After falling behind for over 5 years, with the launch of the Fanatec CSL DD and Moza R9, the Logitech RS50 enters the budget direct drive market at $350. This price point positions itself as a strong competitor to the aforementioned options, with excellent force feedback and a competitive price point. On paper it’s very compelling, but, before you hit buy, there’s one reason you might want to skip out.
Pricing Against The Competition
The highly advertised $350 price tag only gets you the PC only base. For a complete setup such as one of Logitech’s console bundles runs $699 for either the Xbox or PC version. For those on PC, the cheapest setup one with the RS round rim and RS hub costs $599. In comparison, the cheapest Fanatec CSL DD 8Nm bundle costs $649, whereas the Moza R9’s cheapest bundles come in at $549.
However it is well worth noting Logitech frequently runs sales that can dramatically lower the cost. When we purchased out unit for review we paid just $440 for the PC only RS50 Base, RS hub, and RS round wheel, plus we got a free racing adapter. This sale was a massive discount from the standard $599, but for the sake of fairness, we’ll evaluate the RS50 at full retail price.
Setup and Build Quality
Installation and setup of the RS50 was straightforward. Included in the box were T-nut mounting rails for easy rig mounting. With our TK Falcon, we had no issue with the mounting wheelbase with nothing extra needing to be drilled. On the software side, setup was simple, all you had to do was install Logitech G Hub and let it install all the updates. Once the updates are complete you’re ready to race!
Regarding build quality, the wheelbase feels solid despite having a plastic front and back, but, a metal main housing. The optional RS round rim we purchased to go along with this base has no notable flex. Assembly of the RS hub and wheel rim was painless, with all necessary hardware included. The quick-release collar makes wheel swapping effortless. When it comes to the RS Hub, it has magnetic paddle shifter, 13 buttons, 2 rotary encoders, and a funky switch. One minor complaint is the buttons lack tactile feedback.
The Ecosystem Problem
Logitech’s lineup of sim racing accessories is exceptionally limited. The wheel rim selection is small, and there are only two button boxes. Peripheral options are equally sparse, just a sequential shifter that doubles as a hand brake, the G Pro pedals, and a few accessories. If you want an H-pattern shifter within Logitech’s eco system, you’ll need the Logitech Racing Adapter that costs $39 to use legacy G29 pedals or the H-pattern shifter with the RS50 and G Pro Wheel.
For PC players, fortunately there is an escape hatch. For $69.99 Logitech sells the RS Quick Release. This adapter allows you to simply bolt up third-party wheels with 70mm or 50.8mm bolt patterns. We tested it with a Cube Controls F-Core wheel, but encountered an issue. While the adapter claims 50.8mm compatibility, it only accepts front-mounted wheels. Our F-Core mounts from the rear, requiring us to 3D print an adapter, so we would use the 70mm bolt pattern. After we did that the RS QR worked perfectly.
Force Feedback Performance
During our testing, the RS50 delivers excellent force feedback. Detail was clear and communicative. We could feel the front tire flex, weight transfer, and the onset of oversteer with precision. At 8Nm, it’s not the strongest base, but nothing at this price point is. TrueForce was a pleasant surprise. At the default 100% setting for TrueForce, it’s noisy and muddy and harmed the FFB quality. However, dialing it down to around 20% and focusing on tire scrub provides genuinely useful detail without overwhelming the wheel’s FFB. TrueForce by no means is essential, but it’s a nice addition to an already competent wheelbase.
For context, I’ve competed in esports for over five years on everything from a Logitech G29 to a Simucube 2 Sport. The RS50 provides all the detail needed to be competitive. During testing with the Indy NXT car at Portland in iRacing, we came within hundredths of the world record in offline conditions matching official sessions.
Upgrading from belt-driven wheels or a G29, users will be blown away. Coming from other direct drives like the CSL DD, the experience is comparable – good, but not revolutionary.
The Problems
The RS hub’s paddle shifters are exceptionally loud. Probably loud enough to annoy neighbors if you have thin walls and live in an apartment. We personally think Logitech should have included dampening material so you could quiet down the paddle shifter noise. The buttons feel like the ones found on an Xbox controller buttons and are easy to accidentally hit mid-corner.
There was also one minor software bug where G Hub would constantly reset TrueForce to 100% between sessions in iRacing and races in Assetto Corsa, requiring manual adjustment every time you load in, or a profile change. One other minor issue was how loud TrueForce can be. At 100% it is incredibly loud, vibrating the entire rig. While this can be somewhat immersive, transmitting curb feel through the seat, it’s far too run at 100% for those in shared living spaces.
The Deal Breaker
Our review unit failed. While it technically still works, it can no longer sustain 8Nm of torque; if we keep it close to 100% strength, hitting a curb at full force causes the wheelbase to shut off completely. We understand manufacturing defects happen. What’s concerning is the customer support experience. After nearly two weeks of back and forth communication, we had no resolution. Support would acknowledge the issue, then go silent. Eventually, we gave up on the RS50, opting to return the wheelbase for a refund rather than continue the RMA process. This is unfortunate because the RS50 is an excellent wheelbase when it works. The lack of responsive support for a defective unit is a significant concern for such an expensive product.
The Verdict
The Logitech RS50 is a strong budget direct drive option with competitive pricing, solid force feedback, and good detail and a neat feature in TrueForce. However, the limited ecosystem, software bugs, and our poor customer support experience make it difficult to recommend without reservations or a really good sale.
If you’re considering the RS50, be aware that if something goes wrong, you may be in for a frustrating support experience. When it works, it’s great. The question is whether you’re willing to take that risk.
You can find the Logitech RS50 for purchase here, through our links.
—— Logitech RS50 Bundles ——
— US LINKS —
https://amzn.to/3LfbYGl (affiliate)
https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/shop/p/rs50-system.941-000264
— AUS/NZ —
https://www.amazon.com.au/Logitech-RS50-System-PlayStation-PC/dp/B0FNTWJZYF
— UK and EU —
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-System-3-Piece-Racing-Steering/dp/B0FKGSFTFX
https://www.logitechg.com/en-gb/shop/p/rs50-system
—— Logitech RS50 Base ——
— US LINKS —
https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/shop/p/rs50-base
— AUS/NZ —
https://www.logitechg.com/en-au/products/driving/rs50-base.html
— UK and EU —
https://www.logitechg.com/en-gb/shop/p/rs50-base