CONSPIT 310 APEX Steering Wheel – Review

CONSPIT has already introduced one of the most interesting steering wheels of the year with the 300GT Wheel. The 310 APEX steering wheel aims to follow in its footsteps and become the corresponding counterpart for round steering wheels. We put it to the test in this review.

Ordering and Shipping

For the distribution of the new 310 APEX Wheels, CONSPIT is once again relying on its tried-and-tested concept and thus on a large network of partner shops. A new addition is now sales via the company’s own web shop. Two versions are available: The steering wheel is available with either the Quick-Con adapter or the new CDR-QR. The prices are (excluding any applicable taxes and duties):

$349 / 299€ / £259

The German shop Sim-Motion, for example, will soon be offering the steering wheel for 359 euros including VAT and shipping.

5% Sim-Motion Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc-5

The product tested was provided by the manufacturer for the duration of the review. At no point was the content of this review influenced.

Specs

Below you will find the technical data of the wheel. With a size of 310 millimetres, it weighs approx. 1.5 kilos without QR or adapter.

Scope of Delivery

As is typical for CONSPIT, the scope of delivery is very large and includes the following items:

• 310 APEX Wheel
• Rim
• Warranty card
• Manual
• Tool kit
• Bolt package
• 50mm to 70mm adapter / QR
• USB cable
• Stickers
• Magnets (4x)

Compatibility

The steering wheel is designed exclusively for use with a PC. It is operated either via USB cable or directly via a CONSPIT base.

QR

When ordering, you can decide whether you want to purchase the wheel with a neutral spacer (for 70 mm QRs) or the new CDR Quick Release. The latter, like the previous, optionally available CDP Quick Release, allows connection to a manufacturer’s base without an additional cable. Power and data are then transferred internally and directly via the QR. By switching to the new NRG-style QR, Conspit is following the ongoing trend and enabling the wheel to be used directly in USB mode with wheel bases from MOZA, Simagic or PXN, for example.

Rim

CONSPIT supplies the 310 APEX with a 310 millimetre steering wheel rim, which gives the product its name. Thanks to its comparatively thick and soft design, it sits very comfortably in the hand and is of above-average quality. Another positive feature is the absence of a seam in the thumb position. Due to its rather large diameter and round shape, the pre-assembled steering wheel rim is very well suited for sporty road vehicles, GT racing cars and drift sessions.

Like Asetek, CONSPIT does not rely on a conventional design, but on a version bolted to the sides of the hub. Here, the rim is held securely in Poseidon with a total of six screws. The advantage is the lighter design, the disadvantage is the currently still limited selection of available rims and the limited compatibility.

Made from wear-resistant eco-friendly microfiber, the rim features seamless stitching at the grip zones, accented with purple stitching and a center alignment marker for long-lasting comfort and precision.

CONSPIT

Features

In terms of features, the 310 APEX Wheel presents a similar picture to the H.A.O. Hub and the extremely popular 300GT Wheel. The housing is made entirely of aluminium, which is extremely positive for a product in this price range. The finish is slightly textured, giving the hub a very high-quality look.

Inputs

• 8 Buttons: As with the 300GT wheel, the illuminated buttons provide excellent feedback and a very satisfying pressure point. Three of the buttons on each side can be operated directly or with minimal repositioning. However, the two central buttons require you to take one hand off the wheel.
• 2 Thumb Encoders: In the upper part of the wheel, there are two angled thumb encoders with a moderate but very well-chosen resistance. For sim racers with small hands and when using the 310 mm rim, these could be positioned a little further out to make them easier to reach.
• 2 Rotary Switches: Centrally located on the underside are two rotary switches, each with twelve positions, which can also be used as regular encoders (+/-). CONSPIT offers the option of using the left rotary switch as a modifier (encoder remapping) for the two upper thumb encoders. This means that they provide a different function for each position of the rotary switch, greatly increasing the number of assignable functions. In addition, both switches are equipped with twelve LEDs each. This makes it possible, for example, to dynamically display the current ABS or TC level via the telemetry of the current simulation.
• 2 Funky Switches: Two of the popular Funky Switches, each with seven functions, have also been installed: up, down, left, right, turn right and left, and click. The built-in aluminium cap makes them very comfortable to use without having to take your hand off the wheel.

Compared to the 300GT or H.AO, the wheel offers slightly fewer inputs, but you should still have more than enough options to assign the vast majority of functions.

Paddles

Unusual for a wheel in this price range: the rear of the 310 APEX features four paddles made entirely from aluminium with carbon grips. The shifters are similar to those of the 300GT, but now have significantly thicker damping. This makes for a slightly less crisp shifting feel, but also makes the shifters very quiet. However, the widened shifters can be made a little crisper if required by using the optional additional magnets included in the scope of delivery or by removing the damping.

The two analogue paddles can be used either as separate or combined axles. They are smooth-running and have a low to medium resistance. Overall, all four paddles are excellent for a wheel in this price range.

LEDs

CONSPIT uses a whole range of LEDs:

• Buttons: These are each illuminated with an RGB LED, with stickers used for labelling.
• Encoders: Both encoders each have twelve individually controllable RGB LEDs.
• RPM LEDs: There are also nine additional RGB LEDs in the upper area, which are designed like those of the H.AO hub. The illumination could be a little more even here. However, for a steering wheel in this price range, this is complaining at a very high level.

Display

Another familiar feature is the three-inch display with a resolution of 800 x 268 pixels. Various dashboard designs provided by CONSPIT can currently be displayed here. The display has a satisfactory quality and also provides dynamic feedback on the current functions of the thumb encoders when these are changed via the encoder remapping feature.

Software

CONSPIT once again relies on a dual solution for the software.

CONSPIT Link

The main component is the proprietary CONSPIT Link software, which can be used to control all of the wheel’s basic functions. This includes the LED colours and their behaviour depending on telemetry data from the simulation, the RGB LEDs, the encoder remapping and the calibration of the paddles. The software fulfils its purpose, but still has some room for improvement in certain areas such as profile management.

SimHub

CONSPIT also offers SimHub support again this time, although this is limited to controlling the RGB LEDs. Unfortunately, it is not possible to design your own dashboards. However, the manufacturer has currently launched a programme in which users can make design suggestions for upcoming dashboards. The company is also working with Lovely Sim Racing to adapt the popular Lovely Dashboard for the three-inch display.

Conclusion

The CONSPIT 310 APEX steering wheel offers excellent value for money and is almost unbeatable in its price range up to 350 euros. It offers features that are normally only found in significantly more expensive steering wheels, without compromising on material quality. It is the perfect complement to the equally excellent 300GT wheel from CONSPIT and can be recommended without reservation.

5% Sim-Motion Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc-5