When you rally or drift, you want to be in complete control!
The new Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake is a highly adjustable, pressure-sensitive USB handbrake that utilizes load cell technology. A wide range of options allows you to set your preferred mechanical feel, and you have complete freedom to shape the output curve using Heusinkveld SmartControl. In short, a versatile and high-quality handbrake system.
Engineering
Designed with CAD and FEA, all structural parts are made of high-precision CNC laser-cut steel with a fine-structure powder-coated finish. It is strong, rigid, and durable.
Our new Sim Handbrake has retained the overall dimensions of its predecessor's lever, but it can handle greater force and does so with a much more compact base. This makes it easier to install in your simulator.
Adjustability
The Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake features a wide range of mechanical adjustments to configure the handbrake to your preferences.
A two-stage spring system provides resistance when pulling the lever. A metal coil spring simulates the gap between the pad and the disc and/or the slack in the parking brake cable. The travel and preload of this spring are adjustable. You can also remove this spring if desired.
The primary brake load is simulated by compressing Heusinkveld's patented elastomers, providing an unprecedentedly progressive brake feel. A total of three elastomers are included to adjust the brake feel to a soft, medium, or hard position.
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The lever can be positioned horizontally or vertically. Per position, there's a fine-tuning adjustment of up to 26 degrees to precisely set the lever position.
Using the included optional adapter plate (which allows easy mounting on aluminum profiles), you have up to 22.5 degrees of freedom to adjust the handbrake actuation angle. This can greatly improve the ergonomics of your simulator, allowing you to pull the handbrake directly toward you from a variety of mounting positions.
Sensors & Output
The lever actuates a 120 kg load cell, resulting in up to 22 kg of actual force measured at the lever. The handbrake force measurement is linear. Using the Heusinkveld SmartControl software, you have complete freedom to set custom nonlinear output curves.
The handbrake's electronic components are integrated into the handbrake base. The entire system has passed EMC compliance testing, ensuring a stable output signal. A USB cable is included with each handbrake for connecting to your PC.
SmartControl
The Sim Handbrake comes with a powerful configuration tool that lets you configure your handbrake in ways previously unavailable: SmartControl. SmartControl allows you to instantly assign output curves (non-linear), dead zone, and handbrake force.
These adjustments can be made without having to recalibrate the handbrake (including iRacing). All settings can be saved in profiles, which can be reloaded with a few mouse clicks.
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Handbrake Curve Mapping
A key feature of SmartControl is the ability to set a custom output signal mapping. Traditionally, the handbrake output in racing simulators has had a one-to-one sensitivity relative to the handbrake input. SmartControl allows you to map nonlinear output curves using five zones (six input parameters).
This can be useful if you want your handbrake to be very aggressive (for example, for drifting or asphalt rallies). Alternatively, you can set the initial release to be less sensitive when you expect the wheels to lock up easily (for example, on gravel surfaces).
The handbrake has a Curve Type drop-down menu with predefined output curves. You can also select the option to create a custom curve and manually set the desired handbrake output percentage for each zone. You're free to set your own curves!
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Adjusting the dead zone and handbrake force
SmartControl offers quick and easy adjustment of the handbrake's lower dead zone. The effect of changing these settings can be seen visually and in real time. Additionally, the force required to achieve 100% handbrake output in your simulator can be set with a few mouse clicks.
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Profiles
SmartControl supports an unlimited number of profiles. Saving and loading a profile is done with just a few mouse clicks. Since profile data is saved relative to calibration values, it's possible to exchange handbrake profiles between Sim Handbrake owners.
Profiles shared with other SmartControl-compatible products
If you have other Heusinkveld products that use SmartControl, you can create a single profile that includes multiple devices. This allows you to change the handbrake and pedal settings at once with just a few mouse clicks.
Calibration Wizard
Your handbrake is pre-calibrated during assembly and can be used as a plug & play device. All adjustments in SmartControl can be made without having to recalibrate the handbrake.
Should you need to recalibrate (for example, after making certain mechanical adjustments to the handbrake), SmartControl features an easy-to-follow and intuitive calibration wizard.
Mounting Options
There are several options for mounting the Sim Handbrake on your simulator. The base itself can be mounted either horizontally or vertically. Combined with the option to mount the lever horizontally or vertically, you'll have plenty of options to find a suitable location for the handbrake on your simulator.
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The handbrake base itself can be mounted in two ways. The first option is to use the four mounting holes on the base itself (two on each side), which allow you to mount the handbrake on a flat surface. Make sure you have matching mounting holes on the flat surface you attach the handbrake base to.
The second option is to use the included optional adapter plate. This allows you to easily mount the Sim Handbrake on aluminum profiles (aluminum profiles not included).
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An additional benefit of this adapter plate is that it allows you to easily adjust the parking brake actuation angle. This allows you to offset the parking brake base actuation angle by up to 22.5 degrees.
Using the actuation adjustment, you can rotate the base to optimize the direction in which you pull the lever. This can greatly improve the ergonomics and integration of the handbrake into your simulator.
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A selection of bolts and T-nuts are included with each Sim Handbrake. These should allow you to mount the handbrake on most aluminum-frame-based cockpits using the adapter plate.
Due to the wide variety of cockpits on the market, we cannot guarantee that the supplied materials will allow you to mount the Sim Handbrake on all of them. If, for example, you are mounting the handbrake on a flat (perforated) surface, you must obtain the appropriate length bolts and nuts yourself to complete the installation.
More information
A printed manual is included with each handbrake.
This product is compatible with the PC/Windows platform. It cannot be used on consoles such as Xbox or Playstation.
The handbrake comes pre-calibrated (plug-and-play). If you want to use SmartControl to recalibrate or adjust certain handbrake settings, you'll need to be running Windows 10.
The Sim Pedals Sprint are CE certified, including passing EMC compliance tests.
Handbrake installation video tutorial:
