SimRep Engineering P9XX Steering Wheel
SimRep Engineering is a young manufacturer run by Niels and Atilla. As car and tech enthusiasts, the duo clicked from their very first meeting and embarked on their sim project two years ago. SimRep Engineering aims to design its products in a modular way, reducing the ecological footprint of their industry. This approach allows consumers to repair their products at home after the warranty expires, not only saving valuable raw materials but also curbing unnecessary CO2 emissions. Thanks to this philosophy, SimRep Engineering has earned a spot in the KVK Innovation Top 100 of 2023.
Early in the SimRep Engineering project, Niels approached us for advice on developing their P9XX steering wheel. Leveraging our extensive experience with various steering wheels, our advice could add value to its development. Given our role as an independent review platform and our intention to review the steering wheel, we carefully delineated our involvement in its development. All advice was provided remotely without physically handling the steering wheel or its components. SimRep Engineering made all decisions and considerations independently. Now, two years later, we’ve been invited to SimRep Engineering to get a behind-the-scenes look and receive the final production model of the SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel, which we will review.
The SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel is based on the wheel used in the Porsche 911 RSR. As of now, the steering wheel is available starting at €1499.00 excluding VAT and shipping costs. The version we received features a forged carbon front plate, a 50mm aluminum hub, and a magnetic paddle module. This variant is currently priced at €1844.00 including VAT and excluding shipping costs.
Announcement SimRep Engineering
During the production of this review, SimRep announced several upgrades and has already implemented some of them. This includes larger handgrips, improved SimHub integration, and new shift modules. The new shift modules have already been manufactured for us and sent to us while writing this review. To ensure an honest review, we have addressed both the old and new shift modules. Additionally, the SimHub integration was released during the review process, and we covered both the old and new scenarios. In early 2024, we will also receive the new handgrips from SimRep. Once these are available, we will provide an update in the review.
We want to emphasize that, despite contributing to the development of this steering wheel, this review is 100% independent. SimRep Engineering had no influence or access to this review. They did not review it before publication, and no agreements were made regarding the content or opinions shared in this review.
Packaging & Contents
SimRep has informed us that they ship their products via DHL, and under normal circumstances, delivery within the EU takes a few (business) days. Worldwide delivery may take a few extra days. As mentioned, we personally picked up the final production model from SimRep Engineering in The Hague. During our visit, we received a stylish black product box featuring a silhouette of the P9XX steering wheel.
Upon opening the box, we find a card with a personal note—a thoughtful gesture that SimRep includes for that personal touch with all their customers. Additionally, there is a flyer with a brief instruction and a QR code linking to the online manual for the steering wheel. Beneath that is a filling of high-quality black foam. When we lift the first layer of foam, we discover a cutout of the P9XX steering wheel containing the wheel itself, equipped with pre-mounted paddle modules by SimRep. Lifting the second layer of foam reveals a powered USB 2.0 hub, its corresponding power supply, the GX16 data cable (for connection between the hub and the steering wheel), two sticker sheets, various Allen keys, a microfiber cleaning cloth for the glass, and the optional 50mm aluminum hub with the necessary bolts for mounting on the Podium Hub.
The SimRep Engineering P9XX Steering Wheel
As mentioned, the SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel is inspired by the wheel used in the Porsche RSR and is exclusively compatible with PC or Mac. The operating system is responsible for managing and controlling the steering wheel. SimHub is required to utilize the LCD screen. The steering wheel is 310mm wide and weighs approximately 1700 grams, including the 50mm hub and magnetic paddle module. The foundation of the P9XX consists of a black anodized housing finished with a 5mm thick forged carbon front plate. The grips are made of a cast polyurethane composition.
The internals of the steering wheel are powered by an STM32 and ATmega chipset. The PCBs and the display are also modularly constructed. This design allows you to replace parts yourself if needed, once the warranty has expired. SimRep Engineering provides 10 years of parts support, enhancing the lifespan of the P9XX steering wheel.
Frontside
At the front, you immediately notice the striking glass panel. This 2mm thick glass panel features silk-screened labels, a 3x10x3 LED pattern, and the SimRep Engineering logo. Behind the glass, there is a 5-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 800×480 pixels and a refresh rate of 30 fps. In total, there are 104 individually programmable RGB LEDs on the steering wheel, with 16 RGB LEDs positioned on the top and sides of the screen. These LEDs can be independently controlled for telemetry purposes, such as displaying RPM and flags.
On the left and right sides of the screen, there are a total of twelve APEM push buttons of the 6.5N type. Each button is equipped with four customizable RGB LEDs and white button inserts that can be labeled using the provided stickers. Four Elma rotary encoders are positioned near the grips, two on each side, finished with aluminum knobs. Under the screen, there are four Alpha Dent continuous rotary encoders, also finished with aluminum knobs. These rotary encoders allow you to select an input in combination with a confirmation button on the wheel. This means that each rotary encoder can be assigned twelve individual functions.
Backside
At the back of the steering wheel, there is a 6x70mm bolt pattern suitable for mounting the most common quick releases and/or adapters. The wheel is modularly constructed, providing you the flexibility to mount a quick-release and/or adapter from both the inside and outside. On the left and right sides are the shift modules and the analog modules. The analog modules can be utilized as dual clutches, analog inputs, or button inputs. The shifter modules and analog modules are built as one unit and can be interchanged on the left and right sides. This allows you to position the analog modules either above or below the shift modules. Both modules are individually adjustable in depth (closer or farther from you), but unfortunately, the paddles themselves are not adjustable. At the bottom is the 5-pin GX16 connector for the connection to the USB 2.0 hub.
Assembly
As mentioned, the steering wheel features a 6x70mm bolt pattern, providing the flexibility to mount a quick-release adapter from both the inside and outside. Since many steering wheels today come equipped with a hub, we opted to include the 50mm aluminum hub with the P9XX steering wheel so that no adjustments to our wheelbase are necessary. We will be using the steering wheel on our Fanatec DD2 wheelbase and will mount the Podium Hub on the adapter. However, as previously noted, you can easily mount it from the inside without the optional 50mm aluminum hub. For the Fanatec Podium Hub, you will need the optionally available Podium Hub screws for mounting. We find the installation of the Podium Hub quite straightforward, first by attaching the 50mm aluminum hub to the steering wheel, followed by the Podium Hub.
To use the steering wheel, we connect it to the PC via the included USB 2.0 hub, which handles power and data connections. Mounting the USB 2.0 hub on our sim rig is easy with the provided t-slot nuts and corresponding bolts. After connecting the hub to the power outlet and our PC, we ensure that the cables are neatly organized. When we then click the steering wheel onto our DD2 wheelbase, we can connect the data cable between the wheel and the USB 2.0 hub, and we’re ready for the next step!
Software
SimHub
The SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel is controlled through SimHub or similar software. It is not a plug-and-play device; first, we need to install the VoCore driver for the LCD screen. This step is detailed in the manual. If you have previously used a VoCore LCD screen, this step is not necessary. Once the VoCore driver is installed, we add the steering wheel as ‘Generic VoCore Screen’ in SimHub, and the LCD screen should work almost immediately. After assigning our favorite display template in SimHub, it is neatly displayed on the steering wheel’s LCD screen. To get the LEDs working, we can add a profile to the RGB LEDs under the ‘Arduino’ menu in SimHub. On the SimRep Engineering website, there are standard P9XX LED profiles available for download and use in SimHub.
Update SimHub
In version 9.1.13 (December update), the P9XX steering wheel is fully supported in SimHub. This simplifies the installation and updating of P9XX LED profiles, saving you time and effort. You no longer need to switch between different pages, and there are more options for setting the LED colors of the buttons and rotary encoders. With just a few clicks, you can add the steering wheel as the SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel. Afterwards, you can perform all the aforementioned steps on the device page of the SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel.
Firmware Update
To update the firmware of the steering wheel, you need to download a tool called STM Cube Programmer. After downloading this tool, you can visit the support page of SimRep Engineering to download the update guide and the latest firmware. Simply put the P9XX steering wheel in ‘update mode’ using a small button at the back of the wheel, and with a few clicks in STM Cube Programmer, you can easily update the steering wheel with the latest firmware. In our case, this process went smoothly, but if you encounter any issues, they are described in the manual for reference.
The Use
As the SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel is fundamentally a GT-style wheel, we naturally decided to test it in GT cars. We actively drive in Assetto Corsa Competizione and will be testing the steering wheel in our virtual Porsche 992 GT3 R. After launching Assetto Corsa Competizione, we only need to assign the buttons and encoders to the correct in-game functionalities, and we are ready to hit the track!
The Steering Wheel
From the very moment we grab the P9XX steering wheel, we can feel the passion and dedication that went into its design and construction. With a diameter of 310mm, the wheel feels great in hand and has a satisfying heft. The polyurethane grips are comfortable and provide an excellent grip, although personally, we would have preferred them a bit thicker. If you wear gloves, they feel just fine, but without, they might feel a bit thin. After some usage, it’s noticeable that the grips attract minimal dust and show almost no signs of wear.
Thanks to the all-aluminum casing and carbon front plate, the steering wheel feels incredibly robust. While driving, we experience no play or flex. The details in force feedback come through clearly, thanks to our Fanatec DD2 wheelbase. To also test how the wheel behaves on a lighter wheelbase, we set the force of our DD2 to around 10 Nm. We immediately notice less detail in the force feedback. From this, we can conclude that a heavier wheelbase, especially due to the weight of the steering wheel, is highly recommended.
Handgrip Update
After receiving feedback from us and various sim racers during the ADAC Sim Racing EXPO, SimRep Engineering has decided to offer larger handgrips. Some sim racers, including ourselves, found the current handgrips a bit small, while others were satisfied with the existing size. These larger handgrips will be available alongside the current ones. Once this upgrade is made available by SimRep Engineering, we will be among the first to receive it and will update our review accordingly.
Front Controls
All the materials used, such as the push buttons and the aluminum knobs on the rotary encoders, exude premium quality and feel the same way. The push buttons provide a clear clicking feedback, and the rotary encoders have tactile clicks when used. Both the push buttons and rotary encoders are well-positioned, rotate smoothly, and are easy to operate while driving without having to take your hands off the wheel. The colored buttons on the rotary encoders are pleasant and easy to operate. The same goes for the four rotary encoders at the bottom of the wheel, although operating them requires momentarily taking your hand off the wheel.
An additional plus is that all the LEDs on the buttons on the wheel are telemetry-driven. This means that in SimHub, you can customize the LEDs of the buttons, displaying various telemetry data such as flag signals and spotter instructions. Additionally, we received a nice sticker sheet to personalize the push buttons on the steering wheel. The beauty of these stickers is that they are cut in a way that the function of the button is beautifully illuminated and remains clearly visible once applied to the steering wheel.
Rear Controls
The shift and analog modules at the back of the wheel are very solidly built. They are individually adjustable in depth, meaning you can move them closer or further away from you. Unfortunately, the paddles are not adjustable in width. By default, the modules are mounted in such a way that the analog modules are positioned at the top of the shift modules. By disassembling the modules and then moving the left module to the right and the right one to the left, you can relocate the analog modules to the bottom of the shift modules. We chose to do this so that we could operate the analog modules with our pinkies.
The shift paddles, positioned at the level of your middle fingers, are easy to operate, but we noticed that they provide less feedback and feel somewhat numb. In our opinion, they could have given more direct feedback with a firmer click. The analog modules are equipped with a spring and contactless hall-effect sensors; when operating them, we feel a pleasant resistance and notice no friction. The analog modules can be set in three modes via the steering wheel: dual-clutch, analog input, and button input. As avid sim racers, we prefer the dual-clutch setting. These paddles naturally have more range of motion and are also enjoyable to use.
Shift and Analog Modules Update
Following feedback from us and various sim racers during the ADAC Sim Racing EXPO, SimRep Engineering has decided to introduce an accelerated update for the shift modules. This update will provide better feedback thanks to a new type of magnet and a slightly different construction of the module. This upgrade will also be available free of charge for all current P9XX owners still using the old shift modules. As of writing this review, we have already received this update from SimRep Engineering. It was easy to assemble in a few simple steps, after which we extensively tested them.
We can conclude that these shift modules are a significant improvement over the ones we previously had on the P9XX. The modules have a pleasantly short travel, allowing for quick shifts. The shifting feel is nice, with a clear click when shifting, and there is now good feedback present. In our opinion, this is a successful upgrade for the shift modules.
LCD Screen & LEDs
The 5-inch screen is pleasantly large and easy to read during races. You can adjust the brightness and contrast in SimHub, making the screen easily readable in any situation, even at maximum brightness. The sharpness and color reproduction are excellent. The colors are vivid and pleasing to the eye. The screen can be set to a maximum refresh rate of 30 fps (30Hz), more than enough to display telemetry data without any delay. It’s important to note that if you use SimHub, you need a paid SimHub license to send telemetry data to the steering wheel at a refresh rate of 30Hz. With the free version of SimHub, data is sent to your steering wheel at a maximum refresh rate of 10Hz.
The layout and quantity of LEDs on the steering wheel are well-positioned. The LEDs are bright, and the colors are displayed precisely as you set them. The 3x10x3 LED arrangement above and beside the screen is fully customizable in SimHub. Each LED can be controlled with telemetry data of your choice. Both the screen and LEDs have extensive support in SimHub regarding LED profiles and dashboard templates. Both the screen and LEDs are well-protected by the eye-catching glass plate. Unfortunately, it tends to attract dust and fingerprints quickly, but luckily, a cleaning cloth is included to keep your steering wheel in good condition.
Video: Driving with the SimRep Engineering P9XX Steering Wheel
Here is a short driving impression video of the SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel. In this video we ride with the P9XX steering wheel, mounted on our Fanatec DD2 wheelbase, in combination with our TREQ Ace Simrig and Asetek Forte pedals. As a racing game we use Assetto Corsa Competizione and, as we prefer, we drive a Porsche 992 II GT3 R.
Conclusion
When you hold the SimRep Engineering P9XX steering wheel in your hands, you immediately feel the passion and dedication put into it. With a diameter of 310 mm, the wheel fits perfectly in our hand, and the grip is comfortable and pleasant. However, we would have preferred the polyurethane grips to be slightly thicker, especially noticeable when driving without gloves. Fortunately, SimRep Engineering has already indicated that they will release an upgrade for this in 2024, which we are eagerly anticipating.
The sturdy aluminum housing and forged carbon front plate give the steering wheel a solid feel, without any play or bending during driving. The force feedback details are clearly noticeable, and the steering wheel performs optimally, especially when paired with a heavier wheelbase. The controls at the front are well-placed and easy to use, with buttons and rotary encoders that turn smoothly and provide a satisfying click. Telemetry-driven LEDs and the ability to customize buttons with included stickers add extra adaptability and functionality.
The shift and analog modules are well-built and adjustable in depth, making for comfortable operation. Unfortunately, the paddles are not adjustable in width. The ability to switch and place the analog modules above or below the shifters is clever, making them easy to operate for everyone. The “old” shift modules were functional but lacked some feedback; a firmer click would have been better in our opinion. However, SimRep Engineering released an updated version of their shift modules during the making of this review. These new shift modules are a significant improvement, providing good feedback with a solid click. On the other hand, the analog modules offer smooth resistance and various settings, with the dual-clutch mode being our favorite as avid simracers.
The 5-inch screen is bright, sharp, and easy to read. The customizable LEDs, controllable with telemetry data of your choice, add a visual element to the racing experience. The only downside is that the glass plate is sensitive to dust and fingerprints, but this is easily addressed with the included cleaning cloth.
The modular design gives you the freedom to mount quick-release adapters and hubs both from the inside and outside of the steering wheel. Another significant advantage of the modular design is that simracers can repair the product themselves at home after the warranty expires, contributing significantly to the product’s durability.
Overall, the P9XX Steering Wheel offers an excellent user experience for simracers seeking a high-quality and customizable steering wheel. The combination of build quality, functionality, and adaptability makes it a valuable addition to your sim racing setup. We can truly feel how the love for racing is embedded in every detail.
While we are very excited about the steering wheel, we acknowledge that it comes with a considerable price tag, making it a niche product. At the same time, the modular design makes it a highly versatile and durable steering wheel. If you’re interested in the SimRep Engineering P9XX Steering Wheel, you can order it starting from €1499.00 through the SimRep Engineering online store.
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