Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel
Granite Devices, the company behind the popular Simucube wheelbases, was founded in 2006 and is based in Finland. The company originated from an enthusiastic hobby project of co-founder M.Sc. Tero Kontkanen. While the company initially entered the sim racing world with wheelbases, Simucube has evolved into a brand known for its high-quality sim racing products. In addition to their wheelbases, they now also offer racing wheels and pedals. While we had the opportunity to review the Simucube 2 Pro wheelbase some time ago, Granite Devices has now sent us the Simucube 2 Sport and the Tahko Steering Wheel for review. In this review, we will discuss the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel, and we are excited to review it with dedication and enthusiasm.
The Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel is priced at €829.00 and is available through the Simucube online store. This price includes Dutch VAT and excludes shipping costs.
Packaging & Contents
The package containing the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel was shipped to us via DHL, from Finland, and delivered to us after 3 days. We received one large, brown shipping box. Inside this box, we found a white box with Simucube branding. Initially, it seemed like this white box was just a neutral product box, similar to how we received the Pro wheelbase in the past, but that turned out not to be the case. Upon opening this box, we found the actual product packaging, which immediately sparked our enthusiasm. In our opinion, Simucube has done an excellent job with this new product box, and we are immediately excited about what’s waiting for us inside.
As soon as we remove the lid of the product packaging, we see a sticker sheet and a quick start guide, with the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel packed in plastic directly underneath. Additionally, there is a small bag containing a CR2477N battery and a cover cap, intended for the wireless connection with a Simucube wheelbase. Overall, it’s a very neat and complete package that gets us extremely excited to start exploring its contents.
The Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel
The Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel is the first steering wheel from the Simucube ecosystem. The Black Edition is a variation of the original Tahko steering wheel, where the orange central cover cap has been replaced by a black one. The steering wheel, a so-called D-shape version, covered with suede fabric, has a diameter of 320 mm and weighs 2.1 kg. The Tahko steering wheel is suitable for both novice and professional sim racers. Moreover, the steering wheel is equipped with the ‘Simucube Wireless technology utilizing Simucube Wireless Wheel System’, which means it can establish a wireless connection with a Simucube wheelbase, eliminating the need for cables for its operation.
Frontside
On the front side of the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel, we see a 7-way multi-switch located at the bottom right. This switch functions as a four-way joystick (up, down, left, and right), as a rotary encoder, and as a push button. Furthermore, the front is equipped with ten high-quality push buttons, all strategically placed on the steering wheel. Lastly, at the bottom left, we see another rotary encoder.
Backside
At the rear of the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel, we find the Quick-Release adapter positioned in the middle. Adjacent to it are the digital shifter modules with sturdy GT-style shift paddles, located at the level of the middle three fingers. In the top left corner, we see the battery holder where the provided battery can be inserted, covered with the included cover cap. The steering wheel is powered by a CR2477N type battery, which Simucube claims lasts for 5 years of continuous use. At the bottom left, there is the on/off switch, and at the bottom right, the Simucube button is located, allowing for on-the-fly force feedback adjustments on the steering wheel.
Mounting
Since the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel comes fully assembled, there’s hardly anything to mount. We only need to click the CR2477N battery into the holder and attach the cover cap. After this step, it’s just a matter of clicking the steering wheel onto our Simucube 2 Sport wheelbase, attaching the locking pin, and the steering wheel is almost ready for use.
Software
To use the Tahko steering wheel, we need to connect it in the Simucube True Drive software. This software is available to be downloaded from the Simucube website and is necessary for using a Simucube wheelbase and the Tahko steering wheel. It’s simply a matter of turning on the steering wheel, after which the software will display it as ‘device to connect’ after a few seconds. Upon selecting the steering wheel, we can click on ‘connect selected device’. Shortly after, the steering wheel will emit a sound as confirmation that it’s correctly connected to the wheelbase, which is also indicated by the status LED on the front of the steering wheel. After this, it’s a matter of calibrating the center point, and it’s ready for use. All of these steps are straightforward and can be completed within a minute.
The Use
Since the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel is a GT-style steering wheel, it makes sense for us to test it with GT cars. We prefer to use it in Assetto Corsa Competizione, where we will operate the steering wheel in our virtual Porsche 992 II GT3 R. Once we’ve launched Assetto Corsa Competizione, all we need to do is assign the shifter paddles, buttons, and encoders to the appropriate in-game functions, save the profile, and then we’re ready to hit the track.
The Steering Wheel
As we drive our first few laps in Assetto Corsa Competizione, we find that the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel quickly feels familiar. The wheel sits comfortably in our hands and provides a pleasant grip, both with and without gloves. We don’t experience any sticky feeling on our hands. The stitching of the alcantara is located on the inside of the steering wheel and is clearly noticeable near your thumb. This may cause some friction on your thumb, especially when driving without gloves.
The steering wheel feels very light and solid, without any noticeable flex or play during driving. Even when we reduce the force of the Simucube Sport wheelbase to below 10 Nm, the details of the force feedback remain clearly perceptible. A nice bonus is the wireless communication with the Simucube wheelbase, eliminating any cables that might get in the way. From our first impression, and subsequent impressions, the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel seems to be an excellent choice for GT racing.
Front controls
The quality at the front of the Tahko GT-21 steering wheel is also excellent. Every detail, from the push buttons to the aluminum knobs on the rotary encoders, exudes outstanding quality and feels the same way. The push buttons used on the steering wheel provide clear tactile feedback when pressed. However, we must note that only the leftmost and rightmost push buttons (closest to your hands) are easily operable without releasing the steering wheel. To operate the other push buttons, we need to release our hand(s) from the wheel.
The rotary encoder and the 7-way multi-switch also provide clear tactile feedback when turned, allowing us to make precise adjustments while driving. They turn smoothly and respond promptly to our input. To operate the 7-way multi-switch and the rotary encoder, we need to use our thumb and index finger, requiring us to release our hand(s) from the wheel.
Rear controls
The shifter modules at the back have a very sturdy build quality and are neatly finished. They are pleasantly quiet and offer good feedback with a comfortable shifting feel. For us, the feedback could have been slightly heavier, so we added an extra magnet to these shift modules to enhance the feedback further. The aluminum shifter paddles are well-finished and feature a triangular pattern for increased grip. These paddles are adjustable in width by about one and a half centimeters but not in depth (towards or away from you). We set them to the widest position for comfortable operation. A small note here is that while it’s a good steering wheel for the average hand, it may not be the ideal choice for smaller hands. The shift modules are well-positioned at the level of the middle fingers, and the shifter paddles have a nice size, allowing them to be operated even with four fingers.
To use the steering wheel, we need to turn it on using the on/off switch at the back. When turned on, the steering wheel emits a sound, indicating that it’s powered on. However, it doesn’t make a sound if it remains untouched for a long time. Hence, we must remember to turn off the steering wheel after use, or else the battery could quickly drain. Fortunately, we are very alert, and we haven’t forgotten to turn it off yet. The Simucube button, used for quickly adjusting force feedback and other settings, is a nice feature but quite tricky to use. We don’t have visual feedback, so we rely on auditory cues. We find it more convenient to switch back and forth between the True Drive software and Assetto Corsa Competizione rather than adjusting settings via the Simucube button.
Conclusion
The Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel offers us a fantastic experience and is perfectly suited for GT racing enthusiasts. During our testing sessions with Assetto Corsa Competizione, paired with a Simucube Sport wheelbase, the steering wheel pleasantly surprised us in several aspects. We were immediately impressed by how quickly the steering wheel felt familiar with clear feedback, even at lower force feedback settings. The alcantara on the steering wheel is comfortable and provides good grip, whether driving with or without gloves. However, the stitching is noticeable near the thumb, which may cause some friction, especially when driving without gloves.
The construction quality and materials of the Tahko GT-21 steering wheel are exceptionally high. Every detail, from the alcantara covering to the aluminum buttons, exudes robustness and durability. The push buttons, rotary encoders, and shifter modules provide satisfying feedback, although operating some buttons and encoders without releasing the wheel can be challenging. The adjustability of the shifter paddles is limited but sufficient for us to operate them well, although they may not be the ideal choice for smaller hands. The Simucube button for adjusting force feedback and other settings adds functionality, but the lack of visual feedback during adjustment may be considered a drawback.
Another noteworthy aspect is the wireless communication with the Simucube wheelbase, which eliminates cable clutter. This contributes to good cable management in our setup, which we are very pleased with. In our opinion, the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel is an excellent choice for GT racing enthusiasts, offering an outstanding balance between price, quality, performance, and usability.
Are you as enthusiastic after reading our review as we are? The Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition Steering Wheel is available through Simucube’s web store and has a price tag of €829.00, including Dutch VAT but excluding shipping costs.
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