We continue with the review of another Asetek product. Let’s see how these Asetek La Prima have performed, completing their entry-level range.
A year and a half ago, we started with the analysis of Asetek products featuring the Asetek Forte pedals. Today, with a significant portion of their sim racing catalog deployed and available, we continue with one of the interesting products in the entry-level range—the Asetek La Prima pedals, positioned at a very appealing price range.
These pedals have a clear and concise mission: to attract new members to the Asetek ecosystem and immerse us in the brand’s way of doing things. They compete against the clones of the HE Pro which survive from a decade ago and all their variants, but with many differences in terms of design, customization, and software. Let’s see how they achieve this.
Packaging and Presentation
Just as we always mention that Asetek’s packaging is sufficient to convey the feeling of a great purchase, the La Prima entry-level range lacks any colorful priming, except for the cover for stores or shop windows. They have saved on aspects where savings can be made without affecting the ultimate user experience, and this is one of them.
So, as usual, it is adequate; it protects, dresses, and fulfills its purpose.
First Look
As you know and we’ve discussed in previous reviews, these pedals are essentially reduced Asetek Forte pedals. Therefore, everything we said about the Asetek Forte last year applies here:
If there’s something that characterizes their pedals at first glance, it’s two things. The first is that there are only two pedals, so we will have certain limitations when performing certain operations. As this is evident, given that we didn’t purchase the separately sold clutch ( Asetek La Prima Clutch ), let’s move on to the second point that can’t be seen in the photos: the weight.
The pedals are made of aluminum, breaking away from the prevailing steel norm in these ranges, making them much lighter. We’re talking about less than 3 kilograms. It’s noticeable when taking it out of the box, maneuvering with them, and even when fixing them. It’s genuinely appreciated, and its black anodized finish only enhances the impression of a quality product.
And what’s missing compared to the Asetek Forte is: the LED lighting and customization strip (in my opinion, completely dispensable) and the second spring and accelerator support. Everything else is the same as the mid-range pedals, including the brake, arguably the most important aspect of pedals.
Tools and Customization
This time, we have a single replacement elastomer and no spring for the accelerator.
The pedal package comes with a box containing the tools necessary for installation, and it is advisable to anchor the four mounting points of the pedal base to the cockpit. In the same box, you will also find the connection cables to the PC and a soft elastomer to replace the default one. The instruction booklet indicates that the compounds mounted on the brake are medium. These mediums are the ones that Asetek has found suitable for almost all users, so we will conduct tests with these without making any modifications, hoping to see what the manufacturer wants as a generic user contact point.
As for plate height adjustments, we have the three usual holes in which we can anchor at various heights. Unscrew and screw with the provided Allen wrench. There’s not much mystery.
The pedals can also be adjusted for angle. Detach the arm and use the front wheel of each pedal for this purpose. Complete instructions with illustrations are in the manual, which you can download from the product’s website.
The brake’s hardness, in addition to the included elastomers, can be adjusted by adjusting its preload. Also, with instructions in the manual, adjusting the regulator available at the back of the pedal.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the accelerator’s travel is adjustable in extension.
Compatibility
The pedals use the Direct Input interface, so any PC game should be configurable without too much trouble. You have USB C and USB A cables to connect directly to the PC. I use them connected directly to the Asetek Forte Direct Drive Wheelbase base via USB C.
Assembly
This time, thanks to the absence of a secondary spring in the accelerator, there is no need to disassemble anything to attach the four screws that anchor it to the structure. All very straightforward with the tray included, somewhat similar to how we mounted the SRP.
As I don’t have a pedal tray from any brand, I can’t tell you whether the pattern matches different cockpit manufacturers; that’s something you’ll have to check case by case.
Configuration
Very straightforward in Racehub. Calibrate, adjust dead zones, and you’re good to go. Just note that if we calibrate a very forced limit, it will be challenging to reach it, so we recommend a position where we are comfortable reaching 80%-90% of the brake.
Accelerator
Asetek has made the maximum reduction possible regarding this pedal and has left it with a single spring located at the base that does all the work. Its travel is completely linear and easily adjustable using the nut at the rear.
The angle can also be adjusted with the front wheel, following the manual’s instructions makes this a quick process.
It’s interesting to note that it’s neither soft nor hard, and this is perfect because it’s not customizable due to its basic configuration. It’s functional, and that’s what matters. A performance grease packet is included in case the spring makes noise due to environmental dryness. Apply it a bit as it is mounted, and it will stop making noise after a while.
Clarify that the pedal sensor is magnetic and 16 bits.
Brake
Here, being the same brake as in the higher-end pedals, what we mentioned for the Asetek Forte pedals applies.
For any enthusiast, this is where the difference should be made, and where all the development and marketing of a product like this go. Asetek asserts that the brake on these Asetek Forte provides hydraulic sensations without having those properties, and that we will feel two clearly differentiated stages. First, we have a very short stage consisting of a travel with little resistance, emulating the approach of the brake caliper to the disc. It’s a very short travel (and configurable), in my case, I’ve used it as a dead zone to rest my foot on the pedal without activating it in the simulator. This is done through the RaceHub application, just like if we want to configure curves or other settings for the pedals.
Second, we have what they consider “pressing against the wall.” The brake pedal literally becomes that, with a sensation of virtually zero or almost 0 travel where we are pressing against an immovable object. I remember that this is the first brake pedal that has given me this sensation of zero movement. The load cell on which the force is applied is 180Kg.
Fortunately, the brake limit can be adjusted in the application, as well as other parameters. This ensures that we don’t have to strain our knees or calves after pressing forcefully for several hours. This will have to be configured to the driver’s liking because it’s challenging to manage that amount of pressure that comes configured by default. Also, there’s the issue of adapting it to the car we are driving and the sensations needed to avoid wheel lock-ups. We need cooperation and inputs from all devices, and there are simulators or cars that are less noticeable in lock-ups.
Purely in terms of track efficiency, we can conclude that with practice, they are at a very good level. Without comparing them to other brands, we can say that with elastomers, they may be among the best we’ve had in our hands. Asetek also ensures that their technology does not deform or change over time, eliminating one of the weaknesses of using deformable elements.
Final thoughts
I think I can repeat much of what I said about the Asetek Forte : It’s a great set of pedals, in line with its price, which is not as low as it seems due to having only two pedals. We are offered one of the best presentations of elastomer pedals to date, promising us that there will be no wear or deformations with use. They come with impeccable aluminum pedals with black and orange finishes.
In terms of sensations, they have very clear characteristics, with a linear accelerator with medium hardness and a raw and noticeable end. The brake consists of two stages: the caliper’s approach to the disc and direct pressure on the disc. The second is directly like pressing against a wall, creating a sensation of zero or practically zero movement. This brings out muscle memory that works more regularly than position-based memory.
At this point, I believe one of the differentiating factors is that they are upgradeable in stages up to the high range. We can add the throttle, LEDs, the clutch, upgrade the clutch, and also change the plates to turn them into Asetek Invicta . I think the price of the upgrade packs is more or less the same as the other new product, so even in that aspect, Asetek respects the user’s freedom to buy from the lowest and upgrade over time and money when they feel like it.
Hopefully, the price could be a bit lower, but 400 euros for aluminum pedals with impeccable finishing, which are fully upgradeable, made in Europe, with exquisite software, and perform like the best in this technology, I think they may be worth that little extra effort. After all, we won’t have to part with the pack anymore.
As always, we’ll test the upgrades and the clutch issue. We’ll keep you informed in the coming months.
They can be purchased from the distributor Simufy for 399 euros or in the Asetek official website (5% OFF using this coupon: SIMRACER.ES)
- Simufy (2% OFF using our code: SFYOPTF7ZMR98)
- Asetek (5% OFF using our code: SIMRACER.ES)
