Sim racing · head‑to‑head
While one of these accessories physically saves your expensive direct-drive wheelbase from being used as a hoist, the other bridges the electronic gap between your peripherals and a console-compatible wheelbase. They serve entirely different roles on a sim rig, but both aim to solve frustrating hardware headaches.
Thrustmaster users face frequent disconnects with the SimNet RJ12 cable, requiring manual grounding or wiring modifications. There is also an occasional calibration bug where custom pedal travel limits fail to load unless you restart the wheelbase.
You can safely connect both USB and RJ12 simultaneously on the SimNet cable for console haptics. However, your pedals will only function when the connected wheelbase is powered on.
If you want to protect your expensive wheelbase from physical wear and tear, the metal grab handle is a cheap and essential rig upgrade. The SimNet RJ12 cable is necessary for specific ecosystem integration, but you must be prepared to troubleshoot calibration bugs and connection drops.
| Handle | SimNet – RJ12 cable connect to 3rd party wheelbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | — | Protosimtech |
| Ecosystem | Universal | Universal |
| Starting Price | $9.90 | $6.48 (€5.65)Best |
| Price trend | Unchanged over 90 days | Unchanged over 90 days |
| Type | Rig grab handle | Connection Cable |
| Connectivity | none | RJ12 |
| Compatibility | Aluminum profile rigs | SimNet SP Pro pedals, SHB Handbrake, and SSQ Sequential shifter to Fanatec or Thrustmaster wheelbases |