Rexing Mayaris 2

Our rating : 9.7/10

When we think of premium brands in sim-racing, we immediately think of Simucube, Asetek or even Fanatec and Simagic, although the latter two are also generalists. However, there are other lesser-known manufacturers, such as Rexing.

The name probably doesn’t ring a bell, and that’s understandable, because the brand is not only small, made up of a small team of enthusiasts, but also experienced in carbon fiber. And this material is very much in vogue in the world of cars and motorsport, but also in sim-racing.

Rexing is a Croatian brand that currently manufactures a Formula-type steering wheel, the Mayaris. It’s in version 2, but there’s also a version 1, released a few years ago. For the Mayaris 2, just in time, it’s on our sim-racing setup for a full test.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• 29 cm diameter
• Formula-style steering wheel
• 5” central OLED screen and 3 other small screens above the bottom rotary encoders
• 1.15 kg on the scales, thanks in particular to the massive use of carbon fibre
• Can be ordered directly with the Asetek QR
• Available in 4- or 6-pallet versions, including 2 magnetic pallets and 2 optional Push Pull pallets
• Silicone handles for excellent grip
• RevLED on 3 sides of screen
• 21 controls in all, with 4 or 6 rear-mounted paddles and 10 backlit buttons
• Fully adjustable steering wheel
• Native PC and SimHub compatibility
• Aluminum rear hub to accommodate all 50.8 and 70 mm QRs from Fanatec, Asetek, Simucube, etc.

Design

The Mayaris 2 is a simply magnificent wheel. Greatly inspired by Mercedes-AMG’s Formula wheels, we end up with an all-carbon-fiber casing that forms both the outer shell and the structure of the wheel.

The front panel houses the huge 5″ display, which shows telemetry data that can be fully parameterized via SimHub. All around, you’ll find controls (buttons, switches, encoders, etc.), as well as RevLEDs.

On the sides are two open silicone grips that are superbly soft to the touch, very pleasant on long sim-racing sessions. Quite simply, the Mayaris 2 is a beautiful steering wheel for F1 fans.

Customized assembly

Rexing offers a rear hub that supports both 50.8 and 70 mm mounting systems. As a result, you can more or less attach all the hubs available on the market, and therefore the QRs that go with them.

Asetek’s QR is available as a pre-installed option, which should make life easier if you have a base from the same brand. However, you should be aware that you won’t get the axis extensions supplied with the QR. So, if your base is far away and you need these extensions, it’s best to buy the Asetek steering wheel and QR separately.

Another point worth mentioning is that if you have a Logitech or Thrustmaster base, you can ask Rexing to supply you with the adapter for these two brands. It’s free on their part, which is nice, but if you’re shopping for this range of steering wheels, it makes sense to me that you clearly don’t have a Logitech or Thrustmaster base.

Manufacturing and finishing

What can I say here, except that it’s exceptional. The entire steering wheel is made of carbon fiber, and not just the faceplate. The entire structure is made of carbon fiber, handcrafted by Rexing’s highly experienced carbon fiber team.

The build quality screams ultra-premium. All carbon fiber is epoxy-coated, except on the front face to avoid reflections, and this gives a smooth effect on the steering wheel. In addition, all the edges are chamfered to form a blunt edge. So you don’t have to worry about hurting yourself on the edges.

I don’t have much to say about the finish. You’ve got premium like Fanatec and Simagic. Then there’s the ultra-premium from Simucube and Asetek. With Rexing’s Mayaris 2, it’s another step up. And that should give you an idea of the level of finish on this steering wheel, which is not only hand-made, but made to order too.

Handling the steering wheel

The wheel is 29 cm in diameter, with two open side grips and a 9H15 riding position. This gives the Mayaris 2 a very good basic grip, accentuated by the layout of the controls on the faceplate.

Even though the screen is 5” and covers a good part of the face, you have several controls that are not only close to your fingers, but also very easy to use in the middle of a race. There are 3 encoders per inch, plus 3 more below the screen. The latter have their own little screen for changing parameters, and each encoder on the sides has 3 positions for each setting, and 4 for the one in the center. That gives you a ton of possible settings on this steering wheel, and I love it.

Let’s talk about the rear paddles. As standard, you have 4 magnetic paddles, and only 2 adjustable ones. As an option, you have 2 other adjustable Push Pull paddles. Unfortunately, these are not magnetic, but they work pretty well.

Sensations during play

I’d now like to talk about how the Mayaris 2 will feel in sim-racing. First of all, you need to pair it with a good Direct Drive base from the big names in the industry to get good feedback. Admittedly, the wheel doesn’t weigh much (less than 1.2 Kg), but you’ll need to add the QR of your choice, which will inevitably increase its weight. Depending on the Quick Release, and the performance of the chainstay, you’ll get sensations that may vary.

As for the feel itself, the Mayaris 2 is an excellent Formula-type steering wheel, and I’d go so far as to say it’s the best on the market. Between the grip of the handles, the layout of the controls (buttons, rotors, screen, etc.), the LEDs which can be set to display tons of information, such as overtaking by an opponent, the paddles and the reduced weight of the wheel, the Mayaris 2 is just superb to use in sim-racing.

It’s hard to believe that a small team specializing in carbon fiber can offer us one of the best, if not the best, Formula sim-racing steering wheels. And if you haven’t already got your hands on Mayaris 2, you’ll never know what it’ll do for you.

Compatibility

As far as platforms are concerned, this steering wheel is PC-only, and that’s logical because it’s aimed at a very specific audience of sim-racing racers, on the borderline between ultra-passionate, professional and, above all, financially comfortable, and I’ll come back to this point below.

As far as setups are concerned, you’ll need a hub specific to your base in order to use the Mayaris 2. There’s a 50.8 and 70 mm pattern at the rear, which will more or less fit all bases on the market.

Value for money

So… I told you earlier that the Mayaris 2 is an expensive steering wheel, and that’s no nonsense. Expect to pay €1,360 for the 6-paddle version, before tax, to be able to install this jewel on your setup. At €1,500 incl. VAT, depending on where you buy it.

Its value for money is at a huge disadvantage, to be honest with you. But at the same time, and this remains my opinion, it’s the best Formula steering wheel on the market. So…

My verdict

If, by misfortune or good fortune, you get your hands on the Mayaris 2, you’ll quickly realize that this steering wheel is the holy grail of sim-racing and F1 racing. The only fault I can find with this steering wheel is its price. But at the same time, having such a peripheral, with a finish worthy of the world’s most luxurious watches, and which offers excellent on-track sensations, the price doesn’t really matter.

If you can afford it and are a Formula fan, treat yourself to the Mayaris 2. For the rest of us racers on a budget, we can only see it on YouTube and the Internet, unfortunately.