BDH Active Force Feedback H-Pattern & Sequential Shifter
- Regular price
- $3,859.00
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $3,859.00
- Unit price
- per
Vendor : BDH
Product Type : Force Feedback H-Pattern & Sequential Shifter
Sku : AC-1-BLK
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BDH · Active · Servo Force Feedback Shifter
BDH Active Force Feedback H-Pattern & Sequential Shifter
The gearbox pushes back, because the car told it to.
Every other shifter feels the same on every lap of every car. The Active does not. A high-torque servo sits inside the same billet aluminium chassis as the BDH H1 "Bazooka" and reads live telemetry from SimHub, turning it into gate weight, engine vibration, torque retention and gear grind. Shift without the clutch and the lever fights you. Load the drivetrain and it holds firm. None of it is a canned effect: it is the sim's own physics arriving in your right hand. Underneath, it is still a mechanical shifter, which is the point. Hand-built to order in the UK and supplied in Australia by Player1 Sim Gear, an authorised BDH reseller.
Built to order
Each Active is individually built, tuned and programmed during production
The Active is not assembled from a shelf of finished parts. Every unit is built, mechanically tuned and programmed as an individual during production, which is why there is a build queue rather than a dispatch time. Call us on 0488 385 870 before you order and we will confirm the current lead time for your address. Australian GST is included in the price you see, and warranty is handled here in Queensland.
Why the Active
Five things a servo does that a spring cannot.
Resistance that tracks the drivetrain
The servo does not just resist movement, it responds to what the drivetrain is doing. Under hard acceleration the lever holds firm, replicating torque retention, then releases as the load comes off. That is a thing no mechanical shifter can do at all.
Gear grind and kickback
Miss the clutch and you feel it. The Active reproduces the vibration and kickback of a botched change through the lever itself, which turns a mistake you would otherwise only hear into one your hand learns not to repeat.
Clutch lock-out
Clutch engagement modulates the resistance, and the gate can lock against you when the car says a change should not be possible. It is dynamic gate locking, and it prevents the mis-shifts that a passive gate happily lets you make under load.
Native SimHub, no plugin chain
The Active reads SimHub telemetry directly, without third-party plugins or middleware to keep updated. Engine RPM becomes haptic vibration, drivetrain load becomes gate retention, and it all arrives with no perceptible latency.
Reconfigure mid-session
An onboard OLED screen and rotary encoder let you change gate pattern, haptic intensity and feedback levels without leaving the car. Go from a six-speed GT layout to a four-speed touring car in seconds, at the shifter, not in a menu.
Still a mechanical shifter underneath
This is the part people miss. The Active is built on the H1 "Bazooka" chassis and its fundamental shift mechanism is mechanical. The servo enhances the feel with drivetrain and engine feedback, it does not replace the metal-on-metal engagement BDH are known for.
Inside the Active
How telemetry becomes something you can feel.
The servo
A high-torque motor, doing more than resisting
The finned housing at the end of the unit holds a high-torque servo with a zero-latency response. It is not there to add weight to the throw; it is there to change what the throw does from moment to moment. Under acceleration it holds the lever, replicating the torque a loaded gearbox puts through a selector. On a missed clutch it delivers grind and kickback. As load comes off it lets go. The intensity is adjustable, so a vintage touring car and a modern GT do not have to feel the same.
- Servo-driven resistance replicating real drivetrain loading
- Dynamic gate locking that prevents mis-shifts under load
- Adjustable haptic intensity per vehicle type
SimHub integration
The sim drives the feel, not a preset
This is the distinction that matters. Canned effects play a recorded sensation when a trigger fires. The Active reads live telemetry from SimHub and derives the sensation from the data, so engine RPM becomes haptic vibration, clutch engagement modulates resistance, and changing drivetrain load changes gate retention continuously rather than in steps. The integration is native, with no plugins or middleware in between, and once connected it configures automatically for supported titles. SimHub is required for the full feature set to work.
- Native SimHub telemetry, no third-party plugin chain
- Engine RPM to haptic vibration, continuously
- Automatic configuration for supported games
Onboard control
Configure everything without leaving the car
The control module on top of the unit carries an OLED screen and a rotary encoder, and it is genuinely useful rather than a novelty. Gate patterns, haptic intensity and feedback levels are all reachable at the shifter, mid-session. Switch from a six-speed GT layout to a four-speed touring car configuration in seconds, or calibrate the clutch bite point for heel-and-toe, without alt-tabbing out of the sim to a settings window.
- Integrated rotary encoder and OLED display
- 4-speed to 6-speed gate layouts, switchable in seconds
- Clutch bite point calibration for heel-and-toe work
The chassis
The H1 "Bazooka" foundation, now with intelligence
The Active did not start from a blank sheet. It is built on the same mechanical foundation as the BDH H1 "Bazooka", the shifter that made BDH's name, and it inherits that machined billet aluminium chassis, its tolerances and its structural decisions intact. The servo-driven intelligence was fused into that chassis rather than bolted onto a new one, so nothing was given up on rigidity or durability to make room for it. Proven engineering first, active feedback second.
- Aerospace-grade billet aluminium with an anodised finish
- Shared mechanical DNA with the H1 Bazooka
- Orientation-switchable for left or right-hand mounting
About BDH Race Sim Hardware
A small UK builder that makes shifters and nothing else.
BDH Race Sim Hardware design and manufacture in the United Kingdom, and their entire catalogue is gear shifters. No wheelbases, no pedals, no rigs to divide the engineering effort, which is how a company this size ends up building the first genuinely telemetry-driven shifter in sim racing. Their hardware is used by Motorsport UK for driver development, and by sim centres and rally schools. Player1 Sim Gear is listed by BDH as an authorised reseller for Australia.
Made in the UK
Machined, assembled, tuned and individually programmed in Britain, with each Active built as a one-off during production.
Shifters only
One product category, five years of iteration, and mechanisms that do not exist anywhere else in sim racing.
Supported locally
Bought from Player1 Sim Gear in Queensland, with Australian GST included and warranty handled here.
Before you order
What you need to run it
| Requirement | BDH Active |
|---|---|
| Platform | PC (Windows). Not a console device. |
| SimHub | Required for the force feedback features to work |
| Connection | USB to your PC |
| Drivers | ✓ Plug and play once connected, with automatic configuration for supported games |
| Wheel base brand | ✓ Independent of your base. Works alongside Simagic, MOZA, Fanatec, Simucube, Asetek, Cammus and any other |
| Sim titles | Any title SimHub supports telemetry for, including iRacing, Assetto Corsa and Competizione, Automobilista 2, rFactor 2, RaceRoom, Le Mans Ultimate and the EA WRC and Dirt titles |
| Clutch pedal | Recommended. Clutch lock-out and bite point calibration are built around having one |
| Rig type | Aluminium profile rigs, via the BDH mounting plate. Wheel stands and desks need a shifter mount |
| Upgrade path | — No upgrade path from an existing BDH shifter. The Active uses a new internal mechanism and control system |
SimHub is free, widely used sim racing telemetry software and many owners already run it for dashboards or bass shakers. If you do not run SimHub and do not intend to, the force feedback features are the entire reason to buy an Active, and one of the mechanical BDH shifters will serve you better. Call us and we will talk it through honestly.
Specifications
BDH Active, in full
In the box
What arrives
- BDH Active force feedback shifter, fully assembled
- Gear knob, fitted
- Onboard OLED control module with rotary encoder
- BDH standard mounting plate
- USB cable
- Mounting hardware for aluminium profile
- Setup guide covering SimHub configuration
The BDH range
Which BDH shifter is right for you?
| Model | H-pattern | Sequential | Force feedback | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDH H1 | ✓ | — | — | Classic mechanical H-pattern with solid detents, for drivers who only shift H |
| BDH H2SQ | ✓ | ✓ | — | Both modes in one unit, dual-rail, smoother and more refined. Sprint-style sequential |
| BDH S1 | — | ✓ | — | Rally-focused sequential with a longer shaft and a hard, high-impact inertial kick |
| BDH Active (this one) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Servo-driven feedback from live SimHub telemetry: gear grind, clutch lock-out, torque retention |
All four use the same mounting plate design and can be top-, side- or reverse-mounted, so a mount bought for one BDH shifter carries over to another. Note that the Active is the only one requiring software: the other three are purely mechanical. See the whole range on our BDH shifters page.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
The Active specifically
What is the BDH Active Shifter?
What does the force feedback actually do?
Is this just canned effects, like a rumble motor?
Does the servo replace the mechanical shift action?
Do I need SimHub, and is it plug and play?
Can I change the gate pattern without leaving the sim?
Can I upgrade my existing BDH shifter to an Active?
How does the Active compare to the H1 and H2SQ in H-pattern feel?
Setup and compatibility
Does it work on PlayStation or Xbox?
Will it work with my Simagic, MOZA, Fanatec or Simucube wheel base?
Which sims does it work with?
Do I need a clutch pedal?
How do I mount it, and can I have it on the left?
Are the BDH mounting plates the same across the range?
Buying, delivery and warranty
How long will my Active take to arrive?
What warranty does the Active have?
Is the price in Australian dollars and does it include GST?
Is Player1 Sim Gear an authorised BDH seller?
If I send it back for repair later, do I pay tax twice?
Should I buy the Active or spend less on an H2SQ?
Complete your setup
What pairs well with the Active




Talk to us before you spend this much.
The Active is the most expensive shifter we sell and it is not right for everyone. Tell us what you drive and whether you run SimHub, and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth it over an H2SQ.
Australia-Wide Shipping
We ship all over Australia and want you to get your new gear as fast as possible, so we always aim to ship on the same day we receive your order, using the fastest and most reliable couriers in Australia. Of course, it may not always be possible to process your order on the same day, so please allow 1-2 business days for processing. If we encounter any delays we will let you know via email.
To maximise efficiency, Player1 Sim Gear ships all products in their original packaging straight from our warehouses or directly from our suppliers and manufacturers. Orders may be shipped in part or in full, and different courier companies may be used for different parts of your order. Please allow 2-8 business days for delivery. Please advise your phone number at checkout so we can get in touch with you if there is any problem. If you should receive a product that has been damaged while in transit please contact us immediately.
Please make sure someone will be available to receive your order, otherwise, your package may be diverted to your local post office or to your local shipping depot. We recommend all deliveries are sent to a business address to avoid any re-delivery charges. Note: Player1 Sim Gear will only ship to confirmed addresses, we cannot ship to PO Boxes sorry.
There may be times when the product you have ordered turns out to be out-of-stock with us or our suppliers. We will contact you to arrange a refund or alternate product if an item you have ordered is out-of-stock or unavailable for immediate shipment. You may cancel your order at any time prior to shipping.
International Orders: Apologies at the moment we don't ship internationally as standard. However if you outside Australia and there is something you'd like to purchase please do message us at sales@p1simgear.com.au, we will be happy to see what we can do.
Note re Larger cockpits and remote locations: We do our very best to ensure accurate shipping rates, however for larger cockpits and heavier items, rarely our shipping pricing may not be correct. In the event that the actual shipping costs for a large item should be exceed those quoted in your order, we will call you to discuss before we dispatch. You will have the option then to amend or cancel your order at no cost.
Returns Policy
We hope we can provide as much information and guidance as possible about each item so that you will love whatever you buy. We do understand though that the unforeseen happens. So in the unlikely event you wish to raise a return, please contact us and we shall discuss options and how we will proceed with the return request.
We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. You may return your item(s) for an exchange/refund, so long as it is in the same condition that you received it, unopened, with tags and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
To request a return, you must first send an email to support@p1simgear.com.au with your Order number as the email subject and Reason for Return in the email body/message. We will reply to your email with your relevant return information. We will not accept any returned items if we have not had an email from you requesting a return, so you must request a return first, before sending anything back.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.
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You, the buyer, are are fully responsible for paying all charges necessary to return the item to us. A restocking fee of up to 20% of the returned product's value may apply.
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Items must be returned sealed and unused in their original packaging and in a fully resalable condition. All items are supplied to you, the customer, in brand new condition unless explicitly stated otherwise in the product title. For such items supplied in Brand New condition, if any seals have been broken, the item cannot subsequently be sold as new after the return, therefore the return will be declined or a restocking fee will be levied and partial refund given.
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If the item is deemed DOA or faulty once opened, we shall troubleshoot and assess the nature of the fault and repair the item or replace like-for-like, should the fault be deemed a legitimate fault.
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Items returned that are not in their original condition may not be accepted, and the refund request declined.
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Returned items must be complete with all packaging in good condition, ready for immediate resale. All components and items within packaging (e.g. polystyrene/bubble wrap) must be returned also. We reserve the right to levy a charge to replace product packaging which is damaged / defaced / missing.
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We cannot accept responsibility for returned parcels which are undelivered back to us (e.g. lost by the courier, delivered to incorrect address) or damaged in transit back to us. We strongly advise you send returned items using an insured & tracked service. Furthermore, we also strongly advise you to obtain and retain your proof of postage, as you may require it should you decide to make a claim against your carrier should they damage or lose your item whilst returning it to us.
For items which require assembly, we are not responsible for any charges (labour or otherwise) incurred during fitment/removal of allegedly faulty (or incorrectly supplied) parts.
Returns made outside of the 30-day return window, or with no valid reason, will be declined.
Pre-Order CancellationsIn the event a Pre-Order becomes unavailable or is cancelled by Player1 Sim Gear you, the buyer, are entitled to a full refund. In the event that you change your mind or choose to cancel your Pre-Order for any reason prior to shipment, cancellation fees may apply to offset any unrecoverable costs incurred by Player1 Sim Gear.
Warranty & Australian Support
Covered by BDH, handled locally in Australia
Buy from Player1 Sim Gear and you deal with us, not overseas
Every BDH shifter is backed by a BDH manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and build quality under normal use. Buying through Player1 Sim Gear means that warranty is handled right here in Australia from our Queensland base. If anything goes wrong, you talk to us and we sort it out, so you are never left arranging a claim with a supplier on the other side of the world.
Your purchase is also protected by the Australian Consumer Law, which provides statutory guarantee rights including repair, replacement or refund for a major failure. Beyond the standard warranty, BDH continues to offer repair support under their Return for Repair policy, and we will organise that with them on your behalf.
Mechanical shifters
Lifetime warranty
The H1, H2SQ, H1SQ and S1 mechanical shifters carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
BDH Active
2-year warranty
The Active adds a servo and electronics, so it carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty, then ongoing Return for Repair support.
Manuals & Downloads
Everything you need to get set up
- ActiveProduct manual (PDF)Download →
- ActiveSimHub plugin & software (Windows, latest)Download →
- H1Product manual (PDF)Download →
- H2SQ / H1SQProduct manual (PDF)Download →
- S1Product manual (PDF)Download →
- H1 KitGate / Lockout Upgrade Kit instructions (PDF)Download →
- H1 KitHall Sensor / Bazooka Upgrade Kit manual (PDF)Download →
- All productsSetup & instructional videosWatch →
Looking for something else? Browse the full BDH downloads page for the latest manuals and software.
Common questions
Warranty & support FAQ
How long is my BDH shifter covered for?
BDH's mechanical shifters, the H1, H2SQ, H1SQ and S1, carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. The Active, which adds a servo and electronics, carries a 2-year warranty. Both exclude normal wear and tear, accidental damage and misuse, and both are handled locally by us.
Who handles my warranty claim, and do I have to deal with the UK?
You deal with Player1 Sim Gear here in Australia. We handle your claim locally from our Queensland base and coordinate any repair with BDH for you, so you are never shipping things back and forth or negotiating with an overseas supplier yourself.
How do I log a support request?
The fastest way is to log a support ticket, which lets us track your request and keep everything in one place. You can also call us on 0488 385 870 or send us a message.
What does the warranty cover?
Manufacturing defects affecting materials, structural integrity and build quality under normal use. It does not cover normal wear and tear, cosmetic marks from use, accidental damage or modification. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law also apply on top of the manufacturer warranty.
What happens if it needs repair outside the warranty?
BDH continues to offer repair support under their Return for Repair policy, which is processed as a return for repair for customs so tax is not paid twice on the same unit. Contact us first and we will organise it with BDH rather than leaving you to arrange it yourself.
Where do I get the manual and software for my shifter?
Use the Manuals & Downloads list above to grab the product manual for your model. The Active also has a SimHub plugin to enable and configure its feedback; the mechanical shifters need no software. You can also browse the full BDH downloads page and instructional videos. If you get stuck, log a ticket and we will help.
Do I need to pay any import or customs charges on a warranty repair?
No. You are buying and dealing with an Australian retailer, so there is nothing to import at purchase. If a unit ever needs to go back for repair, it is handled under BDH's Return for Repair customs classification so tax is not charged twice, and we manage that process with you.





