The Logitech G RS-H Shifter is one of those peripherals you don’t know you need until you use it. I’ve recently spoken about my foray into advanced gaming peripherals, covering the Logitech G RS50 and RS Pedals as a pair. I think those two devices together are enough for the average consumer who only wants to drive around.
For those advanced racing fanatics, though, adding in the RS-H Shifter might just be the selling point of the entire package, as it adds a whole new level of integration and realism that brings me back to my teen years, where I was around cars constantly, whether with my friends or at night at the tracks.
The Logitech G RS Shifter Is Good For Beginners
As someone entering the world of premium peripherals, I find the RS H-Shifter adds a whole new layer of interactivity and immersion. It’s also a genuinely fun hurdle to engage when racing through Tokyo or the Nürburgring. I find the RS Shifter is a good starter for beginners who want an out-of-the-box experience with very little fuss.
Mounting it to my desk is pretty easy; it’s the only thing you need to worry about unboxing, with the shift knob needing to be assembled. Other than that, attaching it to a surface is pretty easy (and racing chair sickso can mount this to their rig in a cinch).
The build quality is impressive, with a low-carbon aluminum for the shift gate and ABS plastic, making it feel pretty solid in your hands. That said, I can see how easily dust and fingerprints accumulate. I’ve cleaned it a few times, and the next time, it was pretty much coated in fingerprints. I can see that being a nuisance.
However, what matters most here is how it feels in use. I’ve seen differing opinions, with some being more critical of the matter (and rightfully so), while others are adamant about how it performs out of the box. I think it works fine for console games out of the box, but PC needs more choice in how you tune it. Across several games, the RS H-Shifter feels fine in hand, with resistance helping you know when to switch gears. But for the console experience, it’s perfectly capable, and I have no issues as it is. It could use some tweaks, but I don’t expect to see that unless it’s somehow implemented in the settings of whatever game you’re hooked into.
If you’re familiar with how a shifter works, you’ll feel at home much faster than someone who isn’t. Having driven stick earlier, readjusting to the movements takes some time, but ultimately finding the groove becomes second nature after a few hours in the driving seat. It might sound like hyperbole, but it really is like riding a bike if you’ve handled a manual car.
Verdict
The Logitech G RS H-Shifter is a fun little addition to any budding car enthusiast’s gaming setup, but it’s not for everybody. It feels great in your hands and plays well with the games I’ve tested, but it’s also a fingerprint magnet you’ll need to be aware of if you like your toys looking immaculate. With that in mind, it’s a nice little addition if you’re fine with plunking down $229 CAD, which is a considerable amount to put down for a device. If you’re a rookie driver, I’m confident that the RS H-Shifter will scratch that itch for a viable, authentic racing experience at home.
[Logitech provided a launch retail unit for this review.]
these are great !!