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Sim racing · head‑to‑head

Aluminum Button Color KitvsThrustmaster Adapter

The Bottom Line

We are looking at two entirely different upgrade philosophies: Asetek's premium, purely cosmetic Aluminum Button Color Kit designed to customize high-end wheels, and Thrustmaster's budget-friendly Thrustmaster Adapter built to solve cross-brand compatibility issues. One is a luxury tactile enhancement, while the other is a functional utility tool for mixing and matching hardware.

Watch out

The Thrustmaster Adapter features a physical Car/Airplane toggle switch that easily causes input confusion if set incorrectly. Additionally, users frequently report signal spiking and calibration issues, though the official downloadable software can help resolve these dead zones.

Why choose Aluminum Button Color Kit

7.0
Value Rating
  • It replaces standard plastic caps to significantly improve the tactile feel and grip of your wheel buttons.
  • It delivers a premium look that lets you fully customize and "de-orange" your Asetek steering wheel.

Why choose Thrustmaster Adapter

8.0
Value Rating
  • It allows you to run Thrustmaster pedals standalone on PC alongside wheelbases from other brands.
  • At a starting price of $10.00, it is an incredibly cheap way to avoid buying an entirely new pedal set.

The Verdict

If you already own an Asetek wheel and want to eliminate the default orange accents for a more premium tactile feel, the Aluminum Button Color Kit is a high-quality luxury upgrade despite its steep $89.00 price tag. On the other hand, the Thrustmaster Adapter is a highly practical, low-cost utility tool for PC racers looking to mix hardware brands, provided you can find it in stock and navigate its physical toggle switch quirks.

Spec comparison

Aluminum Button Color Kit Thrustmaster Adapter
Brand Asetek Thrustmaster
Ecosystem Asetek Thrustmaster
Starting Price $89.00 $10.00Best
Price trend Unchanged over 90 days Up 1.7% in 90 days
Type steering wheel customization kit USB adapter
Connectivity none USB
Compatibility all Asetek SimSports steering wheels PC; compatible with Thrustmaster T3PA, T3PA-Pro, T-LCM, TFRP, and TPR pedal/rudder sets

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