Remember the days when the only thing we had to play racing games with were undeveloped controllers? Seems like a long time ago now, doesn’t it?

I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t miss those days! As far as the world of sim-racing is concerned, it’s a real win-win situation! I’m a fan of new technology, so I’m delighted to see what’s currently on the market in terms of bases, steering wheels, pedals and so on!

And even if I don’t have the wallet to afford everything, I occasionally have the honor and pleasure of being able to test certain products. Recently, I had the right to test a steering wheel base from the famous Fanatec brand that I adore: the Fanatec DD1 base. It clearly didn’t leave me indifferent, and I wanted to tell you a little about my experience and my opinion of it.

Fanatec DD1 main and technical features

• Direct Drive force feedback with maximum torque of 20 Nm.
• Unlimited angle of rotation.
• Equipped with a 2.7″ OLED display.
• The first fully Plug & Play Direct Drive base.
• Compatible with Xbox and PC.
• Wireless QR technology.
• Dimensions: 51 x 26 x 28 cm (L x W x H)
• Weight: 13 kg

State-of-the-art features and technology

The Fanatec DD1 base belongs to the Podium series, where all the brand’s products are a demonstration of engineering and design prowess.

In addition to Direct Drive technology, which for me is already a sign of quality, this model can reach a maximum torque of 20 Nm, and with its outrunner motor, it offers an infinite angle of rotation.

For those of you like me who like to have different steering wheels at home and be able to switch quickly between races, you’ll really like the new QuickRelease wireless system on the DD1 base. Yet another innovation from Fanatec that I really appreciate. No more trailing cables between base and steering wheel!

Of course, I won’t forget to mention its 2.7-inch OLED screen, which can be customized via the FanaLab software.

Firstly, the cooling system only works with fans, which I’m not really a fan of.

And I find thata KillSwitch would have been a welcome addition here, even if players can set the torque via the PC software or by using the OLED screen menus on the base (a faux pas that has been corrected with the Fanatec DD2 base).

Construction and Design

From the very first glance, it’s the quality of construction and the care the brand has taken in choosing components that jumped out at me. The materials chosen are of the highest quality, both on the outside and inside the Fanatec DD1 base.

In terms of design, I think this model is really classy. And no more plastic! I’m delighted, because plastic is a material I don’t appreciate and which, in my opinion, doesn’t convey a feeling of quality.

Installation

In terms of installation, the Fanatec Podium DD1 base is really easy to set up. I spent very little time on it, which enabled me to get straight to the point and test it for a short run.

It has to be said that the DD1 is the very first Direct Drive base to be truly plug-and-play. And I’m not just referring to the Fanatec brand, but to all the brands on the Sim-racing market.

On the other hand, I’d advise you not to neglect the place where you’re going to install your base. With Direct Drive, you need to bear in mind thatyou need a solid mounting on your simulation cockpit.

With this model, you have the two side mounting holes as well as the mounting holes under the base, but the mounting brackets are not included. You can find them on the Fanatec website, or even from other manufacturers if required (I believe SimLab offers various compatible options, for example). Personally, I’d recommend using the side brackets.

Personalization

For me, one of the greatest assets of the Fanatec DD1 base is all the customization it offers.

First of all, I love its OLED screen, which gives us an incredible level of live data retrieval, helping us to personalize our steering wheel and our race even more.

With the settings menu, you can adjust almost anything: the power of the force feedback torque, of course, but also the shock absorber, ABS, shock, spring or steering lock (and much more besides…)!

I guarantee there’s nothing better than a base that offers you all these adjustments to enhance your gaming experience.

With Fanatec’s FanaLab software, you can access even more options via the PC. To tell you the truth, I’m not 100% satisfied with the software, which can sometimes leave a lot to be desired, but it does give you a wide choice of options, and it’s not that difficult to use.

Compatibility

The Fanatec Podium DD1 is compatible with all the brand’s steering wheels, so I was able to test it on both PC and Xbox. It’s true that PlayStation fans are a bit left out… But if you’ve got a PC, I can guarantee you that it’ll be pure bliss for you!

With its new wireless QuickRelease system, the DD1 retains the advantage of compatibility with all existing Fanatec steering wheels, but also offers the possibility of upgrading to a new QR system, making it already ready for any future innovation the Fanatec brand may come up with. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

Of course, the DD1 base is compatible with all accessories in the Fanatec range range of accessories, including steering wheels, pedals, gearshifts and more. This model can even be paired with accessories from competing brands such as Logitech or Thrustmaster, giving you a wide choice of products that should last you many years.

Value for money

If I hadn’t had the opportunity to test the Fanatec DD1 base before today, it’s not for nothing… It’s becauseit’s very expensive and I simply can’t afford it.

It’s still a top-of-the-range product, so inevitably prices tend to rise very quickly. But it’s still about average, given the features and benefits it offers.

But it’s clearly not an accessory within everyone’s reach… Not yet anyway! We’re entitled to dream a little!

My verdict

In my opinion, the only question to ask if you’re thinking of buying the Fanatec DD1 base is: is it really worth it? In my opinion, if you have the financial means to afford it, the answer is more than obvious: yes, the Fanatec DD1 is really worth it. I think it’s really hard to find anything better on the Direct Drive market, at this price, right now.

And the Fanatec DD2 base ? If you’re interested, I’ve also had the chance to test it, and you can find out what I think of it right here… But if I can tell you one thing, it’s that if your budget is pretty tight, then the DD1 base remains, in any case, the best option.