For Sim-racing fans like me, the Fanatec brand is well 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 which I particularly like: the Fanatec CSL Elite base.

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

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

Features

I’m not going to go into all the technical details, nor bore you with a complete list of all the features of the Fanatec CSL Elite base, but I will tell you about the ones that are, in my opinion, its main features and make it such a beautiful little gem!

To cut a long story short, the Fanatec CSL Elite base is the brand’s entry-level model , equipped with a brushless servomotor and a unique belt drive offering a rotation range of 1080°.

Equipped with a powerful force feedback(6 Nm), which I’ll tell you more about later, it also featuresLED indicators for telemetry.

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

Manufacturing and Design

The Fanatec CSL Elite base, like all the brand’s products in fact, is of excellent build quality. In terms of design, however, I’m not 100% convinced with this model. I can well imagine that decisions had to be made to ensure that the model wasn’t completely overpriced, and that this had an impact on the quality of the design.

The base shell is finished in plastic, which for me is a bit of a turn-off… I always tend to think that plastic gives a child’s toy feel to Sim-racing equipment, and that it detracts from the realism. But all in all, if it shocked me at first, today I don’t pay any attention to it at all, and it’s never had any impact on my game.

The design of the base is robust and I can confirm that it will last a very long time, even with fairly intensive use!

An excellent return to strength

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

It’s not for nothing that I’m extolling its virtues today!

None of the models I’ve had so far have offered me a force feedback that’s so powerful, fluid and smooth at the same time.

I love the engine vibrations and, of course, the driving sensations, which are truly excellent and very realistic. The big plus? It remains silent and doesn’t overheat at all, even after several hours of play.

I’ve lost count of the amount of time I’ve spent on Assetto Corsa, Dirt Rally 2.0, Project Cars 2 and rFactor with this base!

Personalization

One of the reasons I like Fanatec’s CSL Elite base so much is because of all the customization it offers. It’s one of the features that I think makes it a real gem, and I’m sure a lot of gamers feel the same way.

You can save five different profiles, all with customized settings. Among other things, you can set the sensitivity of force feedback, ABS, Drift Mode and braking force.

Having control over all these parameters is really cool and practical, and allows you to really configure your equipment to your taste, or according to the style of racing or car you’re using. In my opinion, there’s no better way to get incredible performance, or to improve if you’re just starting out.

Compatibility

Let’s face it, the broad compatibility offered by the Fanatec CSL Elite base is one of its greatest assets.

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

But more than that, thanks to its Quick Release QR1 system, all Fanatec steering wheels are interchangeable on the base.

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

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

For beginners… But not too many

While I think the Fanatec CSL Elite base is a good choice for beginners on a budget, I’d still say it’s a better choice for players with a bit of experience.

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

After all, I’m not saying that I completely advise against it for beginners. If you’re motivated and have the financial means to afford it, I can only recommend it. In my opinion, it’s an investment you won’t regret, and it’s a foundation that will give you many years of powerful, realistic driving.

Value for money

Yes, I know, you’re going to tell me that the Fanatec CSL Elite base is very expensive , and that for that price you could buy two from a rival manufacturer. But would that really be the right choice? Of course, if you ask me, I’ll tell you no.

Because you have to look beyond 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 may put the CSL Elite out of budget for many beginner Sim-racing players who are just looking to get started, or even for more experienced players who simply don’t have the budget.

My opinion of 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 whatsoever about my purchase, and I can tell you that this model is by far the best I’ve ever had in my home.

It offered me (and continues to offer me) incredible hours of gameplay, with bluffingly realistic sensations, thanks in particular to its powerful engine and excellent force feedback.