Sim-Lab unveils GTSL Ultimate steering wheel at Sim Racing Expo Frankfurt
Sim-Lab will unveil the GTSL Ultimate, a new version of its GTSL steering wheel platform, at Sim Racing Expo Frankfurt this weekend.
Reviewed by OC Racing
Oktane Designs supplied this sample at no cost, no money changed hands. They had no input on this article and did not see it before publication.
This is the Oktane Designs Sequential Shifter V2, and chances are, you’ve never heard of it. That’s because it’s designed, developed, and hand-assembled in Ohio by a single person. It’s not mass-produced, not heavily marketed, and not sitting on Amazon next to budget clones. So naturally, the question becomes: how good can it really be? What does it offer? And is it actually worth the nearly $300 price tag? Let’s find out.
The Oktane Designs V2 has a solid feel that looks the business, with modular components for a satisfying sequential action.
Enthusiasts wanting realistic sequential shifting.
Casual players or anyone needing quiet late-night shifts.
✓ Hands-on tested by OC Racing · Sample supplied by Oktane Designs
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Coming in at $290 USD, this is the Fanatec-compatible version of Oktane’s sequential shifter. It’s made almost entirely of black powder-coated aluminium, features an interchangeable metal knob, and is purpose-built to deliver an authentic, no-nonsense shifting experience.
Out of the box, you’ll get the shifter itself, a manual, mounting tools, and a Fanatec-style RJ12 cable if you’ve gone for that version. From the moment you pick it up, the construction screams quality. At nearly 12 inches tall and weighing just over 1kg (around 2.5 lbs), it feels dense, solid, and looks incredible when mounted.
There’s no side-mount option, which is a bit of a shame, but you do get M5 t-nuts and bolts for quick and simple mounting on most aluminium profile rigs. This isn’t something meant to sit on a desk. It demands a proper cockpit and rewards you with an aggressive, mechanical feel you just don’t get from mass-produced gear.
One of the standout features is the adjustability. You can tune both the resistance and the throw length of the shifter, which is rare to see at this price point. The knob can also be swapped, though honestly, I don’t know why you’d want to. The stock one looks and feels great.
The takeaway: resistance and throw tuning make this shifter easy to dial in for your rig.
Now, in my case, I was sent the Fanatec-compatible version. That means this plugs directly into the back of your Fanatec wheelbase using the included RJ12 cable. If your base is console-compatible, that means this shifter is too. For instance, I use the Fanatec GT DD Pro, so this worked seamlessly on both PlayStation and PC.
If you don’t use a Fanatec base, Oktane also offers a USB version. That one connects directly to PC but won’t work with consoles. Alternatively, you could grab Fanatec’s USB adapter, but at that point, you might as well just get the native USB version.
So, how does it actually feel in-game?
In short, brutal—in a good way.
The shifting experience is extremely firm and tactile. Strong neodymium magnets provide resistance, and you can choose between three different resistance levels. Even the softest one takes some force, while the hardest setting really pushes your rig to the limit.
My personal sweet spot was the middle setting. It gave just enough feedback to feel immersive without making me worry about waking up the neighbours. The throw length is also adjustable, although you’re unlikely to fiddle with that often. It takes some time to change, and once you find what you like, you’ll probably leave it there.
That said, when I did tweak things, the versatility was appreciated. Whether you want a short, fast throw or a longer, weightier shift, it’s all possible.
What really impressed me, though, was how satisfying the actuation felt. There’s a crisp, metallic snap with every upshift or downshift that made me want to shift more than I needed to. It adds to the immersion in a way that a lot of other sequential shifters fail to capture.
Worth knowing: the middle resistance setting was the sweet spot for feel without waking the neighbours.
Now, let’s talk about the downside.
It’s loud.
Even at its lowest resistance setting, the Oktane Seq. Shifter V2 produces an audible, mechanical clack with every shift. At higher resistance settings, that becomes less of a clack and more of a bang. Don’t get me wrong—it sounds fantastic if you’re into immersion, but it’s not exactly roommate-friendly.
If you live in an apartment, share a space with others, or play late at night, this could be a dealbreaker. I wouldn’t use this shifter past 10PM unless you live alone or have a soundproof rig room.
The Oktane Designs Sequential Shifter V2 isn’t for everyone. It’s not meant for casual players doing laps in F1 22 or dabbling in arcade racers. It’s for the enthusiasts who take sim racing seriously, who want raw mechanical feedback and a no-compromise experience.
At $290, it’s a premium product. But when you stack it against similarly priced options in the market, especially those that feel plasticky or gimmicky, it more than holds its own. It’s smaller than the BJ Steel or Conspit S1, but doesn’t lose anything in immersion. And while you won’t find it in big stores, that’s part of what makes it special.
If you’re chasing the most realistic sequential shifting experience under $300, this deserves a spot on your shortlist.
A premium sequential shifter for dedicated drivers who want raw mechanical feel under $300.
Ideal buyer: enthusiasts wanting realistic sequential shifting in a proper cockpit.
Major drawback: very loud on every setting, especially at higher resistance.
Bottom line: buy it for firm, tactile sequential shifts, and skip it for shared or late-night spaces.
Sim racing hardware reviewer and creator. Every review on this site is hands-on tested across direct-drive wheelbases, pedals, cockpits, motion systems and accessories before a word is published.
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Charlie says:
So cool they made this.