MY EXPERIENCE - 2 Months with the Simucube 2 Ultimate Direct Drive Wheelbase

It's been 2 months now since I started using my Simucube 2 Ultimate, so it's time to give some longer-term feedback on my experience so far in terms of the hardware itself, the software and customer service.
TIME STAMPS:
Build Quality: 1:39
Customer Support: 5:59
Issues: 7:12
Software: 9:12
Force Feedback Feeling & Strength - 14:17
Should you buy the Sport, Pro or Ultimate? - 17:00
Ease of Use - 19:33
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#Simucube #DirectDrive #SimRacing

[@simucube]

Thank you for your openness and honesty Will! A great opener that we rarely see in KZbin. This kind of constructive feedback is something that drives us forward, fast. As you have anticipated in the video, we are aware of most of the improvement ideas on the software side, and we're working on them as we speak. The next version will already address many of them. However, some of your ideas are completely new and we're already taking notes from this video. As much as we love direct drive force feedback, we also love direct user feedback! That's why our developers also to hang in the community forums to discuss how to make Simucube even better. We encourage Simucube drivers to openly give us feedback in our community forum (community forum on www.simucu.be), or by any other means to get touch with us. However the forum is the preferred choice as it has great openness and more people will get their voice heard.

[@brodeur212]

SIMUCUBE shame I can’t retrofit my fanatec porsche endurance module because i would change to a sc ;)

[@UTubeSL]

Love this response. Credit to you for having got on here and listened.

[@baflabies]

My Simucube 2 pro is at my local post-office now . Fue hours til its here!:)

[@Paul-ni4fs]

i have gotten my sumucube 2 ultimate 3 days ago and i love it. it is harder to find the right settings for each game than with my fanatec i had before but if you get it set up right its super good. The only thing i struggle with is setting it up for rfactor 2, but wheelbase itself is just perfect

[@_xndrzt]

I own the Sport after years of OSW small mige 20nm..I can say after around 3 months that it is a huge improvement from the 1st gen Simucube wheelbases, even if it atcually delivers 17.1nm at 100% force (that's what I always use in TD) the level of detail and the way the filters are applied - damping, friction, inertia - combined with the new settings available in SC2 puts it on a whole new level..and like I said, I own the "lightest" option of the SC2 family, which it's more than adequate for my needs. great video as always mate!

[@seb-kun]

for the FFB, it's a known bug of steamVR that flood the USB bus and the FFB data between the PC and simucub get delayed and iRacing think there's no FFB capabilities, just go in Options->Drive , deselect FFB, close Options, Open Options Select FFB, close Options. FFB is back. :)

[@boostedmedia]

Ahh that makes perfect sense! Thanks. :)

[@SlowBloke123]

Start steam vr first also did it for me.

[@JamieHamelSmith]

I've had this happen in Project Cars 2 as well.

[@PandorusFightStick]

Had no issues with my SC2 pro and I love with it. Returned my DD2 and don't regret it at all

[@DavidGarcia-oi5nt]

what wheel is he using? I've never seen that color used for a wheel wrap, is it custom or something? But it looks absolutely gorgeous , just like most things Will owns haha. I'm just admiring from afar is all.

[@llTheGoose]

Hey Will, The issue you're describing with VR is specific to SteamVR, and happens to any FFB wheel when launching in VR. The fix is to open SteamVR before you launch the title :)

[@boostedmedia]

Thanks mate :)

[@DanDiMaggio]

If you haven't gotten raceroom squared away, try the settings from my video. Works well for the Accuforce. Should be a decent start for the SC2 also. Worth a shot. I don't want to spam your video with links so if you feel like giving it a try it's a few videos back on my channel. Keep up the great work. Glad to see other folks out there giving honest reviews!

[@themog4911]

G'Day Will, it's been nearly 2 years since you made this video, how is the wheel base holding up? Love your content ;)

[@boostedmedia]

Still my favourite

[@pondracek]

👍 on disclosing having been provided the wheel for free at the start. Would suggest maybe not spending that long on disclosure to potentially hurt people sticking around to the rest of the video, but that's your creative license to play with as you see fit.

[@boostedmedia]

Thanks :) People can skip through the timeline or jump to the provided timestamps if they want. Not willing to sacrifice transparency for the sake of views.

[@kylesmith881]

Hey Will we were in contact over the past few months and while not now, glad to see things are going well (went full time?) and you're enjoying the Ultimate, I have a SimuCUBE Pro ;) myself now, very happy and believe it is superior to the podium series. The setup and True Drive video was also helpful as well.

[@kylesmith881]

You should get your hands on F1S Simulaje to try, really happy with it and a bit more advanced of a wheel similar to Ascher, albeit with cable.

[@boostedmedia]

@@kylesmith881 I'd love to. Will see what I can do but part of going full time with this means I can't afford to keep buying stuff to review anymore. At least not for a while. WIll do the best I can :)

[@jeffa9429]

The Fanatec wheels needs the Torque in, and for you to enable high torque mode each time you turn it on. It does not start in High Torque mode on power up. Might be a good thing that if they sat for say 30 minutes inactive that they disabled High Torque mode etc.

[@boostedmedia]

Ahh OK. I didn't realize you still had to manually turn it on with the Fanatec bases in addition to the torque key. That makes sense. thanks for clarifying. Keen to get my hands on the DD soon so I can learn its intricacies :) I thought about having some sort of time-out on the high torque, but that could catch people out waiting in a lobby, etc. It does automatically disable if it detects a wireless wheel has been disconnected.

[@jeffa9429]

@@boostedmedia User defined time out option would be good, The Fanatec also disables high Torque when you disconnect a wheel. Not sure if im keen or not keen on you comparing the DD2/1 with the Simucube 2 lol. But either competition is always good and ive been very happy with my DD2 so far. I hope they send you a DD2 or at least send you the power button as well its a luxury that im glad came with the DD2.

[@jeffa9429]

You should also see if you can borrow a Simucube 2 pro/sport etc to compare, im sure if the manufacture wont help you out, you could find someone to swap you for a month or 2

[@MightyPoo64]

Doesn't it just require you to press the '1' / 'A' button on startup to confirm you're using High Torque mode? Seems fairly seamless.

[@danielhaynes]

Hey Your issues with NO FFB sometimes entering a game in steamVR...... Let me guess this is iRacing!?.... I also had this with a Thrustmaster TSPC and a WMR headset (odyssey+). and the fix is that you need to make sure Steam VR is loaded and running BEFORE you enter iracing. If you allow iracing to load streamVR nad windows mixed reality for you for some reason you start with no FFB. I have since upgraded to a Fanatec Podium DD and its exactly the same. So more an iracing issue and not a problem with the wheel... i thought it was a Thrustmaster problem for the longest time also. I now just popped a SteamVR shortcut into my windows start bar and hit that before i load iRacing and ive never had an issue.

[@pwi-studio]

have the same with Fanatec CSL - but only with iracing and SteamVR maybe caused by SteamVR beta

[@SergejGrabun]

I can only agree. It's not wheel issue or software of the wheel. It's SteamVR issue. Have same with CSW 2.5 in iRacing. Key is to have SteamVR running before touching game. If this happens, however, don't panic. Go to game settings, disable FFB, back to drive, back to settings, enable FFB, back to drive. Fixed.

[@selcuk009652]

Hey Will, I just saw the video and watched till the "NO FFB" problem. I paused it and writing this immediately. I have Thrustmaster T300 and HP Reverb. I also have that problem in Iracing. 2 Methods I use with this, 1st one is opening SteamVR first than run the session on iracing and the second one if I already started Iracing without running SteamVR first, I go into options in Iracing Disable FFB start a ride without FFB than go back to options again and enable FFB. The 2nd way not always working, lets say 8-9 / 10 but the 1st way I mean starting SteamVR first is always working. Well I had to write this bcoz it may not be related Simucube and their software. You can try these too. Peace..!

[@selcuk009652]

Ohh.. There are so many replies already about it. :) Anyway, I'll continue to the video. :P

[@serpicosilkwood4664]

Will, love your channel. Love your work. I'm so behind you - making a career out of this. This video just doesn't sit right with me (personally) though. You really flogged that "I did receive this product for free" horse, real bad. Then you attempt to dismiss (almost discredit) the bad experiences of another reviewer's experiences. It'd be great to post a link to that video also - I'd like to see what the other guy has to say. Don't worry, I'll trawl KZbin and find it, mate. I'm glad you did honestly highlight the connection issues with this wheelbase. The software issues you describe make this a huge nope from me. Currently, my money is going towards the Fanatec model (I'm already balls-deep in their ecosystem anyway). Mate, you seem like an awesome bloke: hard working and honest. Stay true to yourself and your integrity - keep it real, and don't become a mouthpiece to the guys holding the cheque-book. Love your work. Keep it up!

[@boostedmedia]

Just sharing my own experience. It’s important to disclose that I received the product for free before sharing my experience. Imagine the backlash if I didn’t disclose. Where did I attempt to discredit the other guy? All I said was that in my personal experience I haven’t had any issues with the power supply. The only reason I even mentioned it was because I was aware someone had a problem with their power supply.

[@serpicosilkwood4664]

@@boostedmedia Perhaps I spoke harshly, when I said "discredit". However, elsewhere in the comments (replying to @Marcel B.), you've said: "I think there is more to that story than we're hearing. The retailer is claiming in a closed Facebook group I'm a part of that he is perfectly satisfied with the support he is receiving." This suggests you're questioning the veracity of the other KZbinr's experience.

[@PandorusFightStick]

Sc2 pro feels amazing in iracing Will, superb Video my friend ! Good work keep it up

[@thewelsho]

Is there a (simple) way that would allow you to use your Fanatec rims with that wheelbase?

[@boostedmedia]

Check out sim racing machines website

[@emersonmarques1174]

Thanks for the honest review, shame about the no force Feedback issue, i was thinkink of uppgrading to a DirectDrive wheel but i think i will await a few more months to see more software development from Fanatec and Granit to decide wich one to get.

[@boostedmedia]

There’s an easy fit it turns out. Just turn FFB off and back on again in iracing and it’s fine. It’s an issue with VR only. It’s because steamVR floods the USB at the exact moment FFB is detected by iracing.

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Great stuff I love it and alot of others love it but ive heard of a few failures especially lately for some reason new videos poppibg up all over 1 guy got 2 bases in a row that were bad internals koving sround and the other it wouldnt even turn on. It seems as lately there are more issues then before mabye production has picked up and there missing stuff in qc it happens I mean look at fanatec lol but grest video I do love this base and its def one of the best I would actually get the sport or pro because of price and its plenty powerful for me

[@frankmurphy5724]

I have a T500RS and I decided to buy a DD1 untill the years end. Some people said "No, don't do this. Buy a simucube!" I asked them why. And they answered "Why not?" or "I would do this." or "I have one and it's great." or (simply the best) "...because fanatec is sh**". No one has given me a real argument as to why I should opt against a DD1. And now, like you, I think there are a lot of fanboys. But no one bothers to compare both steering wheels with their pros and cons. I was allowed to test the DD1 on the SimExpo and it blew me away.

[@Richard_Buurstra]

Pretty sure simucube is longer busy with a DD and Fanatec just started with the dd1 dd2. Did you test simucube

[@PandorusFightStick]

I have had both, and returned DD2 for SC2 pro . My findings are Sc2 pro Better fidelity Alot quicker Alot smoother Better QR Better software and options to dial in FFB to preference, fanalabs software is stupid

[@kezman82a]

Frank Murphy just search on yt and you will find lots of reviews saying sc2 > DD1

[@MajorWolf72]

Frank Murphy I had a Podium Racing Wheel, basically a DD1, for 7 months now and I sold it and went Simucube 2. Naturally, if you never had a DD before ANY DD will blow you away. And then, over time, you know what you want to feel and what you miss, and if you compare then it becomes obvious. It’s details, absolutely, and the Fanatec DDs are fine wheels, but Simucube 2 is a step up.

[@b.s547]

Maybe its time to test Leo Bodnar Direct drive and compare :)

[@motorsport_doc]

You meant to say “if you want more forcefeedback you go with sc2 ultimate” correct ?

[@mt-kk1nt]

I switched from the dd1 to the SC2 Pro and I absolutely love the SC2 Pro over the dd1!! The feeling is much intense smoother!

[@billybobbongo]

Your force feedback issue, is that only with iRacing?! I get exactly the same issue in VR (HTC Vive Pro) with my Fanatec CSL Elite. Turning force feedback off in iRacing, driving out of the pits and then turning it back on gets it to come back. Strikes me as more of a problem with either iRacing or Steam VR myself.

[@boostedmedia]

I play iRacing almost exclusively at the moment so I can't really say unequivocally. Haven't had it happen in the few times I've tried other titles though. I figured it was probably a USB or DirectX issue rather than an issue with Simucube specifically, so that makes sense.

[@SlowBloke123]

@@boostedmedia To you and @BillyBobBongo - turn on Steam VR first before you launch iRacing. Fingers crossed it resolves your issue - it did for me :)

[@hidayatmusroni]

I was thinking of buying the pro model, will other steering wheel work with it and will shifter and handbrake from thrustmaster work with it also. This will be my first intro into sim racing so pardon me for asking.

[@davefellows]

Well done on an awesome review/update, Will! I think you do an awesome job of providing a balanced perspective on your experiences, especially considering you got this for free. If you do get any critique of being biased, I think that's really unjustified, you obviously called out a number of issues/concerns in a very objective manner. Super helpful info. The thing I'm wondering though is what are you going to do with all your awesome Fanatec wheels?! Shame they're going to sit on the shelf :( Or is there a way to adapt them to the Simucube system?

[@boostedmedia]

Thanks. I actually use my FANATEC stuff quite regularly as well.

[@davefellows]

@@boostedmedia Good to hear. Do you still have the DD2 to use?

[@MrFrosty888]

I am looking at the sport version as the room I have on my rig n budget. Also what I am stuck on is I need buttons on the wheel but when I end up buying this dd wheel I will have f all cash left over. ? What option is out there in this area mate.

[@TheSuperpilly]

I've had that no force feedback with a CSL elite and HP Reverb. For me it seems to happen if I finish a race and rest for a while, come back later and there's no force feedback. Just pull over in game and turn wheel off and back on fixes it.

[@Draven2k]

may I have the simucube ultimate to try for two months too ha ha.

[@NylonStrings46]

Hi....I have a Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5 and I'm having problems with Oscillation.When you were running your Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5 Did you have any trouble with Oscillation....if so how did you fix it???? Cheers.... JohnG....(John Gosnell)

[@boostedmedia]

Turning down the FEI setting can help but yeah I was never able to get rid of it entirely.

[@emersonmarques1174]

Did you have the wheel snaping violently when adjusting settings in game? Some people are reporting this issue and its a major one because its very dangerous Who wants to be always worried where the hand is when adjusting settings in game just because the wheel software has crazy dangerous bugs? Thats insane!

[@boostedmedia]

It was in project cars exclusively when I was doing the initial wheel calibration. After the part where you have to rotate the wheel to full lock it snaps back to centre with 100% force.

[@boostedmedia]

It’s important to understand that the wheel software Jsut does what it’s sold by the game. It’s a bug with the game not the wheel or software.

[@mesametal8768]

im doing a lot of research on wheel bases and so far i think im going with the simucube sport,,,,,when will you get the accuforce wheel base to review,,there are not many recent reviews of that base.....love your vids,,keep up the good work

[@boostedmedia]

Spoke to them a little while ago. They weren’t keen on me reviewing it as it’s already been out for so long.

[@mesametal8768]

@@boostedmedia thats a shame i would love to see what your thought were on that base,,,thanks for the fast response,,just subbed!im watching all your vids,,from rigs to wheels,,,,awesome!!

[@mesametal8768]

@@boostedmedia will you be doing a review on the sport wheel base at some point

[@boostedmedia]

Hopefully

[@SlowBloke123]

Have the DD1 - would stick with the DD1 - my main reasoning is just how plug and play it all is and I just dont want the hassle the non Fanatec bases have.. Also had some Fanatec rims and its easy to plug the shifter/handbrake and pedals into the base (Im all out of USB slots on PC!) . Would totally miss the funky switch too... its so accessible in VR and does so many things!) I also dont know how any average end user would want more power than the DD1 provides. I also readily accept that the simucube might be a tiny bit more X on the FFB but I doubt its at a level where its a game changer vs Fanatec DD1/2.

[@tehgusbus2716]

i didn't think about that im out of usb slots atm as well can't we just add more? (im new to pc)

[@sanghelian]

How do you mount it? I'd consider dd1 if for not those ridicuously priced proprietary mounts. Factoring in their price simucube is cheaper.

[@SlowBloke123]

@@sanghelian it mounted directly to my rig. If it can take a csw v2.5 it can take three dd1/2. Did not need the additional mounts

[@SlowBloke123]

@@tehgusbus2716 u can buy USB expansion/extenders

[@Leo2dr]

@@sanghelian There is a mount from simlab. I use aluminium profiles to side mount a DD2

[@bertusbob]

My SC2 Pro is running great, love it. When are you trying Rfactor 2 ?? Best ffb ever..

[@jackbritt2424]

If I didn't have all of my Fanatec wheel rims, I feel like I would probably go with a simucube.

[@malaplauso]

Where do I could find profiles to test different configurations for iRacing? Thx.

[@boostedmedia]

Check out the Simucube forums

[@pwi-studio]

hi, i am running fanatec CSL - thinking to upgrade to SC2 - thanks for your video let me share my FFB problem - same you mention at 8:28 i experienced this after i upgraded to Steam VR together with my index valve - and this only together with iracing i am not sure if i had this from day one - maybe after i went into steam VR beta - need to test it

[@pwi-studio]

tested again without Steam VR beta - same result, no FFB as soon i start iRacing wihtout VR i have FFB eg - with AC and others i do not experience this behavoir

[@boostedmedia]

I spoke to the guys at Simucube about this. What it is is the USB interface being overloaded by the VR right at the same time as iracing detects FFB. Happens to all wheels apparently. You can work around it by turning FFB off and on again in the game so you don’t have to reboot the wheel.

[@pwi-studio]

@@boostedmedia did what one guy wrote. if i start steam vr first the there is no issue. meaning ffb works after launching iracing

[@craigalexp]

Sitting here looking at my G25 and wondering which body organs i could sell hahaha

[@MrMikavi]

It seems very good a great product very well done it looks strong CNC excellent parts works very well for how long? The only problem that I consider to be very risky is the internal quality of the electrical/electronic components. Chinese manufacturers in all their products install a calculated component that, after passing the warranty, will burn or break something happens and that beautiful product that had a price so accessible it does not work again if you have observed in everything happens the same no matter what it is, the clothes thread dissolved, the wires coverage of the electric cables is split on the tv a capacitor, diode, resistance burns in everything there is a control of useful time to the days of pass the guaranty end zip zip goodbye and that is a robbery to all the inhabitants of the world the biggest problem is that everything is made in China

[@papaplayscomputergames4048]

first rule of racing NEVER PLACE YOUR THUMBS INSIDE THE WHEEL !

[@MrFrosty888]

Do you play rFactor 2

[@boostedmedia]

No. Don’t have time I’m afraid

[@MrFrosty888]

Boosted Media why I asked is ffb in rf2 is really great

[@s.paulguillory6122]

I'm truly enjoying your content, but man are you repetitive......you could shave probably 8 -10 mins off your videos easy as you give quality analysis, but you repeat your points at least three times.

[@dugtooth9371]

Can i just stop everyone for a second?...Hes using internet explorer.... =/ that is all, bye.

[@boostedmedia]

Haha! That’s my dedicated sim PC. I don’t have anything at all installed that doesn’t need to be there. Unfortunately edge is part of the OS. At least it doesn’t have horrendous memory leaks like chrome. But no don’t worry. I don’t use Edge on any other PC.

[@sebna]

@@boostedmedia Just get firefox. It will not affect performance of the system (unless you plan to keep gazillion tabs open in it). Edge is a liability.

[@iseeq72]

After the experiences from another KZbinr... I will keep ways away from that company. Poor support and customer service basically non-existing. The overall package sounds not right to me. So I stay with the DD2 for the time being (my main complain is mainly the QR systems lacking tightness).

[@boostedmedia]

I think there is more to that story than we're hearing. The retailer is claiming in a closed Facebook group I'm a part of that he is perfectly satisfied with the support he is receiving.

[@Federation42movies]

@@boostedmedia Mate, c'mon. Don't do this.

[@MajorWolf72]

Marcel B. You you mean the stuff Tango was going through? Well, in the end he stuck with Simucube, but I‘ll admit that I was disappointed by the level of non-support he was getting at first...