Fanatec CSL Elite V2 Review - Outstanding Mid-Tier Pedals

#simracing #simracinghardware
Here is my review of the Fanatec CSL Elite V2 sim racing pedals.
You can learn more about these pedals, including where to buy, here: fanatec.com/us-en/pedals/csl-...
🕐 CHAPTERS 🕐
0:00 Intro
0:29 Fanatec CSL Elite V2 Pedals Overview
6:17 Testing as a 2-Pedal Set
13:09 Pedal Customization
17:02 Testing as a 3-Pedal Set
22:00 Good, Neutral and Bad
31:17 Final Thoughts
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My rig:
CPU (AMD Ryzen 9 3900x): www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/a...
Video Card (MSi Radeon RX 6800 XT GAMING X TRIO 16G): www.msi.com/Graphics-Card/Rad...
Cockpit / Sim Rig (Next Level Racing F-GT Elite): nextlevelracing.com/products/...
Motion Platform / Seat Mover (Next Level Racing Motion Platform V3): nextlevelracing.com/products/...
Cockpit Motion Simulator (Next Level Racing Motion Plus): nextlevelracing.com/products/...
Monitors (ASUS VG279QM): www.asus.com/ca-en/Displays-D...
Button Box: simracing4u.myonline.store/
Direct Drive Wheelbase (Fanatec CSL DD with Boost Kit): fanatec.com/us-en/csl-dd/
Primary Wheel (Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2): fanatec.com/eu-en/steering-wh...
Pedals (Fanatec Clubsport V3 Inverted): fanatec.com/eu-en/pedals/club...
Sequential Shifter and Handbrake (SG Combo Pro Black): sg-racing.co.uk/
H-Pattern Shifter (SHH Newt Black): www.shiftershh.com/en/
VR Headset (Oculus Rift CV1): www.oculus.com/

[@SgTSmeG]

What a step up from the V1's, If these were around when I was buying my V3's I'd have bought them!

[@reviewforthetube6485]

I am so damn consistent amd fast with these pedals man. 1 day thats it and I adapted and muscle memory was stuck. Perfection! You literally need no other pedals. Its crazy how good they are. Blew my mind like crazy.

[@casual_driver]

Definitely keen to see a side by side comparison with the V3 and Sprints.

[@dgteague7820]

TY great content just ordered mine

[@erictripton]

Good review. Still rocking my V.1, so this will be the obvious choice for next purchase.

[@SimRacing604]

Thanks for watching, Eric! V1’s are great from everything I’ve read, but if you want or need an upgrade, this might be a solid option for you.

[@mitube4u]

I 100% agree w/ you about the bolts. If there was a choice between the tools and the bolts. I would rather them send out the bolts instead of the tools. I mean at some point we all have a collection of those same allen key tool from products or just a set of allen key tool set anyway.

[@dannyadams5250]

Thanks for another quality video. I have the V3 pedals and I would love it if Fanatec would update the design to give them more adjustability for spacing.

[@SimRacing604]

Thanks, Danny! And yea, I agree; customization is such a huge factor for a set of pedals

[@user-fx7on4qn8t]

​@@SimRacing604What do you think is better: clubsport v3 or csl v2? I was going to take the v3, they are cool, grip, gas pedal, appearance. But everyone praises v2 very much, that they have a fantastic brake, and you also talk about this. I understand that you have v3, are they really that much worse in braking? I don’t know what to do, V3 is now on sale for 299, and V2 for 199. What do you think?

[@wwjnz9263]

Fanatec should make a new version of CSP pedals based on the CSL-Elite's design. The CSL elite pedals could be taken a step further, and get the features on the current CSP, with some improvements on the base plate design. Also give it the ability for the brake to sit proud of the accelerator.

[@timayres2405]

Interesting point about the pedals, Mike. I personally like socks on smooth metal to slide a bit and caress the pedal, but like your point. Optional would be a great idea.

[@EagleGhost8]

You get take the grips off the pedals so you can choose how you want the pedals, with or without those grips.

[@Chader9]

@@EagleGhost8 yup, I run the rubber pad on the brake only, with the plain pedal face for the Throttle & Clutch. Mix and match as desired, a great setup and amazing there are more companies doing this.

[@lowfastracing]

I use the V1 for years now, great product. :) Definitely much better material, than the CSL pedals.

[@marcw.5492]

Gotta get these ! You cinvinced me ! Are the CSL models all the same height ? I have the entry level and they just fit ... the only dimensions I could find were for "packaging" hmmm who cares about packaging.

[@detlefd20]

I hope for some black Friday deal this year and will definitely get these CSL elite v2s

[@anticommoncore4065]

They're on BF sale now for $199.99

[@alecmillea4539]

I have these pedals and they are fantastic. The brake pedal in particular is excellent, second to none. The only thing these lack is adjustability on the throttle and clutch. However I don’t care because they are both as good as they need to be. The clutch feels like a light linear road car clutch which may not simulate a race car clutch perfectly but in the context of sim racing it’s actually what you want. It makes it easier to modulate, doesn’t tire you out and there’s no loud clunks. Some throttle adjustability would be nice but isn’t necessary

[@alecmillea4539]

I bought these pedals and my loadcell failed after about 6 months and fanatec has not responded to my service requests for 2 weeks now. Fanatec customer service has been so bad in my experience I will not purchase anything from them again. I would advise everyone against buying these or any other product from fanatec. I will update this post with comments if anything changes.

[@petermartin5197]

Bought these pedals and set them up yesterday, the brake pedal is awesome it really is but the throttle is very light imo, also it may of been worth mentioning the easy adjustments in the Fanatec software for deadzones and brake pressure, great review though.

[@stovic1442]

Mine arrived a few days ago too. Don't need clutch so removed gas and replaced with that. Very nice.

[@petermartin5197]

Good idea so you just put the clutch pedal where the Gas was and plugged it into the gas socket? @@stovic1442

[@Chader9]

@@stovic1442 Interesting... I say that because the rubber stopper on the Clutch is also shorter which gives more total pedal travel compared to the Throttle. I might have to try that swap. Could work well as I already plan to mod the Clutch to have a degressive spring setup, which would be potentially better starting with the lighter spring of the Throttle application.

[@stovic1442]

@@Chader9 I switched the stoppers. They pull out fairly easy.

[@Chader9]

@@stovic1442 Yeah, I figured that would be easy, but could see an advantage with longer travel on the Throttle, at least for some driver's preferences. Nice to have the option to swap, mix & match like that either way.

[@kennychan2044]

Great vid! Would you say this is a worthwhile upgrade from the Thrustmaster T-LCM (loadcell) pedals or should I try to save for the Heusinkveld Sprints?

[@SimRacing604]

Yeah, it’ll be a big jump, and I’d recommend it. Best I can quantify the changes: T-LCM is a 5/10, CSL Elite v2 is an 8/10, Heus Sprints are a 9/10. So if cost isn’t a big factor, go for the sprints; if you want to save some money, the Elite V2s are not far off the Sprints and significantly cheaper

[@kennychan2044]

@@SimRacing604 Thank you for the great response. Quantifying helps put it in perspective.

[@leomendoza450]

OMG MIKE, the people need a review on the latest from the crew at MVH studios. They released a load cell mod for the g92(0/3/etc) pedal set on Black Friday and I need a trusty 604 review to seal the deal 😂 pls n ty 😅

[@SimRacing604]

Whoa, really?? I gotta check that out

[@leomendoza450]

@@SimRacing604 yeah and it builds off of their previously released variable pitch spring mod for the g series of brakes (: they also came out with a quick release but I felt that was way too out of left field for this video lol

[@emilskukojs3783]

Thinking of creating my setup later this year and am 90% sure on buying these since pedals cant quite be upgraded i might as well go with something really good, why waste money on something i will want to swap out in a while

[@SimRacing604]

It’s a good choice. I love these pedals

[@RyKnocks]

If I have the CSL LC pedals, are these worth upgrading to?

[@SimRacing604]

I’m a fan of the CSL LC’s, but I prefer these. It won’t be a day/night difference, but if you feel you’re ready and able to upgrade, in my opinion you’ll be happy you did. To me, the brake feel is so much of what makes a set of pedals great, and these feel better in that regard than the CSL LC’s

[@MarkFisch]

I really want to know if it’s worth going from v3 to these v2…my v3 are a pain to clean due to having a dog. But I hear such great things about the break. I’m going to keep watching ur video maybe u will answer this ? For me haha

[@erictripton]

LOL, yeah two German Shepherds here, so I feel your pain.

[@SixxiePlays]

I know exactly what you mean reference having 2 dogs.

[@Hafizul12]

Oh wow. Mid tier loadcell pedals are $299? I was thinking of getting SRP pedals for my MOZA r5 as my first upgrade after I space for a rig. Should I skip those?

[@SimRacing604]

The SRPs are great, but I definitely prefer these. If you want to keep with the Moza ecosystem, you’ll be happy with the SRPs, but if you’re indifferent, I’d choose the elite V2 s

[@Hafizul12]

@@SimRacing604 thank you for the feedback, I’ll keep that in mind!

[@Tomsteph10]

Can I use it on the floor?

[@Chader9]

Not really. The brake force is rather high and best to be mounted on a connected pedal frame to seat at the very least. Full rig to really get the most from them.

[@Jeff-bc4hb]

Fanatec CSL V2 or Simjack Pros?

[@SimRacing604]

If you have the money, the Simjacks are the superior pedals. Keep in mind though that you’ll be locked to PC only with Simjack.

[@Jeff-bc4hb]

@@SimRacing604 awesome, I'm on PC so that works out. I have the old CSL v2 elastomers that I can put on the Simjacks. Which elastomer strength did you end up using?

[@SimRacing604]

@@Jeff-bc4hb just the default elastomers. Certainly not for everyone, but they’re perfect for how I like my brake to feel

[@tigerbalm666]

I had the CSL Elite....did not like the feel of gas pedal.

[@tigerbalm666]

$300 OUCH....

[@DeoOptimoMaximo85]

Please prepare a script for these instead of talking about feelings

[@SimRacing604]

Awesome comment

[@RyKnocks]

TF kinda comment? Do you want him to script his feelings and thoughts instead? LOL

[@stickdeath1980]

thats a very german reply lol