I've been using a Logitech G25 for a long time now (I think I bought mine shortly after they were first released in 2006, definitely well before the G27 came out in 2010). So I'm ready for a replacement. I have a couple of issues with the G25 I wanted to resolve with a replacement.
1. The H-shifter uses micro switches which are beginning to fail. I can't get reverse gear anymore.
2. The brake pedal has the same feel as the clutch and accelerator. Consequently it is easy to press the brake pedal too hard and lock the brakes.
A replacement that improves on the G25 is very expensive so I'm buying my replacement in stages.
I bought a
Thrustmaster TH8A shifter which uses Hall Effect devices which should be more reliable than micro switches. So my first problem has been solved, I can get reverse gear now.
Phase 1 using G25 wheel, G25 Pedals and TH8A shifter. Just had to disconnect the G25 shifter from the wheel and connect the TH8A shifter directly into the PC USB port. Works fine - just had to remap the controls in GPL.
Next I bought some
Thrustmaster T3PA-PRO pedals. The feel in the brake pedal is much better. It is adjustable too. I've not had much time to experiment with it but in the one race I have used them (Spa with the 67F2s) the braking was better but more practice is needed.
Phase 2 using G25 wheel, T3PR-PRO Pedals and TH8A shifter. Again just had to disconnect the G25 pedals from the wheel and connect the T3PS-PRO pedals directly into the PC USB port. To do that I needed to buy a
USB adaptor because the pedals are intended to plug into a Thrustmaster wheel as standard. Again works fine - just had to remap the controls in GPL.
Next thing I need to buy is a new wheel but given that my G25 Wheel is working OK, I'm going to wait (at least until the new year when my wife has had time to forget how much I've spent already!). The wheel I'm looking at is a
Thrustmaster T300 base but which optional wheel I buy is not decided. The
Ferrari 250 GTO wheel looks great but it is ridiculously expensive. The
Fanatec wheels look good too but they are also very pricey.
So in answer to your question, it all depends what you want to do. All I can say is that I have tried to upgrade my wheel gradually so I don't have to spend a lot of money in one go. If you can buy components that have a standard USB connection then there is every chance you will be able to use them with GPL. So you should be able to mix and match to come up with something that suits your budget and preferences.
Hope that helps