If you’re looking for an entry-level Direct Drive bundle, names like Fanatec, Thrustmaster and Logitech are likely to come to mind. These manufacturers are active in several sim-racing segments, notably the entry-level, with products aimed at beginners and even virtual car racing enthusiasts.

Fanatec reaches a wider spectrum of small-screen drivers, with its CSL, ClubSport and Podium peripherals. Thrustmaster and Logitech share the same podium place, as both manufacturers are rather young in the Direct Drive segment, and both offer 2 DD bases that reach different audiences.

Speaking of Direct Drive peripherals, today we have a duel between Thrustmaster and Fanatec’s entry-level products: the T598 is up against the GT DD Pro. Which base is best suited to your needs? Well, that’s what we’re going to find out in what follows.

Design and build quality

For this first point, let’s look at the design aspect of the two bundles. On the one hand, the T598 base has a visually minimalist style, with an octagonal shape, i.e. 8 sides, with a cross on the front face. This same front panel also features a fin-like design, but this is merely aesthetic.

The rest of the base is very simple, with the only glaring feature being its size. The T598 is very small compared to the GT DD Pro, thanks to the use of an axial motor. This saves an enormous amount of space compared to the competition. On the front, the Quick Release is in the middle of the base, with its safety mechanism. In terms of build quality, the base is made entirely of plastic, to keep the price under control. However, it’s well made in absolute terms.

The steering wheel is entirely round, with red bands on all 4 corners, a leather-like finish and a carbon-fibre-skinned faceplate. Buttons are located all around the steering wheel, making it easy to use, and we’ll come back to this later.

The LTE crankset is just as simple as the base: a metal frame and 2 spring-loaded pedals. Beautiful, sober and all-purpose.

Let’s talk about the GT DD Pro. The base is the CSL DD, with a rather square shape, I think. The device is much larger than the T598, with fins on the sides, and these are functional.

The GT DD Pro steering wheel has been developed in partnership with Polyphony Digital, under license from Gran Turismo. The wheel has a flat bottom, with the GT logo in the middle, and the controls spread across the entire faceplate. It looks very racing, without going overboard as far as I’m concerned. The wheel arch is covered in a rubber-like material with perforations. It looks like leather, but it’s not, because the price doesn’t allow it.

Finally, the CSL pedalboard for the GT DD Pro. Unlike Thrustmaster’s LTE, which is entirely black, Fanatec’s pedalboard is biton: black and silver. The structure is black, as are the pedal plates, and the pedals themselves are silver. It’s nice, but not as nice as Thrustmaster’s LTE, in my opinion.

Bundle ergonomics

The Thrustmaster wheel is 30 cm in diameter, with a completely round shape. This is very practical if you race in several motorsport disciplines, as you have a simple shape and a diameter that is quite large.

The controls are located around the faceplate, very close to your hands. Without leaving your grip, you’ll be able to operate them with ease, even in the middle of a race. The base also features controls for changing settings, but these are located on the front panel, behind the steering wheel.

Thrustmaster’s LTE crankset is adjustable on several axes, including spacing and tilt. If you opt for the clutch kit, you’re bound to lose space on the sides, and therefore adjustment. But in absolute terms, this device is a pleasure to use.

At Fanatec, the story is a little different when it comes to the steering wheel. The GT DD Pro has a flat-bottomed wheel with a diameter of 28 cm, making it one of the smallest in its class. The good thing about a small wheel is that the controls are very close to your hands, so you don’t have to do any gymnastics to operate them. All you have to do is move your thumb to reach everything.

On the CSL crankset, the settings are the same as on the Thrustmaster LTE: spacing, angle, etc. What’s more, you also have a clutch kit available from Fanatec, with, I find, a little more lateral movement than on the LTE.

Ecosystem and platform

The ecosystem is an important element for any simulation runner. It lets you know which products are compatible with each other, and therefore which disciplines you can run, without changing platforms.

For the T598, it’s a relatively new bundle, as is the Quick Release on which it’s based. So you have the base T598 and T818 using Thrustmaster’s new QR, but the wheels don’t follow. Apart from a few recent exceptions in Thrustmaster’s catalog, all the brand’s wheels use the old QR, and you have to go through an adapter in order to take advantage of the new bases. What’s more, the adapter is made of plastic, which introduces play into the drive axle, resulting in a loss of feel on the track.

As far as platforms are concerned, the T598 makes up for lost time. The bundle is available on PC and Xbox, as well as PC and Playstation, and at the same price. All you need to do is choose your platform when ordering.

Now to Fanatec. Although the brand transitioned to Quick Release 2 (QR2) a few years ago, it has ensured that all products sold (flywheels and bases) are delivered as standard with the new QR2, installed or not. And that’s a big plus over the competition.

This means that even if you have an old Fanatec wheel at home, all you have to do is get the QR2 wheel side for it to be compatible with the brand’s new bases. What’s more, the GT DD Pro comes with the QR2 installed, for both wheel and base.

But there’s a slight hitch when it comes to platforms. The GT DD Pro is made in partnership with Polyphony Digital, which means it is only compatible with PC and Playstation. Technically, you can use the base on Xbox, but you’ll need a steering wheel compatible with Microsoft’s console.

Direct Drive sensations

On the subject of track feel, I’d say the advantage goes to the GT DD Pro, but not because Thrustmaster’s base is bad, no. Fanatec has a great deal of experience with Direct Drive bases, whereas Thrustmaster has only been in this segment for three years. Fanatec has a great deal of experience with Direct Drive bases, whereas Thrustmaster has only been in this segment for 3 years.

The T598 is linear in feel, flexible and communicative. Its 5 nm of torque with overboost function means you can really feel what the car you’re driving is doing. However, sometimes it’s a bit blurry, especially when the software doesn’t know what to do.

At Fanatec, the GT DD Pro is available in 5 or 8 nm torque versions. Sensations are sharper overall, with software on familiar ground in almost 90% of situations, especially if it’s a supported title.

Bundle prices

For the price, the T598 sells for €500, while the GT DD Pro in 5 nm torque is €700, and add €100 for the 8 nm version.

GT DD Pro or T598: Which to choose?

Well, if you prefer to have a good DD base for most sim-racing titles, and your budget is limited, the T598 is worth considering. Thrustmaster’s DD ecosystem is starting to take shape, which is a good thing.

But if you want an excellent base, with the most complete ecosystem on the market, Fanatec’s GT DD Pro is what you need. It’s a little more expensive, yes, but you certainly won’t be disappointed with your choice.