Simplace 5 inch Sim Dash Aluminium
Simplace is an online store with a large and wide range of simrace and flight simulator equipment that is shipped worldwide. In addition to the products sold in the webshop, they also regularly market products under their own brand. We have previously reviewed the Simplace GT3 Steering Wheel LIMITED EDITON and the Simplace Sim Dash. Recently Simplace has produced an aluminum version of the Simplace Sim Dash in collaboration with Sim Dash, a small company run by Jaime Santos in Portugal. We have received the Sim Dash Aluminum from Simplace so that we can share our experience with you.
The Simplace Sim Dash Aluminum is an add-on that you can easily mount on your wheelbase and which can display accurate telemetry data, for example about the car, the lap times and the track. The Simplace Sim Dash Aluminum is available in the Simplace web store and has, at the time of writing, a price tag of € 399.00.
Simplace Sim Dash
The Simplace Sim Dash Aluminum consists of a full aluminum anodized housing with the Simplace logo laser engraved on the back. Inside the housing is a modified pcb and a 5 inch LCD screen. The LCD screen has a resolution of 854×480 pixels and a backlight of 300 lumens, which should ensure a sharp display and bright colors. The Dash is equipped with 20 RGB LEDs in a 5x10x5 layout, has an on/off switch, a separate USB connection and is compatible with the SimHub, JRT and Z1 software. Included you will find a set of carbon brackets and spacers with which you can mount the Sim Dash in the desired position on Fanatec, Simucube and Accuforce wheelbases. An optional bracket is available for other wheelbases.
Assembly and Use
Assembling the Sim Dash is quite easy. You have the choice to mount it directly on your wheelbase or to put the spacers in between so that the Sim Dash moves closer to you. We have chosen the latter option for mounting on our Fanatec GT DD Pro so that the Sim Dash is just behind our wheel. With the supplied screws that job is completed within seconds. Now it’s a matter of plugging in the USB cable and turning on the Sim Dash.
The device is not plug-and-play, before you can use it you must first configure the Sim Dash in the software of your choice. To start using the Sim Dash you need the latest version of SimHub (or JRT or Z1software), a template and a RGB LED profile. When you are familiar with this software it will be quite easy to prepare it for use, otherwise it is sometimes a bit of a puzzle, but in itself it is easy to do and it all fits together logically. We already have all these necessities on our PC and when starting SimHub we select a generic Vocore screen, pick a template and the right LED profile and we are ready to race.
For optimal use, position the Sim Dash so that it is placed exactly in view of your virtual race car’s cockpit on your screen. This way the Sim Dash is read best while racing. Due to the supplied brackets, you actually only have 2 mounting options and positioning in the right way is quite difficult. You miss a bit of flexibility and a tilt option of the screen. We understood from Sim Dash that there is an optional flexible bracket available that does have these features.
We have used the Sim Dash in Assetto Corsa along with the RSS Formula Hybrid X 2022 add-on. With the right template, you can then have the Sim Dash display the appropriate telemetry data for you. The SimHub software visually transmits this telemetry data from your racing game to the display for quick reading while racing. We find it a plus that we have now been able to place the screen behind our steering wheel a bit more by means of the supplied spacers, but we can imagine that this does not apply to everyone. The screen is very responsive, sharp, has very good brightness and is definitely a lot better than its predecessor. This makes the screen very clear to read and the possibility to dim the screen in SimHub, so it does not quickly become tiring for your eyes. The LEDs a bit on the bright side by default, but these are also easy to dim in SimHub.
Conclusion
If you have a steering wheel without a screen, the Sim Dash is a very handy and useful add-on. You can show a lot of valuable information on your display while sim racing without it being a distraction while driving. The on/off switch on the back of the screen, as well as the separate USB connection are a good improvement over the previously reviewed Sim Dash. The aluminum housing completes the look entirely. The mounting options are somewhat limited by the supplied brackets. If you want more flexibility, you will have to purchase a separate bracket for this. The screen responds quickly, is nicely sharp and has a good brightness. We find the LEDs very bright by default. Fortunately, both can be dimmed in the SimHub software.
Have you become enthusiastic about the Simplace Sim Dash Aluminum or are you interested in other products from Simplace, we have a discount voucher (promo code) available for you. Check our partners section for more information about this.
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