Simagic Alpha EVO Pro 18 Nm Wheel Base – Review

Simagic Alpha EVO Pro 18 Nm Wheel Base – Review

Simagic has given its Alpha series a refresh and has revised some aspects of the wheel bases: A new design, new connections and changes to the force feedback should encourage users to make the switch. This review will show how the new base performs in practice.

Ordering and shipping

The new Simagic bases of the Alpha EVO series can now be purchased directly from SImagic or from the various distributors, which are now spread all over the world. The Alpha EVO Pro was made available for this test report by the German dealer Sim-Motion. They currently offer the bases at the following prices excluding chipping:

• Simagic Alpha EVO Sport 9Nm: 479€
• Simagic Alpha 12Nm: 649€
• Simagic Alpha EVO Pro 18Nm: 829€

5% Sim-Motion Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc-5

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

Scope of delivery

This time, the scope of delivery is rather straightforward. In addition to the cables required for the power supply unit with integrated on/off switch and two USB cables, only screws for mounting, stickers and a quick guide are included. Unfortunately, users have to do without detailed instructions.

• USB-B data cable
• Type-C data cable x 1
• 1.5-meter power supply x 1
• Wheelbase power x 1
• Screw pack
  • Button Head Socket Cap Screw M6-10 x 6
  • Button Head Socket Cap Screw M6-16 x 6
  • Allen Key x 1 (4mm)

Specs

Below you will find the technical data of the Simagic Alpha EVO Pro Wheel Base. In addition to the maximum torque of 18 Newton metres, the very compact dimensions of the base are particularly important.

Mounting / Compatibility

In terms of mounting, the second generation of Alpha Wheel bases is now less convenient. Due to the new design around the plastic front with integrated LED ring and magnetic dash mount, the base can no longer be attached to the rig with a front mount. This now requires a separately available adapter (price around €59), which, however, renders the front port for dashboards unusable when used.

However, you can still attach the base to your rig with a bottom or side mount, for which the appropriate threads are still available.

The Wheel Bases are intended exclusively for use on a PC; there is currently no console compatibility.

Quick Release

The functionality of the quick-release system has been significantly enhanced in the new generation of Alpha Wheel bases. On the mechanical side, an NRG-style quick release system is still used, although the electrical pads have been functionally extended. This makes it possible to supply third-party steering wheels with a USB signal directly via the QR when using the Simagic EVO 3rd Party Quick Release, which was not yet available at the time of testing (the price is around €100). According to Simagic, up to 1.5 amps are available for this, which should be more than enough even for most steering wheels with a screen.

Current Simagic steering wheels can of course still be used as usual, whereby they are currently recognised in CAN mode. In theory, however, the Simagic GT Neo Wheel, for example, can also be operated in USB mode, which allows control via SimHub. However, this would require the pads on the base responsible for the CAN bus signals to be covered or the internal cable of the steering wheel to be modified. Switching via software would be much more convenient and user-friendly.

Overall, Simagic’s new system joins the ranks of the manufacturers cited by Asetek, who design their ecosystem to be open and offer significantly more options than closed systems thanks to USB support. Users now have the choice between a QR with USB support and a QR in the old design, which is significantly cheaper at a price of around €50.

Ports

No other current base on the market has as many different connections as the current wheel bases from the Alpha EVO series.

• Power interface: This is where the mains cable is plugged in, with a dedicated on/off switch now finally available directly on the base below the port.
• USB-A input: For data transfer from the base.
• USB-C input: For any 3rd party wheels used via the corresponding QR.
• USB-A ports (3x): For ‘devices with old protocols’. Unfortunately, normal USB devices cannot be used here. This feature would have significantly enhanced the base.
• RJ45 port (8x): According to Simagic, various devices with CANFD and USB signal output can be used here.

Unfortunately, Simagic is currently keeping a lid on exactly which devices will be compatible in the future. At present, however, it is only possible to operate various Simatic hardware such as the DS-8X Shifter and or the TB-1 handbrake directly via the base, and this information can only be found out indirectly via the SImagic Discord server for example due to the lack of documentation. Detailed instructions directly from Simagic would be more than appropriate here and would eliminate some ambiguities.

One new feature, however, is the practical magnetic mount for the dashboards in various sizes that Simagic is planning, which could already be tried out at last year’s Simracing Expo in Dortmund. The mount also provides power and data through the pins, which means that no additional cables are required, although there is no confirmed release date yet. It is not yet known whether additional hardware will also be supported here in the future.

LED-Ring

Another new feature is the LED ring of the wheel base, which can be adjusted in colour in three sections (top / bottom / centre) via the software. Various telemetry effects can also be displayed here, for example:

• Flags
• ABS
• TC
• Pit Limiter

Especially in combination with a Formula-style steering wheel, the direct view of the LEDs definitely adds value, but with larger steering wheels you can still see the effects out of the corner of your eye.

Software

On the software side, Simagic relies on the SimPro Manager, an in-house solution. All parameters of the wheel base can be set here, as well as managing profiles, setting LED effects and carrying out updates. The current version (at the time of the review: V 2.1.0.2110) is required to operate the Alpha EVO Bases. Above all, the selection from a large number of ready-made FFB profiles for almost all current games stands in stark contrast to the almost non-existent instructions and documentation. Simagic currently offers the most complete overall package, which is an excellent starting point, especially for new users, to avoid having to set the base parameters from scratch.

The software is tidy and very intuitive to use. Above all, the option of assigning individual profiles to different simulations and then loading them automatically at startup is very convenient. Overall, the software is a clear plus point.

Force Feedback

The most important aspect of any wheel base is, of course, the force feedback. Here, the Simagic Alpha EVO Pro offers enough power in almost every situation with up to 18 Newton metres of torque and thus joins the ranks of many other wheel bases in this area (Asetek Forte – 18 Nm, Simucube Sport – 17 Nm, Conspit Ares Platinum – 18 Nm, MOZA R16 – 16 Nm, Fanatec DD1 – 20 Nm, VRS Pro – 20 Nm). In the past, Simagic was also known for its understatement when it came to Newton metres.

As a direct drive wheel base, the power is of course transmitted directly to the steering wheel shaft without deflection. Simagic states the biggest improvements compared to its predecessors as follows:

• Ultra-Low Inertia Tech: Lighter weight, reduced inertia. Sharper, smoother, and more precise force feedback
• Zero-Cogging Tech: Fine tuned to perfection. Our signature motor design offers
  highly consistent feedback that fans have grown to love.
• New Gen Dynamic Force
• Domain Filter Algorithm (DFDF): Optimized to accompany the new motor,
  giving extra FFB fidelity, further improving handling.
• 21-Bit Encoder: Lower inertia, better modularity. EVO offers precision unlike any
  base we’ve produced before.
• Cooling: An all-new active cooling system and temperature regulator ensure
  you always get 100% of available torque from your EVO.
  Perfect for endurance sessions.

Many of these aspects offer an improvement on paper, but have not really been problematic in the past. For example, cogging was only noticeable with the Simagic Alpha Ultimate Base when it was switched off and thermal problems did not usually occur. Nevertheless, the improvements are noticeable in nuances and make the force feedback appear even more precise and direct. In practice, however, the biggest change concerns the new options for (partially) telemetry-based force feedback:

• Dynamic Prediction Level: This predicts the vehicle position based on telemetry data (speed, steering wheel angle, etc.) in order to optimise the force feedback. This feature should not be set too high and is currently not yet supported by Iracing, for example.
• Steering Torque Assist: This reduces the constant force in corners, which is particularly noticeable in long curves.
• Filter Level: Option to filter out high-frequency noise and generate a softer signal. Higher values also make the base quieter, but generate less direct force feedback.

Thanks to the telemetry-based force feedback, there is now a new ‘FFB layer’ that can provide additional information. Even if the difference was perceived as rather small during the test and is not yet a game changer, Simagic can definitely add some interesting gimmicks here in the future, which could significantly enhance the FFB once again.

Overall, with the Alpha EVO tested here, Simagic is now playing in the league of high-end manufacturers and is on an equal level.

Driving impression

Conclusion

The Simagic Alpha EVO Pro Wheel Base with a maximum torque of 18 Newton metres is a logical further development. It offers excellent force feedback and scores points with very good software including a variety of provided FFB profiles, as well as features such as a magnetic dashboard mount and controllable LED ring.

The 3rd Party Quick Release (not yet available) will also allow you to use third-party USB steering wheels without additional cables in the future, which in practice is the biggest advantage of the Alpha EVO Bases over the previous generation.

Overall, Simagic delivers a very well-rounded overall package with the Alpha EVO Pro Base without any real weaknesses, making the base a clear recommendation to buy.

5% Sim-Motion Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc-5