BUYING GUIDE · CONSPIT · SOURCE UPDATED 21 OCTOBER 2026
CONSPIT 280FR vs 290GP: differences and which to choose
Quick answer: the 280FR is the practical choice if you want a lightweight, highly configurable Formula/GT wheel without an integrated screen. The 290GP costs €360 more, but makes sense if you want a 4.3-inch telemetry display in the wheel itself and prefer its MagFlip control layout. The 10 mm difference in diameter matters much less than the screen, weight and complete setup cost.
The choice in one sentence
Choose the 280FR if price and weight are your priorities, you use a monitor or external DDU, and you would rather keep €360 for your wheelbase, pedals or cockpit. Choose the 290GP if an integrated screen is part of how you drive and you value checking delta, gear and telemetry within the wheel.
This is a specification-based comparison using Simufy and CONSPIT product information. JaSoiLRace has tested the ARES 12 + 290GP combination; the 280FR is not presented here as a hands-on test.
Two very different approaches
CONSPIT 280FR
€359.99 · 1,050 g · 280 mm
No integrated screen. Instead, it offers 58 RGB LEDs, Dial Matrix, four 12-position rotary switches, four encoder wheels, dual clutches and a magnetic rocker shifter.
€349.19 with SIMUGAL · calculated at 3% off. Pre-order with no confirmed date when checked.
CONSPIT 290GP
€719.99 · 1,400 g · 290 mm
Its main distinction is the 4.3-inch, 60 Hz LCD. It adds 18 RGB LEDs, MagFlip push/pull paddles, dual clutches and HOTAS ergonomics.
€698.39 with SIMUGAL · calculated at 3% off. In stock when checked.
Technical comparison
| Feature | CONSPIT 280FR | CONSPIT 290GP |
|---|---|---|
| Simufy reference price | €359.99 | €719.99 |
| Status on 28 October 2026 | Pre-order, date not confirmed | In stock |
| Diameter | 280 mm | 290 mm |
| Weight without QR/adapter | 1,050 g | 1,400 g |
| Screen | No integrated display; supports an external CSD Nano | Integrated 4.3-inch LCD · 854×480 · 60 Hz |
| Lighting | 58 RGB LEDs; 10 for RPM | 18 RGB LEDs |
| Main controls | 14 buttons, 4 encoder wheels, 4 12-position rotary switches, Dial Matrix and 2 funky switches | 12 RGB buttons, 4 thumb wheels, 3 12-position rotary switches and 2 joysticks |
| Shifting and clutch | Magnetic Hall rocker + dual Hall clutches | MagFlip push/pull + dual clutches |
| Platform | Windows PC | Windows PC |
| Software | CONSPIT Link 2.0 + SimHub for RGB | CONSPIT Link 2.0 |
Prices and availability checked on 28 October 2026: 280FR on pre-order with no confirmed date; 290GP in stock. Reference prices include Spanish VAT and exclude shipping. Enter SIMUGAL at checkout and check whether the 3% code is accepted. The final price, shipping, taxes and code eligibility depend on the destination and checkout.
Integrated screen or separate DDU
The screen accounts for much of the price difference. The 290GP has an integrated 4.3-inch LCD with 854×480 resolution, 500 nits and a 60 Hz refresh rate. If you constantly check delta, gear, fuel or tyre pressures, having this information in the wheel simplifies your cockpit.
The 280FR has no screen. Its open upper section leaves the game’s dashboard or a fixed DDU visible. CONSPIT particularly pairs it with the 2.99-inch CSD Nano, listed at €79.99, which can show Dial Matrix layers and encoder remapping.
Calculated reference cost: 280FR + CSD Nano = €439.98, still €280.01 below the 290GP. They are not identical solutions: the CSD Nano is smaller, remains fixed and is separate from the wheel; the 290GP display rotates with it.
Weight and diameter: what actually changes
The 280FR weighs 350 g less, a 25% reduction compared with the 290GP’s 1,400 g. On a medium-torque Direct Drive wheelbase, lower inertia makes it easier for the motor to accelerate and decelerate the wheel. This does not automatically mean “better force feedback”, but there is less mass to move.
280 and 290 mm are close in size. Both suit Formula cars, prototypes and modern GT cars. The 290GP’s extra centimetre may give slightly more leverage; this number alone should not decide the purchase. Grip shape, the screen and the control layout have more practical impact.
Controls: more functions or information at a glance
The 280FR multiplies functions without a display: four 12-position switches, four encoder wheels, two funky switches and the central Dial Matrix, which changes remapping profiles. It is a powerful arrangement, but you need to learn which layer is active; the CSD Nano helps visualise it.
The 290GP has fewer LEDs and selectors, but puts the visual information in the wheel. Its MagFlip paddles allow either hand to upshift or downshift by pushing or pulling. Both wheels include dual clutches and Hall sensors.
Compatibility: data and mounting are separate checks
Both wheels work on Windows PC. None of the sources consulted confirms PlayStation or Xbox compatibility. Even if a Fanatec or MOZA wheelbase works on a console, connecting the wheel to a PC by USB does not make it a console wheel.
- With CONSPIT ARES wheelbases: the 280FR can transmit data without an external cable through a compatible CDP or CDR quick release using the internal USB channel. Do not assume the quick release is included: check the variant.
- With other wheelbases: the 280FR includes Quick-Con and a coiled cable; removing Quick-Con exposes the rear USB-C port for sending data directly to the PC. You still need the appropriate quick release for the mechanical connection to your wheelbase.
- 290GP: Simufy lists an included 50/70 mm adapter and a coiled USB data cable. The CDP for an ARES is optional.
A reliable approach: check the bolt pattern, wheel-side QR and data connection separately. USB functionality does not guarantee that the wheel will physically fit every wheelbase.
Complete cost for different setups
| Setup | Reference price | Calculated with 3% off* |
|---|---|---|
| 280FR | €359.99 | €349.19 |
| 280FR + CSD Nano | €439.98 | €426.78 |
| 280FR + CDP | €439.98 | €426.78 |
| 280FR + CSD Nano + CDP | €519.97 | €504.37 |
| 290GP | €719.99 | €698.39 |
| 290GP + CDP | €799.98 | €775.98 |
*The 3% discount is an illustrative calculation. Enter SIMUGAL only where the product is eligible and confirm the total in your basket. Shipping is not included.
The CDP was listed at €79.99 when checked. If you already have a compatible QR, do not add it again. With third-party wheelbases, QR or adapter costs depend on the brand and cannot be represented by one universal figure.
Which one suits your setup?
Choose the 280FR if…
- You already read telemetry on a monitor, phone or DDU.
- You want less mass on an 8–12 Nm wheelbase.
- You need many controls and remapping layers.
- You would rather invest the difference in pedals or a cockpit.
- You use PC and are willing to check the mechanical QR connection.
Choose the 290GP if…
- An integrated screen is essential.
- You want one visual interface within the wheel.
- The MagFlip paddles particularly appeal to you.
- You have already tried its ergonomics or an ARES setup.
- Your budget leaves enough for suitable pedals and a rigid rig.
Who should choose neither?
If you only play on console, you need a wheel with confirmed compatibility and the appropriate licence for your platform. Neither is the natural choice for rally, drifting or classic cars, where a round rim makes large steering corrections easier. With a lightweight desk, first address wheelbase mounting and the stability of the complete setup.
Available hands-on test: ARES 12 + 290GP
JaSoiLRace has tested the CONSPIT ARES 12 with the 290GP. This Spanish-language video shows the ecosystem, wheelbase behaviour and 290GP ergonomics. It is not used as a hands-on test of the 280FR.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 280FR include a quick release?
It includes the Quick-Con adapter and a coiled data cable, but you should not assume that the specific QR for your wheelbase is included. With an ARES, check whether you need CDP or CDR; with another brand, you need a compatible mechanical connection as well as USB data to the PC.
Is a 280FR with CSD Nano equivalent to a 290GP?
No. It provides telemetry for less money, but the CSD Nano is a fixed 2.99-inch display. The 290GP has a 4.3-inch screen integrated in the wheel and a different control layout.
Do they work with Simucube, MOZA, Asetek or Fanatec?
On PC, they can send data over USB independently of the wheelbase, provided the mounting is resolved with a compatible QR and bolt pattern. This does not confirm console support or make the wheel a native part of the wheelbase’s ecosystem.
Verdict
The 280FR offers the stronger balance of price, weight and number of controls in this comparison. Even with the CSD Nano, its reference cost remains €280.01 below the 290GP. The 290GP retains a clear distinction that is difficult to replace: its 4.3-inch screen is integrated and rotates with the wheel. If that screen is not essential, the price difference is substantial.
Disclosure: Simufy links are affiliate links. SimuGal may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. You can also consult the CONSPIT ecosystem guide, the ARES 12 + 290GP review (Spanish) and the sim rig builder by budget.
Sources: CONSPIT 280FR, CONSPIT 290GP, and Simufy product listings consulted on 21 October 2026. The commercial price blocks were subsequently checked on 28 October 2026.