Sim-Motion Button Box – Review

After looking at a few DIY button boxes, this time we’re back to a ready-made product. The Sim-Motion button box is made entirely of metal and carbon fiber and offers about thirty assignable functions. We put it through its paces in a thorough review.

Ordering and Prices

The button box, which is distributed and branded by Sim-Motion, is therefore currently available only through our affiliate partner, Sim-Motion itself. It is currently offered there for 189 euros plus shipping from Germany.

Sim-Motion Button Box: 189,00 €

Sim-Motion Button Box*

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

The product tested was provided by the manufacturer for the duration of the review. At no point was the content of this review influenced.

Scope of Delivery

The Button Box is a bit of a letdown when it comes to what’s included. Aside from the box itself, the package contains only a USB cable and a sheet of stickers. Unfortunately, there’s no mount or other accessories included, so you’ll have to get creative on your own.

Specs

Even though the Button Box looks a bit bulkier in some of the pictures, it’s still “only” about 25 centimeters tall and 15 centimeters wide. Below are the rest of the Button Box’s technical specifications.

Abmessungen: 253 × 152 × 47 mm
Anschluss: USB 2.0 / 5 V
Gesamtzahl der Tasten im Spiel: 28
6 beleuchtete Metalltasten (Durchmesser 22 mm)
4 Drehgeber (mit Drucktaste)
5 Kippschalter (Metall)
1 Kippschalter mit Sicherheitsvorrichtung
1 Starttaste
1 Steuerhebel
Frontplatte: 2,5 mm Carbonfaserplatte
Rückseite: Metall, lackiert

Mounting and Compatibility

The Button Box is equipped with four M5 threads on the back, spaced 100 x 100 mm apart. This makes it possible to use VESA mounts (note: some are designed to be used with M4 screws) to secure the Button Box in place. A Ram Mount with a VESA bracket (*) can be used here. While this solution is very flexible, it’s not exactly cheap. Ideally, you can use a 3D printer to print your own mount.

The Button Box connects directly to the PC via the included cable (it has a USB-C port on the back) and requires no dedicated software, making it plug-and-play. Accordingly, it is not intended for use with a console.

Features

All of the Button Box’s features are distributed across the front of the housing and are integrated into the carbon fiber cover. The following inputs are available here:

4 Encoders: Four encoders (+/-) with metal caps are mounted on top. They operate relatively smoothly but can still be controlled with precision.
6 Buttons: A total of six buttons have been installed, each featuring red backlighting. They are made of metal and have a pleasantly crisp actuation point with a relatively long travel distance.
Kill Switch Toggle Switch: A kill switch is located in the center left. It outputs the same signal in both positions and is additionally illuminated in red when in the upper position.
4-Way Joystick: A four-way joystick is located in the center; its large stick makes it very easy to operate. The only feature missing here is an additional press function, which would have been very practical for navigating menus.
3+2+1 Toggle Switches: A total of six toggle switches have been installed. Three of them (bottom row, left) are lockable; the other two are not. The single toggle switch at the top is used to control the button backlighting, which can be turned on or off with it.
Engine Start Button: There is also a large, illuminated button on the underside that functions as a regular button.

In total, there are about thirty programmable inputs available, though they cannot be further configured. Neither the encoder function nor any other settings can be changed. In terms of quality, the Button Box performs at an average level.

Materials

The Button Box is made entirely of solid materials, which is almost surprising for a product of this size in this price range. The front panel is made of 2.5-millimeter-thick carbon fiber, and the back is made entirely of black-painted metal. Even though the case can’t quite match the quality of CNC-machined designs and isn’t 100% flawlessly finished, the box still stands out significantly from most other, often 3D-printed button boxes in the price range up to 200 euros. Inside, an interesting mix of components has been used. The large PCB features removable connectors for some components, while others have been soldered in place by hand.

Conclusion

The Button Box from Sim-Motion is an extremely interesting product that’s plug-and-play and significantly enhances your sim rig both functionally and visually. The only thing to consider beforehand is how to best install the Button Box in combination with your rig. Given its relatively low price, you can easily overlook minor drawbacks like the modest package contents and buy it without hesitation.