Fanatec steering wheel buying guide

It’s a lightweight steering wheel that weighs just 1.23Kg on the scale and comes standard with the Quick Release QR1 Lite Wheel-Side.

With its quality finish, and really comfortable grip, it’s a nice surprise for players who don’t have a money tree in the back of their house.

I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to get started on the cheap, as the value for money is just indecent.

To keep costs down, Fanatec offers a simplified Quick Release system: the QR1 Lite Wheel-Side. All you have to do is manually screw the wheel’s plastic ring onto your base’s shaft to lock the wheel.

The system is simple, but highly effective. There’s nothing to worry about when it comes to securing the wheel.

In terms of weight, this is a very light steering wheel, weighing in at 1.1kg for a realistic diameter of 30cm. A good choice if your base is a moderate-power model like the CSL Elite base, for example.

In conclusion, this is a very good choice for a simracer new to the Fanatec world who wants a steering wheel with very good value for money.

Lightweight (1.1kg) and equipped with the QR1 Lite Wheel-Side, this carbon-finish wheel is an excellent choice for beginners.

It’s also equipped with double-clutch paddles, so you can take off at every race start. An option usually reserved for top-of-the-range models!

Its two rotary selectors will also enable you to make fine adjustments during the race for full control of your vehicle, such as brake distribution, for example.

Starting with its impeccable grip and button layout. This is to be expected, given that it’s based on the same template as the Formula V2.5, which has been an unqualified success.

The Alcantara grip, the quality plastics, the aluminum plate, the LED displays for lap counter and flags… Plus the 3-digit LED display for speed and steering wheel settings. A real success!

Oh yes, by the way, the rear features aluminum magnetic paddles and a genuine Quick Release QR1.

In short, this is a steering wheel that manages to combine many of the qualities of the V2. 5, while staying within a budget barely higher than that of the McLaren GT3.

The best thing about these models is the positioning of the buttons, which literally fall to the fingertips. The quality and design of both the V2.5X and the V2.5 are also particularly impressive.

Both models feature thumb-operated rotary selectors, which are super-convenient to use when racing, as you don’t need to let go of the steering wheel with one hand to operate them. And that means greater concentration and more stable lap times.

In addition to the LED display, there’s an LED lap counter and 6 LEDs to indicate which flags are active during the race.

Both Fanatec steering wheels are fitted with Clubsport magnetic paddles, but if you want to go even more precise, you can also install the Podium Advances Paddle Module!

In short, an excellent choice that will satisfy all your desires for a contained price!

Its weight of 1.66Kg doesn’t necessarily make it a coherent choice if you have a CSL Elite base with limited power. On the other hand, it’s perfect for Direct Drive bases over 5Nm, Clubsport and DD1/2.

Its only real flaw is the positioning of its buttons. If you don’t have big hands, you’ll have to let go of at least part of the steering wheel to access them.

Magnetic paddles, Quick Release QR1 system, LED display and LED bar for telemetry…

This highly versatile wheel will suit GT and Rally enthusiasts alike.

The brown leather fits perfectly and the stitching is of the finest quality. However, be sure to use gloves if you don’t want to end up with unsightly marks!

Very sturdy, it weighs its weight! 1.69Kg on the scale. A little too heavy if you’re using a CSL Elite base, but that’s the weight of quality.

2 vibration motors, LED screen, LED telemetry display, joystick, 7-position encoder..

My only criticism is that it doesn’t come with magnetic paddles as standard. You’ll have to buy the Clubsport Magnetic Paddles module to improve on that.

The finish is still impeccable, and the shape of the grip has even been improved for greater comfort.

Sturdiness has also been improved, even if the previous version was already top-notch.

Of particular note are the arrival of magnetic paddles and the possibility of changing the Quick Release easily with the forthcoming arrival of the QR2.

The pack includes :

• a Podium Porsche 911 GT3 Cup wheel, 32cm in diameter and weighing 825 grams.
• a Podium Button Module Endurance for quick access to all the functions you’ll need for racing.
• The Podium Advanced Paddle Module with 4 magnetic paddles.
• And finally, the Podium Hub to connect everything to your base.

Finished in a choice of leather or Alcantara, it’s a real eye-catcher. What’s more, the possibilities are mind-boggling!

If you want to push the boundary between simulation and real racing to the limit, what could be better than a real racing wheel for your cockpit?

The Fanatec BMW M4 GT3 has been developed in collaboration with BMW Motorsport to be compatible not only with simulators, but also with the brand-new BMW M4 GT3 which will be competing in the 2022 season!

It’s not a replica, it’s the real racing wheel. It’s as close as you can get to immersion and realism!