SIMAGIC GT1

Our rating : 9.2/10

Simagic, the manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals, has quickly made a name for itself on the world stage, with premium products inspired by motor racing. Its teams are made up of engineering enthusiasts and professional drivers, enabling the brand to offer immersive products.

Covering numerous motorsport disciplines, Simagic offers a wide range of peripherals for all mechanical enthusiasts. Its catalog covers Formula, GT and endurance racing, as well as touring. What’s more, all Simagic products are high-performance, from Direct Drive bases and Load Cell and hydraulic cranksets to handbrakes, shifters and other simu accessories.

Among the steering wheels offered by the brand, we have the GT1. It’s a versatile steering wheel, available in two variants: one with a flat bottom (D-Shapre) and another with a completely round shape. What’s more, it’s available in a choice of leather or alcantara. In what follows, the GT1 will be put through its paces on our sim-racing setup.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• Aluminum alloy structure
• Carbon fiber hub
• Available in flat-bottomed and round versions
• Available in a choice of leather or alcantara
• 4 rear paddles
• 8 front panel controls
• Simagic Quick Release derived from D1-Spec at rear
• Compatible with all Simagic wireless bases and other USB bases
• 33 cm diameter
• Weight 1.95 kg

Design

The GT1 has a minimalist design, just like much of the Simagic range. As for colors, black dominates this steering wheel, with a few red accents here and there, notably the stitching and the band on the top of the wheel.

Apart from that, there’s a carbon fiber hub, a brushed aluminum frame and the brand’s logo in the center. It’s very sober, with an air of the Simagic GTS, which by the way is a beautiful steering wheel. I think Simagic keeps it simple, and personally, I love it.

Customized assembly

At the rear of the GT1 is Simagic’s Quick Release, derived from the D1-Spec. It’s a standard QR found on all the brand’s other flywheels, as well as the DD base side.

There’s a large red ring that needs to be pulled out to insert and remove the flywheel from the base. The operation is very easy: pull the ring, align and insert the steering wheel, release the ring. If you have a Simagic base, wireless communication is used to control the steering wheel and RGB buttons. And if you don’t have an Alpha base, the GT1 uses a USB Micro-B socket on the rear to connect to your platform (PC only).

As far as I’m concerned, Simagic should have replaced this USB Micro-B plug with a Type C, because firstly, it’s easier for drivers to use, and secondly, it’s much more robust than the Micro-B plug.

Manufacturing and finishing

The steering wheel structure is made of aluminum alloy, but we don’t know what else it’s made of. The manufacturer doesn’t mention anything on its website, and it’s hard to find this kind of information elsewhere.

For the hub, the GT1 uses carbon fiber to combine “lightness” with a premium look, and I have to say it’s a winner. The hub enhances the steering wheel’s build quality, and this is accentuated by the leather or alcantara covering the hoop. By the way, you can choose between the two materials, of course, but also between an all-round shape and a flat-bottomed one.

Let’s turn now to the GT1’s finish. In a word: premium. Even if this steering wheel isn’t technically expensive, especially when compared to the competition, the GT1 is still well made. Whether it’s the inside of the faceplate, the stitching, the metal or the carbon fiber, everything on the GT1 is just right.

Handling the steering wheel

So, for the grip, the wheel is 33 cm in diameter, either a round shape or one with a flat bottom. What’s more, it’s available in leather or alcantara. In concrete terms, the choice of materials or shape doesn’t greatly affect the GT1’s grip.

The hub includes the steering wheel controls, and these are very close to your fingers. You’ll be able to use them, for the most part, in the middle of a race, without having to take your hands out of the way.

At the rear of the GT1 are 4 paddles, 2 of them magnetic, for shifting gears. These are large, with the “+” and “-” clearly visible. The other two paddles are small, I must admit, but they’re just below the gearshift paddles, so it’s hard to miss them in the middle of a race. In fact, when viewed from the front, you can’t really see the other two paddles, especially on the flat-bottomed version. All in all, the GT1 is a steering wheel that’s easy to get to grips with.

Sensations during play

Let’s move on to the Simagic GT1’s in-game feel. As I mentioned earlier, the steering wheel comes in two forms: flat-bottomed and fully round. In itself, this doesn’t really change the ergonomics and feel on the track, but there is a slight difference between the two, and that’s the driving position.

On the flat-bottomed steering wheel, your hands fall on the 8H20 driving position, and the round steering wheel is much more natural on 9H15. On the D-Shape or flat-bottomed steering wheel, the controls are slightly set back from your hands, but this doesn’t bother you too much on the track.

However, the GT1 is a steering wheel that weighs in at 2 kg on the scale, and taking this weight into account, I suggest you pair it with a base that develops at least 8 or even 10 nm in order to take full advantage of this magnificent wheel.

Apart from that, I really enjoyed the laps I spent with Simagic’s GT1. The hoop is large, making it easy to hold and ride in a variety of sim-racing disciplines. It’s solid, very well made and premium to boot.

Compatibility

The GT1’s QR gives the wheel native compatibility with all Simagic bases, whether Alpha or the new Evo. As far as the platform is concerned, the GT1 only works on a PC, via the Simagic base or another via a USB connection provided by the Micro-B socket on the rear of the wheel.

As for software, the GT1 is supported by SimPro 2, the brand’s own software. As a result, you’ll have no trouble setting up the controls as you see fit.

Value for money

Before I give you my verdict, let’s talk about value for money. The Simagic GT1 is available at two prices from the brand’s authorized distributor: you get the round leather steering wheel for almost €371, and the flat-bottomed steering wheel in leather or alcantara for almost €395.

In practical terms, it’s midway between the steering wheels in Fanatec’s CSL and ClubSport ranges. As far as I’m concerned, the Simagic GT1 offers superb value for money, especially in the face of direct competition. It’s premium, well made, and reasonably priced in absolute terms.

My verdict

If you’re a GT, endurance or even touring racer, Simagic’s GT1 is a great steering wheel for your setup. It has a good shape, with a generous diameter, although I find it a hair big, and heavy too. But don’t worry, it only takes a few laps to get used to.

If you have the means and are tempted to take the plunge into Simagic’s ecosystem, the GT1, alongside the GTS, are superb wheels that can be considered for a generalist setup, or even one specialized in a sim-racing discipline. In two words: I approve.

Compatibility

Like other Simagic peripherals, the GT1 is compatible only with the Windows PC platform. You don’t necessarily need a Simagic base to use this steering wheel on your setup, as it can be connected directly to your computer via a USB cable.

As for software, the GT1 is natively supported by Simagic’s SimPro Manager software. You’ll be able to assign controls, RGB and a host of other wheel-related settings.

Value for money

We’ve talked about it before, the GT1 is available in 3 versions: one round with leather, and two flat-bottomed with leather or alcantara. The all-round steering wheel retails for €370, while the flat-bottomed wheel retails for €395, regardless of the material chosen (leather or alcantara).

Personally, I find Simagic’s GT1 to be good value for money. It’s not the most expensive wheel in the brand’s range, and alongside the GTS, it represents the entry-level wheel.

My verdict

Like Simagic’s GTS, which is slightly less expensive, the GT1 is clearly aimed at an audience looking for a versatile wheel that does well in many virtual motorsport disciplines. The materials are first-rate, the build quality is top-notch, and you’ll get a good feel for the track.

If you’re looking for a steering wheel that can serve you well for a long time, until you find out what interests you most in sim-racing, then the GT1 is the perfect candidate, especially if you like big wheels. And if you don’t, there’s always the GTS, which is a little smaller, but only offers 2 rear paddles. Just goes to show, you have to make compromises in life.