Simagic DS-8X Shifter

Earlier this year, we attended the Sim Formula Europe expo where we visited the booth of our friends from Simwear, who handle the marketing for Simagic in the Benelux. They provided us with a thrilling package consisting of the Simagic Alpha Ultimate wheelbase and the FX Pro steering wheel for review. We also had a brief introduction to the Simagic DS-8X shifter. This brief first impression immediately sparked a lot of enthusiasm in us, enough to keep us talking about it on our drive home. Our conclusion was that we hoped to have the chance to review this gear shifter in the future. A little over half a year later, and after some discussions with Simwear and Simagic, our wishes were heard, and Simwear sent us the Simagic DS-8X Shifter for review!

The Simagic DS-8X Shifter is a Dual Shifter, meaning it functions as both an H-pattern gear shifter with 8 gears (plus reverse) and a sequential shifter. The gear shifter is plug-and-play for use on PC via USB.

At the time of writing, the Simagic DS-8X Shifter is available for €449.00, excluding shipping costs, at our partner and Simagic distributor in the Benelux, Simwear.eu.

Packaging & Contents

The Simagic DS-8X Shifter was shipped to us from Simwear.eu in Belgium and took 2 days to be delivered by DPD. We received a standard brown shipping box containing the product box with the Simagic DS-8X Shifter and the Simagic GTS steering wheel, the review for which will follow later. The product box is a nice, matte black, and soft-feeling box with the Simagic logo, surrounded by a sleeve featuring product photos and additional branding.

Upon opening the box, the first thing we see is a layer of soft black foam, on top of which are the quick guide and Simagic warranty card. Removing the top layer reveals the foam layer with deep cutouts housing the USB cable, neatly packed mounting materials, of course the Simagic DS-8X Shifter itself, snugly fitting in the foam and ready for use. Overall, we find both the packaging and its contents well taken care of by Simagic. We always vouch for the fact that a package is not only important for protecting a product but also for building excitement to unpack and use it. In this regard, Simagic succeeds in sparking our enthusiasm to get started.

The Simagic DS-8X Shifter

The housing of the Simagic DS-8X Shifter is constructed with a machined aluminum alloy. According to Simagic, the gear shifter features an internal structure with a steel core. The DS-8X Shifter feels seriously sturdy and solid, thanks in part to its weight of 2 kilograms. In our opinion, the finish of the gear shifter is sublime, and to the touch, it immediately feels like a genuine high-end product.

As mentioned, the DS-8X is a Dual Shifter, meaning it can function as an H-pattern gear shifter with 8 gears plus reverse, while it is also equipped with a sequential mode. The Simagic DS-8X features a rotating switch with two positions, allowing for an easy switch between the two modes. At the front of the housing, there is an opening that accommodates an Allen key. This key can be used to adjust the amount of resistance of the gear shifter according to preference, although it is not clear in advance if this applies to both modes. In the H-pattern mode, the reverse, seventh, and eighth gears are ‘locked,’ preventing accidental selection. To access these gears, you can pull up the ring beneath the gear knob with your fingers. The gear knob is replaceable with other models from Simagic or with universally available aftermarket gear knobs.

Mountig

We are going to mount the Simagic DS-8X Shifter on our TREQ One sim rig. We plan to do this by placing the gear shifter directly on aluminum profiles. We were initially excited to see that Simagic includes T-nuts and corresponding bolts with the DS-8X Shifter. Unfortunately, this excitement was short-lived because after inserting the T-nuts, we noticed that the bolts seemed to be too short to engage the threads of the nuts when placing the gear shifter. In the end, we decided to use a couple of bolts we had still laying around. The actual mounting process of course is a breeze, so we can plug in the USB cable and move on to the next step!

Software

The Simagic DS-8X is usable via USB as plug-and-play peripheral, so using the Simagic software is not required. We already have the Simagic software package, SimPro Manager, installed on our PC, so we can launch it immediately. Upon opening, we receive a notification that a firmware update for the DS-8X is available and required for installation. We proceed to download it, and within a few moments the gear shifter is updated.

Within the software package itself, there isn’t much we can do, which is not surprising for a gear shifter. From SimPro Manager, we can calibrate the gear shifter when necessary, and visually check if all gears are functioning properly. When we switch to sequential mode using the button on the side of the gear shifter, the visuals in SimPro Manager change, revealing a few additional options available only through the CAN bus, which we do not use.

Using the Simagic DS-8X Shifter

We’re going to use the Simagic DS-8X Shifter in various scenarios. In H-pattern mode, we’ll start by driving in Assetto Corsa, where we’ll hop into the Mazda MX-5 Cup and Ferrari 312T. We’ll test the sequential mode in Dirt Rally 2.0.

Configuring the gear shifter is a breeze in Assetto Corsa Content Manager, as usual. We step into the Mazda MX-5 Cup and get ready for the first laps. The initial impression we get from the gear shifter is immediately clear, and that is that the DS-8X shifts very smoothly. The amount of force required to get the shifter into a gear doesn’t seem very high at first, but we find the actual feel of the resistance and the mechanism inside the DS-8X very enjoyable and satisfying. Secretly, the shifting sensation does remind us of the gear shifter in a real street car.

After driving multiple cars, including the mentioned Mazda MX-5 Cup, we start to get more accustomed to the feel and resistance of the gear shifter. The initial notion that it is on the light side fades away quite quickly because we find the overall experience of the gear shifter very pleasant. As our first impression hinted, the DS-8X Shifter cuts through gears like a hot knife through butter. Initially, we might experience a misshift here or there, but after getting used to the shifter, we effortlessly find each gear. Especially when driving a faster manually shifted car, we notice how easy it is to shift quickly. Even when done more forcefully it feels solid, and the shifter doesn’t complain. The reverse, 7th, and 8th gears are easy to locate, and we appreciate the spring mechanism to find them.

As mentioned, we test the sequential mode in Dirt Rally 2.0. To switch the DS-8X to sequential mode, we simply flip the switch on the side of the housing, and we’re good to go! Driving in sequential mode in a virtual Rally car takes some getting used to since it’s not a class we normally drive. The initial impression of the shifter in sequential mode is that it feels a bit heavier and requires a bit more assertiveness to upshift and downshift. However, the gear shifter clicks nicely, the resistance is good, and it returns to its center position very quickly.

After driving with the Simagic DS-8X Shifter for a while, we decide to make use of the adjustable spring tension at the front of the housing. We tighten it first, and notice that it has a reasonably tangible effect on the resistance of the gear shifter. In H-pattern mode, we find this to be an added value, but in sequential mode, the shifter becomes too heavy for our liking. When we soften the spring tension, we notice that the gear shifter loses some feel, and the H-pattern mode doesn’t feel as comfortable anymore. Ultimately, we find that the setting with which the gear shifter is delivered is actually the best compromise if you don’t want to constantly adjust the spring tension.

Although the core of the DS-8X is what creates the shifting sensation, the gear knob of course is the only point you actually are in touch with, making it play an important role. In the case of the Simagic DS-8X Shifter, we find the standard black gear knob basically fine and reasonably stylish, although it lacks a bit of character or a ‘premium’ feel. In H-pattern mode, the gear knob certainly suffices, and we can shift smoothly with it. The smooth feeling gear knob might even add something to the overall smooth feel of the gear shifter. In sequential mode, we struggle a bit more with the round gear knob to consistently grip it well for quick upshifts and downshifts. If you, for example, drive a lot of Rally, the elongated gear knob from Simagic or a universal aftermarket gear knob might be recommended.

Video: Simagic DS-8X Shifter driving impression

Below is a short driving impression in which we use the Simagic DS-8X Shifter in both H-pattern and sequential modes. In this video, we drive in Assetto Corsa with the Mazda MX-5 Cup and in Dirt Rally 2.0 with the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. We are driving in our TREQ One sim rig with the Simagic Alpha Ultimate wheelbase, Simagic GTS steering wheel (review follows), Simagic P1000i pedals (review follows), and Sim-Lab XB1 load cell handbrake (review follows).

Conclusion

With the DS-8X, Simagic has certainly introduced an intriguing simracing gear shifter, but it does come with a relatively high price tag. Compared to other sim shifters the DS-8X is simply expensive, but in return, you get a gear shifter built and finished with exceptionally high-quality materials. It allows you to switch seamlessly from H-pattern to sequential mode with just one switch. Moreover, the DS-8X has its own unique character and shifting feel. In H-pattern mode, the gear shifter feels incredibly smooth, and the actual sensation of the shifting mechanism is very pleasant, providing excellent feedback and a realistic feel. In sequential mode as well, the feedback from the gear shifter is fine and very immediate. Additionally, we find the gear shifter aesthetically pleasing.

In our view, the DS-8X Shifter isn’t one hundred percent free of comments or remarks. It starts with the supplied materials; while we did receive T-slot nuts with corresponding bolts, the bolts, in our case, were too short to mount directly on aluminum profile. The adjustable resistance of the internal spring in the gear shifter is, in essence, a good and convenient addition. However, if we adjust the resistance to what we find comfortable in H-pattern mode, we find it too heavy in sequential mode. If we make the resistance lighter, we feel that the gear shifter loses its sensation, and the sequential mode becomes too loose. Personally, we find the default setting with which the gear shifter is delivered to be the best compromise, but we’re glad to see that the gear shifter is adjustable to start with. The smooth standard gear knob of the gear shifter is fine and comfortable in H-pattern mode, although it doesn’t provide the ‘premium’ feel that the rest of the gear shifter does. In sequential mode, we would recommend an elongated gear knob.

All in all, we find the Simagic DS-8X Shifter a gear shifter that certainly deserves its place in the simracing landscape and in Simagic’s lineup. In our experience, it is the gear shifter with arguably the best build quality and development we have tested so far, and we notice it in its performance. The remarks we mentioned are largely subject to personal preference as well. Its price tag is steep, but for the enthusiastic simracer who values a good shifting feel and a mode for both H-pattern and sequential shifting, this price tag may quickly be forgotten.

With a price tag of €449.00, the Simagic DS-8X Shifter is available at Simagic distributor Simwear.eu, for which we have a discount code available.

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