Good sim racing pedals are essential in crafting an immersive experience. This is where the Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals come in. Today, we’ll examine whether these pedals are an accessory you should consider purchasing.
Fanatec ClubSport V3
What to Consider Before Buying Pedals
We recommend that all racing sim aficionados consider purchasing a good set of sim racing pedals. It makes very little sense to buy a wheel and no pedals. Moreover, the ones that come pre-bundled with wheels are often of lackluster quality. Pedals will determine just how well you take turns, perform in straights, and any action you take with your wheel will likely have some correlation with an action you need to take with your pedals. For this reason, there are certain considerations to keep in mind.
When purchasing racing sim pedals the most important aspect to keep in mind is whether they have load cells. These are force transducers that translate the pressure, compression, and position of the pedal to electrical signals which the game can measure. This means the game will know just how much gas you’re planning on giving your car.
Another key aspect is the adjustability. You not only need to be able to press down on the pedals successfully, but you need to make sure you’re not hurting yourself as you do so. The more things you can adjust with this type of product, the more likely you are to have a positive experience.
Finally, build quality. Pressing down on cheap plastic pedals not only breaks immersion, but you risk them slipping away or breaking. Because leg muscles are often some of the strongest ones we have, good build quality is key.
The Fanatec ClubSport V3
The Fanatec ClubSport V3s are actually two different types of racing pedal sets. The basic set and the inverted set. We’ll touch on both, but a majority of this review will look at the base set. The V3s are Fanatec’s flagship pedals from the ClubSport series, and they aimed to replicate the excellence of their other products with these. These pedals hit the nail on the head, as they are not only highly compatible (Xbox, Playstation, and PC), but also some of the best out there overall.
Features & Benefits
Here are some of the major features and benefits to consider when looking at this pedalset.
Superb Load Cell
The V3s come with a 90kg load cell to simulate the race track as precisely and as roughly as any pedal set possibly could. The pressure-sensitive brake pedal vibrates to simulate ABS and locking tires. Essentially the immersion that force-feedback gives your hands, these pedals will give your feet.
High Adjustability
Simply put, we wish more things in life had the adjustability that the V3 pedals have. Being able to change the position of pedals, their angles, the throttle spring strength, brake sensitivity, brake travel and inclusion of the alternative D-shape race plates in curved design which are ideal as standing pedals all means that you will be able to tailor the ClubSport V3 to exactly what you’re looking for (as detailed in our Fanatec pedals setup guide). This should be the standard more peripherals should be held to.
Build Quality
The set is built entirely in aluminum and it feels both weighty as well as resistant. The mark of an incredible build quality comes from the use of contactless sensors. These magnetic sensors on the gas and clutch will guarantee you a lifelong accuracy and four times the resolution that the previous version of these pedals did. Top-notch build quality.
Inverted Axis (Only V3 Inverted)
The advanced version of the V3s moves the clutch and brake pivots being to the top axis. This allows for longer pedal travels, replicating more accurately than any other pedal set the distance you would find in a real car. It’s a small change that yields a very large difference in how authentic the pedals feel.
Cost
This is by far the V3s most unfavorable aspect. The normal set is already very expensive, equalling the price of a good non-direct drive wheel. The inverted set is close to half the price of a direct drive wheel. These pedals are very good, but very restrictive price-tag wise.
Alternatives
There are a few other alternatives to consider if you find the pricetag of the ClubSport V3 pedals excessive.
Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals
Thrustmaster T-LCM
The Thrustmaster T3PA Pedals are some of the oldest (usable) ones out there, and as such don’t have some of the technological breakthroughs other sets have. The build quality is good for being made from plastic, and the accuracy is surprising for an older product. The main reason to go for the T3PA, however, is the price. We’d recommend these pedals for those hoping to get an inexpensive upgrade.
Conclusion
The ClubSport Pedals V3 are more than just good pedals, they’re fantastic pedals. In every aspect they are at the top of the list, the unfortunate reality is that this is also true regarding price. Still, their elegance, precision, and adjustability will give you such a more comprehensive control over your car that it’ll be hard to go back to playing without them.
Last Updated on April 17, 2021