D-BOX G5 Haptic System Review and ASR6 Cockpit Updates

Final thoughts on the new D-BOX Gen5 Haptic Actuators and Advanced Sim Racing ASR6 cockpit. Advanced Sim Racing sent me the ASR6 cockpit to show the latest updates they have made to that chassis. I already did a build video review on the original ASR6 cockpit a while back and is in one of my cockpits playlist. Firstly, they have a new powder coat color option called Infinite Black. It has a metallic metal flake embedded in the coat which give it a glimmer effect at different light angles. The coating is very smooth, and I could find no defects in it. ASR has added another piece of profile in the spreader role, similar to other profile cockpits out there. The profiles are 1.5″x 4.5″ 3 channel units. This lets the top of them sit lower than the top of the 1.5″x 6″ profiles use for the base sides. This allows you to mount the 1.5″x 1.5″ seat rails flush with the tops of the side profile. Essentially lowering the seat mount height by 1.5″. Which makes it easier to get a proper GT style driving position. The new front mount modular system was tested to be very stiff with no noticeable flex during driving using a 20Nm mige motor system. The new pedal deck is also an improvement over the still available solid steel plate deck with predrilled holes. This new deck also felt very solid, with flex seen. Now on to the latest D-BOX, offering the Gen5 Haptic Actuator system. This new design had the power supply and controller board attached directly to the actuator assembly. Now more separate controller boxes of the previous systems. This make the system easier to install. However, it does take of more space on the mounting surface. Something you need to plan for. I used Advanced Sim Racing’s custom mounting brackets to get the Gen5’s mounted to the ASR6 cockpit. A solid design which caused me no concern about potential flex
once installed. Once installed, all you need to do is plug the actuators into the small 4 port controller box and route the power cables, and you are done. In my look inside segment, I did find a pinched cable
resulting from the assembly process, which D-BOX should be aware of and be working to avoid in the future. The electronic layout was very professional looking with a well though out design. Using good
quality components in the circuit board’s construction. D-BOX uses a corrugated looking sleeve in the actuator housing to guide and lubricate the actuator piston. Which provide a good life cycle I think.
The software suite that D-BOX uses is easy to use, and I was able to find a setup that allowed me to turn consistent laps based on the information I could pull from the motion generated. At 100mm per second the actuators, which have a 1.5″ or 38.1mm stroke, felt on time with what I was feeling in the Direct Drive wheel system I was using and what I was seeing on my monitors. Again not surprised by the performance as D-BOX has been doing this for a very long time. I did test the system using Rally and Lucas Oil Trucks for dirt impressions. Here again I found the same performance as during the
circuit racing sessions. The 1.5″ stroke did show its limitations here, but the speed and feel were still very good. Overall, not much to criticize with the new Gen5 Haptic Actuator kit. Just gets the job done with minimal fuss. At 7500.00 dollars for a 4 actuator kit with 1.5″ of travel they will be competing with other motion systems out there that do offer more travel for the same or less money. Still, D-BOX is a true turn key system and one of the most refined motions systems you available.