Exciting Caterham 7 Update Announced for iRacing Arcade
iRacing Arcade teases its first free content update featuring the Caterham 7 and new track layouts. Here is everything we know so far, including community reactions.
Since I started making sim racing content, I have used and reviewed nearly every mainstream sim racing shifter currently available. From ultra-budget USB options to high-end enthusiast gear, I have spent a lot of time chasing one simple thing: a realistic, confidence-inspiring H-pattern shift without paying an absurd price.
When you factor in build quality, immersion, shifting feel, and overall value, the Moza HGP consistently stood out to me. For only $160, I genuinely believe this is the strongest entry to mid-range H-pattern shifter on the market right now. That is not marketing hype, and it is not based on specs alone. It is based on hours of real driving, aggressive shifting, and long-term use.
This review breaks down exactly why the Moza HGP works so well, where it falls short, and who it is actually for.
Verified purchase options at lowest current prices:
The first thing that stood out to me about the Moza HGP was the build quality. This shifter is constructed entirely from CNC-machined anodized aluminum, and it immediately feels solid the moment you pick it up. There is a real sense of density and strength here that you simply do not get from most shifters in this price bracket.
Mounted to a rig, the HGP feels planted and confidence-inspiring. Even during aggressive downshifts or fast sequential-style movements through the gates, nothing flexes, rattles, or feels fragile. I never once felt like I needed to be gentle with it, which is something I cannot say about many entry-level shifters I have owned in the past.
Visually, the design is clean and modern, though admittedly a bit understated. The anodized finish looks premium, but it does not scream for attention. The Moza Racing logo is centered on the housing, and the overall design prioritizes function over flair. Personally, I prefer this approach, especially for a component that is meant to feel mechanical and purposeful.
The Moza HGP offers several mounting options, which makes integration into different setups fairly painless. It can be hard-mounted using multiple bolt patterns on the bottom, or mounted using the front and rear extrusions depending on your rig layout.
Moza does offer a desk clamp for users without a cockpit, but given the weight of the unit and the amount of force required to shift it properly, I would strongly recommend mounting it to a rig or sturdy wheel stand. Desk mounting works in theory, but it does not allow the shifter to shine the way it should.
The shifter uses a seven-speed gated layout, with reverse and seventh gear requiring a push-down motion before engaging. A faux leather boot covers the mechanism, which helps keep dust and debris out while also contributing to the overall premium look.
The shift knob itself is made entirely of metal and feels excellent in hand. It is weighted nicely, comfortable to grip, and can be unscrewed if you want to use a third-party alternative. That said, I see very little reason to replace it, as the stock knob complements the shifter extremely well.
On the rear of the shifter, you will find two connection options. One allows the HGP to connect directly to a PC via USB, while the other lets it connect directly to a Moza wheelbase.
This flexibility is appreciated, especially for users already invested in the Moza ecosystem. At the time of testing, console compatibility through a Moza wheelbase was not something I could fully confirm, so that is an area worth double-checking depending on your setup.
For PC users, however, the experience is straightforward. Plug it in via USB, bind the gears in-game, and you are ready to go.
This is where the Moza HGP truly separates itself from much of the competition.
In-game, the shifting experience feels heavy, mechanical, and deliberate. Each gear engagement requires a noticeable amount of force, and that force translates into a tactile sensation that feels far closer to a real car than most shifters in this category.
The gates are well defined, the distance between gears feels natural, and the engagement point is clear every single time. I always knew when I was fully in gear, and miss-shifts were rare even during aggressive driving.
The action itself is smooth without feeling loose. There is resistance, but it is consistent across all gears, which makes flowing through the gearbox intuitive once you build muscle memory. In terms of raw feel, I would put the HGP very close to significantly more expensive options that many people consider the benchmark.
The HGP is not without drawbacks, and it is important to be clear about them.
The most obvious limitation is that this shifter is H-pattern only. There is no sequential mode, and no way to convert it into one. Competing shifters in and around this price range do offer dual-mode functionality, which will matter to some users.
Another limitation is the lack of adjustability. The shift resistance cannot be increased or decreased. What you feel out of the box is what you are stuck with. For users who like fine-tuning every aspect of their hardware, this may be disappointing.
Personally, I think the stock resistance is extremely well judged, and better than many adjustable shifters even at their best settings. Still, the lack of customization is something to be aware of.
I also dislike the push-down requirement for seventh gear. It adds an unnecessary step when moving from sixth to seventh, and it feels redundant given how unlikely it would be to accidentally engage that gear during normal driving.
Despite its limitations, the HGP offers outstanding value. The build quality, materials, and shifting feel punch well above its price point. While it does not try to do everything, what it does focus on is executed extremely well.
For drivers who primarily want a realistic, immersive H-pattern experience and do not care about sequential modes or endless adjustability, this shifter makes a very strong case for itself.
Compared to other shifters in the entry to mid-range space, the HGP feels more refined, more durable, and more satisfying in actual use. It prioritizes mechanical authenticity over feature checklists, and that approach clearly pays off.
For $160, there is simply no other shifter that performs like this.
The Moza HGP is a focused product, and that is exactly why it works so well. It delivers a sturdy, well-built, and genuinely immersive H-pattern shifting experience at a price that makes sense.
If you want a realistic manual gearbox feel, strong materials, and consistent performance without paying high-end prices, this shifter is very hard to beat. The lack of sequential mode and adjustability will turn some people away, but for pure H-pattern driving, I think the Moza HGP currently sets the standard in its class.
If performance and realism matter more to you than feature count, this is one of the easiest recommendations I can make.
