In the high-end Direct Drive steering wheel segment, the Ascher Racing F64-V3 is clearly one of the hardcore references. We're talking about a single-seater/prototype steering wheel, very performance-oriented, designed for demanding simracers who want to control everything with their fingertips. It's attractive because it ticks almost all the boxes of a "pro" steering wheel: aluminum construction, carbon front panel, lots of buttons, encoders and magnetic paddles.

On paper, it promises a very simple thing: to give access to a level of control and precision worthy of the steering wheels used in real competition, provided you have a compatible Direct Drive base behind it. It's not a product to "look good" on a desk, it's a working tool for those who take sim racing seriously. The angle from which I approach it is therefore very clear: ergonomics, mechanical feel, quality of controls and on-track efficiency. Everything that has a real impact on lap times and consistency.

If you're looking for a plug-and-play steering wheel with a versatile GT look, this isn't it. If you want a surgical instrument for endurance, open-wheel and prototypes, this is it.

Design & manufacture of the Ascher F64-V3

In hand, the Ascher F64-V3 immediately feels like a piece of precision engineering. The carbon faceplate is thick, the machined aluminum sides inspire confidence, nothing flexes, nothing cracks. The rigidity is worthy of the most powerful Direct Drive bases: you can really smash into it, and it won't flinch. The steering wheel conveys the feeling of density and seriousness you'd expect from a top-of-the-range machine.

The grips, in textured synthetic material, offer a firm grip without being too abrasive. The shape is clearly designed for a single-seater or LMP-type "hands at 9:15" position, with good thumb locking. With prolonged use, comfort is maintained, although those who prefer thicker or rounder grips may find it a little "racy", almost aggressive.

Pushbuttons have a clean, firm click that's reassuring: you really feel every activation, even in the middle of a turn. The rotary encoders on the front rotate with a well-marked detent, so there's no sensation of floating play, and the thumb encoders under the thumbs are very practical once muscle memory is in place. The magnetic paddles are a real success: short stroke, dry return, clean but not excessive noise. Clearly a cut above most "mainstream" flywheels, and on a par with - if not better than - other boutique flywheels in the same segment.

The only thing that may be a little disappointing is the lack of visual imagination: no integrated screen, no integrated shift LEDs themselves. You get the feeling that the specifications are purely functional. Another small reservation: for some, the dense arrangement of controls may seem intimidating at first. It's a far cry from a simple GT entry-level steering wheel.

Settings, customization & compatibility

The Ascher F64-V3 is a steering wheel designed primarily for the PC. It's important to make this clear: it doesn't behave like a "multi-platform consumer" wheel. We're talking about PC sim racing-oriented hardware, with compatibility depending on the base used. Mounted on a current Direct Drive base (Simucube, Fanatec via specific adapters, other high-end systems), it integrates very naturally, provided you know at least what you're doing in terms of configuration.

In terms of settings, everything happens in the base software or in the games themselves: button mapping, encoders, rotaries, clutch management if you're using dual analog paddles (depending on version). The richness comes from the number of controls available. You can really assign anything: brake bias setting on the fly, engine mixture, ERS maps, traction control, ABS, radio, pit limiter, telemetry pages... You can feel that the steering wheel is designed for endurance and disciplines where you are constantly manipulating parameters on the track.

The learning curve is not immediate. Between all the buttons, rotaries and encoders, it takes some time to organize your logic: which settings around the right thumb, which critical controls on the left hand, and so on. The first few days, you often look at the steering wheel to find a button. With practice and good mapping, everything becomes natural, and this is where the F64-V3 really comes into its own.

In terms of ecosystem, this steering wheel is aimed at those who already have a serious setup: rigid cockpit, high-performance crankset, high-power Direct Drive base. It's clearly not an entry point, but rather the crowning piece of an advanced setup. On the other hand, in this context, it can be easily integrated into a long-term perspective: you won't need to change it for a long time if you're comfortable with the "formula" format.

Sensations at play with the Ascher F64-V3

The first thing that stands out on the track is not a visual detail, but the way the steering wheel transmits forces. Its structural rigidity allows the force feedback from your Direct Drive chainstay to pass through without a parasitic filter. No flex in the structure, no little play in the hub: whatever the base sends out, you feel it. On a more modest base, many steering wheels look the same. On a powerful base, this kind of wheel makes all the difference.

In fast corners, the F64-V3 gives a very "locked-in" steering feel. You feel the slightest load transfer, the start of understeer, the moment when the rear end begins to unload. Compared with a more mainstream steering wheel, there's less blur around the neutral point. There's more of a feeling of knowing exactly where the car is, especially in fast sequences or long leaning corners. You quickly understand what the car is doing.

In terms of grip readings, the Direct Drive + F64-V3 base combination does an excellent job. The micro-vibrations of the track, the texture of the tires on the asphalt and the gradual slippage are all very easy to read. You can feel the tire starting to saturate before it stalls completely, which facilitates gentle corrections rather than hard overtaking. In traction, on corner exits, this legibility of grip helps you to fine-tune the steering wheel, especially with reduced aids.

Vibrators are another strong point. On this type of rigid flywheel, the edge feedback is sharp, but not unpleasant as long as the base is well adjusted. You can clearly feel the difference between a flat vibrator, an aggressive "sausage" vibrator, or a slightly wide exit in the grass. It helps to position the car to the centimeter, especially in fast chicanes. If you come from a softer steering wheel or a less powerful base, the impact on steering precision is clear.

On long sessions, two things count: muscle fatigue and control management. As far as fatigue is concerned, the steering wheel shape and grip remain comfortable as long as the base force is intelligently adjusted. It's not a steering wheel that exhausts you with its materials, but it doesn't forgive an exaggerated FFB. On the controls side, the large number of buttons and encoders becomes a real advantage in endurance. You can adjust your brake bias, mixture and TC at the flick of a thumb. Your concentration remains focused on the track.

Quick corrections are where the F64-V3 feels at home. Thanks to its contained diameter and rigidity, it's very easy to counteract sudden oversteer, realign the car after a little cross-tracking, or bring the car back on track after a light touch. Compared to a heavier or softer steering wheel, movements require less inertia, which enhances the feeling of control. This is where the Direct Drive base + high-end steering wheel combination really changes the experience.

In terms of immersion, some may miss the absence of an integrated screen or LEDs, especially if you come from very "spectacular" steering wheels. But in terms of pure piloting, the confidence it brings is real: you know what's going on, you have everything at your fingertips, and you feel that the hardware doesn't limit your piloting. The overall sensation is of having a serious work tool in your hands, designed to fully exploit a powerful base rather than to impress visually.

Who's it for? And what we like / don't like

The Ascher F64-V3 is clearly aimed at intermediate to advanced PC-oriented simracers, who mainly race single-seaters, LMPs and modern, highly electronic GTs. A highly motivated beginner can adopt it, but it won't be exploited to the full if the base or overall setup remains modest. It's a coherent product for someone who has already invested in a rigid cockpit, a serious crankset, and a decent to powerful Direct Drive base.

What we really appreciate is the build quality and overall rigidity: both visually and in hand, it exudes durability. Then there's the precision of the controls: buttons, encoders and paddles are all pleasant to use, with clean clicks, no suspicious play and no "cheap" feel. Finally, the richness of track ergonomics: once properly mapped, everything is accessible without a second thought, allowing you to manage a modern car as you would in real life, with a multitude of dynamic settings.

As far as limitations are concerned, the very formulaic format can be a hindrance for those who also race rally cars or classic GTs: the diameter and shape are not ideal for all disciplines. The absence of an integrated screen or shift LEDs means you have to rely on an external dash or the game's interface, which may seem a little austere at this price level. Finally, the price and the ecosystem required around it (DD base, cockpit) make it a significant overall investment. The perceived value is high if you're aiming for performance and durability, but it's not a trivial expense.

Clearly, it's best suited to those who see their setup as a long-term investment in sim racing, not just an occasional hobby.

Verdict on the Ascher F64-V3

The Ascher F64-V3 brings something fundamental to a setup: a truly professional driver/machine interface. It doesn't change the power of your base, but it clearly changes the way you enjoy it. The rigidity, precision of the controls and comprehensive ergonomics make it possible to get the full potential out of a serious Direct Drive, especially on modern, highly adjustable disciplines.

On the market, it's positioned at the very top end of pure performance, with no aesthetic frills. It's neither a mid-range product, nor a "pivot" wheel to slowly upgrade from a console bundle. It's a committed simracer wheel that knows where it wants to go, and already has a coherent setup around it.

I'd clearly recommend it to PC users with a good Direct Drive base, who race mainly in formula, LMP and modern GT3/GT4, and who place more importance on feel and control than on integrated screens. On the other hand, if you play mostly occasionally, if you're mainly on console, or if you're looking for a steering wheel that's more versatile in form and budget, there are more suitable options.

If you're looking for an ultra-rigid, precise formula steering wheel with maximum fingertip control and a true racing-tool feel, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.