Drivehub

Our rating : 8.9/10

It’s clear that the world of sim-racing, mainly with simulation titles, is aimed at PC racers. The reason is quite simple: computers, at least the powerful ones, are capable of running the most demanding sims on the market, and with all graphics maxed out. But that’s not all. The other point is that premium sim-racing peripherals, those offering the highest level of immersion, are only available on PC.

If you’re into sim-racing, you’re probably familiar with brands like Logitech, Thrustmaster, Simucube, Fanatecetc. These sim-racing device manufacturers have been active on the market for some time, but do not share the same segments. Simucubefor example, focuses exclusively on the very high-end, and on PCs. Why? Well, because it’s easier to develop a product that only works on a single platform, whether in terms of hardware or software, and everyone knows that consoles are sometimes difficult to work on because of their more or less closed system.

Of course, many manufacturers of sim-racing peripherals offer products that are compatible on several platforms at once, as is the case with Logitech and Fanatec. Except that not all of their products are compatible with Playstation and Xbox, even if the base CSL DD is, but that’s not the point. Typically, you have compatibility with a console and PC (PC and Xbox / PC and Playstation), and this compatibility is often limited to certain models.

To make up for all this, I’m going to introduce you to a product that I think is really cool, and which allows you to connect virtually all steering wheels on consoles and PCs, whatever the generation. I’m talking, of course, about the DriveHuband I’m going to tell you more about it.

DriveHub presentation

Visit DriveHub is a product developed by Collective Minds and allows you to connect steering wheels/bases to consoles or PCs. I don’t need to tell you that this product is very practical for those who already have a sim-racing setup running on one platform, e.g. Xbox only, and wish to switch to another platform (e.g. Playstation), without having to buy new peripherals.

The principle is simple: you have a flywheel/base that works only on one platform and you have the DriveHub which acts as an intermediary between the steering wheel and the new platform. It works perfectly well, with no configuration required on your part – well, in most cases. It’s the equivalent of having an interpreter help you make yourself understood to someone who doesn’t speak French.

Visit DriveHub comes in the form of a small black box with a small LED display, buttons to configure it if you want, even though it works perfectly without any adjustment on your part, and 4 USB sockets at the rear, including a Micro-B that goes to the console (the cable is included, by the way), one for the steering wheel, one for the joystick or controller and one for an accessory such as a shifter, handbrake, etc.

DriveHub operation

As you can probably imagine, there’s no real magic in the DriveHub and it has to work in a certain way, and it does. Inside, there’s a chip that detects the peripherals you’re using (your setup) thanks to a fairly extensive list of products available on the market. It also detects the platform you’re using via the Micro-B cable (PS4, Xbox One, PC).

Once the platform and setup have been detected, the DriveHub will automatically configure everything to work perfectly, and you won’t have to make any adjustments whatsoever. Of course, there are buttons on the top to change certain settings, but for the most part, you won’t use them at all because the product is so well made.

Compatibility

For compatibility with DriveHub with sim-racing titles, it’s pretty complete in the sense that this product only acts as an interface between the console and the setup. You can use it for F1, Forza, Gran Turismo, Dirt, etc.

As far as sim-racing peripherals are concerned, you have practically all those from Logitech (G29, G920), all those from Thrustmaster (T150, T300, T500, TMX, etc.) and many of the older peripherals from Fanatec (Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S, ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5, etc.). As I said, it’s pretty comprehensive in terms of compatibility, both with titles and sim-racing peripherals.

In terms of platforms, the DriveHub works on PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Admittedly, on this point, it’s rather limited, mainly with Last Gen consoles, but on PC it works superbly.

DriveHub value for money

Sold for around 150 €the DriveHub offers good value for money as an interface linking sim-racing peripherals to consoles they’re not supposed to be compatible with. The box is well built, operation is automatic and above all reliable, with no adjustments to be made in most cases.

For whom is DriveHub best suited?

Visit DriveHub is the perfect product for two categories of riders. The first is for people with fairly old setups (the old Fanatec for example) and want to enjoy them across 2 platforms (Xbox and Playstation). This problem no longer arises with Fanatec’s latest bases, which are virtually all cross-platform compatible.

And the second category of runners are those who don’t have the means or space to afford 2 different setups for the game consoles they have. Many gamers own an Xbox and a Playstation mainly for the 2 platforms’ exclusives, and there are still many sim-racing peripherals that only work on Xbox/PC or Playstation/PC, especially those from brands like Logitech and Thrustmaster. As a result, riders need only one setup and the DriveHub to take full advantage of their consoles and sim-racing in general.

My verdict

Visit DriveHub is an inexpensive product that will delight many runners, especially those who are amateurs or beginners in the discipline. Its ease of use and compatibility with most sim-racing peripherals make it a must-have for the discipline, but only if your setup is not recent.

Indeed, if you’ve shopped around recently, i.e. 2 or 3 years ago, you’re likely to have a configuration that works on practically every platform available on the market (PS5, Xbox Series S/X and PC, plus Last Gen). As a result, the usefulness of the DriveHub isn’t that noticeable, even if you have a base/flight for PS5 while you’re on Xbox Series X.

Would I recommend the DriveHub ? Yes, I’d recommend it if you have a fairly old setup with 2 consoles and don’t want to invest in a more recent Direct Drive configuration, for example. But if you already have a brand-new base, released a few years ago (CSL DD for example), you won’t necessarily need the DriveHub.