Fanatec CSL Elite Anyone?

[crbalch]

I just ordered the Fanatec CSL Elite Wheel, Base, and Pedals. Anyone else going to get this setup? Curious as to what people think off the bat, etc.

Going to be playing on Xbox One using F1 2016 and then Forza Horizon 3 when it comes out.

Thinking about the Playseat Challenge considering I live in a tighter Chicago apartment...any thoughts on this?

[fhaze3]

I have the CSW v2 and pedals, love them for iRacing and Assetto Corsa and Dirt. No Console for me.

I don't feel the need to upgrade. I'm sure you will love them though. What are you coming from to compare them to?

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by fhaze3

I have the CSW v2 and pedals, love them for iRacing and Assetto Corsa and Dirt. No Console for me.

I don't feel the need to upgrade. I'm sure you will love them though. What are you coming from to compare them to?

Coming from nothing! Haha...always wanted a setup but just didn't want to waste money on something from a manufacturer that was subpar. Fanatec was always priced a bit beyond what I would have liked to spend, but with the CSL line its more justifiable.

Also, isn't your CSW v2 the top of the line from Fanatec? Wouldn't it be a downgrade for you?

[fhaze3]

I didnt realize the elites were a downgrade, TBH i didnt even know they were releasing a new product I just assumed it was better.

I tried quite a few wheels before the CSW.

Off topic I have a G27 with pedals I could let go for cheap if you are interested. It is a fine wheel..I used it before I could afford the CSW. It has great reviews.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by fhaze3

I didnt realize the elites were a downgrade, TBH i didnt even know they were releasing a new product I just assumed it was better.

I tried quite a few wheels before the CSW.

Off topic I have a G27 with pedals I could let go for cheap if you are interested. It is a fine wheel..I used it before I could afford the CSW. It has great reviews.

Yeah they needed to come out with a product that was more attainable so they did the CSL (ClubSport Light) line. Just got announced last week and will ship in November.

It's about $640 all in for the bundle which includes the wheel, base, and three pedal system including a load cell brake. They also threw in a free copy of Assetto Corsa.

Appreciate the offer on the G27 but I already placed the order for the Fanatec

[radiantm3]

The fanatec hardware is worlds better than the G27. You'll be very happy with your setup especially coming from nothing. Once you get hooked, you'll want to upgrade to their club sport range of hardware someday. Everything just feels better (as expected).

But Assetto Corsa should be the top on your list. No other game/sim comes close to it in terms of realistic physics. All the tracks are laser-scanned and the cars handle eerily like their real life counterparts. I mean each car drives significantly different to each other which is an amazing feat. I've bought every sim over the past few years and nothing comes close to it. Just keep in mind it's not a game and doesn't try hard to be one.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

The fanatec hardware is worlds better than the G27. You'll be very happy with your setup especially coming from nothing. Once you get hooked, you'll want to upgrade to their club sport range of hardware someday. Everything just feels better (as expected).

But Assetto Corsa should be the top on your list. No other game/sim comes close to it in terms of realistic physics. All the tracks are laser-scanned and the cars handle eerily like their real life counterparts. I mean each car drives significantly different to each other which is an amazing feat. I've bought every sim over the past few years and nothing comes close to it. Just keep in mind it's not a game and doesn't try hard to be one.

I'm excited to get the wheel, won't be here until mid November unfortunately!

I actually ended up doing the Assetto Corsa bundle so the game was already shipped to me. Using a controller for the game is definitely a no-go, I feel like you NEED a wheel for it to be playable in a real capacity. I agree with you in that it is certainly not a game, as it was world's different than my experience with F1 2016, and obviously Forza. Excited to play it with the wheel though.

Quick question, do you have any experience with the Playseat Challenge? Its the foldable rig by Playseat. I live in an apt with pretty limited space in Chicago so that seems to be the best fit for me. Only other option I am thinking about is the Wheelstand Pro with a dedicated chair. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by crbalch

I'm excited to get the wheel, won't be here until mid November unfortunately!

I actually ended up doing the Assetto Corsa bundle so the game was already shipped to me. Using a controller for the game is definitely a no-go, I feel like you NEED a wheel for it to be playable in a real capacity. I agree with you in that it is certainly not a game, as it was world's different than my experience with F1 2016, and obviously Forza. Excited to play it with the wheel though.

Quick question, do you have any experience with the Playseat Challenge? Its the foldable rig by Playseat. I live in an apt with pretty limited space in Chicago so that seems to be the best fit for me. Only other option I am thinking about is the Wheelstand Pro with a dedicated chair. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I've had a fixed playseat and it worked well enough. The biggest thing for a cockpit is seating/wheel/pedal position and sturdiness of the wheel and pedals. I strongly suggest staying away from the wheel stand pro. It's a horrible experience. The playseat challenge looks interesting. Seating position seems decent enough, but I would worry about the pedals moving around. When you brake with a load cell based pedal, you tend to put a lot of pressure on it and it sucks when the whole pedal base is moving around. You definitely want it bolted down and not able to move at all.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I've had a fixed playseat and it worked well enough. The biggest thing for a cockpit is seating/wheel/pedal position and sturdiness of the wheel and pedals. I strongly suggest staying away from the wheel stand pro. It's a horrible experience. The playseat challenge looks interesting. Seating position seems decent enough, but I would worry about the pedals moving around. When you brake with a load cell based pedal, you tend to put a lot of pressure on it and it sucks when the whole pedal base is moving around. You definitely want it bolted down and not able to move at all.

I've read some reviews and people seem to like it. The seat adjusts a lot to account for various racing positions, but the pedals require some tweaking to adjust. I think for a first time user it will be sufficient, but really just comes down to the space aspect...

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by crbalch

I've read some reviews and people seem to like it. The seat adjusts a lot to account for various racing positions, but the pedals require some tweaking to adjust. I think for a first time user it will be sufficient, but really just comes down to the space aspect...

Yea totally understand that. As long as everything can be set to a fixed position, you should be good.

[dmk08]

Damn this thread makes me want to start building a full racing sim setup but I don't even know where to start. Is there a community around this with a lot of good info?

[iamjamen]

I recommend a rig that does not have a pole between your legs. It makes it terribly uncomfortable and difficult to left foot brake and heal and toe properly.

[iamjamen]

Also,

I have been rocking this cockpit for about six years with no problems.

obutto ozone

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Damn this thread makes me want to start building a full racing sim setup but I don't even know where to start. Is there a community around this with a lot of good info?

I would just start with youtube videos and then reddit. Should get tons of info in those places/see what others have done. I believe there are forums out there for sim racing as well, just havent really looked.