Our Verdict
Pros
- Incredibly high build quality.
- Compatible with almost all third-party racing wheels.
- Easy to mount to any QR adapter.
- Coiled USB cable included.
Cons
- Does add additional length to the wheel shaft, which can require mounting adjustments.
- Expensive.
Asetek initially launched its wheel bases and steering wheels in a completely closed ecosystem. By that, I mean that the Asetek steering wheels could only be used with Asetek racing wheels, like the Forte wheel base I’m using.
In the past year or so, Asetek has opened up its ecosystem with the release of a few different quick-release adapters. There is the Invicta QR adapter, which lets you use a third-party steering wheel with an Asetek wheel base, and then there is this third-party wheel base QR adapter.
This does the opposite and lets you use an Asetek steering wheel with any third-party wheel base. However, to make this happen, you will need the correct quick-release adapter for the wheel base you’re using. I have the MOZA QR adapter here, which lets me use my favourite Asetek steering wheel with any MOZA wheel base.
Asetek sent me their range of QR adapters to review and test, so I’ve been putting them through their paces to see just how well they perform. I’m starting with this third-party wheel base adapter.
What is the Asetek third-party wheel base adapter?
This third-party QR adapter from Asetek is a relatively small device which serves a single purpose. That is to let you use any Asetek steering wheel with any third-party wheel base. It includes an Asetek quick release on one side, which lets you connect your steering wheel to the adapter. On the other side there are mounting holes to allow you to hard to mount this adapter to a third-party quick release.
Inside this small gadget are all the electronics to enable your Asetek steering wheel to function just as if it were mounted to an Asetek racing wheel. These electronics are sent to your PC via the USB cable that protrudes from the adapter. The good news is that this coiled USB cable is included with the QR adapter.
Watch our video review
Review video coming soon.
Price
Now, this may be a small piece of sim racing hardware, but it isn’t exactly cheap. It costs €119.99 or $119.99, putting it slightly on the pricier side, although when compared to other similar adapters, this price is relatively par for the course.
| Region | Price |
|---|---|
| United States | $119.99 |
| Europe | €119.99 |
| United Kingdom | £119.99 |
- Buy the Asetek 3rd Party QR Adapter (United States) – From $119.99
- Buy the Asetek 3rd Party QR Adapter (Europe) – From €119.99
Design & build quality
When it comes to the design and overall quality of this Asetek third-party QR adapter, the high standard that we’re used to with Asetek products is immediately apparent. The whole adapter is constructed from aluminium to ensure it remains rigid at each point. This means no additional flex creeps in that can sometimes be present in adapters such as this.
The steering wheel quick-release side features the exact same Asetek quick-release that is featured on each of their wheelbases, and I think this is definitely one of the better QR designs around. It leans heavily into the way Simucube designed its own quick release with a sliding mechanism that locks the steering wheel into place.
Data is sent to and from your Asetek steering wheel via the in-built USB cable, and Asetek has included a nice channel for the cable to slot through, allowing it to protrude nicely from the bottom of the quick release.
The included cable is of a really nice quality and is slightly longer than some coiled cables from brands such as GSI. However, you’ll still need to have a USB hub mounted close to your racing wheel to connect this cable comfortably without stretching it too much.
How easy is it to mount the QR adapter?
The side of the adapter that mounts to a third-party quick release features twelve pre-drilled holes 70mm apart and additional holes 50.8mm apart. These holes let you mount this adapter to almost any quick release, including those from MOZA Racing, Fanatec, Simucube, and more.
Mounting really is as simple as screwing the adapter to your third-party quick release of choice. I’ve had this Asetek adapter mounted to both my Fanatec Podium Hub and MOZA QR Adapter, and both times, I’ve had it mounted in under a couple of minutes. The only real thing to remember is to ensure the bolts are tight, as you don’t want this to become a weak spot.
Which third-party wheels is this Asetek QR adapter compatible with?
In terms of compatibility, because the power and data is sent to your Asetek steering wheel via the included USB cable, in theory this third-party QR adapter can be mounted to any racing wheel or wheel base.
As I mentioned earlier, you will need the correct adapter for the wheel base you’re using. For Fanatec, this is the Podium Hub. MOZA uses its own QR adapter, and Simucube and Simagic also have their own QR adapters.
The only thing to note is the added length that using this Asetek third-party QR adapter will add to your sim racing setup. The adapter itself is 60mm long, thanks to the short spacer in the middle. Once you add a third-party quick release, you’re looking at a total of at least 100mm of additional length, and this may affect your racing wheel’s mounting position.
I had to move both my racing seat and pedals to accommodate this additional length, but thankfully this is a very quick process on the GT Omega sim rig that I’m using.
Final thoughts: Should you buy the Asetek 3rd Party Wheelbase QR Adapter?
By introducing the third-party quick-release adapter, Asetek has opened up its ecosystem, allowing sim racers to choose to use Asetek steering wheels, even if they don’t want to swap to an Asetek wheelbase. This alone makes this QR adapter worth every penny, in my view, because swapping to a different racing wheel can be expensive.
With the release of the Asetek Invicta F1 steering wheel, along with Asetek’s other wheel rims and hubs, this QR adapter is becoming even more valuable over time, giving sim racers much more choice in their setup.
Technical Specifications
Review written by Felix König
