Simagic DS-8X Dual Mode Shifter review: Jack of all trades

If you’re serious about sim racing, then you’ve likely considered adding a shifter to your sim rig.

Whether it’s to help simulate heel and toe shifting with a roadcar-style H-pattern gearbox, or whether you want to emulate your BTCC or rally heroes with a sequential, push/pull mechanism, a sim shifter can greatly enhance immersion.

However, sim racers more often than not have to decide between buying an H-pattern or a sequential shifter, with few products convincingly able to offer both.

Simagic’s DS-8X Dual Mode Shifter is one of these catch-all solutions, but does it sacrifice performance for adaptability?

Setup

The DS-8X feels like a solid unit, and it should do, considering its steel and aluminium construction. It weighs around 2 Kg, so it isn’t restrictively heavy, but once mounted to a rig, it feels sturdy.

Mounting is straightforward thanks to the array of M6 bolt holes, with side mounting also possible thanks to an optional Simagic L-plate bracket (currently available for $25.90 from Simagic).

Once in place, the DS-8X is plug-and-play, with a USB-A cable connecting to your PC. No drivers are required, so you can concentrate on mapping it in-game.

The supplied gear knob can be swapped out for a third-party example, which is fortuitous given that the two Simgaic options I’ve sampled feel far too smooth and a little cheap-feeling in the hand.

After installation, you can switch between the DS-8X’s sequential and H-pattern functions using an appropriately solid switch to the side – it’s not something you can accidentally flick while in-game.

Performance

The DS-8X worked straight out of the box in all the sims I tested it with (Le Mans Ultimate, iRacing, rFactor 2 and Assetto Corsa)

There are eight forward gears plus reverse, which is selected by grabbing the locking collar on the shifter. Unfortunately, to select gears seven and eight, you also need to lift the collar, which prevents misshifting but can be mildly irritating.

In H-pattern mode, the shifting action is light and speedy, although the throw is perhaps on the long side. Changing gears feels almost frictionless compared to a road car gearbox, so if you’re looking for a realistic experience, this isn’t it.

For sim racing, though, the H-pattern-enabled DS-8X is perfectly adequate, although its slightly loose-feeling action can lead to overconfidence and the occasional mis-shift. You do at least get a strong mechanical sensation of the shifter passing through neutral and being guided into its next slot, though.

Fortunately, however, you can tighten up its mechanism by adjusting a Torx screw on the rear face of the DS-8X’s chassis, which does help.

Sequential shifting is arguably what the DS-8X does best; however, with each grab of the gear stick accompanied by a satisfying clunk. The lever returns to its home position with a satisfying spring action, but once again it feels very light, especially in comparison to the likes of Heusinkveld’s standalone sequential shifters.

Conclusion

The Simagic DS-8X works well as an H-pattern and a sequential shifter, although it lacks the ultimate polish to excel as both.

Its H-pattern operation and feel are several steps above entry-level options from the likes of Logitech and Thrustmaster (but that’s hardly surprising given they heavily rely on plastics), but it also arguably surpasses the standalone Moza HGP H-pattern shifter, too. 

Although you need to pull up on a collar to access seventh, eighth and reverse gears, realistically, there aren’t many sim cars where this is required, so for most, six forward gears is plenty.

Once thing to note, however, is that mounting certain aftermarket gear knobs will limit the collar’s movement, like it does with my Toyota MR2 Mk3 shifter. If there were a way to permanently lock out the collar, this would be a non-issue.

Sequential shifting also works well, making the DS-8X ideal for sim racers requiring a well-built and easy-to-set-up multi-purpose shifter. 

The DS-8X is priced at $329 (excluding shipping and additional taxes) direct from Simagic, but for UK customers, the actual cost is close to £400, which feels high considering the difference in feel compared to individual shifters at this price point (the Heusinkveld Magshift feels much more robust, for example, but only operates as a sequential shifter).

The Simagic DS-8X Dual Mode Shifter is more of a jack of all trades, then, but if you favour utility over ultimate feel, there’s no reason it can’t give you years of driving pleasure.