Advantages Of Button Box In Sim Racing

Button boxes are among the most intriguing and frequently disregarded components of any setup. They give you greater control over your racing experience by allowing you to map in-game functions to particular buttons. But, you might be unsure about the advantages and necessity of a sim racing button box. Even though you don't need a sim racing button box to have fun or compete, they can greatly enhance your rig's functionality and immersion.

Compatibility

Finding one that meets all of your needs—from comfort to functionality—at a reasonable price is crucial because you don't want to waste your money on a device that isn't tailored to your specific setup. It's also important to consider the button box's compatibility, since some models are limited to working with specific games and the majority won't function on consoles.

Look, feel and price

There are numerous brands available, and each will have a distinct look and feel. You will need to decide which of the two button boxes—made of carbon fiber or plain plastic—will look the best when paired with the rest of your sim racing accessories. Naturally, premium materials like carbon fiber will cost more, and this will also depend on how many buttons it has.

Benefits of using a button box

Ease of use: Button boxes are a helpful way to get a little bit more out of your sim racing experience because they're not too difficult to set up and use.

Customizability: Normally, you would have to program your controller or steering wheel to map in-game buttons to the buttons, then go through the options menu and choose the ones you don't have space for on your wheel. This requires time, and during a race, it isn't always feasible. It is possible to map controls, options, and even pit strategies to the toggles on button boxes. This places them conveniently within reach while racing, enabling you to quickly switch between cameras, adjust fuel ratios, and perform nearly any other task without pausing the game! It can be a game changer for more experienced sim racers who don't have built-in functionality on their wheel.

Gaming efficiency: You can really customize your button box to fit your own playstyle with this customization, which can make racing much more efficient because you'll always have easy access to the controls you need. In close races where every millisecond counts, this could mean the difference between winning and losing.

Racing aesthetic: The ability to give your setup a really cool racing aesthetic is the last advantage of using a sim racing button box. With buttons and switches that would be found in a real race car, there are some fantastic options available to make your sim racing setup feel and look like the inside of a high-performance car. For an even better racing experience, some even have key switches!

That being said, you should think about whether a button box fits into your playstyle and price range. A button box might not be necessary if you are a less seasoned player and don't use many of the additional in-game options. But even for the novice, a cheap and efficient one like the Asetek Forte button box can be an excellent way to introduce some of those extra features.