Logitech G RS H Pattern Shifter Review: A Notchy Upgrade for Sim Racers

Introduction

Logitech has been a familiar name in sim racing for over a decade, and their driving force shifter has long been a reliable entry-level option. But for console players locked into the Logitech ecosystem, the choice has been limited. Now, after a long wait, Logitech has released the RS H pattern shifter, a more premium offering designed to sit alongside their newer RS and G Pro wheelbases.

This new shifter promises a more mechanical feel and better build quality than the aging driving force unit. But it also brings some surprises, both positive and negative. This review explores what the RS H pattern shifter is really like to use, who it suits best, and where it falls short.

Who This Product Is For

The RS H pattern shifter is aimed at sim racers who want a more substantial, mechanical shifting experience than the entry-level driving force shifter provides. It is particularly relevant for console players who are limited to the Logitech ecosystem and want to upgrade their rig without switching platforms.

For PC users, the situation is different. There is a wide range of USB H pattern shifters available at various price points, so the RS shifter faces more competition. However, for those who already own a Logitech RS or G Pro wheelbase, this shifter integrates cleanly into the existing setup.

This shifter is not for everyone. If you primarily drive street cars in sims and prefer a smoother, more fluid shift feel, the driving force shifter might still be the better choice. The RS shifter is noticeably notchier and requires more effort to engage each gear.

Design and Build Quality

The RS H pattern shifter shares the same form factor and footprint as Logitech’s handbrake and sequential combo unit. The housing is plastic, but the gated shifter plate on top is aluminium, which gives it a more premium feel. The shift knob is a solid piece of CNC machined aluminium with a blue ring around the base, and it feels weighty and well made.

Internally, the shifter uses hall effect sensors rather than mechanical switches. This means there are no physical contacts to wear out over time, which should improve long-term reliability. The internal construction appears solid, with steel where it is needed and plastic used to keep weight and production costs down.

One notable design choice is the fixed USB cable. If the cable gets damaged, replacing it requires disassembling the unit. A detachable USB connection would have been easier to service, though it would also be more likely to come unplugged during use.

The shifter uses a six plus two configuration, meaning six forward gears plus seventh and reverse. Rather than a mechanical lockout for seventh and reverse, you have to pull the shifter harder to overcome a threshold and pop it into those gears. The top plate cannot be reversed to put reverse on the opposite side, as the recessed notches are offset to prevent backward installation.

Mounting and Compatibility

The RS H pattern shifter is compatible with the same mounting system as the handbrake and sequential unit. You can use the included table clamp, which allows you to adjust the height by bolting it in either a lower or upper position. The units are also stackable, so you can mount the handbrake on top of the shifter if you want both on a single clamp.

There are also mounting holes on the bottom of the unit, allowing you to hard mount it directly to a rig or metal plate. This gives you plenty of flexibility depending on your setup. The desk clamp works fine on a sturdy desk, even with the stiffer shift action of this shifter compared to the driving force unit.

Compatibility is where things get a bit more complicated. The shifter is advertised as PC, Xbox, and PlayStation compatible, but console compatibility depends on your wheelbase and wheel. For PlayStation, the security chip is in the wheelbase, so any Logitech peripheral connected through a PlayStation-compatible wheelbase will work. For Xbox, the security chip is in the steering wheel, so you need an Xbox-compatible wheel connected.

The important thing to remember is that both Xbox and PlayStation only recognize one physically connected input device. So you must connect other peripherals through the wheelbase. The RS H pattern shifter only has a USB connection, so if you are using a G29, G920, or G923, you will need to purchase the RS adapter module separately to connect it.

Driving Experience

The driving experience with the RS H pattern shifter is noticeably different from the driving force shifter. It has a much notchier feel, more like a dog box or straight-cut gearbox than a smooth street car transmission. This can make it more difficult to find the right gear without looking, and it takes time to build the muscle memory needed to shift accurately.

The main objective difference is the increased resistance required to snap into each gear. This is particularly noticeable during rapid downshifts, such as going from sixth to fourth or fourth to second. It is easy to accidentally jump from sixth to second instead of fourth until you get used to the feel.

One issue that persists even after building muscle memory is the lateral spring tension. The spring that returns the shifter to the neutral position between third and fourth is quite stiff, perhaps unrealistically so for most cars. This makes it awkward to guide the shifter into the correct gear, especially when downshifting from seventh to sixth or fifth. The shifter naturally wants to spring back to the middle, so you have to maintain a firm grip to avoid ending up in third or fourth.

The seventh and reverse gear engagement also takes some getting used to. Because there is no mechanical lockout, you have to pull the shifter to the side and overcome a threshold to enter those gears. This works fine going into gear, but downshifting out of seventh requires careful control to avoid overshooting into the wrong gear.

Another point to note is the overall feel of the unit. While the internal mechanics are solid, the plastic housing gives it a slightly toy-like sound and feel compared to more expensive metal-bodied shifters. The sensation of shifting is not that different from higher-end units, but the plastic casing dampens the visceral metallic thud you get with more premium shifters.

Comparison with Other Shifters

Compared to the driving force shifter, the RS H pattern shifter is a clear upgrade in terms of build quality and mechanical resistance. The driving force shifter glides into gear with very little resistance, which gives it a more fluid but somewhat vague feel. The RS shifter requires more effort and provides a more positive engagement, though it is not necessarily more realistic depending on the type of car you are driving.

When compared to the Logitech RS handbrake and sequential combo unit, the H pattern shifter feels different. The sequential mode on the combo unit has a fluid, almost hydraulic feel, with the gear clicking into position at the end of the throw. The H pattern shifter, by contrast, feels more like a switch, snapping into each position without that same hydraulic sensation. If you already own the combo unit and expect the H pattern shifter to feel the same, you may be disappointed.

Against higher-end shifters like the Fanatec or Simagic units, the RS shifter holds up reasonably well. The overall notchiness and snappiness are similar, and the main difference is the lack of adjustability. More expensive shifters typically offer mechanical adjustment for spring tension and shift feel, allowing you to fine-tune the experience. The RS shifter has no adjustment options at all, so the feel is what it is.

Buying Advice

The RS H pattern shifter is priced at $159.99 in the US or euro, and $299.95 in Australian dollars. This puts it significantly above the driving force shifter but around half the price of something like the Simagic H pattern shifter. For what it offers, it is fairly priced, though not necessarily the right choice for everyone.

If you are on console and limited to the Logitech ecosystem, this shifter is a worthwhile upgrade if you find the driving force shifter too weak or vague. It offers better build quality and a more mechanical feel that many sim racers will appreciate. However, if you primarily drive street cars, you might find the notchiness too aggressive and prefer the smoother feel of the driving force unit.

For PC users, the decision is more complex. There are many other H pattern shifters available at similar or lower price points, some of which offer both H pattern and sequential modes. The RS shifter is H pattern only out of the box, with no sequential capability. If you want sequential shifting as well, you would need to buy a separate unit, which adds to the cost.

The lack of a sequential mode is one of the main drawbacks of this shifter. While third-party mods may eventually offer a conversion, it is not available out of the box. If you want to drive rally cars with sequential gearboxes and handbrakes, you would need multiple units, which quickly becomes expensive and cluttered.

Conclusion

The Logitech G RS H pattern shifter is a solid upgrade over the driving force shifter in terms of build quality and mechanical feel. It offers a more substantial shifting experience that many sim racers will enjoy, particularly those on console who are limited to the Logitech ecosystem.

However, it is not without its quirks. The notchiness and stiff lateral spring can make accurate shifting difficult, especially for rapid downshifts. The lack of a sequential mode out of the box is a notable omission, and the fixed USB cable is a minor annoyance.

For the right user, this shifter is a worthwhile investment. It is fairly priced for what it offers, and the hall effect sensors should provide reliable long-term performance. But it is not for everyone, and those who prefer a smoother, more fluid shift feel may be better served by the driving force shifter or a different product altogether.

If you are considering this shifter, it is worth trying it out if possible and checking other reviews to see how it compares to similarly priced options. The subjective nature of shift feel means that personal preference plays a major role in whether this is the right choice for you.