Fanatec CSL Pedals

Our rating : 9.5/10

Fanatec has for many years been considered the Go-To for anyone looking to build a sim-racing setup. It has to be said that the German brand has worked hard to achieve this status, notably by expanding its range of sim-racing peripherals.

Today, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and choose any available device, with different accessories, and all according to your budget. If your finances are limited, you’ve got the whole range CSL with its bases, flywheels and pedalboards. Those with a little more room to manoeuvre will prefer products from the ClubSport which are not only better in terms of quality, but also more efficient. And, of course, for those on a budget, it’s towards the Podium they will naturally head for.

As far as I’m concerned, the Fanatec catalog is complete, and above all customizable to suit your preferences and needs. Among the inexpensive products offered by the German brand, we have its entry-level pedalboard: the CSL Pedals. Dans ce qui suit, je vais vous présenter ce produit et vous dire ce que j’en pense.

Main features and technical specifications of the crankset

• All-metal structure
• Adjustable pedals in different planes (spacing, inclination, input)
• Compatible with Xbox, Playstation and PC
• Compatible with the entire Fanatec ecosystem (bases and flywheels)
• Supports clutch kit and Load Cell kit
• Magnetic sensor on pedals for input recording
• Weighs 3.55 kg on the scale

Design

Let’s get down to the pedalboard review, starting with the design. I know this is a very subjective point, but as far as I’m concerned, the CSL Pedals aren’t among the best-looking in the segment. Admittedly, the overall shape of this crankset is OK, but the choice of colors really leaves me wanting more.

The pedal steel is silver, with black elements, notably the footrest and pedal plates. I’d have preferred a solid color, as on the CSL Elite Pedals V2, which is all powder black. But then, the Elite V2 costs more than 3.5 times as much as the standard Pedals, so I’m not going to be too picky, because you’re not going to have the CSL Pedals in front of you all the time anyway.

Customized assembly

Being a Load Cell-free pedalboard, at least in its basic configuration, you don’t really need a cockpit/chassis to use it. The CSL Pedals have rubber pads on the underside, giving them good grip on most surfaces (carpet, rugs, parquet, flagstones, etc.). This means you can use it right on the floor, without any problems.

And if you’ve got a chassis, or a steering-wheel support, the CSL Pedals can be mounted on it using the mounting points at the bottom, 2 of which are at the front of the pedals. The latter will be difficult to reach because of their location, which may cause a little frustration for those who aren’t DIY enthusiasts.

Manufacturing and finishing

The CSL Pedals uses mainly steel as a material, especially for its structure. Even if this pedalboard isn’t really expensive (as we’ll see below), the build quality is well up to scratch.

This is a very well-made product, finished correctly for its range and without any apparent defects. The angles are not sharp, and the same goes for all the parts, and you can feel the quality of the product when you hold it in your hand. What’s more, the design has evolved considerably since the first version of this pedalboard, notably in terms of the input sensors, which are now magnetic. As a result, you won’t have to worry about them getting dirty, and they no longer register acceleration and braking, as was the case with potentiometers.

Customizing the crankset

As a Fanatec product, the CSL Pedals can be customized thanks to the brand’s catalog. Basically, you have the pedal board with 2 pedals (brake and gas pedal). There’s also a kit for adding a clutch pedal (€40), which is identical to the accelerator pedal in terms of feel. You can change the pedal plates for 3, which are really very nice (€35). And you can take the Load Cell kit, which lets you swap the standard brake pedal for an LC one (€140). Well, on that point, it makes more financial sense to buy the CSL Pedals LC directly than to buy the standard one and upgrade later. But if you prefer to start without a Load Cell, you’ll be able to upgrade after a while.

Sensations during play

Once installed on your setup, and your car on the starting blocks, what’s the CSL Pedals worth? If you’ve ever used a Load Cell pedalboard, you’ll find Fanatec’s entry-level model meaningless. It’s an inexpensive pedalboard, aimed primarily at a novice or even a sim-racing enthusiast. And you need to have this in mind when setting up a setup with this peripheral.

As for the accelerator pedal, the feel is not bad: it’s linear, offering little resistance under the right foot, while being super-reliable in transcribing acceleration information. The magnetic sensor plays a very good part in all this, and that’s what makes the difference with the other entries in its category, namely Logitech and Thrustmaster pedalboards.

Let’s move on to the brake pedal. In terms of feel, it’s a little firmer than the gas pedal, but still soft enough to brake and feel resistance. The CSL Pedals also use a magnetic sensor on the brake pedal, offering reliability and above all responsiveness compared to a potentiometer where dust and dirt will quickly render it unusable.

As for the resistance of this pedal, well, there’s not much to say, especially if you’ve already experienced a Load Cell pedalboard. Admittedly, the CSL Pedals are better than the competition from entry-level brands, and you’ll also get a very good peripheral for the price, but hey, it’s still a pedalboard that’s not LC. And if you intend to progress in sim-racing, I’d strongly advise you to buy the Load Cell kit later on, which will enable you to swap the brake pedal for a much better feel.

Compatibility

This pedalboard is compatible with all currently available platforms, namely PC, Playstation and Xbox. What’s more, you can use it with the entire Fanatec ecosystem via a direct connection to the brand’s bases (RJ12 cable). And with the right adapter, you can use this pedalboard with any setup competing with Fanatec, making its connection to the platform via USB. The adapter in question costs €20, and I think it’s a good investment if you have several sim-racing peripherals from different brands.

Value for money

Listed at €80 on Fanatec’s website, the CSL Pedals is a real bargain as far as I’m concerned, especially for Sunday drivers who are just looking to slightly improve their setup with a good-quality peripheral. It’s true that it’s not the best of everything Fanatec has to offer, but it has the merit of being really affordable. What’s more, you can upgrade it with the LC kit, which costs €140. However, if you’re planning to get Load Cell in the future, you’re better off buying the CSL Pedals LC, which costs €200 and comes with 3 pedals.

My verdict

The CSL Pedals is a good entry-level product for pilots looking for a device that will easily complement their CSL base. It’s really inexpensive, upgradeable and very well made.

In terms of feel, there’s not much under the brake pedal, and that’s to be expected too. This is an entry-level pedalboard, designed to complement basic setups. But the CSL Pedals have the Fanatec touch, with their various upgrade kits.

Would I recommend this pedalboard to sim-racing drivers? If you’re just starting out and want to have fun, yes, you can buy it. Having an LC kit available is a big plus in my opinion. On the other hand, if you want to improve over time, I’m all for going straight for the CSL Pedals LC to get 3 pedals and the Load Cell, and for less money too.