THE PXN V12 Lite Should WORRY The Competition (Review)
This is the new PXN V12 Lite, and out of nowhere, we suddenly have a solid new competitor in the mid-range direct-drive sim racing market. Competing with the likes of the Moza R5 and Fanatec CSL DD, the PXN V12 Lite is a 6nm direct-drive wheelbase that comes bundled with a unique-looking steering wheel and a set of pedals. Competitively priced in the $500 range and featuring PC, Xbox, and PlayStation compatibility, PXN is certainly not playing around. In this review, I'll cover all the good, the bad, and whether I think it stands a chance against the current competition.
Sent to me by PXN for review, the V12 Lite comes bundled with a table clamp, a set of pedals, a steering wheel, and the wheelbase. To keep everything organized, let's start by reviewing the pedals, then the steering wheel, and finally, the star of the show—the 6nm direct-drive wheelbase itself.
PXN V12 Lite Pedals
The pedals included with the V12 Lite bundle immediately seemed familiar, as they follow a very similar design to those entry-level pedals from Fanatec and Moza. Notably, though, we’re getting three pedals here as opposed to just the brake and throttle offered by competitors. Made entirely of metal, the build quality is very solid with no flex under use and an overall decent look and feel. The design, albeit a little corny, is functional with decent adjustability in terms of angle, height, and left-to-right adjustment. Furthermore, the pedals can connect directly to the wheelbase or independently to a PC via USB.
In terms of performance, it shouldn’t come as a shock that they’re not load cells, but all three pedals use hall effect sensors to provide accurate and reliable signals. Taking them out on track, there is both good and bad to uncover. Starting with the bad, unfortunately, is the clutch. Not only does it have completely linear travel with no sensation of any actual bite point, but it also requires nearly no force to push down, making it feel very underwhelming. A little bit better is the throttle with slightly more resistance and a good amount of travel, but many people might want a bit more resistance here as well. Surprisingly good, though, is the brake. Although it’s not a load cell, it comes with a spring and damper setting that creates substantial tension and a feeling very similar to what you would feel with any entry-level load cell brake. The brake pedal is stiffer near the end of its travel, and for what it is, it genuinely surprised me.
However, a notable downside with these pedals compared to competitors is that although I think they’re better “stock,” both Fanatec and Moza offer several upgrades, including a load cell kit to improve theirs, whereas PXN currently has no such option. Regardless, for what they are, these pedals are commendable, and it’s hard to complain much about them seeing as they are only part of this entire bundle.
PXN V12 Lite Steering Wheel
Now moving on to the V12 Lite steering wheel, you immediately notice the unique and surely controversial design choice of this rim. I personally wish this wheel focused on a more realistic look without the futuristic design elements, but that’s really just a matter of preference. Overall, whether you like how it looks or not, the wheel rim is fairly decent. At 280mm in diameter, it’s comparable to the competition—not too small or big—and ergonomically, it fits well in my hands with everything within comfortable reach. The D-shaped wheel rim is wrapped in synthetic leather material with red stitching to make it pop. Flex is felt on the outer portions of the rim when applying pressure there, but realistically, on-track it wasn’t noticeable or problematic.
On the faceplate of this wheel, you find 12 individual buttons, a multi-directional joystick, and two rotary encoders, which could use a bit more work. The buttons have a very muted feel, and I don’t like how they come pre-labeled, but they ultimately do the job. Similarly, the encoders could use more resistance, but again, they do the job. Telemetry RGB shift lights are also included, and these can have their color adjusted, which is a nice touch for a wheel of this price.
Taking a look behind the wheel rim, you’ll find the strikingly good-looking gold quick release, the same type used by Moza and Simagic. Furthermore, there are magnetic paddle shifters with clutch paddles underneath. These generally feel good, albeit a little too loud in my opinion. Regardless, they’re within comfortable reach, feel good in hand, and are very tactile, clearly indicating when they have been pressed.
Altogether, this wheel provided a good on-track experience, with ample functionality, a comfortable wheel rim, and a proven and reliable quick release system. Similar to what I said about the pedals, I think it’s a solid product considering the price, and I find it better than something like the comparable Moza ES Wheel. So overall, the V12 Lite steering wheel, like the pedals, is on par. But now, can the wheelbase also deliver?
PXN V12 Lite Wheel Base
The PXN V12 Lite is a serious piece of equipment. It’s made entirely out of metal housing, with a size and shape similar to the Simagic Alpha Mini, and features a popular and dependable quick release system. Hard mounting is possible with four bolt inserts at the bottom, and a table clamp is also included for those not using it on a dedicated rig. At the back of the base, you’ll connect everything, including other optional accessories. Keep in mind that if you’ll be using this on a console, you’ll need to connect everything to the wheelbase, not independently to your console's USB slot.
Despite being new to the direct-drive market, PXN isn’t playing around as the specs here are very competitive. The wheelbase can output up to 6nm of force with multi-platform compatibility, and several internal features are included to maximize in-game performance, even for long race sessions. I tested this wheelbase on iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and ACC on PC, and overall, the experience was good but could be better. This wheelbase’s 6nm of force is immediately noticeable, feeling torquier and more powerful than the 5nm Fanatec CSL DD and Moza R5. As expected from a direct-drive system, it’s quick to react, powerful, and responsive—all of which are great. Moreover, it was consistent, with no major discrepancies in performance after an hour or two of use.
However, the only thing I wish were more pronounced on this wheelbase are the road effects and granular details. Unlike offerings from Fanatec and Moza, which have perfected their software over the years, the PXN V12 Lite always felt like it was missing that extra level of immersion. Bumps, curbs, different surfaces, and other textures were simply not conveyed despite all the time and effort I spent tinkering with the software. It felt better on Assetto Corsa, fairly muted on Assetto Corsa Competizione, and very dull on iRacing, leading me to believe this is more of a software limitation rather than a hardware issue. This suspicion is further reinforced when looking at the current software available on PC or as an app on your phone that connects via Bluetooth. Overall, there isn’t much fine-tuning available, and I noticed that many settings didn’t have a noticeable impact on what I was feeling in-game.
All of this leads me to confidently say that the PXN V12 Lite has a lot of potential. In its current state, it feels good enough to be competitive on track and offers the immediate performance benefits of a direct-drive system. The only thing it’s missing is that extra layer of detail which truly brings the experience to life.
Conclusion
Overall, my experience with the entire PXN V12 Lite bundle has been better than expected. The pedals, despite some flaws, are commendable for their price point. The steering wheel, with its unique design and solid functionality, is a strong contender. The wheelbase, while needing some software improvements for finer details, delivers a powerful and responsive driving experience. The biggest consideration in choosing this over the competition, however, will ultimately come down to the broader ecosystem, which PXN still needs to develop further.
Regardless, I believe this is a very positive step in the right direction, and time will tell if they’ll be able to become one of the leading players among the fierce sim racing hardware manufacturers.
OC Score: 7.5
PXN V12 Lite FAQ’s
What platforms is the PXN V12 Lite compatible with? The PXN V12 Lite is compatible with PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, providing flexibility across multiple gaming systems.
What is included in the PXN V12 Lite bundle? The PXN V12 Lite bundle includes the wheelbase, a steering wheel, a set of pedals, and a table clamp for easy mounting.
How much force can the PXN V12 Lite wheelbase output? The PXN V12 Lite wheelbase can output up to 6nm of force, providing a powerful and responsive driving experience.
Are the pedals included with the PXN V12 Lite load cells? No, the pedals included with the PXN V12 Lite use hall effect sensors, not load cells. However, they still provide accurate and reliable performance.
Can the pedals be connected independently to a PC? Yes, the pedals can be connected directly to the wheelbase or independently to a PC via USB.
What materials are used for the PXN V12 Lite steering wheel and pedals? The steering wheel features a synthetic leather wrap with red stitching, while the pedals are made entirely of metal for solid build quality and durability.
Does the PXN V12 Lite steering wheel have customizable buttons and features? Yes, the steering wheel has 12 individual buttons, a multi-directional joystick, two rotary encoders, and telemetry RGB shift lights, which can have their colors adjusted.
What type of quick release system does the PXN V12 Lite use? The PXN V12 Lite uses a gold quick release system similar to those used by Moza and Simagic, ensuring a secure and reliable connection.
How does the PXN V12 Lite perform in terms of road effects and immersion? While the PXN V12 Lite delivers a powerful and responsive driving experience, the road effects and granular details are currently less pronounced compared to some competitors. Software improvements are needed to enhance immersion.
Is hard mounting possible with the PXN V12 Lite? Yes, hard mounting is possible with four bolt inserts at the bottom of the wheelbase. Additionally, a table clamp is included for those not using a dedicated rig.
How does the PXN V12 Lite compare to other mid-range direct-drive systems? The PXN V12 Lite offers competitive performance, especially considering its price point. It is a solid contender in the mid-range direct-drive market, though further development of the PXN ecosystem will be crucial for its long-term success.
Does the PXN V12 Lite have software for fine-tuning settings? Yes, there is software available for PC and an app for your phone that connects via Bluetooth. However, the current software has limited fine-tuning options, and some settings may not have a noticeable impact on in-game performance.
The PXN V12 Lite is the NEWEST Direct-Drive Competitor in the market and it should worry FANATEC and MOZA… Here’s why!