Next Level Racing unveils the HF8 Haptic Feedback Gaming Pad

HF8.jpg
Are buttkickers about to become obsolete? That is a good question to ask ourselves with Next Level Racing's new product announcement.

The HF8 Haptic Feedback Gaming pad is a cushion that can be fitted on a chair or on a racing seat which features 8 vibrating pads: 4 behind your back, 2 under your butt and 2 under your thighs. The product is said to work with any application on any platform, including consoles, with PC allowing for more in-depth software profile customization. Among other uses likes FPS shooters or flying sims, the product is also heavily marketed towards simracing.

The concept itself seems very interesting and, if executed properly and supported by racing simulations, could very well be a good alternative to try giving body feedback to people who are used to feel lateral Gs and other things in a real car without having to resort to cumbersome, complex and extremely expensive motion rigs.


Global retailers should be selling it this month already, with MSRP being 249 EUR for Europe, 229 USD for North America, 399 AUD for Australia and 229 GBP for UK. Considering the advertized versatility of the HF8, this looks like pretty good value. We hope to be able to test it and provide a review soon!
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About author
GT-Alex
Alexandre Tonini
Global motorsports enjoyer, long time simracer, Gran Turismo veteran, I've been driving alongside top drivers since the dawn of online pro leagues on Gran Turismo, and qualified for the only cancelled FIA GTC World Tour. I've left aside competitive driving in 2020 to dedicate myself to IGTL, a simracing organisation hosting high quality events for pro racers and customers, to create with friends the kind of events we wished we could have had. We strive to provide the best events for drivers and the best content for viewers, and want to help the simracing scene grow and shine further in the global esports scene.

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Comments

delpinsky
pai said:

Colour me interested.
Click to expand...
The review definitely made the product interesting!
Thanks for the link.

I would imagine a whole driver suite with haptic feedback in the future, gloves and shoes included...
 
Metla
Premium
I watched that young ladies video before heading to work this morning, For some reason it grabbed my attention....

Just placed an order, Hopefully it gets here tomorrow.
 
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Omiley2k
Seat Pads should have been made standard a long time ago. Wheel tech peaked quite some time ago and is full of gimmicks at this point. Your hands/arms can only interpret so much information, your butt is your core and allows you to feel everything about the car.
 
gmerariu
pai said:
The product is nothing new, it has been done before and it's available in the market. Problem was that it was either expensive (SRS) or seller was sketchy (Gametrix).

NLR is well known and asking price is nearly half of SRS's. Now, NLR has had mixed reviews on their previous products. Hopefully this will be a good one.
Click to expand...
SRS ushake6 is whole different tech than NL / Gametrix jetseat.

It's like comparing a Ferrari (SRS) to a Fiero kit car (NL).

Looks similar from outside but whole different level of performance.

See below
simracingstudio.freshdesk.com

Differences between the U-Shake6, Jetseat, and Buttkicker Gamer 2

Below are some of the differences between the Sim Racing Studio U-Shake6, Jetseat and Buttkicker Gamer 2: SRS U-Shake6 Jetseat Buttkicker Gamer 2 Adjustability Full - Tactile Transducers - ability to mix 1024 different tactile-soun...
simracingstudio.freshdesk.com simracingstudio.freshdesk.com
 
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P
gmerariu said:
SRS ushake6 is whole different tech than NL / Gametrix jetseat.

It's like comparing a Ferrari (SRS) to a Fiero kit car (NL).

Looks similar from outside but whole different level of performance.

See below
simracingstudio.freshdesk.com

Differences between the U-Shake6, Jetseat, and Buttkicker Gamer 2

Below are some of the differences between the Sim Racing Studio U-Shake6, Jetseat and Buttkicker Gamer 2: SRS U-Shake6 Jetseat Buttkicker Gamer 2 Adjustability Full - Tactile Transducers - ability to mix 1024 different tactile-soun...
simracingstudio.freshdesk.com simracingstudio.freshdesk.com
Click to expand...
I am fully aware of the differences, as I'm also aware that you are the main SRS developer.

What I wanted to point out, is that this kind of device is not new nor revolutionary. People like you have been developing and selling this for years. But I guess it's hard to fight against NLR marketing machinery.
 
S
I have the SimShaker JetPad FlightSim Edition (I don't play flight games). I tried it for 1 or 2 days but I couldn't get it to feel comfortable with my seat.

One of the problems is that it literally feels like you're sitting on top of an object that is on top of your seat rather than just feeling like you're sitting in your seat.

Furthermore, it changed the position of my body on the seat. I was sitting more forward and upright if I remember correctly. In order for my head to lean against the seat, I'd have to really lean my head backwards so that I'm looking much more upwards - more towards the ceiling or top of the monitor.

Finally, I can't decide how to use it even if I could make it feel natural, comfortable, and like it's physically not there. I have a NLR Motion Platform v3. I use that for g-forces mostly but also for bumps. I also have 4x Buttkicker Larges and 4x Clark Synthesis TST429 Platinums sitting in their boxes unused for a few years now (what a waste, I REALLY need to set these up soon or sell them). How do I incorporate the JetSeat to compliment the other devices? What effects do I use it for?

I got myself into one of those situations where you buy too much, get partly overwhelmed, partly lazy - both of which cause you to loose some interest - and, in the end, you have all this stuff just sitting in boxes un-used (besides the NLR MP v3) :(
 
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RichardHessels
Is it a bunch of electric motors with an eccentric weight mounted to it (as in rumble pads) or a different technique where it will change it's shape very fast?
 
RCHeliguy
Premium
I should probably be clear that while I think NLR makes great products and has well integrated software, for me a product like this is a non-starter.

For example as much as I love my G-Belt which adds a lot to the racing feel. I've never gotten a G-Seat which looks like a good product. The main reason being that my racing seat feels perfect. It hugs me in all the right ways and I don't want to give that up. The same applies to a product like this.

I hear many positive comments about the Simshaker for Aviators and the Jetseat which is a similar type product( not saying they are the same). It has lots of effects and is customized per vehicle in DCS and other flight sims with two main categories helicopters and planes. In that market many people have flight seats that are lacking in comfort compared to a shell racing seat. Some are literally made from plywood. So adding a padded tactile seat cushion is a very welcome addition for most people in that niche.
 
actarusss
I have a SRS for many years and I can't play without it now .
But I think just the seat (4 transducers) is enouph , it is less intrusive in confort and driving position.
 
MrBraindown
Premium
Really decent price point. I'm very tempted. Any issues buying direct from Next Level when you're based in the UK? (Tax, customs etc)
 
E
Mike1304 said:
Don’t know what sketchy means but I have a Gametrix Jetseat for many years already and it still works like a charm in all my sims (especially AMS2)…
Click to expand...
Russian, it means Russian
I ve had the gametrix for a good while now, works great.
 
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GT-Alex
MrBraindown said:
Really decent price point. I'm very tempted. Any issues buying direct from Next Level when you're based in the UK? (Tax, customs etc)
Click to expand...
MSRP is VAT included, so i'm assuming that's all taken into account already, but if you want to be 100% sure just ask them on Twitter, they seem to be pretty reactive there.
 
Metla
Premium
Righto, Have been advised that my HF8 has been delivered, So once again work gets in the way of more enjoyable past times.

Will be using it on a rig with aNLR motion device on it, and which I previously had butt kickers also attached but they combined with the motion system to create too much undefined noise.

Hoping with this placing feedback directly on the driver rather then the rig I can get around that issue.

Looking to use a bit of gear change clunk through all of the pads , some engine rev feedback through my lower back,, and maybe some wheel lock up or slip through the jacksie.
 
P
Metla said:
Righto, Have been advised that my HF8 has been delivered, So once again work gets in the way of more enjoyable past times.

Will be using it on a rig with aNLR motion device on it, and which I previously had butt kickers also attached but they combined with the motion system to create too much undefined noise.

Hoping with this placing feedback directly on the driver rather then the rig I can get around that issue.

Looking to use a bit of gear change clunk through all of the pads , some engine rev feedback through my lower back,, and maybe some wheel lock up or slip through the jacksie.
Click to expand...
Looking forward to your review mate!
 
=Fieldzy=
Premium
No software support for rFactor2 .
Just plug into audio for basic vibration so if rf2 is your main title don't bother with it till their software supports the title.
How could they not have this supported rf2 from day one!
 
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