Simucube 2 Sport
Benefits
- Maximum torque 17 nm
- Excellent manufacturing quality
- Superb racing feel
Disadvantages
- PC compatible only
- A high price compared with direct competitors
Our rating : 9.2/10
The sim-racing players in the premium segment are not as numerous as you might think. They include names like Fanatec, MozaSimagic, Simucube, Asetek SimSports and a few other brands. Fanatec and Moza are manufacturers that touch on a bit of everything in sim-racing, with a range for amateur pilots, one for experienced pilots and one for pros. The same applies to Simagic, by the way, if you start to take a closer look at its catalog.
As for Simucube, the Finnish firm offers an elitist range, specially designed for racing drivers. In fact, its products are widely used by motorsport teams in their simulators, which speaks volumes not only for the quality of their manufacture, but also for the sensations they deliver.
Among the sim-racing equipment sold by Simucube, we have the Direct Drive 2 Sport base, which represents the manufacturer’s entry-level product with its 17 nm of torque. In what follows, we’ll take a look at what it has to offer.
Main and technical characteristics of the base
- DD base developing 17 nm of torque
- Compatible with wireless steering wheels
- 22-bit angle sensor
- 8 kg weight
- Compatible with PCs and the entire Simucube ecosystem
- Max. steering torque of 4.8 nm per second
- 360 Hz Force Feedback on iRacing
- Full metal structure
Design
As is the case with Simagic and Asetek, Simucube bases all look alike, the only exception being their size (the more powerful, the bigger). As a result, the 2 Sport is identical in design to the 2 Pro.
The shape is rectangular, with an all-black exterior and Simucube logos on the sides and on the QR. Towards the rear, we find the same small chrome strip, and also the cut-outs on the 4 sides of the housing. The design of the 2 Sport is minimalist and sober, and will blend in perfectly with any sim-racing cockpit.
Customized assembly
The 2 Sport is mounted on a chassis only via the front of the base, through its front plate, which has 4 holes at each end. This is exactly the same mounting system found on the 2 Pro and 2 Ultimate, so you’ll need a chassis that supports Simucube bases, i.e. with Front Mount. When ordering a cockpit, pay close attention to this detail, as the 2 Sport can only be mounted from the front.
Another point worth mentioning is the ease with which the base attaches to the chassis. The 2 Sport is slightly smaller than the 2 Pro, but considerably lighter, weighing 8 kg instead of 11 kg. As a result, the 2 Sport is easier to assemble than its bigger sibling, and you won’t necessarily need help to attach it to a chassis.
Manufacturing and finishing
Although this is Simucube’s entry-level model, the 2 Sport is still a premium model, as is the case with the entire Simucube catalog. The body is made entirely of metal, machined using top-quality CNC machines. The result is a top-of-the-range product, free from any apparent defects in edges, parts, assembly or paintwork.
As far as the finish is concerned, it’s exactly the same: premium in every respect. The paint is probably baked on, although I’m no expert on that, there’s no gap between the different parts of the base, and the labels on the back are superb. Let’s face it: Simucube is a premium brand, and its standards are high for all the products it manufactures.
Mounting the handwheels on the base
The 2 Sport uses Simucube’s QR, which is admittedly excellent for holding a flywheel in place on the driveshaft while eliminating play, but it’s not the quickest of the lot, I must say.
To install a wheel, you’ll need a steering wheel with QR Wheel Side specific to Simucube bases, and the operation is as follows: you insert the steering wheel from the top onto the QR groove and secure the whole thing with a pin to prevent the steering wheel from moving. Result: the steering wheel stays firmly in place once the operation has been carried out, but it does have its drawbacks, notably, as far as I’m concerned, the slowness of swapping wheels.
Unlike QRs from Fanatec, Simagic or even Asetek (which is virtually identical to Simucube’s) where you can easily change wheels by pulling a ring or tab to disengage the QR, with Simucube you’ll need to remove the pin first, then the wheel, reinstall another wheel and reinsert the pin to secure everything.
The connection with the drive shaft is solid, I’m not saying it isn’t, but the mechanism, in my opinion, would be much simpler if something other than the pin were used to secure the QR.
Sensations during play
Let’s move on to the most important part of this test: the track feel of the 2 Sport. Its engine develops 17 nm of constant torque, not peak, which is a major advantage over the competition. I have to say, though, that the competition has come up to date, especially from Fanatec with the ClubSport DD+ and its 15 nm of constant torque too.
As for feedback, well, having already taken the 2 Pro into my hands, I can tell you that it’s pretty much the same thing, only less powerful. The 2 Sport is a baseplate that can be adjusted as you wish; this means that you can restrict the torque delivered by the motor to adapt the baseplate to your needs if you’re an amateur rider, making it smooth and considerate, with limited performance that’s much appreciated in racing. And if you want to feel all the power in your hands, the 2 Sport will be delighted to give you a big thump on the steering wheel.
Whatever the power level, this little Simucube base is very communicative in terms of feedback, almost never saturating, even when pushed to its limits. Between bumps, vibrators, lane changes, loss of grip, floaty oversteer and all the rest, the 2 Sport is excellent for budding racers. What’s more, the engine is precise, responsive and all-round enjoyable, especially if you’re coming from a less powerful base.
Compatibility
As you know, the best racing simulators are PC-based, and Simucube is a brand that works closely with motorsport teams. As a result, the 2 Sport is exclusively compatible with the Windows PC platform.
Nevertheless, this little base can be used not only with the entire Simucube brand ecosystem, but also with products from competing brands, such as cranksets, steering wheels, shifters, etc., PC only though.
As far as sim-racing titles are concerned, you’ll have no problem with this base, which is natively recognized.
Value for money
The 2 Sport is priced at €1,290 on the Simucube website, which is a tad high compared with the competition. Admittedly, the build quality is exceptional, the feedback ultra high-performance, and the 2 Sport exudes a premium feel in every respect. But its value for money has taken a hit because of Simucube’s asking price.
My verdict
The Simucube 2 Sport remains a superb Direct Drive base for seasoned riders who want a high-performance device for virtually any situation. The 17 nm of torque can be smooth or strong, but not to the same degree as the 2 Pro, which can be brutal at its best.
Its only drawback is its price. The 2 Sport sells for at least €200 more than its direct competitors. If you find it for €1,000 or less, don’t think twice and buy it, that’s my advice.
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