Simucube 2 Pro
Advantages & Disadvantages
✅ 25 nm max torque
✅ Manufacturing quality worthy of the most premium brands
✅ Ecosystem geared towards professional riders
✅ Immersive force feedback and in-game sensations on the borderline between reality and simulation
❌ Premium price
❌ Compatible only with PC
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Sim-racing setups are as diverse and varied as the automotive disciplines themselves. If you’re even the slightest bit of a racing fan, you’ll know there are several categories: F1, GT, endurance, rally, drift, you name it. It’s all the same with sim-racing, and that’s only to be expected, given that the discipline we all love is primarily inspired by motorsports.
Of course, not all racers are the same, and that’s our strength: the diversity of our community. You’ve got sim racers more into endurance racing and others with a penchant for F1. And, as with all motorsports, our passion directly impacts our sim-racing setups. A player who loves rally racing won’t have the same setup as a racer with a penchant for the premier discipline, F1. Our choice of field dictates our purchases and our designs.
As with all passions, or almost everything in this world, we have different ranges of sim-racing peripherals, whether for bases, steering wheels, pedalboards, etc. Other players share the available fields, and Simucube is one of the leaders in the high-end segment.
In what follows, I will introduce you to the Simucube 2 Pro, a high-torque Direct Drive base unit. I’ll tell you about its features, strengths, and weaknesses and give you my opinion.
Main features and technical specifications
- Metal construction
- Max. torque 25 nm
- 2160° angle of rotation
- The base motor includes an angle sensor
- The kit is supplied with a Kill-switch which allows the motor to be switched off in case of a problem.
- The Simucube 2 Pro is compatible only with PC
Design
Even if the design of a base is somewhat relative, the Simucube 2 Pro is still beautiful. The structure is made entirely of metal, precision-machined using CNC machines. It’s well-finished, and there’s nothing to say about that. It’s just beautiful. The whole base is matt black, with the logo in white and a white line on the side.
In front, you have Simucube’s QR system for attaching wheels. Again, minimalist and beautiful. At the rear, you have an antenna and four sockets, including one for the power supply. Simple, clear, and precise. The only “flashy” element of the Simucube 2 Pro is its kill switch, a small black and yellow box with a red button.
Customized assembly
Simucube is a premium brand aimed primarily at professional racers and true sim-racing fans. Well, those with a healthy bank account, because Simucube products aren’t cheap.
As for the assembly of the Simucube 2, It’s easy enough: the front plate, where the QR is located, has four holes for screws (supplied in the kit) to secure the base to the cockpit/chassis. Incidentally, this is the only way to attach the Simucube 2 Pro to your setup, as this base is not designed to be installed on a table or desk.
However, some cockpits don’t include mounting points for Simucube bases, so you must buy a bracket. Significant brands like Playseat or Next Level Racing typically offer compatibility with Simucube bases, but I urge you to research well before you check out. And if it helps, I’ve already been able to test a few that you can find them here.
Manufacturing and finishing
There’s nothing to say here. It’s simply a masterpiece of manufacturing. Everything is perfect, and that’s to be expected, given the price!
Everything is made of metal, from the casing to the QR to the support plate. All metal parts are machined to the millimeter, giving a finishing effect worthy of premium brands such as Rolls Royce. The Simucube 2 Pro is aimed at professional sim racers and racing drivers. The brand primarily focuses on racing drivers, with products that enable highly advanced simulation training.
The paintwork is instead matt, with a few shiny accents depending on the viewing angle. I didn’t notice any smearing on any of the parts making up the model. Simucube 2 Pro. It has to be said that the brand has the necessary skills to machine metal parts to perfection.
The Quick Release, commonly known as SQR, is also in metal and the form of a pin. It’s beautiful and well made; Simucube says this piece is “almost eternal.”
Handling the base
The first impression of the Simucube 2 Pro is its weight. The thing weighs over 11 kg! As I said before, not all cockpits provide mounting points for this base, not only because of its importance but also because of its power (25 nm).
I have to admit that installing the Simucube 2 Pro on my chassis was a bit tedious the first time, as the base is relatively small and, above all, very heavy. But once in place, it didn’t budge. As for connecting it to the setup, its plug-and-play connection is via USB, and the Simucube 2 Pro only works on PC. It’s a shame for sim racers on consoles, but only pros and pilots will want to acquire such a base. So…
If you’re looking for a console-compatible base, I invite you to find what you’re looking for by clicking here.
Sensations during play
Let’s get down to business: the sensations. I can tell you that the Simucube 2 Pro doesn’t disappoint. It’s a well of feelings, a torrent of force feedback that’s smooth, precise, and highly communicative but can be brutal if you want it to be.
I’ve rarely had the opportunity to experience such sensations with a Direct Drive base, and the Simucube 2 Pro only develops 25 nm of torque. What I mean is that it’s not the most powerful because there’s its big brother with 32 nm. It seems that in a DD base, it’s not just the motor’s power that counts most.
The sensations are superbly well balanced, light when needed, and very powerful, increased tenfold when you’re in contact. Also, the 2160° rotation angle adds much to the driving sensations, allowing you to make all the necessary trajectory changes. And the icing on the cake is that there are no dead zones with the Simucube 2 Pro. You turn the wheel just a hair – and I mean just an inch – and the car changes trajectory. My hat’s off to you on that one.
Compatibility
The Simucube brand mainly targets professional sim racers and racing drivers. As a result, there’s nothing like a powerful simulator (or computer) to train you to smash the clock. That’s why Simucube has opted for PC compatibility.
I think it’s a shame to see the Simucube 2 Pro compatible only on PC, as many sim-racers are also evolving on consoles. But then… Regarding titles, this base is supported by virtually every game available on the market today. You’re well served between Asseto Corsa, Project Cars, and Forza Motor Sport.
Value for money
Simucube is a very premium brand, and so is the price of this base. Listed at almost €1,464 on the manufacturer’s website, the Simucube 2 Pro is a hair less expensive than a Fanatec Podium DD2 (which you can discover right here). If you’re looking for the basics, the Simucube 2 Pro offers excellent value for money, especially for the services it provides.
However, if you opt for all the brand’s products (steering wheel, pedals, etc.), the bill will quickly reach over €3,000. And in this price bracket, only professionals can afford such a setup.
My verdict
I must admit that I loved the hours I spent on the Simucube 2 Pro. Quite simply, this is one of the best bases in the world for various reasons. It’s a product made with a passion for sim racing and racing enthusiasts. If you can afford it, I urge you to buy all the Simucube peripherals because they’re well worth it.
