If you’re looking for a simracing gearbox that can act as both an H and a sequential gearbox, is convincing in terms of feel, can be set to your liking and is durable over time… All for just over 100€. So let me tell you, you absolutely must take a look at the THORN SHH Shifter. After blowing us away last year with the Newt2 model, SHH has further improved its shifter to relegate the competition to the amateur bench. Let’s test it!
SHH Shifter THORN in brief ! Best Values
How does the SHH Shifter THORN look from a technical point of view?
| Compatibility | PC |
| Speeds | Choice of 4 grids : 5 R 6 R 7 R Type 1 7 R Type 2 |
| Vibrations | No |
| Gearbox type | H or Sequential box |
| Sensors | Magnetic |
| Adjustable hardness | Yes |
| Connection | USB-B connection. |
| Dimensions | Length: 95mm (150mm with standard bracket), Width: 84mm, Height: 248 to 268mm depending on knob installed. |
| Weight | 529g |
| In the box | SHH Shifter THORN, 180cm USB – USB-B cable, Screws and Allen keys, 1 H-type knob, 1 long sequential knob, Mounting bracket. |
Design and ergonomics
Okay, step one: unpacking. We discover the 3D-printed SHH case (polyoxymethylene), its steel stem and pear-shaped knob, also 3D-printed and coated with silicone.
On the back and underside of the case are metal screw threads for mounting the various chassis-mounting options. On the right and left sides, there are slots for the USB-B port, as you can change the position of the port if required, but I’ll come back to that later. On the front, I find the switch that switches the electronics from H mode to Sequential mode. And finally, at the top of the case, I have the pleasure of discovering a carbon fiber grille.
I have to say, for 109 francs, it’s really surprisingly high quality, and above all, it’s ultra-complete.
The two knobs supplied (H and Sequential) are pleasant under the fingers and grip well. By the way, they’re also 3D-printed. And if you feel like it, you can install other knobs on your shifter, as long as they respect the shank dimension: M17x1.5.
Finally, you’ll find the screws and Allen keys you’ll need for installation and adjustment. And finally, the 1m80 USB cable. Oh yes, and the English/Spanish instructions, which have the merit of being entirely made up of very clear, easy-to-understand diagrams and photos!
Virtually infinite service life
Having a cheap shifter is great. Having a cheap shifter that lasts for years is even better! At SHH, they’ve clearly understood this principle, as evidenced by the fact that the shifter is captured not by switches but by magnetic sensors. So there’s no wear and tear to be expected.
As with the previous Newt2 model, the printed circuit boards on which the sensors are mounted are spring-loaded. So no matter what the circumstances, there’s no chance of the boards breaking.
Customize your SHH Thorn
Before you order your shifter, you’ll have a number of options for customizing it.
First, we’ll choose the color of the housing. I chose between black, red, white and grey.
Next comes the choice of gearshift mesh. The 4 grids on offer range from 5 R to 7 R. They’re all made of carbon fiber and can be installed either upright or inverted, in either direction, to suit your gear placement preferences.
If you’d like more than one grid to vary the pleasures, that’s possible too, but you’ll need to add €11 per additional grid.
Finally, you can treat yourself to a personalized logo (10€), or a text of up to 12 characters engraved on the front of the shifter (6€). All in all, an effective and unique shifter for 135€. Unique.
Choosing your mounting option
Now that we’ve finished customizing the beast, it’s time to choose the mounting option that suits you best. Yes, SHH offers six different solutions for mounting your shifter, whatever your playing configuration. And the best part is, whichever option you choose, it’s included in the price at no extra charge!
- Standard bracket: with its 40 and 82mm patterns, it’s compatible with most frames on the market. You can adjust the shifter height to -50mm.
- Table clamp: a table clamp that lets you install the box on tops up to 5.5mm thick. Height adjustment from -25mm.
- Bottom mount: fitted under the case with 4 screws (supplied), it reproduces the screw pattern of the Fanatec Clubsport Shifter SQ V1.5. It can be mounted with 4 M6 screw threads (screws supplied) or on aluminum profiles with two M8 screw holes at the front and rear.
- Side-mounted: suitable for 2-rail aluminum profiles.
- Angle bracket: attaches to the front of the box, enabling it to be installed on custom or profile cockpits. It has numerous holes to allow juggling between fiation points.
- Fanatec CRS/Porsche: for use with “antique” models such as the Fana Porsche 911 Turbo S
To find out more: the SHH guide to choosing your mounting option
Complete tuning
Enough talk, it’s time to tune the beast. Because, yes, even though its shifter is “only” €109, SHH has taken care to include comprehensive settings. In this respect, it’s a slap in the face to the big brands. Not only is the shifter hardness adjustable, but you can also adjust the hardness of the H-box and the Sequential independently!
I’m told that SHH has just ridiculed 400-buck models? Yes, I can confirm that it’s a knockout from the very first round.
- To switch from H to Sequential mode: press the knob and turn a quarter-turn. Then select the mode using the switch on the front panel at the bottom of the shifter.
- Sequential gearbox hardness: thanks to 2 screws accessible without removing the grille, using the Allen key supplied.
- H box hardness: 4 screws accessible without removing the grille, using the Allen key supplied.
- Change knob: Simply unscrew and replace with a new one (M17x1.5 thread).
- Changing the height of the knob: by moving the thread on the steel rod.
- Changing the side of the USB socket: unscrew the cover under the case to access the USB socket, which can be changed side in just a few minutes.
On to the track!
The SHH THORN is installed on the chassis with its bottom mount, and connected to the PC with its USB cable. We’re ready to roll! No software or configuration required. Just a quick trip through the game menus to configure the ratios, and off you go.
I won’t hide the fact that my greatest expectation is the feel of the H-box. During the Newt2 test, the only “reproach” I could make was that when you disengaged a gear, the feeling of the lever return to the center was unnatural. It felt too springy, not mechanical enough.
Well, as soon as I changed gear for the first time, I was delighted to find that this had been totally resolved. The feeling is just as good when engaging as when disengaging.
I then spent a few minutes fiddling with the hardness of the gear changes to find the setting I liked best. And the rest was nothing but pleasure! The Shifter manages to give the sensation of shifting a mechanical gear. The feel is a good notch above its big brother. I’d even go so far as to say so:
The ancient Newt2 was excellent in its price range. The THORN is just excellent.
The passages are straightforward, regular and pleasant. In short, it does the job remarkably well, without ever faltering. And if you want to step back in time, even after the first month’s use, it’s still a delight.
What does it do in sequential mode?
Let’s go, I’m switching to sequential mode! To do this, I press down on the knob, turn it 90° to the right and switch the knob from one mode to the other. It literally takes 5 seconds.
And there again, pleasant surprises! Because on the THORN, when you switch to sequential, the knob is blocked on lateral movements. I’ve also noticed that the back-and-forth movement is shorter and more direct in sequential than in H mode. So there you have it: 2 clear improvements over the old model. And above all, two arguments that further undermine the competition.
Once you’ve found the right hardness, the quality is astonishing. I wouldn’t say it’s its main strength, but it has nothing to envy the mid-range hybrid models of the big brands.
Our opinion on this SHH Shifter THORN
