Simagic is back with a vengeance and is determined to make a name for itself. Not content with selling top-of-the-range Direct Drive bases and having, with the Alpha Mini model, enabled gamers on a smaller budget to obtain a crazy Direct Drive base, they’re back at it again.
This Chinese brand, founded by Barry Lee, a former Software engineer in the electric motor industry, offers ONLY top-of-the-range products (or almost). But top-of-the-range at honest, affordable prices. Impeccable finish, top-notch feel, one of the best after-sales services on the market if you go through the official dealer for France. Simagic has all the ingredients to be a major player in Simracing. Perhaps the only thing missing is a stronger marketing force to take their rightful place.
In any case, this is the third brand (only!!) in the simracing world to offer a complete ecosystem. Including rigs, wheels, pedalsets, gearboxes and handbrakes. All in keeping with their high-end quality standards.
Simagic’s incredible steering wheels
The most beautiful wheel Flo and I had the chance to try (and when I say that I include GSI, Cube, Bavarian etc…) is without doubt the FX-Pro. This is the brand’s top-of-the-range model, which is quite simply half the price of its rivals for the same level of finish.
The Simagic FX Pro
The luxury model of Simagic’s Formula wheel. A massive LCD screen, full LED displays, features you don’t know what to do with… In short, the model that slaps the face. And to make matters worse, just when everyone was expecting a price tag of over €1,000, Simagic comes out with a price tag of less than €820! Competitors at the top end of the Formula range must be laughing out loud.
- Diameter: 29cm
- Materials: Carbon, plastic, metal
- Grips: Silicone
- Paddles: 2 carbon magnetic shift paddles, 2 DRS magnetic paddles, 2 analog clutch paddles
- Customizable buttons: 12 adjustable backlit buttons, 4 thumbwheels, 5 center plate rotors, 1 7-position joystick
- Display: 4.3″ LCD
- LEDs : 15 LEDs for lap counter and 6 LEDs for flag display.
The Simagic FX (Xtreme) Steering Wheel in brief
With prices starting at €469, a sexy design and top-of-the-range material choices, I have the faintest impression that Simagic just wants to do one thing: slap the Moza GS in the face. Do you feel the same way? In any case, I’ll be sure to do an article on the wheel duel between the GS and this new Simagic Xtreme.
- Diameter: 29cm
- Materials: Carbon, plastic, metal
- Grips: Silicone
- Paddles: 2 carbon magnetic shift paddles, 2 carbon magnetic clutch sensor paddles
- Customizable knobs: 12 adjustable backlit knobs, 4 thumbwheels, 3 centerplate knobs, 1 multi-position knob
Simagic GT Cup Steering Wheel in brief
To drive the point home, here’s a new GT-type wheel to rejuvenate the brand’s range. At €409, if it lives up to Simagic’s quality expectations, it will bury the old Simagic GT4 wheel once and for all, and put Moza and even Fanatec to the sword.
- Diameter: 32.5cm
- Materials: Aluminum, carbon, alcantara, plastic, metal
- Grips: Alcantara
- Paddles: 2 carbon magnetic shift paddles, 2 carbon magnetic clutch sensor paddles
- Customizable buttons: 8 adjustable backlit buttons, 4 rotary on wheel edges, 2 multi-position rotary, 2 rotary on front panel
- LEDs for rpm display
- Adjustable, backlitABS and TC signals
A brand dedicated to demanding simracers
But before you get too excited and pull out your bank card, it might be a good idea to take a closer look at Simagic, don’t you think? Don’t be taken in by brand marketing campaigns, and learn to see which ones are solid.
In fact, Simagic is a relatively new Chinese brand, having only been on the simracing market since late 2019. Initially, they released the Direct Drive M10 base. A base with a Stepper motor and software that was certainly functional but not yet optimal. For a first attempt, it wasn’t bad at all, but it still wasn’t up to the level of high-end models like the Simucube or Fanatec of the time.
The NLR-inspired QR comes from them
Where they did innovate, however, was with the Quick Release. That’s right! It was Simagic who created this Quick Release model with wireless connection, inspired by the NLR models used in real-life motor racing. Since then, as you may have noticed, this model has been “borrowed” by other Chinese brands that appeared overnight.
The arrival of the Alpha range
Thanks to sales of the M10 base, the brand learned from customer feedback and developed the Simagic Alpha. A new, much more accomplished base that develops 15Nm of torque with a True Servo motor. In the wake of this development, 3 steering wheels made their appearance. The GT4, the GT1D with a flat and the round GT1R .
GT4
Alpha
GT1D
Like the Alpha base, these three wheels have one thing in common: a perfect finish. Granted, they’re not necessarily the most beautiful, nor the most complete in terms of settings. But the finish and choice of materials are 100% impeccable. There’s not a false note to be found in the workmanship.
The arrival of the Simagic Alpha Mini
On the strength of this experience, the Chinese decided to launch a new 10Nm torque DD base at just the right time: the Alpha Mini. It was a real masterstroke! They announced the model almost simultaneously with the announcement of the Fanatec CSL DD. In short, while Fanatec was taking the consumer Direct Drive market by storm, Simagic was positioning itself as a very credible alternative for simracers looking for perfection.
If you’ve read my review or seen my video on the Alpha Mini, you know what I think of this model. It’s just great. The force feedback is magnificent, the finish is insane… It’s a killer. Here’s the link, just in case! This is currently the Direct Drive that offers the best value for money, if only in terms of hardware.
Simagic Direct Drive bases
Simagic M10
Simagic Alpha Mini
Simagic Alpha
Simagic Alpha Ultimate
Simagic steering wheels
For almost two years, simracers had to make do with 3 steering wheel models natively compatible with their bases. Fortunately, in 2022, the brand has pulled out all the stops to bring us new, highly accomplished models! Here are the models currently available:
Simagic GT1 D et GT1 R
Simagic GT4
Simagic GTC
Simagic FX (Formula Xtrème)
Simagic FX Pro
Simagic GT Pro HUB
Simagic GT NEO
Simagic accessories
Of course, an ecosystem wouldn’t be complete without a good pedalset, shifter and handbrake, would it? So I’ll give you a quick overview of what the brand has in its bag:
Simagic P2000 Pedals
Simagic P1000
H and sequential shifter DS-8X
Simagic TB-1 Handbrake
TB-RS Handbrake
Sequential Shifter Q1
The range also includes a host of small accessories such as :
- Quick Release adapter
- Emergency stop button
- Carbon heel retainer
- Shifter lever extension
- USB multi-socket
- Heel piece for P2000 pedalset
- Adjustable mounting brackets for Alpha rigs
- Steering shaft extensions
- Replacement Load Cell with 200Kg capacity
Where to buy Simagic equipment?
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to finding Simagic equipment. A few months ago, the brand finally decided to sell its own products in addition to its network of distributors. Here are the websites where you can shop:
Why do 80% of players not know the brand?
The problems with this brand are few but very damaging. From a marketing point of view, they suck. Simply put, they know how to make gear, and they do it better than many others, but they don ‘t know how to sell it. It’s a shame, especially as in the competitive world of simracing, if sales don’t keep up, you lose market share that’s hard to win back.
The second problem was the distribution network. The brand only used distributors to sell its products for 3 years. Except that the distributors they chose didn’t have the necessary visibility to really make them explode in terms of sales.
I didn’t say that their distributors were strangers who didn’t know how to sell. I’m saying they’re not mainstream. And when you want to promote your brand and sell an Alpha Mini, you need a network that’s accessible to the general public.
So little guys like Moza Racing, with the support of YouTube influencers who’ve been showered with free products and their ability to deliver worldwide, well, they’re ahead of the game. Even if their products aren’t as well finished. Yes, dear reader, marketing is what makes the difference between a successful brand and the others. Often much more than the intrinsic quality of the products.
What do you think of this brand?
I hope you can see a little more clearly into the range of this brand, which really deserves to be known. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments. I’ll be happy to answer them. In the meantime, I’ll be eagerly awaiting the brand’s new wheels and getting ready to give you a full review!
