The Fanatec ClubSport Shifter has been around for a very long time. After a bit of digging, it turns out this shifter originally launched all the way back in 2014. That makes it well over a decade old at this point, which is almost unheard of in the sim racing hardware space.
Despite receiving a few revisions over the years, including the current V1.5 version, Fanatec has never released a true replacement. That naturally raises an important question. Is the ClubSport Shifter still good today, or has it finally been left behind by newer and more modern alternatives?
Fanatec sent this shifter over for review, so I’ve been spending time with it across a variety of sims to see how it holds up in a market that has changed dramatically since its release.
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From a design standpoint, the ClubSport Shifter is fairly straightforward. There is nothing flashy or experimental here, but that simplicity works in its favor.
The entire unit is constructed from metal, and it feels every bit as solid as you would expect. This is a heavy piece of hardware, and because of that, it is best mounted to a proper cockpit or wheel stand. Using it on a desk would technically be possible, but it would not be ideal.
Mounting flexibility is excellent. The shifter can be hard mounted from the bottom as well as all four sides, which makes it easy to integrate into almost any rig. Even by modern standards, this is still very well thought out.
Inside the shifter, Fanatec stuck with an all metal construction. There are no plastic internals where it matters, which plays a big role in the long term durability of this product.
The ClubSport Shifter uses hall effect sensors rather than traditional contact based sensors. This dramatically improves longevity and consistency over time, since there is no physical wear from repeated shifting.
Even after years on the market, this internal design still holds up extremely well.
Included with the shifter are two metal shift knobs. One is designed for H pattern use, while the other is intended for sequential mode. Both are well weighted, anodized, and feel high quality in hand.
Swapping between knobs takes only a few seconds, and Fanatec also allows you to use third party knobs if you prefer. That said, the included knobs are good enough that most people will likely stick with them.
Switching between H pattern and sequential mode is handled via a simple mechanical switch. No tools are required, and you do not need to remove the knob. It is quick, intuitive, and one of the strongest features of this shifter.
One of the most underrated aspects of the ClubSport Shifter is its resistance adjustment.
Unlike many shifters that lock you into a single feel, this one allows you to significantly adjust how much force is required to move between gears. The difference between the lightest and heaviest settings is very noticeable.
This adds a huge amount of versatility. You can tune the shifter to better match different types of cars, or simply adjust it to your personal preference. This level of mechanical adjustment is still rare, even today.
In H pattern mode, the ClubSport Shifter performs extremely well.
The throw length feels natural, and the movement between gears is smooth and controlled. It avoids feeling overly mechanical or overly vague, landing in a middle ground that closely resembles the feel of a real road car.
Gear spacing is well defined, and the shifter naturally guides you into the correct gate. Miss shifts are rare, even during aggressive driving.
Reverse and seventh gear are locked behind a push down mechanism. To access reverse, you must push down and slot into first gear. Seventh gear requires the same action when moving from fifth.
This design prevents accidental engagement, but it does make shifting from sixth to seventh slower. For most drivers, this will not matter often, but it is something to be aware of. In my opinion, just like the Moza HGP Shifter, this is a downside.
Sequential mode is where the ClubSport Shifter becomes more divisive.
It works as intended and is perfectly usable, but the tactile feedback is underwhelming compared to dedicated sequential shifters. The shifts lack the sharp mechanical engagement that many rally or touring car drivers look for.
That said, having both modes available in a single unit is still very convenient. Switching between them takes seconds, and for occasional sequential use, it gets the job done.
If you plan on primarily using a sequential shifter, there are better feeling options available. If H pattern is your main focus, this shifter shines.
One of the biggest frustrations with the ClubSport Shifter is connectivity.
Out of the box, it only connects directly to Fanatec wheelbases via RJ12. If you want to use it as a standalone USB device on PC, you need to purchase an additional adapter.
This made sense back in 2014 when most buyers were deeply invested in the Fanatec ecosystem. Today, with so many wheelbases on the market, it feels unnecessarily restrictive.
Console compatibility depends entirely on the wheelbase you are using. When connected through a compatible Fanatec base, it can work on Xbox or PlayStation in supported games. Plugging it directly into a console via USB will not work.
A very important thing to note here is that although I have not experienced any issues with the reliability of my ClubSport Shifter V1.5, I have received countless emails, messages, and comments from people reporting mis-shifts or outright wrong gear registration over time, especially when shifting aggressively. Spend even a few minutes reading through community discussions and you’ll see the same patterns come up repeatedly: the shifter occasionally losing calibration, selecting the wrong gear, or behaving inconsistently from one session to the next.
Most of these reports do not suggest that the unit is fundamentally unreliable, but rather that it can be sensitive to a few specific factors. Commonly cited causes include hall sensor or magnet alignment drifting over time, static or grounding issues depending on the rig and environment, and in some cases simple cable or connection problems. The encouraging part is that many users have resolved these issues with relatively minor fixes such as recalibration, reseating or replacing the cable, improving grounding, adding insulation to reduce interference, or re-centering the internal magnet.
That said, it’s important to be realistic. This is a shifter that can work flawlessly for years, but it’s also one where a portion of owners eventually end up doing some light troubleshooting, particularly if they shift hard or race frequently. There are also smaller recurring complaints around the sequential mode, such as the mechanism feeling loose over time, not returning to center cleanly, or occasionally slipping out of sequential operation depending on mounting and wear.
The takeaway here is straightforward: many people run the ClubSport Shifter V1.5 long-term with zero issues, but the sheer volume and consistency of reliability-related feedback makes it something that deserves to be mentioned in any honest review. With solid mounting, proper grounding, and the expectation that you may need to recalibrate or tweak it at some point, it can still be a very capable shifter, just not one that’s completely “set and forget” for everyone.
Despite its age, the Fanatec ClubSport Shifter V1.5 remains a very strong piece of sim racing hardware.
The build quality is excellent, the H pattern feel is still among the best in its price range, and the ability to adjust resistance adds real value. It is not perfect, and the sequential mode is clearly the weaker half of the package, but the core experience holds up remarkably well.
At around $300, it is not cheap, but it is somewhat fairly priced for what it offers. The fact that Fanatec has not replaced it in over a decade says a lot.
If you are looking for a high quality H pattern shifter with strong adjustability and proven durability, the ClubSport Shifter V1.5 is still very easy to recommend today.
Kayne says:
Good review
Dox Ceelie says:
Interesting!
Kendy69 says:
interesting!
benibock says:
Still a really good shifter
Eddie Burgundy says:
Is there another you would recommend if I’m looking for primarily sequential with some H pattern use?
rsacks14 says:
Great review. I have it and I love it!
Louis Keyzer says:
I’ve been wondering whether to get it for a while, but after reading this review, I’m totally convinced.
BaTaTasFriTasdat says:
ty
rudedog6868 says:
Wish the price would come down since it’s been around for years. Nice review.
Rafael Martinez says:
I’ve had this shifter for years now and it still feels solid with both ps5 and pc sim racing.
MangoManss says:
I believe a company needs to bring out at budget gear stick with sequitnial that is of good quality. for under $150
Toni says:
Nice!
Roman says:
Would this pair well with a g29?
Bee says:
Love this thing!
nick says:
nice handbrake
Edwardo_Davince says:
Honestly been wanting one of these for so long and this is really making me want it more, it’s still such an amazing product from an amazing brand that are still pulling there weight in the sim world
Jan Zunec says:
To be honest, I have had one, and encountered issues with short circuiting, which made me miss gearshifts. I seeked help and not much from fanatec. Due to having such a hard time I have switched to Moza HGP as I didn’t use the sequential much anyways.
I would recommend going for a separate sequential and H pattern (if you really need both), as you can probably find something in the same price range (especially with discounts), and get a better experience out of it.
stanvrdgs says:
seems nice!!
dylan S says:
good review