The Affordable Wheel That Works With ANY Wheelbase | Simagic GT NEO
This is the Simagic GT Neo, and at a retail price of $290, it's not only Simagic's most affordable wheel rim yet but also one of the most affordable mid-to-high-range sim racing wheel rims ever. Yes, you heard that right. Despite its attainable price tag, I truly think this rim is targeted toward the mid to high range market, and in this review, I'll be explaining exactly why as I go through all the good and the bad of the newest Simagic offering.
Sent to me by Simagic for review, the GT Neo packs a lot for a wheel rim in this price range, with its $290 price tag dropping an additional 3% off when using the code “ocracing” at checkout.
At 300mm in diameter, this wheel rim is of a good size, neither too big nor too small, and comparable to nearly every other GT wheel on the market. However, what is not as comparable to competitors is its functionality. With two rotary thumb encoders, two 7-way funky switches, four 12-position encoders, ten customizable RGB backlit buttons, and a four-paddle module on the back, the amount of functionality they've been able to add to this wheel is extremely impressive.
Regarding the buttons, as mentioned, they are all backlit and can have their colors changed using the Simagic software. Moreover, an included see-through sticker sheet allows you to label them all without preventing the light from shining through. As for their feel, it's okay—not particularly notable but acceptable for what you're paying.
It's worth mentioning that the buttons are surprisingly loud and, oddly enough, I felt as though all the buttons had a slightly different sound when pressed down, perhaps a sign of the drop in quality Simagic had to make in order to lower the price of this wheel.
Far more significant with regards to feel, however, are all the other encoders. Not only do they look good, but they also have a firm and very noticeable resistance to them, giving me just the right response time after time. Something I immediately noticed is that the rotary encoders are made of plastic rather than metal, like Simagic's higher-end offerings, again a way for them to lower the cost.
Regarding the design, the GT Neo is simply a good-looking wheel. Apart from featuring backlit buttons and a telemetry display, the entire casing is made from forged carbon fiber, providing a flex-free in-game experience without being overly heavy. The rubber grips on this rim are also nicely executed. Wrapped in a satin-like rubber material, I didn’t find dust and debris clinging to the handles at all, and overall, they were surprisingly grippy, offering me a great hands-on experience with or without gloves.
In-game, the experience was largely flawless. To begin with, the wheel's ergonomics are very nicely designed, making all buttons and encoders comfortably within reach. The only exception is the center encoders, which required me to remove my hands from the wheel. The backlit buttons were easy to identify in the dark, enhancing the immersive experience with RGB shift lights. Furthermore, I found no flex in the wheel, and its compact size and relatively low weight allowed for a great, uninterrupted feeling from the wheelbase. This was a notable improvement over the last Simagic wheel I reviewed.
Speaking of improvements, this new model, despite being a lower-entry offering, comes with two significant updates. The red quick release on the back, although appearing similar, has seen a near 52% increase in the contact area size. This makes it much easier to attach and remove from the wheelbase, now very easy to grasp. This might seem like a minor change, but it made removing the rim dramatically easier. The old system was tricky because the area where your hands would grasp was hard to reach.
Remarkably, this wheel is compatible with Simagic’s brand new Maglink system. This system essentially involves a cable that magnetically connects to this and other rims. It allows seamless use of this steering wheel with third-party wheelbases from companies like Fanatec and Asetek. Sold separately for $20, the Maglink cable significantly increases the wheel's appeal, making it available to a broader market. The only downside is the necessity to route a USB cable to your PC to maintain functionality, which I’ve never liked. Simagic addresses this by providing not only the Maglink cable but also a USB extender to ensure you have enough cable length.
On the back of the rim, the paddle modules are also noteworthy, and honestly, I have no complaints about them. The clutch paddles feature good travel with a slight spring resistance, and the paddle shifters, while magnetic, maintain a tactile yet quiet mechanism. This design is always satisfying to use, and the shifters can even be adjusted slightly inwards and outwards. For the sound, I suggest taking a listen for yourself to appreciate the quality.
The Simagic Simpro manager software allows for a high degree of customization. It enables users to change the brightness of the buttons, adjust their individual colors, tweak settings on the clutch paddles, set in-game presets, and generally tailor this wheel more closely to their preferences.
As Simagic's new entry-level model, offered at an affordable price point, there are inevitably a few concessions compared to their higher-end models. The grips are available only in rubber, not in alcantara or leather. The buttons have a less premium feel when pressed, the rotary encoders are made of plastic instead of metal, and the thumb encoders are slightly less firm and tactile. However, these are relatively minor details, and overall, there's not much else to critique.
All things considered, my experience with the all-new GT-Neo has been nearly flawless. This isn't a paid review, but given the price tag and what it offers, I can't name many other wheels that provide as much value for your money in the world of sim racing wheels. For this reason, and based on everything I've mentioned in this review, it's incredibly easy for me to recommend this wheel, even if you aren’t already a part of the Simagic ecosystem. Of course, I’m always keen to read the comments and hear what you guys think, so please do share your thoughts on this product below. Let me know whether you agree with my assessment.
