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With the classic Sim Handbrake, Heusinkveld Engineering already had a high-quality load cell handbrake in their product range. However, the Dutch company has now officially introduced a brand new follow-up of the popular sim racing handbrake.
The new Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake is a highly adjustable, pressure-sensitive USB handbrake using load cell technology. A wide range of options to set your preferred mechanical feel, complete freedom to shape the output curve using Heusinkveld SmartControl. A versatile, high-quality handbrake system.
Designed with CAD and FEA, all structural parts are CNC precision laser cut steel with a bead blasted or fine-structured powder coat finish. It is strong, stiff, and durable.
The new Sim Handbrake has retained the overall lever dimensions of its predecessor, yet can handle a higher force and does this with a much more compact base. This makes installation in your simulator much easier.
The Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake is available via the official Heusinkveld webstore for €289.00 Inc. VAT + Shipping. You can check out the product Manual here.
Adjustability
The Heusinkveld Sim Handbrake features a wide range of mechanical adjustments to set the handbrake up to your liking.
A 2-stage spring system provides resistance when pulling the lever. An initial metal coil spring simulates the pad-to-disc gap and/or slack on the handbrake cable. The travel and preload on this spring are adjustable. You can also remove this initial coil spring if you wish to do so.
The main loading on the brake is simulated by compressing the Heusinkveld proprietary elastomers, giving an unprecedented progressive brake feel. A total of 3 elastomers are provided in order to set a soft, medium or stiff handbrake feeling.
The lever can be set in a horizontal or vertical position. Per position, there is a fine-tune adjustment up to 26 degrees to set the exact position of the lever.
If you use the included optional adapter plate (which allows for easy mounting onto aluminum profiles), you have up to 22,5 degrees of freedom to set the yaw of the handbrake. This can greatly enhance the ergonomics of your simulator, allowing you to pull the handbrake straight towards you from a multitude of mounting positions.
Sensors & Output
The lever actuates a 120kg load cell, resulting in up to 22kg of actual force measured at the lever. The measurement of the handbrake force is linear. Using Heusinkveld SmartControl software, you have complete freedom to set custom non-linear output curves.
The electronics of the handbrake are integrated inside the handbrake base. The system as a whole has passed EMC compliance testing, guaranteeing a stable output signal. A USB cable is supplied with every handbrake in order to connect it to your pc.
SmartControl Software
With the Heusinkveld SmartControl software you can easily calibrate your Sim Handbrake, set a deadzone, create custom output curves and create, save and share multiple profiles. If you own other Heusinkveld SmartControl compatible products, you can create shared profiles for multiple devices at once. This allows you to change your handbrake + pedal settings in only a few mouse clicks.
All new Heusinkveld elastomers
A realistic, progressive handbrake feel is achieved through our all-new custom-made injection molded thermoset elastomers. They are tested to have zero performance degradation even after one million duty cycles. You’ll get 3 different elastomers to set a low, medium, or high progressive resistance. You can further adjust the mechanical feeling of the handbrake by changing the preload and travel of the initial metal coil spring.
Mounting and optional adapter plate
The handbrake base has 4 mounting points (2 on each side). But it also comes with an optional adapter plate to ease the installation on aluminum profiles.
In the tutorial video below, Remco explains how to change these settings.
Official Webpage – heusinkveld.com
About Heusinkveld
Heusinkveld Engineering is a Dutch company that offers a broad array of products and services to the real and virtual racing scene. From advanced vehicle simulation software to simulator hardware. Sim Racers might also know the company’s founder Niels Heusinkveld as the main physics creator for the Automobilista racing simulator by Reiza Studios.
