Sim Racing Dashboard
A sim racing dashboard adds a new dimension to sim racing on your sim rig. This piece of hardware is great for displaying telemetry, lap times, positions, tyre pressure and much more! Buying an off-the-shelf sim racing dashboard can add up quite quickly. Prices range between €150 and €350.
Another option is to make your own sim dashboard. This is much cheaper and easier than you think. All you need is an old tablet or mobile phone, your sim PC and Simhub. In this article, I'll take you step by step on how to convert your old iPhone or tablet into a sim racing dashboard yourself.
SimHub
SimHub is a clever piece of software that lets you add external hardware to your simulator. From dashboards to bass shakers and lots more with home-made hardware controlled by an Arduino board. It's amazing to see how powerful this software is, how many problems it solves and how much realism it adds to your sim rig.
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Here's how to create your own sim racing dashboard in 5 steps
Fortunately, to convert your old mobile device into a sim racing dashboard, you don't need to have a programming background. It is really child's play and super fast!
Step 1: Download and install SimHub
To create a sim racing dashboard for your old tablet or mobile, you first need to install SimHub. This software is free, but you can make a small donation for premium features. Once you have installed this software, go to 'Games' and choose your simulation game. SimHub automatically detects when you start this game.
Step 2: Go to Dash Studio and choose a sim racing dashboard
Next, go to 'Dash Studio' in the menu on the left. Here you will find tons of free dashboards you can start with. Choose one and click on it to get started.
Step 3: Select the 'To a phone or tablet' option
Once you have made a choice and clicked on a dashboard, choose 'To a phone or tablet' in the drop down. You will then see the pop-up below:
Step 4: Connect with your mobile phone or tablet
Select or type the IP address (including the port number at the end) and open it in the browser on your phone or tablet. Don't want to manually type the address? Then scan the QR code with the camera of your mobile phone or tablet.
Next, select the dashboard of your choice on your mobile device and click on the 'full screen' option. Your sim racing dash is now ready to use and comes to life as soon as you select your favourite sim, such as iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione or Automobilista 2, start!
Step 5: Attach and race away!
The final step, of course, is to attach your new sim dash to or on your sim rig. A common option to do this is to buy a (Fanatec) phone mount. This allows you to attach your old mobile device to your wheelbase.
Tip: have a look at Etsy. Here are many relatively cheap options to attach your phone to your Fanatec wheelbase confirm!
