Heusinkveld DisplayDash Review: Serial Driver’s First Impressions
Watch the Heusinkveld DisplayDash review by Serial Driver, also known as Maxence Lesprillier.
The verdict in 30 seconds
The Heusinkveld DisplayDash makes most sense if you want telemetry and extra physical controls in one place. Serial Driver likes its aluminium construction, rotary feel and straightforward SimHub starting point. The compromises are its size, visible pixels at close range and the work needed for a personalised layout. His video is a hardware and software walkthrough, not an on-track or long-term test: it supports a positive first impression, not a claim that this is the ultimate button box for every cockpit.
Serial Driver works at The French Simracer, which sells the DisplayDash. He explains that the unit was personally purchased by Jean-Marie at SimRacing Expo and lent to him, rather than supplied by the manufacturer. He also makes clear that button boxes and dashboards are not his usual speciality. That context matters when weighing his enthusiasm.
A dashboard that gives your wheel some breathing room
The DisplayDash combines a touchscreen telemetry display with surrounding physical controls. According to the TFS catalogue, it has 12 push-rotaries, four push buttons and a seven-way switch, giving 47 inputs, plus 17 RGB LEDs. It runs through SimHub on a Windows PC; it is not an Xbox or PlayStation accessory.
For Serial Driver, the attraction is not just having more buttons. Labels on the screen can identify the neighbouring controls, while the upper area displays driving information. That offers a way to move less urgent functions away from the steering wheel without relying on a sheet of stickers. Whether it improves your cockpit depends on which functions you actually need to reach.
The controls make the strongest first impression
Serial Driver praises the aluminium housing, the grip of the rotary controls and their detents. He finds the resistance well judged rather than excessively stiff or loose, and highlights the overall finish. These are his hands-on impressions of the review unit, not measurements of durability or a comparison against every competing button box.
There is an important distinction between a satisfying control on the desk and a convenient control during a race. The video does not include a driving session. Before buying, think about the functions you would assign and whether you could operate them from your normal seating position without awkwardly reaching across the cockpit.
SimHub: easy to start, slower to personalise
The initial setup surprises Serial Driver positively. He demonstrates the device in SimHub and explores the supplied layout rather than building everything from scratch. He then changes labels and their appearance, showing why the display can be more flexible than fixed printed legends.
The learning curve appears when he goes beyond those defaults. Screen graphics and the physical LED profile are separate things to configure. Changing the colour of a label does not automatically recolour the corresponding hardware lighting. His walkthrough makes that distinction useful: start with a working preset, keep a copy, then change one element at a time.
He also explores LED rules and game-specific options. That demonstrates configuration possibilities, not their behaviour throughout a race. The practical appeal is a ready-to-use starting point with room to customise; the cost is time if you want every label and lighting effect to match your own habits.
One USB cable, but plan the position and power supply
A single USB connection carries power and data, without an HDMI or DisplayPort cable. The rear USB hub is convenient in principle, and Serial Driver tries a headset dongle. That should not be read as proof that every shifter, handbrake or illuminated accessory can run from it.
Heusinkveld’s manual limits each rear USB-A port to 150 mA and specifies a 5 V, 1.5 A supply for the DisplayDash itself. Use a suitable PC port or powered hub, and check the power requirements of anything you connect. The supplied USB-C cable and USB-A adapter do not remove those requirements.
The housing is approximately 265 × 150 mm and uses VESA 100 × 100 mounting. An optional dedicated mount exists, but Serial Driver unboxes it without completing an installation in this video. A suitable alternative VESA support may also work. Follow the manufacturer’s mounting instructions, including the screw-depth limit, rather than assuming any bolts will fit.
The limits that matter before buying
What Serial Driver likes
- The finish and tactile feel of the controls.
- Combining readable labels, telemetry and physical inputs.
- A simple starting configuration and a single USB connection.
What needs consideration
- Pixels are visible up close; he finds this less troublesome at normal cockpit distance.
- The relatively large housing needs both a readable and reachable position.
- Detailed customisation takes more effort than using the defaults.
- No driving, completed mounting or long-term reliability test is shown.
At the €389.90 displayed on the TFS product page, Serial Driver considers the combination of construction and features fairly priced. That is his value judgement, not a guarantee that it will be the best use of every driver’s budget. Check the product page for the current price and availability; do not assume immediate dispatch.
Our buying advice is to draw the outline beside your wheel before choosing a mount. If you need a visible dashboard and regularly run out of accessible controls, the combination is coherent. If you mainly drive in VR or already have the controls you need, establish what problem it will solve before adding another device. Its value comes from a workable layout, not from the input count alone.
Heusinkveld DisplayDash: practical questions
Is it compatible with consoles?
No. The TFS catalogue specifies a Windows 10 or newer PC with SimHub, not Xbox or PlayStation compatibility.
Does it need a separate video cable?
No. It uses USB for the display and controls. The USB power requirements still need to be respected.
Was it tested while driving in this video?
No. Serial Driver presents the hardware and demonstrates software settings. His conclusions should be read as first impressions, not an endurance test.
Check the fit for your cockpit
Compare the dimensions, connection requirements and current offer before planning your installation.