Hardware Setup & User Guide



SimDori Hardware Setup & User Guide

Thank you for choosing SimDori hardware. Our gear is engineered for maximum tactile feedback, precision, and durability. Follow this guide to get your new hardware mounted, connected, and calibrated perfectly.

1. Mounting & Installation

Before plugging your devices in, ensure they are securely mounted to your sim rig or desk setup.

  • Rigidity: High-performance hardware delivers strong, mechanical tactile feedback. Ensure your mounting surface is completely rigid to prevent flexing during intense driving sessions.
  • Hardware: Use standard industrial mounting bolts to secure the units firmly to your rig's baseplates or brackets.

2. Connecting to Your PC (USB Plug & Play)

  • Direct Connection: Connect the included high-quality USB cable directly to an active USB port on your PC.
  • Avoid USB Hubs: For the lowest latency and to avoid power drops, we highly recommend plugging the device directly into your motherboard's rear IO panel rather than an unpowered external USB hub.
  • Compatibility: Our hardware is PC Only (Windows 10/11). It is not compatible with PlayStation or Xbox consoles. No external drivers or extra software packages are required—Windows will automatically recognize the device as a standard gaming input.

3. Calibration & Hardware Testing

Before you even launch a game, you can visually verify that your PC sees the hardware and watch the automatic calibration happen in real-time.

🕹️ For the Analog Handbrake (Auto-Calibration)

Our analog handbrake features an intelligent, automatic calibration routine built directly into the firmware. Every time you plug the device into your PC, or when you first boot up your computer, you must perform this quick initialization:

  1. The Double Pull: Immediately after powering on or plugging the USB in, pull the handbrake lever completely back to its maximum mechanical stop two times, then let it return forward naturally.
  2. What this does: The internal microchip uses these first two pulls to automatically calculate and lock in the exact minimum and maximum physical endpoints of your sensor.

⚠️ Important: If you skip the double-pull step or only pull it halfway, your testing screen or in-game braking axis might feel overly sensitive or won't register the full 100% force. If it ever feels off, simply unplug the USB cable, plug it back in, and repeat the two full pulls.

⚙️ For the Digital Handbrake & Sequential Shifter

Both the digital handbrake and the sequential shifter behave as standard digital button inputs (on/off switches).

  • Plug & Play: They do not require any pre-calibration pulls or axis calibration. As soon as they are plugged into your PC, they are fully active and instantly ready to map.

🌐 How to Test Your Hardware on Windows

If you want to test the inputs or watch the analog handbrake calibrate visually, use either of these methods:

  • Method 1 (Web Browser): Go to hardwaretester.com/gamepad. Press a button or pull the lever, and the site will instantly show your SimDori hardware. When testing the sequential shifter or digital handbrake, you'll see a clean button light up instantly with every pull or click.
  • Method 2 (Windows Built-in): Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type joy.cpl and hit Enter. This opens the native Windows Game Controllers panel where you can select your device and test the active inputs directly.

4. In-Game Assignment

Because our hardware behaves as standard Windows direct-input controllers, you map the inputs directly inside your favorite racing titles (Assetto Corsa, iRacing, DiRT Rally, rFactor, etc.).

  1. Launch your sim of choice and head to the Controls / Input Settings menu.
  2. Select the corresponding action (e.g., Handbrake or Shift Up / Shift Down).
  3. Click the game's assignment button, then pull the handbrake lever or engage the shifter to bind the action.
  4. Handbrake Deadzones (Analog Only): If you are using the analog handbrake, we recommend setting a small 2–5% deadzone at the very beginning of the axis throw inside the game's settings. This ensures the brake isn't accidentally dragging if you rest your hand on the lever. Digital handbrakes do not need a deadzone.

5. Maintenance & Care

Our hardware is built to take a beating, but keeping it clean ensures it lasts a lifetime.

  • Cleaning: Wipe down structural components with a dry microfiber cloth. Do not use harsh chemical solvents or water near the internal electronics or sensors.
  • Keep the moving mechanical components free of dust and debris to maintain that crisp, tactile click and smooth travel.