Is the Fanatec QR1 Lite getting the German brand into trouble? That’s the question we’ve been asked quite frequently in recent weeks, and rightly so!
In the great battle that Fanatec, Simagic and other Chinese brands have been waging recently in the cheap Direct Drive range, there’s one detail that seems to be becoming a selection criterion for some players. It’s the Quick Release offered by the brand.
As you’ve probably noticed, it’s precisely on this point that the majority of Fanatec’s less-than-courteous comments are directed. Their QR1 and QR1 Lite are said to be unreliable and ill-fitting. These remarks have always surprised me, since until a few weeks ago, I had never encountered the slightest problem with these QRs. Yet I can tell you without pretension that I’ve seen quite a lot of Fanatec gear.
But that was before the drama.
Today, I’d like to take a look at the Fanatec Quick Releases. Let’s see if you can trust the QR1 Lite in general. And finally, how to deal with the problems sometimes encountered by unlucky players like myself.
What’s the point of a Quick Release in the first place?
Not everyone is a seasoned simracer, so let’s make sure everyone understands what we’re talking about. A Quick Release is a system for quickly connecting/disconnecting a steering wheel from thesteering shaft. It’s widely used on racing cars, but was originally invented for cycling. Apparently changing handlebars quickly is important (yes, I’m learning things as I write this article too ^^).
In the world of simracing, a Quick Release allows you to have several steering wheels that connect to the same base. The advantage is that you can have wheels for every occasion. For example, a Formula-type wheel for F1 races or prototypes , and a round wheel for GT and road vehicles. It’s fun, it clearly adds to immersion, and it’s a great way to treat yourself to some nice gear.
The very first Quick Release for a consumer steering wheel was released by Thrustmaster on the T500 model. At the time, it was a revolution! However, their Quick Release was not very practical to use. Fanatec followed closely behind with their first, more accomplished model, which remained without any real competition for almost a decade. Well… in the consumer market, right? Because at the top end of the market, other highly advanced models obviously exist.
And then the Great Quick Release War began
In 2019, Chinese brand Simagic enters the simracing market. Their products are excellent, but they’re struggling to make themselves known to the general public. This is due to a lack of marketing resources. However, there’s one point on which everyone agrees: their Quick Release is TOP.
No wonder! Since it’s a model largely inspired by NRG models, true competition Quick Releases. Fortunately for Fanatec, no one knew the brand at the time, and the QR was not yet an argument for choosing one brand over another.
But in 2021, Fanatec broke new ground with the very first consumer Direct Drive, the Fanatec CSL DD. With this model, the Germans have created a whole new range of products in the world of car simulation. And new products mean new competitors.
Moza Racing, a new Chinese brand with fangs, is stepping into the breach with the Moza R9. A slightly more powerful base than the CSL DD, at almost the same price, but with a number of Simagic parts, including the Quick Release. And above all, a very aggressive marketing campaign that quickly put them in the spotlight.
It’s now a fact: the Quick Release is a decisive buying factor for gamers who want an entry-level Direct Drive. The war is on, and it’s not always pretty. To find out about the different models, here’s the article I wrote on the Great QR War 🙂
What’s wrong with the Fanatec QR1 Lite?
In this context, where every brand offers increasingly high-performance QRs (even if it means forgetting the essentials, but that’s another debate…), the QR1 Lite is a pale shadow. A plastic Quick Release that you have to screw on by hand isn’t the height of technology.
The main drawback of the plastic model is its flexibility. Even when properly adjusted, its materials are slightly flexible. You don’t necessarily feel it when you’re riding, but flexibility means loss of force feedback detail.
Flexibility is also synonymous with long-termwear. Although I haven’t encountered any problems in this respect, I can’t help thinking that this model is bound to have a much shorter life than its aluminum counterpart. Obviously, this is just speculation on my part.
The second flaw, again due to flexibility, is the loss of immersion. Nobody likes the feeling of having a toy in their hands when simracing. And this model tends to remind you of that all too often.
Last but not least, it flanges the torque of the brand’s DD1 and DD2 bases to avoid any risk of breakage. So, I see you coming! Yes, when you buy a DD1 or DD2 base, you’re unlikely to buy an entry-level steering wheel with a QR1 Lite. And I couldn’t agree more. But the fact that I agree with this point of view shouldn’t prevent me from being honest about the fact that it’s also a point to be counted in the equation.
Why is the Fanatec QR1 Lite an excellent idea?
But don’t be fooled into thinking that this model is a throwaway! It’s a model that’s effective on low-power bases (up to 8Nm of torque) and reduces the price of the flywheel by almost €100. So it’s very practical for entry-level products, and that’s what it was designed for.
But despite this, there’s one flaw I haven’t mentioned yet that changes everything… Bad series.
The problem I encountered with the QR1 Lite
When I received my McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel, I installed it on the CSL DD base. Initially, I only used 5Nm of torque and had no problems. Let’s just say it was pretty flexible, but nothing to worry about. The problems really started when I pushed it to 8Nm. Every time I turned, I could feel the steering wheel slipping a few degrees around the steering shaft.
And don’t think that this movement is normal or harmless. After just a few dozen minutes, it started to create disconnections between the steering wheel and the base.
The metal connection pins were taking a beating and I decided to stop the experiment immediately before damaging my base.
In the days that followed, I tried to figure out where the problem could have come from. Had I installed it incorrectly? Was the steering shaft or the inside of the QR greasy? None of the above.
So I decided to order another steering wheel (the BMW CSL) also equipped with the QR1 Lite to “try my luck again”. And what a miracle! The sensations were radically different. The QR fitted very well on the shaft, and I even had a little trouble pushing it in the first time. Once the clamping ring was screwed on, nothing moved a muscle. In short, night and day!
On closer inspection, it turns out that it’s the inner walls of the QR that are thinner on some series. As they are thinner, it’s not possible to tighten them as much with the screwing mechanism (which is equipped with a stop). As a result, there’s a lot of play.
My QR1 Lite doesn’t fit properly. What can I do?
If you have the same problem as me, the first thing to do is to send an e-mail to Fanatec’s after-sales service. They’ll be able to help you replace your QR quickly. But if you’re like me (in other words, you’re lazy!) there’s also the famous scotch tape method. You put the tape on the steering shaft. It’s not elegant, but it works.
But if there’s one lesson I’ve learned from this experience, it’s this: It’s much more practical to use an aluminum QR1 from the outset.
What can we learn from this adventure?
Well, I’d say that the QR1 Lite is fine when it works, but clearly the aluminum QR1 is far more interesting. For some time now, the German brand has been promising us a new model, the Fanatec QR2. We’re eagerly awaiting its release to finally put these worries behind them. Apparently, the new model is due for release in 2023!
In the meantime, I invite you to discuss the subject in the comments! Do you really choose a brand based on its QR? Or do you have a crazy adventure to share with yours? See you below 🙂
