Peripheral Devices






Button Boxes, Gear sticks, Steering Wheels, Pedals, Dashboards, Flight Controllers

Simulation games are fun and relaxing to play, and often a good tool to learn concepts and gain experience ready for doing the real thing. They can be used with just a keyboard or a games controller, but to get real immersion you need to add peripheral devices such as a steering wheel, foot pedals, gear shifters etc.

Dashboards within the simulation game are often very small and difficult to see, especially when on a smaller screen, so the use of additional devices to display this vital information also helps a lot.

And anyone who has tried to play complex video games or simulators just using a keyboard will know, trying to remember the dozens of complicated key combinations and which keys do what, can make or break a good game and spoil the enjoyment when wrong keys are pressed in a hurry. So external 'Button Boxes' that have easily identified and dedicated buttons and switches, can take the playability to a whole new level.

Below I will show some of these devices, and attempt to highlight both the good points and bad.
I can only recommend what I have actually tried out and used myself, and will point you towards suppliers that I have actual experience of purchasing from. Therefore there will be other alternatives!  

SAFETY WARNING!

There is some advice I wish to point out before showing any of the Steering Wheels available for simulation.
This advice below is also VITALLY important to real life driving!.

Grip on the wheel.

Real Life or Simulators.
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Where we place our hands on the wheel of our real life car is vitally important!

Over recent years there has been an important change in the hand positions recommended by the DVLC, Driving Instructors/examiners, and motoring organisations. You are now advised to use the 10-2 or 9-3 positions, keeping the thumb on the outer front edge and NOT placed within the circle, and to use the Push-Pull technique rather than crossing over arms when cornering.
REASON:  The introduction of Airbags over recent years. If the airbag detonates with your arms across the wheel, the intense force will not just break your arms, but also slam them back into your face creating Maxilo-Facial Injuries.The position of the thumbs is for the same reason as explained for the simulator.

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Simulator Wheels can also be highly dangerous!

Although simulator wheels do not contain airbags, they do often have what is known as 'Force-Feedback', a powerful motor that can move the wheel to provide tactical feedback when driving.it is vitally important to ensure your thumbs always remain outside of the inner circle, DO NOT GRIP AROUND THE WHEEL!
If you have an accident and the steering's road wheel is suddenly hit with force, the steering wheel can suddenly rotate with such force and so fast the cross-member bars (even if padded) can decapitate or rip back the thumb damaging it so badly it cannot be repaired and leads to surgical removal.

Add full 18 speed realism!

Most gear shifters have only 6 speed selectors, which is great for car driving and racing games, but not really realistic when driving Semi's.  OK, many of the newer trucks on the road come with much easier to use automatic gearboxes, but a big part of the Truck Driving Simulators is the mastering of the multiple gears, and the shifting between the 13 or the 18 speed gearboxes boxes.
The original round knobs provided on Logitech/Thrustmaster gear shifters can be easily removed, and replaced with a lorry style (Eaton-Fuller) shifter knobs, which has the switches for both 'Range' and 'Splitter' (Hi/Lo). Some have the additional Jake Brake switch mounted on the side too.  They have an internal controller board and connect via a separate USB port.

Franks3DShop

After hearing reports from many online Sim-Gamers about paying out for goods to online internet based suppliers, that either took many months to arrive or were never delivered, I was extremely wary of purchasing my Eaton-Fuller style 18 speed shifter with jake brake switch. They are not cheap, and nobody wants to lose their payments to a fictitious supplier, or one that cannot meet demand and has gone bust.

I saw Franks advert amongst others on Etsy, and after reading his reviews I went ahead and ordered, expecting it to be many weeks before I saw any sign of it. But I was lucky enough to find a supplier who goes above and beyond, not only were his prices very reasonable, they were of excellent quality. My shifter knob was ordered, manufactured, well packaged, and posted from Canada to the UK,  IN JUST 9 DAYS!  And there were even some sweets included in the parcel to enjoy as I swapped the gear shifter knob over ready to play. Frank keeps you fully informed of all progress by email, it was so nice to have this 'personal touch' that put you at ease, answered all your questions, and let you know exactly where it was at all times right up to delivery.

View his pages on Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Franks3DShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=781526788

Frank's 18 speed Truck Shifter Knob.

Suitable for Logitech, Thrustmaster, or Fanatec Gear Shifters when using American Truck Simulator or Euro Truck Simulator.
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Available in black, with choice of switch colours.

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Or available in custom colours .

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Fits both Logitech and Thrustmaster Gear Shifters.

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Also available with extra 'Jake Brake' side switch.

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