Simlab P1X Ultimate

Our rating: 9.5/10

SimLab is a well-known brand in the virtual racing community. The reason is simple: this manufacturer offers excellent sim-racing cockpits that are not only top quality, but also competitively priced.

Even though SimLab’s catalog only includes a handful of cockpit entries – 4 to be precise – the brand’s signature is customization. Manufactured from aluminum extrusions, which not only offer greater rigidity than tubulars, SimLab cockpits are also highly modular, enabling them to be adapted to any sim-racing setup.

SimLab’s catalog includes the P1X, flagged as the Dutch manufacturer’s top-of-the-range model. However, in terms of price positioning in relation to the competition, the P1X isn’t all that expensive. To please racers, SimLab is releasing a “revised” version of its flagship chassis, the P1X Ultimate. In what follows, we take a look at what it has to offer sim-raicng fans.

Chassis main and technical features

• All-aluminium section chassis
• Return of vertical uprights, offering greater compatibility with third-party peripherals
• Compatible with a wide range of sim-racing equipment
• All-black design
• Available with a choice of options, such as bucket seats, decks for DD bases, monitor mounts, etc.
• Aggressive selling price for its investment
• Dimensions from 1.35 m long, up to 0.68 m wide and 0.77 m high
• Weight varies according to option settings

Design

The design of SimLab’s P1X Ultimate doesn’t change all that much from its Pro version. The most notable difference is the return of the vertical front pillars. On the P1X Pro, these were angled towards the rider, but now they’re straight up to the sky.

As for the rest of the chassis, the color is all black, as we’re used to with SimLab, offering a minimalist design that blends perfectly with any sim-racing setup.

Another change in the P1X Ultimate, this time in the aluminum profile. You’ll notice that the manufacturer has added slots on the square aluminum tubes to accommodate even more sim-racing peripherals, thanks to increased settings. It’s quite subtle, but functional.

Customized assembly

SimLab’s strength lies in the customization of its chassis. The brand emphasizes customization not only by offering numerous options with brackets that come directly from SimLab, but also through the use of aluminum profiles that allow more or less any tier accessory to be attached.

With the P1X Ultimate, chassis assembly has also been simplified. If you’ve ever assembled a cockpit, you know very well that it’s a time-consuming operation that often requires a second pair of hands. For the P1X Ultimate, you’ll probably need some help if you’re not a DIY enthusiast, but at least the assembly operation is now easier to perform.

Manufacturing and finishing

Without too many surprises, the P1X Ultimate is based on an all-aluminum profile structure machined by CNC machines. The result is not only functional, as this type of material (aluminum) is light and very strong, but also visually very attractive.

The quality of manufacture remains unchanged from SimLab’s standards, and we end up with a quality cockpit that’s very well put together. The paintwork is flawless, and all chassis parts fit together perfectly.

As far as the finish is concerned, I didn’t notice a single flaw on the P1X Ultimate, and this has become a habit over the years with SimLab. As soon as you have it in front of you, you know that this cockpit has been carefully crafted by sim-racing enthusiasts.

Chassis settings

Let’s move on to the various settings available on the P1X Ultimate. As the saying goes, “you can’t change a winning team”, and SimLab knows this all too well. The brand’s hallmark, where it is immediately recognizable, is customization. On the P1X Ultimate, the manufacturer has gone one step further with the return of the vertical uprights, which not only offer greater rigidity, but also greater compatibility with sim-racing peripherals.

Without too many surprises, you can adjust absolutely everything on this chassis, from the location of the bucket and its slide rails, the chainstay deck, the bottom bracket deck, the location of the shifter/handbrake, the monitor mounts, and so on.

Do you remember the slots added to the aluminum profiles? Well, it’s not just for aesthetic reasons, as these slots allow better support and adjustment of sim-racing peripherals. You’ll have more leeway when it comes to bracket placement, and therefore chassis customization and tuning. The same applies to monitor mounts, which now feature an adjustable mounting angle.

Sensations during play

Technically speaking, the P1X Ultimate is an evolution of the P1X, with structural modifications to make it more solid and accommodate even more sim-racing peripherals. Not surprisingly, this cockpit delivers excellent sensations.

As far as stability is concerned, it’s pure SimLab, with a chassis that won’t budge, even if you have a large Direct Drive base. It quietly handles the torque of an Asetek Invicta without plugging in. Speaking of DD bases, make sure you’ve got the right deck, otherwise there could be problems with compatibility.

The return of the vertical uprights brings its share of good things too, including better monitor settings, which ultimately allow for greater immersion. Moving the screens backwards and forwards, not to mention tilting them, gave me a greater appreciation of sim-racing titles, and all thanks to the monitor stand’s new adjustment options.

Let’s move on to the stability of the bottom bracket deck. Obviously, it’s solid, with even more adjustability underfoot. The P1X Ultimate is a cockpit that adapts perfectly to many motorsport disciplines, and the bottom bracket deck is proof of that. I should mention that there are limits to this, especially for Formula fans. The P1X Ultimate is very versatile, but don’t expect the immersion of a Playseat Formula, for example.

Compatibility

The question of P1X Ultimate compatibility doesn’t really need to be addressed, as this chassis ticks virtually all the boxes. Depending on the deck chosen, the list of compatible bases is long, touching on the entry, mid-range and high-end of the market. It’s complete, and that’s what sim-racing fans love.

The same applies to pedalboards and tubs, even though SimLab currently offers 4 in its store, and one pedalboard, the Simlab XP1, which is frankly not bad compared to the competition.

Value for money

Ah, now for the price. The P1X Ultimate is €20 more expensive than the P1X Pro. However, this is the launch price, with a €100 discount. Under normal circumstances, the chassis will cost you €990 from SimLab, which isn’t too expensive considering its build quality, ease of assembly and broad compatibility with sim-racing peripherals.

What really hurts is the manufacturer’s options. If you take the Sparco Circuit II bucket and the 3-monitor stand, expect to see the price literally double, approaching €2,000.

In any case, it’s the same story with the brand’s other chassis. Value for money is not bad if you tick the right options.

My verdict

My verdict on SimLab’s P1X Ultimate. The company has once again shown the world what it can do with sim-racing chassis. This cockpit is very well made, easy to assemble and very solid, even with heavy equipment.

The return of the vertical struts is beneficial to the P1X Ultimate’s structure, as well as being a return to its roots in a way. If you’re looking for a sturdy, quality cockpit, I’d recommend SimLab’s P1X Ultimate. It’s as good a value as any from the brand.