In the world of sim racing, H-shaped shifters remain a highly emotional accessory. People buy them less out of pure need than to rediscover the mechanical sensations of a manual gearbox. The MOZA HGP Shifter clearly falls into this category: an H+sequential, all-metal shifter designed to accompany a setup geared towards driving pleasure, drifting or classic cars. On paper, it promises a robust feel, good precision and simple integration into the MOZA ecosystem, while remaining financially accessible compared to the very high-end options.

For my part, I approached it with two questions in mind: does it really give the impression of handling a real mechanical gearbox, and does it hold up under intensive use, without becoming sluggish or noisy after a few sessions? So my angle is simple: mechanical feel, perceived quality, everyday ergonomics and compatibility with a modern simracing setup.

From the very first gearshifts, the objective becomes clear: MOZA is not aiming for an exotic or ultra-race product for purists only, but a solid, plug-and-play shifter capable of fitting just as well into a small aluminum cockpit as into a more serious installation. Typically, we're talking about a "quality mid-range" product, designed to last, without blowing a budget already depleted by the steering wheel and pedals.

Design and manufacturing

Both visually and in hand, the MOZA HGP Shifter immediately conveys an impression of density. The body is metal, with tight-fitting panels, little or no play and a clean anodized finish. Nothing sounds hollow, nothing moves when gripped firmly. You can feel that MOZA wanted to avoid the "toy" effect at all costs. The weight and overall rigidity inspire confidence, especially if you plan to install it on an aluminum profile or a sturdy cockpit.

The lever itself is metal, with a relatively sober "sport" knob. In hand, it doesn't slip or itch, and the feel is fairly neutral, allowing glove-free riding without discomfort. Shifting gears feels straightforward, with a clear lock-in in the gates. We're not talking about the extreme hardness of a very dry 100 % racing shifter, but about a happy medium: enough resistance to give character, but not so much as to tire the hand after an hour.

What's surprising is the consistency of the manufacturing. The screws, grid pattern and small details give the impression of a finished product, not an industrial prototype. The mechanical clicks are audible but not aggressive. It's mechanical, but not agricultural. On a desktop, it may seem a little noisy for a very quiet environment, but in a dedicated cockpit, the level is frankly acceptable.

What's a little disappointing is the aesthetics and secondary finish. The knob, for example, does the job but lacks the character of a noble custom shifter. You get the feeling that it's designed to be functional rather than to inspire. Compared to some of our more expensive rivals, it may appear slightly less premium in design detail, but in terms of perceived robustness, it's clearly in the right league. Compared with more plastic or lighter shifters, the difference in solidity is immediately felt.

Settings, customization and compatibility

When it comes to settings, the MOZA HGP Shifter is fairly straightforward. It's not a menu-packed product, but the adjustments offered are relevant to everyday simracing. Locking force and overall feel are largely dictated by the internal mechanics. An infinite number of physical settings are not available, but calibration via the MOZA Pit House software allows clean adjustment of behavior and ensures that every gear is detected without dead zones or false neutral.

The great strength of the HGP is its dual mode: H-pattern and sequential. Switching from one to the other is done via a dedicated mechanism, without having to dismantle half the shifter. This is a real plus for alternating between a modern GT in sequential and an older touring car in H-pattern, without having to change equipment. The grid lock is sufficiently clear to avoid switching from one mode to the other by mistake.

The learning curve is short. Once the shifter has been set up and recognized by the software, all you have to do is calibrate and assign ratios in games. For a simracer already used to PC peripherals, everything comes naturally. For a motivated beginner, the MOZA interface is clear enough to avoid getting lost. The really useful settings are calibration, choice of H or sequential mode, and possibly a few adjustments in the games themselves for sensitivity.

In terms of compatibility, the HGP is designed above all for PCs, particularly in the MOZA ecosystem. It connects directly via USB or via a MOZA base depending on the configuration, which facilitates integration. With the right drivers, it can also be used with other brands of steering wheels and pedalboards, provided you're prepared to manage several peripherals in Windows and in games. On consoles, it's more dependent on support and how the main wheel handles external peripherals. It's clearly not the environment where it's at its simplest.

For scalability, this shifter can serve as a serious entry point as well as a long-term solution. It is robust and versatile enough to accompany several generations of wheels and bases. It's not a "throwaway" product at the beginning of the range, but rather a structural setup element that will easily follow an upmarket upgrade of the rest of the equipment.

Sensations in play

Where the MOZA HGP Shifter really comes into its own is under riding conditions. Once you've tightened the cockpit and found the right hand position, shifting gears becomes very natural. The mechanical feel of the gearshift is clear: you can feel when the lever leaves one gear and engages the next. Lateral guidance is well defined, limiting lane errors, especially between 2-3 or 4-5, those transitions often critical in racing.

When cornering, it's easy to feel whether the grid is firm enough to support lateral pressure and body movements. With the HGP, gears shift without the lever feeling like it's floating or vibrating excessively. You retain good hand control, even in fast rally or drift-like sequences. We don't have the surgical precision of a purely racing sequential gearbox, but for a versatile H shifter, gear readability is very good indeed.

Reading "grip" through a shifter is always indirect: it's not a pedalboard or a steering wheel. On the other hand, the timing of gear changes has a strong influence on the way you feel the car load or unload. With the MOZA HGP, this timing becomes more consistent, as the gear change is sufficiently clear and repeatable. You know when the gear is engaged, which helps synchronize the clutch and throttle. The car reacts more predictably, and this is particularly noticeable on corner exits with rear-wheel drive.

On vibrators, the main benefit is the shifter's ability not to move or warp in its grid. As long as your cockpit is properly stiffened, the HGP takes vibrations, jolts and steering wheel movements in its stride. It doesn't go out of adjustment or change feel during a session. This consistency is important for confidence. You don't get the impression that the mechanics disintegrate after a few hot laps.

Over long sessions, consistency is precisely one of its assets. The locking force remains the same, the engagement point doesn't drift, and hand fatigue remains limited thanks to a good compromise between resistance and flexibility. For endurance or repeated sessions over several days, this is reassuring. You get used to its mechanical signature, and it never moves. You quickly find your bearings.

In fast corrections, in drifting or rallying for example, the ability to link 2-3-4 or 3-2-1 passages without thinking becomes essential. This is where the HGP comes into its own: the grid is clear enough to allow slightly aggressive movements without multiplying false gears. Mechanical locks prevent random crossing of the grid. You'll still hit the wrong gear from time to time if you're really rough, but that's not due to a lack of material definition.

Compared to more basic solutions, such as the small plastic shifters built into some entry-level steering wheels, the world is literally changed. The feeling of a metal block, the precision of the lanes and the consistency transform the way you play manual cars. You better understand what the transmission is doing, and that changes the way you drive. Compared to more expensive top-of-the-range models, some will find the MOZA slightly less "sharp" or less configurable, but the difference in raw pleasure is not proportional to the price differential. The ratio of sensations to investment is clearly very good.

Who's it for? What we like / What we don't like

The MOZA HGP Shifter is aimed primarily at PC simracers who want to add a real mechanical shifter to their setup, without necessarily going for ultra-exotic equipment. Motivated beginners who have just invested in a decent base and a serious crankset may see it as a very good complement for discovering heel-toe, drifting or old GTs. Intermediate or experienced users will find it a reliable shifter, precise enough for serious leagues and races, without breaking the budget. On the console side, it's important to be aware of compatibility constraints before taking the plunge.

What I particularly like is the overall feeling of solidity. You really dare to shift gears without fear of breaking something. The dual H+sequential function is a real plus in this price range, and avoids the need to buy two separate devices. Integration into the MOZA ecosystem also makes life easier: a single software package, centralized management and a consistent cockpit look.

The limits arrive when you start looking for very advanced customization. The mechanical adjustment options remain relatively simple: you can't transform everything in terms of forces and feel like on some ultra-premium shifters. The aesthetics might also seem a little sober or "utilitarian" for those who like very visually distinctive parts. Finally, the question of console and multi-platform compatibility may be a hindrance for gamers who often alternate between PC and consoles without wanting to get bogged down in the hassle of making connections.

In terms of perceived value, this is a coherent investment. It's not an impulse buy, but you really get the feeling you're paying for metal, real mechanics and useful mode versatility. For someone who rides H and sequential a lot, the price/experience ratio is clearly interesting. This is typically the kind of product that takes driving pleasure up a notch without requiring a complete change of setup.

Verdict

The MOZA HGP Shifter brings something very concrete to a simracing setup: a real mechanical part that changes the way you interact with the car. It's a welcome replacement for gadgety little shifters, and finally gives you the feeling of having a proper gearbox at your fingertips. For those who drive a lot of manual gearbox cars, it's an upgrade you can feel from the very first laps, and one that continues to pay off over the long term.

On the market, it is clearly positioned as a solid mid-range product, but with premium ambitions in terms of feel and durability. It doesn't necessarily reach the level of customization of the most high-end shifters on the market, but it takes up much of their robustness and feel, for a generally more digestible price. It's an interesting pivot for those who want to seriously equip themselves without going over budget.

I'd have no hesitation in recommending it to PC simracers who already have a minimum level of installation, and who are looking to complement a cockpit with a reliable H+sequential solution. For someone who only plays palettes on a console, the interest remains limited. If you're looking for a solid, versatile metal shifter that's capable of bringing you very close to the feel of a real box, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.