Fanatec CSL Steering Wheel P1 V2 review
Fanatec's entry-level wheel at 139.95 euros, with its LED display and a torque limit that the spec sheet relegates to an asterisk.
The P1 V2 is the cheapest wheel Fanatec offers with a QR2 quick release. It sells for 139.95 euros and is aimed at CSL DD owners.
What is in the box
The wheel, the wheel-side QR2 Lite quick release already fitted, and the guide. A compatible Fanatec base is still required.
A well-equipped 300 mm rim for the price
The 300 mm diameter suits most disciplines, and is a little small for pure single-seater driving. The rim is rubberised, which you notice in use: less pleasant than suede or Alcantara, easier to clean.
The equipment is surprising at this price. A central light strip works as a rev indicator, and a three-digit LED display built in under that strip shows speed or the selected gear in compatible games. The shift paddles are metal, with a crisp click. A four-way directional pad with a push button completes the set.
The asterisk that matters
Fanatec writes it in a footnote on the product page: this wheel limits the base's torque to about 8 Nm, whatever quick release is used. On a CSL DD, which tops out at exactly 8 Nm with the Boost Kit, the limit does not show. Fit it to an 18 Nm ClubSport DD+ and you lose more than half of what the base can produce. That kind of information belongs at the top of a product page rather than in an asterisk.
Compatibility
PC only. This wheel does not work on Xbox, and on PlayStation its functions depend on the console. For console gaming you need a licensed wheel.
Scores
6.7/10
- Build 6/10
- Setup and software 8/10
- Force feedback 6/10
- Ecosystem 8/10
- Compatibility 5.5/10
- Value for money 7/10
Take it as a first wheel for a CSL DD on PC. The QR2 quick release already fitted and the LED display make it an honest entry-level choice.
Replace it the day you upgrade your base. Its 8 Nm torque limit makes it a bottleneck on a ClubSport DD or above.
On console, look elsewhere: it is designed for PC.
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