The Apex and Core side arms do the same job: they give you a solid piece of 40x80 aluminium profile on the side of your rig for a shifter, handbrake, keyboard, cupholder or headset holder. Both fit all four SIMGASM cockpits. The main difference is where SIMGASM uses them: the Core arm ships with the Hobby and Club, and the Apex arm ships with the Sport and Pro. So the right pick mostly follows your cockpit tier and your plans for the future.
This guide explains what each arm is for, when to add a second one and how to choose without guessing.
What a side profile mounting arm does
A side arm is the bridge between your cockpit frame and everything you mount next to the seat.
The main frame of a sim rig holds the wheelbase, pedals and seat. Everything else, like a shifter, handbrake or keyboard, needs a place to the left or right of your body. The side arm bolts to the frame and runs out to that spot. On top of it you mount plates and holders with T nuts and bolts in the profile slot.
A shifter or handbrake puts a lot of sideways force on that arm. Each hard pull on a handbrake tries to bend it, and each fast gear change tries to twist it. That is why SIMGASM builds both arms to stay solid under the forces of shifters, handbrakes and even HOTAS flight controls.
What both arms have in common
Both arms use a 40x80 profile and are made of aluminium. Both install on the left or right side. And both are listed as compatible with the Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro cockpits. So there is no wrong arm for your SIMGASM rig in terms of fit.
Core side arm: for the Hobby and Club
The Core arm is the standard arm on the two compact SIMGASM cockpits.
The Hobby uses a 40x40 main profile and the Club a 40x80 main profile. Both are aimed at drivers with a first direct drive wheelbase or a growing setup. The Core arm matches that tier. It carries a shifter or a small handbrake without trouble, and it is a clean base for a cupholder, mouse tray or keyboard mount.
The Core arm also stands out in one way: SIMGASM lists it for both cockpit and monitor stand setups. That makes it handy when you want a keyboard or headset holder on your monitor stand instead of on the rig itself.
When the Core arm is enough
Pick the Core arm when you run an H pattern or sequential shifter, a keyboard or small accessories, and you drive mostly road or GT races. For these setups, the arm that came with your cockpit does the job.
Apex side arm: for the Sport and Pro
The Apex arm is the standard arm on the bigger SIMGASM cockpits.
The Sport uses a 40x120 main profile and the Pro a 40x160 main profile. Both carry a rated braking load of 300 kg at the pedal deck and suit strong direct drive wheelbases, load cell pedals and motion. SIMGASM pairs those cockpits with the Apex arm, so a heavy shifter and handbrake combo gets the same solid base as the rest of the rig.
SIMGASM | Apex Side profile mounting arm - Black
Flight sim fans often choose the Apex arm too. A HOTAS stick and throttle sit on both sides of the seat, so many builds need two arms. Read our guide on using a sim racing cockpit for flight sim for the full layout.
When the Apex arm makes sense on a Hobby or Club
Choose the Apex arm on a compact cockpit when you want the same arm as the bigger tiers, for example when you plan to move to a Sport or Pro later. Both arms fit every SIMGASM cockpit, so the arm moves with you to the new frame.
What do you mount on the arm?
The arm is only the base, so plan the parts that go on top of it.
The most common combo is a shifter and handbrake plate. SIMGASM sells it as a single shifter plate, a handbrake add on or both plates together. The plate has multiple slot patterns, so you line it up with the bolt holes of your own shifter and handbrake. Set the shifter a little forward of your hip and the handbrake just behind it, so both sit where your hand falls naturally.
SIMGASM | Shifter & Handbrake Mount - Black
On the other side, many drivers fit a cupholder and accessory holder. See where to put your drink and phone on a sim rig for that layout. Browse all simracing accessories to see what else fits on the arm.
Do you need two arms?
You need a second arm when you want peripherals on both sides. A typical example: shifter and handbrake on the right, keyboard and cupholder on the left. Every SIMGASM cockpit ships with one arm, so the second one is the upgrade.
How the arms are tested
SIMGASM arms are designed by a racer who still drives on his own SIMGASM rig.
Founder Johan Akkerman drew the full SIMGASM range in 3D and checks each product as part of a complete simulator. His own rig is a Sport cockpit with a Formula Atlas seat, VR and motion, and the Sport is the cockpit that ships with the Apex arm. Before SIMGASM, he worked as a technical specialist for brands like Mercedes Benz and Jaguar and helped develop the TRX chassis at Trak Racer. In the video above, Sean Cole of The Simpit puts the Sport through its paces with a Simagic Alpha EVO 25 Nm wheelbase, Simtrecs pedals and a Heusinkveld sequential shifter.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Red
Not sure which arm suits your build? Every SIMGASM cockpit comes with a 2 year warranty, and the team answers questions within one business day.
Questions about the Apex and Core side arms
These short answers cover the most common doubts.
Does the Apex arm fit a Hobby cockpit?
Yes. SIMGASM lists the Apex arm as compatible with the Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro cockpits.
Which arm comes with my cockpit?
The Hobby and Club include the Core side profile arm. The Sport and Pro include the Apex side profile arm.
Can I mount a side arm on either side?
Yes. Both arms install on the left or the right side of the cockpit.
Can I use the Core arm on a monitor stand?
SIMGASM lists the Core arm for cockpit and monitor stand setups, so it is the better choice for a monitor stand build.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
