MOZA R9 V2 & CS V2P Bundle: the opinion of a demanding simracer

In the "compact" Direct Drive base segment, the MOZA R9 V2 has established itself as a safe bet for those who want to get serious about FFB without blowing their budget. The bundle with the CS V2P steering wheel is a clear challenger in the field of complete mid-range sim racing kits, with a simple promise: a solid steering wheel, a precise base, all ready to run on the PC, without any headaches.

This combo is so appealing because it positions itself between two worlds. On the one hand, gamers who have just moved away from a belt-driven or geared steering wheel and want to finally feel the car "live" in their hands. On the other, simracers already equipped with a serious cockpit, who are looking for a reliable, compact, quiet base, but one that remains affordable compared to the more powerful monsters.

My angle here is twofold: sensations and actual use. How does the bundle perform on several tracks, at different levels of attack, and above all, does the steering wheel + base set hold up in terms of finish, precision and comfort over long sessions? The aim isn't to dissect every technical data sheet, but to assess what this kit changes in concrete terms for a simracer who rides regularly, without entering into a software gas factory.

Design & manufacturing: compact base, serious steering wheel

The R9 V2 is one of those Direct Drive bases that immediately inspire confidence. The block is compact, dense, all-metal, with a marked impression of rigidity. In hand, as you manipulate the base to attach it to the cockpit, you immediately sense that this is no toy: it's heavy, rigid, and the assembly tolerances seem tight. Nothing moves, nothing sounds hollow.

The CS V2P steering wheel follows the same philosophy. Metal structure, alloy faceplate, imitation or alcantara grips depending on the version, well-integrated buttons, metal paddle: this is a product that feels serious from the moment you hold it. The diameter and thickness of the rim are easy on the fingers, with a good balance between comfort and precision. You'll quickly feel at ease, even over extended sessions. It's immediately clear that this is no simple gaming wheel.

What's surprisingly positive is the perceived quality for this price level. The paddles click cleanly, the motorsport-style quick release is firm and reassuring, and the base shows no perceptible flex once properly attached to the cockpit. Compared to some entry/mid-range kits still using belts, the feeling of a monolithic block is clearly enhanced, with no parasitic vibrations.

On the disappointing side, there are a few details. Handle materials remain below those found on very high-end steering wheels, and some may not appreciate the slightly "industrial" feel of certain knobs and buttons. There's nothing objectionable about this, but it's clear that we're not in the ultra-premium segment. The aesthetics, very angular and black, may or may not please, but at least it has the merit of being consistent with the rest of the MOZA ecosystem.

Settings, customization & compatibility

One of the strengths of the R9 V2 is the MOZA Pit House software. The interface is easy to read, with clear tabs for FFB settings, game profiles and button configuration. There are presets for the main sim racing titles, so you can get off to a good start without spending all evening on it. For a user coming from a competing ecosystem, adaptation is fairly quick.

What's really useful are the settings for overall force, filter, damping, friction and inertia. You can switch from a very raw, fairly direct feel to something more filtered, easier to live with for casual use. The learning curve is reasonable: presets work well for 80 % of cases, then you fine-tune little by little according to your games and personal tastes. You're not drowned in dozens of obscure parameters, but there's enough depth for more manic simracers.

The bundle is clearly PC-oriented. In this respect, compatibility is broad with the serious titles on the market. For consoles, you need to check your ecosystem carefully: the base alone doesn't magically make the setup compatible, it's the whole chain that counts (base, steering wheel, any specific hub). The R9 V2 is designed above all as a scalable PC platform, around which other MOZA steering wheels, shifters and pedalboards can be added.

In terms of ecosystems, MOZA now has a fairly extensive catalog: GT wheels, F1 wheels, ovals, cranksets, loadcell brakes and more. Quick release makes wheel changes a snap, encouraging you to adapt your wheel to the type of race. The advantage of the R9 V2 is that it can be used as a long-lasting entry point: the power is sufficient for most users, the base remains compact, and upgrading is mostly done via the steering wheel, crankset and cockpit rather than via a new, larger base.

Sensations in play: the heart of the bundle

Where the MOZA R9 V2 really comes into its own is on the track. The power available is more than sufficient for serious use, even with a rigid cockpit. It's not an unmanageable monster, but there's that margin of torque that allows you to feel the car's behavior clearly without having to push the FFB to maximum all the time. You can feel the switch to Direct Drive technology compared to a belt-driven base: response is more direct, cleaner, without elasticity.

When cornering, the precision of the force feedback is really pleasing. The steering loads up progressively as you enter the bend, then unloads at the right moment at the grip limit. You can read the grip without having to guess. On fast transitions, steering shocks are clean but not aggressive, as long as the settings are well calibrated. You immediately understand what the car is doing, and that's invaluable for working on your string points and consistency.

Grip reading is precisely where the bundle stands out from a less powerful base. Small losses of grip, the beginnings of oversteer and surface changes are clearly visible in the hands. You can feel the micro-slip before the big stall, giving you time to correct. On the vibrators, feedback is clear-cut and legible: the big, aggressive vibrators clearly make the base react, but without becoming painful, while the lower vibrators produce a finer, faster vibration. Edge types can be distinguished rather than a simple, uniform "bzz".

Over long sessions, the R9 V2 remains constant. No strange drift in the FFB, no perceptible variation in force once the base has reached temperature. The base + flywheel combo offers good physical comfort: the diameter of the CS V2P helps to distribute the effort in the arms, and it's easy to find the right grip to limit fatigue. In endurance, this is an important point: a muscular but clean FFB is much less exhausting than an over-filtered but inconsistent force feedback.

In fast corrections, the base proves lively without being uncontrollable. Tank slappers and other slips are recovered with good reactivity, provided that the friction and damping settings are adapted to your style. Compared with more powerful bases, you lose a little of the pure brutality and the sensation of having a huge racing wheel attached to the chassis. On the other hand, you gain in ease of use and control, especially for those who don't have a reinforced-concrete cockpit.

Compared to a less powerful or belt-driven base, the difference is in the finesse and cleanliness of the signal. Parasitic oscillations disappear, latency is lower, and every bit of information becomes sharper. Faced with a more powerful base, we realize that the R9 V2 already ticks many of the boxes for the majority of simracers. It doesn't seek to impress with brute force, but rather with consistency and precision of feedback. This is where the base really changes the experience.

Who's it for? What we like, what we don't like

This MOZA R9 V2 & CS V2P bundle appeals above all to three profiles. The motivated beginner who wants to invest directly in a durable setup without going for an entry-level wheel. Intermediates who ride regularly and want to switch to Direct Drive without going overboard with high-powered bases. The experienced rider looking for a compact secondary base, or a setup that's more reasonable in terms of power but serious in terms of feel, especially on the PC.

On the plus side, first and foremost is the price/feel ratio. You get a clean, precise, silent FFB, with a steering wheel that doesn't look cheap, for an investment that remains manageable for a Direct Drive. The second is the bundle's coherence: compact base, versatile steering wheel, practical quick release, clear software overall. Just plug it in, make a few adjustments, and you've already got something pretty decent. Thirdly, the MOZA ecosystem is broad enough to allow you to grow your setup without having to change everything.

There are limits, and you need to keep them in mind. The first is the limited power in relation to the very big bases: if you're running on an ultra-rigid tubular cockpit, and you want a violent FFB, like a realistic GT3 at maximum torque, you'll find a stronger engine elsewhere. The second is PC dependency: for a primarily console gamer, this bundle isn't the simplest or most obvious in terms of overall compatibility. The third is the steering wheel itself: very decent, but some drivers who are demanding in terms of materials, premium finishes or ultra-advanced features may end up replacing it with a higher-end model in the range.

In terms of investment, this bundle is a safe bet in the Direct Drive mid-range. It's not the cheapest choice for starting out, but it's a kit that makes sense if you see sim racing as a medium/long-term hobby. Rather than buying an entry-level steering wheel and then replacing everything, this combo offers a solid base straight away, with a steering wheel that can remain in the setup for a long time, even if you then go upmarket on other elements like the crankset or accessories.

Verdict: a solid pivot for a serious PC setup

The MOZA R9 V2 & CS V2P Bundle brings something very concrete to a sim racing setup: a real switch to Direct Drive precision, in a compact format, without blowing the budget or complexity. The result is improved grip reading, FFB consistency and driving comfort, especially for those who come from belt or gear bases. The CS V2P steering wheel, without being ultra-luxurious, supports the base well and allows you to really exploit the R9's capabilities.

On the market, this bundle is clearly positioned in the solid mid-range. More serious and immersive than entry-level packs, less extreme and less expensive than high-end bases with massive torque. It's an interesting pivot point for building or renewing a PC setup around a coherent ecosystem.

I'd recommend it to those who want to take their sensations to the next level without going overboard, and to those looking for a ready-to-use but upgradeable combo. For console users, or for enthusiasts aiming for maximum power right away, there are more suitable, but more expensive and demanding solutions.

If you're looking for a compact, precise, well-built Direct Drive base, with a versatile steering wheel and real PC upgrade potential, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.