Here is my review of the SG Racing handbrake and sequential shifter combo kit.
Note: SG Racing did not contact myself or RaceDepartment for a review of their product, nor did they offer the product for free.
SG Racing offers multiple handbrake, sequential shifter, and accessory options, sold via their website, including the combo kit kit reviewed here. The kit is listed for £350 plus shipping, and includes a sequential stick shift and handbrake.
About The Combo Kit
The kit is mounted on an aluminum plate, and the shifter and handbrake connect to your PC by way of an onboard USB hub. This hub means that both the shifter and handbrake share a single USB connection to your computer, and the devices register in Windows 10 automatically and show in Windows as “SG Combo”.
The construction of the shifter and handbrake kit is nearly all aluminum, and the total weight of the combo unit is 3 kilograms or 6.6 pounds. The sequential shifter has an onboard trigger for neutral, and the length of the shifter is 34 centimetres or 13 inches. The handbrake is slightly longer at 36 centimetres or 14 inches.
The mounting plates is drilled for two bolts, each bolt hole has a diameter of 8 millimetres and they are spaced 100 millimetres apart. The holes are located between the shifter and the handbrake.
Internal springs at the base of both the shifter and the handbrake return the arm to the centre position and offer resistance. The shifter features heavy duty switches that are triggered at the extent of the throw in either direction. The handbrake’s sensor allows the travel of the arm to be transmitted to your PC as an analog signal.
Review
The SG Racing handbrake and sequential shifter kit is a no-frills, purpose built piece of sim racing gear. The devices feel extremely solid individually, and the assembly barely moves relative to the mounting plate while in use.
The handbrake requires a significant amount of force to pull, and the spring used to return the arm to the centre position does so very rapidly. Because of the force required for this handbrake, it is strongly recommended that a higher-end racing cockpit be used or that the unit is bolted directly to the frame. During testing, a weld on my shifter mount arm came undone due to these high forces.
The sequential shifter is another sturdy and well-built piece of gear. Shifts require significantly more force than my previous shifters, the Thrustmaster TH8A and the SHH Shifter Newt. Each gear change produces a satisfying click, and like the handbrake the springs that return the arm to the centre position do so almost instantaneously.
Both the shifter and the handbrake are very fun to use. The mechanical feel of either is a very rewarding and immersive experience. The build quality is outstanding, and this should be a piece of kit that lasts for years to come. Given the torque generated by the length of the arms and the high resistance, some adjustability of the force required for either or both components would go a long way to making this kit accessible to more sim racers.
Summary
The SG Racing Handbrake and SQ Shifter PRO Combo kit isn't meant to be the sequential shifter and handbrake for every sim racer. This is an unwavering, uncompromising piece of heavy duty sim racing gear designed to bring a more authentic feel to users than consumer grade shifters and handbrakes. The unit demands a lot of both the user and the rig it's mounted to, and requires both to be strong. The price will put it out of reach for many, but for those taking steps toward realism in sim racing or willing to pay extra for a bit of extra fun and immersion, this is a great choice.
Pros
If you own this combo kit, be sure to click "Write a review" below this article. Or, if you're in the market for either a sequential shifter or a handbrake, let us know in the comments if you're considering SG Racing, or which other brands you've been looking at.
Note: SG Racing did not contact myself or RaceDepartment for a review of their product, nor did they offer the product for free.
SG Racing offers multiple handbrake, sequential shifter, and accessory options, sold via their website, including the combo kit kit reviewed here. The kit is listed for £350 plus shipping, and includes a sequential stick shift and handbrake.
About The Combo Kit
The kit is mounted on an aluminum plate, and the shifter and handbrake connect to your PC by way of an onboard USB hub. This hub means that both the shifter and handbrake share a single USB connection to your computer, and the devices register in Windows 10 automatically and show in Windows as “SG Combo”.
The construction of the shifter and handbrake kit is nearly all aluminum, and the total weight of the combo unit is 3 kilograms or 6.6 pounds. The sequential shifter has an onboard trigger for neutral, and the length of the shifter is 34 centimetres or 13 inches. The handbrake is slightly longer at 36 centimetres or 14 inches.
The mounting plates is drilled for two bolts, each bolt hole has a diameter of 8 millimetres and they are spaced 100 millimetres apart. The holes are located between the shifter and the handbrake.
Internal springs at the base of both the shifter and the handbrake return the arm to the centre position and offer resistance. The shifter features heavy duty switches that are triggered at the extent of the throw in either direction. The handbrake’s sensor allows the travel of the arm to be transmitted to your PC as an analog signal.
Review
The SG Racing handbrake and sequential shifter kit is a no-frills, purpose built piece of sim racing gear. The devices feel extremely solid individually, and the assembly barely moves relative to the mounting plate while in use.
The handbrake requires a significant amount of force to pull, and the spring used to return the arm to the centre position does so very rapidly. Because of the force required for this handbrake, it is strongly recommended that a higher-end racing cockpit be used or that the unit is bolted directly to the frame. During testing, a weld on my shifter mount arm came undone due to these high forces.
The sequential shifter is another sturdy and well-built piece of gear. Shifts require significantly more force than my previous shifters, the Thrustmaster TH8A and the SHH Shifter Newt. Each gear change produces a satisfying click, and like the handbrake the springs that return the arm to the centre position do so almost instantaneously.
Both the shifter and the handbrake are very fun to use. The mechanical feel of either is a very rewarding and immersive experience. The build quality is outstanding, and this should be a piece of kit that lasts for years to come. Given the torque generated by the length of the arms and the high resistance, some adjustability of the force required for either or both components would go a long way to making this kit accessible to more sim racers.
Summary
The SG Racing Handbrake and SQ Shifter PRO Combo kit isn't meant to be the sequential shifter and handbrake for every sim racer. This is an unwavering, uncompromising piece of heavy duty sim racing gear designed to bring a more authentic feel to users than consumer grade shifters and handbrakes. The unit demands a lot of both the user and the rig it's mounted to, and requires both to be strong. The price will put it out of reach for many, but for those taking steps toward realism in sim racing or willing to pay extra for a bit of extra fun and immersion, this is a great choice.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Plug and Play compatibility
- Immersive and authentic feel
- No adjustability on spring strength
- Unusually high amount of strength required from user
- Not overpriced, but still expensive
- Limited mounting options, when mounting is critical
If you own this combo kit, be sure to click "Write a review" below this article. Or, if you're in the market for either a sequential shifter or a handbrake, let us know in the comments if you're considering SG Racing, or which other brands you've been looking at.
