Active H-shifters: where we've been and where we are going

Emery

Emery

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First up is Frex H-shifter with SimSynchro. It is a hardware-only solution developed circa 2010 or earlier that requires pressing the clutch to shift via a cable, therefore only suitable for simulating synchromesh transmissions. Price is acceptable, likely no more than $400 after import duties from Japan. There are some reliability problems as noted in this video.
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If you're a flightsim plus simracer and only want one thing attached to your simrig, then the Moza AB9 active joystick is probably a good deal. 12 nM motor provides FFB and they have software to turn it into a shifter. Works as an H-shifter and a sequential shifter. $588 minimum, more if you get flight simulator handles. In theory could lock out the gears if you're not pressing the clutch, but that's not in the software at the time of review. Has a mushy feel (if you can turn a 12 nM steering wheel, then you can push through any resistance this joystick provides), especially as your chosen shift pattern adds more gates. 5.5kg plus shifter shaft. At least 328mm high. 1 year warranty (in the USA).
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The Pro Sim H-shifter came out circa 2015. There was supposed to be a hydraulic upgrade that would make it lock out gears if you mis-shifted, however they never released that add-on. About $1,500. Generally a noisy unit. 254mm height, 2.07kg. 5 year warranty. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NyaFot16chU [curses... YouTube shorts can't be embedded!]

The Pro Sim H-shifter set the world on fire 8 years ago as we all lusted for it's capabilities and robust construction.

[had to break this into two posts due to limit on amount of embedded media is limited to 5]
 
A few years ago, a young man named Lebois figured he could 3d print the parts to make an H-shifter and it kept evolving into the Lebois SRT V10 model which includes gear lockout if you don't press the clutch (again, only suitable for simulating synchromesh, not dogbox). It's only offered as a DIY kit (or you can download the files & print your own) for a reasonably modest price ($300-400). There's a review video included at this link: https://lebois-racing.com/srt-gearbox-v10-documentation/
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The MVH Bash Pro active shifter started as a DIY project in 2020 (or earlier)

Was released onto the market in 2023 for $1479 in small production batches of 50 as I recall. Offers programmable shift patterns & lockout delays via SimHub, providing dogbox, synchromesh, and sequential modes. One year warranty for international customers. Is moderately noisy in operation, kind of tinny sounding. 2.3kg, 232mm high.

The Bash Pro is out of production and will be replaced by the better looking Bash HSX for $1194, presumably having the same features as the Bash Pro, but no details are available as of October 28, 2025. https://mvhstudios.co.uk/collections/accessories/products/bash-hsx
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And now we've got the the active shifter version of the BDH shifter (the famous bazooka) coming in March 2026, with the latest prototype having been shown at the Dortmund simracing expo. Design work has been ongoing since early 2024. Moderately noisy, has a click/snick sound. 4.0kg (maybe more for this version?), 275mm high when flat-mounted, 235mm high when side-mounted. Lifetime warranty.

Programming for synchromesh appears complete, BDH is now working on the dogbox programming, and the sequential shift feature ran into a snag of potentially breaking expensive parts so might not make it into the first release (or ever, but BDH will keep trying). BDH makes small production runs, but batches are as large as 250. Yes, they plan to offer upgrades to existing BDH shifters. Spendy, at 1700 pounds sterling for the preorder (works out to at least $2400 plus tariff here in the USA) and 1850 pounds afterwards, but there are several features I appreciate: the gear pattern is fully selectable on the shifter, there is a tension adjuster knob, and it has a lifetime warranty! [edit: warranty is now stated as 2 years for this product]
 
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Nice list mate.

Thing for me does not matter much till the best of these and the best of sims uses same system / engine.
Then they become uniform, immersive, realistic and all round worthwhile IMHO.
Till that happens it's just different games.
 
Emery said:
Unfortunately, MVH Studios has not been forthcoming with features, final pricing, and waiting list for the Bash HSX by the end of last quarter. https://mvhstudios.co.uk/collections/accessories/products/bash-hsx
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They are at the final stage (sourcing packaging solutions), so should be some news soon-ish.

8Ball said:
Nice list mate.

Thing for me does not matter much till the best of these and the best of sims uses same system / engine.
Then they become uniform, immersive, realistic and all round worthwhile IMHO.
Till that happens it's just different games.
Click to expand...
It doesn't really matter, because there'll always be different capabilities across devices and more importantly no way to know what other people are using.
 
8Ball said:
Thing for me does not matter much till the best of these and the best of sims uses same system / engine.
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All the sims currently have a mode where the good active shifters will work uniformly. It may mean turning off in-game "realistic" shifting (which isn't very realistic anyway since the gate is never blocked). Mostly becomes a question of whether you want just synchromesh or dogbox simulation or both.
 
I was talking more of the system behind them, to have expensive gated shifters you need "grinding tranny" in every engine :p that works the same car model for model. People only been screaming for it ever since rF.
 
8Ball said:
I was talking more of the system behind them, to have expensive gated shifters you need "grinding tranny" in every engine :p that works the same car model for model. People only been screaming for it ever since rF.
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The shifters themselves can (do) use their own logic. Ironically one of the best cars in rF2 is the Caterham (presumably Mini as well, not one I've tried much) because it signals gear engagement only when it's valid, and the shifters (Bash Pro in my case) can act on that. Unfortunately then you're against the sequential-shifting-only bug.

But the shifter can learn the gear ratios and let you dogbox shift when the revs are a close enough match, so that's nearly as good.
 
8Ball said:
I was talking more of the system behind them, to have expensive gated shifters you need "grinding tranny" in every engine :p that works the same car model for model. People only been screaming for it ever since rF.
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No, "grinding tranny" is not necessary in-game. That's the whole point of the active shifters. If grinding gear noise isn't implemented inside the shifter, then in addition to controlling gating via SimHub, they use SimHub to play the noise.

Either watch the Bash Pro review above or the MVH demonstration video to see it in action.

 
It was a euphemism mate :D
Of course I don't want "grindy tranny" LOL
No matter what a shifter can do actions need to be incorporated in engine as well.
For example a shifter or SimHub can't control "bunny hopping' from wrong use of clutch, engine must do that ;)
SimHub could do it but it would just be canned action not real time dynamics ( every bunny hop is different )

IE: Transmission as in from flywheel to axles ;)
 
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8Ball said:
It was a euphemism mate :D
Of course I don't want "grindy tranny" LOL
No matter what a shifter can do actions need to be incorporated in engine as well.
A shifter or SimHub can't control "bunny hopping' from wrong use of clutch for example the engine must do that ;)

IE: Transmission as in from flywheel to axles ;)
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A number of games already stop a gear engaging if the appropriate conditions aren't met. These shifters can use that information to guide how they operate.

What exactly else are you proposing?

And the "grinding tranny" reference was exactly the same as yours; why do you take Emery's as something different?
 
Lazza said:
A number of games already stop a gear engaging if the appropriate conditions aren't met. These shifters can use that information to guide how they operate.

What exactly else are you proposing?

And the "grinding tranny" reference was exactly the same as yours; why do you take Emery's as something different?
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Have you never done a "bunny hop" in a manual transmission.
Once any engine can do ( NONE CAN ) then you can simulate things like a transmission jumping out of gear.
if you never had a car jump out of gear at speed you can't understand how violent the car can move about, trust me.
To do that realistically would require more advanced physics engine.

So I would love to see a shifter can make the car " lurch" violently ............ :p


A car "bunny hops" (jerks or lurches) often when starting from a stop or accelerating in low gears, caused by driver error (mismatched revs/speed) or component failure like worn-out shocks, a failing flywheel, dirty injectors, or bad fuel, leading to uneven power delivery or poor shock absorption.
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Mismatch clutch cnd rev use is absolutely the most common reason.
I saw a woman bunny hop a Morris 1000 that bad she was headbutting the roof.

P.S. YES YES lol You can make a shifter or simhub perform "Canned reactions" not realtime dynamics from physics ...okay ?
The problem with cans they all much the same to kick.
 
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