Heusinkveld MagShift Mini review: Small but mighty

Dutch hardware manufacturer Heusinkveld Engineering has built its reputation on producing robust products that enhance sim racing immersion.

Founded in 2013 by Niels Heusinkveld and Svend van der Vlugt, Heusinkveld has been favoured by sim racing connoisseurs, with its Sprint and Ultimate+ pedals and load cell-based handbrakes favoured by a legion of top esports racers.

But it has also turned its attention to sequential shifters, with the MagShift Mini representing the firm’s newest lineup addition. 

It’s a spiritual successor to the original Heusinkveld Sim Shifter Sequential, but does its small size equal less performance?

Mini adventure

Designed as a more compact alternative to Heusinkveld’s MagShift, the Mini still packs a punch, belying its size (57.5mm x 91.5mm x 169mm), requiring between 4 kg and 8 kg of adjustable force to switch virtual cogs.

The default figure is set at around 6 Kg, with every unit supplied with a printed-out graph showing its factory performance prior to shipping. Mine produced push and pull forces of 6.3 Kg and 6.6 Kg respectively, sitting slightly above the predicted figures.

Interestingly, the upshift and downshift forces can be set independently, and I preferred to set the downshift force lower (roughly 4 Kg) than the upshift, helping aid speedy shifts under braking.

Setting this is easy thanks to the supplied Torx wrenches. Placing these on either side of the Mini allows you to loosen two of four Torx bolts that control either the up or downshift force. It’s simple and mechanical, and unlikely to go wrong.

Mounting

Heusinkveld offers three alternative mounting solutions (sold separately but reasonably priced), giving you ample fitting options. I was fortunately able to mount the Mini directly to my rig (a GT Omega Prime Lite, for those of you interested), so I didn’t require them, but on inspection, they’re typically solid. However, given the push and pull force needed to operate the Mini, I’m unsure whether mounting it to a desk will be a viable alternative.

If you’re wondering who would want to buy a tiny sim shifter with a forceful action, let me be clear: the Mini is for sim racers who want a quality shifter but are light on space.

For example, although I have a full sim rig, due to space limitations, I can’t mount anything on its left side. The right side is also somewhat restricted, with priority given to my Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake, so the Mini slots in beautifully. Most serious sim racers will likely have more space to play with, so the MagShift  (or another brand’s shifter) will probably be a more ergonomic option.

The Mini comes with an aluminium mounting ‘cage’ by default, which has a degree of horizontal adjustability to help place it on your rig. The tilt of the unit can also be changed thanks to three pairs of bolt holes of differing heights.

The whole thing was attached directly to my rig via two included bolts and was ready to go as soon as I plugged the USB cable into my PC.

Maxi performance?

The Mini feels chunky in the hand, with the shifting sensation suitably mechanical – you definitely need to use a bit of shoulder and bicep to get it moving. The whole operation is controlled by a patented magnetic operation system and provides precise feedback. As a result, it seems almost impossible to perform a mis-shift. 

Opto-electronic sensors are used to detect shifts, which essentially means there are no mechanical parts that can wear out, so the Mini should perform flawlessly throughout its lifespan. As expected, I didn’t experience any issues during my testing.

The Mini was detected by each sim I tried (including Richard Burns Rally and Assetto Corsa EVO), essentially making it plug and play.

You can connect it to Heusinkveld’s SmartControl software to unlock four customisable mappings, which doesn’t quite make up for the lack of buttons on the Mini (in comparison, the MagShift has three buttons) but it does have practical sim racing uses.

The Mini can be set up to perform sequential shifting (up and down, which equals two inputs) but can also be set so that holding the shifter in the up or down position can perform another function (an additional two inputs).

This could be especially handy in rally games. Instead of shifting down from fifth or sixth gear after a high-speed spin, you can push and hold the shifter and slot the car into neutral or reverse almost immediately.

The shifter knob is made from an anodised aluminium-style material, and while it feels pleasant to hold it’s perhaps not the grippiest choice. A softer covering may have worked better in this respect, especially for those who wear gloves. The Mini is built solidly, though, featuring an all-steel and aluminium construction.

Conclusion

Although small, the Heusinkveld MagShift Mini packs some serious horsepower. Its shifts are tactile and intuitive, with numerous mounting solutions available to suit most space-light sim racers.

The mechanical clunk of a Mini gear change is hugely immersive too, mimicking the way real-world sequential ‘boxes need to be overpowered to change cogs. 

However, I do wonder if Heusinkveld could release an extension piece for the Mini to provide a longer shifter shaft. Although this would overlap with its MagShift offering, I feel like the Mini’s smaller footprint ensures it remains distinct. 

The option of a longer shift handle would still provide all the benefits of its compactness, but with the added functionality of an extended reach. Looking at the Mini’s makeup, it looks feasible, and perhaps a third-party aftermarket solution will arrive eventually.

Nevertheless, despite its deliberately compromised design, the MagShift Mini is an extremely capable shifter with a tactile mechanical operation. If you don’t have space for a standard sim shifter, this seems like the ideal option.

At €256.86 (minus shipping and taxes), it’s not cheap, but considering its build quality and functionality, I believe serious sim racers will feel it’s money well spent.

What do you make of Heusinkveld’s pint-sized MagShift Mini? Let us know in the comments below.