We continue with a new item of the Asetek Simsports La Prima series following the review of the formula wheel (which I highly recommend reading) and we do so with the button box that Mariano B. has been reviewing.
If you have been in touch about the latest news and sim racing releases, you’ll have noticed the amount of new equipment, innovations and rest products we really though they weren’t a must until we saw them. The situation forced us to do some sneak peek to our bank account and probably some mental math’s to see if we can afford.
Look at the whole offer of the recent releases, maybe the most affordable product, not because its cheap, but its custom and updating feasibility, is the Asetek Button Box line.
Today we are going to show you and give you our thoughts about the Asetek Forte Button Box , the product where this button boxes line, with many custom and setting possibilities, starts.
Many of you already know what are the basis for Asetek in their product line. Customization and upgrade. That scenario where you don’t have to discard the entire product to jump to a higher end range.
For the intermediate range, Forte, we already presented it to you here. About the top end version, the Invicta, we really don’t know yet even the specs, but if you watched the latest promotion video where they announced several products, maybe you spotted briefly some of the forms and shapes of the upcoming model.
PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION
Not much to say here that hasn’t been seen before with the rest of the Asetek range, as this is where the brand doesn’t apply any difference, regardless of the range you choose.
Simple packaging with a colored cardboard cover with product details. Inside, a folded natural-colored cardboard box houses the button box, an Allen key, and magnetic shift paddles along with their mounting screws.
It’s worth noting that since La Prima components are not equipped with LED buttons, this time the set of stickers and clips for their placement is not included.
MATERIALS AND HARDWARE
Removing the button box from its packaging, we see it follows the same dynamics in terms of component and material selection as its counterpart, the formula wheel we already reviewed here.
The entire button box frame is made of a composite of carbon, glass, and plastic, just like the Forte components. It acquires an appearance that has been quite common in forged carbon components lately, as this composite looks very similar. To the touch, it has a very slight rough texture and conveys exceptional rigidity.
On the front, the whole assembly is enclosed by a black brushed aluminum metal plate. This is where you notice the difference between La Prima and Forte components, as the latter replace this front with carbon.
And on the back, the already well-known (and quite beloved) Quick Release and the six slots for paddle placement, but beware! In La Prima components, the only functional slots are the middle ones. If you want to add analog clutch paddles or additional magnetic paddles, you’ll need to opt for the Forte button box version, as La Prima seems not to include the circuitry to read these inputs.
It appears that they use the same mold for both La Prima and Forte, but it’s the internal electronics that determine whether it’s one range or the other.
Accompanying the paddle slots are the holes available to equip the rims/handles that best suit your driving style or class. We reviewed some in this post.
In this case, we have equipped it with the round leather rim.
SPECIFICATIONS
The button box features the following configurable buttons:
- 8 black/orange buttons with quite firm actions to prevent accidental presses. (The La Prima Formula wheel has 12)
- 3 twelve-position rotary switches integrated into the central part of the assembly and surrounded by an RGB LED outline.
- 2 seven-position thumb switches.
- 2 Funky switches with 4 D-pad positions plus rotation and press.
- 15 rev indicator LEDs in the central part.
- 2 non-contact magnetic paddles.
We do not have side LEDs for flags, nor LEDs over the buttons (only on the three large rotary switches governing the front).
The button box weighs 0.9kg, the same as the Forte version. To this, you would need to add the weight of the mounted rim.
ASSEMBLY
Not much to mention here. Just note that before fitting the paddles, it is necessary to mount the rim/handles, as the paddles occupy a position just above their mounts.
Another point to consider during paddle assembly, which could be solved with a small protective film on the magnets, is that the magnets equipped are very (VERY) powerful, and to access the screw, you have to pass the key very close to the magnet. If not done carefully, the black paint applied to the magnet can get scratched, as the key used for the screws is very thin and the tips have a certain “edge.”
SOFTWARE
Plug’n Play. As Asetek has accustomed us to from the beginning. Attach the rim to the base, and RaceHub will automatically recognize it. It may be necessary to install an update for the button box.
With its latest RaceHub update to version 3, the configuration of the equipped LEDs extends to absurd limits.
FEELINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
We emphasize that this review was done with the round leather rim and that depending on the rims or grips we use, the feelings might be somewhat different, especially in button accessibility and overall behavior due to weight.
The feel of the assembly with the selected rim is extraordinary. Button accessibility is achieved without any problem, even though the writer of these lines has small hands. Even with VR, to operate the central rotary switches, I had no problem, perhaps also influenced by extensive use of its sibling, the La Prima Formula rim, so my brain may already be accustomed to the arm movement.
Regarding the paddles, as they allow adjustment of their extension and to bring them closer or further from the grip’s end, I never found them in an uncomfortable position.
We did miss a few more buttons, as the formula rims had 4 additional buttons on the top of the front.
All the elements of the wheel are sufficiently firm to prevent any accidental activation and ensure clear and precise operation, as required by any driver.
From the beginning, we have been asking for these types of products that allow us to move out of the formula or GT environment and into other disciplines while staying within the Asetek ecosystem.
With this solution and the configurator on their website, it allows us from the very first moment to configure the rim in the way that best suits us and the disciplines we compete in. Not just functionally but also aesthetically. Few brands allow you to do this with such a personal simracing component as the rim.
The button box can be purchased individually or in a pack with a rim:
- Simufy (add a 2% discount using code SFYJ5IPC1Y1KS)
- They can be purchased on their official website (with a 5% discount using SIMRACER.ES)
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
