It’s like surfing the internet and people stopping us on Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp, asking, “Where is Pooch… Óscar? Why hasn’t he returned? What happened to his sweet voice and his glorious articles?” The answer is simple: Óscar says that if you don’t pitch in, he won’t work for free, so those of us who keep “public service” going are the ones you see here, giving what we can.
Also, think about it—if the level were always high, you’d get used to the best and not savor it properly. Imagine if the only series that existed were *Breaking Bad*, *The Wire*, or “insert your favorite here,” and you never watched a single episode of *Charmed*; you wouldn’t appreciate the leap in quality. It’s the same with our articles and Óscar’s. We write this way so that you can appreciate it better later. You’re welcome. 😉
After issuing the necessary apologies, I must say that this start is somewhat similar to the product being reviewed. What happens when you only have caviar for breakfast? What happens if you’ve only ever experienced top-tier gear? The day you come back down to earth, life puts you in your place, and you realize why things are priced the way they are, and why people who do good work deserve to be paid accordingly.
The Invicta series from Asetek Simsports represents the culmination of all their simracing efforts and developments. They’ve worked tirelessly for two years to create something that stands above the rest—a wheel worthy of any real racing car, comparable to other high-end wheels we’ve reviewed here.
And how did they achieve this? By listening to their customers, the audience, the “experts,” and making the most appropriate decisions based on that input. You’ll see, it really is true.
Introduction
When we tested Asetek’s first wheel, we found it odd that they started with a formula wheel. Other companies do the opposite, but Asetek goes “the opposite” way. So, here we are with the superior and latest model, featuring a 30-centimeter diameter and a 4.3″ screen with 800×480 resolution, which is one of its main selling points.
This is more suited for GT driving, further supported by the inclusion of long-awaited closed grips, which offer more security when you let go of the wheel.
Open Ecosystem
One of the most interesting aspects of Asetek wheels is that they can be used with other bases right out of the box thanks to the QR adapter for third-party bases they recently launched. Combined with the ability to use any rim from other brands, either natively or with the Invicta Quick Release , it eliminates the need for a vast catalog to cover all brands.
Since our first review of the Forte, this has been natively solved with the button boxes that allow LMP-style wheels and full round or D-shaped wheels. Before this latest offering, the key question was whether you could use the Invicta with competitor bases right from the start. It’s an important and brilliant option.
With all of this, you can put together the exact package you want: using the base and pedals of your choice, the rims you like, and customizing everything to reach the lap times you need to be competitive on the track.
Aesthetics
We mentioned that Asetek listened to the people during the development of this product. One of the biggest complaints was about aesthetics. Human minds work this way: you’re willing to spend money on something that catches your eye, but you might dismiss a good product if it doesn’t. Asetek wanted to avoid this issue that had been haunting them since their first product launches. So, they’ve done something drastic—they’ve left the design of each wheel in the hands of the buyer through a complete configurator. They’ve passed the responsibility onto us! Now, we can no longer complain about the colors or design! Clever bastards.
This raises a philosophical question (cue Óscar’s musings): is the modern user ready to take on the responsibility of making design choices for an item that costs well over a thousand euros? If we assume we’re dealing with adults, things should go well. If we’re dealing with children, which increasingly feels like the case, we’re in trouble.
Either way, you’re now solely responsible for the aesthetics. And anyone who, after all the options available, still blames the shape or design of the casing, has a serious attitude problem.
Packaging
The best packaging the brand can offer. Knowing that the rim is their most eye-catching product, they’ve spared no effort, including a nice detail right out of the box: cotton gloves.
To me, the main and most significant detail here is that the entire wheel is handmade and assembled in Denmark. *Made in Denmark*. Just look at what these people earn per hour (the third-highest GDP per capita in Europe) to understand that this is expensive to produce. Very expensive.
As proof, you’ll find a note thanking you for your purchase, personally signed by the company’s CEO and the person who assembled your custom wheel.
To top it all off, there are high-quality stickers and the tools needed to adjust the length or height of the paddles. And amidst the foam, the crown jewel—the Invicta wheel, weighing less than a kilo and a half without the QR.
I don’t know about you, but I get more heartfelt notes from Asetek than from my daily supervisors. These things make me happy.
Extra detail: They even included a miniature model of the casing, made from the leftover aluminum from its production.
Construction
The rim is primarily made of two materials—aluminum and carbon fiber. Within these materials, depending on the part, you can choose different designs, and for an additional cost, you can swap out the design of the base material of some components. The standard paddles are made of Asetek’s typical composite material, but you can upgrade to full carbon fiber for an extra charge.
All the buttons, switches, encoders, and rotaries are made of anodized aluminum. There’s no doubt about this once you feel their tactile response, as they’ve followed the most fundamental motorsport recommendations—ensuring that no button or control can be accidentally activated.
As expected from Asetek, all buttons are backlit, either behind the button or above it. The grips are interchangeable, with three options: closed, open, or open Alcantara. The paddles can also be swapped out.
All lighting is customizable via Racehub, but undoubtedly, the most notable feature of the wheel is its 4.3-inch, 60Hz display with a resolution of 800×480. It’s surrounded by LED indicators for RPMs and race statuses, and it’s compatible with both Racehub and SimHub.
Technical Specifications
- Anodized aluminum buttons
- Anodized aluminum thumb wheels
- Anodized aluminum rotaries
- 144 input options
- 47 aRGB LEDs
- 4 mm carbon front plate (woven/forged)
- Exchangeable handles
- 4.3″ 800 x 480 pixels LCD touch panel
- Ø70×6 mm mounting pattern for Quick Release or other 3rd party wheelbase mounts
- USB-C connection for 3rd party wheelbases
Mounting
In our case, there’s no issue since everything is Asetek, and we don’t have to do anything unusual. Slide the QR onto the base, and you’re ready to go.
We’d like to see how the connection to other bases works with the QR for other options, which we hope Miguel can review when the time comes. For now, there’s not much more to say.
So, mounting the wheel onto the base and removing it is the easiest thing, with an estimated time of less than five seconds to switch to another rim, and with immediate software detection.
Software
Since it includes a screen, much of the wheel’s success relies on the RaceHub software, now advancing to version 4 to incorporate all configuration possibilities for the display.
As always with Asetek, there aren’t endless options, just the ones you need. For example, we have dashboards for formula, GT, analog, etc. A minimalist software that doesn’t lack what’s necessary for almost any player. If you’re someone who doesn’t fit into that “almost,” you can dive deeper with SimHub compatibility.
For those familiar with wheels that have screens, SimHub offers the freedom to do as you please, absolute madness, and the preferred time-waster. You’ll have infinite dashboards, and you can create your own, download some, or even buy others. Perfect for those with extra time on their hands.
A curious note about the gyroscope: it works incredibly smoothly. Considering how little attention it gets, it’s surprising to see this issue stuck with other brands. But it’s fair to mention that here only the gears rotate, not the entire panel.
Usage
Due to its dimensions, it’s very close to what we could consider all-terrain. It works for any vehicle without being uncomfortable. Additionally, the screen gives it an incredible visual appeal, enhanced by the software’s well-made indicators for on-track or in-car changes.
The integration with almost all games is a delight, and the information each game transmits to the wheel is detailed in the RaceHub settings section. As always, in iRacing, you won’t get tire updates until you visit the pits, but everything else is accounted for.
Everything has a metallic, solid feel to avoid accidental activation, giving the sensation of holding a premium product. The only thing that, in my opinion, detracts from this aspect is that the new closed grips have even less grip than the Forte’s, which I already noted was lacking. I thought they would at least use the same type of rubber, but over time, the Forte’s rubber has developed shiny spots due to wear. It seems Asetek noticed this and opted for a more conservative, durable material.
The carbon fiber paddles are a delight, even better than the default ones, which is saying a lot. The possibilities for button, encoder, rotary, and switch configurations are so numerous and varied that you’ll need a good memory to remember everything. And as a bonus, a couple of buttons on the back, just in case you want to set up brake magic like Hamilton.
Feel
Good, very good, as expected for a product in this price range. Its size and design make it easier to use for GT and enclosed vehicles compared to its smaller sibling, the Forte. We won’t go into the added value of having a screen, as you can already imagine how much information it can display.
As Asetek’s software has evolved, the LED ecosystem of the devices has gained more prominence. Now, it’s fascinating to see how everything can be configured down to the millimeter, creating a festival of signals.
On the other hand, the RPM display works well in most cars (iRacing) without needing any adjustments. It’s safe to say the API integration has been done well, and it’s likely to work just as smoothly with any other simulator you try.
Final Verdict
I have the feeling, and somehow the certainty, that this wheel marks a small milestone for the company in the world of SimRacing. They embarked on this adventure in 2021, aiming to be a serious competitor to many established brands that weren’t quite hitting the right notes. They believed they could do things differently and hopefully better.
Four years later, I think the path they’ve taken is something to be proud of. The free, interchangeable ecosystem they propose is a relief for those who don’t want to feel tied down by any brand. In the same vein, we could talk about component updates—something no one else had thought of before, allowing for upgradeable wheels, bases, and pedals.
This rim has been in the works for many months and has been somewhat known, but it’s still interesting to see how it’s treated at all levels within the company—as something unique and distinctive. It’s clear that everyone contributed to making this product elevate them several rungs in the minds of consumers, and that’s evident in every single aspect.
The fact that it’s fully customizable, handmade, and produced in Europe with the best materials leaves no doubt that it’s a product worth considering. Additionally, its price, though high, is in line with other similar products already on the market.
The wheel can be purchased individually:
- You can buy it on their official website (with a 5% discount using SIMRACER.ES)
- Asetek Invicta Formula for €1512.49
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