Those who know me will know that I make no secret of the fact that I’m an absolute fan of the Fanatec brand and its range of products. Of course, I know how to remain objective, and I don’t take the plunge when something disappoints me, whatever the manufacturer. But here I’m going to tell you about one of their accessories that I was recently able to test, much to my delight! It’s a product I’ve been eyeing since its release last year, since it has truly revolutionized the world of sim-racing. As you may have guessed, it’s the Fanatec CSL DD base.

It has to be said that with this Direct Drive steering wheel base, the Fanatec brand has really hit the nail on the head, and competitors had to react quickly to align themselves with this little marvel… A real delight for us Sim-racing enthusiasts who don’t have the same budget as professional gamers to equip ourselves. Fanatec has made Direct Drive technology accessible to everyone!

Key technical features of the Fanatec CSL DD

• Direct Drive force feedback with maximum torque of 5 Nm (or 8 Nm with Boost Kit).
• Infinite turning range.
• Equipped with patented and exclusive FluxBarrier™ technology and a high-resolution non-contact hall position sensor.
• Compatible with Xbox and PC platforms.
• Equipped with Fanatec’s Quick Release system.
• Dimensions: 38 x 29 x 25 cm (L x W x H)
• Weight: 6.85 kg

State-of-the-art features and technology

I must remind you, as this is precisely what makes all the difference, we’re dealing here with Direct Drive technology. I personally tested the Fanatec CSL DD base with a torque of 5 Nm (with the standard power supply), but if you opt to purchase the Boost Kit offered by Fanatec, the base can offer you up to 8 Nm of maximum torque.

I was impressed by the cutting-edge technology in this model. I’m referring in particular to its 100% customized engine, developed in Germany specifically for simulation racing, but also to the patented and exclusive FluxBarrier technology, which optimizes engine efficiency and smoothness, and its high-resolution non-contact hall position sensor. Enough to make many a rival model jealous!

I found it convenient that the base acts as a HUB, allowing you to connect 1 set of pedals, 2 joysticks and a handbrake from the Fanatec ecosystem to the unit. This can be particularly useful for those who may not have enough inputs on their PC or console and don’t want to use a traditional USB hub.

Construction and Design

The first impression I had when I took the Fanatec CSL DD base out of the box was to be surprised by its weight! It’ s heavy (just over 6 kg), very compact and also very solid. Yet this model is really small compared to other bases on the market. I think this gives it a high-quality feel, as with most Fanatec products.

And I have to say, it’s not just a feeling… Inside and out, Fanatec has done things in a big way with the CSL DD, which includes, for example, the first industrial motor with a carbon fiber composite motor shaft.

No more fan for this model, whose all-aluminium body acts as a passive heat sink, keeping the motor nice and cool even at sustained high torque levels. Pretty cool, eh? Especially as, thanks to this, you don’t have to deal with the annoying noise of a fan, which can, personally, quickly get on my nerves.

In terms of design, the only snag for me, of course, is the plastic finish. As I often say, this is not really my thing. It always sends me back to low-quality products, although here I have to admit that this in no way detracts from the CSL DD’s build quality or performance.

Getting started

I tested the Fanatec CSL DD base with my Fanatec CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel ( find out more here) and I can tell you that I was not disappointed! I think I’m repeating myself if I tell you that for me, Direct Drive really is the crème de la crème, isn’t it? In any case, the Fanatec CSL DD base gave me some truly incredible gaming sensations.

The power of Direct Drive is astonishing, but so is its purity, fluidity and precision. Behind the wheel, the sensation is simply breathtaking: I could really feel every detail of the race, the bumps, the kerbs, the track deviations… everything! A pure delight for Sim-racing enthusiasts like me, who are always looking to improve their performance.

Compatibility

Sorry PlayStation fans, the Fanatec CSL Direct Drive base is not for you! It’s compatible with Xbox platforms and PC only. Well, I say “only”, but that’s pretty good. What’s more, it even has a button that lets you select the platform you’re going to play on.

It also features the Quick Release system, and is of course compatible with the entire Fanatec ecosystem.

This model is compatible with Podium, ClubSport and CSL steering wheels, all Fanatec pedals and handbrakes, and RennSport cockpits.

The Fanatec CSL DD base is ready to use for all the major racing games available on the market today.

Software

As with all Fanatec hardware, you can use the Fanatec Control Panel application to modify the parameters and update the firmware of the CSL DD base station .

The setup menu has been simplified to ensure ease of use, especially for novice players. But the advanced settings menu is still available for those who want to tinker a bit more and know what they’re doing.

When everything’s running smoothly, I find the Fanatec Control Panel very useful and even quite easy to use. Unfortunately, I’m inclined to say that whether it works properly is highly uncertain.

For example, while I had no problem updating the CSL DD base with the latest firmware, I did have great difficulty saving the changes I had made in the settings menu, even though I had applied the settings recommended by Fanatec for the iRacing game. As soon as I disconnected or restarted my computer, all my changes were erased and it automatically reverted to the default values.

It’s a good thing Fanatec’s suggested settings for iRacing aren’t numerous, otherwise I’d have gone mad in a hurry!

Value for money

Fanatec has definitely changed the game in the sim-racing sector with the introduction of this Direct Drive base. I don’t think there’s a competing brand today that offers such a high-quality product at the price of this CSL DD.

Although its maximum force may be considered more adjusted than other competing models, in my opinion it’s more than sufficient to meet the expectations of virtually all types of player.

If I do the math, for less than €700 you can get a complete set-up, made up entirely of quality Fanatec accessories. If you find something better on the market, let me know!

My verdict

Never mind, I’m repeating myself again, but I love Direct Drive technology. And the Fanatec CSL DD base is a model that was really incredible for me to test.

I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that this is a base that will remain the market leader for a long time to come, and that will give the competing brands like Thrustmaster or Logitech a run for their money…

After that, is it worth buying the 8 Nm kit? If you ask me, no. I think thata maximum torque of 5 Nm is more than enough, and that you’ll get your kicks with this model. But that’s just my humble opinion.