For the price,its a really good deal for what you get. Simagic is really stepping up their game and still being some what affordable. I know i would like to have one
Yep they’re trying to invest in quality it seems but that does come at a price. Simagic isn’t trying to be the cheapest. They say they have no interest in being the cheapest in the world
Yeah there’s no room for bias in sim racing product reviews because people will see straight through it when the product is not as you said it was. Thanks for the comment!
Cheers! I try to be unbiased but it also leads to boring and non sensational content 😂thanks for the support. I’d rather help a few than entertain many
Excellent video! I'm a recent owner of Simagic Alpha and Wheel FX. Couldn't be happier Simagic is probably the best bang for the buck and they always seem to be listening and improving their products/services. Now please make a video explaining the new software ffb settings! Cheers!
I got one of these a couple months ago and it is easy as pie to install and get around the software, period. If you can read, you should have NO PROBLEMS. You should always make sure you have the current drivers. Simagic is very very very very clear about what software you need for what wheel
Totally agree, wheels with the screen look great but personally I would go for only FX without the screen. From position I have in my rig I don't look at my wheel at all...
Yep that’s the position most would drive in and the position most rigs are set up for. It’s still amazing to have a rig with a steering wheel with a screen though
I know button presses are kind of a subjective thing. I have a GT1 R with the old style buttons and an FX C (non screen version) with the new style. I have come to much prefer the new style over the old one. The new buttons have a very positive click and a really tactile feel. The older buttons are great as well but now when I use them they feel somehow sloppy in comparison. Just posting this because as you mentioned buttons are a subjective thing and at least for me the new style are subjectively far better.
Yeah that’s why I went into a little detail on it here. Ultimately I prefer that more people get satisfied and it’s great to see Simagic listening to people if that’s the general feedback :) your perspective is super useful in the comments here as it will help people to make up their minds
There are presets on the simpro software where you change the rev leds and button led lights according to the car. I use the ACC Mclaren preset and it syncs perfectly
14:13 ... The button used to change dash displays --- How can you un-assign it from cycling thru dashes, to assign it to something else? Even within a sim (so far I've only tried AC) I cannot assign it to anything, as its input is not recognized. Oh, and definitely the best wheel I have ever owned, at an amazing price😁 (coming from a Fanatec Formula v2.5x)
Easily the best wheel I’ve used. The grips better with time btw. Mine seemed to have mold release on them and they gripped up a bit as they started to wear in a bit.
@@LaurenceDusoswa I’m going to assume that your grips didn’t have as much release residue on them out of the box as mine were pretty slippery at first.
Im pretty sure they changed the buttons because so many streamers/reviewers, mainly Boosted Media complained about the old ones.. I love the old ones.. :(
Could be. You can’t keep everyone happy I guess and if you can’t beat them, join them :) moza still uses those really nice long travel buttons though. For now 😅😅😅
@@LaurenceDusoswa thanks :) when I saw them I thought “wow, they’re beautiful! What about performance?”. I guess HE sprints/ultimate vs VRS pedals vs Meca (elastomer and hydraulic version) would be a good comparison:)
in Simpro manager (software of simagic) in wheel section you can select your wheel in a list as real brands like Mercedes, Bmw, Auidi etc.. all brands wheel rpm works different. So you can select what brand if ou want and thn RPM works that way as brands wheel RPM. (left to right, sides to middle etc.)
I think those button-LED's are a little too bright imo. Hopefully there's a way to sync the rev-LED's with the in-game rev-gauge, would be a shame if it weren't possible. And also, great to see them making themselves known with the game-developers, getting partnerships and all Great first impressions video, a little nitpicky with button-travel, but one can share his opinion right
Yeah I gave some perspective of my opinion and that i'm probably in the minority if simagic made that choice :p You can adjust the LEDs. I didn't know where the menu was. I have found out in the mean time :p Thanks for the great comment as always
I like the grips, and I haven't reviewed the fanatec v2.5 rim. So I cannot comment. Many in my discord will know the answer though! Link in video description
Really great review Laurence. Very detailed. I'm interested in how this wheel would work with the Mercedes W13 in iRacing. Looks like the proprietary dash is a pretty solid representation of what you get within iRacing itself, but I assume it doesn't have the W13 warm up display for tyre temps?
I have the wheel for a few weeks and I love it. Same complain , the joystick in the middle is annoying , especially for doing some pitstop changes while racing. Would have been better on the side. The whole update system is so confusing , I was not aware of all the updates until I watched your video, it's not hard to implement auto updates on a windows app.
The 7-way hat: I would rather have 4 rotary encoders instead of 5 & a bit lower and to the center. That would make room for 2, 7-way hats much closer to each thumb, instead of the one in the center.
Howdy Laurence, thanks for these great reviews. Have you found a good way to sync the shifting lights with games using their software? It's the only thing holding me back from grabbing one of their wheels.
Nice wheel👌🏻 now that that is out the way, can we get a Bazooka review please. Also seems mad that Simagic sent you this and not the H-patteren shifter🤷🏻♂️
In most of the screens , im finding a lot of things just don't operate as they should when im on Raceroom, Delta doesnt work, lap times are not on par ect, I just wish it was programable with Simhub. Also i find the wheel to be very flimsy when racing ,, a lot of bend in the wheel. Certainly not very rigid
Yeah shame about raceroom but with the player base it’s not going to be a priority for a proprietary dash like this. As for flex, I dunno what way you’re using your steering wheel but flex is a non issue for driving and regular use for me. I am used to a lot of high quality products and definitely don’t find this to be noticeably lacking in any areas. You will get flex in anything if you use it wrong enough 😂
@@LaurenceDusoswa i dont think its that im using it wrong but i do have my torque fairly high, (100% in the game and 60% on the simpro settings. and especially going into the 3rd corner at Bathurst is where i notice it the most. OH by the way , awesome vid too, as per always :)
Cheers! I run high ffb too and can’t imagine how you could hold it or what angle you could be putting forces on it that you would introduce flex. Weird one, unless yours is a weaker build. Not sure
@@LaurenceDusoswa Yeah i cant figure it out either to be honest. But im certainly not happy with the wheel i have. Maybe its just a one off bad build. i dont know, every company in the world gets that , so it hasnt rid me of my opinion of simagic gear , i love the stuff :) I do still however wish though it ran with simhub, i have a whole array of dashes i would love to use
Hello, I got my FXPro today ans wanted to swap the dashes. But if I change the dashes in the SimPro software (Dash Manager) it doesnt safe it. I have the same dashes everytime I tried it. I dont know if I have to click on a Button so safe them, but maybe you can help me.
@@LaurenceDusoswa I thought about a factory reset for the wheel, but the bottom right button is not detected. have you any got any experience with that? My Wheelbase is also on the newest Version and i downloaded the "Sim Pro manage beta 1.2.9". The Wheel is on Version 1.2.3 By the Way thanks for your fast answer!
Ok so it works now. If anyone has the same Problem, you must download the "All wheel update" from the simagic hompegae to update your wheel "Important! the wheel must be connectet directly to the PC via USB-C". After the update on version 1.2.5 the dash switch worked fine
@@tupperrr3166 Hi, so I had the same issue and your message was a relief as I coulndt see a solution for a whole week ! however I can't select an update once i DL the updater . it just says update to version 1.2.3, and " - " as current version. the scrolling menue jsut shows "NONE" as a selection possibility. and UPDATE button is greyed out.. anyone has the same issue?? :(
Makes sense tbh most open wheels do that. Thanks! Just put in my order! Perfect combo with the ultimate. This thing still surprises me everyday even when I compare it to the new dd+ that everyone is raving about. I much prefer simagica ffb implementation. Buttery smooth. I don't even have a notch when off or on. Reminds me of the simucube pro2 so much. It feels almost identical. Very very happy with this base. That snap it has right when the grip goes omg it's so good. @LaurenceDusoswa
So i did just get mjne. Its my favorite wheel ive ever owned. Def preference I love it so much. I actually love the feeling of it with the qr placement. It makes it feel more floaty. Like thw top of the wheel helps with rotation and with heavier wheels ive never experienced that but I love it. Makes it feel more free flowing. I'll probably not use another wheel for a while. Lol @LaurenceDusoswa
Simagic has a solid distributor network. Many of us have had excellent support from respective distributors. I even had a new Alpha wheelbase sent to me when my old one malfunctioned.
I’m glad you made such a generalising comment because you are quite misinformed. I used to think similar but Simagic has a network of trusted resellers who all adhere to the consumer rights ans warranties in whatever country they are in. If you have any issues, you won’t be sending anything to China unless you bought direct from there. Now please try to be less racist and biased in your comments. We all love sim racing. Let’s see the best in one another.
@@LaurenceDusoswa im speaking from experience… not being racist here. Have bought the q1 shifer and was a pain to make it work cause it couldn’t be recognized. Couldn’t find any help and all info was in Chinese. Sorry but i was not paid to do this comment
@@abbeyparker If you are still having issues, your distributor/ Simagic Owner Discord/ Facebook forums should be very helpful. Online forums almost always give instant responses and solutions to any issues.
@@maximilliank6339 thanks max… luckily I solved it. It was harder to make the shifter work than to set up my 4dof believe me. I have no issues with the distributor cause it was a driver issue. Don’t get me wrong their products looks good and they are robust. But driver and online support was terrible. Never again
I think it's a nice steering wheel, and this coupled with the large steering base [ Simagic Alpha Ultimate ] seems nice to me, now I have to find a dealer who can deliver to my country
@@LaurenceDusoswa You've already tested a lot, what do you actually think is the best wheelbase, I don't like center feeling and wrinkles, and thanks info
Don’t forget to leave a comment! Let us know what you think…
So happy you enjoyed the new dashes
You still planning on making a long term review for this?
For the price,its a really good deal for what you get. Simagic is really stepping up their game and still being some what affordable. I know i would like to have one
Yep they’re trying to invest in quality it seems but that does come at a price. Simagic isn’t trying to be the cheapest. They say they have no interest in being the cheapest in the world
This is the most beautiful wheel I’ve ever seen. Period.
That's a true unbiased honest review. Much much appreciated. Thanks Laurence. Keep what the cracking !
Yeah there’s no room for bias in sim racing product reviews because people will see straight through it when the product is not as you said it was. Thanks for the comment!
Love it got it a week ago and am very happy thanks for the video I didn't know they released an update
Yep they were released 24 hours ago :) you need to update both sim pro and your steering wheel
Excellent review! Thank you for the detail and lack of bias!
Cheers! I try to be unbiased but it also leads to boring and non sensational content 😂thanks for the support. I’d rather help a few than entertain many
I just ordered FX PRO after watching this huge informative video! Thank you Laurence!
Awesome! Enjoy ❤️
gr8 review LD ! dashes look good, the lack of simhub was a concern for me but all the info is there
Yep I’m completely torn… until I find a massive shortfall or something that doesn’t work, dare I say it, I’d be happy with these dashes
Excellent video! I'm a recent owner of Simagic Alpha and Wheel FX. Couldn't be happier Simagic is probably the best bang for the buck and they always seem to be listening and improving their products/services. Now please make a video explaining the new software ffb settings! Cheers!
Yeah the software still has a lot of room for improvement but at least the hardware is pretty much always on point
Does it feel like you could do with the Alpha U?
I got one of these a couple months ago and it is easy as pie to install and get around the software, period. If you can read, you should have NO PROBLEMS. You should always make sure you have the current drivers. Simagic is very very very very clear about what software you need for what wheel
Totally agree, wheels with the screen look great but personally I would go for only FX without the screen. From position I have in my rig I don't look at my wheel at all...
Yep that’s the position most would drive in and the position most rigs are set up for. It’s still amazing to have a rig with a steering wheel with a screen though
I know button presses are kind of a subjective thing. I have a GT1 R with the old style buttons and an FX C (non screen version) with the new style.
I have come to much prefer the new style over the old one. The new buttons have a very positive click and a really tactile feel. The older buttons are great as well but now when I use them they feel somehow sloppy in comparison.
Just posting this because as you mentioned buttons are a subjective thing and at least for me the new style are subjectively far better.
Yeah that’s why I went into a little detail on it here. Ultimately I prefer that more people get satisfied and it’s great to see Simagic listening to people if that’s the general feedback :) your perspective is super useful in the comments here as it will help people to make up their minds
There are presets on the simpro software where you change the rev leds and button led lights according to the car. I use the ACC Mclaren preset and it syncs perfectly
Yeah the presets work pretty ok but there are a lot of variavles
14:13 ... The button used to change dash displays --- How can you un-assign it from cycling thru dashes, to assign it to something else? Even within a sim (so far I've only tried AC) I cannot assign it to anything, as its input is not recognized.
Oh, and definitely the best wheel I have ever owned, at an amazing price😁 (coming from a Fanatec Formula v2.5x)
I don’t think you can unassign it :(
Also, u just set a shift point in the software to sync the rev lights
I didn’t know you could clock the Rev lights on the preview graphic. It’s not that intuitive or clear
@@LaurenceDusoswa it’s not overly intuitive at first glance but it is more versatile than it seems.
You've become my fave sim racing gear reviewer, great videos 👌
Wow thanks so much! Do watch as many reviews as possible though. We all have good info to give and different perspectives. Thanks for the support
Good review LD, looks like a great bit of kit!
Thanks man! Yeah it's lovely. better than I expected
i think im loving ya work, dig in. good stuff.. first impression
Cheers ❤️ I’m no videographer and no pro :) just making content that I like
he go into so much user details. Give a great feeling of the user experience.
Easily the best wheel I’ve used. The grips better with time btw. Mine seemed to have mold release on them and they gripped up a bit as they started to wear in a bit.
I actually love them as they are. A little sponge and a lovely grip without gloves so I can only imagine they get better with gloves
@@LaurenceDusoswa I’m going to assume that your grips didn’t have as much release residue on them out of the box as mine were pretty slippery at first.
Im pretty sure they changed the buttons because so many streamers/reviewers, mainly Boosted Media complained about the old ones.. I love the old ones.. :(
Could be. You can’t keep everyone happy I guess and if you can’t beat them, join them :) moza still uses those really nice long travel buttons though. For now 😅😅😅
Good revieuw. Did you fix the ref lights?
Yes :)
Hi Laurence - what about new meca pedals?:) any updates?
Hahaha yeah nearly there now :) but it will be at least 2 weeks before a review is out
@@LaurenceDusoswa thanks :) when I saw them I thought “wow, they’re beautiful! What about performance?”. I guess HE sprints/ultimate vs VRS pedals vs Meca (elastomer and hydraulic version) would be a good comparison:)
a V2 version of this wheel will go crazy
A V2 version supporting Maglink like the GT Neo with SimHub integration. Would be a killer wheel. Still, I would love to own this wheel.
Have you found out as to how we can make the rev lights go from left to right?
Honestly I didn’t try as that isn’t something I want in a product
in Simpro manager (software of simagic) in wheel section you can select your wheel in a list as real brands like Mercedes, Bmw, Auidi etc.. all brands wheel rpm works different. So you can select what brand if ou want and thn RPM works that way as brands wheel RPM. (left to right, sides to middle etc.)
I think those button-LED's are a little too bright imo.
Hopefully there's a way to sync the rev-LED's with the in-game rev-gauge, would be a shame if it weren't possible.
And also, great to see them making themselves known with the game-developers, getting partnerships and all
Great first impressions video, a little nitpicky with button-travel, but one can share his opinion right
Yeah I gave some perspective of my opinion and that i'm probably in the minority if simagic made that choice :p You can adjust the LEDs. I didn't know where the menu was. I have found out in the mean time :p Thanks for the great comment as always
How comfortable hand grips? More comfortable than fanatec formula v2.5?
I like the grips, and I haven't reviewed the fanatec v2.5 rim. So I cannot comment. Many in my discord will know the answer though! Link in video description
@@LaurenceDusoswa so grip is soft or hard, I have medical conditions with my arms and I have a pain with hard grips
Laurence will you be reviewing the Simagic GTC wheel soon? That's the one that ive had my eyes on
I have the button plate only: The GT Pro hub. It's nice. Review coming soon
is the FX Pro wheel too heavy for the Alpha Mini wheelbase???
No. Alpha mini can turn a Scania if it wants to 😂
it’s possible to connect the steering wheel to a monza base?
Is there still a GT4 Gen1 for sell somewhere??
How come you specifically want a gen 1?
Really great review Laurence. Very detailed. I'm interested in how this wheel would work with the Mercedes W13 in iRacing. Looks like the proprietary dash is a pretty solid representation of what you get within iRacing itself, but I assume it doesn't have the W13 warm up display for tyre temps?
I don't know if this is been asked before but is it compatible with Moza by any chance? Thanks
It is not, no
I have the wheel for a few weeks and I love it. Same complain , the joystick in the middle is annoying , especially for doing some pitstop changes while racing. Would have been better on the side. The whole update system is so confusing , I was not aware of all the updates until I watched your video, it's not hard to implement auto updates on a windows app.
Yeah both very valid points!
Have you had any issues with your thumbs rubbing on square edge near the grips?
Lawrence likes luxurious stuff
I’m a fan of having first world problems 😅
Can this wheel work directly on a Moza wheel base since they got the same quick releases
None of the buttons or power will work. They have the same mechanics in the QR but there’s no compatibility for power and data
Thanks
Great review thanks.
You're very welcome. Proper long term review coming in the near future. This is just a first impressions video
does the screen and leds turns off, when Windows is shutting down?
Nope. you need to turn it off manually by powering off the wheelbase
Thank you
Do you use the 540 degrees option, or 360?
I try to find the best settings
The 7-way hat: I would rather have 4 rotary encoders instead of 5 & a bit lower and to the center. That would make room for 2, 7-way hats much closer to each thumb, instead of the one in the center.
Great "Not Review", look forward to the long term review 👍
Thanks :) yeah I’m learning more every time I use it
Do you think this wheel is worth it compared to the GT4 v2?
I love the GT4. it has better 7 way hat placement. this is just a larger wheel and is very satisfying to use. Ideally i would have both :p
Howdy Laurence, thanks for these great reviews. Have you found a good way to sync the shifting lights with games using their software? It's the only thing holding me back from grabbing one of their wheels.
I haven't tried again recently
Hi, I'm debating on getting the Simagic Alpha mini with this wheel or the Moza R9 with the FSR wheel. Which base and wheel do you prefer? Thanks
Alpha mini for sure. Far more power available and the Simagic has better dashes
Thank you for your input I really appreciate it. Great videos btw keep up the good work!
Does it show track map if not which wheel does Thanks
Is the wheel compatible with a moza r9 vs wheel base?
No unfortunately not
Nice wheel👌🏻 now that that is out the way, can we get a Bazooka review please.
Also seems mad that Simagic sent you this and not the H-patteren shifter🤷🏻♂️
Yep I don't know if simagic are sending me a shifter. I'll be gettinga Bazooka in the coming weeks ;) Thanks for the comment buddy
@@LaurenceDusoswa can't wait for that
In most of the screens , im finding a lot of things just don't operate as they should when im on Raceroom, Delta doesnt work, lap times are not on par ect, I just wish it was programable with Simhub.
Also i find the wheel to be very flimsy when racing ,, a lot of bend in the wheel. Certainly not very rigid
Yeah shame about raceroom but with the player base it’s not going to be a priority for a proprietary dash like this. As for flex, I dunno what way you’re using your steering wheel but flex is a non issue for driving and regular use for me. I am used to a lot of high quality products and definitely don’t find this to be noticeably lacking in any areas. You will get flex in anything if you use it wrong enough 😂
@@LaurenceDusoswa i dont think its that im using it wrong but i do have my torque fairly high, (100% in the game and 60% on the simpro settings. and especially going into the 3rd corner at Bathurst is where i notice it the most.
OH by the way , awesome vid too, as per always :)
Cheers! I run high ffb too and can’t imagine how you could hold it or what angle you could be putting forces on it that you would introduce flex. Weird one, unless yours is a weaker build. Not sure
@@LaurenceDusoswa Yeah i cant figure it out either to be honest. But im certainly not happy with the wheel i have. Maybe its just a one off bad build. i dont know, every company in the world gets that , so it hasnt rid me of my opinion of simagic gear , i love the stuff :)
I do still however wish though it ran with simhub, i have a whole array of dashes i would love to use
Hello,
I got my FXPro today ans wanted to swap the dashes. But if I change the dashes in the SimPro software (Dash Manager) it doesnt safe it. I have the same dashes everytime I tried it.
I dont know if I have to click on a Button so safe them, but maybe you can help me.
Even if I take another Preset from simagic there are the same dashes everytime
make sure you upgrade your sim pro software AND your wheelbase firmware
@@LaurenceDusoswa I thought about a factory reset for the wheel, but the bottom right button is not detected. have you any got any experience with that?
My Wheelbase is also on the newest Version and i downloaded the "Sim Pro manage beta 1.2.9". The Wheel is on Version 1.2.3
By the Way thanks for your fast answer!
Ok so it works now. If anyone has the same Problem, you must download the "All wheel update" from the simagic hompegae to update your wheel "Important! the wheel must be connectet directly to the PC via USB-C". After the update on version 1.2.5 the dash switch worked fine
@@tupperrr3166
Hi, so I had the same issue and your message was a relief as I coulndt see a solution for a whole week !
however I can't select an update once i DL the updater . it just says update to version 1.2.3, and " - " as current version. the scrolling menue jsut shows "NONE" as a selection possibility. and UPDATE button is greyed out.. anyone has the same issue?? :(
BRO that scared me too 😂
Hey where’s the crack😀
😂
I love this wheel but people tell me the grips have flex is that true?
There’s a little sponginess in the runner but no flex for normal use.
Makes sense tbh most open wheels do that. Thanks! Just put in my order! Perfect combo with the ultimate. This thing still surprises me everyday even when I compare it to the new dd+ that everyone is raving about. I much prefer simagica ffb implementation. Buttery smooth. I don't even have a notch when off or on. Reminds me of the simucube pro2 so much. It feels almost identical. Very very happy with this base. That snap it has right when the grip goes omg it's so good. @LaurenceDusoswa
So i did just get mjne. Its my favorite wheel ive ever owned. Def preference I love it so much. I actually love the feeling of it with the qr placement. It makes it feel more floaty. Like thw top of the wheel helps with rotation and with heavier wheels ive never experienced that but I love it. Makes it feel more free flowing. I'll probably not use another wheel for a while. Lol @LaurenceDusoswa
I love your content but you saying you like cheaper softer buttons is wild.
I like what I like. They feel more premium. I’d be surprised if the softer backlit buttons are cheaper, to be honest :)
Do you not do any research when you buy a product? the nit picky stuff you bring up is all things that are explained in the manual or guides.
Bloody Chinese… yes its nice but god may help you if you have an issue
Simagic has a solid distributor network. Many of us have had excellent support from respective distributors. I even had a new Alpha wheelbase sent to me when my old one malfunctioned.
I’m glad you made such a generalising comment because you are quite misinformed. I used to think similar but Simagic has a network of trusted resellers who all adhere to the consumer rights ans warranties in whatever country they are in. If you have any issues, you won’t be sending anything to China unless you bought direct from there. Now please try to be less racist and biased in your comments. We all love sim racing. Let’s see the best in one another.
@@LaurenceDusoswa im speaking from experience… not being racist here. Have bought the q1 shifer and was a pain to make it work cause it couldn’t be recognized. Couldn’t find any help and all info was in Chinese. Sorry but i was not paid to do this comment
@@abbeyparker If you are still having issues, your distributor/ Simagic Owner Discord/ Facebook forums should be very helpful. Online forums almost always give instant responses and solutions to any issues.
@@maximilliank6339 thanks max… luckily I solved it. It was harder to make the shifter work than to set up my 4dof believe me. I have no issues with the distributor cause it was a driver issue. Don’t get me wrong their products looks good and they are robust. But driver and online support was terrible. Never again
I think it's a nice steering wheel, and this coupled with the large steering base [ Simagic Alpha Ultimate ] seems nice to me, now I have to find a dealer who can deliver to my country
What country are you in?
@@LaurenceDusoswa Belgium dudes
@@frankd.b.9233 check out my buddies at simwear.eu :)
@@LaurenceDusoswa You've already tested a lot, what do you actually think is the best wheelbase, I don't like center feeling and wrinkles, and thanks info
Hello there.
NOTIFICATION SQUAAAAAAAD!!!