Sim-racers around the world all have different setups to give free rein to their passion. Sim-racer configurations are diverse and varied, with many players focusing on the entry-level or even mid-range. In fact, this segment is rather juicy for manufacturers of sim-racing peripherals, as they don’t really need to innovate over the years, except perhaps to make their products compatible with new platforms.

Logitech and Thrustmaster are two big names in sim-racing, mainly present in the entry- and mid-range segments with steering wheels such as the G29, T300, etc. Of course, some racers aren’t content with entry/mid-range products that deliver fairly limited realism, and are instead looking for peripherals capable of delivering total immersion, whatever the title they’re playing.

That’s why we have players in the high-end and very high-end segments, such as Fanatec and Heusinkveld. These two brands alone more or less dominate the premium segment of sim-racing peripherals, especially Fanatec, which offers a wide range of products specifically developed to provide maximum realism and total immersion.

But in this article we’re not going to focus on the German manufacturer, but rather the Dutch Heusinkveld, and more precisely on one of its products: its handbrake. I’m going to tell you about its features, strengths and weaknesses, and give you my opinion on it.

Main and technical features of the handbrake

• Entire structure in laser-cut stainless steel
• Adjustable 2-spring resistance
• Brake mechanism fully adjustable to your preferences
• Very progressive braking, just like in a real race car
• The braking system can withstand loads of up to 120 kg
• Compatible only with Windows PCs
• USB interface to PC platform via in-house controller

Design of the Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake V2

The Heusinkveld brand is well known for offering beautiful sim-racing peripherals with a look strikingly similar to that of motorsports, and the Handbrake, commonly known as the Handbrake, is no exception.

Its design closely resembles that of a real racing handbrake found in a rally car, for example, with an all-stainless steel structure. Honestly, it’s by far the best-looking sim-racing handbrake I’ve seen and/or tried of anything on the market. The lines are clean, with a structure made of steel plates screwed together. It’s simply magnificent. What’s more, the handbrake’s spring system reminds me of the hydraulic systems found in Formula D cars.

Heusinkveld ‘s sequential shifter was a bit of a design misstep, but the handbrake is very handsome, worthy of its big brothers: the pedals. Sprint and cranksets. Ultimate.

Customized assembly

Like other Heusinkveld products, this handbrake is easy to fit to virtually any sim-racing set-up, provided you have a cockpit. Indeed, the Heusinkveld Handbrake can only be mounted on a chassis, as its manufacturer believes it will only be used by sim-racing pros with a cockpit setup. That’s understandable on the one hand, but I’d still have preferred a mounting system with a clamp like on the shifter of the same brand. But then, life isn’t perfect…

However, it’s easy to fit, thanks to a pre-punched plate that attaches with Allen screws to virtually any cockpit on the market, which you can find out more about by clicking here. What’s more, this handbrake features a modular mechanism that allows you to change the handle’s inclination as you wish. You’ll be able to position the arm/handle as you like on your chassis, and all you need is an Allen key.

Manufacturing and finishing

As with other Heusinkveld products, this handbrake is made entirely of laser-cut stainless steel. It’s very premium, with a build quality worthy of the big names in motorsports.

All surfaces are machined to perfection, and you won’t find any sharp edges or protruding parts. It’s just perfect, and that’s to be expected given that the brand targets a professional sim-racer audience with a sizeable budget for peripherals.

The handbrake is very solid, does not move and will require a certain amount of force to operate. Of course, this can be adjusted to suit your preferences, thanks to the springs used by Heusinkveld. This handbrake is a true work of art.

Handbrake control

The first thing that comes to mind when you take the handbrake out of its box is its sturdiness. This heavy beast is designed to take whatever you throw at it, without flinching a bit.

The arm, or shaft if you prefer, is adjustable in several planes, giving you a wide choice of mounting customization, all thanks to Allen screws. Whatever the orientation of the handbrake base on the cockpit, you’ll be able to adjust the arm as you see fit.

Load Cell resistance is adjustable via springs, but handbrake travel is very linear. It’s much more precise than handbrakes that use potentiometers, and that’s what we’re looking for in the very high-end segment. However, the picture of this handbrake isn’t entirely perfect, as it will be very difficult to get used to its use if you’re an amateur or beginner in sim-racing. Clearly, Heusinkveld had a pro audience in mind when designing this device.

Sensations during play

Once this handbrake is in place on the setup, it’s time to test it in sim-racing. The first impression you’ll get is of its linearity. The Heusinkveld handbrake is very linear and above all very sensitive, thanks to the Load Cell used in its mechanism.

Brake proportioning is surprisingly precise, far ahead of anything else on the market. You can literally feel the car lowering or squatting in the rear before the wheels lock, initiating the slide in the process. It’s ultra-realistic, especially if you’re a fan of rally or drift titles.

Another plus point is that this handbrake is adjustable to accommodate the braking styles of sim-racers. You’ll be able to adjust the force, resistance and inclination of the Heusinkveld Handbrake‘s stick, all with unprecedented ease. It’s simply ultra-immersive to have this level of configuration and parameterization on a sim-racing device.

Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake V2 compatibility

As with all products from Dutch manufacturer Heusinkveld, this handbrake is only compatible with Windows PCs. I’m not really a fan of this, given that I’ve seen some good sim-racing racers on consoles, but there you go. By the way, if this is your case, I recommend that you discover other console-compatible handbrakes right here.

This handbrake comes with an in-house controller and a USB interface for PC connection. It’s Plug-&-Play, and you’ll need to do virtually nothing except create braking profiles with the brand’s SmartControl software. In fact, I highly recommend you use it, as it allows you to greatly customize this handbrake.

Value for money

Priced at €290, the Heusinkveld handbrake is a premium device with a premium price tag. Nevertheless, its value for money remains excellent if we take into consideration all the positive points this handbrake has to offer.

The build quality is just exceptional, as are the sensations you’ll get from this sim-racing peripheral. Although I’m not a big fan of the bartering required to get this product, I have to admit that you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better on the market, at least in this price bracket.

My verdict on Heusinkveld’s Sim Handbrake V2

My experience with Heusinkveld products has always been perfect, and this handbrake is no exception. Admittedly, it’s a rather expensive product, especially when you consider that the segment it targets is rather restricted (rally and drift essentially, with sim-arcade as well), but if you can afford this peripheral, I highly recommend it. It’s by far the best handbrake on the market, pushing realism to the limit. I’m all for it.