The Fanatec CSL DD changed the world of simracing. The German brand has pulled out all the stops in 2021, offering a Direct Drive model at a price that is finally accessible to the general public. With a minimum price of 350€, it finally offers the best in car simulation at a price equivalent to a simple Logitech G29.
Flo and I have had this base on our chassis for just over a year now. So we’re going to give you a full review of its good and not-so-good points!
If you’re looking for a model with excellent value for money, console compatibility… and of course the most developed brand ecosystem to date, then the Fanatec CSL DD is the one you should be looking at. But before you dive in, let’s take stock of the Fanatec DD. Does it really belong in your chassis? Let’s find out!
A giant leap into the world of simracing
To understand the slap in the face that the Germans have given to everyone in the world of Simracing, we need to put things into context.
Direct Drive technology is simply the best available today in terms of power, finesse and feel. These flywheels also have the advantage of being generally more durable , since they don’t rely on belts or gears to transmit engine power to the flywheel.
But until 2021, when we wanted to buy a Direct Drive, we knew it was going to cost us an arm and a leg. Prices started at €1,000 for the base and then almost as much for accessories. But with the Fanatec CSL DD, the German brand is offering us a Direct Drive for just 350€. The promise is enormous! Pro quality in every gamer’s living room, even those with limited budgets.
And let’s be clear, whatever the outcome of Fanatec’s (not so crazy) gamble, one thing’s for sure: the competition is going to have to roll up their sleeves! Let’s face it, for the past decade, consumer manufacturers have been stagnating in terms of technology.
The CSL DD from a technical point of view
- Compatibility: PC, X Box Series
- Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 14.5 cm
- Motor: Direct Drive stepper type
- Power: 5Nm or 8Nm with Booster Kit
- Turning range: Infinite
- Connectors: 1 power supply, 1 USBC to console or PC, 1 USBC Data, 2 shifter connectors, 1 bottom bracket connector, 1 handbrake connector
- Wheel mounting: QR2-type Quick Release
First of all, let’s remember that we’re using Direct Drive, the very latest in simracing technology. Power varies from 5 to 8NM, depending on the option you choose.
The baseframe consists of a cast aluminum block onto which metal inserts slide to mount the base on a cockpit. The front and rear panels are made of plastic.
Speaking of the aluminum chassis, here’s some good news! Say goodbye to noise and broken fans, the DD doesn’t need to be artificially cooled thanks to the shape of its chassis.
The size of the base may surprise you! At just 16cm long, as wide and 14.5cm long, it’s one of the most compact bases on the market today.
The Quick Release system is 9.5cm long.
The steering shaft, the part that connects the steering wheel to the base, is made from a plastic composite containing glass and carbon fiber. The advantage is that it’s lightweight, delivering greater responsiveness, precision and power directly to the rider.
When it comes to connectivity, you’re spoilt for choice with 1 socket for the crankset, 1 for the handbrake and 2 sockets for connecting your gearboxes.
There’s also a USBC port for connecting to your console or PC, and another USBC socket for transmitting data. The only button on the base serves as a switch for compatibility modes.
Cutting-edge on-board technology
The CSL DD’s engine power is transmitted to the steering shaft by induction , and steering wheel position data is transmitted optically. This means there are no frictional parts between motor and shaft. The infinite angle of rotation is therefore managed solely by the software and can be set at will. No friction also means long life, as these mechanical parts will not wear each other out.
As for cooling, Fanatec has decided to keep up with its Direct Drive competitors by eliminating the CSL DD’s fan. It is therefore entirely passively cooled. This means much less noise in use, but also much greater reliability. The fan never fails.
Finally, the patented “FluxBarrier” technology should deliver power and torque that are as linear and smooth as possible. But we’ll have a chance to check that out in a few minutes, once the base has been installed.
CSL DD installation is very well thought-out
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to installing your base:
- On a desk or table with the optional clamp.
- From below, with 3 T-bolts that slide into 3 rails.
- From the sides, with two rails on each side.
For all simracing chassis mounting, remember that the vast majority of chassis are Fanatec-compatible. No need to get out the drill!
Force feedback settings with Fanalab
All settings are made either directly on the Fanalab software, or via the menu integrated into the brand’s steering wheels. If you need a helping hand, we’ve written an article and a comprehensive video on software settings, which you can find right here 🙂
Comfort and feel
Ahhh the pleasure of having a DD in your hands… It’s something every simracer should know.
If you’ve never had a Direct Drive in your hands, there’s no going back. From the very first turns of the wheel, it’s a slap in the face! Movements are fluid, smooth and precise. On the track, everything is as smooth as Direct Drives can make it. And the transmission of information such as grip, wheel roughness and mass transfer is top-notch.
5Nm is enough to replace a T300 or CSL Elite, for example. You’ll always get a better feel than with these two models. Goodbye robotic jerks, belt noises and inaccuracies… But moving up to 8Nm is highly recommended.
I opted for the Boost Kit, a power supply that delivers 8Nm of torque instead of the 5Nm of the basic version.
I highly recommend the 8Nm version. Below that, the limited power won’t allow you to get all the road details the base is capable of.
In any case, we were pleasantly surprised by how it felt. And yet it wasn’t a foregone conclusion! Can you imagine? A competitive Direct Drive at such a low price? But we have to admit that this DD even managed to slap the Simagic M10 in the face.
At 8Nm, the force is just right. It’s powerful without being brutal, and it’s probably this power that will suit most riders. We’re really on a force that’s all about finesse, precision and feel. Anyway, did a rock get stuck in the right rear tire? You’ll find out 😉
The Fanatec ecosystem within everyone’s reach
Of course, the CSL DD is compatible with the entire Fanatec ecosystem. Steering wheels, pedals, handbrakes, shifters and even table clamps.
To see: The Fanatec ecosystem, latest updates!
To give you an example of an interesting configuration, here’s the hardware we use the Fanatec DD with:
- Round Clubsport Porsche 918 steering wheel (no longer sold)
- Clubsport Formula V2.5 steering wheel
- Clubsport V3 crankset
Compatibility
The CSL DD is of course compatible with Xbox and PC. To enjoy the CSL DD on Playstation , you’ll need to choose the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro. This bundle includes the Playstation-compatible CSL DD base, a steering wheel designed by Polyphony Digital, a 2-pedal CSL Pedals pedalboard and a table clamp.
I know, it’s infuriating, but the fact is that the Playstation license literally costs an arm and a leg! And if Fanatec had offered a model compatible with all entry-level consoles, they probably wouldn’t have been able to keep their price promises.
The price of the Fanatec CSL DD and its options
Here’s the price list for the CSL DD series and its accessories
- CSL DD Standard (5NM) €349.95
- CSL DD with Booster kit 180 (8NM) €479.95
- Booster kit 180 only, €149.95
- CSL DD tableclamp , €29.95
- CSL pedals (accelerator-brake), €79.95
- Clutch pedal for CSL, €39.95
- CSL pedals (3 pedals) Load Cell: We don’t yet know the price. But Fanatec assures us that the combo will be available for under €200!
- Optional warranty extension 49,95€
And don’t forget to add a wheel! And yes, the CSL DD is a “naked” base model. So what can you really expect in terms of price?
Ready2Race bundles (best value for the CSL DD)
If you’re looking for the best value for money for CSL DD, it’s quite simple: ready2race bundles are the way to go. These packs enable you to get a Base Wheel Pedal assembly for as little as €399.95 for the WHOLE package. Yes, all of it!
Discover the options : Ready2Race 5Nm bundle
Discover the options : Bundle Ready2Race 8Nm
Price of a basic setup
If you start light, with a CSL DD base at 349.95€, CSL pedals at 79.95€, a table clamp at 29.95€ and a steering wheel at around 200€ for the first prices. You get away with a complete setup at roughly €660.
That’s €110 less than a Thrustmaster TS-PC with T-LCM pedals. It’s also €90 less than the recently released Thrustmaster T-GT 2, which has left a lot of fans out in the cold..
I don’t know if you realize what you just read there… 660€! A complete Direct Drive Fanatec setup LESS EXPENSIVE than the new Thrustmaster T-GT 2!
Price of an advanced setup
Now, let’s push the meter a little further to see how much a slightly beefier setup would cost!
Let’s take our CSL DD base and add the Booster, because that’s how we like it. So we’re going with a price of €479.95. To that we add the table clamp at 29.95€. Let’s also take the complete pedalboard with Load Cell that Fanatec promises to cost less than 200€, but I’ll go with that price. And then I’ll indulge myself by adding a Fanatec Clubsport Porsche 918 RSR wheel at 399.95€. Oh, and I almost forgot the Clubsport Shifter H-box at 259.95€!
Drum roll…
The fair price is 1369.80€! So even if you’re generous with the options and treat yourself to a sublime steering wheel, you’re still looking at the price of a conventional Direct Drive base model ALONE!
Hats off to Fanatec.
A small price, but what compromises?
Obviously, an opportunity meant making a few compromises. Motor power is limited to 5Nm. This may seem low, a far cry from the 15 to 20Nm of a DD1 and the 25Nm of a DD2. But put into context and compared with the power of our competitors, it’s still very good!
Let’s not forget that 5Nm on a Direct Drive will give you much more feel than 6Nm on a belt-driven model, which naturally tends to attenuate force feedback.
A “Kit Boost 180” option allows you to increase the power supply to 8Nm. In fact, Fanatec decided to offer this option because a study carried out on the brand’s customers showed that the vast majority of Direct Drive players set the power of their base between 8 and 10NM.
The questions on everyone’s mind
Let’s be clear, the Direct Drive of the new Fanatec is night and day with what Logitech and Thrustmaster offer. The CSL DD is more precise, smoother and more powerful than its competitors. It is also less noisy since it does not need a fan.
With the T-GT 2, Thrustmaster got itself into trouble… Releasing a simple evolution of the T-GT while Fanatec arrived with a real direct drive, that wasn’t the idea of the century. Clearly, yes, the CSL DD is better in every way.
The power of the engine without Booster Kit is 5Nm for the CSL DD compared to 6Nm for the CSL Elite. On the other hand, the sensations are much better on the Direct Drive. With Booster, the CSL DD increases to 8Nm, 2 more than the CSL Elite. From all points of view we can say it, the CSL DD well buries the CSL Elite!
If you don’t take the booster, no. But if you want to go to Direct Drive and find a buyer for your Clubsport then it may be worth it. The details in the feeling of force feedback are better on the CSL DD but it is not a revolution compared to what you already have.
It depends… In fact, the 5NM of the basic version already allows you to have power equal to all mid-range Logitech and Thrustmaster models. Like the G923 or the T300RS for example.
With the Booster Kit, you will certainly have more power, but don’t forget that the option has a cost. If you take it at the same time as your CSL DD base it will cost you €130 instead of €149.99. Power is mostly a question of taste, and it’s quite subjective.
But if I were a beginner myself in the world of simracing, this is what I would do: I would start with the 5NM version to see if I really enjoy the simus. I’ll try to make sure that this isn’t just a hobby and that I’m actually going to use my steering wheel often.
After a few months, if I realize that I still love doing simulations, OK, I could invest €149.95 in a Booster which will allow me to increase the potential power of my equipment.
Best Seller on release
On June 2, 2021, Fanatec informed its fanbase by e-mail that the new Direct Drive would be available for pre-order in 3 phases. Fanatec CEO Thomas Jackermeier answered fans’ many questions in the video below.
In just a few days, the model was already in Best Seller mode. And even today, it is often out of stock…
Where can I find a Fanatec CSL DD?
The brand itself handles deliveries and sales directly via the Fanatec website by following this link!
One year on, am I still satisfied?
Concretely, in one year I’ve never had the slightest problem with my model. The only problem I’ve had with the Quick Release was not with the base, but with my steering wheel. Apart from that, my tens of thousands of virtual kilometers haven’t worn it out at all.
What I really appreciate is its power feedback. The Fanalab software really lets you create perfect force feedback, whatever information you need to push your vehicle to the limit. It’s no coincidence that no matter how many bases you have at home, it’s always this one that ends up back on the chassis.
The CSL DD made a huge splash in the world of simracing and changed the rules of the game for good. In just a few months, it has become THE benchmark for drivers the world over… Fanatec is clearly putting its competitors to shame.
It’s no coincidence that Fanatec is often out of stock. Demand is such that the brand is struggling to keep up! A great commercial success for Fanatec, which has just delivered a huge blow to its competitors.
