CONSPIT 290GP Formula Wheel – Review

CONSPIT 290GP Formula Wheel – Review

With the 290GP Formula Wheel, CONSPIT has launched its first formula-style steering wheel onto the market. Equipped with an unusual shape, a central 4.3-inch display and illuminated buttons, it has a price of less than €800 and competes with comparable, but often significantly more expensive steering wheels on the sim racing market.

Ordering and shipping

CONSPIT currently relies on a network of distributors for sales in the EU. For this test, Simracing-PC received the review copy of the wheel via Sim-Motion from Germany, for example. The prices excluding shipping are currently in the following range and may of course vary slightly depending on the distributor:

• CONSPIT 290GP Formula Wheel: 779€
• CONSPIT Quick Release CDP: 99€

Specs

• Display: 4.3”, 854×480 pixels
• Indicators: 18 RGB LED lights
• Size: 40 x 30 x 16 cm
• Weight: 1400g (without adapter and QR)
• Grip Size: 290mm
• Front Panel Material: Carbon Fiber
• Main Material: Aluminum Alloy
• Buttons: 12 RGB buttons
• Clutch Cams: 2 pairs, rocker type
• Shift Cams: 2 pairs, rocker type
• Additional Controls: 4 encoders, 3 rotary switches
• Mounting: 50mm M5 *3
• Platform: Windows PC
• Connection: USB cable
• Software: Conspit Link 2.0

Scope of delivery

CIONSPIT includes a whole load of accessories with the wheel, which is delivered safely in stylish packaging. In addition to the USB spiral cable and tools as well as the appropriate mounting material (nuts and bolts), four sheets of stickers for the steering wheel and additional stickers are included.

• USB-A spiral cable
• Tool kit
• Screws for mounting
• Sticker sheet (4x)
• Additional stickers
• User manual
• Warranty declaration
• Spacer/adapter (70mm bolt pattern)

Compatibility / QR

In terms of compatibility, CONSPIT fortunately takes a very open approach and offers a USB port on the back of the wheel, which can either be connected directly to the in-house QR or with a USB spiral cable:

• CONSPIT Quick Release CDP: With the optional QR, the steering wheel can be operated within the manufacturer’s ecosystem without additional cables. Data and power are then provided directly via the QR through the wheel base.
• USB spiral cable: Alternatively, the supplied USB spiral cable can also be used, which is plugged directly into the back of the steering wheel and is held in position by a recess on the spacer as soon as a standard QR with a bolt circle of 70 mm is screwed on.
• According to CONSPIT, a further cable solution is planned for the future, which will be detachable and available as an option.

The steering wheel is intended exclusively for use with a PC and supports the following simulations:

• Assetto Corsa: No need to set up
• Assetto Corsa Competizione: No need to set up
• iRacing: No need to set up
• F1 Series: Enter the game, modify the settings, enable UDP, set the port to 20777. Do not enable broadcast mode.
• Automobilista 2: No need to set up
• Race Room: No need to set up
• rFactor 2: One-click configuration is required within Conspit Link 2.0, Enable telemetry plugin in the game settings.
• Le Mans Ultimate: One-click configuration is required within Conspit Link 2.0
• Dirt Rally 2.0: One-click configuration is required within Conspit Link 2.0
• Forza Horizon 5: Enter the game, modify the settings, enable UDP, and set the port to 20777.

Features

The wheel has the following features, whereby the very striking front panel with its special shape immediately catches the eye and must be emphasised in particular. There are four buttons on each side as well as two encoders and the funky switch within direct reach. This means that they are easy to access even with very small hands, which can be a great comfort gain while driving.

Buttons

The steering wheel has the following functions:

• 12 RGB-Buttons: The illuminated buttons are very clicky and give a rich feedback when pressed. CONSPIT includes four high-quality sheets of stickers (two purple and two black) for labelling, even if this solution does not quite come close to individual button caps.
• 2 Funky-Switches: A funky switch (turn left and right, press, left, right, up, down) with seven assignable functions is located on each side within easy reach of the thumb, which is ideal for in-game menus, for example, and has become indispensable for modern sim racing wheels. The Funkys are equipped with non-slip aluminium caps.
• 4 Thumb-Encoder: There are two aluminium thumb encoders on each side, one of which is embedded directly in the handle and the other is attached to the side of the steering wheel housing. Both encoders can be operated relatively smoothly, but still have clearly perceptible detents. Due to the positioning of the encoders integrated in the housing, they can also be operated from the rear without gloves.
• 3 Rotary-Switches:In the centre below the display there are three rotary switches, each with twelve positions, but these cannot be used as normal encoders (+/-) and are therefore dependent on the support of the simulation used. The centre rotary switch is also reserved for setting the dashboard template and therefore cannot be assigned its own functions.

Paddles

As with the H.AO hub, CONSPIT has also taken an unusual approach with the paddles and deviated from the standard layout of most steering wheels. Like the housings, the paddles are made entirely of aluminium or carbon and are divided as follows:

• Shifter: Unlike most wheels, the centre-mounted, continuous paddle shifter can be operated in both directions. This means that you can shift up and down with one hand if required. Detection via Hall sensors was always reliable in the test and, despite the unusual design, the shifting behaviour was on a par with regular, high-quality magnetic paddle shifters without a push/pull function.
• Option-Paddles: Above the central shifter are two further, identical paddles, which are also equipped with Hall sensors. These are quick and easy to reach and can be used for DRS functions, for example.
• Dual-Clutch: The back of the Formula wheel is completed by a double clutch with adjustable bite point. The smooth operation combined with a very well-chosen resistance makes them one of the best analogue paddles of all the wheels tested so far.

LEDs

The 290GP Formula Wheel from CPNSPIT is equipped with several adjustable LEDs, which are distributed around the display as well as the buttons. While the buttons are illuminated very evenly, the individual LEDs directly around the display are relatively clearly visible depending on the colour and brightness. Overall, the LEDs are distributed as follows:

• Buttons – 12 RGB LEDs: The colour of the buttons can be set in eight different shades (red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, purple, white), whereby various telemetry functions (DRS Available, DRS Activated, ABS, Flag, Pit, TC) can also be assigned, which then cause the buttons to light up dynamically in the desired colour. For AC, ACC, F1 and some vehicles in iRacing, the Auto function can be used, which automatically synchronises the LEDs with the in-game LEDs.
• RPM display – 12 RGB LEDs: The LEDs provided for the RPM display above the display can be adjusted in colour and set manually with regard to the triggering RPMs, although the latter cannot be set individually for each LED.
• Indicator-LEDs – 2 x 3 RGB LEDs: Three LEDs are arranged one above the other to the right and left of the screen, which can display the following effects: DRS Available, DRS Activated, ABS, TC).

The settings can currently be made using the CONSPIT software, but the manufacturer has already announced its intention to offer SimHub support for the RGB LEDs in the future, which would significantly expand the options. However, there is as yet (12/24) no published release date for this.

Display

A central element of the wheel is undoubtedly the 4.3-inch display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, the brightness of which can also be adjusted. There are currently only four different dashboards with additional sub-variants to choose from. On the other hand, the high maximum brightness of 500 nits and the refresh rate of 60 Hz are positive features.

Grips

CONSPIT uses TPU (injection moulded) as the material for the handles, which the manufacturer claims is particularly durable and shows hardly any wear over time. The ergonomically shaped grips fit well in the hand, but are comparatively hard. In the test, however, they offered sufficient grip both with and without gloves and were convincing even during sessions lasting several hours.

Materials

The 290GP Formula Wheel, which weighs around 1400 grams, also shines far above its price class when it comes to the choice of materials. In particular, the forged carbon front (real, not just visually) is absolutely unusual and is otherwise only used on absolute high-end wheels such as the BMW M4 GT3 wheel from Fanatec. In combination with the paddles and the aluminium housing (even the button guards are made of aluminium), the result is a steering wheel that is well above its price class in terms of materials. The workmanship is also at a very good level, with no weaknesses in the test model.

Software

The software presents an ambivalent picture. On the one hand, CONSPIT Link (tested in version 2.0.7) offers everything you need for a plug & play start: controllable LEDs, various dashboards and an adjustable double clutch. In other respects, however, features are missing that are usually provided by other manufacturers via SimHub compatibility. This would enable customised dashboards or more complex LED profiles, for example (the latter is to be added in the future).

Otherwise, the software is clearly structured and largely self-explanatory:

• Lights & Buttons: The colours and effects of the LEDs are configured here. The brightness of the individual components, including the screen, can also be adjusted here.
• Dashboard: Here you can select the desired dashboards, which you can switch between using the centre rotary switch.
• Paddles: There is a corresponding control here for setting the dual clutch, and you can also calibrate the paddles. There is currently no option to use the two analogue axes separately (for throttle and brake, for example).

The settings can be saved in separate profiles.

Driving impression

Conclusion

Like the H.AO Hub, the 290GP Formula Wheel also stands out from the competition with its clever detail solutions. The ergonomic shape of the front, which is only possible thanks to the forged carbon cover, and the paddles with push/pull function on the back are particularly noteworthy. Together with the very good price-performance ratio, the wheel should currently be the first choice if you own a CONSPIT base.

For everyone else, the question arises as to whether you can live with the restriction to the manufacturer’s dashboards. If the answer to this question is yes, you can get a top-class wheel that is priced one class lower and is therefore a real bargain.