Just as with car manufacturers, we have sim-racing manufacturers who produce equipment for the general public, and those who make peripherals for the racing elites.

In the world of cars, the Swedish brand Koenigsegg is an excellent example of a manufacturer that is elitist. Its cars are hand-built to order, and are simply exceptional in every way. Design, power, crazy figures and a very high price are the essential elements for a unique product.

In sim-racing, we have a few brands that apply this vision, such as BDH. BDH is a British shifter manufacturer with elitist products that are largely inspired by motor racing. In the manufacturer’s catalog, we have the H2SQ shifter, which is a versatile offering, both H Pattern and sequential. In what follows, we put this device to the test on our setup.

Main and technical features of the shift

• Premium all-metal construction
• Weighs 4 kg on the scale
• H Pattern and sequential operation
• Works with two rails to provide the best possible feedback
• Windows PC compatible
• Fits most sim-racing chassis
• Available in two colors: black and silver
• Entire structure in aluminum from the aeronautics industry
• Hall sensors and bearings from automotive suppliers
• Made by hand, not on a production line

H2SQ design

Let’s start with the design of the H2SQ. Unlike other brands of peripherals of this kind, the design of the H2SQ is unique, resembling a component taken directly from the cockpit of a racing car.

The dominant shape is cylindrical, with a handle protruding from the back. Color-wise, the brand offers silver, black and black with red accents. Whatever color you choose for the H2SQ, the handle will always be black, with a mechanism on the front to switch between H pattern and sequential mode, like that found on DSLR camera lenses.

Customized assembly

To mount the H2SQ on a chassis, BDH has put a plate under the cylinder of the peripheral, with slots for attachment. There are 4 in all, about 2 cm wide, so you can not only mount the shifter on virtually any sim-racing cockpit on the market, but you can also change the angle of the equipment to suit your riding preferences.

Lever manufacture and finishing

The brand uses aluminum from the aeronautics industry for the structure of the H2SQ. It’s solid, very well made, hand-assembled by a family team, and above all, very premium.

This brand is not really in the same segment as Simucube, but evolves much more in that of BavarianSimTec, i.e. a notch above with very premium peripherals. If you want a car analogy, BDH is like the Bentleys and Rolls-Royces of sim-racing: very high-end, refined and handcrafted.

Getting to grips with the shifter

At the rear of the H2SQ is the gearshift lever. It’s derived from those available for racing cars or the aftermarket. By the way, you can swap the stick with one of your choice, and most of those usable on cars will fit on the H2SQ. The same applies to the knob, and the one supplied with the shifter is perfect for rally and drift racing, but is perfectly usable for other competitions.

On the top of the cylinder is a knob (black or silver, depending on the color of the product), and this is used to adjust the resistance of the neck. Tighten it, and you’ll have gears that require force to shift, whether in H pattern or sequential mode. And if you turn the knob the other way round, you won’t need much force to tilt the neck.

Sensations during play

It’s time to install the BDH H2SQ on a sim-racing setup and see what it has to offer in terms of feel. Once you’ve set it up according to your preferences, the H2SQ proves to be an excellent shifter, whether in H Pattern or sequential.

There’s no grid on the gearshift lever, but the gears are positioned as you’d find on a standard mechanical gearbox. There are 7 gears and a reverse gear under 7th. To shift into R, you have to push the lever all the way to the right, and force it even harder to get into the reverse gear slot.

I have to admit that the force required to shift into this gear, and thus back out, is a little too great for my liking. So yes, it’s designed to prevent shifting by mistake, but a mechanism where you have to press the lever (like on Porsches, Audis, etc.) is much better in my opinion.

For feedback, this product is a nugget to use. Each gear engaged will produce a very characteristic noise resulting from the contact between two metal parts. It’s simply immersive in sim-racing, further blurring the boundary between racing simulation and reality.

Even if you opt for a softer shift setting, it doesn’t change the fact that the H2SQ is a noisy shifter. This also applies to sequential mode, but with a slight time lag between pulling the stick and shifting. There’s no extra time between the action of moving the stick and shifting a gear, it’s rather the opposite: the gear shifts before the stick makes its full movement. It’s rather odd at first, but the H2SQ encourages you to shift aggressively, that’s all.

Shifter compatibility

Obviously, such a premium product can only be used on Windows PCs. It’s a logical choice, since only the PC platform is capable of getting the most out of such a peripheral.

Even if you don’t necessarily need software to adjust the H2SQ’s feedback, because it’s all done in hardware, you do need a nice rig sim-racing to enjoy it, because the beast is expensive.

Value for money

Speaking of price, the H2SQ shifter retails for €1179. So yes, it’s expensive, I know that, and that’s to be expected as the device is handmade by a family business in England. What they do there is borderline artisanal, and the asking price is justified.

Is the BDH H2SQ good value for money? Well, it depends. If you can afford a full Simucube or Asetek Invicta setup, or even other names like BavarianSimTec, then yes, the H2SQ’s value for money is good, because it’s an elitist product.

My verdict on BDH’s H2SQ lever

I really enjoyed the hours I spent with this shifter. It’s exceptionally communicative and greatly increases immersion on the virtual track.

I’m well aware that most riders won’t be able to afford such a peripheral for obvious reasons, but for those who can afford it, I can assure you that you won’t regret your purchase.

This is an exceptional product for fans of sim-racing gear shifting (touring, drifting, WRC, etc.). It’s a feedback factory, even if it does have its little “flaws”. It’s not the end of the world, I admit, but you’ll need a few dozen minutes to understand how to fully exploit this product. And if you want my opinion on whether or not to buy it, I think it’s worth it.