The Conspit Ares was always positioned as a mid range direct drive wheelbase, aimed at users who wanted something different from the usual mainstream options. Over the past year, Conspit has expanded its ecosystem, shown up in a much bigger way at sim racing expos, and started collaborating more closely with real world drivers.
While the hardware itself has remained physically unchanged, the software and firmware side of the Ares has seen meaningful updates. That matters, because direct drive wheelbases live or die by how well the software translates raw torque into believable steering feel.
If you want to revisit my original thoughts on the Ares and the 290P wheel from launch, I have linked my original review article here, which is worth reading for context before jumping into what has changed since.
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The Ares now offers a software enabled peak torque output of 12 Nm, up from its original 10 Nm. This puts it firmly into the heart of the mid range category. At the time of writing, it retails for around $540, making it competitive without trying to undercut the market aggressively.
It is not the cheapest option at this torque level, but price alone does not tell the full story here. Build quality, quick release design, and driving feel are where Conspit has tried to differentiate itself, rather than simply chasing spec sheet numbers.
Even a year later, the physical design of the Ares still stands out. The housing uses a mix of materials and textures, with subtle purple accents that give it a distinct identity. In a market where many wheelbases are starting to look interchangeable, the Ares still feels visually unique.
The casing feels solid, premium, and well assembled. There is nothing about it that feels rushed or cost cut, and it has held up well over time with no rattles, creaks, or cosmetic wear worth mentioning.
This is still one of the most distinctive looking mid range wheelbases available, and whether you love or hate the aesthetic, it is undeniably different.
From a practical standpoint, the Ares remains very flexible. It supports bottom mounting and side mounting, making it compatible with a wide range of cockpits. Port placement at the rear is sensible and uncluttered, and the front magnetic connector allows for future accessories such as telemetry displays.
Everything about the layout feels intentional. Nothing is placed purely for aesthetics, and nothing feels like it was added as an afterthought.
One of the most underrated aspects of the Ares is its quick release system. Instead of using a standard NRG style solution like many competitors, Conspit developed its own Formula 1 inspired connection.
In practice, it is extremely solid. Even under aggressive driving, I was unable to induce any flex or movement. The connection feels rock solid and confidence inspiring, which is exactly what you want from a wheelbase in this category.
Third party wheels can also be used via a Conspit adapter, which makes the Ares more flexible than it might initially appear. Console compatibility is not available, but realistically, anyone considering this type of wheelbase is likely focused on PC sim racing anyway.
The biggest improvements over the past year have come from software.
Conspit’s 2.0 software update introduced a redesigned user interface with clearer parameter explanations and a much more intuitive layout. Dialing in the wheelbase no longer feels like guesswork, and that alone makes a noticeable difference to the ownership experience.
More importantly, the updated firmware was co developed alongside real world drivers. This includes new professional driver presets for major sim racing titles, as well as recommended in game force feedback settings that help you achieve the intended feel without excessive tinkering.
A small but meaningful addition is the auto apply feature, which automatically switches presets when launching different sims. If you regularly jump between titles, this quality of life improvement quickly becomes something you do not want to live without.
On track, the Ares feels noticeably more composed than it did at launch.
Road textures, kerbs, bumps, and surface changes come through clearly without feeling exaggerated. The wheelbase reacts quickly and naturally, helping create a strong connection between driver and car.
The Ares uses a 23 bit optical encoder, which on paper is impressive, even if the real world difference compared to a high quality 21 bit system is subtle. Combined with the new firmware and driver tuned presets, the result is a wheelbase that feels more consistent across different sims than before.
Fully maxed out, the Ares is very strong, but I personally found the sweet spot to be closer to 9 to 10 Nm. At that level, there is plenty of weight and impact, with enough headroom for spikes and only very rare clipping.
The force feedback does not try to overwhelm you with constant effects. Instead, it focuses on the important sensations. You feel the steering naturally load up as the front tires bite, settle mid corner, and lighten predictably as grip is lost. Kerbs and bumps have proper weight behind them, rather than feeling artificially sharp.
While the Ares has improved significantly, Conspit is still catching up in a few areas.
The ecosystem remains smaller than that of more established brands. Availability and regional support can be inconsistent depending on where you live, and aftermarket accessories are still limited compared to mainstream alternatives.
There is also a noticeable gap between the Ares and the higher end Ares Platinum. A slightly cheaper 15 Nm option could make a lot of sense in the lineup and help bridge that gap more naturally.
After a year of ownership, the Conspit Ares has proven itself to be more than just an interesting alternative. The hardware was always solid, but it is the software maturity that has elevated it into a genuinely competitive option.
It may not be my single favorite wheelbase in terms of raw driving feel, but it is absolutely one of the strongest value propositions in the mid range today. The improvements Conspit has made show a company that is listening, iterating, and moving quickly.
If Conspit continues at this pace, the Ares is no longer just better than it used to be. It is starting to look like a real threat to the default choices in this price range. As always, let me know what you think in the comments.
merdovski says:
I bought ares platinum, hopefully it will be the last base I will get and have a blast with it.
Ponik says:
cool