CONSPIT CHS Dual-Mode Shifter – Review

Combining a classic H-pattern and a sequential shifter, the CONSPIT CHS Dual-Mode Shifter is housed in a compact, fully metal-cased design. Unlike many comparable solutions, the model has separate mechanical shift channels for both operating modes, which are designed to provide a distinct shift feel. In the test, the €369 shifter had to show whether this concept also convinces on the track and justifies the purchase price.

Ordering and shipping

CONSPIT is also using its dual distribution system for the CHS Dual-Mode Shifter, which, in addition to its own web shop, involves selling through partnershops around the world. The shifter is offered at prices around 369 dollars or euros, depending on the country and shop, with additional shipping costs depending on the country. At the time of testing, the shifter could not be ordered, but it should be available from CONSPIT’s well-known partners in the near future.

CONSPIT CHS Dual-Mode Shifter: 369€

CONSPIT CHS Dual-Mode Shifter

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

Specs

You will find the specs for the shifter provided by CONSPIT below. Notable features include the compact design for a dual-mode shifter and the extensive list of features.

Product Dimensions	95x165x255 mm (with default shift rod length)
Extended Height	305 mm with included 50 mm extension link
Net Weight	~2.2 kg
Main Material	Aluminum alloy, heat-treated 45# steel key components
Shift Modes	H-pattern 7+R and Sequential +/-
Shift Resistance	Adjustable from 3 kg to 10 kg with hex wrench
H-pattern Shift Throw	38 mm / 12°
Sequential Shift Throw	SnapShift® asymmetric short-throw design
Engagement Start Point	12 mm / 4.5°, shared by both modes
Durability Validation	1,000,000 total mechanical action cycles: 500,000 lateral end-to-end movements + 500,000 fore-aft shift engagements
Indicators	9 × RGB LED indicators
Sensor Type	Hall magnetic sensors
Side Window	High-transparency window installed; Dark-tinted window included
Shift Knob Thread	M10 × 1.5 × 15 mm external thread
Mounting	Bottom M5 mounting; Φ6.5 mm holes on adapter bars
Platform	PC
Connection	USB direct; SimHub RGB support
Cable	USB cable
Software	Conspit Link 2.0, SimHub

Scope of delivery

One area where CONSPIT consistently impresses is, without a doubt, the contents of the package. Here, the manufacturer has once again been generous, including significantly more than the standard contents. These include, amongst other things, a full set of Allen keys, mounting hardware, brackets (the image of the contents has been edited retrospectively to show a version that has since been updated) and a second side cover.

Compatibility and mounting

Thanks to its compact design (95 x 165 millimetres), mounting is very flexible. However, the shifter itself only has four M5 threads on the underside, meaning it cannot be mounted without additional brackets. Following a redesign by CONSPIT in response to initial test feedback, the supplied brackets now allow the shifter to be screwed directly onto an aluminium profile from above. This should be possible with almost any rig, even without an additional shifter plate. During testing, a 3D-printed DIY solution was used here, which was pushed to its limits, particularly in H-mode, due to the high lateral forces. A single USB-C cable, which plugs into the front, is all that is needed to connect to the PC.

The shifter is compatible with all current simulations that support external shifters and is recognised as a standard game controller.

Software

It’s rare to find software that is both so simple and yet so functional to use as this. Whilst you select the shift mode directly on the shifter itself, you can carry out the calibration here (which had to be repeated twice in total during the test period) and adjust the settings for the RGB LEDs. Both processes are very quick, and you’ll only spend a few seconds in the software before you’re ready to hit the track. To calibrate, simply cycle through all the gears once for each mode, and you’re then ready to go.

If you wish, you can also configure the LEDs entirely to your requirements in SimHub. To do this, add the shifter as a standalone device in the software and select SimHub mode in the CONSPIT link.

Materials, Finish, and Technology

Weighing just over two kilograms, the Shifter is relatively compact despite its dual mode, with a base area of 95 x 165 millimetres. Thanks to its design, it offers extremely high stability. It is also very well manufactured. The housing and the rest of the structure around the arm are made entirely of aluminium and are extremely solid. Metal components are also predominantly used on the inside. According to CONSPIT, the most important component is made from hardened 45# steel. Overall, this results in a very solid shifting feel. The shifting actions themselves are detected by Hall sensors, which must be calibrated via the software to ensure correct operation. Both modes have their own shift travel, allowing for a distinct shifting feel in each case. In H-Mode, gears 7 and R can be engaged via a lever on the gear shift arm. Without operating the lever, they remain mechanically locked. Thanks to the standard thread on the gear knob, aftermarket components can be fitted without any problems, and the supplied aluminium gear knob, which sits very comfortably in the hand can be replaced.

Strength: The strength of the gear changes can be adjusted within a range of 3 to 10 kilos via a threaded adjustment at the front. The actual feel of the gear changes naturally also depends on the selected gear knob and whether the optional extension is used. In our test, we used a setting of around 5 kilo, which already feels very crisp. Even enthusiasts of extremely stiff gear levers will find this to their liking.
Damping: At the rear, the damping can be adjusted via a thread that is also accessible from the outside (see image below). However, the effect here is significantly less pronounced than with the force adjustment. For the test, the ‘stiffest’ setting was used almost exclusively, as this allows for an unfiltered switching response.

You need the same Allen key for each adjustment. If you intend to make adjustments frequently, you should therefore always have one to hand. During the test, however, a preferred setting was found relatively quickly, which was then used consistently over the long term.

H-pattern / Sequential gearshift

As the name suggests, the CHS Dual-Mode Shifter offers two different modes: one for sequential shifting and one for classic H-pattern shifting. These differ in their characteristics due to separate gear paths and are not, as with many other solutions, implemented by a insert that simply prevents the shifter from engaging in gears 3 or 4 in sequential mode. Switching between the modes is done via a physical slider on the left-hand side of the shifter and takes just a fraction of a second. According to CONSPIT, in both modes the shift is registered once the slider has travelled twelve millimetres.

Sequential gearshift: The sequential gearshift offers an excellent gear-changing feel, which can be freely adjusted to suit your preference thanks to the adjustable maximum force. A key feature here is the implementation of the technology known as CONSPIT SnapShift, which ensures an asymmetrical gearshift travel. This travel is longer when upshifting than when downshifting, which can be particularly useful in braking zones involving multiple gear changes. This is where the separate physical shift channel comes into its own, as the sequential mode does not have to share it. The shifting action itself is extremely crisp, reliable and, subjectively speaking, even better than, for example, the SGP Sequential Shifter from MOZA Racing. The sound produced during shifting is also extremely satisfying, though equally unsuitable for use in the living room.
H-pattern gearshift: The H-pattern gearshift also performed impressively in the test. This design generates very high lateral loads, particularly at high settings for the required force, which is why an absolutely secure fit must be ensured. Desk users will have to give this a miss at this point at the latest. The gears engage extremely reliably, thanks in part to the locked 7th and reverse gears. These are only released once the lever has been actuated. In H-shift mode, the shift travel is 38 millimetres. Combined with the standard shift knob, which is quite tall, this results in a relatively long travel; however, this can be reduced by using small, round aftermarket shift knobs. This makes the shifter feel even sportier. Even though the shifter was used in sequential mode for a significantly longer period during the test, it was great fun to use and the shift feel is far superior to that of a workaround solution. Thanks to the separate shift channel, this is a fully-fledged, genuine H-shifter, so there’s no need to make any compromises. The result is an excellent gear-changing feel, which is only surpassed by specialised high-end models, some of which are in significantly higher price brackets.

LEDs

On the left-hand side of the shifter there are nine adjustable RGB LEDs, which can be operated in three different modes.

Gear indicator: The current gear is displayed here and highlighted in colour.
RPM: The current RPM can be displayed visually here. Both the colours and the trigger times can be configured in the CONSPIT software.
SimHub mode. Freely configurable as a separate device in SimHub.

The LEDs are a nice little feature, but they are rarely within the driver’s field of vision whilst driving. However, the gear indicator in particular can still be quite useful in certain situations, especially in vehicles that do not have one.

Driving impressions

Here you’ll find an (authentic) first look at the very first test runs with the new CONSPIT CHS Dual-Mode Shifter in both shifting modes in RaceRoom.

Conclusion

The CONSPIT CHS Dual-Mode Shifter is particularly impressive thanks to its separate mechanical shift channels. This makes both modes feel like fully independent shifters. The sequential mode in particular impresses with its extremely crisp gear changes, high precision and the well-designed, asymmetrical SnapShift mechanism. However, the H-gearbox also provides a solid and reliable gearshift and is much more than just an additional feature. The workmanship, adjustment options and scope of delivery are all of a very high standard. In view of what is on offer, the price of €369 therefore seems attractive. Anyone who regularly uses both types of gear shift and can live with the high noise level will find that this product is one of the most convincing dual-mode solutions on the market.