What it is
Simagic’s top formula wheel. Carbon fibre frame, 290mm wide, $549, 1700g. Twelve RGB buttons, five rotary encoders, four thumb knobs, one seven-way funky switch, and six paddles. Plus the Sumo S-ray RGB light strip across the top for shift indication.
That is a serious control count. Five rotary encoders means you can map traction control, brake bias, ABS, engine map, and diff settings without touching a screen.
Who it’s for
Open-wheel specialists. If you are running F1 in any sim, Formula Vee in iRacing, or the LMDh prototypes in Le Mans Ultimate, this is the form factor. The 290mm diameter and open-top design are purpose-built for cars where you rarely cross your hands.
Price puts it firmly in the enthusiast bracket. You would pair this with a Simagic Alpha or Alpha U, not with a budget 5Nm base. At $549 it competes with Cube Controls and Ascher Racing entries, though those tend to start higher.
In use
Five rotaries. That is the headline. Most formula wheels in this price range give you two or three. Having five means you can assign one function per encoder and leave it. No mode layers, no memorising which button combo switches contexts. Just reach and turn.
The shift light strip works well. Configurable colour thresholds, bright enough to catch in peripheral vision. It is not a replacement for a dashboard display, but for RPM awareness during qualifying laps it does the job.
Six paddles accommodate dual-clutch launches if your sim supports them. The extra pair can handle pit limiters, DRS, or radio. Carbon fibre frame feels rigid. No flex under load, even on high-torque bases.
Thumb knobs are small but usable. They suit fine adjustments mid-stint better than rotary encoders do, since you can nudge them with less hand movement.
What to watch out for
Compatibility is the big caveat. This wheel is designed for Simagic wheelbases only. No native third-party support. If you want to run it on a Simucube or VRS base, you will need a third-party adapter (they exist, but add cost and complexity). That is a meaningful lock-in at this price.
The 1700g weight is on the heavier side for a formula rim. On a Simagic Alpha U with 15Nm peak torque, you will not notice. On anything under 10Nm, it could dampen the detail in lighter FFB signals.
No integrated display. At $549, some competitors include a small LCD. Simagic expects you to use their dashboard software or a separate screen.
Verdict
Excellent formula wheel if you are committed to the Simagic ecosystem. The five-rotary layout is genuinely rare at this price, and the carbon frame feels like it belongs on a more expensive product. The ecosystem lock-in is the only real hesitation. Know your upgrade path before you buy.