Heusinkveld MagShift review: The real deal

I reviewed Heusinkveld’s MagShift Mini earlier this year, and although I was thoroughly impressed with its build quality and shifting action, its small scale was too much of a compromise for my sim rig (although I acknowledge that if you are light on space, it’s ideal).

I wondered if the Dutch sim racing hardware manufacturer’s full-size MagShift would offer a more rounded alternative, albeit at a higher cost (€364 RRP, but as of 11th July 2025, it’s available on Heusinkveld’s official website for €314).

After a couple of weeks’ worth of testing, I was able to get a good idea of whether the MagShift can enhance your sim racing setup and see if it justifies the extra cost. 

Mounting

Compared to the MagShift Mini’s compact dimensions, the MagShift is positively gargantuan. However, in real terms, it has a relatively slim profile and fits easily onto my GT Omega Prime Lite rig, alongside my Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake v1 (370x130x72mm is a rather svelte footprint considering the unit’s heft).

Just like the Mini, the Magshift is shipped with an aluminium cage that mounts directly to your rig, with the Magshift secured inside via four bolts. It’s sturdy, and the six bolt holes on either side mean you can tilt the Magshift up or down a few millimetres to aid comfort and reach.

The unit connects to your PC directly via USB and uses Heusinkveld’s SmartControl software. It works straight out of the box once connected, with some adjustability in the shift feel possible thanks to the two supplied Torx wrenches.

The adjustability means you can separately set the upshift and downshift forces between 4.5 kg and 11 kg. Generally, racecars require a bit more force to change up when on the power, and the MagShift allows you to mimic this. It takes a bit of bicep activation to get the shifter to move, with each gear change accompanied by a satisfying clunk.

Build quality

The mechanism itself is made out of polyoxymethylene, a durable thermoplastic polymer known for its low-friction qualities, with sim racers having to overcome an initial magnetic force to change gear (hence the name ‘MagShift’). 

Two opto-electronic sensors detect each input, with three mappable buttons on the shifter base offering some extra control options. Using SmartControl, the buttons can be mapped via push or hold functions, with the shifter itself able to be mapped in different ways (for example, pushing and holding a downshift can be mapped as neutral).

Shifts are fairly noisy despite Heusinkveld using foam to dampen the sound of the internal spring, so bear this in mind if you live in an upstairs flat, or if you sim race into the wee small hours.

The whole unit is constructed from a combination of aluminium and steel, with a disappointingly bland plastic insert acting as the grip point on the lengthy (37.5 cm) handle. Despite this, the MagShift is sturdy and feels like it’ll take a lot of punishment, which is fortunate, given my clumsiness…

Operation

The MagShift was immediately recognised by all my most-played sims – even the Rallysimfans mod for Richard Burns Rally – and it was instantaneously comfortable to use; there was no fumbling around trying to find a gear thanks to the height of the lever.

The three buttons at the base of the unit were a bit fiddly, however, and felt quite cheap compared to the rest of the MagShift’s construction, almost like they were an afterthought. Still, having extra buttons on a shifter is no bad thing in my book, and it’s not as if they are in the way, so you can simply ignore them if not required.

The shifter feels intuitive to use; weighty and satisfying, with a distinctly mechanical tactility. In isolation, it doesn’t feel like cogs are slotting into place, but combined with engine audio the shifting operation is quite immersive.

The MagShift’s plastic handle insert is a bit of a low point, offering less grip than the equivalent covering on my aged Sim Handbrake (see images), but when you’re driving at ten-tenths, it’s barely noticeable.

The Heusinkveld MagShift is undoubtedly the most complete shifter I’ve tested so far. Its build quality, operation, software and, most importantly, feel, make it a worthy addition to any sim racer’s rig. It offers a similar feel to the MagShift Mini but without the size compromise.

It may be pricey in comparison to some of its rivals, but you can’t argue with its performance.