Asetek SimSports has quietly introduced a Boost Kit power supply for their entry level La Prima wheel base. Much like the Fanatec CSL DD, the “Boost kit” is a simple power supply upgrade that’s intended to let users extract just a bit more out of their wheel base. The for the La Prima with the Boost Kit is a jump in peak torque from 12 Nm to 16 Nm, bringing it surprisingly close to the 18 Nm Forte without replacing your entire base.
Pricing and Comparison to Other Asetek Products
At launch, the Boost Kit carries an introductory tag of $149.99, but after the promotional window it will settle at $199.99.
When you factor that into the La Prima’s $679 MSRP, the total cost for a La Prima with a Boost Kit during the intro period comes to $829. Once the kit hits its standard price, that sum rises to $879. When compared with the $899 MSRP of the Forte with 18 Nm of torque, the value proposition of an upgraded La Prima is somewhat dubious.
Performance Improvements
Beyond the extra 4 Nm of force feedback, the Boost Kit does somewhat alter the wheel base’s core characteristics. The maximum slew rate jumps from 4 Nm/ms to 6.7 Nm/ms, meaning the upgraded La Prima now matches the higher end Forte so you won’t notice any loss in responsiveness or fine detail when compared to the higher end model. Peak power draw climbs to 400 W to support the added torque, but the feel and behavior of the wheel under load stay the same.
Who Should Consider the Boost Kit
Existing La Prima owners who are wanting for just a bit more power and find themselves experiencing force feedback clipping will find the Boost Kit cost effective and low hassle way to add a nice bit of headroom to their wheel’s power output.
Now if you feel that you need a lot more torque or are perfectly content with your La Prima wheel base the way it is, the price is steep for what you might find to be a minor upgrade, especially once the introductory price goes away.
Conclusion
The Asetek Boost Kit fills a clear niche: it is a cost-effective upgrade path for La Prima users who want a bit more punch without a full replacement and don’t need a major jump in power. Its value hinges entirely on the introductory pricing. Grab it at $149.99 and you essentially have a Forte wheel base but for $70 less, but at the $199 price tag it’s far too close to the Forte’s MSRP for comfort. If this is something you’re interested in you can check it out on Asetek Simsports official website here