Simagic Neo X-350W

Simagic NEO X-350W – a full-size 350 mm steering wheel developed for drifting

Simagic NEO X-350W is the largest steering wheel in the NEO X range. Its full 350 mm rim, shaped grip areas and dedicated spacer create a setup aimed mainly at drifting. The same dimensions can also feel natural in road cars, rally vehicles, classics and off-road machinery.

A large round rim has enough space to move freely between the hands during countersteering. There is no flat lower section or open upper area, so the driver always reaches a continuous part of the wheel regardless of its current angle.

The NEO X-350W is supplied as a complete steering wheel with the programmable NEO X hub and a Simagic QR50 Quick Release. This means a driver can use a proper full-size drift rim without giving up buttons, rotary controls, multi-position switches or telemetry lighting.

Main features of the Simagic NEO X-350W

• full round rim with a diameter of 350 mm
• design developed primarily for drifting
• stamped frame made from high-strength 6000-series aluminium
• black perforated synthetic leather covering
• red stitching
• extended leather grip sections at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions
• shaped grip corners that make hand placement easier to recognise
• dedicated drift spacer included
• hub made from carbon-fibre reinforced composite
• 8 programmable RGB buttons
• 2 illuminated 12-position encoders
• 2 thumb encoders
• 2 seven-way multi-position switches
• 9 programmable RGB LEDs
• modular support for optional UP+ paddle modules
• 2.4 GHz wireless communication with compatible Simagic wheelbases
• wired operation through the optional Simagic MagLink
• Simagic QR50 Quick Release included
• control and lighting configuration through SimPro Manager
• supported SimHub functions available through a MagLink connection

A 350 mm rim built around natural countersteering

Drifting places very different demands on a steering wheel than circuit driving in a GT car. The hands do not remain fixed in one position. The wheel often rotates under the forces coming from the front axle, while the driver controls its speed, catches the rim and stops it at the required angle.

The 350 mm diameter gives the hands more room to move than a 310 or 330 mm wheel. It also provides greater leverage, which can make the torque from a strong Direct Drive wheelbase easier to control during fast and wide countersteering movements.

Because the rim is completely round, the same profile is available at every angle. The driver does not encounter a flattened lower section or an opening like those found on Formula-style wheels.

The larger diameter also makes very small hand movements less abrupt. This can help when making measured corrections while holding the car at an angle through a long corner.

Stamped 6000-series aluminium frame

Beneath the outer covering is a stamped frame made from 6000-series aluminium. The material keeps the rim rigid without adding unnecessary rotating mass.

A stable frame reduces flex during quick direction changes. Information from the wheelbase reaches the hands more directly instead of being softened by movement within the rim itself.

Weight is especially important in drifting. An excessively heavy steering wheel creates more inertia and may slow its natural return during a transition. The aluminium structure helps balance strength with a lively steering response.

Black perforated synthetic leather

The rim is covered with black perforated synthetic leather. The small openings help reduce moisture build-up around the grip, which is useful during longer sessions and when driving without gloves.

The material is easier to maintain than Alcantara. After driving, it can be wiped gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth. It does not need the regular brushing associated with suede-style surfaces.

Red stitching breaks up the dark finish and makes the wheel easier to notice in a dimly lit cockpit. The detailing remains restrained, so the steering wheel does not look overly decorative.

Shaped grip areas at 3 and 9 o’clock

The points where the hands most often catch the wheel use extended leather grip sections with shaped corners. Their form makes the position of the rim easier to recognise by touch.

The profile does not stop the wheel from sliding naturally through the fingers. During countersteering, the rim can still rotate freely, while the marked grip areas help the driver return to a stable hand position more quickly.

Dedicated spacer for the drift configuration

A spacer developed for the NEO X-350W is included in the package. It moves the rim farther away from the control panel and creates more room between the wheel and the buttons.

A large drift wheel has a different depth and profile from a compact GT rim. Without enough spacing, the wheel could partly cover the controls or leave too little room behind the rim for the fingers.

The spacer places the steering wheel in a more natural position and reduces the chance of catching the NEO X hub during quick hand movements.

NEO X hub with buttons, encoders and telemetry lighting

Behind the rim sits the NEO X hub, made from carbon-fibre reinforced composite. It combines the feel of a traditional large drift wheel with the controls normally found on more advanced racing wheels.

The panel is divided between the left and right sides. Buttons, encoders and multi-position switches have different shapes, so they become easier to identify by touch after a few driving sessions.

The integrated controls reduce the need to reach for a keyboard or a separate button box. Frequently used vehicle settings and simulator functions can remain directly behind the steering wheel.

Eight programmable RGB buttons

The eight main buttons can be assigned to functions used while driving. In a drift car, they may control the ignition, starter, headlights, wipers, camera view, vehicle reset or voice communication.

RGB lighting makes it possible to divide the controls into colour groups. Headlight functions can use white, vehicle settings orange and service-related commands red.

The buttons have short travel and a clear activation point. They react quickly but still require a deliberate press, reducing the chance of accidental input while the wheel is moving rapidly through the hands.

A set of button labels is supplied with the hub. The front panel can be arranged around a specific simulator or car rather than relying on one fixed group of symbols.

Four encoders for on-the-fly adjustments

Two illuminated 12-position encoders

Two larger encoders on the front panel offer 12 programmable positions each. They suit settings with several defined levels, such as traction control, ABS, engine maps or differential adjustment.

The integrated lighting helps separate the two controls visually and can provide an additional reference for the selected setting. Available functions depend on the car, simulator and software profile.

Two thumb encoders

Smaller encoders are placed closer to the outer edges of the hub. They can be operated with the thumbs without fully releasing the wheel.

They work well for quick brake-balance changes, traction-control adjustments, audio volume or other parameters that are changed gradually.

Because the hands sit farther from the centre on a 350 mm wheel than on a compact Formula rim, the outer position of the thumb encoders is particularly useful on this model.

Two seven-way multi-position switches

Each multi-position switch combines directional movement, rotation and a push function. One physical control can therefore replace several ordinary buttons.

The switches can be used for black-box navigation, dashboard pages, vehicle setup or game-menu control.

One switch may handle interface navigation while the other controls car settings. The eight RGB buttons then remain available for commands used directly during driving.

Nine programmable RGB LEDs

A strip of nine RGB LEDs sits across the top of the hub. Their most common purpose is displaying rising engine speed and the preferred shift point.

Depending on the simulator and selected profile, the LEDs can also represent other supported telemetry events. Their colours and behaviour can be adjusted through the available software.

During drifting, the rev lights help the driver follow engine speed without constantly checking the car’s dashboard. The colour changes remain visible in peripheral vision even when the steering wheel is turned through a larger angle.

Modular UP+ paddle system

The NEO X-350W is focused mainly on drifting, so its basic configuration does not require conventional shift paddles. Drift cars are often driven with a separate shifter, while an open space behind the rim makes rapid hand movement easier.

The NEO X hub still supports the modular UP+ system. Depending on the intended setup, the steering wheel can be used without paddles, with one module or with two modules.

When selecting optional paddle modules, the depth of the rim, the included spacer and the available room behind the steering wheel should all be taken into account.

Compatibility with Simagic wheelbases

Simagic NEO X-350W includes the QR50 Quick Release and works with wheelbases from the Alpha and Alpha EVO families:

• Simagic Alpha Mini
• Simagic Alpha
• Simagic Alpha U
• Simagic Alpha EVO Sport
• Simagic Alpha EVO
• Simagic Alpha EVO Pro
• Simagic Alpha EVO Ultra

With a compatible Simagic wheelbase, button, encoder, switch and lighting data can be transmitted wirelessly over a 2.4 GHz connection. There is no need to run a cable from the rotating steering wheel to the computer.

The QR50 allows the wheel to be removed without undoing mounting screws. After a drifting session, a smaller GT or Formula wheel can be fitted, and the NEO X-350W can be installed again later.

Wired connection through Simagic MagLink

Simagic NEO X-350W is compatible with the optional Simagic MagLink. MagLink provides a wired connection between the NEO X hub and the computer.

The connection carries signals from the buttons, encoders, switches and any optional paddle modules. It also supports the data required for the wheel’s lighting functions.

Using MagLink gives access to supported SimHub features. Custom RGB effects can be created and linked to telemetry provided by a compatible game.

MagLink is also useful when the steering wheel is installed on a wheelbase from another manufacturer. It handles data communication between the NEO X hub and the computer, but it does not replace a mechanical adapter or a suitable Quick Release system.

A mixed-brand setup therefore needs to be checked in three separate areas: mechanical mounting, Quick Release compatibility and wired data communication.

Third-party Quick Release systems

The NEO X platform can be used with MagLink and common mounting patterns. Depending on the wheelbase, an adapter compatible with a 50 mm or 70 mm system may be required.

Connecting MagLink does not attach the steering wheel to the wheelbase shaft. The mechanical connection must be selected for the specific system used by the wheelbase manufacturer.

Before ordering adapters, it is also worth checking that the chosen setup leaves enough space for the spacer and the larger 350W rim.

Configuration through SimPro Manager and SimHub

Within the Simagic ecosystem, the steering wheel is configured through SimPro Manager. The software allows the user to adjust controls, button colours, LED behaviour and separate profiles for different simulators.

Before the first session, checking for firmware updates is recommended. Current software helps the system detect the buttons, encoders, switches and lighting correctly.

With a wired MagLink connection, the wheel can also use supported SimHub functions. This opens the door to more detailed telemetry-based effects for the RGB LEDs and illuminated encoders.

Separate profiles are useful when the same wheel is used in several games. A layout prepared for drifting in Assetto Corsa may be very different from the controls required in a rally or road car.

Typical use of the Simagic NEO X-350W

Drifting is the most natural use for the 350W. Its large round rim can rotate freely between the hands, while the longer leverage helps manage fast countersteering on a powerful Direct Drive wheelbase.

The wheel can also be used in rally cars, classics, road vehicles and off-road machines. Its 350 mm diameter does, however, require more cockpit space than a 310 or 330 mm rim.

Modern Formula and GT cars usually suit smaller wheels that keep both hands in one fixed position. The NEO X-350W was built for situations where the steering wheel regularly moves through the hands.

Comparison with other NEO X steering wheels

All NEO X variants use a similar control concept, but their rims are designed for different driving styles.

• Simagic NEO X-310G – a compact D-shaped wheel intended mainly for GT cars
• Simagic NEO X-330T – a versatile 330 mm round wheel with orange stitching
• Simagic NEO X-330R – a classic 330 mm wheel with a leather finish and red detailing

NEO X-350W and NEO X-310G

The 310G is considerably smaller and has a flat lower section. Its shorter leverage produces faster responses in GT cars where the driver’s hands normally stay at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions.

The NEO X-350W has a full round rim and much more space for changing hand position. It is the more natural choice for drifting and other driving styles that involve broad countersteering movements.

NEO X-350W and NEO X-330T

Both steering wheels use a full round shape. The 330T is smaller and more flexible across different types of cars. It works well in rally, touring, classic and many road-car simulations.

The 350W provides more leverage and more room when catching the rotating rim. Its shaped grip areas and included spacer give it a noticeably stronger drift focus.

NEO X-350W and NEO X-330R

The NEO X-330R has a 330 mm diameter and a more traditional leather finish. It takes up less room and responds more quickly to small steering inputs.

The NEO X-350W uses a larger perforated rim and gives the hands more freedom during wide countersteering movements. The 330R is more versatile, while the 350W better suits a cockpit built mainly around drifting.

Simagic NEO X-350W specifications

• Model: Simagic NEO X-350W
• Product type: complete sim racing steering wheel developed for drifting
• Rim shape: full round
• Diameter: 350 mm
• Rim frame: stamped 6000-series aluminium
• Covering: black perforated synthetic leather
• Stitching: red
• Grip areas: extended leather sections at 3 and 9 o’clock with shaped corners
• Spacer: dedicated drift spacer included
• Hub material: carbon-fibre reinforced composite
• Programmable RGB buttons: 8
• Illuminated 12-position encoders: 2
• Thumb encoders: 2
• Seven-way switches: 2
• Rev and status LEDs: 9 RGB
• Paddles: compatible with optional UP+ modules
• Wireless communication: 2.4 GHz with compatible Simagic wheelbases
• Wired communication: through the optional Simagic MagLink
• Quick Release: Simagic QR50 included
• Software: SimPro Manager and SimHub through MagLink
• MagLink: compatible and available separately

NEO X-350W in regular use

Simagic NEO X-350W differs from the other NEO X versions in more than diameter alone. Its rim profile, perforated covering, defined grip areas and dedicated spacer were selected to support the free wheel movement required during drifting.

The NEO X hub keeps buttons, encoders, switches and telemetry LEDs available without giving up a full 350 mm rim. The QR50 makes wheel changes straightforward, while communication can be handled wirelessly with a compatible Simagic wheelbase or through the optional MagLink cable.

This version suits a driver building a cockpit mainly for drifting who wants a large round wheel but still needs programmable controls close to the hands.