The Ultimate Streamer's Button Box - APEX Sim Racing Race Deck + Elgato Stream Deck REVIEW

It's no secret that the Elgato Stream Deck is a great and versatile tool for streaming, content creation and sim racing, but it can be a real pain to mount.
Enter the Apex Sim Racing Race Deck! In today's video, we'll check out the standard and XL versions and I'll show you why I think this is a fantastic content creator/streamer's button box.
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APEX Sim Racing:
www.apexsimracing.com/
Elgato Stream Deck:
kit.co/BoostedMedia/my-curren...
Elgato Stream Deck XL:
kit.co/BoostedMedia/my-curren...
Chris Haye's Review and Icon Download:
chrishaye.com/2019/01/07/315/
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MY PC SPECS:
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#simracing #streamdeck #buttonbox
Music: liquicity.com

[@ApexSimRacing]

Great job as always. Good point on the strain relief It has been added moving forward! (its also an easy add for current owners if they feel they need it)

[@boostedmedia]

Great to hear that’s already been addressed! :)

[@badyorkiecardbreaks7932]

Here come the orders.... :)

[@kenzorowen2048]

i know it is quite off topic but do anybody know of a good place to watch new tv shows online ?

[@styxxtheanimal5720]

Just put in my order for the XL box, Looking forward to actually mounting , and making my Streamdeck part of my racing sim :)

[@EvilB34ns]

got one of these a while back...they're amazing. I don't stream, but I use the stream deck for racing AND flying!

[@racingpixel8237]

such good timing.. my apex stream deck button just arrived yesterday!! love this channel well done

[@DeanoBanksy]

Been tempted to get one of these for a while, this has gone and made me pull the trigger

[@psyaviah]

thanks for showcasing, this is rather cool!

[@NicolaosSoldal]

I can’t go with out my stream deck now. This looks great!

[@AmillionCo]

Everything i asked myself about sim racing and button boxes + stream deck you covered thank u so much 🎉sub

[@freakonaleash3112]

I have the 15 button stream deck that I use with VR and I have no problem using it! I have the controls for seat adjustments in a subfolder, controls for spotify, system volume, and obs controls! Amazing device.

[@styxxtheanimal5720]

Hey Will, Thanks to this vid i bought the Streamdeck XL and the Apex Race box to suit :)

[@rologti]

Will, you are amazing... talking about another KZbinr, like Chris talks very very good about you. Congrats buddy and cheers from Chile! of course, as always, great video

[@sebfrench]

I also have one (Streamdeck+Apex Sim button box) they are just perfect and really nicely built. I also have their dashboard for my fanatec and it is so helpful, i could not race/fly without it, especially since Flight sim 2020 is out...

[@Wadders]

Great content. Love the way you sim racing youtubers give kudos to each other. Already subbed to Chris Haye and love his content. Anyway keep up the good work, appreciate what you do.

[@JSmith73]

I've got an Apex P911 and it's amazing! Sadly no room for their XL button box as well but found a way even though I've half destroyed the back end of that silly magnetic mount. An amazing thing with SD is the ability to create macros: Start up iRacing? That's Fanalab, CrewChief, SimHub, VRS Telemetry, RaceLabApps all being launched as well as iRacing, perhaps also set lighting to race mode. :) But there's more, it's amazing for work: Link to your team's main productivity pages, eg an epic or retro board - no need to use the mouse, just tap the button on the deck. Macros can even be used to start the webcam (Logitech Software in my case, don't have a high end camera), turn on lighting (the Elgato key light is indeed fantastic!) and then launch your work's meeting software. I have other shortcuts for eg launching a Windows Terminal into my WSL2 Ubuntu image. Versatility is absolutely amazing, and there's something oddly satisfying about pressing the buttons as a physical interface other than mouse and keyboard.

[@Havok412]

That texture is possible by a setting in the slicer before 3D printing. Its called Fuzzy Skin which add a "Fuzz" texture and can be tuned. Its good to hide the layer lines and also has uses like if you needed to make a handle and wanted to make it more grippy.

[@solid1096]

AMAZING ! Like your content ;)

[@davinsonleavingearth]

I pressed 2 buttons today, 1 for the Elgato Stream Deck XL & 1 for the Apex Race Deck XL :p

[@aqulex84]

Holy freaking balls. THAT IS DOPE. Damn it. Will stop showing me such awesome stuff, that i want to have now :D . Great Video. Thats a hell of a genious Button Box. Love it. But i got to say, its only 10 Buttons on the large one, not 12 ;)

[@gingersnaps7186]

Thanks for this Will-this mount to a T160 8020 profile?

[@nyftn]

i have this big boy on my rig awesome button box

[@travislichter9643]

Stream Decks are a must, regardless of the extra box to hold it. Stream Decks are the best! (For those needing help mounting, I have a sim lab 2080 rig, just take the mount it comes with, lineup to the perfect spot and mark the middle, use a tool to carfully burn/cut a hole that fits the screws best, use the T Nuts sim lab gives you and just screw the mount in. I have had no issues with it)

[@badyorkiecardbreaks7932]

Great video! This is exactly what I was looking for. I was going to ask the question if you were using a separate stream computer which you answered in this video! Thanks! You should do an overview video of your whole broadcast setup and how it all works from your end to ours. How do you capture the center screen feed on the separate computer? Thanks!

[@boostedmedia]

I’ve done multiple videos covering exactly that.

[@badyorkiecardbreaks7932]

@@boostedmedia Found it. Thanks.

[@joelatkc]

Just received my stream deck XL button box yesterday with custom seven way controller in the middle there’s no longer have any of these wiring issues it’s a printed circuit board and the connection issues taken care of as well . This piece of gear could easily be twice the price that he’s charging for it

[@VizslaGuy]

Hey Will!! Another GREAT video. Do you know if any of those will work on console (specifically PS4) ?

[@boostedmedia]

No PC only as far as I’m aware.

[@hMint]

I used to use those one handed keyboards since my rim didn’t have any buttons on it

[@SOfilmable]

Can't wait for the next stream deck rebate...

[@skulls2802]

Looking good Jimmy, and nice homest review Will. The reason I think there isn't a stress relief is you have to take the front off to fit your stream deck, if someone is going to yank the cable, it will be then. Maybe a cable clip on the inside for when you have fitted your stream box you can secure both cables into the clip as a stress relief. Just a thought 🤔

[@boostedmedia]

They’ve now added a strain relief. Check the pinned comment :) I disagree with your logic there. Very easy to accidentally step on a cable, pull the wrong cable when moving things, etc.

[@skulls2802]

@@boostedmedia i read the pinned and I don't think you understood my point. I agree its easy to stand or pull cables on the floor, or ones that are not routed away from your chair leg, but do you have cables running where you step out from your rig, or around your pedals. I don't think so. So i don't agree with your point thats its easy to step on cables and if you are stepping on them you need to adress cable management. My point was, when buying this you will 9/10 times will have already purchased a stream deck or purchase with it. So, the box won't be mounted yet and you need to fit the stream deck. This the time to fit the stress relief clip to both cables as it will be getting used for the first time. You then have both cables secure and seated in a stress clip for mounting and use. That seems logical to me, or am i missing something.

[@JochenDRS]

Can you do a video about Lioranboard and how to use it for simracing?

[@420metalguy]

looks like automotive bed liner to me, the coating on the outside of thee button box. though with enough patience and a good strong arm you can sand a print mostly smooth and hide the rest with layers of paint

[@advang4820]

These are pretty cool things, but sadly they cost more than or about the same as Stream Deck itself, and more with international shipping cost.

[@PandorusFightStick]

really like that 3d printed finish !! anyone know how to achieve a finish like this

[@ChrisCroft77]

Hey will Where did you get the tracks on the wall?

[@kylelei]

Hello, your video is very good & useful~but i have a problem, When i finish my Elgato Stream Deck setting, I cannot use for the ACC, I try to push the Stream Deck button, the acc no response.I cannot find the problem on it, but this setting can work for the iracing & raceroom , just ACC cannot.

[@johnhopley1]

Just the video for button box I needed but the mounting is the issue now. What mounting hints or kit can you suggest for mounting on the tube of the rseat n1 or a fanatec dd2?

[@boostedmedia]

I used the Simlab mount but with the threaded inserts on the back there’s plenty of options.

[@headshotke]

Can't believe they charge 165$ for a Arduino button box, that would cost around 40$ diy, they didn't bother to add some kind of cable stop...

[@YayDanMan]

Looks great, but of course good things cost a fair bit 😅 and uh may have bought a PC’s worth of parts (with some longevity in mind) in the past 24 hours so not much spare money right now haha And to boot, a brief attempt to try out the stream deck app with my phone as the button box didn’t work well, I used a multi-action to make sure the right scene was selected and mic was muted before starting the stream, but after about 10-12 minutes the stream would have stopped despite no input from me to do such a thing, so I abandoned the stream deck app and relied on my mouse to do everything in obs studio

[@boostedmedia]

Tom has been using similar with an old tablet as a control surface and I don’t think he’s had that problem. It’s certainly adding complexity though which in turn adds opportunity for things to go wrong. I e been using the stream deck for 2 years now and it’s never once caused an issue.

[@YayDanMan]

Boosted Media yeah probably should blame my phone given it’s an iPhone 6 that was bought shortly after release of that thing and has since becoming mine had issues responding to touch input fairly regularly 😅

[@gingersnaps7186]

I can't decide between this or the DSD Race King LED and attempting to mount the stream deck either above or below it or on the other side of the wheel..

[@ApexSimRacing]

Or we can make you something custom :) (I have a few designs that aren't on the site that might interest you )

[@killerbee1958]

Hi, i would love to buy a streamdeck button box (normal or XL) but the shipping cost and custom duties and tax makes it unafforable for me. Is there an european distributor available?

[@England91]

You can make your own if you want as it uses the Adriano

[@Mcorpmike]

the printing might be fuzzy skin (expirimental) from cura.

[@dme2453]

100% correct. I use it in Prusa Slicer.

[@d00dEEE]

It's a nitpick, but the misalignment of all the rotary switches really bothered me. When I assemble hardware, I always make sure to line everything up, so if anyone ever takes it apart, it looks as good on the inside as the outside. Just as a point of pride. (I'd also have done some rudimentary cable management, at least a few zip ties here and there.)

[@No1sonuk]

There ARE zip ties in there. They're black.

[@pstoppani]

Nice. But, I don't see why a Stream Deck by itself is "hard to mount securely". I have one mounted using a Ram-Mount and is rock solid.

[@boostedmedia]

Hard to mount without some sort of aftermarket solution.

[@M-A-F]

I have my Stream Deck mounted in one of these boxes. The only criticism I have is mine doesn't have 'APEX' engraved at the top of the box!

[@boostedmedia]

Better get out your Dremel!

[@ApexSimRacing]

@@boostedmedia when in doubt dremel it out!

[@regibson23]

Hahaha. How did you count 12 buttons on the large?

[@c.j2527]

I WANT ONE. now shut up and take my money ! 💵

[@Snugggg]

are those encoders or pots? they look like pots.

[@ApexSimRacing]

CTS Encoders

[@_lewischamberlain_1383]

You should play forza horizon 4 for a video I would love to see it :)

[@in5t1nk3d4]

we do REAL sims here, not kids games

[@_lewischamberlain_1383]

@@in5t1nk3d4 well yes I know it would be interesting

[@alpenmerlin]

I have some mixed feelings here. I like the button box and the product itself very much. But for me the price tag is too high given that the box is 3D printed and only provides a few buttons and rotary switches. There are STL files available for free and the hardware is at max 30 to 50 Euros. Can be even less when ordering from China. Maybe not the most popular opinion, but I think it is overpriced.

[@boostedmedia]

I can see why people would think that. But here in Australia at least it cost me about the same for the switches and jiffy box to make my own plus about 3-4 hours of my time. And to have that 3D printed (assuming you don’t have your own printer) is about $100.

[@JSmith73]

Their P911 button box is just rock solid, very high quality job. If that's what you value then Apex is a good choice. If not, there are plenty of others. My only complaint now is that I also missed out on the Apex engraving on the top cover - ha ha. :)

[@alpenmerlin]

@@boostedmedia I am lucky enough to have access to a 3D printer and I only need to pay for the filament. But considering the time I "wasted" building, testing, failing, etc. I guess those are valid points. ;) And I guess time is something you don't have as much as I do. In addition, it seams that part prices in Australia are much higher than here in Germany. Thanks for insights!

[@thehell88]

Elgato Stream Deck it is very expensive

[@roganfrazer256]

Says 12 🤔but I counted 10 😂

[@diesellproo]

hmmm i hear a dnb? yeah buuuoi

[@scoobysnacks209]

the pricing is a total rip off imo for what you really get 169 euro nah not for me .SIMRACING4U jas better stuff i find

[@boostedmedia]

It does look expensive at first glance, but it cost me almost the same just in components to build my DIY button box with parts from the local electronics store plus about 3 hours to assemble it all. When you also consider it would probably cost $50-100 just to get the shell 3D printed, I think the price is reasonable.

[@scoobysnacks209]

@@boostedmedia could 3d print that for $5 ;-]

[@boostedmedia]

Assuming you have a printer. Yes. I bought a printer because it was cheaper than having the fan ducts for my wind simulator printed by someone else. Lol.

[@scoobysnacks209]

@@boostedmedia yeah my friend has one

[@scoobysnacks209]

you should check out simracing4u stuff