Heusinkveld · handbrake
Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake
Load-cell USB handbrake with swappable elastomers and up to 22 kg of lever force.
A load-cell handbrake from Heusinkveld with adjustable resistance and a solid metal build. One of the reference handbrakes for rally sims.
AI rating
- Feel
- 9
- Build quality
- 9
- Compatibility
- 7
- Value
- 7
Who it suits
- First rig
- 3
- Console racing
- 0
- Competitive racing
- 7
- Small rooms
- 6
- Tight budgets
- 5
- Enthusiasts
- 9
Scores are AI analysis of public information (specs, manuals, published reviews and owner reports), not a hands-on test. How we rate
Pros and cons
- Load-cell sensing gives fine pressure control
- Adjustable resistance and lever position
- Built to the same standard as Heusinkveld pedals
- Nearly twice the price of Simagic's TB-1
- Specialist item: little use outside rally and drift
Watch out: USB to PC only, and it needs a stiff side mount on the rig.
What it feels like
- Throw
- Resistance
- Progression
The pull is short and firm, and it ends against a hard stop.
Braking force is set by how hard you pull. The lever barely moves for the force you apply.
Swapping elastomers changes how quickly it stiffens.
Closer to pulling a real car's parking brake lever than flicking a light switch.
What the Sim Handbrake works with
- Connects to a PC by USB. It doesn't work on PS5 or Xbox.
- On PC it works next to any wheel base.
Wheel bases it plugs into
None: it only connects by USB.
Tech facts
| Sensor | Load cell |
|---|---|
| Analog | Yes |
| Connection | USB (PC) |
| Weight capacity | 120 kg (265 lb) |
| Software | Heusinkveld SmartControl |
| Size (W × D × H) | 2 × 10 × 14 in (6 × 25 × 36 cm) |
| Weight | 4 lb (2 kg) |
| Materials | Aluminum and steel |
Our take
AI analysis of public information, not a hands-on review.
The Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake is a pressure-sensing (load cell) handbrake. It is built for drifting, rallying and general sim use, and it stays a fairly serious piece of kit. The load cell is rated to 120 kg, and the listed maximum force at the lever is about 22 kg. A two-stage spring with adjustable preload and travel sets the resistance. Three elastomers (soft, medium, stiff) change the feel. SmartControl software lets you shape the output curve. The lever mounts vertically or horizontally, and the base has angle and yaw adjustment.
It is USB-powered and needs no wall adapter. That makes it simple to fit into a first rig, as long as you have a free USB port. The main caveat is price. Official pricing is in euros (€279 on the Heusinkveld shop). US resellers list the V2 at roughly $350–380, and stock is sometimes sold out. For a first rig it is overkill if you only race circuits, and a cheaper potentiometer handbrake will do. If you drift or rally and want a firm, repeatable pull, it is a strong choice. You will need a solid mounting surface, such as a profile rig or a side mount.
Questions buyers ask
Does it need a power supply?
No. It connects by USB to a PC and is powered over USB. Heusinkveld lists no separate PSU for it.
Does it work on consoles?
The listed connection is USB for PC only. Don't count on PlayStation or Xbox support.
Can I adjust how stiff it feels?
Yes. It has a two-stage spring with adjustable preload and travel. Three elastomers (soft, medium, stiff) are included. SmartControl software lets you shape the output curve.