Logitech G27 vs. Thrustmaster TH8A shifter

Greetings there,

Can anyone provide some good personal details or probably resource to read/watch about how much actually Thrusmaster's better than (quetly fresh, little mod-ed for resistance) G27 native shifter?
Some real pros. and cons. and may be also advices for another (better) way to change shifter in this value range. Probably, it is not worth to change it, at all? - As, can't say, that in now condition G27 shifter dissapoint me.
Just wish (think), for sure, about something more close to realistic feelings at shifting simulation.

Best regards.

 

If you have the money for it it's 100% worth to change. Th8a is mostly metal where it counts so you can really manhandle it. Plus it have a sequential mode and a handbrake mode.

I'm so pleased with it that I have 2 of them, well the other is an older th8rs which I use as a seq shifter.

I think the next step would be Fanatec shifter, but it's much more expensive. What I've read the feel is excellent though.

 

It's been a long time since I've used a Logitech shifter, so no real comparison here.
Still can give you a few pros and cons for the Thrustmaster. Should note that I have the TH8RS, which was the version before the TH8A, but they are pretty much identical.
The TH8RS had a screw that could be used to adjust the resistance of the stick (and which I never changed) and that is missing from the TH8A, but then the TH8A has console support.
Anyway:

Pro:
- Very solid build. I've taken mine apart completely and all parts that may wear are made out of metal and even after ~ 4.5 years of heavy usage there was no noticeable wear. I've just cleaned and lubricated everything and feels as good as new.
- Contactless position sensing (in H-shift mode) via hall sensor. Very unlikely that this will brake.
- Pattern can be rotated into any position, which gives more freedom when mounting the thing.
- I really like the gear nob. Metal on top, rubber underneath for grip. Mine looks as good as new. Wouldn't be the case for all-rubber.
- Good shifting feedback, it's clear when a gear is in.

Cons:
- Switching between H-pattern and sequential takes effort (quite a bit actually) and an allen wrench. So forget about that unless you're going to purchase two of them (well, you don't ). So it's fair to say that it's either H-pattern or sequential, but not both.
- It's huge.
- From my experience: you might have to lubricate the moving parts every now and then (maybe every 2 years). Not a big deal, just open it, but some non-volatile lubricant there and it's ok again.
- Some people complain that the throw is to long. There are mods out there for shorter throw. I don't have an issue with it, so I didn't mod it. Up to you if you like it.

So yeah, pretty convinced of it.
Only thing I really don't like it is the size of the thing. It's about 12cm wide and thus takes up quite some space in my rig.
Also the long throw means you need to keep the space around it clean unless you want to block something with the gear knob.

 

As Berniyh already said : TH8A is a very solid and highly dependable piece of equipment which tickles my machine tooling engineer´s fancy quite a bit .

I like properly built things made out of metal, the TH8A is one .

 

I can't comment on the TH8A, but, it's true that the G27 shifter isn't that great really... it's ok, but nothing more. I sometimes have misshifts, and the reverse gear sometimes doesn't work either. As the TH8A is widely used and popular, and i haven't really heard many bad things about it, i'm sure it's pretty good.

 

I used the G29 shifter for a while and it was OK.

Got the Thrustmaster now and it's definitely a lot better.

Took a bit of getting used to the metal gate and longer throw but that didn't take long.

I'm now lusting after the Fanatec a bit but I'm hoping I can resist the purchase.

 

From what I've read the feel with the Fanatec is a bit better and it has the advantage that you can switch it to sequential mode.
However, I've also read that it breaks down relatively often, unfortunately.

Also, I've stated that the Thrustmaster is huge. Well, the Fanatec is monstrous …

 

It was also confirmed that Fanatec is working on a cheaper CSL-Range/Line shifter, but it seems there is no ETA for that one to arrive yet.

I'm on the phone, will add the link about it later once I can search for it more easily on the pc.


Edit:
Found it.

 

For me, first priority is reliability and that`s why i have TH8RS.
Original G27 shifter will inevitably fail as mine have, to be more precise, 2 pots responsable for stick position.
After being fed up with lost in counting how many times shifter was in parts for cleaning, bought TH8.

Since I`m not very demanding, my pro`s and con`s should be taken with a pinch of salt ...

pro:
- unquestionable reliability and better quality
- shifting feel is better compared to G27 (after blocking 7th gear slot)
- sequential mode (which I don`t use simply because of not liking to drive cars with sequential gearbox)
- solid and easy mounting
- plug nad play - no additional drivers needed

con:
- 7th gear slot can be annoying when you hit 7th instead of 5th
- for more I have no idea but someone more demanding can think of some

btw Berniyh
I don`t think that shifter is too big as i had more space issues (if i had any) with original G27 shifter.

 

I have this for th8a, http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/th8-shifter-short-shift-plate.14531/

Makes a big difference, also resolves the 7th gear annoyance because the plate is 6 gears + reverse (I don't need 7th gear to anything).

 

I've had both and the Logitech is very light and plastic feeling , it really doesn't feel that great and wouldn't recommend it.

Been using the TH8A for about a year ... feels like a solid shifter and I have upped the resistance through the adjustable screw to give a more "realistic" feel. Still a bit away from a real shifter but good enough without spending big bucks.
I would recommend the ricmotec short shifter mod as I found the throw a bit long as my daily driver is a integra typeR and the mod made the throw around the same as that.

The only issue I have with it is the it switching between H and sequential modes.. it's a pain and causes me not to play dirt rally that much as it's better in sequential mode. Have been running H mode with no clutch which helps a bit , just means more time on assetto corsa.

 

I have no idea how you guys accidentally manage to shift into 7th gear.

The only car in AC with a 7th gear and manual gearbox afaik is the Corvette.
The 911 Carrera S has one IRL as well, but since we have the PDK version, it doesn't matter.
Also, it's fuel saving ratios, so you won't use it when racing.

 

It has nothing to do wheather a car have 7th gear or not.

 

I haven't used the G27 much, and the last time I drove at my friends was so long ago that I can't really remember what the stick felt like, but I've been very happy with my TH8A, though it does make quite a bit of clanking noise when in use, though I fixed that with a thin sliver of foam sheet taped around the stick.

For the people who can't avoid 7th, you could get this:
https://hsimracing.com/product/th8-shifter-7th-removr/
They have some custom plates too, if you'd like to turn it into a 4+1 or 5+1 or whatever for 'immersion'

Can't speak for TH8RS, never having used one, but the stiffness adjustment screw is definitely in my TH8A. Though I fiddled with it at the beginning to get a stiffer or looser stick, I'm fairly sure it's currently as near as makes any difference at the factory setting these days.

Also visible at 9:12 in this video:

 

Of course not, was just a statement, that there are actually cars with 7 manual gears.

 

Ah ok, I thought they removed it as it isn't mentioned in the specs anymore.

So yeah then the TH8A is indeed the same but with console support.

Edit: I did try different settings. Factory is quite stiff, which is good because that gives good shifting feedback.
Tightening the screw more results in an almost unusable shifter, less feels very wobbly.
But ok, it's there and if one wants to play with it, it's possible.

 

I got mine second hand so the previous owner may have loosened the screw from the factory setting.

 

You can take a look into SHH Shifter. It's not a "big brand" but a simracer who decided to build it for itself and then started to make it for selling. I have one and I like it very much. I previously had a G25 and it's much better than that.

 

I've got a bit of electrical tape round mine to lessen the clanking noise.

I tried velcro tape first but it was a bit thick and didn't quite fit into the gate.

 

my Thrustmaster H-Shifter broke few month ago. It was not recognized by Windows anymore, so i contacted the support...i should order new cable for 10,80€ + 15€ shipping from France to Germany but it didnt solved the problem. Now i should order a new mainboard for 27.60€ + 15€ shipping...so i am not that happy with the support andhow they handle it. So my trust in Thrustmaster is not that high anymore. My next shifter will be from Fanatec...