Simagic GT NEO Steering Wheel – Review

Simagic GT NEO Steering Wheel – Review

Released in early 2024, the GT NEO Steering Wheel from Simagic is one of the steering wheels most frequently requested by the community for a review. Reason enough to put the feature-packed budget steering wheel through its paces.

Ordering and shipping

The GT NEO Steering Wheel can be purchased from various third-party suppliers. It is currently offered there at a price of approx. 350 €, whereby the Simagic Maglink required for USB operation can be ordered optionally for approx. 30 €.

Technical data

Below are the technical specifications of the Simagic GT NEO Steering Wheel according to the manufacturer:

• Diameter 300mm
• Carbon fiber composites
• Silicon grip, ergonomic design
• 4-paddles aluminium module (2 magnetic shifters, Dual clutch)
• LED RGB configurable
• 10 configurable backlit buttons (flash mod)
• 2 Thumb Rotary Encoders made of aluminum
• 4 Rotary Encoders
• 2x 7-way multi switch
• Stickers to customise your button configuration

Scope of delivery

SImagic usually includes a whole range of its own stickers with its products. In addition to the steering wheel with pre-installed QR, there is also a short USB-C cable for updates, stickers for the buttons and corresponding tweezers.

• GT NEO Steering Wheel
• QR (pre-installed)
• Button stickers and tweezers
• Simagic sticker
• USB-C cable

Compatibility / QR

Simagic, like simracing manufacturer MOZA in particular, relies on an NRG-style quick release. This enables the steering wheel to be operated without an additional cable when connected directly to a Simagic Base. The power is transmitted directly via pins on the QR, while the data is exchanged wirelessly between the steering wheel and base.

Theoretically, the GT NEO Steering Wheel can also be operated via the integrated USB-C port for operation on a base from a third-party manufacturer, but this is not designed for such loads. Simagic therefore offers its own magnetic USB cable called Maglink USB Magnetic Cable, the counterpart of which can be exchanged for the standard connection due to its modular design.

However, the pre-installed QR can also be removed and replaced with almost any standard QR with a 70 mm hole pattern. To do this, first unscrew the underlying plate to access the back of the QR.

Features

The Simagic GT NEO Steering Wheel is based on a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic housing which, together with the integrated grips, covers both the modern GT and formula sectors. Although the steering wheel consists mainly of plastic components, the additional aluminium parts and the forged carbon look give it a high-quality appearance. Problems with flex, even with heavily selected FFB settings, did not occur at any time.

Inputs

For a steering wheel in this price range, it offers an astonishing number of input options:

• 10 buttons: The steering wheel has five buttons with adjustable RGB lighting on each side, which are fitted with a semi-transparent plastic cap for this purpose. The actuation feel is very tactile and the buttons do a solid job for the wheel’s price range.
• 4 encoders: There are four smooth-running plastic encoders (+/-) in the centre of the steering wheel, each with twelve detent points. These are also illuminated with RGB LEDs,
• 2 thumb encoders: Two additional aluminium encoders are integrated into the side of the housing through a recess in the thumb area. They are particularly suitable for functions that need to be changed frequently while riding, such as the brake balance.
• 2 x 7-way switches: The front is rounded off by two 7-way switches (up, down, left, right, turn left and right, press), which have become indispensable in sim racing and are ideal for in-game menus, for example. Like the encoders and buttons, these are also made of plastic and are comfortable to use, but could be a little larger or easier to grip.

Paddles

On the back is a combined paddle unit on both sides, each containing a magnetic shifter and one of the two analogue paddles. The very well-made, compact construction is made entirely of black anodised aluminium.

• Shifters: The two magnetic shifters are probably the quietest of all the steering wheels tested so far, as their volume is significantly dampened by small pads on the top and bottom. The paddles are adjustable in width by around half a centimetre and, like the rest of the shifters, are made of aluminium. The shifting feel is good, but not quite as crisp as it would have been without the damping due to the rather strong damping.
• Analogue paddles: The two analogue axles can be configured as a double clutch with adjustable bite point or as two buttons. They are very firm thanks to the strong springs installed and can be operated very precisely without lateral play thanks to the good bearing. The release travel is around two centimetres.

LEDs

The LEDs of the SImagic GT NEO have both positive and negative sides: On the one hand, the wheel is particularly impressive due to the sheer number of LEDs:

• Buttons: 10 x RGB-LEDs
• Encoder: 4 x 12 RGB-LEDs
• RPM-Anzeige: 15 x RGB-LEDs

On the other hand, the colours of the LEDs of the encoders in particular, but also of the buttons, differ from one another, which is particularly noticeable in the white setting due to a sometimes very clear red cast.

Grips

Simagic uses very hard silicone grips. Compared to most other current solutions, these are significantly harder and therefore most suitable for use with gloves. However, there are increasing reports from the sim racing community that they wear out too quickly. Even though this did not seem to be a problem during the test period of approx. 20 hours, you should definitely keep an eye on this and not use gloves that are too abrasive.

Software

The Simagic GT NEO Steering Wheel can be operated either directly via the Simagic software or via SimHub:

SimPro Manager

The in-house SImagic software already has a number of predefined profiles for various vehicles. However, it is also possible to define your own profiles for the RPM LEDs. To do this, each LED must be configured individually, which means a total of up to 150 colours to be set manually.

The following telemetry effects can also be configured separately for the LEDs of the individual buttons and encoders, which light up when there is activity:

• ABS
• TC
• PIT
• DRS
• FLAG(S)

You can also choose between the following basic colours:

• Rot
• Orange
• Gelb
• Hellgrün
• Blau
• Türkis
• Violet
• Weiß

Custom colours, however, cannot be set in the SimPro Manager.

Simhub

In combination with a USB cable, the Simagic GT NEO Steering Wheel can also be operated via the popular SimHub software. Here, each individual LED can be set completely individually and significantly more complex effects are possible. Three separately adjustable profiles are available for this purpose:

• RPM LEDs
• Button LEDs
• Individual LEDs

Unfortunately, SImagic does not provide a profile that really utilises the potential of SimHub. As a user, you have to use various profiles from the community, which are distributed via the usual channels such as Discord servers and forums.

Driving impression

Conclusion

The Simagic GT NEO Steering Wheel is currently the manufacturer’s most popular steering wheel and should be a must-have for every Simagic user. The almost negligible points of criticism are more than compensated for by the range of features and, above all, aspects such as the incredibly favourable price-performance ratio, the good paddles and the number of built-in LEDs make the steering wheel a real recommendation.