Logitech RS50 and RS Pedals Review: A New Direct Drive Option for Sim Racers

Introduction

Logitech has entered the entry to mid-level direct drive market with a new range of sim racing products. The Racing Series consists of the RS50 wheelbase, which delivers 8 Newton meters of peak torque, and the RS pedals, which include a load cell brake as standard. This new gear is cross-compatible with the G Pro series and offers console compatibility across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, depending on the version you choose.

The RS50 and RS pedals sit between Logitech’s entry-level driving force gear and the higher-end G Pro lineup. With an aggressive price point and a focus on a refined out-of-the-box experience, this range aims to appeal to both newcomers and those looking to upgrade their existing setup.

Who This Product Is For

The RS50 and RS pedals are designed for sim racers who want a quality direct drive experience without the complexity of extensive tuning. This gear is particularly well suited to console players who want cross-platform compatibility, as well as PC users who value a clean, plug-and-play setup.

The 8 Newton meter peak torque is enough to satisfy the majority of people looking at this class of product. It provides a clear step up from belt-driven bases like the G923, with better dynamic range and fidelity in force feedback effects. If you are looking to get into sim racing for the first time or upgrade from entry-level gear, this range is worth considering.

Logitech RS50 Wheelbase

The RS50 wheelbase delivers 8 Newton meters of peak strength right out of the box. This is a notable advantage over some competitor products that require a boost kit to reach similar levels. The motor is a custom servo with 14 poles and a 12 slot design, paired with a 16 bit encoder that provides 65,536 steps of resolution throughout a 360 degree rotation of the wheel.

In practice, the driving experience is extremely smooth. There is no hint of cogging or torque ripple, and the wheelbase feels every bit as responsive as expected for this class of product. The force feedback is refined and authentic, with a level of detail that supports consistent driving across a variety of sim titles.

The physical design features a cast aluminum housing with ridges for heat dissipation. The base is passively cooled, which avoids the potential for dirt and debris accumulation that comes with active cooling solutions. A small OLED display on the front allows you to switch between profiles and adjust force feedback settings directly from the wheelbase, which is particularly useful when gaming on a console.

The quick release is the same design as the G Pro, providing a solid connection without any play or slop. The base is bottom mount compatible, using a standard hole pattern that fits most cockpits on the market. A table clamp is included with the bundle, but not with the base on its own.

Logitech RS Pedals

The RS pedals come as a two-pedal set with a hall effect sensor throttle and a 75 kg load cell brake pedal. This is a significant upgrade over entry-level pedals that typically use hall effect sensors for the brake. The load cell provides a clearly defined threshold point, allowing for consistent braking and precise modulation.

The pedals offer plenty of adjustability. You can move them side to side through an array of mounting holes, and the brake pedal includes three polyurethane inserts that can be swapped for solid spacers to change the feel. This allows you to dial in the pedal stiffness to suit your preference.

The throttle and clutch pedals use hall effect sensors, which means no moving parts or potentiometers that can wear out over time. The pedals are designed to be driven flat on the ground, but can be tilted up for use on a cockpit. Carpet spikes and extension arms are included to keep the pedals stable on the floor.

One thing to note is that the hard bump stops on the throttle and clutch pedals are quite loud, with metal-to-metal contact. This may be a consideration if you are racing in a quiet environment. The brake pedal itself performs well, providing a good balance between floor use and rig-mounted precision.

Software and Tuning

The Logitech G Hub software manages all of your Logitech G peripherals, including the RS50 wheelbase and RS pedals. The software provides adjustments for strength, force feedback filter, steering angle, and True Force levels. You can also save profiles to the wheelbase itself, allowing you to switch between different sim racing titles without going into the software.

The pedal settings include sensitivity adjustments for each pedal, as well as advanced options for custom response curves. You can map the throttle response to suit different driving styles, such as a more aggressive curve for getting out of corners quickly or a more progressive curve for managing rear-wheel drive cars.

One limitation is the lack of granular control over force feedback filters. There are fewer adjustments available compared to some competitor ecosystems, which may be a drawback for purists who want to fine-tune every aspect of the driving experience. However, the out-of-the-box experience is excellent, and most users will find the default settings work well.

Driving Experience

The overall sense of quality and presentation is higher than other competitor products in this market segment. The wheels are the same as those used in the G Pro ecosystem, providing a premium feel with magnetic shifters and a solid button plate. The default round rim is versatile, suitable for everything from Formula style driving to drifting.

The force feedback is smooth and authentic, with no hint of roboticness or notching. The level of detail is very good, and the driving experience is consistent across a wide range of sim titles. True Force adds an extra layer of haptic feedback on top of standard force feedback, providing additional effects like engine vibration and tire slip sensation. It is best used in moderation, with a sweet spot around 5 to 10 percent.

The only issue encountered during testing was with Assetto Corsa Competizione, which has a problem with steering angle scaling. This is a driver issue that may be resolved in a future update. Otherwise, the RS50 and RS pedals performed flawlessly across all other titles tested.

Buying Advice

The RS50 wheelbase is priced at $349.99 in the US for the Xbox and PC version, and $449.99 for the PlayStation and PC version. The bundle with the RS hub and wheel is $699.99 in the US, regardless of platform. The RS pedals are $159.99 for the two-pedal set, with the optional clutch module available for $44.99.

If you are a console sim racer, this gear offers excellent value compared to higher-end options like the G Pro or Fanatec’s CSL DD and GT DD Pro. The cross-platform compatibility, combined with the quality of the driving experience, makes it a strong recommendation. For PC users, the RS50 and RS pedals provide a clean, plug-and-play experience that is hard to beat at this price point.

The main consideration is the limited ecosystem. Logitech does not offer a wide selection of wheels or shifters compared to competitors like Fanatec. However, the universal QR adapter allows you to connect third-party wheels on PC, and the quality of the first-party hardware is consistently high.

Conclusion

The Logitech RS50 and RS pedals represent a strong entry into the direct drive market. The 8 Newton meter wheelbase delivers a refined and smooth driving experience, while the load cell brake pedal provides the precision needed for consistent lap times. The cross-platform compatibility and premium build quality make this range a compelling option for both console and PC sim racers.

The main limitation is the lack of granular tuning options and the relatively small ecosystem of wheels and accessories. However, for most users, the out-of-the-box experience is excellent, and the gear performs admirably across a wide range of sim titles. If you value a clean, high-quality driving experience without the need for extensive configuration, the RS50 and RS pedals are well worth considering.