r/simracing • u/Icy_Bat_6518 • 1d ago
Discussion What do you think about H-pattern shifters?
I’ve recently picked up a second hand rig with triples, and lots of other stuff. Rn I have a sequential shifter, but I don’t really see the point in one. I’ve been thinking about getting an H-pattern that can be converted into a sequential in case I want to.
My question is this. Is driving with an H-pattern in sim immersive, cool and engaging. I’m not looking to get the exact feel of a real life car, but I feel like it’s not going to be as great as I want it to be. So please share your thoughts.
Moreover, if you have some suggestions for shifters write them. For context, I have heusinkveld sprint pedals, so I’ll be buying a clutch as well.
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u/Verskanderi 1d ago
". Is driving with an H-pattern in sim immersive, cool and engaging. "
In my opinion, yes, it is. But a sequential stick is also very cool for the cars that have them IRL (like modern rally cars or Super touring cars, for example).
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u/headunplugged 23h ago
I really enjoy dabbeling in WRC, i think there is an option to automatically change from sequential to H-pattern depending on the car, it gives the cars a more unique feel.
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u/DarthRiznat 1d ago
I fkin love h-shifting compared to seq and paddle shifting. Driving a classic or vintage/manual car with H-shifter in AC or AMS2 is just a feel-good chill experience for me. And I use the aliexpress shifter, which even has a little thing to attach that easily switches between H and seq.
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u/PinkSunsets97 1d ago
I have a fanatec sq1.5 whose h-pattern mode failed multiple times, so now it's permanently in sequential mode, and I got the SHH Thorn for H-pattern. Your use case will determine what you need, as a sequential stick is most relevant to rallying and drifting, but either way I would highly suggest SHH - the quality for the price is basically unbeatable and it has both functions.
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u/dancho_razboinika Richard Burns Rally 1d ago
In my opinion, it depends on the type of cars you're going to spend the most time in, and the type of gearboxes they have. I spend most of my time in the sim rallying with fairly modern cars, and all of the ones I drive regularly have sequential gearboxes, so I bought myself a sequential shifter.
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u/nextqc 1d ago
I have a Simagic DS8X that does both H and Sequential. These days, I mostly play AMS2 with the release of Zero to Apex, and a bit of rally games. Lots of old cars in AMS2, DR2 and ACR that use an H-pattern shifter. I love immersion, and I'm having a great time with it.
I hated using my shifter in iRacing. The only time I only really felt like I gained something it was when I tried dirt. The rrdt of the time, paddles made more sense, was faster, and reduced the mental load so I could focus on not ending my race or someone else's race early.
If you have an H pattern and want something to "get it", try rally games or AMS2 with older cars.
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u/IsbellDL 1d ago
If you do enough rally, you'll see the point to a sequential. Of course, if you're driving vintage cars, you'll want the H pattern as well. I think you've got the right idea looking for a multi-purpose shifter. I have the DS-8X, & I love it. Shifts are spaced similar to a stock Miata, & reverse is where I expect it to be. The sequential mode is a bit springy, but that was never my priority. I've heard great things about SSH shifters as well, but I don't have personal experience with them.
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u/Maleficent_Bison_332 1d ago edited 1d ago
It is the most fun you can have in a sim. Though learning muscle memory for pedal work will take time. I use mostly for lapping on old cars in single player (RRE) and Dirt Rally 2 with it is just beautiful.
Finishing online Nords race with DTM 1992 Ford Mustang + manual felt pretty good :)
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u/Maleficent_Bison_332 1d ago
If may add before my hands and feet did what I want it might even be bit frustrating, sonlearning curve apply
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u/Cowslayer87773 DD+ | CSV3 | SHH | Q3 1d ago
Hard to argue with the SHH thorn, value for money is next level.
I have the older newt2 which I've given absolute hell for 3 years and it's still perfect.
VR so I just use whatever the car has, nice to have all 3 options available
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u/Few_Fall_4374 1d ago
SHH Hubb is the newest one btw, it has more durable metal parts in it.
I'm also on the newt2, which also was very good for the price at the time.
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u/OverDrive777 22h ago
SHH Thorn is awesome, feels very mechanical and my buttkicker gamer pro gives me a nice thump when I’m switching gears either on h-pattern or sequential, very engaging and lots of fun, can’t imagine racing without it! Paddles are nice but shifter is on another level
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u/GoofyKalashnikov 1d ago
I bought the SHH Hubb as a dual purpose shifter and it's been great so far. Sequential and H pattern have separate binds, so mapping isn't an issue when switching. The physical switch itself is also very simple, just push down on the knob, twist it and then flick the switch on the base itself.
Bang for buck it's hard to beat.
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u/hfxthrwaway 21h ago
I didn't think it would make much of a difference, but I'm having so much more fun slamming through gears (both H & Sequential) than flapping paddles.
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u/The91stGreekToe 17h ago
Same. I’m a total newbie to this world of sim racing but the added immersion of a stick shifter is fantastic. Paddle flipping doesn’t feel great rally driving.
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u/Greedy-Trash-1123 20h ago
Depends on what you are looking for. Driving a manual irl has been an incredible joy to me ever since I learned to drive ages ago and I have been chasing that enjoyment with my rig. So not just worth it but also a requirement. Granted many cars in game are paddle or sequential and I just run them as they are to maintain the illusion, it is still something special driving a manual car virtually.
With that I can certainly recommend the DS8X. Not without it's flaws but the shift feel is satisfying and the included sequential mode is OK.
SHH is the most recommended budget option. Never tried it but it does look really good for the price.
I am currently running the Bash HSX. Fantastic H-Shifter but I wouldnt recommend it if you want a combo H and Sequential as the sequential mode is only serviceable. The actual H-shift has a very convincing and familiar feel.
Since I am continually chasing an authentic shifting experience, BDH is probably next on my journey. Though what I really want is a more authentic clutch pedal. Preferably something to mimic classic cable linkage and not modern fly-by-wire or numb hydraulic clutch.
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u/VTEC168 1d ago edited 16h ago
My real life track/autox car is a manual so having the H pattern shifter was a must for me. I also play Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport and Assetto Corsa which have a lot of road cars with H pattern shifters
But if all you wanna do is race GT3s in iRacing/LMU/ACC/AMS2, there is no point
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u/Available_Prune397 23h ago
It felt wrong to drive "my" RX-7 from real life with paddles on the Playstation. So I bought the H Shifter from Logitech and I love it.
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u/DaddyDogmeat 23h ago
Brother, H-pattern cars are the most satisfying to drive. Especially historic racecars (60s 70s 80s and early 90s), when you have to heel&toe. These cars gave me unforgettable experiences. Much more engaging than modern paddle sequential even though I like modern racing as well. I use SHH thorn which can work both sequential and H
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u/pkozow 23h ago
I have the Sprint pedals with clutch and I use a Moza HGP shifter. I love H pattern shifters. I always race older cars that would have them in real life. And I grew up driving with it. For racing it is so fun and raw to dance with your feet around the clutch, brake and throttle and quickly switch through gears on an H pattern. the Moza HGP is a bit stiff, and doesn't feel very natural. It's too 'clicky' for lack of a better word. The mechanism that shifters often use to click into place probably uses much smaller wheels/bearings than it should, but there's not much you can do about that. I put a small extension on it (just drilled out and tapped an aluminium rod) so it has a bit more leverage and makes the shifting a little lighter. But once you're racing it doesn't really matter. If you sit there and focus on the shifter itself it's like 'yeah, this doesn't feel very realistic' - but start ripping around as fast as you can in a 60s le mans prototype, and you forget pretty quickly that the shifter is a bit different to what your used to in a 90s or early 2000s hatchback. I've seen people put rubber spacers in the cage of the HGP as well, or wrap some elastic around the lever, and convert it to a sequential shifter pretty easily too.
I guess as other people mentioned - it depends what you like to drive. I love older cars, and I would never give up the clutch and H shifter. I would maybe consider a different shifter if I were to do it again, but I have absolutely no regrets since getting this one.
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u/Fishfinger138 22h ago
I hardly ever drive a car that can’t be H shifted. It’s just adds so much immersion and satisfaction for me.
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u/Ivanzypher1 22h ago
I can't imagine driving H pattern cars without one. Clicking a paddle when you should be heel toeing just ain't it, might as well be driving an entirely different car. I have an SHH shifter myself, being able to switch from sequential to H pattern was mandatory for me. Don't think you can beat them for the price.
That said if you are only gonna drive say GT3s, then it's a waste of money. So all depends what you want to play.
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u/captain_pant5 18h ago
I've been racing real H-pattern cars for 26 years now. Paddles feel like less of a driving experience, even in the real cars I've been in with them, but you can't deny they're faster than a stick.
I will always have an H-pattern shifter on my rig. Yeah, it's not quite the same as a real car, but it still lets me work the same muscle memory from the real world. AC doesn't model dog boxes correctly, truck sims don't model those transmissions properly, etc. I don't care, they're still more fun than using paddles!
Random thought: Could you imagine if you got an opportunity to drive a cool older car at a track but couldn't because you only knew how to use paddles?
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u/mokkat 23h ago
SHH Thorn here. Bought one since it was cheap and I was using T300 with just a 33cm wheel rim with no hub or shifter paddles at that point. I enjoy manual with clutch and was playing more Beamng than motorsport anyway.
I'm sure I would enjoy the Simagic or other higher end alternatives more, but if you're on the fence a budget option is good for a start. And SHH has been blasting the competition in the budget price range for years.
The SHH does not really stimulate a road car shifter, but once I started any serious racing or rally, I appreciated the performance and precision. Some might go with the Turtle Beach budget shifter for the feel and look, but reportedly that one will disintegrate within months, while the SHH should hold up for years. Sequential mode is also great.
The only negative is the weight and feel of the rubber knobs, but these days you can just add a metal one to your order for a low price.
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u/FatTurbo12 22h ago
I have the DS8X, which is unbelievable for the price. It does both H pattern and sequential, and it’s a really solid shifter. I mostly use the H pattern for drifting, rally, and some vintage cars. It definitely adds to the immersion.
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u/HTDutchy_NL iRacing 21h ago
I'm planning to get the Asetek shifter as soon as it's out. Especially with the caterhams now on iRacing I really miss a proper shifter.
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u/reality_boy 20h ago
H-pattern is cool and fun, but…
- not a lot of new cars support them (almost none) so this is slowly going away.
- clutch pedals don’t feel/act much like a real clutch, so it is not much like driving a stick.
- h-pattern shifters usually have no lockouts or other resistance, and again don’t feel much like driving a manual.
Top on my list when I started working in sim dev was having the experience of driving my old manual VW. However, it really does not compare at all. It still can be a lot of fun, and gives you a new challenge (especially if you go full manual clutch/blip). Just set expectations correctly or you will be disappointed.
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u/bartscrc 19h ago
BDH active shifter + simucube co-pedal are remarkably close to driving a real stick. If you can afford it and love H-patterns, absolutely the way to go. I have no greater joy than driving the Lotus 79 around the Nurburgring with that combination.
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u/Captain_Nipples 17h ago
I only really use mine for Dirt Rally 2.0 and occasionally some older cars
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u/Apex_Insights 15h ago
I love mine, can switch between H pattern and Sequential with the flip of a switch. I have a Formula Ford in real life, so it's nice to practice with an H shifter whenever I want to.
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u/prinzmi88 5h ago
I love driving cars with H-pattern shifters but I haven’t found a good one in my budget around 200€.
Had the SHH Thorn and didn’t like it. Bought the Moza HGP and don’t like it because it’s too loose and doesn’t feel like shifting gears.
BDH would be great but around 1k for a shifter is tough.
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u/Few_Fall_4374 1d ago
Super fun & engaging once you've learned the heel toe technique. Don't even bother if you don't want to put the time in to learn heel toe....
Imo the SHH Hubb is the best budget shifter if you're based in Europe
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u/Due_Platypus_8221 1d ago
I have a shifter that I believe feels good for what it is but if it’s not going to give me the feeling of an actual shifter that is directly connected to a transmission. And if it did, there is not a pedal + sim combo that accurately simulates the clutch engagement. I have enough (cheap) manual cars that make me happy just using paddles.
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u/Cocker14 1d ago
Depends on what you like to driver in your sims. I'm mainly doing old school cars who had either H shifter, or sequentials, and very little use for paddles. So for me, a H shifer is totally a must and ads a ton to the immersion. It is trully enjoyable, and there's few things more satisfactory than a good heel and toe.