Frex H Shifter+ Review
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- Finally got my hands on the new Frex H-Shifter.
Intro: 0:00
Closer Look: 0:40
Look Inside: 10:08
Mount Considerations: 24:05
Shifter Mounted: 31:05
Driving: 35:27
Final Thoughts: 42:12
frex.com/store/product/hshift...
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MOBO: Asus Z97-a
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I don't care what the review is about, I watch it regardless... SRG can start to review washing machines and I'll still watch it!
Berry could make 30min reviews on tap water and I'd still watch it.
Maxwell Cameron I love Jesus Christ
@@nonami_066xswqoqowiwl our lord and savior
Barry is the Sim Racing version of Bob Ross. It doesn't get much better than this!
Always coming with the hardware reviews we need!
I bought this shifter after your review man years ago. I have been using it almost every single time i get in the rig. I love driving the old Porsche RSR and 962 are my normal go to for driving.. and its always at nords. Well, this shifter is still my favorite out of everything ive used.. only Pro-Sim and BDH would be better than this.. but they are a different feel completely. this is more of a miata/rx7 and roadsters of the sort with its short throw and SUPER SMOOTH shifts, max satisfaction. thanks Barry, I have built my entire Rig/Motion Platform thanks to your advice and breakdowns.
March 2023. I just ordered one. Now comes with top and side mounting kit options.
You are so composed yet you drive like a beast. Lol well done
Great review! Thanks so much, Barry! I've also been looking at this online for years (back when FREX were converting G25 wheels) and secretly hoping since your channel started you would have a review on it at some point. I'm surprised no one has copied the concept, because it seems like genius to me.
I've heard people online saying it feels more like a "prototype car" style shift compared to the feel of Fanatec shifters, and personally, that's exactly what I would want. Knowing the Japanese, I suppose the odd throw between gears is near identical to the 962C.
I'd always thought the clamping solution was really limited though. It seems like it would be straightforward to make a U-shaped bracket going underneath between the bolts, and then a flat top piece it between the buttons, effectively like a tight 1" cage around the middle. Then there's two points where it's locating; at the clamp and in the middle. It would be a fairly easy kit for them to offer customers I would have thought.
And thanks to the person who kindly lent it for the review. I hope they enjoy using it!
Nice to see they added the rolled off corners on the gates. I had to do that to my old one.
Thank you very much for all your reviews! It's really great to be able to see all simracing products. Especially the interior ! :) You deserve more like ;)
Damn, I came here for the shifter but I stayed for the voice. Ideal reviewer voice
Thanks for the review Barry.
Great Review , Barry! I have this shifter and Love it! My favoorite H shifter to date!;)
I have been looking at this shifter for a long time as well. Glad to see you reviewed it as I was leery of ordering it. I wish Heusinkveld would come out with their H pattern already. Would fulfill those H-pattern needs many of us are wanting. The Frex seems like you can't go wrong though. Thanks for the review!
I'm finding its not easy to have something of similar size but with firm shifts and preload springs while lasting you 10 years and having a sequential mode. However, this century definitely confirmed!
@@NielsHeusinkveld keep up the great work. We all wait patiently for sure. :)
@@NielsHeusinkveld I read on your website about the decision to redesign, and the expansion the company is going through.
Just my two cents, I'm sure you have plenty of feedback, but I think customers would be happy with a durable, high quality H-shift.
Having it be a small unit and a sequential mode also seems like almost asking the impossible.
I suppose a larger unit size increases your material costs?
@@Ruylopez778 Nah, material costs are only a small part of it. I just really want to make things as small as possible. Getting the packaging as optimal as possible is one of the main things that I enjoy :-)
31:45
that's why you have the best simracing channel on YT, sir.
hahaha
Finally a company doing a gear lock out like a legit car. Exciting times for us Sim racers!
Not exactly like a real car though- many race cars are shifted without using the clutch. What we really need is a smart shifter that communicates with the game to work out rev matching and whether to lock out or allow gear selection.
Excellent reviews! The product looks nice.
i had mine for about 15 years . so i guess it gives an idea of longevity. i never thought of reselling it as i did not think i could find better for the price
This is 15 years old design? Amazing, damn.
Does it work as standalone usb device?
I do too, have mine for 15+ years and opted out of getting a new one when I updated my wheel/pedals.
I Like even before watching
It's the only way.
This is the way
This is probably the only H-shifter in the simracing market that resembles a true race-car (open-wheel, prototypes, etc.) shift. Others, including other high-end snifters, seem to shift more like regular cars (albeit with varying strengths).
You are very good at what you do.
Just picked one up! they have options for side mount brackets now which is a nice touch. Excited to give it a try
Is the screw clamp included as standard ? Thanks.
@@Fester_ I believe so! At least it came attached to mine so I assume it is
Finally... ive waited for a long time for this review. If its good enough for the SRG, Its good enough for me. Thanks Barry, and keep up the great content
Everytime i look his videos my wallet burns😂i have purchased one at frex gp...arriving next week.👍thanks for the review
@@TheTobi79 Tell me about it! I cant say I often look at any of these reviews and feel like I dont need it! This shifter is high on my wishlist though. As much as I love the Prosim H shifter... I just cant justify that price tag. My Fanatec shifter has been nothing but trouble, so the Frex fills the gap between the 2 nicely.
@@dannyvincent3365 exactly the same for me...
@@dannyvincent3365 now have it for a few days and it feels realy good. For the price point its ok for me.
@@TheTobi79 Ahh man. Thanks for the thought in letting me know how you got on with it. Im going to order one in a few weeks time I think. Im excited now. My fanatec shifter failed and I miss driving the old school stuff. Its not the same with paddle shifters
Knowing nothing about the Frex Shifter, I was surprised to find that it is a H pattern shifter.
Excellent review. Thanks Barry.
Sexy H shifter, really
I bought this strictly because of this video. Let me tell you it is fantastic! Thanks for the great reviews!
In the morning Adam!
been lookin for a h pattern.. that on level of pro-sim but more affordable, but still miles ahead of anything else. i just ordered it.
@@blacknovella still happy with your frex?
@@Michelsen77 i am so satisfied with it that i still use it frequently. and i wont accept any substitue. so basically i love it. just as solid as day 1.
If HE does not show a new Prototyp on SIM EXPO this year, then I will buy this frex H pattern shifter
I bought it after several years of Fanatec CSS miss-shifting, re-calibrating and reattaching the cable to get it recognized and it's awesome so far. Really great concept to prevent miss-shifts with just one flaw: it doesn't click into place, so banging it is kind of the best trick to be sure the gear is activated or you end up in neutral here and then. They removed the foam now and it sits super-solid just with the clamp. So solid that I don't use longer M5-screws to fix it to my 40x40-profile, which would fit perfectly, but no screws in the house anyway. The wiggle comes from the foam only.
Isn't there an adjustment screw on top that you can use to create that click into gear feeling?
@@timt8199 Nope, that's the overall tension similar to the Fanatec, but it's holding the tension and not getting loose like the Fanatec.
Love those racing shoes.
What a beautiful and sturdy piece of hardware!
You do great videos thanks 👍🏁
Barry is just the best :)
Awesome! review Bazz
Nice shifter !
Great Shoes! 😀
i just bought one today and i hope its as nice as it looks :) great review
Still happy with your shifter?
@@Michelsen77 It's fantastic. Modeled after real parts means it lasts like a real part. i haven't even had to apply extra grease after a full year of heavy use. It was on the expensive side when i grabbed it but worth every penny if H-Pattern is your thing.
Is the Frex HSHIFT+ still one of the best options at this price point in 2023? Seems others have come to market at a similar pricepoint (Simagic, Simvertex, etc).
still the best to me, ive tried them all. Unfortunately Its all subjective.. but if you driven a roadster w a short shifter.. this is exactly what it feels like.
Great review as usual!
What motion system is that ?
Thank you.
Was just looking at this shifter and I see they have a "sim synchro" for it aswell that goes with the Frex pedals!? Would be awesome to see a review on that and how its working! Always love the videos Barry 👍
Check out R-VR Closet YT channel. He hooks up the Frex Sim Synchro to the HE Ultimates.
They don’t even make these anymore lol
@@CaniHaveTheRedPill Yeah they do. It just doesn’t have the buttons on it anymore.
Can you fully unscrew the 9 screws (3 blacks + 6 silver) underneath the frex shifter in order to miunt it to my rig?
Can you replace the shift knob with another knob? Also, would it be possible to have a longer stick replacement for a little longer throw?
The sim racing community really needs more H-pattern shifters to choose from. Options above TM and Fanatec. There are so many sequential shifters on market now it’s hard to choose. Hopefully someday it’ll be like that for H-pattern. As always, great review man.
SHH is a great piece of kit as H pattern, affordable price for a shifter way better than Fanatec or TM
@Sim Racer Jason you won't be disappointed
@@_xndrzt In what way you felt the SSH is better than the Fanatec? I've had both and ended up keeping the Fanatec unit. It is just more solid and smooth, but I do think the SSH offers great value.
This product has been on the market for quite some time. So I have read a some reviews of this product written in Japanese, but no one admired it. This is my personal opinion, but if you can't buy very expensive Pro-Sim H-pattern you might not compromise with this product. I rather want to wait for Heusinkveld’s one.
Is this the best feeling H-shifter in terms of realism? And on thier website it only says 6+R.. the 7th button is it working? And what was the 1st best H-Shifter ahead of this one?
I've seen this shifter on youtube when it was still prototype.
I have a question for you ... how do you get your hair so shiny?
17:47 That's no momentary switch.. it's an induction switch.. a magnetic field that gets affected by the metal of the selector and because it affects the magnetic field, it registers it as a button press.
Nice supermoto in the background. I'd appreciate a walk-around of that bad boy. Is there one?
Barry certainly likes to party lol I know 100% that bike is a riot to ride.. and I can't even tell fully what it is lmao
Yeah, pure adrenaline hit when I take it out for romp.
I've noticed that hooligan of his, just hanging out in the background in many reviews. Have always wondered how often he takes it out. Would be awesome to see him out on the twisties while out on my vfr, but since I live over in WA, it'll most likely never happen. Ride safe gentlemen..
Thank you for the review. I've had this shifter for almost a year now and I agree with most points. First and foremost when you open it up it does seem a little DIY and unimpressive, it for sure could use more refinement but it is very solid.
Mounting definitely needs more options, I have mine on a reinforced old GT Omega frame and it does flop around a bit like in Barry's video but when you are driving its really not a problem.
But most important aspect of this shifter is what it is trying to simulate. I have tried the ProSim shifter at a local sim shop here and that is for sure the one to have, however it does have a very "road car" feel to it. I'd imagine a 90s touring car to feel like the ProSim, but thats just my wild guess.
This shifter on the other hand as been mentioned is modeled after the 962, and if you watch this video of Justin Bell in a 962 ua-cam.com/video/2O0_H5DgKHc/v-deo.html you will see that it very much resembles the same shift action.
If you watch any kind of onboards of vintage race cars and I guess Group C these days is considered vintage, or even old F1 footage you will notice that there is no road car like center spring back for the gear lever. In that 962 video it almost appears kinda of floppy/sloppy. And now that I think some more about it, I have been in plenty of road cars where the side to side action is a little sloppy.
So I think it depends on what you are trying to simulate. These days, if its H pattern I'm driving old F1 cars or something Group C and I think this shifter is perfect for it.
If you are more interested in modern H pattern road cars, maybe the Fanatec is a better option.
Thanks for the comment man this cleared up a lot of my questions, I don't think this is the right shifter for the set up i'm going for right now but maybe in the future!
Great review as always Barry, looks a bit light for me though. What pedals are you using atm, are those custom pedal pads?
Pedals are Wave Italy Impetus. Not very widely known but one of the best pedal sets existing in the market. Pricey but built like a tank.
Wave Italy Impetus Monza set.
@@simracinggarage3026 I believe to remember that your set of choice were the HPP. Is there a specific reason why you exchanged the HPP for the Wave Italy?
Three year now works like first day mounting directly on 80x40 profile very stiff
How does this compare to the vnm and simvertex shifters. I'm thinking of upgrading from a th8a and I'm wondering which would best the best mid range shifter?
I also plan to upgrade from my TH8A. Frankly, if you don't step up to an aluminium profile cockpit (understandably so), I suggest the VNM shifter or even the Simagic DS-8X. If you do step up to a full cockpit, go ahead with the Frex.
Is there one of high quality that doesn't make a loud click, I think it's all too much click, it drives me crazy and so does the neighbors lol;
Some parts of the shifter look a bit like a prototype to me, like those shims in the front. I would also expect hall sensors instead of switches at this price point and some heat shrink wouldn't have hurt to look more professional. A bit dissapointing overall, especially for a brand this long in the business. All just my opinion of course, but the competition does it better with some aspects.
I agree. It certainly could use refinement in some areas. But the shifting action is very good. Only trumped by the Pro-Sim H shifter.
Sim Racing Garage
Thank You for your reply and outstanding review.
Just got the new 2020 FREX H pattern with threshold reverse gear. Some things that stick out, The lateral spacing between gears is equidistant. There are no buttons to program. Seventh gear is locked out. The threshold feeling for reverse is new, can’t engage reverse by accident.
After having it for a few months, what are your thoughts on it? Someone needs to do a review of this 2020 Frex H-pattern shifter. Would love to see the improvements made.
@@timt8199 the hardware is solid, no issues.
@@timt8199 They released a new one for 2021 as well, Alloy
@@MaddogBC4are the 2021 version changes just alloy or did they make other improvements?
@@timt8199 Mine hasn't shipped yet and I have no info beyond the webpage, not on facebook. Will let you know when I contact them it hasn't shipped by Feb 1
Those are JIS screwdrivers if anyone wants to buy them. (Japanese Industrial Standard)
/smacks head.... why have i never thought of using those crappy credit cards for that before!
Where did you get those shoes Bazz?
Vans slip on shoe.
At the end SRG said it was the second best H pattern shifter his tested, what’s #1? Fanatec shifter?
The Pro Sim H-shifter. He has a review of it. It's $1500 though.
im still waiting for a shifter that replicates how syncros work. like, you apply a steady pressure, then after a short time it falls into gear. until then ill stick with the clubsport shifter. so far every shifter on the market is just some variant of a spring loaded indent so i dont see how it can feel that much more real. and at least with the clubsport i get the "push down to go into reverse" instead of just "push further over". right at 33:13 you even accidentally pushed over into where reverse is instead of 5th.
This would work for some race cars, but mainly for road cars. Most race H patter boxes are not synchromesh.. :-)
Icky A lot of regular cars have a gated reverse so you actually do push farther/harder to get into reverse. My 6 speed Miata is exactly like this.
They do have a sim synchro for this shifter that goes with their pedals. Not so sure how well it works.. can't find much info on it but it does exist
Great review as usual! You missed a small trick with the mounting - you can use the two top bolts/holes on the shifter plate (the ones furthest away from the shift knob - you need to substitute longer bolts of course) to attach the shifter to the profile, as well as the clamp. I find this much more secure (although I actually also use one of the four main bottom bolts to mount to a piece of profile on the side, via an L bracket).
Yes, another way to add stiffness to mounting it. Still I would like to see a bottom mount option or solution to better balance the shifting forces.
Hi Andy, could you explain to mounting more for me..I'm interested in this shifter.
Thanks Andy have you used 40 cm or 45 cm profiles?
@@pietromauro9834 40mm.
@@bluein2red423 thanks do you believe it fits for 45mm as well?
Barry, won't you review the SHH shifter someday?
I am looking into securing one for review.
@@simracinggarage3026 then I'll surely wait for your review Barry! I was thinking about buying one soon
Back Marker a friend of mine got one, and he says is one of the best bang for the buck. 3D printed thou.
2nd best? What was the best?
Pro-Sim H Pattern:ua-cam.com/video/Z8FITVWo6m4/v-deo.html
Looking for something lighter than Clubsport SQ 1.5, but it seems i'm better off going with what i've got
From what I've read online it seems that the Frex shifter is supposed to simulate a prototype style shift, while the Fanatec is going for more like a road car style feel.
At some point there will be a H-shift from Heusinkveld, so maybe it's worth waiting until there's more news on that.
@@Ruylopez778 They do make nice gear. The options seem to be getting better and better. I do like the fact that the Fanatec is H + Sequential though.
This looks like the highest quality h-pattern shifter I have seen but it doesn't have the slots to go into, seems like such a waste, I have to have the slots otherwise I can't get it.
$600 USD? Not bad at all for something this well built
Really? Seriously? Am i the only one to think, that this thing is horrific? You can clearly see how it never even re-centers in the same spot, mounting seems like a logitech prototype, its loud, for 600 bucks it should be made out of real carbon not be wrapped in it. Obviously the lock-out feature is great but you need what like another 1800 bucks for the pedals?
@@lindstrem aluminum case, aluminum and carbon shifter, and steel internals, and adjustable tension. It weighs nearly 2kg. Also looks pretty easy to replace any of the electronics if they go wrong, and modify the mechanism or feel. Seems like it's worth the money.
As for how the shifter feels or centers, I expect it's intended to feel like a prototype car, not a road car.
Yeah they should have updated the case design and wiring a long time ago, but I doubt they're selling in the quantities of Fanatec, so costs, like tooling and R&D are higher for them per unit. It's economies of scale.
Yeah one could probably modify off-the-shelf parts and home-build one for a fraction of the cost... but that's true of most sim equipment.
edit: $460, plus shipping
i have buy it 3 month ago after mount it it work something like 10 lap and broke after contact frex they give any support the only thing was send us back at your charge of course so i thix it myself i m not english so hard to describe the technical problem but take care with this shifter it s a pure shit and for 600 usd you can have more better than frex shifter .barry thank for your chanel and all your review
(i put in french what happen so maybe u can have better idee with translation )
1:désolidarisation de l axe horizontal et de l axe verticale qui vient dans les crans et appuyer sur les boutons indiquant quel vitesse est engager ce qui a eu pour effet que l axe vertical était libre, l axe vertical est fixer a l axe horizontal par une vis et l axe n est pas percer la vis vient juste s écraser contre l axe horizontal .
2 :problème c est que l axe verticale n as pas de buter c est lui même qui vient buter dans les crans donc la vis qui solidarise les 2 axe et soumis a de forte contrainte et casse .
3: les plastique qui tienne les ressorts bouge tout le temps ce qui fait sauter les ressorts toujours obliger d ouvrir pour les remettre.
Sorry to hear yours had problems. My sample did not exibit any of the issues you had. It is good to hear you were able to sort it yourself. Which is proof that what I said about being able to fix a problem without sending it back to Japan is accurate. Still not
good to have problems to begin with though.
Well, Frex is not known for the reliability of their products...nor for their support services...looks like it has been the same for 10 years
This shifter looks great, but that mounting though. A fail for anyone running a profile rig. Considering the length of the production run, you’d think they would just change the base plate 🤷♂️
Some get excited about the shifter, I just stare at Barry’s beautiful hair. Barry’s hair 2020.
That main shaft is more likely stainless than aluminum.
That wiring is messy. Wouldn't want to attach that to a motion rig with the usb board flopping about inside like that.
Yes wiring could be better. USB board is attached to the vertical bracket with two zip ties. So it does not move.
Thrustmasters system is actually superior with using hall effect sensors to detect which gear you're in, no wear and tear on a button like this, disappointing.
Yes, hall sensor setup would be less wear and tear than the button system. And the TH8A is better in this regard. But pales in comprison to the shifting action of the Frex.
Is google translator screwing with me or is this really 500 USD?
It told me 650...far too much for me!
The most important questions is...
Frex H-Shifter....OR...ProSim HShifter?
Damn it..I should have watched THE ENTIRE VIDEO before asking that question! LOL!
What pedals are you currently using?
Wave Italy Impetus Imola
I've looked at this before, but heard terrible reviews.
I'm shocked that they designed something that high quality and then went with the cheapest, weakest mounting option that requires people to fabricate their own mounting solutions. I mean using a credit card and only one clamp for something weighing 2 kilos?!? WTF?
ugh, tons of nice machined parts and then they stack up a billion washers instead of just making aluminum or plastic spacers for the shifter yoke
No thumbs down yet. HURRAY
Even if you start to review and sellout to cocomelon videos and raid shadow legends i'll still watch for your voice XD
pretty messy inside :D
I'll stick with clubsport shifter
*Hello, I'm from Vietnam I really like the way you talk and guide. Can I be your student? with all respect*
way to expensive wtf