Logitech G Heavy Equipment Bundle
design
The Logitech G Heavy Equipment Bundle hasn’t changed much since its Saitek days. In fact, even though I’d never used the original a decade ago, I’d be pretty confident it hasn’t changed at all bar a couple of new Logi logos. That longevity is both a strength and a weakness. It may be 2025 but you still get a plastic wheel, a set of plastic pedals, and a plastic side panel, and only one of those components really feels like it’s been built to last.
The wheel is the most underwhelming part of the bundle. It’s entirely plastic without so much as a textured grip, it’s surprisingly light, and there’s no force feedback on offer. That’s three pretty big problems right off the bat. Instead, the Logitech G Heavy Equipment wheel uses a spring to snap itself back to centre in a rather aggressive way. Compared to even entry-level racing wheels it struggles, feeling cheap and toy-like. The pedals don’t fare much better—they’re basic plastic too, with identical resistance on the brake and accelerator which makes them feel more like an arcade accessory than proper sim gear.
The wheel itself isn’t entirely barebones however. There are a few added inputs with four buttons and a thumb stick on each side. They’re all nicely placed, I had no trouble reaching them in the middle of a long farming session, and they’re sized sensibly enough that you can use them without glancing down every two minutes. Round the back though, things aren’t quite as polished. There are two extra buttons that sit comfortably under your fingers, but they feel loose and make a surprisingly loud click. I actually streamed a few hours of Farming Simulator 25 on Twitch while using the bundle and had multiple viewers comment on how distracting those rear button clacks were.
Things improve dramatically with the side panel. This is the highlight of the whole Logitech G Heavy Equipment Bundle, and the part that will likely keep fans happy even if the wheel and pedals disappoint. Once again, it’s plastic, but it’s sturdier and more satisfying to use. The 24 programmable buttons are crisp and responsive, and the built-in joystick is genuinely excellent. It feels precise, premium, and adds a lot to the overall experience.
The buttons aren’t mechanical, but they’re much sturdier than those on the wheel, with no wobble or rattle to spoil the experience. They’re spaced out sensibly, with a light tactile bump and a crisp click that makes every press satisfying. The dual-mode joystick is equally well done, striking a nice balance between precision and ease of use—you can make fine adjustments without feeling like you’re fighting against it. The throttle wheel could do with a little more resistance, but it’s used sparingly enough that it doesn’t really ruin the experience.
It’s worth noting that you can buy the side panel separately if you’ve already got a wheel and pedals you like. In fact, if you’re serious about sim gear, that is almost certainly the smarter move.
performance
Admittedly I don’t play much Farming Simulator, though I do get the odd craving or the message from a mate saying he fancies jumping in. That means when I do want to play, my attention span is limited and I’m not in the mood for faffing about with configs. Thankfully, setting up the Logitech Heavy Equipment Bundle with Farming Simulator 25 was a breeze. Everything was instantly recognised, fully pre-mapped for any vehicle I tried, and ready to go from the moment I plugged it in. That’s a big plus compared to something like the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X, which needed a lot of manual messing about before I could actually get started.
Out in the fields, the experience was a mixed bag. The wheel and pedals do their job, but the lack of force feedback means it never feels like you’re really driving heavy machinery. The spring-loaded return on the wheel is overly aggressive and a bit unpredictable, which pulled me out of the immersion more than once. The Brodie knob on the Heavy Equipment Bundle‘s steering wheel is much sturdier than on the Aerosoft Truck and Bus Wheel, but also often turned into a weapon that bludgeoned my arm if I wasn’t paying attention and let the wheel spin back into its default position. The pedals may as well be buttons with the amount of precision they offer and feel too similar underfoot, there’s no resistance difference between brake and accelerator and they offer essentially no control or detail.
Things do get better though and where the bundle really shines is in the side panel, once you get to grips with it. It transforms the game into something much closer to a full simulation setup, even if the wheel itself lets the package down. Be prepared for a learning curve and a few early frustrations here.
All the buttons were bound straight away and neatly labelled in-game, which was a good start, but the problem was that both the wheel and the side panel share the same range of input numbers with no differentiation between them. The game seemed determined to only show me the wheel labels, which was less than helpful when the side panel has about three times as many buttons and controls most of the advanced inputs. The result? A fair bit of blind button-mashing just to figure out what controlled what, followed by some old-fashioned memorisation.
That said, there’s a huge amount of flexibility here if you’re willing to put the time in. Even with the default mappings I had fun, but it’s clear that the Logitech G Heavy Equipment Bundle side panel will reward anyone who spends an afternoon refining the layout into something more intuitive. The dual-mode joystick, in particular, was the star of the show. Using it to control an excavator arm felt surprisingly natural and, more importantly, properly entertaining. I did need to rebind a couple of axes to unlock full control, but once I had, I didn’t want to climb out of the cab.
summed up
The Logitech G Heavy Equipment Bundle has been around in one form or another for a decade, and while parts of it are definitely showing their age, it remains a go-to choice for Farming Simulator fans. The wheel and pedals feel dated and toy-like compared to modern sim racing gear, but the side panel is excellent and still worth the price of admission.
If you’re a casual farmer who just wants a ready-to-go setup, the Heavy Equipment Bundle is still a good buy at £229. If you’re after more realism or already own decent pedals and a wheel, the standalone side panel is the smarter investment.
