Shifter in simracing is, no matter how you look at it, a pretty twisted topic. There are a few options: you can take a shortcut by choosing ecosystem solutions and buy a shifter of the same brand as your base, you can go for the cheapest available model from Logitech or Thrustmaster (TH8S), or you can look for something in between – that is, find a cheap but good option. The same is true for the handbrake. Since I’m not a fan of ready-made solutions and “easy-go-rounds” myself, today I invite you to test three products from Simasters: a shifter, a handbrake, and one bonus accessory, which I’ll talk about in a moment.
Shifter
I’ll start by saying that there’s no point in writing about the packaging here – it’s a regular transport box, which you can expect from a Polish, garage manufacturer. So I’ll get straight to the most important thing, the construction itself. The shifter from Simasters, currently costing around 95$, is made largely using the 3D printing method – both the housing and a large part of the mechanism. Anticipating the comments “3D printing = it will fall apart soon”: the whole thing was printed (most likely) with 100% infill, which not only explains the slightly higher price (3D printing on this scale costs both time and material), but also gives a very solid end result.
I confirm – no matter how hard I struggled with it, both in H-shifter and sequential modes, I failed to hear the slightest crack or suspicious sound of plastic cracking. The frame was lifting (and my entire setup weighs 25–30 kg!) rather than the shifter itself showing any signs of weakness. The mount itself is well thought out, offering three options (unfortunately, you have to choose one permanently): classic desk mount (gear layout: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, R), BMW layout (R, 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), as well as hard mount for the rig, which gives you the freedom to rotate the shifter and change the layout.
As for compatibility – by default it only works with PC. By paying extra for the version for Thrustmaster, we gain support for Xbox and PlayStation, but unfortunately only when using bases from this manufacturer.
It is worth noting that the shifter does not use limit switches or a potentiometer, but a Hall Effect encoder. This means great durability and accuracy, and for me, additionally a better sound experience – you can hear the work of the mechanism, not the switch itself, which for fans of mechanical sensations may be a value in itself. Another nice touch is that you don’t have to push the gear all the way in – the virtual switch engages a moment earlier, making quick gear changes even more natural.
Thanks to the use of an encoder, we can bind the sequential mode as a separate virtual switch. We don’t have to worry about tedious reconnection of assignments in games, and the shifter itself offers 8 additional virtual buttons that can be used (detailed mapping can be found on the manufacturer’s website).
Changing the mode to sequential is a fabulously simple operation – we put on plastic covers and with the appropriate sequence of knob movements we switch the shifter to sequential mode. The knob itself can be removed and replaced with any other suitable one. What’s more, by turning the screw we adjust the force needed to push the gear in.
How do you use it? To put it bluntly: very pleasant. Each gear change gives a clear, mechanical “tactile feedback” – both in H mode and sequential mode (which is not always obvious in other designs). After two years of not using the shifter, it took me just 45 minutes to master the design and change gears smoothly in BeamNG. This is helped by slightly inclined cutouts between the quarters, which guide the lever in the right direction.
A big plus for securing the reverse and seventh gears – you have to go through the lock, which minimizes the risk of accidentally engaging the wrong gear. The feel of the sequence itself is great – we have a slight break between positions, and the entire mechanism is practically free of play on the axles.
Handbrake
Simasters has several manual models in its offer – from budget, entirely 3D printed, to more solid metal versions. I tested a more expensive 3D printed design, the Manual V2 model.
In terms of workmanship – it may be slightly inferior to the shifter, but it is not a huge difference. The print quality is still very high, as for FDM. Durability? I have no reservations, the design is light but also stiff, and when pulling manually, the entire frame will move sooner than the lever will break. You don’t have to worry about durability – a Hall Effect encoder was also used here.
The brake has quite stiff springs – you need to use about 3 kg of pressure (excluding the lever). If it’s too stiff for someone, you can always remove one spring or install your own, weaker one – full customization. Interesting fact: the manual one supports both the analog and digital axis. If the game does not support the analog brake, you can safely use the digital mode.
How do you use it? In practice – it’s simply convenient. I’m not a pro-drifter, but using the handbrake, which is not mounted on the steering wheel, has saved my skin many times in dynamic situations. The device does its job flawlessly.
SKRS knob
Something for fans of truck simulators! If you know what the SKRS acronym stands for, you can already guess what I’m talking about. For the uninitiated: SKRS is a “Shifter Knob Range Splitter”, a knob that allows you to switch between half-gears and ranges in manual gearboxes.
The Simasters model costs around 60$ and offers two bistable switches and one monostable switch (I personally haven’t used the latter). The knob is compatible with both the shifter reviewed here and the Logitech and Thrustmaster TH8A models, but be warned – the design is large, taken straight from a real truck, so it’s worth considering its comfort if you’re mounting it at a desk or a high rig.
Personally, if you are not planning to buy a shifter from Simasters, I would rather not invest in this knob – Chinese equivalents from Aliexpress offer practically the same, but cheaper. For a fan of truck simulators – a very interesting accessory.
Summary – is it worth being interested in accessories from Simasters?
To sum up the tests – I am positively surprised. Shifter? Great feeling, solidity for 3D printing is sensational, and the price – very affordable for such possibilities and workmanship. Handbrake? A bit simpler, but equally solid and does its job great – the offer also includes metal versions, which are worth considering if you are looking for something even more durable. SKRS knob – more of a gadget than a must-have, especially looking at the alternatives, but if you like playing truck sims with manual gearbox, you will definitely appreciate it.
To sum up – I see no reason to discourage Simasters products. This is a great alternative to big, global brands. If you are looking for well-thought-out, solid and customizable simracing equipment and you are from Europe, then this brand is definitely worth considering.
review was possible thanks to Simasters
✅ Pros
- Very pleasant feel of the shifter and manual
- Affordable prices for accessories
- Good quality of workmanship
❌ Cons
- SKRS is a bit too expensive
- Limited compatibility
- Availability may be a bit difficult
I focus on reviewing PC controllers and sim racing accessories.
