Simagic FX Pro Steering Wheel
Simagic is a fairly established name in the sim racing world, and with a nice line-up of products they are now a real eco-system. Because Simagic is located in the Far East, the marketing is outsourced to the distributors and we receive their products through Simwear. After having already received various Simagic products for review from Simwear, it is now the turn of the Alpha Ultimate wheelbase (review follows) and the FX Pro steering wheel.
When we attended Sim Formula Europe 2023 on January 13 and 14, we received a nice surprise from Manu, the owner of Simwear, at the end of our visit. The package included the Alpha Ultimate wheelbase and the FX Pro steering wheel. We’ve known for a while that we were going to review the Alpha Ultimate wheelbase, but we didn’t know when that would happen. The fact that we also got the FX Pro steering wheel home to review was a huge, but very pleasant, surprise for us.
The Simagic FX Pro is a steering wheel from the Simagic eco-system and is compatible with all Simagic wheelbases. At the time of publishing this review, the steering wheel costs € 879.00 excluding shipping costs. The Simagic FX Pro steering wheel is available through the Simwear webshop for which we also have a discount code available.
Packaging & Contents
As mentioned, we received our package at the Sim Formula Europe and we did not have to wait for the delivery service to visit us. We receive a nice black box with the Simagic logo on it. When we open the box we find a block of black foam that sits firmly in the box containing the FX Pro steering wheel along with a USB cable, a set of Allen keys, a sticker set and plastic tweezers for applying the stickers.
Engineering & Quality
The Simagic FX Pro steering wheel is a formula-style steering wheel developed together with formula racers and engineers. As mentioned, it is a steering wheel from the Simagic eco-system and fully compatible with all Simagic wheelbases. The steering wheel has a diameter of 290mm, is 96mm deep and 170mm tall. The housing and front plate are made entirely of carbon. The handles are molded non-slip and sweat-resistant silicone with an ergonomic design.
On the front is a sharp and vibrant 4.3-inch LED display surrounded by 21 soft glow RGB LEDs. There are also twelve customizable RGB buttons, four thumb encoders, five rotary encoders that can also be pressed and a seven-position switch. Both the RGB buttons and the RGB LEDs are individually fully customizable in the new SimPro Manager software, more about this later in this review.
At the back we find the six paddle module specially designed in a formula layout. The module consists of two paddle shifters, two paddles that you can assign your own functionality in-game and two paddles that serve as a double clutch. The double clutch can be fully configured and/or calibrated in the SimPro Manager software. We also find a USB-C port for data and telemetry options, but this is not necessary on a Simagic wheelbase.
Software
As mentioned, Simagic uses software called SimPro Manager. The SimPro Manager has replaced the Alpha Manager software since 2022 and is intended to manage all Simagic components in the ecosystem. At the time of writing, the software still has the beta status in which certain functionalities do not yet work (properly).
Once we have installed the SimPro Manager software on our computer, the first message we get is ‘press the Game Sync’ button. This functionality synchronizes all games installed on your computer and links the correct standard profiles from the Simagic database to your games. When starting one of the games, this will automatically load the correct profile. A very nice feature that also works great. The standard profiles are also easy to edit according to your own preferences.
As soon as we connect our components, they are automatically recognized by Windows and in the SimPro Manager software. The software checks whether the latest firmware has been installed and if this is not the case, ask you whether you want to install it. You can then select various profiles in the menu of your steering wheel and adjust them where necessary. Any customization in a profile can be saved to the existing profile or to a new one. There is also a calibration option for the double-clutch system to ensure that it functions as desired. In the software you can also provide each push button and rotary encoder with its own color and a possible telemetry-controlled action such as; flashing at DRS, Pitlane etc. The LEDs around the display can also be provided with their own color and telemetry-controlled action, such as; fuel level, spotter (car left or right) etc. You can also adjust the RPM and shift indicator to your own liking. You can do this by clicking on the desired button or LED from within the software.
When you click on the dashboard of the steering wheel in the software, you have the option to choose from various dashboards offered. It contains about twenty different dashboards as standard, suitable for all common racing games and racing classes. Simagic has indicated that they will continue to develop and publish these dashboards. It is therefore possible that you will have new dashboards available with a next update. In the software you have the option of dragging different dashboards under the heading ‘Enabled’ and using the button at the bottom right of the steering wheel to switch between these dashboards. Unfortunately, we have not been able to use it with most dashboards. We can drag all dashboards under the heading ‘Enabled’, but they will not be loaded or displayed on the steering wheel. This is a functionality that doesn’t quite work as it should yet. Hopefully this will be solved soon in a next update, because these kinds of functionalities are very important for most sim racers. There is also a settings dashboard available with which you can easily make (on-the-fly) adjustments to your Simagic wheelbase. By selecting this dashboard on your steering wheel you can make adjustments to your Simagic wheelbase via your steering wheel, which are available on SimPro Manager.
Mounting & Configuration
We are going to use the FX Pro steering wheel in our TREQ Ace simrig, where the steering wheel is placed on the Simagic Alpha Ultimate. In many cases, a quick release or adapter can always be mounted on a steering wheel, but that is not the case with the FX Pro. The steering wheel is in the box as a whole, which means that the Simagic quick release is already mounted on it at the factory. After simply pushing the FX Pro steering wheel on the wheelbase, it is automatically recognized in Windows and the SimPro Manager. We don’t even have to plug in a cable because the steering wheel is fully controlled via the quick release system through the Simagic wheelbase. The only thing we have to do is provide the buttons with a sticker using the supplied sticker set.
The Use
We are going to use the FX Pro in Assetto Corsa together with the RSS Formula Hybrid 2022 mod from Race Sim Studio. Via the Assetto Corsa Content Manager we assign the right buttons to the corresponding function and we are ready to start using the steering wheel. Because Content Manager is not automatically recognized via the ‘Game Sync’ functionality in the SimPro Manager software, we first have to add it manually and link our Assetto Corsa F1 profile to it. This is self-explanatory in SimPro Manager, and after this the software automatically selects the correct profile when starting Assetto Corsa via Content Manager.
With the steering wheel configured correctly, we can make the first meters in Assetto Corsa. Our first impression of the FX Pro is very positive, the steering wheel gives us a wonderful Formula 1 feeling due to its recognizable shape, the display and the illuminated encoders and buttons. The silicone handles feel very comfortable and are also ergonomic so that you can hold the steering wheel very comfortably and naturally. The steering wheel is a good size and has enough space between the grips for even larger hands. In most cases we drive with gloves on, but even without gloves you have sufficient grip on the handles and they are not sticky. The paddles are minimally adjustable in width, but not in depth. The steering wheel also feels nice and sturdy and gives us the details from the wheelbase well.
Rear controls
The paddles have a nice short travel, are very responsive and have a good click. This makes it possible to switch gears quickly, which is a must in a Formula 1 car. The shifter units are very solidly built and there is no play or flex noticeable. As mentioned, the paddles are not adjustable in depth, although you can mount the paddles on the inside, bringing them a few millimeters closer. This trick works fine for people with smaller hands, but this is nowhere else described as a setting. For us, the default settings are otherwise good and we have only moved the paddles out a few millimeters.
Above the shifter paddles are a few extra paddles which are built exactly the same as the shifter units, but with a slightly smaller paddle mounted. These additional paddles function like a pair of additional buttons on the steering wheel. We have linked the DRS and the on screen display to this in-game because we use these functions often and these extra paddles are easier to access. Below the gearshift paddles is the double-clutch system, which consists of the same construction as the units above it, but is equipped with a hall sensor and a spring. This ensures excellent resistance and just enough travel to be able to operate them easily even with your pinky finger. You can calibrate the bite point via the settings dashboard on the display or via the SimPro Manager software.
Front controls
There are plenty of input options available on the FX Pro steering wheel. Both the buttons and the encoders are easily accessible without having to take your hands off the steering wheel. Each button can be provided with its own label using the supplied stickers and provided with its own RGB color. This allows us to easily create our own desired layout. The buttons are easy to press, feel good and give good feedback. The red aluminum rotary encoders next to the screen and in the handles are easy to operate with your thumb, have a good grip and you feel clear feedback. We do find the rotary encodes in the handles a bit on the stiff side, which makes them a bit more difficult to operate than the rotary encoders next to the screen.
You can provide the five black aluminum rotary encoders at the bottom of the steering wheel with their own RGB color. These rotary encoders come standard with a white label with Diff, Map, BB, Abs and TC printed on it. Simagic deliberately opted for white labels so that they match the RGB lighting behind the encoders. These five encoders are, just like those at the thumb, provided with a good grip with a clear feedback. At the very bottom in the middle is the small joystick which also functions as a rotary encoder and push button which makes operating the (in-game) menus very easy. Thanks to its position, it is not in the way during racing at all.
Screen & LEDs
The screen is 4.3 inches in size, which is more or less the standard on steering wheels with a screen these days. It is an excellent format that makes it easy to read all settings and telemetry data from the screen. The colors come across well to us, but there is nothing else to adjust in terms of brightness in the SimPro Manager software. Personally, this is not a loss for us. The screen simply responds quickly, is very pleasant to look at and does not distract you while racing. There is also a telemetry-controlled warning system on the screen, which shows you the different flag situations on the track by lighting the display up completely in the color of the flag.
As mentioned, the dashboards are shown on the display through the SimPro Manager software. We have a choice of around 20 different dashboards as standard, so there is plenty of choice for every racing game. As mentioned earlier, more dashboards are displayed than we can actually enable. Somehow there are eight dashboards, not selected by us, in memory. With the standard designated button at the bottom right of the steering wheel, we can then browse through the various dashboards. In itself, we manage just fine with these eight dashboards, but it is of course more fun if you can select your own desired dashboard.
LEDs are available both at the top and at the sides of the display, each of which can be set to its own RGB color. Above the display are fifteen LEDs which serve as RPM LEDs. Via the SimPro Manager software we can configure these LEDs from 0% to 100% in steps of 10% and even have them flash at the correct switching moment. The profile settings for RPM LEDs match perfectly with the Formula 1 cars in Assetto Corsa, so we don’t have to make any further adjustments. The three LEDs on each side of the screen are telemetry controlled and each LED can be adjusted to its own functionality. A very nice feature to which we have linked the spotter, DRS status and fuel level.
Conclusion
The Simagic FX Pro steering wheel surprised us in a positive way. The steering wheel has a typical Formula 1 look and is also very suitable for use in other virtual racing classes. The full carbon front plate and housing makes the steering wheel look impressive and with a width of 290mm it is a great size to race with. The handles are made of silicone, have a good grip and are easy to hold. Even when driving without gloves, they do not stick and have a good grip.
The gearshift paddles, extra paddles and double-clutch paddles are very solidly built and neatly finished. They have a nice short travel, give you good feedback and respond very directly. The paddles are only adjustable in width and unfortunately not in depth. For us this was fine, but if you have smaller hands you have to be a bit creative by, for example, mounting the paddles on the inside of the module. The buttons and (almost all) rotary encoders can be provided with their own RGB color and a function sticker. The buttons feel very solid and give you good feedback. The rotary encoders have a good grip and a nice feedback as well. The rotary encoders next to the display and in the handles are easy to operate with your thumb while racing, but we find the ones in the handles on the stiff side. The bottom five rotary encoders are also easy to operate and have a standard white label that colors nicely with the RGB lighting behind the encoder.
The steering wheel is fully configurable in the SimPro Manager software. Just about every button, rotary encoder (the bottom five) is individually illuminated and, together with the LEDs around the display, can be customized via the SimPro Manager with their own RGB color and telemetry functionality. You will also find twenty standard dashboards that you can display via the SimPro Manager on the 4.3 inch screen. Unfortunately, due to the beta version of SimPro Manager, we were still unable to use all displays on the steering wheel. We believe that Simagic has basically taken the right path with the SimPro Manager software, but we must therefore add that the software is not yet mature and still contains some errors here and there. Hopefully these errors will be solved by Simagic in a next update.
All in all, we think the Simagic FX Pro steering wheel is a great Formula 1 steering wheel and the SimPro Manager software certainly offers potential. The steering wheel is for sale via the Simwear webshop for € 879.00 excluding shipping costs. Are you just as enthusiastic as we are and would you like to order the Simagic FX Pro steering wheel and/or other Simagic products from Simwear? Please fill in our contact form and we will send you a personal discount code.
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