Derek Speare Designs - Button Boxes - Shifters - Great Gear

[Mr Latte]

I can vouch for this thing, its awesome.

How does it compare to a Frex?
I'd be curious even though I'm happy with the quality.

 

[CommodorePuddles]

How does it compare to a Frex?
I'd be curious even though I'm happy with the quality.

I was considering a frex before the DSD shifter but I can't really see a huge difference. The only big difference would be that the frex is much easier to mount. And the price. But i've never actually used a frex so I have no real input lol

 

[derekspeare]

Roy Visser made a head to head review of the Frex and my Shifter on the Race Department forums.

Here's what makes my shifter feel like it does, and as you can see, it's not a simple pivot with two springs on it. It's a tracking mechanism very much like what's found in an M3 or other cars with sequential shifters:

I'll put mine against anything else.

d

 

[Mayaman]

I've never used a Frex but the action on the DSD sequential is strong, positive, and feels really great with positive shifts. It helps you to be timely with your shifts if this makes any sense and adds to the immersion. Please have a rig to attach this to. you're not going to attach this to anything flimsy.

 

[Hwangm]

I've never used a Frex but the action on the DSD sequential is strong, positive, and feels really great with positive shifts. It helps you to be timely with your shifts if this makes any sense and adds to the immersion. Please have a rig to attach this to. you're not going to attach this to anything flimsy.

I want this but I really dont' know where to mount this on my rig. even ram mount can't save me , the GT chassis gear mount is a pole, so grip mount and bottom screw mount is fine.

side mount, I will need to make an adapter or some sort. . good to see the inside derek.

 

[left888]

I mounted mine with a simple piece of flat iron that cost me all of $2.00 It is 4" wide and a 1/4" thick and approximately 17" long. I have a well equipped shop with a drill press. I drilled 2 holes at the bottom of the flat iron and 2 holes at the top corresponding to the top 2 bolts on Derek's pro sequential. I then drilled 2 holes through the bottom rail (1 1/2" square tubing) and fastened it with 2 bolts. It works very well and took me 30 minutes from start to completion.

BTW, this is the best sequential shifter I have ever used in 30 years of Sim racing.

 

[the_greeze]

Mmm, nice mechanism 👍 I'm wondering if I should mod my own custom shifter with something similar...?

 

[CommodorePuddles]

Man i'm dumb, my package arrived today and I open it up to find out I did order the bent rod haha This thing is a beast. Now time to mount it to my rig, ill post pics once i'm finished!

 

[ravey1981]

Roy Visser made a head to head review of the Frex and my Shifter on the Race Department forums.

Here's what makes my shifter feel like it does, and as you can see, it's not a simple pivot with two springs on it. It's a tracking mechanism very much like what's found in an M3 or other cars with sequential shifters:

I'll put mine against anything else.

d

My sim shifter is made from an M3 sequential shifter.... the mechanism is nothing like that...

 

[Mayaman]

^^^pic of car? Maybe pic of shifter?

 

[VINCE__]

I thought the M3 had paddles or the 6 speed manual? Just recalling the one I had drove, it was an 03 M though.

 

[derekspeare]

Man i'm dumb, my package arrived today and I open it up to find out I did order the bent rod haha This thing is a beast. Now time to mount it to my rig, ill post pics once i'm finished!

- there's a podium finish in every shift!

^^^pic of car? Maybe pic of shifter?

I've reviewed volumes of photos/CAD of shifter mechanisms. Those served as inspiration for this design. With nearly a thousand shifters in service, not one complaint, not one missed shift and superb feel. Those who have them know

 

[Mayaman]

Derek I meant for him to supply pics of said shifter since he was basically saying what you said wasn't accurate. Lol

 

[Brock1Samson9]

Roy Visser made a head to head review of the Frex and my Shifter on the Race Department forums.

Here's what makes my shifter feel like it does, and as you can see, it's not a simple pivot with two springs on it. It's a tracking mechanism very much like what's found in an M3 or other cars with sequential shifters:

I'll put mine against anything else.

d

Just curious if Derek's picture has been replaced with Nyan Cat for everybody, or if its just me?
Also I am really tempted to get one of these, just need something to mount it to first. This rickety old table I use isn't gonna cut it lol.

Edit: And now after a refresh it fixed itself. I am confused.

 

[derekspeare]

A number of my customers have put up photos of their shifter installations showing their mounting methods. Here are a few shots:

d

 

[Mayaman]

Guys, also FastTrackSims.com has a great mount made exactly for this shifter. Just an FYI. I have it and it rocks.

 

[CommodorePuddles]

Guys, also FastTrackSims.com has a great mount made exactly for this shifter. Just an FYI. I have it and it rocks.

Ill check that out, I have it mounted solid right now using a clamp but its just until I figure out something better

My first impressions with this shifter are great, I spent 3 hours last night with the star mazda and riley on iracing and never missed a shift, best money i've spent on hardware so far!

 

[ravey1981]

Derek I meant for him to supply pics of said shifter since he was basically saying what you said wasn't accurate. Lol

Sorry for late reply, just in from work...

pics of modified shifter...

The lever pivots at the bottom and pushes two microswitches inside the bit that you can see that is gold in colour, two stiff springs oppose movement in either direction giving a good notchy mechanical feel to the shift...

Video of shifter in car (not the best vid but you can see that the mechanism is the same, just I have stripped off all the unnecessary parts...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKcgnnH_fOc

 

[Mayaman]

No pics visible gridly

 

[ravey1981]

My pics arent visible? they are on my screen :S

 

[derekspeare]

While I don't mind photos of shifters in my official thread here on GT Planet, I'd like to encourage folks looking to build their own to see the many great sites dedicated to the DIY sim racer...and, don't forget one of my circuit boards to power it!

 

[CJDA9]

I am really thinking about buying one of your ''sport'' button boxes for when i get a wheel adapter for my t500 i am going to need buttons.

 

[ravey1981]

While I don't mind photos of shifters in my official thread here on GT Planet, I'd like to encourage folks looking to build their own to see the many great sites dedicated to the DIY sim racer...and, don't forget one of my circuit boards to power it!

? but I was asked to put a pic of it up...??

 

[derekspeare]

I am really thinking about buying one of your ''sport'' button boxes for when i get a wheel adapter for my t500 i am going to need buttons.

I redesigned my T500 adapter:

It will attach as easily as the stock rims from Thrustmaster:


I need to update my site with these photos, but I have been shipping the new ones for a couple of weeks.

@ravey - no worries

 

[derekspeare]

I forgot to mention that I am giving away one of my Pro Sequential this Sunday:

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/DSDFTW.html

Hit up my site, follow the instructions and you may win one!

d

 

[CJDA9]

Your the man Derek!

 

[Mr Latte]

Derek the new T500 adapter.

It only has one set of wheel rim holes, which I'm sure is okay for certain rims but which?

Just to be clear here, is this new adapter also usable with the ones you already have for sale with 50.8, 70 or 74mm mounting pattern? Enabling people to attach many forms/brands of wheels but with this new screw top fixing means its easy to fix to the wheel like an original T500 rim.

I'd be interested in buying a fancy (Sparco/Momo) rim at some point for my T500RS with maybe one of your wheel plates and these wheel adapters. Perhaps do a showcase and review to compare your product options for T500RS owners to how that looks/feels to a CSW wheel rim etc, you interested?

Your product options certainly will give already T500RS owners a way of stepping up their wheels quality/looks/feel.

 

[Carson79]

Very good question about spacing's. I've visited www.derekspearedesigns.com a few time's and although I'm keen to mod my wheel and buy an adapter, their isn't as much info or detailed picture's of the process as I'd like

 

[derekspeare]

The contact area of the T500 adapter is 19mm thick. It allows for any wheel with a 70mm mounting pattern to mount to it (self threading screws are included). My site has not been updated yet to include this newest adapter. It will be this weekend.

Derek

EDIT - My site is updated with the new information on the redeveloped T500 adapter. Please see this page here on my site:

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/Wheel-Adapters.html

 

[CJDA9]

I don't know much about steering wheels but i am assuming you could use an aftermarket adapter to fit other sizes?