How should such an investigation begin? The truth is that facing it and knowing exactly what we are looking for and what we will find at the end is difficult. So it’s time to embark on a journey fraught with uncertainty regarding the two most important aspects of this product: its price and its justification.
Table of contents
What is Simucube?
Simucube is the brand name of the Finnish company Granite Devices, which is solely and exclusively dedicated to simulation. Since Granite Devices’ inception, everything has been focused on harsh industrial environments where conditions are extreme and the highest reliability, strength, consistency, and safety are required.
I’ve already written extensively about the fascinating and brief history of Direct Drive in simulation in three posts that explain how far we’ve come in just over five years. Simucube completed the five-year period by releasing Sport, Pro, and Ultimate models in 2019. If we exclude Leo Bodnar’s SimSteering FFB System SimSteering, the one in question is the most powerful and expensive of them, nearly doubling the price of the next lowest and being the most expensive device on the market.
The more than 3100 euros for this base makes you wonder about many things, not just whether it is worth it. As previously stated, the quality of Granite Devices products is unquestionable. The motor is similar to a Kollmorgen or a German-made Lenze, and it meets the most stringent quality standards, which justifies a large portion of the investment we make in the product.
This particular type of motor (of European manufacture) has such evolved characteristics and such rigorous quality controls that it more than meets the requirements that are asked of a machine capable of doing a lot of damage to any person who manipulates it. Except for Simucube’s software and hardware, which limit it to representing what it is destined to represent, acceleration and torque that could be lethal if we do not leave it in time. With these features and a high-quality source FFB, we can get closer than ever to feeling what a driver feels on the track.
There is no other product that can produce the directional changes, accelerations, or sustained forces that these engines do without hesitation, and that will meet the expectations of any experienced professional driver, at least in the upper extremities.
The FFB we feel is only as good as the software’s interpretation and the interfaces we have until the movement occurs. We rely on an operating system’s libraries, software that uses them correctly, and another Simucube driver to transform them. Finally, the number of options available in the Simucube True Drive software is lower than it was years ago, limiting us to the values that truly influence how we feel the track and its characteristics. This is significant because it “homogenizes” what the company allows the user to modify and allows the product to operate within a specified range, ensuring that no one is disappointed.
Packaging
Simucube 2 Ultimate is packaged in the same manner as an top tech product or other high-end simRacing devices. Since our unit was received, packaging has been updated, so now it’s even fancier. Everything is neatly arranged, in a small space, and conditioned so that there is no unexpected movement or rubbing. Keep in mind that the power supply alone weighs nearly five kilograms, so quality reinforcements are required to keep each component in place.
In the box, we find the emergency button, which has excellent finishes, as well as the cables needed to connect the motor, power supply, and other components to connect to the PC. All reasonable for a product at this price. It should be noted that during these months of testing, the packaging has changed in order to improve and adapt to the brand’s colors with an orange box and some black protectors.
Weight
If we already mentioned that the power supply weighs only 5 kilograms, the problem of maneuverability is exacerbated by the motor, which weighs 11.5 kilograms and is difficult to hold even with two hands. Mounting it on the chassis requires two people or additional tools.
If you take the risk of doing this alone, keep in mind that it could cause significant damage to your home if it falls to the ground, or serious injury if it lands on your feet. In any case, it is critical to securely (very secure) attach the motor to the cockpit, either with a front mount or with a steel mounting brackets, such as Augury Simulations’ Ultimate series, which has a slightly smaller diameter than the Sport and Pro models and matches Simagic’s mounts.
Finishes
We can only confirm what to expect in a product of this value in this section. Each and every one of its components has perfect finishes. Everything is meticulously planned and executed to the millimeter. Granite Devices was a pioneer in using this type of industrial engine to ensure the creation of quality controllers, so the aesthetic evolution was a natural step to create an appealing product line in the eyes of potential buyers, which they have achieved in a very short period of time.
For example, motor cases with integrated controllers in the rear are now the standard to be followed by new oriental brands entering the market in search of a piece of the cake. As a result, we can see similarities in a number of other products that mimic the Sport and Pro products and their rear and wireless connectivity.
Heat
For those of you who are familiar with Direct Drive bases, it goes without saying that these bases produce very little heat. In most cases, we are using high capacity motors that are designed to run 24/7 with high workloads at thousands of revolutions, so the pressure they can withstand to recreate the FFB of a simulator in our hands is minimal, with mechanical or energetic efforts approaching zero. If we consider that we have the most powerful simRacing motor available, we can see how the heat of our ass or genitals is greater than the one that shows the same base. It’s an interesting outcome.
Noise
It’s a similar case to the one above in that we’re underutilizing a massive motor capable of cutting or deforming metals at incredible speeds, so the noise emitted in our case is almost non-existent. We must not forget that the Direct Drive bases have no internal friction elements, so their mechanical longevity will always be far superior to any belt or gear motor we have previously encountered. They are one of those items that you should consider leaving as an inheritance.
Software
Since the first Simucube 2 releases, the software known as True Drive, which is used to control and connect the base to the PC, has evolved to more than acceptable levels. Given that we come from a software called Granity that can change even the smallest aspects of the engine, this True Drive would limit us in aspects that were previously accessible, but this makes it very predictable and controllable to developers and Simucube. In this way, it is possible to make all of the bases work within a known range of parameters, which, despite being extremely flexible, are kept within the parameters of security and operability required to ensure that no home-made accidents occur and that everything continues to work.
One of the most important requirements was the ability to receive profiles associated with other users’ simulators in order to easily and safely test different configurations. Once added, it is much easier to verify that they are running some of the most popular simRacers using this type of device and get at least a foundation for tuning the many modifiable ones that this series of devices allows. My preference is stick to default to simply increase the force, allow for high torque mode, and see what configuration the manufacturer prefers. If they are familiar with the product and offer it, it is almost certainly the most balanced and suitable for a large percentage of users.
Performance
I believe it is impossible to express in words the sensations of cleanliness, acceleration, and “lucidity” that this base provides. As one might expect, the pinnacle of Direct Drive technology must have advantages, and the real question in all of this is whether these advantages are justifiable in terms of the economic leap that they represent. Even so, everything is relative, because for some, facing this leap will require significantly less effort, whereas for others, it may not even be considered. To begin, we can compare the numbers of the three Simucube 2 models and see how they differ between the two more modest models and the Ultimate.
| SIMUCUBE 2 Sport | SIMUCUBE 2 Pro | SIMUCUBE 2 Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | Direct Drive optimized ultra low torque ripple motor | High response speed Direct Drive optimized ultra low torque ripple motor | Maximum response speed, low inertia, Direct Drive optimized ultra low torque ripple motor |
| Simucube Wireless Wheel™ support | Included | Included | Included |
| Simucube Quick Release™ | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Max torque * | 17 Nm | 25 Nm | 32 Nm |
| Max torque slew rate | 4.8 Nm/ms | 8.0 Nm/ms | 9.5 Nm/ms |
| Angle sensor | 22 bit absolute | 22 bit absolute | 24 bit Hiperface |
| Torque Off button | Standard (Premium optional) | Standard (Premium optional) | Premium (with remote power switch) |
| Power supply | 280 W | R2 1 x 450 W Peak | 1000 W |
| Wheel base dimensions incl. SQR™ | 130 x 130 x 250 mm | 130 x 130 x 270 mm | 115 x 115 x 310 mm |
| Mounting holes | M8 x 4 pcs threaded hole | M8 x 4 pcs threaded hole | 9 mm dia x 4 pcs through hole |
| Mounting hole pattern dia | 145 mm | 145 mm | 130 mm |
| Flange centering hole dia | 110 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm |
| Wheel base weight | 8.0 kg | 11.1 kg | 11.3 kg |
| Standard warranty | 24 months | 24 months | 60 months |
| MSRP, € incl VAT/Sales tax | 1270 | 1470 | 3170 |
| (*) Torque is continuous until motor gets very hot. In preliminary testing, no-one has managed to cause torque to start throttling. | |||
| SIMUCUBE 2 Sport | SIMUCUBE 2 Pro | SIMUCUBE 2 Ultimate | |
| Torque reconstruction processing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Static force reduction | Yes | Yes | Yes, in detail adjustable |
| Natural Damping, Inertia and Friction filters | Yes | Yes | Yes, in detail adjustable |
| Ultra low latency mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Torque slew rate adjustment | 1 – 4.8 Nm/ms | 1 – 8.0 Nm/ms | 1 – 9.5 Nm/ms |
What the numbers tell us is that we are paying more for something of higher quality, but that on a numerical level (and supposedly of sensations) there aren’t too many differences between the PRO model and the Ultimate model. Can we evaluate a 7Nm difference when we already have a 25Nm maintained torque? Can we tell the difference between a 22-bit encoder and a 24-bit encoder? Can we tell the difference between an 8Nm/ms torque slew rate and a 9.5 torque slew rate?
Since then, we’ve had a motor with a 60-month warranty, a weight comparable to the Pro, and significant additional power with a quality (in theory) superior to the previous step in the lineup.
Sensations
The ability to quantify sensations is something we desperately need in this industry. How much subjectivity and feedback would we save? A physical magnitude measurement, such as torque, may or may not appear reliable to you, but it is comparable data. Torque produces sensations that are not easily quantifiable or comparable. However, we must tell you what we experienced and whether all of this equipment is as expected.
For those who have never used this type of base before, all Direct Drive bases have one thing in common: they respond quickly and have a high level of acceleration. In this case, because it is the Ultimate model, these two characteristics are amplified to infinity, adding cleanliness and “fluidity,” making our prediction on the track the only way to anticipate violent reactions and avoid injuries caused by the High Torque mode.
Those who have driven in karting or small formulas will recall the same sensations of dealing with steering, holding on to kerbs, or managing corrections when noticing a loss of grip on any of the tires. If this is something we can generally blame on these bases, the Simucube 2 Ultimate has so much headroom to perform these operations that it is faster, more consistent, and has a much wider range of effects and forces that we can notice.
Let us remember that, for example, we have a torque sensation range of 15Nm above its little brother the Sport, which can already give us an idea of the variety of information received. And with the variety of information comes the ease of processing and managing it on the track, all of which translates into the highest verisimilitude when simulating in the market.
As always, there is the contentious issue of profiles and the proper assignment of forces and effects, but due to simracers’ generally limited experience on real tracks, this debate will remain open.
Ecosystem
Granite Devices debuted last year with the release of the Tahko wheel, which represents its first hardware model outside the bases, following the consolidation of Simucube’s product range over the previous three years. However, the Finnish company is still in business, and we may see more steering wheels and pedals in the coming months. Remember that they have always been compatible with the entire range of manufacturers (70 mm pattern) of exceptional PC hardware, including Ascher Racing, Cube Controls, GSI, Racing Components, and others.
With open communication standards with their bases, more external manufacturers are expected to implement wireless communication and expand the portfolio with automatic recognition of many of them.
Conclusions
We reach at the end and are unable to answer the main question that has brought us here. The Simucube 2 Ultimate base is an exceptional product with no flaws in its construction, finishes, details, or performance. It is a product at the top of the manufacturing chain that provides the best we can currently find on the market and competes with even more expensive products like Leo Bodnar’s Simsteering FFB System. Its market price is high, but its value is possibly greater, because it is a product with constant evolution in its software and whose brand is widely endorsed by community support.
Where to buy Simucube 2 Ultimate?
Simucube 2 Ultimate is available here for 3150 euros.
Note: There is a special offer with the Tahko wheel as a gift from May 16 to 23.
See you on the track!
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