The Simagic GT Neo has made a stunning entry into the world of simracing. For €360 incl. VAT, you get a GT/Proto style steering wheel with impeccable finish and full functionality. A real slap in the face for Fanatec and Moza, who don’t really have anything to replicate in their catalog. But what makes the GT Neo so interesting for gamers? That’s what I set out to find out, buying one myself to bring you this review.
Simagic GT Neo in brief Best seller
What does the Simagic GT Neo look like technically?
| Diameter | 30cm |
| Materials | Forged carbon, aluminum, plastic |
| Grips | Silicone |
| Paddles | 2 magnetic paddles for gear changes. 2 analog paddles for the Dual Clutch |
| Paddle use noise | 64dB |
| Configurable buttons | 10 configurable backlit buttons, 2 rotary encoders at thumb level, 4 12-position rotary encoders in the center of the steering wheel, 2 7-position switches, |
| Rev counter | 15 configurable LEDs |
| Display flags | Possible on backlit buttons |
| Screen | No |
| Quick Release | Standard: QR Simagic (type NRG) Optional: MagLink connector to use the steering wheel on a base from another brand (29€) |
| Compatibility | PC – Simagic Bases – Third-party bases with the MagLink option |
Ergonomics and design
I wasn’t expecting a miracle. After all, for 360€ you’re still in the “early mid-range” universe, with steering wheels often made of plastic and carbon with limited functionality. Well, I got a good slap in the face! The Simagic GT Neo really has that “wow” effect as soon as you put your hands on it. The forged carbon shell reflects light to great effect, and the silicone grips are pleasant under the fingers (though not as comfortable as those on the FX Pro, which is €500 more expensive!).
Its 10 buttons fit perfectly under the thumb. The same goes for the red rotary encoders on the thumbs, which also have a confident click.
On the central plate are 4 rotary encoders with plastic caps. They, too, have a very clean click and are very pleasant to the touch. Then there are two 7-position switches, handy for navigating game menus or preparing pit stops during races.
In the box:
- Simagic GT Neo steering wheel
- 2 sticker sheets for customizing the steering wheel features
- Sticker clip
- USB-C / USB-A cable
- Allen key
- Quick start guide
Paddles, yes, but!
At the rear, you’ll find not two but 4 paddles. Two magnetic paddles for shifting gears and two analog paddles for Dual Clutch or throttle and brake axes, for example. The shift paddles are very discreet, producing only 64dB at peak use, and their click is firm. I really appreciated the fact that each paddle has a chamfer all around its pad to further enhance comfort. They can also be adjusted in width, with up to 5mm spacing on the sides.
Intriguingly, these paddles are mounted on a CNC aluminum “module” that can be detached from the steering wheel simply by removing two screws and a plug. It’s not hard to imagine that the brand could offer kits with additional paddles in the future, why not?
The LED festival that combines beauty and utility
One point on which Simagic has done very well is that all buttons and the 4 rotary encoders in the center of the steering wheel are backlit. Of course, there’s also a lap-counter display at the top of the steering wheel, in the form of a strip of 15 LEDs. And of course, all these LEDs are 100% configurable in SimPro software. You’ll be able to choose their color and brightness, as well as other functions that may prove useful during a race.
I’m thinking, for example, of flag displays, ABS triggering, TC, DRS, and so on. With one click you can choose which LEDs will show you all this information in real time. Of course, the aim is not to turn your steering wheel into a Christmas tree, so use sparingly!
Installing the GT Neo on any base with MagLink
This isn’t a revolution in itself – after all, all specialist brand steering wheels (e.g. GSI, Cube Controls, Asher, etc.) have always offered the option of using any Quick Release on their models. The aim is to make their wheels usable on the bases of all existing brands.
In fact, the Simagic QR has been given a facelift (an enlarged rim) to make it easier to pull with the fingers to remove the steering wheel from the steering shaft.
But where Simagic has broken new ground is that, for the very first time, it’s a brand that manufactures engine bases that offers a steering wheel that can be used on other brands. Why hasn’t anyone done this before? Well, because very often, players will choose their base based on the flywheels they find “pretty” (so yes, purist friends, I’m as depressed about this as you are, but the figures are indisputable…). As a result, when we had nice wheels, we didn’t want them to be compatible with other bases, since that would allow us to sell “our own bases”.
So how does the Maglink work?
With the Simagic Maglink, sold as an option for around twenty euros, you receive an aluminum backplate. This plate will enable you to install the third-party Quick Release you want to use. It has holes for 6x70mm and 3x50mm centers. Once the plate and QR have been assembled on the steering wheel, you can install the steering wheel on your base’s steering shaft.
At this stage, the steering wheel is switched off, as it receives no power from anyone. To use it, you’ll need to connect it to your PC (or your Asetek Invicta QR if you’re using an Asetek base). To do this, you use the USB cord, which attaches securely to the steering wheel via a magnetic plug. Then you connect this cord to the USB-USB cable, which can be attached to your chassis thanks to its plastic tabs, and finally connected to the PC. Note that to make the telemetry work with your steering wheel, and thus have LEDs that work properly, you’ll need to launch the SimPro Manager software.
Comfort and feel
Once on the track, I enjoyed using the GT Neo on GT, Formula and Protos. It’s superbly ergonomic, and the buttons, paddles and encoders are really satisfying on the track. I found almost no misfires in just over two weeks of riding exclusively on this model.
Its insane rigidity doesn’t let any creaking or squeaking appear, even when abused on high-torque chainstays (my attempts to catch it at fault on the 27Nm of my Invicta chainstay came to nothing).
On the display side, the lap-count LEDs do exactly what you’d expect of them. The flags on the buttons are also appreciated, because even if it’s not necessarily an option I’d call indispensable, it at least gives you the information that jumps out at you in the blink of an eye.
The 30cm diameter didn’t stop me from riding Formula 1, as the comfort was really there. No, really, I’ve got nothing to complain about in terms of driving pleasure with this steering wheel, which stands well above other models at the same price.
A trip to the competition?
For once, let’s take a look at what other brands are doing at the same price. Because that’s when you really understand why the GT Neo is so great.
2 12-position encoders,
1 7-position switch,
2 2-position switches, 2 magnetic palettes,
2 analog paddles.
Backlit buttons: No.
Flag display, TC, ABS: No
Rev counter: No
2 2-position encoders, 3 12-position encoders,
2 clickable joysticks,
2 magnetic palettes,
2 analog paddles.
Backlit buttons: Yes.
Flag display, TC, ABS: No
Rev counter: Yes
2 2-position encoders, 2 12-position encoders,
1 clickable joysticks,
1 7-position switch,
2 2-position selectors, 2 magnetic palettes.
Backlit buttons: No.
Flag display, TC, ABS: 6 LEDs
Rev counter: Yes
2 2-position encoders, 4 12-position encoders,
2 7-position switches, 2 magnetic palettes,
2 analog paddles.
Backlit buttons: Yes and 4 backlit rotary encoders.
Flag display, TC, ABS: Yes
Rev counter: Yes
2 2-position encoders, 2 12-position clickable encoders,
1 4-position pad,
2 magnetic palettes,
2 analog paddles.
Backlit buttons: No.
Flag display, TC, ABS: 6 LEDs
Rev counter: Yes
Note: The non-configurable encoders or buttons on the steering wheels above have not been included in the configurable functions.
My verdict on the Simagic GT Neo
