SimXperience G-Belt review

I was one of the beta testers for the new SimXperience G-Belt system and agree with all of the other testers that this system is amazing. If you are looking for the answer to “should i get one”... It is a MUST buy on your shopping list if you are looking to take your sim racing immersion to the next level.

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My current setup before adding the G-Belt
8020 rig, 4250i dbox, GS5, Simvibe, windsim, OSW, HE Ultimates, HP Reverb
There are many sim accessories that we all look to for added immersion in sim racing and there are so many great products out there to give you the feeling of being in the actual car. This addition to my rig has been the “wow” moment that makes you smile every time you jump into the seat. I will share just a few points with everyone help you on your quest for more immersion in your sim racing. Installation was very simple when mounted up to the GS5 but will mount to any seat or rig with very little modification.

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Software setup was also very easy to get everything fired up. One of the key benefits of the Simcommander software was the cloud tuning option. We have all gone through our endless tuning options in the past on trying to get the “right” feeling. Tweaking each option in software is still there if you want but the cloud tuning with Simcommander is so good that literally you can just plug this in and get racing without messing around… yes the cloud tuning is that good. I played with lots of tuning options during the beta test but always reverted back to the cloud tune profile and realized how much better it felt then my own profile. This active belt system is plug and play! There is also an added level of safety with this system in the way the belts are on a cam so if there was ever a malfunction with the motor, the belts will not keep getting tighter and tighter.

I also experimented with a few different seatbelts and really fell in love with the 5 point 2” belts to achieve the best feel of the system. The anti-submarine belt keeps all of the belts in the proper location when the system is actively pulling on you. They can be found very reasonably and are definitely needed.

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Everything I have added to my rig to increase immersion has been incremental. Some may say that a belt system is overkill and just not needed, to put it mildly… WRONG lol. From just pulling out of the pits to the first corner, the G-Belt system completes a huge part of the picture that we all have been missing. The sustained forces under braking and cornering immediately hit you and feels so right. There is a connection to the car that just wasn’t felt before that adds so much immersion. There is an ability to drive a little deeper into the corner since the forces are giving you more cues on what the car is doing. Having 2 motors to pull the belts differently allows the corning feel to really enhance the sensation of throwing around a racecar. The motors used in the system are very fast and effective. At no point during the testing did I ever feel the need for more power.

As with the other testers, I tested the G-Belt without using my other motion systems on a few occasions. I eliminated one system at a time while testing to get the effect of what it would be like for other users with different configurations. I started by turning off systems in the following order Dbox, windsim, GS5, and Simvibe. Using the G-Belt system at each stage of the test yields the same result in that it's one of the most important systems to have. Even little things like bumps, shifting, slides can all be felt with the belt system. The G-Belt adds so much to all sim rigs from static to full motion. It’s a great system that is so well built, it feels like a tank.

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After using the G-Belt in all different configurations it made me wonder how I drove without it. It’s such an intuitive and needed force that we all experience everyday in our own cars. The biggest take away is that sustained forces really communicate how and what the car is doing and until this point there hasn’t been a plug and play solution. When I tried test sessions without the G-Belt active, everything felt so different aka dead. Simxperience hit it out of the park with this product. For those on the fence to purchase the system, it’s a must buy. For those that think they really don’t need it, it’s still a must buy if you are looking for immersion. I feel for the price it’s one of the best bang for the dollar in sim racing. Congratulations to the entire SimXperience team on producing an amazing product. I know i’m never taking mine off :)
 
great write up, thank you. How does it interact with the G5 Seat? Feels like having both is overkill. If you were to choose one, would it be the belt tensioner? thanks!
I don’t have the G-Belt but my own custom homemade seatbelt tensioner in the same place and the GS-5 is great at cornering curves with its sideways pressure but the breaking force a seatbelt tensioner produces can’t be matched at all by it. It really pulls the belts under heavy braking giving the illusion very convincingly. You really need both, the only sustained force you miss then is acceleration which I’m not sure is possible to simulate really.
 
I don’t have the G-Belt but my own custom homemade seatbelt tensioner in the same place and the GS-5 is great at cornering curves with its sideways pressure but the breaking force a seatbelt tensioner produces can’t be matched at all by it. It really pulls the belts under heavy braking giving the illusion very convincingly. You really need both, the only sustained force you miss then is acceleration which I’m not sure is possible to simulate really.

Cool, thank you!

Are you running motion as well? I have been looking into a PT Actuator pre-built platform with TL and Surge. Would imagine attaching the belt to a stationary profile piece would simulate some of that belt "pull" -- perhaps not to the extent of the belt tensioner.

Motion, G5, and tensioner is the dream, but might as well buy a car at that point :D
 
great write up, thank you. How does it interact with the G5 Seat? Feels like having both is overkill. If you were to choose one, would it be the belt tensioner? thanks!
They work together perfectly and complement each other. After having the upgrades with the G Belt system, I feel that they are both needed for optimal immersion as both will simulate sustained forces on your body. The G Belt system does cost less than the GS5 so that would be a quicker investment to get more immersion if you don't have the cash for both
 
Cool, thank you!

Are you running motion as well? I have been looking into a PT Actuator pre-built platform with TL and Surge. Would imagine attaching the belt to a stationary profile piece would simulate some of that belt "pull" -- perhaps not to the extent of the belt tensioner.

Motion, G5, and tensioner is the dream, but might as well buy a car at that point :D
Yes I also have motion just 4 actuators though. The GS-5 can simulate traction loss but I think a TL module for me at least is needed to really get the feeling but I don’t have the space for it in the current location.

It will simulate some of it for sure though but an active one will always be that bit better as it’s independent from the surge effect and you can add in others if you want.

It does get very price though you are right but unlike a car you can’t go racing around indefinitely or change it on the fly so it really just comes down to how much of your hobby it is and if you can afford to do it.
 
Installed GBelt horizontal mount using 40 series bar at bottom. The right hand servo keeps oscillating randomly. Small amount of flex when left and right servos activate. Reached out to Simxeprience for support.
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Installed GBelt horizontal mount using 40 series bar at bottom. The right hand servo keeps oscillating randomly. Small amount of flex when left and right servos activate. Reached out to Simxeprience for support.View attachment 414256
Mine does the oscillation thing under heavy load, I queried it in the beta forums and was told it was what happens when there's clipping. So I've turned the setting down to avoid clipping, which is a shame. Hopefully there'll be a way of avoiding the weird oscillation at some point, because aside from that I think it's great.
 
Mine does the oscillation thing under heavy load, I queried it in the beta forums and was told it was what happens when there's clipping. So I've turned the setting down to avoid clipping, which is a shame. Hopefully there'll be a way of avoiding the weird oscillation at some point, because aside from that I think it's great.

Ok - makes sense - did you turn main AFMotion volume down from 100% to a specific number? Or was there a specific effect causing clipping?
 
Figured out all harness/belts must be tightened BEFORE SC is launched. The unit will pre-tighten just beyond and release after SC is launched. Starting SC before harness/belts hooked up will create a tension void with the servos, thus oscillation occurs.
Ah! That's good to know! I'll have to test it out. I often switch it on without belting up.

I reduced clipping by increasing the max g-force it uses. To be honest I don't really have a clue what I'm doing with Sim Commander. So many options, so few descriptions!
 
Ah! That's good to know! I'll have to test it out. I often switch it on without belting up.

I reduced clipping by increasing the max g-force it uses. To be honest I don't really have a clue what I'm doing with Sim Commander. So many options, so few descriptions!
Make sure you are using the cloud tuning with simcommander... It takes the guess work out of all the options and gives you a really good setup out of the box
 
I have been a beta tester as well. I agree with everything said. It is a great product and super easy to setup. Only thing I don't care for is it can get a bit uncomfortable in the nether regions after a long session........ I am hoping to pick up a GS-5 at some point this year to go with it.
 
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