Simhub for sim racing: Dashboards, overlays & tactile

SimHub shows up in sim racing conversations for a reason: it’s one of the easiest ways to add “real car” information (dashboards), better decision-making (fuel/tyre data), and even extra feel (tactile effects) without buying a whole new wheelbase.

If you’ve ever looked at someone’s rig and thought “How do they have a dash, LEDs, bass shakers and it all just works?” — SimHub is often the answer.

What SimHub actually does

SimHub is PC software that reads telemetry data from supported sims and turns it into useful output. The most common outputs are:

Dashboards: a screen on your rig showing speed, gear, revs, temps, fuel, flags, etc.
Overlays: on-screen widgets (for you, or for streaming) like fuel calc, gaps, tyre temps.
Tactile feedback: “ShakeIt” effects that drive bass shakers or small motors for ABS, kerbs, wheel lock, engine vibration.
LEDs & external devices: shift lights, button boxes, and microcontroller projects (depending on how far you want to go).

Do you need SimHub as a beginner?

No — and that’s the point. SimHub is best when you have a clear reason to add it:

You want a dash screen because your monitor HUD feels cluttered.
You want tactile feedback because you miss “seat-of-the-pants” cues.
You’re doing endurance races and want better fuel/tyre information.
You’re streaming and want clean overlays without guessing.

If you’re still building fundamentals, start simple — and add SimHub when it solves a real problem. (A strong cockpit foundation matters more than extra features.)

A practical “first SimHub setup” that doesn’t spiral

Step 1: Pick one output

Choose one of these for your first week:

Dash screen on a phone/tablet
One overlay (fuel, delta, track map)
One tactile effect (ABS is the classic)

Step 2: Place it where you can actually use it

SimHub is only helpful if the placement is right. If you have to look away from the apex to read it, it will slow you down.

Dash screens work best just above the wheel or between wheel and monitors.
Overlays should sit where your eyes already go: top center or lower corners.
Tactile hardware should be mounted solidly so the energy goes into your body — not into rattles.

Step 3: Keep the rig “serviceable”

The fastest way to hate SimHub is when every upgrade causes a new issue: USB dropouts, buzzing audio, loose cables, random disconnects. When you add features, think like a mechanic:

Give yourself cable slack where the rig moves (seat sliders, wheel adjustment).
Separate power cables from USB signal cables when possible.
Mount hubs and power strips so they don’t hang and “tug” on connectors.

Rig-friendly gear to consider

Touchscreen dashboard (GT3-style) — A tidy way to add a dedicated dash screen to your cockpit
Button box / speaker mounts — Keep controls reachable without improvising brackets
PC keyboard tray — Makes menus, setup changes and endurance pit work much easier

Common mistakes (and the quick fix)

Too much information: start with one dashboard page and one overlay, then add only what you use every session.
Dash too low / too far: if you’re looking down, you’re losing track vision. Raise the dash or simplify.
Chasing “feel” with bad mounting: tactile effects require a stiff cockpit and solid mounts to avoid rattles.
Ignoring cable routing: the “cool upgrade” becomes a reliability problem. Build clean from day one.

Bottom line: SimHub is best when it’s solving a problem — clearer information, better feel, smoother workflow — not when it becomes the project itself.

Simhub for sim racing: Dashboards, overlays and the “why” behind it