We continue with a new brand on our website. This time it’s Simagic that finally makes an appearance, and we kick things off with a standout shifter from their catalog, the DS-8X. A review by Mariano B.
Concepts like “efficiency,” “simplicity,” and “optimization” are very familiar to us today. They’re applied to virtually every aspect of life and are presented as unquestionable improvements in any process.
We’re taught to optimize our habits, our emotions, and even our relationships. We become users rather than subjects: measurable, predictable, efficient. Life becomes a clean interface, stripped of friction and edges, devoid of real experience.
A clear example of this is the current trend in the automotive industry, where feature sets based on ones and zeros — aimed at comfort and smoothing the driving experience — are served to us on a silver platter through marketing, as if these were precisely the features we’ve been longing for.
If we narrow these concepts down to the world of simracing — which is, after all, why we’re here — I think we can all agree that once applied, these ideas help us drive faster, save more fuel or tire wear, and ultimately reach better race results.
But what about those of us who are here simply to enjoy the experience and sensations? What about those who, driven by nostalgia for what they once saw on the racetrack as kids (myself included), or by an idealized sense of past adrenaline-fueled events, are trying to feel a little closer to that era? Maybe they’re not here to show off or to finish at the top of the leaderboard. It’s not about who’s got the biggest numbers.
I don’t want to turn this review into a parallel of Gilles Deleuze’s theory, but given the product we’re discussing today, I felt it was worth bringing this debate back into the light.
Today we’re here to talk about a product that stands in opposition to the concepts mentioned above.
At last, Simagic
SIMAGIC gave us the opportunity to test, experience, and enjoy one of their crown jewels — a device often overlooked by most simracing brands and, given current trends in competitive sim scenarios, increasingly considered a niche product.
We’re talking about the Simagic Shifter DS-8X .
Packaging
Simagic ships it in well-protected packaging and includes bolts, washers, and specific nuts for 20/20 cockpits — which is very much appreciated, since otherwise you’d be rummaging through the drawer where you keep half a hardware store, hoping to find a couple of spares. Also an USB cable (type B) is included, some stickers with their “Keep Racing” slogan and drifting-themed designs, and a brief printed manual. In short, everything you’d expect.
My first impression upon opening the box was that I honestly expected it to be larger — which I welcomed, since I prefer not to turn my rig into a shelf full of devices that resemble the cockpit of a commercial airliner.
Build quality
The shifter is quite heavy, thanks to its full aluminum alloy construction with a black satin finish, and it immediately gives off a sense of durability.
And I must emphasize this: I’ve been using it for about couple of months now, giving it intensive use, and so far, there are no signs of wear. It would be interesting to revisit this review in a year or so to see whether everything is still in place and free of play.
Sequential & H shifting modes
The shifter supports both sequential and H-pattern modes, with an R+8 layout, which can be switched via a side toggle. Reverse gear, along with 7th and 8th gears, are engaged via a mechanism integrated into the shifter lever itself — reminiscent of the systems found in some Ford and Opel models. This prevents accidental engagement of those gears, which makes sense considering most manual cars don’t even have a 7th or 8th gear.
On the front, there’s a tension adjustment nut — and yes, the Allen key for it is included — which lets you control the shift stiffness. This applies to both sequential and manual modes.
It’s important to note that the internal returning springs act in a different manner in sequential mode and in manual, which means the stiffness setting can behave differently depending on the mode. For example, if you set it to maximum stiffness in manual mode, switching to sequential may prevent the lever from returning properly due to excessive resistance. In that case, you’ll need to reduce the tension to achieve a smoother operation that allows the internal springs to do their job.
Software
Once everything is installed and connected to your PC, SimPro Manager software allows you to calibrate the H-pattern layout. If you switch to sequential mode, you can also sync it with paddle shifters, provided you’re using a Simagic base and wheel. Additionally, the upshift/downshift buttons can be reversed as needed.
With everything configured, we tested the shifter across several sim titles, and the performance was flawless — no detection issues, no trouble mapping buttons.
Sensations
And the feel… what can I say? It’s spectacular for a product at this price point. The metallic, mechanical sensation of slotting gears is incredibly well replicated. It reminds me of the feel you get from a real car where the gearbox is mounted directly under the shifter — such as in rear-wheel-drive cars — without the usual complexity and vagueness of a long linkage system in front-wheel-drive cars.
The sequential mode offers similarly satisfying feedback.
One aspect many users will appreciate is that this shifter is remarkably quiet, especially compared to other models on the market that, due to their plastic and metal construction, tend to generate significantly more noise during use.
Final thoughts
All in all, it’s refreshing that brands like Simagic, knowing full well that this type of product caters to a smaller audience, continue to invest in offering authentic sensations for those of us who sometimes just want to sit in our rigs, relax, and enjoy the pure act of driving.
What Gilles Deleuze called “non-productive pleasure as a form of resistance.”
The sequential shifter can be purchased individually for about 399 euros:
- Simufy (add a 3% discount using our links)
- Simracerwebshop
- Simultimate (add a 3% discount using our links)
- Simracerzone (add a 3% discount using our code: BOXTHISLAP)
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