SIMAGIC ALPHA MINI: Review And Settings After 1 Year (iRacing + rF2)

[@Ben_LaBroca]

Really nice review Lorenzo - this wheelbase is in the mix of options I’m considering for the future, so it was really helpful to see!

[@LDFR]

Thanks Ben! Enjoy the upgrade when you do!

[@acormier7]

Still super happy with my mini too. Got mine used on marketplace in my hometown with GT1 wheel and Fanatec V3 pedals for $1000 canadian so about $700 us. Smoken deal.

[@Gr00t]

Jesus that's a mega bargain

[@LDFR]

What a steal!!!! Nicely done buddy

[@mementomori4972]

Good move, very opportunistic.

[@Lorenzovonmatter]

Nice!

[@Chader9]

Great info. I plan to review your settings with the default ones I accepted from the Simagic side at least. I just got my Simagic Alpha as an upgrade from my ancient Logitech G25 and all I can say is WOW!!! I waffled between the Alpha Mini & regular Alpha but chose to spend the extra as a "No regrets" idea. After using the Alpha for a week, I likely could have had the Mini and been equally as happy. I will hopefully work towards higher power levels once I adapt to the new loads, but I am nowhere near the peak of the Alpha. I have more than enough head room now that the Mini seems like a fantastic solution within that price point. I could easily recommend the Mini without hesitation and might struggle to point to the Alpha at this time. Maybe that will change over time, but your comments after a year with the Mini sure seem realistic from my early experience.

[@LDFR]

Hey mate, congrats on the upgrade! Future proofing your rig is always a good idea - I am sure you’ll be happy with that alpha for a long time!

[@mementomori4972]

I was thinking the same thing when I got my VRS DD Pro. I was like "holy sh!t, I'm NEVER going to use all that power! WHY TF would anybody need so much power?" I ran it at 7Nm at the time but got used to it after a while and noticed, that I can control the car much better on a higher setting. I run it at 12Nm now and it's nice to have the head room for detail and clipping. I most likely would be perfectly happy with the Alpha Mini too, but I would run it at 10Nm all the time and would probably experience occasional clipping in extreme situations where it doesn't really matter. It would be harder on the smaller motor and it's basically nice to know that the motor doesn't have to fight with me, but the other way around. It doesn't even get warm to the touch and gives me the confidence that it will last for many years to come, no matter how much I improve as a driver.

[@Chader9]

@@mementomori4972 great info and perspective as well. Thanks for that :D I tend to follow the "Buy it nice or buy it twice", "One and done" mantra when the budget allows and this was one of those times. I did have that instant doubt that I got way more than needed, but after some tweaking of settings last night I think I am right where you mention with room to grow and still be very happy.

[@mementomori4972]

I also think that this is the best value for money direct drive out there, especially in combination with the GT Neo wheel. It's claimed that it actually provides 13nm of peak torque, which is more than enough to emulate the "real life" steering forces in a GT3 car for example. I almost bought it back then when I built my rig, but went with the VRS DD Pro instead, because I was lucky and got a cracking deal on that one. If I was to build another rig right now, I would go for the Alpha Mini 100%.

[@LDFR]

So excited for the GT Neo! And yeah I read that as well regarding the 13nm - which makes it even better value!

[@mementomori4972]

@@LDFR I'm looking forward to your review!

[@chrisdzierzon]

so wouldnt it make sense to put 13nm in the iracing settings?

[@mementomori4972]

@@chrisdzierzon Actually No, 13Nm is the peak torque. You wouldn't have any buffer for detail and clipping. You set it to 100% in the Simagic software and adjust in the iracing software, using the FFB bar.

[@vrj0]

It’s actually 13.5nm and its not peak but consistent torque. Dan Suzuki did mention that in his review. He testet it with a torque meter by overrotating the wheel more than 450 degrees to one side and did the measurement. This is clearly a measure of consistent torque since the meter demands to hold it at that force to do the measurement. Also I trust him with his methods since he is an engeneer (like myself 😂). In short: this base overdeliveres in every aspect and I love it🎉

[@rw3476]

Solid video. Thanks for sharing your settings.

[@LDFR]

Thanks for watching!

[@duarte11vieira]

Hi there, your settings are very close to mine. I just added little damper as I felt on high downforce cars that the wheel was becoming to light and the car was "dancing" bit on high speed corners. Also a tip from rF2 devs, use the ingame smoothing and leave at 0 on Simpro, I use 5 ingame on a regular alpha. Great review btw!

[@LDFR]

Hi Duarte, thanks a lot for the tips - I’ll give that a try!

[@duarte11vieira]

let us know how it feels@@LDFR

[@SJBhomebrew]

This video was very helpful Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@LDFR]

Thanks James :)

[@Raccoon_76]

great video, thanks for sharing very helpful.

[@LDFR]

Thanks for watching and glad it helped!

[@chaconWOOOOOO]

Great video Lorenzo

[@LDFR]

Thanks mate :)

[@cemi_8945]

Great combo. This GTC wheel really is good looking. I’m planning on buying this combo but I’m on the fence between the mini and alpha 15. If you could go back in time, would you still had the mini?

[@LDFR]

Good idea, and yes, I would!

[@reviewforthetube6485]

I've tried everything and now with simagic on there 3rd generation/revision holy crap I don't think anything is better. Yes even simucube lol. I love simgaics custom 5 pole motors so so good no other motor is a custom 5 pole. It's so quick because of it.

[@wdodoo4707]

I heard the V3s are smaller, with a weaker power supply and less torque. Apparently the older ones are 13.5NM while the V3 is just the advertised 10NM. Do you have previous experience with other wheelbases in this range to compare the strengths? Say moza R9 or R12.

[@reviewforthetube6485]

@wdodoo4707 tbh it's still better then moza it's smoother and has more detail. So can't go wrong. Tbh 10nm is still fine in that range. But who knows what's true or not as simagic has only made changes to improve things. Every yesr they get better so I can't see them making something worse. I know the minis were overheating it was probably due to protect them and make them perform more consistently. All I know is over the last 2 years simagic has gained so much detail in there ffb it's crazy. And still imo the fastest wheelbase on the market which is why it's the no1 choice for drifters. They have a setting for wheel speed turn it up and it's so snappy and so quick. Must have a super super high slew rate because I've used a bunch of bases including the new dd+ and I was surprised to try the ultimate and see how fast it was. I ended up buying one after haha. Now I'm maining it on pc.

[@wdodoo4707]

@@reviewforthetube6485 Thanks for the detailed response. That probably wasn’t gonna be the deciding factor for if I bought an alpha mini or not but this is still nice to know!

[@ss0op]

Great video. Thanks for the information! What pedals are you running with it?

[@LDFR]

Thank you! I am running the Heusinkveld Sprint pedals

[@ss0op]

@@LDFR Thanks! I am curious to see if you considered the p1000 simagic pedals and what made you go with sprints instead. I am considering purchase on your setup almost exactly except I am going with an ASR rig instead of simlab and am trying to decide between the two. Love your content!

[@LDFR]

@@ss0op I don’t think the P1000’s were out when I built my rig! I think they were released a couple of months after that. I’ve also always had a soft spot for Heusinkveld, their products just seemed like such a hit that I pretty much knew I wanted those. That said, from every review I’ve seen, the P1000s are outstanding quality and amazing value for money

[@nicko5237]

Nice review and recently subscribed. I have the alpha and gt Neo combo that I installed on Friday but the iracing settings suggested seem to be amplifying things a tad too much and my wheel base ends up making loads of noise. Is it a settings issue or defect? I don’t get these issues on ACC.

[@LDFR]

Thanks Nicko! And mine doesnt make that noise! Try playing around with the settings on sim pro manager. If it doesn’t go away based on changing a specific setting, it might be faulty - but I doubt that’s the case.

[@watchmanDavid87]

Great video! I'm considering purchasing this wheelbase, but I'm seriously contemplating getting the alpha (15nm version). I'm also coming from a t300rs, and I would usually run that at 85% due to clipping. Do you sometimes consider upgrading or are you fully satisfied with the alpha mini?

[@LDFR]

I’m satisfied!

[@massivebass2088]

I have fanaten csw2.5. I will upgrade to the alpha mini as well: the csw is powerfull enough, but the wheels i have go defect always on interface with the base

[@easybreeze1]

I got my alpha mini last week coming across from moza r9, definitely more fine details coming through. My only gripe and I wonder if you have the same is the physical noise (coil whine), it relates to the 'feedback detail' setting... at 0 there is barely any noise but at 20 it is loud even without a game loaded, also in game it sounds weird with that setting above 9... as you have it on 20 do you get that? I just wonder if mine is faulty

[@LDFR]

I do not get that noise!

[@easybreeze1]

@@LDFR I think it's since the new firmware (191 I think), maybe you've not updated or it is a fault

[@GustavoXimenesRace]

Hello friend, I have the simagic alpha 15nm, even outside the simulator just turned on I feel a vibration, when I turn off this vibration, what could it be? can you help me?

[@LDFR]

I have no idea! I would suggest making a video of it and sending it to their customer service :)

[@GiosSimCorner]

Great Video Lorenzo will you be getting the GT Neo Wheel

[@LDFR]

Ciao Giovanni, the answer is yes! I’m very excited about it - it will be my second wheel. Then I think I will get a round rim to put on my Simagic hub, so I have a round wheel and a GT style wheel, and that should complete the collection

[@Max__apex]

Do a review of the neo of how it compares to the bigger 330 wheel u have in terms of fidelity and speed

[@LDFR]

@@Max__apex I definitely will when I get it!

[@mrcod2083]

Have you tried something like simucube 2 pro? Is there a big big difference in performance?

[@LDFR]

I have not tried that!

[@c.dec2458]

Hi, i got a lot of clipping with this wheel in i Racing. With your settings to. Whats the reason?

[@LDFR]

Did you try lowering FFB strength within iracing? :)

[@c.dec2458]

Try min torque 15%, strenght 9,0, 10nm Auto in game. In software smoothnes at 3, damping 0, interia 0, effects 20, ffq 9. The clipping is gone by a good strange.

[@thesun7435]

Hello, Have you noticed problems with the base overheating?

[@LDFR]

Nope!

[@farukterzioglu8863]

Hi mate, I have an Alpha Mini too. And in iRacing or ACC, after 20-25 minutes I feel like my ffb is getting weaker. Do you have the same feeling? And you use 25 nm max force in iracing, but that causes a lot of clipping. Don't you also have clipping? Cheers

[@LDFR]

Hi Faruk, I don't have clipping with these settings, no! What you are describing in the first sentence sounds like clipping. Does it still happen if you dial down the ffb strenght in game?

[@FPSFazz]

what monitor mount do you have?

[@LDFR]

SimLab GT1 Evo Single screen holder!

[@Knoxee10]

not working FFP, what should I do? Pls help alpha mini base

[@LDFR]

That's strange! Could be defective

[@Knoxee10]

@@LDFR ok dont panic i fixed. 1. Setup 2. Plug in device 3. Hold handbrake :)