Sim-Lab P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit – Review

Sim-Lab P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit – Review

Aluminum rigs currently dominate the sim racing market when it comes to finding the right cockpit. The P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit is the flagship of the Dutch manufacturer Sim-Lab and currently offers one of the best complete packages in the premium segment. We took a closer look at it in this review.

Order and Shipping

Sim-Lab offers the rig and all accessories directly through their own shop. There, you can configure the rig itself and select additional accessories:

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Andere Sim-Racing-Marken

• P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit
  • P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit + Front Mount: 864,48€
  • P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit + Wheeldeck: 864,48€
  • P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit + Fanatec Side-Mount: 864,48€
• Monitorhalterung
  • Integrated Vario™ Single: 185,86€
  • Integrated Vario™ Triple: 294,04€
• Sitze:
  • Sim-Lab Speed 1 Schwarz: 421,90€
  • Sim-Lab Speed 1 Blau: 421,90€
  • Sparco Grid Q: 486,81€
  • Sparco Circuit ll: 668,75€
  • Spraco Sitzschiene: 39,29€
  • Schalensitzkonsole: 39,29€
• Zubehör (Auswahl)
  • Tastaturhalterung: 67,85€
  • Kreuzkabelbinderblock (10er Satz): 7,82€
  • Sim Mauspad: 19,62€
  • Sim-Lab Inbusschlüsselsatz: 12,73€
    

The rig tested here was shipped directly by Sim-Lab via UPS and arrived in a delivery consisting of seven packages (six packages for the rig and an additional package for the front mount), with the seat delivered in a separate shipment. In any case, you should be home on the day of delivery. Even though the individual packages are very sturdy and the included parts are well and securely packed, you’ll want to avoid having to pick up the packages at the nearest parcel shop if possible. The individual packages can, however, be easily handled by one person. Shipping costs total approximately €40 to €50, depending on the selected accessories.

The product tested here was provided by the manufacturer. No influence was exerted on this review at any time.

Specs

The technical specifications provided by Sim-Lab are quickly listed. The stated maximum width refers to the feet, which represent the widest point of the rig. Otherwise, the required floor space naturally depends primarily on the monitor configuration used.

• Wheelmount: Front mount, Wheeldeck or Fanatec DD mount
• Color: Black
• Dimensions: 1350 mm x 580 mm (widest point 680mm) x 770 mm (L x W x H)

Scope of Delivery

Der Lieferumfang bietet einige Überraschungen. Sim-Lab hat sich bewusst dafür entschieden, weder Werkzeug (benötigt werden 5+6mm Inbusschlüssel sowie ein 24mm Schraubenschlüssel) noch eine gedruckte Anleitung ins Paket zu legen. Auf den ersten Blick scheint dies ein großer Kritikpunkt zu sein. Allerdings ist die als PDF zur Verfügung gestellte Anleitung sowie das bereits vorhandene Werkzeug für die meist technisch versierten Simracer, die sich für ein solches Cockpit entscheiden, wohl sowieso die erste Wahl beim Zusammenbau des Cockpits. Als Käufer sollte man sich dessen allerdings trotzdem vorher bewusst sein, um keine böse Überraschung am Tag des Zusammenbaus zu erleben.

The scope of delivery holds a few surprises. Sim-Lab has deliberately chosen not to include tools (required are 5+6mm Allen keys and a 24mm wrench) or a printed manual in the package. At first glance, this seems like a significant point of criticism. However, the PDF manual provided, along with the tools that most technically savvy sim racers—who opt for such a cockpit—likely already own, is probably the preferred choice for assembling the cockpit anyway. As a buyer, though, you should be aware of this beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises on assembly day.

The actual scope of delivery is divided into various clearly labeled packages. In particular, the included screws are very carefully packed in individual bags, making mix-ups virtually impossible.

• Aluminium profiles and mounting materials
• Wheel deck mount or front/side mount
• Brackets for the front mount wheels
• Pedal deck
• Side mount for accessories
• Bolts for mounting seats
• Adjustable feet set

Rig

The P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit is an impressive presence. By opting for heavy-duty aluminum profiles (160x40mm for the base frame, 120x40mm for the profiles of the base mount), the rig competes in the top tier in terms of stability and is significantly more torsionally rigid than, for example, the TR80 Lite we tested, which uses 80x40mm profiles. The profiles are black-coated, giving them a slightly textured surface that makes them less prone to scratches. Nevertheless, care should be taken during assembly, as contact with metal parts, in particular, can leave marks. Complementing the excellently crafted profiles—some of which are already threaded—are Sim-Lab’s matching connection plates, which are used instead of conventional brackets in combination with T-nuts. As an additional highlight, specially branded solid aluminum washers are used for most screws instead of standard washers.

For the vertical profiles, Sim-Lab employs a slightly angled design. This, combined with the semi-closed profiles (lacking the middle slots), creates a more visually appealing look but also significantly complicates the mounting of accessories in many cases.

The rig itself stands on four height-adjustable feet. This allows for very convenient entry and, if needed, perfectly compensates for uneven floors.

Assembly

The assembly, which might be surprising for a sim racing rig, is actually fun. Thanks to the pre-drilled profiles and the specially designed connection elements developed for the rig, the assembly is not only significantly faster but also much less prone to errors. Compared to conventional aluminum rigs, far fewer T-nuts are needed, except for the mounting of the seat and additional components, and the precise alignment of individual elements is greatly simplified or, in some cases, not even necessary.

While assembling the TR80 Lite took a good two afternoons, the P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit was set up in just a few hours. In principle, you don’t even need a second person, though mounting the wheel deck isn’t entirely straightforward without assistance. The manual is an excellent aid, leaving no ambiguities or risk of mix-ups at any point during the assembly. The steps are illustrated in an “Ikea-style” format, and by specifying the required parts for each step, any remaining doubts are eliminated.

The only sticking point, ultimately, is the seat mounting. Here, you should definitely take a look at the end of the manual, as the required inner spacing of the profiles varies depending on the seat, as specified in the instructions:

• Sim-Lab Speed 1: 380mm
• Sim-Lab Speed 1 XXL: 440mm
• Sim-Lab Speed 3: 370mm
• Sparco Circuit II / Sparco Grid: 400mm
• Sparco Rev: 370mm
• Sparco R100: 305mm

Compatibility

The P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit, as an aluminum rig, is virtually compatible with all sim racing hardware available on the market:

Wheelbases

The compatibility of wheel bases depends on the solution used. The wheel deck used here, for example, is compatible with most common bases, and others should also be compatible thanks to various slotted holes. If that’s not sufficient, a drill will, as often is the case, do the trick.

• Front Mount:
  • Bodnar 50 series
  • Lenze MCS12 series
  • MiGe 130ST (small, big)
  • Simagic Alpha Mini DD, Ultimate
  • SimuCube 2 Sport, Pro, Ultimate
  • VRS DirectForce Pro
• Wheeldeck
  • Asetek DD wheelbase Forte/Prima/Invicta
  • AccuForce V1, V2
  • Fanatec CSL, CSW, CSL-DD, GT DD-PRO, DD1, DD2
  • Logitech G25, G27, G920/G923
  • Logitech Pro
  • Moza R5, R9, R12, R16/21
  • Thrustmaster T248, T300/TX, T500RS, T-818
  • Thrustmaster TC-PS, TS-XW, TG-T, TG-T II, T598
  • Simagic Alpha Mini DD, Ultimate
• Fanatec Side Mount
  • Fanatec DD1
  • Fanatec DD2
  • Fanatec CSL DD
  • Fanatec DD Pro

Pedals

For the pedals, Sim-Lab opts for an adjustable solution with a mount for a 160x40mm and an 80x40mm aluminum profile. The latter can be adjusted in distance, allowing virtually any available pedal set to be mounted. The included T-nuts in two sizes (12x M5 and M6 each) are also exemplary.

• Sim-Lab XP1
• Augury Pedals 121 (with Augury baseplate)
• Asetek Invicta & Forte
• BJ Steel F1/GT
• Fanatec Clubsport V3, Inverted V3
• Fanatec CSL/CSL Elite Pedals LC
• Fanatec Elite pedals
• Heusinkveld Pro, Sprint, Ultimate, Ultimate+
• Insim Talento
• Logitech G25, G27, G920 * with additional connector bracket (not included)
• Logitech Pro Pedals * with additional connector bracket (not included)
• Meca Cup Pedals
• Moza CRP, SR-P
• Simagic P2000 Pedals (with Simagic baseplate)
• SimCoaches P1-3
• Simtrecs ProPedal GT
• SimWorkx Pro pedals
• Simgrade R7 Pedal Set
• Simgrade VX-PRO Pedals
• Thrustmaster T300, T-LCM, T3PA * with additional connector bracket (not included)
• VRS DirectForce Pro

Accessories

Sim-Lab offers various accessories for the P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit, including different mounts, tools, and much more. The add-on parts are typically attached to the profiles using additional T-nuts and can thus be mounted almost anywhere on the rig.

However, depending for further add-ons, compatibility issues arise due to the angled vertical profiles and the semi-closed side slots. With a standard rig, this is much simpler, allowing you to choose from a larger number of ready-made third-party accessories without needing to get creative with mounting solutions.

Adjustment Options

The rig offers a whole range of adjustment options, for each of which the appropriate tool is required:

• Pedal Deck: The height of the entire deck as well as its tilt can be almost freely adjusted via the slotted holes integrated into the side brackets. This allows for not only the standard GT seating position but also a seating position resembling that of a road vehicle (more upright) or a formula vehicle (flatter). Additionally, the front profile can be further adjusted in distance.
• Wheel Deck: There are various adjustment options. Firstly, the entire structure of the vertical side profiles can be shifted, allowing the distance to the driver to be set. Additionally, the wheel deck itself can be freely positioned in both tilt and height. Note: The side profiles can be mounted lower (extending below the base frame) to position the monitor lower.
• Seat: For the seat, the side mount and any optional seat rail are particularly important. The mount allows the position (tilt and, to a lesser extent, height) to be adjusted, while the seat rail enables the seat to be moved forward and backward, similar to a road vehicle.

Seats

As mentioned in the previous sections, the P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit can be combined with virtually any seat. Here, the GT-style bucket seat Sim-Lab Speed 1 in black, offered directly by Sim-Lab, was used. This seat is manufactured in the EU and features a breathable mesh fabric cover. The foam padding of the seat is removable, making it relatively easy to clean. As a small gimmick, a small phone pocket is integrated into the right inner side of the seat’s bolster, allowing you to securely store your mobile phone during a race. Overall, the seat is very comfortable and provides sufficient comfort even after several hours in the rig.

The seat has four threaded holes on the side, enabling it to be mounted laterally in just a few minutes. Despite its light weight, it offers excellent stability, with no noticeable flex even during braking with over 50 bar of force. In direct comparison with the similar but slightly more affordable GT Style Fixed Fiberglass Seat from Trak Racer, Sim-Lab’s bucket seat is noticeably more stable.

Individuals with a broader build in the hip and thigh areas should definitely consider the larger XXL variant of the seat, as the seat surface is quite narrow, and the side bolsters further restrict the space.

Conclusion

The P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit is the current flagship model from the Dutch manufacturer Sim-Lab, priced at around €900 including shipping, placing it in the premium segment of aluminum rigs. However, the rig more than justifies its price. The quality of the rig’s profiles, the straightforward assembly with an excellent manual, the compatibility with sim racing hardware, and the adjustability of individual components are all top-notch. The only real criticism is the angled profiles, which make attaching custom accessories more challenging. On the positive side, the elegant design stands out with special features like the branded aluminum washers, semi-closed profiles, and highly practical adjustable feet.

All in all, the P1X Pro Sim Racing Cockpit is a clear recommendation for those with the budget to match. Anyone who invests here is highly likely buying the last sim rig they’ll ever need.