Next Level Racing HF8 - Haptic Feedback Gaming Pad (NLR-G001)

Next Level Racing HF8 is an excellent product. The only painful thing about this product is Next Level Racing's software. It is horrible. Fear not though, because there is a software that you can download free and use with no limits (and please support the developer by donating) that is one million times better than Next Level's software. Go to Simhub and download their SimHub software. Simhub is a simulator peripheral/accessory software that powers many of today's simulator peripherals, including the HF8 Haptic Pad. And yes, SimHub is well-known and used globally by simulator enthusiasts. Once you have SimHub installed, HF8 will take you to another level of immersion.The problem I have with Next Level Racing's software is that it fails to detect my games that are installed in another drive. It seems Next Level Racing's software only detects games in your C: default drive. When I downloaded SimHub's software, it detected all my simulators, and with a press of a button, configured the simulators to function with my HF8 Haptic Pad...one press and SimHub configured it, plus it offers all types of haptic feedback options, from sending a pulse on the haptic pad whenever you change gears, to experiencing rumble effects when you hit a kerb., grass, dirt, rock. So...to save you the headache and pain...get SimHub's software and use it to run your HF8 Haptic. If you really want to use Next Level Racing's software, good luck and I hope it works for you. I am writing my review based on SimHub's software and HF8's pad so I cannot comment on how Next Level Racing's software works. I feel Next Level Racing's software still needs more work... a lot of work.With the SimHub software installed, you can now truly enjoy HF8 Haptic. I've tested HF8 on the following simulators that I use and they all WORK.Automobilista 2Assetto CorsaAssetto Corsa CompetizioneProject Cars 1Project Cars 2RFactor 2Euro Truck Simulator 2American Truck SimulatorF1 2022Nascar Heat 4The key to truly experiencing this HF8 is to get a good racing seat. The HF8 comes with three sections of straps to keep your haptic pad in place on your racing seat. The HF8 works best via USB to connect to your PC. You can also connect HF8 to your console via your consoles headphone jack where the feedback relies on audio to generate the haptic effect at a much lower weaker effect- HF8 comes with a input jack to connect your console and an output jack to connect your headphones. PC- USB is the only way to really experience HF8's haptic feedback- it's stronger, more powerful, and yes...MORE immersive. The HF8 comes with a small controller that you use to raise or lower the feedback effect- the LED changes colour depending on your setting -green means light effect, red means POW!!! HF8 comes with its own power supply adapter and has a long USB cable. I use a USB extension cable because I have a large Next Level racing simulator cockpit so I have to run the USB cable all the way around the cockpit to my PC.The HF8 has several haptic pads- two on your shoulders, two on your back, one your bottom, one on your thighs and two on leg area right under near your knees. Using the SimHub software, you can choose which type of effect to experience HF8's power, and how strong the feedback should be. Next Level Racing's software does offer the same feature but as I said, I never got it to work on my setup. Before using HF8 I decided to go out and drive a real vehicle first. I have been driving for 46 years but I still decided to go out and drive my vehicle to get a real-life sense on what I feel when I drive. I started taking mental notes how strong the feedback was when I hit the many potholes we have on our street. I drove on the highway, got a feel of the road impact at a good speed. I tried to feel the rumble of the engine. I did some basic cornering on this road that we have where it has some really good sharp turns. I tried to feel the pulse of the gears when it changed from 1st to second to third to fourth and so on. As soon as I had collected all these mental notes, I went home and then started working on my HF8 settings. I was surprised to see that in reality, I really don't feel the engine rumble on my back, so I decided to dial down the engine rumble on my HF8. I raised the settings on my HF8 for road impacts. So, all these preparations really helped me dial down or up what is close to reality. HF8 is able to give me a close representation of real life feedback when I drive my simulators.The HF8 is a gear that you want to have if you are serious with racing simulators. It pairs well if you have a motion platform installed on your simulator cockpit. Overall, I like Next Level Racing's Haptic Pad. It definitely raised my immersion level to another level. The only challenge with this product is its software, but there is an option you can use. Thank you Next Level Racing.

Official software doesn't seem to work with X-Plane, even though it (the software) claims to. Vibrate function itself works, so maybe it's something I missed in the configuration. Seems like the sort of thing that ought to just work straight out of the box, though.

This is a game changer... literally.. much more affordable compared to full motion or even bass shakers and i know it gets a lot of hate but for an intro "haptic" feedback its amazing. The main thing i wanted was engine rumble and RPM and this does the job perfect. Highly recommend for a more cost effective haptic.

I used the HF8 for 15 months when suddenly all motors turn on at full force anytime the pad is plugged in to power. This is not an uncommon problem with the HF8 or the Realteus Forcefeel pad (which the HF8 is a clone of).Next Level Racing out of warranty support consists of "turning it off and on again" and re-install the software. I asked to buy a replacement circuit board (simple replacement of four screws and three electrical connectors). I was told by support that they do not provide replacement parts.The majority of other sim hardware companies provide out of warranty repair options.In short, if the HF8 pad malfunctions outside of warranty they expect you to throw away a $200 piece of simware and buy a new one!

You can feel the vibration motors digging in to your butt, legs, and back. It’s very uncomfortable and causes a bunch of pressure points. Not sure how this passed QA testing. The vibration is actually really cool. But the pain makes it so distracting.

This product is amazing! Note that it's very useful not only for wheel setups but also for regular old gamepad - it still provides you with the same information on what the car is doingPretty easy to setup:1. Download simhub immediately2. Find the device in the "ShakeIt Motors" section on the left3. Create a profile for the game you want to use and you can start making adjustments4. Personally I only have "Wheels lock" and "Wheels slip" turned on5. Wheels lock - if it's vibrating under braking it means that wheels are locking up. Seat motors are for front wheels, back motors are for rear wheels, this way I know which wheels are locking up first and can adjust break bias.5. Wheels slip - if it's vibrating under acceleration it means either understeer if front wheels are slipping/vibrating, or oversteer if rear wheels are slipping/vibrating. Again, seat motors are for front wheels, back motors are for rear wheels - this way I know if I need to add throttle or a countersteerI also just have it constantly attached to my office chair and either play with a gamepad when I want to get a quick racing sesh in, or attach the wheel stand. In both cases the HF8 is very useful.