After returning from the Sim Gaming Expo in Chicago, my mind was still buzzing from the incredible motion rigs I got to experience. From the Vero Motion Legend 6DOF to the Racing Fuel S1 Pro, the level of immersion was on another level. But when I came back home to my usual setup, even though I love it, it felt just a little flat. No motion, no movement, nothing pulling me back into the seat. That’s when I turned my attention to something I had been waiting to test for weeks: the Qubic System QS-BT1 belt tensioner.

This device isn’t motion in the traditional sense, but it might be the closest thing to it for a fraction of the price. In this review, I’ll walk through my full experience with it: the installation process, the software, the driving impressions, and whether it’s actually worth the $1,800 price tag. I tested it in iRacing using the Porsche 911 GT3R across multiple tracks, tuning the setup to get the most realistic results possible. Here’s everything I learned.

Customers outside of the U.S. can use the links below. These are affiliate links and help support me and the time invested into this website! Thank you.

Location	Price	Link
Australia	$1799 USD	Purchase Link
Europe and abroad	$1799 USD	See Distributor List

Some of the links above are affiliate links, and help support the time invested into my YouTube channel and this website. Thanks for your support!

Unboxing and First Impressions

The BT1 arrives in a compact, neatly packed box that contains almost everything you need to get started. Inside, you’ll find the main unit, a USB cable, a power supply, a pair of low-friction seat belt inserts, a universal mounting adapter for aluminum profile rigs, and a motion lock jumper. A harness, however, is not included, which means you’ll need to purchase your own. Qubic recommends a five- or six-point harness, and for good reason.

When I first picked up the unit, the build quality immediately stood out. The QS-BT1 is heavy and solid, weighing around 12 kilograms (26 pounds). It’s capable of delivering a pulling force of up to 45 pounds per channel, so this thing clearly isn’t a toy. While the unboxing experience itself is pretty minimal, the construction leaves a great first impression. You can tell it’s a piece of equipment built for serious sim racers.

Installation Process

The BT1 uses a universal mounting bracket that works with most aluminum rigs. My rig is a 160-series profile, and the brackets fit perfectly. Once the two side mounts are secured, the main unit attaches directly into the bracket holes using four Allen screws. Qubic provides a quick start guide with a QR code to access the full instructions online. While I appreciate the eco-friendly approach, I personally prefer having a paper manual for quick reference during setup.

After securing the brackets, I attached the BT1 and tightened everything down. The entire assembly felt rock solid. However, one thing that caught me off guard was that some of the hardware needed for the harness wasn’t included. The setup requires eye bolts to attach the harness, and those aren’t part of the package. I ended up running to a hardware store to find an alternative solution using metal hooks, which worked, but it would have been nice to have everything included considering the premium price point.

Once the BT1 was firmly installed, I connected my inexpensive Amazon five-point harness to it. I’ll probably upgrade later, but for testing purposes, it worked fine. Here's what it looks like:

After double-checking all the connections, I fired it up and got ready to install the software.

Software Setup and Configuration

The Qubic System software is surprisingly easy to use. It automatically detects the games you have installed, and in my case, it instantly picked up iRacing. Inside the software, each supported title has its own profile where you can fine-tune every aspect of the belt tensioner’s behavior.

There’s a long list of effects available. Beyond the expected braking and cornering feedback, the BT1 simulates road harshness, engine vibration, rumble strips, ABS pulses, gear changes, and even wheel slip. Each effect can be individually customized for intensity and frequency. I started with all the default settings just to get a baseline feel, then went back later to fine-tune the experience to my liking.

First Drive Impressions

I jumped into iRacing at Imola with the Porsche 911 GT3R for my first test. As soon as I hit the track, I could feel subtle vibrations and the harness tightening during acceleration and braking. Then, the first time I shifted, the belts pulled tight with a jolt that instantly made me grin. The braking sensation was even stronger, pulling me firmly into the seatback. It’s one of those feelings that immediately changes the way you perceive immersion in a simulator.

Cornering felt dynamic and natural. As I turned into corners, the belts tightened on one shoulder and released on the other, perfectly mimicking the lateral G-forces you’d experience in a real car. It’s an incredibly clever illusion. The sensation of being pressed into your seat under braking and held through a corner gives a completely new level of connection to the car.

However, my initial setup wasn’t perfect. The image above shows my position in the first test: you can see how I am sitting too low compared to where the seat loops are located. The belts felt slightly loose, and I didn’t feel fully “locked in.” That was because I was only using four of the five harness points and my seat position was slightly too low. After some adjustments, everything changed.

Fine-Tuning and Realism

Once I raised my seating position and connected the fifth harness point, the entire experience transformed. The difference was huge. The shoulder straps now pulled straight back instead of down, and the lower belt prevented the harness from lifting during heavy braking. The immersion increased dramatically, and the realism went through the roof.

I also reduced the strength of some of the effects, particularly the braking and gear-change tension, to make them more natural. With those tweaks, the BT1 became incredibly comfortable to use for longer sessions. It stopped feeling like a novelty and started feeling like a true driver-feedback system.

The response time is one of the most impressive aspects of this unit. The feedback is instant, perfectly synced with every input from the sim. Whether I was trail braking into a corner or hitting the ABS, the belt tension reacted in real time. It’s as fast and responsive as a top-tier direct drive wheelbase, and it adds an entirely new dimension of feedback that complements force feedback and haptics beautifully.

Driving Feel and Immersion

After fine-tuning the setup, I switched to the Barcelona circuit for another test. This time everything felt dialed in. The belt tensioning during braking and cornering was perfectly balanced, and the shifting feedback was crisp but not overwhelming. The subtle changes in tension as I turned the wheel made the entire experience feel incredibly lifelike.

The BT1’s ability to reproduce the sensation of G-forces is what really stands out. Even compared to full motion rigs, this kind of seatbelt-based feedback captures something that motion alone often can’t replicate. The constant push and pull through corners and under braking gives you a physical sense of what the car is doing. It’s not just visual immersion anymore, it’s physical immersion.

One of the most satisfying details was how it handled ABS and vibration effects. When ABS kicked in, I could feel the subtle pulses through the harness, perfectly synchronized with the feedback from my Simucube Active Pedal. The integration between the pedal and the belt tensioner made it feel like the entire rig was communicating with me. Combined with a bass shaker or butt kicker, the result would be an incredibly convincing pseudo-motion setup.

Performance and Integration

The BT1 doesn’t just add immersion, it provides valuable driving cues. You start to feel the grip levels and weight transfer more intuitively. During long stints, it helps you sense the limits of traction and braking more naturally. This can actually make you a more consistent driver.

Noise levels are minimal, and the overall operation is smooth. While the system does apply significant force, it never feels jerky or mechanical. Everything about it is fluid and refined. The dual-channel setup allows the left and right belts to operate independently, which adds to the realism during cornering transitions.

In terms of compatibility, the BT1 connects via USB and works with most modern sims through Qubic’s software. It doesn’t require a motion system, but it can integrate with one if you have it. In my case, running it without motion already felt surprisingly complete.

Price and Value

At $1,800, the Qubic System QS-BT1 isn’t exactly cheap, but when compared to full motion systems that start at several thousand dollars, it’s a compelling option. You’ll still need a compatible seat with harness slots and a proper five-point harness, but those are one-time investments that significantly enhance your entire rig.

If you’ve always wanted motion but don’t have the budget or space for it, the BT1 is the perfect compromise. It brings around 70 percent of the feeling of motion to your simulator without the noise, complexity, or footprint. And if you ever upgrade to full motion later, this belt tensioner will only make it better. It’s a permanent upgrade you won’t outgrow.

Final Thoughts

The Qubic System QS-BT1 completely exceeded my expectations. Once it’s properly set up and calibrated, it delivers a level of immersion that rivals full motion rigs. The way it connects you physically to the car transforms the driving experience, especially in combination with other haptic devices like the Simucube Active Pedal.

There are some small downsides, like the lack of included harness hardware and the need to fine-tune your seating position. But once you get it dialed in, the BT1 becomes one of the most rewarding and realistic additions you can make to your simulator. It’s fun, it’s functional, and it’s a game-changer for immersion.

So, is it worth the investment? In my opinion, absolutely. It doesn’t replace motion entirely, but it gets surprisingly close, offering a level of feedback that makes your simulator come alive in ways you probably didn’t think were possible. For me, it’s staying on my rig for good.

If you’ve tried a belt tensioner before or have questions about the QS-BT1, let me know in the comments below. I’m also testing more haptics products soon, so make sure you’re subscribed on YouTube to see those reviews as soon as they drop.

Where to Purchase

Location	Price	Link
United States	$1799 USD	Purchase Link
Australia	$1799 USD	Purchase Link
Europe and abroad	$1799 USD	See Distributor List

Features List

Feature	Description
Powerful Performance	321W rated power with 4A/115VAC and 2A/230VAC power source.
Dual-Channel Capability	Two independent channels for a versatile and dynamic simulation experience.
Advanced Protection	Class 1 protection for enhanced safety during operation.
Versatile Connectivity	USB interface for seamless integration with Windows PC.
Pulling Force	20.5kg / 45lbs / 200N per channel, providing realistic feedback.
Multifunctional RGB	Illuminated with customizable RGB lighting for a visually immersive experience.
Compact and Lightweight	Streamlined dimensions and device weight for practical use.
Motion Platforms Compatibility	Compatible with QS, PS, HS motion platforms for extended versatility and most cockpits available on the market.
Effect Diversity	Supported effects vary based on the specific game in use.
User-Friendly Setup	Maximum length of USB and Motion-Lock cables at 3m for flexible positioning.