Flo and I finally got the chance to try out the Asetek Invicta Quick Release. But why on earth make an article and a video just about a Quick Release system, you might ask? Well, quite simply because the Asetek QR allows you to connect almost any simracing steering wheel to your Asetek base.
Yes, instead of locking us into an ecosystem as brands are wont to do, Asetek has long decided to open up the field of possibilities to simracers. And we just had to try it!
Asetek Quick Release in brief
A quick reminder for newcomers: what is a Quick Release?
The Quick Release, usually abbreviated “QR”, is the part that joins your steering wheel to the steering shaft. In most racing cars, the steering wheels are attached to the steering shaft by a QR system that allows the wheel to be quickly attached and detached.
In simracing, this QR will be used to switch from one steering wheel model to another to vary the fun and simulate different vehicle categories. After all, it’s okay to drive an F1 car with a Rallye steering wheel for 5 minutes! Each brand therefore offers its own system, which can be more or less practical to use.
A good SimRacing Quick Release must ensure a perfectly INFLEXIBLE connection between the shaft and the steering wheel. Be perfectly adjusted so that there is no play between the parts. Last over time, despite the forces it will have to withstand and frequent flywheel changes. And finally, as far as possible, ensure the electrical connection between the steering wheel and the base through the shaft, so that everything works without having to pull a USB cable between the steering wheel and the PS or console.
Further information: The great Quick Release war
What does the Asetek QR technically look like?
| Base compatibility | ALL Asetek SimSports bases: Asetek La Prima Asetek Forte Asetek Invicta |
| Official Steering Wheel Compatibility | Ascher Racing Bavarian SimTec Cube Controls Delta Sim Tech GSI – Gomez Sim Industries Rexing SimCore Simline Soelpec Trak Racer VPG Sim |
| Hub center distance | 6x70mm |
| Steering shaft extension sizes (incl. QR) | 80mm 150mm 200mm |
| Materials | CNC aluminum. The QR is manufactured at their headquarters in Denmark. |
| Fastening system between QR and base | Dovetail assembly |
| Connections | USB to connect your steering wheel to the QR. 6 connection pins that join the QR to the base. |
In the box :
Inside the box, of course, is the Quick Release itself, with its disengagement paddle for one-handed removal or installation of the steering wheel. Below the QR, the USB socket is clearly visible, and it’s to this socket that we’re going to plug our steering wheel so that it can communicate directly with the base.
There’s also a 6x70mm adapter for screwing the Quick Release to the rear of the steering wheel. The three steering shaft extensions (80-150-200mm QR included) for those who want to move their base back to bring their screen closer to the steering wheel. And last but not least, all the nuts and bolts and tools needed to install everything in the best possible conditions.
This QR is produced at their headquarters in Denmark, and they have specifically purchased high-precision machines to manage quality and stocks themselves. A choice which delayed production by several months, but which should pay off in the medium term.
You can’t buy it without extension leads or USB
We’ve been asked this question many times, so we put it directly to Asetek. No, we can’t take “just” the QR without the shaft extensions or without the electronics and USB port. The justification I was given was that the shaft extensions and electronics are components that cost the brand almost nothing to produce. What costs them a lot is the production of the QR itself, with its dovetail assembly that has to fit absolutely perfectly.
Removing the USB and extensions would not have a significant impact on the final price of the product. And to make matters worse, if they were to offer several packs, this would also mean several types of packaging and delayed production. In short, it’s not going to happen.
By the way, regular readers will remember that Asetek originally wanted to offer 2 models of its QR. An “Invicta” model with integrated electronics and a “Forte” model without electronics. The latter has now been abandoned, and we’ll have just 1 QR model.
Important clarification: Yes, the “Invicta” QR is compatible with all Asetek bases (La Prima – Forte – Invicta).
Why is this Asetek QR a revolution?
To understand how this system is a breakthrough, just look at what’s being done everywhere else. Case in point:
- Mario (my noisy neighbor) wants to use a Brand A steering wheel on his Brand B base.
- He makes sure that the Brand A steering wheel has a USB port (or equivalent).
- Also makes sure the Brand A steering wheel has a detachable QR.
- Purchases a Brand B QR.
- Place Brand B QR on Brand A steering wheel.
- Connect a USB cable between your PC and the Brand A steering wheel.
That’s the most common route. The most restrictive point is the USB cable between the steering wheel and the PC. On the one hand, if the steering wheel doesn’t have an aviation-style USB plug (which we’ll screw in to make sure it doesn’t move), then the port will eventually fail due to the permanent stresses the cord will apply to it. What’s more, every time you change steering wheels, you’ll have to unplug the USB cord to plug in the one for the other wheel..
Until now, this archaic system was the norm. Whether you bought a €2,500 Grid Porsche steering wheel, a €600 Cube Control GT Sport, or a DIY steering wheel, you had to deal with this cord. According to WEC driver Gustavo Menezes, whom I introduced you to a few months ago, this cord is, and I quote: “a pain in the ass” , even in real race cars.
But it doesn’t stop there! At Fanatec, for example, your base’s force feedback won’t activate if you don’t have a Podium Hub adapter which will “tell” the base that you’ve plugged a Fanatec steering wheel into it. In short, nothing has been done to facilitate mixing between brands. And this, of course, for economic reasons. When you buy a base, the brand obviously has a vested interest in you buying its wheels and the rest of its ecosystem.
So what does this Asetek Quick Release do?
Well, it simply connects the steering wheel’s USB port to your Quick Release. No need for an aviation plug, as the cord remains fixed. No need to connect the steering wheel to the PC, everything goes through the Asetek base.
So you can connect other brands of steering wheels directly to the Asetek base. That’s all there is to it. Clear, sharp, precise… you name it!
Let’s get on with the installation!
You’ll see, it goes very quickly. The first thing to do is to install the adapter on the QR itself. You’ve got 6 screws to fit, so it only takes 2 minutes.
Once that’s done, place the QR on the steering wheel and screw it on. Then, as a final step, plug the steering wheel’s USB cord into the Quick Release’s USB port. That’s all there is to it. Now your steering wheel will be powered and communicate directly through the Asetek base.
To install the extension leads, I’ll let you refer to the video at the start of this article! Everything is clearly visible and it will be much easier for you 🙂 To give you an idea, during the shoot, it took me about ten minutes to install an extension cord while explaining things to the camera. So I’m sure you can do it in less time than that.
On track!
I start with the Simagic GT1 steering wheel. To install it on the base, grab the wheel with one hand and press the release paddle with your fingers. Assemble the Quick Release by sliding the steering wheel downwards. Release and you’re done.
To remove it, you grab the steering wheel by pressing the release paddle, slide it up and you’re done! To date, this is the simplest, best-performing and most durable model I’ve ever had in my hands. The dovetail shape of the assembly makes it impossible to have any play between the flywheel and the shaft. And the more you use it, the tighter the parts get together.
Bad luck with the Simagic GT1
Let’s get back to the test drive. Unfortunately, even though the backlit buttons light up, the Simagic GT1 is not recognized as a peripheral by the computer. So it’s impossible to use its buttons and paddles.
If you have an idea on how to make the Simagic steering wheels work on the base, I’d be happy to try and talk about it in the article!
So far this is what I’ve tried:
Simagic GT1 steering wheel Simagic SimPro V2 software always active
– Connect USB to QR -> Buttons light up but don’t work
– Install the entire Simagic QR on top of the Asetek QR then connect the USB to the Asetek QR -> The buttons light up but do not work
– Connect the steering wheel’s USB directly to the PC -> It works perfectly but that’s not the intended objective…
– Leave everything plugged in and restart the PC -> The buttons light up but do not work
Connecting a Fanatec steering wheel to the Asetek QR
I went straight to the next steering wheel, a Fanatec CSL McLaren GT3 V2, to which I added a Sim Racing Machine V6.2 adapter. This adapter transforms the connection pins on Fanatec steering wheels into USB-C ports. This is a prerequisite for connecting the USB to the Quick Release. And to my great delight, it works perfectly! Data transmission works instantly, and even the McLaren steering wheel display is functional.
The Quick Release itself has absolutely no flex or play in any of its parts. Only the McLaren steering wheel gives me the slightest hint of lateral flexion. But as a reminder, this is absolutely NOT a steering wheel designed to eat up the 27Nm of torque of my Invicta base… I therefore invite you to indulge this little entry-level steering wheel, which fights like hell.
I don’t have much to add! In fact, everything works exactly as I expected in this configuration, and the quality of the Quick Release is absolutely impeccable.
Compatibility already guaranteed with 11 brands
In order to move ahead quickly and offer the widest possible range of wheels, Asetek has already partnered with 11 wheel brands. These 11 brands all offer or will offer wheels natively compatible with Asetek bases and with integrated Quick Release.
You’ll soon notice, however, that the vast majority of these brands’ wheels are top-of-the-range models. They’re beautiful, super-functional, but also quite expensive! It’s hard to find anything under €500, and the most beautiful models can quickly cost several thousand euros.
Another small drawback is that very few brands offer round ruffles. For the moment, you’ll have to make do with HUBs from Cube Controls or Ascher if you want to stay under the €1,000 mark.
But of course, there’s nothing to stop you checking out the Do It Yourself scene! It’s often an opportunity to find replica steering wheels at lower cost, and often of very high quality!
So here are the 11 brands with which compatibility is certain. For the others, we’ll have to wait for feedback from curious players or adventurous reviewers.
Is the Invicta Quick Release compatible with other Asetek bases?
Yes, the QR Invicta is WELL compatible with all Asetek bases. I’ll say it again because this question comes up very, very often. Whether you have a La Prima, Forte or Invicta base, you can use this Quick Release to its full potential.
If it’s called QR Invicta, it’s simply because the brand had originally planned to release a model without electronics. This project having been abandoned for the reasons we saw together at the start of this article, it’s this Quick Release that will be used throughout the range.
How to use a Fanatec steering wheel on an Asetek base?
To use a Fanatec steering wheel on an Asetek base, you need an Asetek Quick Release and a Sim Racing Machines adapter. There are several available, depending on the age of your Fanatec steering wheel. Personally, I bought the 6.2 model, which allows you to install all recent wheels, as well as the Podium Button Box and Universal Hub V2. That way, I’m safe in the event I want to buy one of these products in the future.
I’m preparing an article on the subject so that you know exactly how this adapter works, where to find it and how to install it!
How to fit extension leads to Asetek Forte or La Prima steering wheels?
Here’s perhaps THE point where Asetek got its feet stuck in the carpet. It’s great to be able to install steering shaft extensions, but you’ve got to be able to do it on other brands’ steering wheels as well as Asetek’s! And it’s clear that La Prima and Forte steering wheels can’t be fitted with extension shafts unless you buy an adapter from Sim Racing Machines (yes, him again ^^).
The explanation is easy to imagine: Asetek was forced to change the design of the Quick Release a few months ago and change all production machines accordingly. Could this be the cause of the problem between the brand’s extension cables and its flywheels? I don’t have the answer yet, but it’s a possibility worth exploring.
How do I hide the Quick Release USB cord and/or plug?
For those who don’t like the DIY look of the USB cord wrapped around the QR, there are two solutions:
- Use a short USB cord (I’m sure you’ve already got what you need in your office or in a cardboard box in the garage!)
- Use the 150mm or 200mm extension cord to hide the cable and USB plug inside the extension cord. You’ve got plenty of room inside, so why deprive yourself?
A review of the Asetek Invicta Quick Release
At last, we have a brand which, from the outset, had announced that it wanted to open up its ecosystem, and which has really taken steps to do so. This QR system, as simple as it is effective, should delight DIY fans and owners of fine steering wheels, who will finally be able to say goodbye to 50m USB cords.
There’s also a pack of 5 QRs for the price of 4. If you’ve got a lot of wheels to make compatible, this could be an advantageous solution. To see the pack, click here!
