Games are divided into many genres. There are “adventure games”, adventure and role-playing games, strategies, etc. Many people like simulators, especially racing ones, requiring exceptional skill and composure from the player. The keys to winning them are discipline, stamina and accuracy. And, of course, good equipment, an example of which is the Logitech Driving Force GT. The model features a 900-degree steering wheel, the presence of feedback, full-sized gas and brake pedals, as well as support for many other functions. She made her debut as the official Gran Turismo 5 game steering wheel . Although the manipulator was specially created for the PS3 platform, it can also be used from a PC.
Features and system requirements
The functionality of the model is as follows:
- 24-position adjustment in real time, which allows you to adjust the balance of the brakes, traction, etc.
- feedback simulating excessive and understeer of wheels and traction losses;
- 900-degree steering rotation, simulating the capabilities of real cars;
- gas pedals and brakes for realism and instant response;
- 11-inch rubber-coated steering wheel with horn lighting;
- compatible with most games for PlayStation 3 and 2;
- 3 year hardware warranty.
System requirements
- Windows 8, 7, Vista or XP;
- 20 MB of free hard disk space;
- the presence of a CD-ROM;
- free USB port.
Unpacking and packaging
Logitech Driving Force GT is tightly packed inside a huge stylish box with the new Logitech Gaming logo. In front is a huge image of the device with the names of the model and manufacturer. You can also see the Polyphony Digital badge here. This means that the steering wheel is made specifically for the game Gran Turismo 5. In addition, the device is compatible with PC. There is a multilingual list of functionalities on the back of the box, and a handle is provided on top for ease of transportation. Driving Force GT comes with a standard set of booklets and a universal network adapter. Obviously, the steering wheel needs more power to provide powerful feedback.
Design
The Logitech Driving Force GT gaming wheel looks great, although the device is almost entirely made of plastic, even the base, gear lever and pedals. But you should not worry about this, because high-quality materials were used in their manufacture. The manipulator looks great and provides the same feeling. The steering wheel is quite heavy and its assembly does not cause complaints. The exterior of the dashboard is inspired by the design of race cars. It is streamlined and has ventilation holes for cooling the motor, providing feedback.
Under the steering base there are 2 adjustable clamps, which should provide a good and tight mount for long hours of gaming session. You may notice that the manufacturer did not even bother to indent. This causes many bewilderment. It is good that the base is flat, and its texture does not have abrasive qualities. At the bottom is the connector for the AC adapter and the serial port for pedals. To provide additional grip of the manipulator with the table surface, it is better to place a mouse mat under it.
Under the dashboard you can see the Logitech logo and a pair of handles for tightening the clamps. They are made of plastic, but they do their job very reliably. The gearshift lever can be tilted forward and backward. It does not have great gaming capabilities, but nonetheless works as it should. Although the lever looks like a real one, with the exception of the shaft, it is made of textured plastic. It is fixed in the desired position by deviation to the right. The 11-inch steering wheel is almost entirely made of molded rubber. It is strong enough and massive, and can rotate within 900 degrees, very reminiscent of the G25. Its surface is textured and has contours that mimic a real racing steering wheel. To the touch, it seems solid and durable, able to withstand long hours of non-stop racing.
Perhaps the busiest part of the steering wheel is its center, where, along with a standard set of controls, there are Play Station buttons, as well as some useful additions. The latter include: a horn with the GT logo, which glows with a soft white glow, and right under it a real-time tuning button. For those who prefer an alternative gearshift, Logitech has 2 buttons on the back of the steering wheel. They function well, but aesthetically and ergonomically are not so successful due to their small size. For games on the weekend, they will do, but for those who want the best, the G27 with full-sized gearshift buttons is more suitable. The USB cable is long, which is very convenient if the pointing device is installed at a distance from the console or PC.
The Logitech Driving Force GT pedal stand is floor mounted. It is stable and its assembly is reliable, but the pedals themselves seem more pliable than they should. If you need to add extra rigidity, then it can be provided with small balls or a sponge. On the lower surface of the structure there are 4 rubber legs, a ballast and an emphasis for the carpet, which pops up when the button that holds it in the hidden position is pressed. There are no mounting holes for those who want to change the layout of the pedals and install them vertically. They comply with the ALA standard, so this is not possible. The cable for connecting the pedals is long enough and easy to hold under the table.
How to configure Logitech Driving Force GT?
According to user reviews, the installation of the steering wheel is not difficult. You just need to find a table ready to be tortured. Installation consists in securely tightening two clamps. Windows will automatically detect the steering wheel when connected, and the tracker will calibrate automatically. Another option is to install Logitech Profiler software, which allows you to make many game settings. Driving Force GT is released for a long time, so it is supported by a huge number of games, including Race Driver: GRID, DiRT3, GRiD 2, F1 2012, GTR Evolution, Shift 2: Unleashed and many others.
Gaming experience
DFGT users are very impressed with its work, especially the feedback action, which is the strongest functional feature of the manipulator. Borders, apexes, every roughness on the road are well modeled by the built-in engine and accurately transmitted to the steering wheel. In the game you can feel when the car demonstrates excessive or insufficient handling, or loss of traction. Ultimately, it provides the best racing experience and a good time.
According to the reviews of owners who used the manipulator on a variety of routes, they did not encounter delays or dead zones. The steering is precise, the steering wheel lies naturally in the hands and provides good resistance thanks to an adjustable central spring. The noise level of the drive mechanism is acceptable, so there will be nothing to distract the player from enjoying the races. The 900 ° swivel function works fine, but it is too tedious for daily use. The buttons work instantly, but to use them during races, in addition to tuning in real time, you will not have to often. Some games, such as Shift 2: Unleashed, support additional controls, increasing the realism of the ride and the pleasure derived from it. In this case, you will need to manually configure the Logitech Driving Force GT.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to user reviews, the advantages of the model are: a powerful feedback engine, a convenient and accurate steering wheel, strong reliable assembly, good value for money, 3 years warranty and ease of installation. However, the game pad is still not without flaws. The pedals, although they work accurately, do not show enough resistance, as if they were already worn out. The shift buttons on the steering wheel are too small to be convenient to use, and can be a problem if the races are held on the semi-automatic settings of the Logitech Driving Force GT and the track is very complicated. Owners would prefer something like the implementation of MOMO or G27.
Conclusion
At a cost of 100 pounds, the advantages of the model easily outweigh the cons. For a relatively small fee, the user is given the opportunity to get an exciting racing experience. The game steering wheel is the best suited for those who are looking for an inexpensive manipulator to begin immersion in the world of racing simulators. Logitech Driving Force GT provides them with everything you need.