Fanatec CSL DD review: The Ultimate Direct Drive For Beginners?

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Fanatec CSL DD Pro

Eerder dit jaar verraste Fanatec de simrace-wereld met een wel héle goede 1 april grap: een Fanatec Direct Drive wheelbase voor slechts €349,99. Dit was dan ook – dachten we – te mooi om waar te zijn. Niet veel later werd de Fanatec CSL DD officieel aangekondigd door Fanatec. Nu, enkele maanden later, zijn de eerste signalen, reviews en ervaringen uitermate positief. Tijd dus om nu zélf deze CSL DD aan de tand te voelen! Direct – wattuh -Drive? Goed, voordat we echt de diepte in gaan, eerst kort wat achtergrond informatie over dat dit nieuwe systeem nu is en zo uniek maakt.

What is a Fanatec Direct Drive?

In recent months, Fanatec has been introducing one innovation after another to the market: The Bentley GT3, the revolutionary CSL Load Cell pedals and the BMW M4 GT3 are some examples of this. Fanatec's new flagship product is the CSL DD (Direct Drive). Or, as they call it themselves, The New StandarDD. 

Deze nieuwe CSL wheelbase met Direct Drive technologie houdt in dat er een motor in de wheelbase zit die de kracht direct overbrengt naar je stuur. Dit zorgt, in vergelijking met de traditionele riem- of tandwielaandrijving, voor een super realistische weg- en race-ervaring. En dat dus voor het eerst in hun CSL lijn! Het resultaat? Een betaalbaarder alternatief ten opzichte van zijn – vele duurdere – broertjes uit de Podium lijn: de DD1 en DD2. De Direct Drive technologie komt hierdoor beschikbaar voor een veel bredere doelgroep. Fanatec springt hiermee in een uitermate interessante markt voor de startende en semiprofessionele simracers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]

Fanatec CSL DD: The new standard DD

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]*Text continues below video*[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCT2728F-rY”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]

The design of the Fanatec CSL DD

What immediately stands out about the new Fanatec CSL DD is its extremely compact design. Especially when compared to its bigger brothers. The new compact design is many times smaller and lighter in terms of size and weight. Personally, I like this smaller size, although it also makes the product look a bit ‘fragile’ and well-run. The Fanatec DD1 and DD2 look much more solid and reliable. Although I think this is mainly due to the larger dimensions. But, these are then also 3 or 4 times more expensive. So this comparison is not entirely fair 😉

Wellicht is dit kleine en compacte formaat nog even wennen en denk ik er over een tijd anders over. De behuizing van de CSL DD bestaat uit aluminium gefreesd profiel, dat direct zorgt voor de koeling van de motor. Dit zorgt voor een fris en stoer uiterlijk.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flickity_static_height_style” images=”6143,6144,6145,6146,6147,6148″ flickity_spacing=”default” flickity_controls=”pagination” flickity_overflow=”hidden” flickity_wrap_around=”wrap” flickity_box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” onclick=”link_no”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”50″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]

Fanatec Bundle

The CSL DD Wheelbase is available with the standard 5Nm power supply from Fanatec for only €349.95 excl. shipping. This will get you a very fine, extremely robust and smooth Direct Drive wheelbase that you absolutely won't regret! The CSL DD with Boost Kit 180 bundle is available for €479.95 excluding shipping. The CSL DD Boost Kit 180 is ook los verkrijgbaar voor €149,95 exclusief verzending. Hiermee boost je de standaard 90W variant met 5Nm om naar 180W (8Nm).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]

Fanatec CSL DD: our conslusion

We are extremely excited about the new CSL DD. So is it the ultimate Direct Drive system? No, it isn't. It is a marked improvement over the belt-driven CSL V1. The Fanatec CSL DD, especially in combination with the Boostkit 180, is a very competitive wheelbase that, given its hugely competitive price, jumps into a gap in the market where other manufacturers are not (yet) present. With this, Fanatec makes sim racing even more accessible to a wider audience! It is a very good wheelbase and entry-level product to enter the Fanatec ecosystem. With this, Fanatec therefore puts out a competitive and extremely good product.

What surprises me most about the CSL DD, apart from its minimal size, is that it is extremely responsive and detailed. It is absolutely a joy to drive and makes for tremendous fun!

Although it is a Direct Drive system, the standard 5Nm variant falls just a little short of power to compete with the DD1, DD2 or Simucube 2 Sport or Pro. Heb je al zo’n systeem? Dan is de CSL DD niet geschikt voor jou, aangezien deze qua performance niet mee kan met z’n grote broers. Bezit je een oudere CSL, CSW, T300 of een riemaangedreven Logitech G29, dan is een upgrade naar absoluut de moeite en het geld waard! The New StandarDD? Wat ons betreft een volmondige ‘Ja!’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_btn size=”large” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” text=”Fanatec CSL DD Bestellen” url=”https://fanatec.sjv.io/csl-dd-5nm”][/vc_column][/vc_row]