if this noise is inherent in the design? I hope its a defective unit otherwise being quieter but then having an awful vibrating noise which sounds like the wheel is broken would not be an improvment over the g25 more like a step backwards and would be bad for sales.
Ionut | September 17th, 2009 at 19:29
John (and other sequential shift users),
1) If you’re asking if your G25 shifter works on your new G27, the answer’s YES – but not in the way you’re thinking of. You will have to plug in both your G25 and G27 systems in 2 separate USB ports- G25 wheel and G25 shifter (forget the G25 Pedals), G27 wheel and G27 Pedals. I never used this combination in racing sims but I saw this possible on an F1 sim (forgot the name) but also used the combination of 1 joystick and 1 wheel’s pedals for piloting a helicopter – so it’s possible.
2) If you don’t have the G25 shifter, you’ll have to buy the cheapest joystick (or something similar – a stick which moves up and down), program the deadzone so that you won’t shift by mistake and voila! Again it’s the principle of the first situation – using 2 controllers in a game – but I really think it should work.
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Ionut
John Addison | September 18th, 2009 at 13:56
Still wondering if the g25 shifter will work with the g27 wheel. Someone else is thinking the same thing I am.
Also now 9/18 and still no ship date on the pre orders?
john | September 18th, 2009 at 18:39
Hi again So what you are saying is no i cant simply plug in the G25 shifter into the G27 shifter port. I have to use pieces of both wheel set to get the results i want. Do i have it right? PLEASE RESPOND
If so I cant imagine my ps3 being able to resister two wheels. Of course on PC you can do anything but what about Gran Turismo. It seems you guy are going two steps forward and one step back . But at least your going somewhere. Make the ultimate wheel if it costs more money so what its amazing what you guys can do for 350$ think about what 500-1000$ would get me.
PS Is it logitech or microsoft the prevents your wheels from working on Xbox always wondered why.
Keep Making Kick Ass Shit
Chris | September 19th, 2009 at 02:23
Will you be releasing an LED shift light module for the G25? I guess not, but it would be nice.
Simon | September 20th, 2009 at 04:58
When will the Logitech G27 wheel be released in Denmark, Europe?
Ionut | September 20th, 2009 at 11:01
Yes John, you have it right. Chris said it clear – shifters cannot be swapped. The only solution is to do what I explained above. Sorry I don’t know about PS .. I only have my PC to play on.
As any product of any kind, it’s not perfect and.
I’m sure that when first building the G25 they had all their designers think about what to include on it. I’m pretty sure that on that list there were many many attractive features but.. if they’d have had ALL of them included in the G25, they wouldn’t have a G27 at a higher price to launch now. At least that’s what I think.
I’m also waiting for it to launch and looking forward to play with it
malibard | September 20th, 2009 at 18:08
it’s expensive for 6 buttons !
299 dollar = 203.332 EUR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt | September 21st, 2009 at 17:16
Hey Chris,
When will you guys come out with a good wheel for the 360, Whats the deal there? Agree to only make the goods for Sony? Is there anything coming to the 360 that compares to the g25 or g27?
Brian | September 21st, 2009 at 19:12
Yea I agree here it is the 21st Logitech saying nothing about a release date and act like they dont know have to wait for it to get to their warehouse is what i was told??????? But yet amazon.com and several other sites CLEARLY state that it WILL SHIP ON OCT 1st.. I for one may surely be happy with my purchase but what a poorly handled ORDER no insight no word no nothing only 10 days away and they can’t tell us I am just assuming OCT 1st cause everyone else seems to know except the idiots who ordered here of this site there is no feedback what so ever. I find it very strange that other sites can offer a day only problem is they want 10$ more I guess thats what the 10$ goes towards is support.
Brian | September 21st, 2009 at 19:16
I am excited to see what a good product they have put out I ve used many wheels over the years and besides an ECCI wheel the g-25 is the best bang for your buck no doubt. Surely the G-27 is only a slight step forward which would be great in my eyes. I think everybody will enjoy it besides the people upset with the shifter which they improved it in my eyes cause I never used sequential dont play those types of games I do stock car sims so H-pattern is all I know.. But theres always the niffty paddle shiffters. I hope all of who pre-ordered will be pleased that we waited for something just a bit different but hopefully a bit better.
Mike | September 22nd, 2009 at 07:53
0-60 has teamed up with Electronic Arts to give you downloadable instructions on how to build a retro arcade for the new Need For Speed: SHIFT or whichever racing game you prefer. The instructions were all CAD designed and there is everything from material list to painting to final assembly laid out clear and concise so that anyone can make one.
There is also a minisite http://www.0-60mag.com/needforspeedshift/# with directions, automotive personalities talking about the game and how it was designed and how it helps some of them when they aren’t on the track. There is also a giveaway that includes the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel, a Samsung 40″ LCD TV and a Sony PS3 Slim.
We decided to use the G27 Racing Wheel because being an upgrade from the G25, we knew it would be the best choice for a racing wheel for our setup.
Hope you enjoy!
King | September 22nd, 2009 at 22:10
The clutch actualy works? Or its just an empty pedal that even you don’t press it ,it will still shift In manual mode in the game.
Tokin | September 23rd, 2009 at 09:53
Why does the G27 pedals still use mechanical potmeters? I know they are cheap and calibration is trivial but: they wear down after about a year or two, rendering the controller virtually useless.
Why doesn’t Logitech use high quality components where they really matter?
Hall sensors are the way to go! And if Hall sensors are considered too expensive, then why not use ‘optical potmeters’? A combination of LED, LDR and linear polarizers can do the job easily. And with a proper setup calibration is easy as well.
Cheers,
Tokin
PS: Weren’t Hall sensors – or at least magnetic sensors (MDR?) – used in the old Logitech Wingman Interceptor? THAT was a fantastic joystick!!! Too bad it was discontinued and usage under XP (let alone a more recent OS) is problematic/impossible.
Brian | September 23rd, 2009 at 13:52
Yea the clutch works, it worked on the G-25 I guess I will start answering for them since they dont answer they should just put me on their payroll.. Things seem to be handled very poorly on this site and even over the phone I have called with specific questions and they all act like its something built in Area 51 and cant even talk about it.
kinshignk | September 23rd, 2009 at 15:58
when will it be available for canada?
RGTpeak | September 23rd, 2009 at 20:48
How about real hand brake controls to complete the experience.
rebla47 | September 24th, 2009 at 06:53
“Hi rebla47,
The G25 and G27 pedals are interchangeable. There are no third-party pedals licensed for use with any Logitech racing wheel.
-Chris”
Dear Chris:
That wasn´t I was asking you: I asked you if other wheels with license to use Logitech G25 pedals (Fanatec, ECCI, VPP… ) are able to connect the G27 pedals to their wheels (If you say they are interchangeable, I suposse the response is “yes”).
Regards.
Stu | October 3rd, 2009 at 16:54
So … since there’s been no new comments for more than a week, I’m presuming that everyone everywhere in the world EXCEPT ME has already got their G27′s. Or maybe everyone has given up. Or maybe everyone is more patient than me.
topthis | October 3rd, 2009 at 17:08
I’m kind of confused and I wondered about the shifter on the G27. The G25 has the option to go up and down or the ladder function and I looked every where for a description or something to prove the G27 if not has the “ladder” function. Please help I am in the the decision what to get so far I’m leaning toward the G25.
Chris Pate | October 5th, 2009 at 10:00
Hi Topthis,
In order to improve the feeling of the six-speed mode, it was necessary to remove sequential mode from the shifter.
-Chris
Joe R | October 5th, 2009 at 15:30
Hi. I have read the release date for the g27 was the end of September. Now that we are a few days into October, I am wondering if there is an update one the expected due date. I am reluctant to preorder if there is no accurate information on when I will get it. Truth be told I would rather buy it from a retailer. Any thoughts?
Chris Pate | October 5th, 2009 at 18:30
Hi Joe R,
G27s started shipping to retailers and distributors last week, so you could start seeing them in Best Buy as early as this week.
-Chris
Jesse | October 5th, 2009 at 16:19
i ordered this way back long ago… still waiting for logitech itself to release it.. any idea when? i dont want to go thruogh the hassle of canceling my order and ordering it from a different retailer… i udnerstand that its a ship only to america thing.. but i live in america……. any info >_>?
Chris Pate | October 5th, 2009 at 18:37
Hi Jesse,
Please see my response to Joe R above.
-Chris
Joe R | October 5th, 2009 at 18:50
thanks for the reply, Chris. I appreciate your checking the comments regularly.
Jesse | October 5th, 2009 at 19:01
Yea i know they did but what about logitech themselves? website still says PRE order. and i already did that a while ago.. any clue when logitech themselves will begin shipping?
Chris Pate | October 6th, 2009 at 15:17
Hi again, Jesse,
The best estimate I can provide right now is that Logitech.com will have G27s on October 19 or 20. The initial shipment of G27s went to Best Buy, so Logitech.com will be supplied with the second shipment.
Thanks for your patience,
Chris
Vincent | October 6th, 2009 at 06:06
Hi Chris
i saw your respon to Joe R above, but does it mean you guys have shipped it to Best Buys and other retalers in Canada?
Chris Pate | October 8th, 2009 at 13:02
The G27 will be available the end of this month at Future Shop and Best Buy.
-Chris
Corey | October 6th, 2009 at 08:06
Chris,
I’m also wondering when these will become available in Canada. I’ve got a cool review lined up for the G27 where I want to see if it’s possible to learn how to drive a standard car on the Logitech setup and then jump into a real car with no real-world practice and see what happens.
But long story short, when will we see these cropping up in Canada?
Joe R | October 7th, 2009 at 16:09
Hey all,
I called Best buy to get an estimate and they have already received them. HOWEVER Three out of four in my area of Massachusetts, USA have already SOLD OUT. I was able to get the last one in Saugus. The earliest time they would be restocked was two weeks so I drove down and got it.
So get’em while they last or they may end up getting back ordered.
topthis | October 7th, 2009 at 16:48
I believe I’m going to buy the G27 first of all the sequential shifter sounds awesome and the normal $90 to $110 wheel like the Driving Force Gt and Driving Force wheels felt amazing when I was 10 or 11 (I’m 12 XD). So at my understandings I believe going with the G25 (still expensive) is perfect for me and I still have to wait till October 29th for me Birthday. The G27 sounds tweaked for $100 more and It is just to much for a few tweaks of the wheel and losing a huge feature in the shifting.
Stu | October 7th, 2009 at 17:14
Vincent – The company in Montreal that I pre-ordered one from has told me they will have stock on Oct. 28th. I would imagine this would be the case for the rest of Canada too, although I hope it’s not, I’ll grab one from anywhere else and cancel my order if it means getting it earlier.
Gee | October 10th, 2009 at 22:27
Is this true that Logitech will meake a Gran Turismo version of the G27 ??
Maybe when GT5 will be released ?
Can you confirm me this? so I will buy that version.
Chris Pate | October 12th, 2009 at 17:19
Hi Gee,
Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to reveal information about our future plans with regard to products.
-Chris
GODZILLA | October 13th, 2009 at 01:03
is it possible to purchase the Sparco gran turismo racing cockpit with steering wheel as a package? if not where am i able to buy the cockpit?
Chris Pate | October 13th, 2009 at 10:21
Hi GODZILLA,
The Logicool PlayStation Sparco Kit (LPSK) was a Japan-specific item that is no longer available for sale through our web site. If you are looking for a cockpit solution, I recommend checking into PlaySeats. They make a wide range of products that can fit into most budgets, and they are designed to work well with our wheels.
-Chris
Stu | October 14th, 2009 at 18:19
Canadian buyers: Update on my previously posted Canadian availability date: previously my online order’s ETA from a Mississauga, Ont. source was 10/28. Today it has changed to 11/11. Add 2 more weeks. Not looking good. If anyone in Canada has found a source please let me know.
mat | October 15th, 2009 at 17:20
hi , will this shifter and wheel work with 18 wheels of steel games ? im a big fan of the game and your controlers , it would add some much more realism to the game being able to shift and not have to press buttons on the keyboard . thanks
Chris Pate | October 19th, 2009 at 17:51
Hi mat,
The wheel should work for driving, as the games support DirectInput wheel controllers, but to the best of my knowledge they do not support the clutch or the six-speed shifter.
Psycho | October 16th, 2009 at 06:14
Thanks for the canadian update, what price did you order it ?
Im hoping the canadian price will be the exact same as the US one, else I might have to drive down to the US to buy one which would suck. I guess Ill have to wait an extra 3-4 weeks now to know.
roy | October 18th, 2009 at 11:29
ok thanks and sorry if i comment 2 times or 3.
look i got problem on the logitech g25 the gear box didnt was so good and my english is not good so i didnt understand the reviow so my question is
the gear box on logitech g-27 is good now or batter?please answer me fast thanks.
Chris Pate | October 19th, 2009 at 15:31
Hi roy,
I’m not sure I understand your question. We have made several improvements to the G27′s shifter over the G25′s – particularly the centering spring force and the engagement feeling – but I don’t know what you’re looking for when you say “better”.
-Chris
Stu | October 18th, 2009 at 17:17
$310.00, close enough to the lowest US price I’ve seen. Best Buy and Future Shop (Canada) are still selling the G25 for around $360 online, so I doubt the G27 price will be much different. I suggest you go to Cendirect.com (a Canadian company) and get your order in asap, no charge until they ship. I have a feeling there’s going to be a shortage, and if you’re like me you want it NOW!
PS – New ETA as of the 16th is now 11/05, better than the last update.