Sim racing has recently been an integral part of the gaming community due to it being a close to life experience with real life. More and more people are getting into this world and have taken it up as a hobby. Sim racers are finding more ways to make their experience much more enjoyable and immersive.
So, they invest in different accessories to enhance that experience. And this is what this list is about.
This list moves away from basic equipment like wheels, pedals and cockpits and focuses on accessories that make the sim racing experience more immersive. Here are the top 10 you should have sim accessories to enhance your racing experience!
10 . VR headset
In order to have a lifelike experience with sim racing, a VR headset is a piece of essential equipment to have in your arsenal. Sim racing has come a long way in terms of emulating reality and with a VR Headset, you can achieve just that!
What’s great:
- Virtual Reality experience
- Great visuals
- Detailed environment
VR details: https://www.topspeed.com/cars/best-vr-headset-for-sim-racing-ar188555.html
9 . Triple Screen Monitor
If you’re not a fan of VR, a triple screen setup is the way to go. You’ll get a feeling of having a racing car in your room with sensational graphics. Not to mention, the crisp 4K display to fulfill all your visual needs. Keep in mind that you do need a big space to set up your monitors and when you do you’re all set!
What’s great:
- 4K view of the racing
- Detailed visual experience
- Simulates a cockpit of a real car
Triple Screen Monitor Details:https://completesimracing.com/best-triple-monitors-for-sim-racing/
8 . Racing Gloves
Racing gloves will definitely give you a racer-like feel. During intense sessions, proper grip on the wheel is necessary and with the help of racing gloves you can achieve maximum concentration on the track.
What’s great:
- Comfortable grip
- Hands won’t get wet
- Easy to wash
Racing Gloves Details:https://coachdaveacademy.com/tutorials/best-gloves-in-sim-racing/
7 . Cockpit Button Box
Button Boxes are necessary when you are in long endurance races to manage your tyres, brakes and to make necessary adjustments to your car. They can also be used to navigate throughout the game and can be adjusted to tweak different settings of the car. A keyboard and mouse can also technically be placed on the box.
What’s great:
- Has all the essential switches and knobs
- Engine On/Off Switch
- Wiper switch during rain simulation
- Brake and energy deployment buttons
Button Box Details:https://www.apexsimracing.com/collections/button-boxes-1
6 . Motion Platform
With the help of a motion platform, you can take your sim racing experience to the next level. A motion platform emulates the true feeling of being in a car including the experience of G forces. Of course you can adjust it to your needs and also it doesn’t take up much space. They are indeed very expensive but nevertheless, they are pretty awesome if you can get your hands on one!
What’s great:
- Realistic experience of G forces
- Adaptive cooling system for maximum performance
- Software to manage all the settings
Motion Platform Details: https://motionsystems.eu/
5 . Handbrake and Stick Shifter
Most wheels come equipped with paddle shifters nowadays. But it feels awkward when you’re driving, let’s say, a classic touring car or a rally car and you’re using paddle shifters. A handbrake and stick shifter is completely necessary to make your sim racing gear look complete. They look neat and are very durable. Not to mention they will give you a realistic experience.
What’s great:
- Useful while simulating with non-paddle shift cars
- Great use in rally sims
- Durable material
Handbrake and Stick Shifter Details:https://flowracers.com/blog/best-sim-racing-gear-stick-shifter/
4 . Carbon fiber Seat
Being comfortable is a key factor in achieving success in sim racing. A normal chair won’t do that honestly. After a while your back starts to hurt and you lose precious seconds in the game. A carbon fiber seat will give you comfortness as well as stability while you are having an intense race session. You won’t have to worry about durability as carbon fiber barely gets destroyed.
What’s great:
- Comfortable to sit in
- Much more durable material then other types of seat
- Adjustable seating position
Carbon fiber Seat Details:https://simracingcockpit.com/sim-racing-seat-guide/
3 . Load Cell Pedals
Plastic pedals just don't do it when you’re racing. They flinch at the highest pressure points and are very uncomfortable after a certain amount of time. Load cell pedals are where it’s at. They are made of the best metallic material and can take huge amounts of pressure. They are flexible and can be adjusted easily. You can also adjust the position to make it more suitable to your needs.
What’s great:
- Can withstand huge amounts of pressure
- Durable over long sessions
- Flexible and takes up less space
Load Cell pedals Details:https://flowracers.com/blog/best-sim-racing-load-cell-pedals/
2 . Surround Sound system
Let’s face it, without a proper sound system you won’t even get the need for speed. The environment around the car is so necessary while sim racing that even the slightest miscalculation will cause error. You have to know if you’re hitting the right throttle and braking points. Also, the immersion a surround sound system can give is like no other.
What’s great:
- Immersive experience
- Great feeling of driving
- Helps in identifying threats around the car much more exciting
Surround Sound System Details:https://flowracers.com/blog/best-surround-sound-system-for-sim-racing/
1 . Sim Racing Dashboard App
Now, you have your wheel and pedals but still something’s missing. What could that be? A dashboard to show all the information. It is hard to keep track of your speed and setting without a proper dashboard. Most wheels come without one so it is essential to have one in your arsenal. Luckily you can install a dashboard app and connect it to your wheel and it’ll show you all the information!
What’s great:
- Displays all the information of the car including optimal shifting point
- Available on Android and iOS
- Can change customize the display
Dashboard App details: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.stryder_it.simdashboard&hl=en&gl=US
So there you have it, folks! Buy these accessories and they will definitely give a new feel to your sim racing experience and help you narrow down that extra-tenth of a second! Good Luck!
