Today I’m going to answer the questions that people ask me on an almost daily basis about the Simagic handbrakes and shifters. While they’re all at least as good as their competitors’ products, deciding between them can be a bit confusing. I’m Laurence, welcome to the channel
Product affiliate links & discounts
| Logo | Brands | Reseller | Discount Code | Link | Ships to | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Fanatec | Fanatec USA | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-USA | America | Beverly Hills, California, USA | |
| Fanatec | Fanatec EU | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-EU | EU | Landshut, Germany | |
| Fanatec | Fanatec Australia | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-OZ | Australia | New South Wales, Australia | |
| Fanatec | Fanatec Japan | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/FANATEC-JP | Japan | Tokyo, Japan | |
 | Trak Racer, Simucube, Heusinkveld, VNM Simulation, GSI, Gomez Sim Industries, Cube Controls, Rexing | Trak Racer USA | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-USA | America | Austin, Texas, USA | |
| Conspit, Cube Controls, DBOX, Heusinkveld, MOZA, Qubic System, Rexing, Simagic, Simucube, Trak Racer, VNM Simulation, Pimax | Trak Racer UK | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-UK | UK | Hertfordshire, England, UK | |
| Conspit, Cube Controls, DBOX, Heusinkveld, MOZA, Qubic System, Rexing, Simagic, Simucube, Trak Racer, VNM Simulation, Pimax | Trak Racer EU | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-EU | EU | Venlo, The Netherlands | |
| Conspit, Cube Controls, DBOX, Heusinkveld, MOZA, Qubic System, Rexing, Simagic, Simucube, Trak Racer, VNM Simulation, Pimax | Trak Racer Australia | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/TRAK-RACER-OZ | Australia | Victoria, Australia | |
 | Asetek | Asetek Global | 5% off with coupon code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASETEK-GLOBAL | Global | Florida, USA. Aalborg, Denmark |
| Asetek | Asetek USA | 5% off with coupon code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASETEK-USA | America | Florida, USA |
| Asetek | Asetek EU | 5% off with coupon code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASETEK-EU | EU | Aalborg, Denmark |
 | Simagic | Simagic Direct | 3% off with coupon code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMAGIC | Global | Shenzhen, China, Asia |
 | Amazon | Amazon Global (will bring you to your local amazon store automatically) | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/AMAZON | Global | ||
 | Apex Sim Racing, Cube Controls, D-Box, Meca Sim Hardware, Moza Racing, RichD-PC, Sigma Integrale, Simagic, Simucube | Apex Sim Racing | 5% off with coupon code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/APEX-SIM-RACING | Global | New Jersey, USA |
 | Advanced Simracing, Alpinestars, Ascher Racing, Asetek Simsports, Astro Gaming, BDH Race Sim Hardware, Buttkicker, Cobra, Corbeau, Cube Controls, Delta Sim Tech, D-Box, Gaming Zone (Gaming Computers), Gomez Sim Industries (GSI), Heusinkveld, Honeycomb (Flightsim), Ignition Controls, Logitech, Meca Sim Hardware, Moza Racing, MPI, Next Level Racing, Oktane Designs, OMP Racing, Playseat, PT Actuator, Precision Sim Engineering, Pro-Sim, P1Sim, Racing Helmet Collector, Recaro, Samsung, Simcore, Simline, Simtag, Simtrecs, Simucube, Sim Racing Studio, Sparco, Thrustmaster (Simracing), Thrustmaster (Flightsim), Turn Racing, Turtle Beach, Varjo, Venym, Virtual Racing School, VNM Simulation | Advanced Sim Racing | 5% off with code LDUSOSWAFIVE | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ASR | Global | Montreal, Canada |
 | Ascher Racing, ASUS, Buttkicker, Cobra, Cube Controls, EPOS, Fanatec, Gigabyte, Go-Race, Gomez Sim Industries (GSI), Heusinkveld Engineering, ImSim, MME SimSport, O-Rouge, OBP, Overclockers, Qubic System, Racelogic, Rexing, Sabelt Sim Racing, Simucube, Sparco, Trak Racer | Demon Tweeks | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/DEMON-TWEEKS | Global | Wrexham, Wales, UK | |
 | Buttkicker, Conspit, Leoxz, Marina Racewear, Moza, Next Level Racing, Pimax, Qubic System, Sigma, Simagic, Simedal, Simforge, Soelpec | Abruzzi | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/ABRUZZI | UK, EU | East-Sussex, England, UK | |
 | Streamlabs | Streamlabs | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/STREAMLABS | Global | ||
| Restream | Restream | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RESTREAM | Global | |||
 | iRacing | iRacing | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/IRACING | Global | Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA | |
 | Coach Dave Delta | Coach Dave Academy | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/CDA | Global | London, England, UK | |
 | Soelpec | Soelpec | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SOELPEC | Global | Istanbul, Turkey | |
 | Moza | Moza UK | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA-UK | United Kingdom | UK | |
| Moza | Moza US | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA-US | North & South America | USA | |
| Moza | Moza EU | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA-EU | Global | Europe | |
| Moza | Moza Direct | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/MOZA | Global | Shenzhen, China, Asia | |
 | Buttkicker, Cobra, Cube Controls, Heusinkveld, Pro SimRig, Qubic System, Simagic, Simgrade, Simucube, Simutec, Sparco, Turn Racing, VPG | RaceAnywhere | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RACE-ANYWHERE | UK, EU | Northamptonshire, UK | |
 | Sim-Lab, Grid Engineering, Sparco | Sim-Lab Direct | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIM-LAB | Global | Tholen, The Netherlands, EU | |
 | Grid Engineering | Grid Engineering Direct | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/GRID-ENGINEERING | Global | Ontario, Canada. Tholen, The Netherlands, EU | |
 | Cammus | Cammus Direct | 5% off with code LDCAMMUS | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/CAMMUS | Global | China, Asia |
 | Buttkicker | Buttkicker Direct | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/BUTTKICKER | Global | Ohio, USA | |
 | Asetek, Gomez Sim Industries (GSI), Next Level Racing, O-Rouge, Simtrecs | SimRaceCity | 5% off with promocode: potato-nation | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SRC | USA | Fort Worth, Texas, USA |
 | Extreme Simracing, Simagic, D-BOX, DBOX | Extreme Simracing | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/EXTREME-SIMRACING | America | Maringá, Paraná, Brazil | |
 | SimRacingBay, Simucube, Ascher Racing, Simforge, Moza | SimRacingBay | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMRACINGBAY | Global | Slovenia, EU | |
 | Simforge Engineering | Simforge Engineering | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMFORGE | Global | Chennai, India, ASIA | |
 | Website Hosting | HostGator | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/HOST-GATOR | Global | USA | |
| RacGTing Racing Cockpits | RacGTing | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RACGTING | Global | Asia | ||
 | Getail Design | Getail Design | 5% off with coupon code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/GETAIL | Global | Bergamo, Italy, EU |
 | Pimax | Pimax EU | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/PIMAX-EU | EU | EU | |
| Pimax | Pimax | https://LaurenceDusoswa.com/a/PIMAX | Global | Shanghai , China | |
 | Simagic, Asetek, Fanatec | IRL Motorsports | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/IRL-MOTORSPORTS | EU, UK | Dublin, Ireland | |
 | BDH | BDH Sim Hardware | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/BDH | Global | Pocklington, York, UK | |
 | Conspit, PXN, MOZA, DoF Reality, RS, Simnet, CAMMUS, BDH | RACESIM UK | 5% off with coupon code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/RACESIMUK | UK, EU | London, UK |
 | Asetek Simsports, Cube Controls, Corbeau Seats, VRS | Simpatico Sim Shop | 5% off with coupon code 'POTATONATION' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIMPATICO | USA, Canada | Jacksonville FL, USA |
 | Conspit | iracesimulators | 10% off with code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/IRACESIMULATORS | EU | Dublin, Ireland |
 | Bavarian Sim Tec | Bavarian Sim Tec | 5% off with coupon code LAURENCE-DUSOSWA | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/BST | GLOBAL | Bavaria, Germany |
 | Advanced Sim Racing, Ascher Racing, Heusinkveld, OMP, Moza, Simagic, Simucube | Sim Consultants | 5% off Simagic with code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/a/SIM-CONSULTANTS | EU, UK | Dublin, Ireland, EU |
 | Asetek Simsports, Conspit, Cooler Master, Cube Controls, Fanatec, Logitech, Moza, Next Level Racing, Nitro Concepts, ThermalTake, Thrustmaster, Sim Racing PCs, Noblechairs | Overclockers (UK & USA) | https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/OVERCLOCKERS | Global | UK, USA | |
 | Conspit, VPG, Next Level Racing, Thrustmaster | Full Push | 5% off with code 'LD' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/FULLPUSH | Canada | Canada |
 | Simsonn | Simsonn | 8% off with code LAURENCEDUSOSWA | https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/SIMSONN | Global | Kington, Herefordshire, United Kingdom & China |
 | MOZA Racing, Asetek Simsports, Simagic, Leoxz, Buttkicker, OverPower, Sparco, KGL Sim Racing, Cube Controls, VNM, QubicSystem, Simline, Playseat, GSI, 3drap, Rexxing, Simgrade, Ascher Racing, Pimax, P1Sim, Venym, Sim Racing Studio, Simforge Engineering, Simucube, VRS, Racing Components, D-Box, TREQ, Sabelt, Heusinkveld, O-Rouge, Next Level Racing, Thrustmaster, SOELPEC, ASUS, Conspit, SimXPro, Sim-Lab, Simtrecs, DOF-Reality, Sim Factory, Nitro Concepts, SimRep Engineering, CoolerMaster, Delta Sim-Tech, PXN, VPG, BDH Race Sim Hardware, SG Racing, DaytonAudio, Virpil Controls, MME Motorsport | Simufy | https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/SIMUFY | EU, Global | Granada, Spain, EU | |
 | Mounts and accessories for Simagic, Stream Deck, Simucube, Fanatec, Asetek, Moza, Logitech, Thrustmaster, Conspit | Sim Sport Gadget | 5% off with coupon code 'LAURENCE' | https://laurencedusoswa.com/A/SIMSPORTGADGET | USA, Global | Newark, NJ, USA |
Introduction
On the left you’ll see all the sections in this video. I’ve put timestamped links to each section in the description below. There are product links in the description, some of which are affiliate links for worldwide brands and resellers. The products in this review were sent to me free of charge for the purposes of this review and will never be sold for personal financial gain, which ensures an independent and objective analysis of products. Channel revenue is mainly generated through memberships and donations, but never from the sale of review products.
First impressions
This hardware is sleek, well built and relatively heavy if you’re used to plastic products. There’s little styling continuity between them which is a little odd. Originally I held off doing long term reviews because I thought that these products would evolve quite quickly, but they haven’t. Maybe because they’re not Simagic’s priority, but I’d bet it’s because they’re pretty damn good. While the shifters connect via a USB A to B cable, the handbrakes both opted for USB A to C.
DS-8X Shifter
Probably my pick of the bunch, the DS-8X is a very good h-pattern and sequential combo. A simple hand switch allows you to change between them on the fly. It handles both the software and hardware switch, so as well as the physical behaviour of the shifter changing, the sequential inputs also register as different inputs to their h-pattern counterparts, which is nice and means you don’t need to re-assign any controls between modes. This lever is at the side though, which can make mounting a handbrake pretty difficult, especially the TB-RS handbrake which needs a lot of space for the elastomer stack and hydraulic reservoir.
The reverse lockout consists of a sleeve on the shaft which you lift up in order to engage the gears outside of the standard 6. It’s relatively easy to get used to.
While the sequential shift is practical, functional and pretty rewarding, it’s also quite a long and laboured throw which doesn’t feel anywhere near as nice as that of the Q1 which I’ll cover in the next section. It feels similar to that of the Fanatec but the h-pattern experience of the Simagic is nicer.
If you’re not keen on the standard knob pictured, theres a round carbon shif knob and a tampered carbon shift knob available at a relatively minimal extra cost.
The biggest thing going against the DS-8X is not its complicated name though, it’s the price. At 439euro it’s significantly more expensive than rivals like the Fanatec clubsport shifter. However, there just aren’t many rivals, and given the superior build quality, better mounting options and smaller footprint, the Simagic wins that battle comfortably. I have tried to beat the crap out of this shifter as many of you have seen on my streams and it has stood the test of time.
Q1 Shifter
If a standalone sequential shifter is more your style, this is about as good as it gets for me in sim racing. Firstly, that clunk is delicious. The tactile engagement of the mechanism is sure to impress, although beware of its volume. This thing is LOUD when you up the resistance. You’ll feel the vibrations throughout the rig and maybe beyond, but that’s where its party piece comes in for me. This oversized nut varies the resistance on the shift, and as you reduce the resistance, the noise also almost disappears. This is especially great when you need to consider your housemates or family. A quick tool-less adjustment of the knob, almost like a volume knob, allows you to find the exact balance which suits you. This is a feature that not many other shifters can provide. Adjusting it to the zero resistance point still gives a surprisingly nice feel. This has to be one of my favourite sequential shifters on the market.
The buttons are those glorious buttons they used on early simagic wheels. Honestly, I miss them. They feel so nice to press. They’re backlit with a limited number of colours, and only 3 of them are assignable. Super handy for controls that you want within reach, but not necessarily on your wheel. Again though, all this goodness doesn’t come cheap. At 379euro, this beast costs nearly as much as the DS-8X and if i could only have one on my rig, it would be the DS-8X because I love h-pattern. There IS a version of this shifter with less frills though and it’s called the Q1S which comes in at 279euro which is 100euro less. I haven’t used that shifter but can only assume it to be mechanically identical.
There’s a long and a short handle available. I tried both and I prefer the one you see featured throughout this review.
HB-1 handbrake
In this section you’re probably expecting me to build up the hyudraulic TB-RS as the best simagic handbrake, but it’s not. This HB-1 is. The fact that it’s my pick out of the two comes down to a number of factors, but the main ones are the easy mounting holes, the small footprint and the surprisingly good feel for a relatively cheap unit. 199euro is great value in my opinion. It’s not perfect though. The hand grip is too small and really lets it down. You can screw the hand grip off though so you could in theory 3D print something or find something online that will fit. The limited adjustability and simplistic internal mechanism give me confidence while drifting and rallying. And again, I’ve tried to find play or faults in this device and each time I put it on the rig, I’m pleasantly reminded that it’s a seriously good piece of kit, and well priced. The HB-1 is a winner, and is my handbrake of choice if you want to stay in the simagic eco system. The Moza handbrake is cheaper and also worth checking out, but it’s not as good as the HB-1.
Although not widely advertised, you can also run this handbrake in a horizontal orientation which is great for road car simulation or old school drifting action.
TB-RS Hydraulic handbrake
This thing is MEGA impressive. But, it’s largely a showcase of what simagic is capable off. They threw everything at this thing and as well as looking beautiful, it looks complicated and potent, especially with that haptic motor on it. The haptic motor does require a standalone power supply but it’s easily configurable in the simagic software or in simhub. However, it’s probably one of the most useless haptic motors you’ll ever put on your rig. I actually had it set to vibrate during gear shifts but even at that, much of the vibration was lost to parts of the rig that I’m not touching. Honestly, it’s super cool, but you’d be a bit mad to buy a haptic motor for it unless you were trying to show off.
As for the hydraulic functionality, it’s neat and does add to the feel. But, I don’t think it’s worth the extra money. And truth being told, it’s not a hydraulic handbrake. It’s still a load cell that does all the input measuring, not a hydraulic sensor.
I guess it’s all relative. If you want a statement handbrake, this is it. Form and function and bells and whistles.
Finally, because the hydraulic cylinder and elastomer stack protrude out the side, it can be awkward to mount alongside a shifter.
Final thought
This trio is exceptional, all things considered. I can’t think of another manufacturer that has come so close to nailing each one of these disciplines.
In truth, the Q1 sequential shifter only gets a look in if you want a really high quality dedicated sequential shift experience. But if that’s the case, it’s one of the finest money can buy for both hobbyists and professional level training. But honestly, most of us will be more than happy with the DS-8X which allows high quality h-pattern shifting while still being able to whip out the sequential experience with the flick of a switch. You will probably not have space for both shifters on your rig if you also want to run a handbrake, and even if you do, it’s probably not going to be comfortable.
And as for handbrakes, my practical mindset means that the HB1 is the winner in this battle as it offers better value for money, less complexity but still gives a great and adjustable handbrake experience, despite the itty bitty handle which really needs to be addressed.
BUT, if you like impressing your friends and if you have the spare money, the TB-RS is amazing. The haptic motor is fun but unnecessary, and the handbrake looks a little odd without it. Mounting is a bit awkward compared to the HB1.
All in all, Simagic have done a serious job with these. There’s loads of choice. I couldn’t break them no matter how hard I tried. I have 100s of hours with these devices.
If I have missed anything, please let me know in the comments as I’d love to hear your experiences, both good and bad so that we can inform potential buyers as well as possible.
If you’d like to buy any of the products listed in this video and if this video brought you value, check out my affiliate links in the description below. Clicking them before you buy earns some money for the channel at no extra cost for you.
I stream every Tuesday and Thursday at 9pm uk and Irish time. Feel free to pop in and ask me any hardware questions you might have. For now, I’m Laurence, and I’ll chat to you later.
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