Fanatec CSL Elite test: My honest opinion of this base in 2024

For Sim-racing fans like me, the Fanatec brand is known in the community for offering quality products.

I just wanted to tell you a little about one of their products, which I’ve had the opportunity to use for many hours of play, and I’m particularly fond of, the Fanatec CSL Elite base.

Ah, sure, it’s not the brand’s most recent product… But even so, I think this base of the Fanatec flywheel deserves to tell you more about it.

And if you’re starting in Sim-racing and are looking for the ideal base to invest in, this article may interest you all the more!

Features

I won’t go into all the technical details or bore you with a complete list of all the base Fanatec CSL Elitebut features, but I will tell you what I think are its main features and what makes it such a beautiful little jewel!

Long story short, the Fanatec CSL Elite base is an entry-level model from the brand and is equipped with a brushless servomotor and a single belt drive, which offers a rotation amplitude of 1080 °.

Equipped with powerful force feedback (6 Nm), which I’ll tell you about in more detail later, there are also iLED indicators for telemetry.

Regarding technology, the CSL Elite has state-of-the-art equipment: a DirectSensor on the steering axis and the ClubSport technology for the mechanical part. If you get lost in all these technical terms, rest assured, all you need to remember is that thanks to all this, you’ll gain reactivity and realism during your race!

Construction and design

The base Fanatec CSL Elite, like all the brand’s products, is of very high quality. Good manufacturing quality. However, I’m not 100% convinced of the design of this model. I can well imagine that decisions had to be made to ensure that the model wasn’t wholly overpriced and that this impacted the design’s quality.

The base shell is finished in plastic. I’m always inclined to think that plastic gives a child’s toy feel to sim-racing equipment and detracts from the realism. But all in all, if it shocked me at first, today, I don’t pay any attention to it, and it’s never impacted my game.

The design of the base is robust, and I can confirm that it has a very long life, even with reasonably intensive use!

An excellent force feedback

Having tested countless flywheels and bases from Fanatec or competing brands, I can tell you that the power of the return of force of this Fanatec CSL Elite base is one of the most impressive I’ve ever owned.

It’s not for nothing that I’m praising it today!

None of the models I’ve had up to have now offered me a force feedback that is so powerful, fluid, and smooth simultaneously.

I love the engine vibrations and the driving sensations, which are excellent and very realistic. Is it a big plus? It remains silent and doesn’t overheat, even after several hours of play.

With this base, I’ve lost count of my time on Assetto Corsa, Dirt Rally 2.0, Project Cars 2, and rFactor!

Customization

I also like the Fanatec CSL Elite base for all the customization it offers me. It’s one of the features that makes it a real gem, and I’m sure many gamers feel the same way.

You can save five different profiles with customized settings. You can also set the sensitivity of force feedback, ABS, Drift Mode, and braking force.

Having your hand on all these parameters is excellent and practical, allowing you to configure your equipment to your taste or according to the racing or car you use. If you’re starting, there’s no better way to get incredible performance or improve.

Compatibility

We won’t lie to ourselves; the broad compatibility offered by the Fanatec CSL Elite base is one of its significant assets.

If you’re like me, you don’t belong to any specific team, Team PlayStation or Team XboxIf you’re a fan of all consoles in general, Fanatec has thought of us since the CSL Elite is available in an official PlayStation version as well as an Xbox-compatible version. Of course, both models run on PC.

But more than that, thanks to its system, Quick Release QR1All Fanatec flywheels are interchangeable on the base.

Of course, it’s compatible with the entire Fanatec ecosystem, including cranksets, shifters, and all other Fanatec accessories.

So you can, as I did, you can develop your set according to your desires and budget over several years without changing the base. I use it mainly with the Fanatec steering wheel. CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2, but I also alternate regularly with the CSL Elite Racing Wheel F1, which I love.

For beginners… But not too much

Although I find the Fanatec CSL Elite base is a good choice for beginners who have the necessary budget, I’d still tend to tell you that it’s a model better suited to players who already have some experience.

It’s not just a question of budget; I told you earlier about the power of its force feedback. In my opinion, to get the most out of it and know how to handle it properly, it’s best to have a few hours of play under your belt!

Now, I’m not saying I ultimately advise against it for beginners. If you’re motivated and can afford it, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s an investment you won’t regret and a base that will provide you with many years of powerful yet realistic driving.

Value for money

Yes, I know. You’ll tell me that the Fanatec CSL Elite base is costly, and you could buy two from a rival manufacturer for that price. But would that be the right choice? Of course, I’ll tell you no.

Because you have to look a little further than the price of the CSL Elite, the base is expensive, but you get what you pay for! You’re making a multi-year investment in top-quality equipment!

But I’m well aware that this price can make the CSL Elite out of budget for many beginner Sim-racing players just looking to get started or even for more experienced players who don’t have the budget.

My opinion on the Fanatec CSL Elite base

At first glance, when I received my Fanatec CSL Elite base, the design left me a little skeptical. But today, I have no regrets about my purchase, and I can tell you that this model is by far the best I’ve ever had in my home.

It has given me (and continues to provide) unbelievable hours of play—Realistic sensations thanks in particular to its powerful motor and excellent force feedback.

Its biggest flaw right now is that you won’t find the Fanatec CSL Elite base on the market anymoreThe brand has stopped making it. In my opinion, this is a big mistake… But if you’re lucky enough to come across a second-hand model in good condition at a reasonable price, don’t miss out! Because it might not come around again…

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