We continue testing part of the Moza ecosystem. In this case, it’s time to see and try out Moza’s first handbrake: the Moza Racing HBP . A review by Rodríguez.
Moza continues to expand its product catalog at a truly difficult pace for the competition, and even for ourselves. Not only is it difficult to keep up with them due to the speed of creating new products, but these also maintain high quality and a very attractive design.
Presentation and Features
The handbrake comes perfectly packaged in a small Moza-style box: well-presented, everything protected, and a few accessories complete the pack. In addition to the handbrake itself, the box includes two connection cables, one for the base which is RJ-11 and another USB to connect directly to the PC, two screwdrivers, Allen keys, nuts, washers, screws, spring to change the hardness, and stops.
The pressure sensor is 16 bits, which is considered high precision as it allows more than 65,000 different steps to be represented, which is more than enough for a device of this type.
The construction is very solid, practically made entirely of aeronautical-grade aluminum, just like Moza constructs practically all of its products, which is giving such good results. Only the side protective box of the connections and board is made of plastic.
Installation, Software, and Configuration
The base of the handbrake has several holes through which it can be anchored to all types of cockpits that have the same pattern, although it is exclusively mounted by the base, and does not allow being screwed by the side like other handbrakes. This point is important because it is limiting in terms of its installation in some situations.
As for the grip customization, we can place the knob vertically and horizontally, as well as at different angles to adapt it to our tastes or needs for where it will be installed.
To install this handbrake to a desk, Moza offers an additional support that must be purchased separately and allows a firm anchoring on that type of surface. In this case, we have fixed it to an aluminum profile cockpit with 2 M6 screws.
Once we have connected the USB cable, or the RJ45 to a Moza base, in the MOZA Pit House application, we will see that the control and configuration of the handbrake are activated. Being a very simple device since it has only one axis, its operation and, therefore, its simulation, are not very complicated. There is very little that can be configured from it. Even so, Moza has very well solved the little configuration that can be done, which is limited to being able to use it as if it were a button (0 or 100), or to modify the sampling curve of the handbrake travel. The modification of the curve is something interesting in order to approximate the effectiveness of its operation in a real situation, although at this point, it would perhaps be more realistic (and probably more expensive to manufacture) to be able to simulate its hardening as we gradually actuate it.
Testing and Conclusions
Once we have the handbrake well anchored, and pulling it with force does not put anything nearby at risk, that is when you have the sensation of the solidity of the whole and the smoothness with which it works.
The grip and firmness sensations of this Moza handbrake are more than good, as well as the construction and quality of the materials with respect to the price. Another great point in its favor is the customization of the hardness and travel to leave it totally to our liking thanks to the accessories that come with it. It is also appreciated how easy it is to configure and update via software, those tedious first configurations with Moza software are long gone, which is constantly updated including the parameterization of all new accessories and new options. The only downside is that we can only screw it in by the base, even if it is vertically, which limits the installation possibilities a bit. Apart from this last point, it is a more than recommended option for all those who need a handbrake for rally, drift, and police chase simulators.
Prices and availability
All Moza Racing products, with a 2% discount using our links, can be found on the Simufy website. In this case, the Moza Racing HBP handbrake costs 119.99 euros and is in stock, as well as the table mount Stand for Handbrake and Shifter but for 34.99 euros.
