Whether you’re new to the world of simracing or looking to upgrade your setup, you’re bound to have come across a stark choice. The Fanatec GT DD Pro vs Thrustmaster T300RS duel. On the one hand, Thrustmaster is an indisputable best-seller with a solid reputation and top value for money. On the other, Fanatec has revolutionized the world of mid-range steering wheels by offering a Direct Drive steering wheel at the same price as “high-end” belt-driven steering wheels.
Aquick reminder: Direct Drive is force feedback technology without intermediaries. Other mid-range flywheels are either belt-driven or gear-driven. Both options are convenient for keeping manufacturing costs down, but they quickly reach their limits in terms of feel. With Direct Drive, the steering shaft is directly connected to the motor without any intermediary. The feel is much finer and more precise. But until the release of the CSL DD, this technology was reserved for top-of-the-range steering wheels costing over €1,000.
So, on paper, the GT DD Pro should win the duel. BUT to verify this, I decided to interview one of our readers who has just switched from one to the other. He’ll be the referee in this Fanatec GT DD Pro vs Thrustmaster T300RS duel.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
I am fully aware that the T300RS and GT DD Pro are not in the same price category. The goal here is not to compare them in a “raw” way but to understand whether or not it is interesting to go from the T300RS to the GT DD Pro.
Thrustmaster T300RS Best Seller
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro destroyer
Fanatec GT DD Pro vs Thrustmaster T300RS: Technical review!
| Caractéristique | Fanatec GT DD Pro | Thrustmaster T300RS |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibilité | PS4, PS5, PC | PS4, PS5, PC |
| Retour de Force | Oui | Oui |
| Pédalier | Fanatec CSL Pedals à deux pédales. Achat du kit Load Cell en option | Thrustmaster T3PA à trois pédales |
| Diamètre de la roue | 28cm | 28cm |
| Boutons paramétrables | 14 + 4 sticks directionnels à 5 positions | 12 boutons paramétrables sur la roue + 2 boutons paramétrables sur la base |
| Changement de vitesse | 2 palettes en plastique | 2 palettes en métal |
| Amplitude de braquage | Infini | 1080° |
| Moteur | Direct Drive. Couple de 5Nm ou 8Nm en option | Brushless à courroie. Couple de 3,9Nm |
| Connectiques | USB sortant vers la console ou PC + Pédalier + Boîte 1 + Boîte 2 + Frein à main + Alimentation | USB sortant vers la console ou PC + Pédalier + Boîte TH8A + Alimentation |
| Poids | 10,1Kg | 4,5Kg |
| Tarif | à partir de 699,95€ | à partir de 359,99€ |
James explains his steering wheel change!
As I announced at the start of this article, I’m delighted to have had the pleasure of hearing from James, a fervent reader of the site. He switched from the Thrustmaster T300RS to the Fanatec GT DD Pro a few weeks ago. The perfect opportunity to get his feedback and opinion on the differences between the two models.
When did you get into simracing?
I started simracing in September 2021, so it’s still very new! I was a big fan of Gran Turismo 2 at the time, and I had great memories of it. I’ve seen a lot of reviews of GT Sport and the improvements it’s undergone over the years.
So I bought the Thrustmaster T300RS with a TH8A box for my son. We both fell in love with it, and the passion has taken off again!
What platforms and games do you play?
I play on Playstation 5 and exclusively GT Sport. I tried Dirt Rally 2, but I didn’t like it. It’s too realistic for me, I’m looking for fun, not pure simulation.
What did you think of the Thrustmaster T300RS?
The Thrustmaster T300RS was my first steering wheel and I thought it was great! You can really enjoy driving on it and set good lap times. On the other hand, you get the feeling that it’s a belt that handles force feedback.
How long did it take you to change your T300RS?
I knew there was something better than the T300RS, and I’d read that Fanatec was preparing something big for gamers.
So I waited impatiently for their announcement, because if I wanted something better at the time, I’d have had to go for the Fanatec Podium F1 with a budget of 1,500€…
Clearly out of my budget.
Did you hesitate between several models?
No, not really. The Fanatec “DD” direct drive was the obvious choice for me. At that price, the best I could find was the belt-driven Thrustmaster T-GT 2… So it was a far cry from the quality of the GT DD Pro.
What were your criteria for finding what you were looking for?
I wanted a Direct Drive without spending €1,000 on my setup. So Fanatec arrived just in time with the CSL DD and GT DD Pro.
What made you choose the Fanatec GT DD Pro?
Quite simply, there was nothing around. All the competitors at this price are belt-driven models. In fact, having arrived very recently in the world of Simracing, I have the impression of having fallen at exactly the right moment. I saw on all the forums that players had been waiting a long time to see Direct Drives accessible to the general public. I’m “lucky” to have arrived at the moment of this transition.
OK, so what was your first impression when you took it out of the box?
Quality! Even the cardboard and the protective foam in the packaging are quality, that’s saying something!
As for the GT DD base itself, it’s compact, heavy and metallic. Nothing to do with the T300RS base. As for the steering wheel, I found it a bit small and the plastic a bit cheap. I don’t mind racing, but the wheel really makes you feel like a console gamer.
What differences did you notice between the T300RS and the GT DD Pro?
Here’s a concrete example. On GT Sport, with the T300RS I set the FFB power on 10 to get the feel and power I wanted. However, you could immediately feel that you had an engine and a belt behind it.
With the GT DD Pro, I set the power at 5/10, and even then it kicks in! It makes you wonder what a 14-15 or even 20Nm DD like the ones I’ve seen exists for.
But above all, it’s the quality of the feel that impresses me. It’s ultra-smooth, quiet and powerful. In fact, I gave myself a fright on a quiet straight.
All of a sudden, the steering wheel hit me in the arms, startling me. In fact, an AI competitor had slammed into my rear end.
Are you glad you changed gear?
Yes, very happy! I think I’ve found what I’m looking for, and I can’t wait to try out Gran Turismo 7 and get shaken up!
Who do you think will win the Fanatec GT DD Pro vs Thrustmaster T300RS duel?
Clearly the DD Pro! Although the Thrustmaster T300RS does the job very well, it’s light years ahead of the Direct Drive. Fanatec has crushed everything in its path by offering a DD for the price of a belt.
Who would you recommend these two steering wheels to?
I’d recommend the Thrustmaster T300RS if you want to have fun or even do some serious simracing on a limited budget.
But if you’ve got the budget for the GT DD Pro on PS5 or the CSL DD on X Box and PC, you’ll never go back. DD is another world. I’d like to add that it’s thanks to simracers’ websites that I was able to fill up on information very quickly and make the right choices. It’s not easy as a beginner to find your way through the maze of offers, especially when most of the information is in English.
Need a hand choosing your simracing steering wheel?
I’d like to thank James once again for his feedback. It’s great to have the team’s opinion, but I think nothing beats that of the readers – after all, they’re the reason the site exists 🙂
If you need a hand choosing the ideal setup for YOU, don’t hesitate to drop me a line in the comments. I’d be delighted to help you make the perfect choice according to your budget and expectations!
