In this highly competitive sim racing landscape using a joystick or a cheap steering wheel is no longer an option.
You really need a proper wheel and pedals set if you want to race and compete at the highest levels of online sim racing.
But with so many racing wheels and wheel bases on the market, which one should you actually buy?
In this Fanatec CSL DD review, we’ll help you take a step closer towards that decision.
But before getting started, did you know that you could buy an additional “Boost kit” worth an extra 100$ that would take the maximum FFB torque from 5 Nm to an impressive 8 Nm? Read on to discover more.
Table of Contents
- What is the Fanatec CSL DD good at?
- What is the Fanatec CSL DD not so good at?
- What about its Force feedback (FFB)?
- Is the Fanatec CSL DD good for beginners?
- What games are compatible with the Fanatec CSL DD?
- Is the Fanatec CSL DD easy to set up?
- What steering and pedals are compatible with the Fanatec CSL DD wheel base?
- What’s included in the box?
- Can I use the Fanatec CSL DD on PS4 and PS5?
- Does the Fanatec CSL DD work on PC and Laptop?
- What are people saying about the Fanatec CSL DD?
- Will the Fanatec CSL DD make me faster?
- How much does it cost?
- Where can I get the Fanatec CSL DD?
- Bottom line: Is the Fanatec CSL DD worth it?
What is the Fanatec CSL DD good at?
The Fanatec CSL DD is a medium-price wheel base that offers incredible features that make it so realistic to drive.
For example, it has a dynamic force feedback with a maximum rotation angle of 2520°, which gives you more precision, consistency and control when pushing the car to the absolute limit.
Moreover, it also offers an incredibly strong 8 Nm torque with a direct drive FFB making the wheel responsive and accurate, thus allowing you to control the car better and improve your race lap times.
Being a wheel base and not a steering wheel, it naturally doesn’t come with integrated paddle shifters and pedals since they will have to be purchased separately or bundled together.
What is the Fanatec CSL DD not so good at?
Although the GT DD PRO has got tons of great features, there are a couple of drawbacks that you should be aware of.
The first thing is that despite being extremey accurate and realistic it is still not as good in terms of maximum torque and engineering excellence as the Podium F1 DD2 wheel base.
In addition to that, it may feel quite complicated to get the right settings for each specific game and console, therefore you might have to seek technical support every once in a while.
Finally the 350$ (or 450$ in case you added the boost kit) price tag isn’t quite as affordable as other entry-level Thrustmaster wheel bases, so it will be quite expensive.
Other than that, it should be clear to you by now that the Fanatec CSL DD is actually a pretty good choice for anyone looking for an awesome wheel base at a medium price.
But don’t just take our word for it, let’s now get in depth with our review of the Fanatec CSL DD!
What about its Force feedback (FFB)?
The Fanatec CSL DD comes with an incredibly realistic and responsive force feedback which will make you feel every bumb and kerb on the track.
Not only that, in fact its unique 8 Nm dynamic FFB system with 180W power supply makes the steering feel smooth and realistic beyond expectations, unlocking the full performance of the direct drive motor.
This will substantially reduce deadzones and increase your driving precision and ability to race on track even when things get tough, for example in extreme wet conditions.
Is the Fanatec CSL DD good for beginners?
Yes, the Fanatec CSL DD wheel base is actually really good for total beginners.
In just a few laps you’ll be able to start feeling the grip from the car and begin setting personal best lap times in your favourite circuits.
That is really crucial since not everyone is a pro driver and finding the complete confidence to push the limits of the car further and further isn’t exactly an easy thing to do.
What games are compatible with the Fanatec CSL DD?
The Fanatec CSL DD is compatible with most PC and Xbox racing games including iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2 and Forza Horizon 5.
Some of the games compatible with the Fanatec CSL DD are:
- iRacing
- Assetto Corsa
- Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Forza Horizon 5
- Gran Turismo 7
- Gt Sport
- rFactor 2
- RaceRoom
- Automobilista 2
- Nascar Heat 5
- WRC 9/ WRC 10
- and many more…
As you can see there are plenty of options to choose from and you’re definetely not going to get bored anytime soon.
Is the Fanatec CSL DD easy to set up?
Yes, the Fanatec CSL DD is actually pretty straightforward to setup as it doesn’t require any special drivers or software to install.
You’ll just need a compatible Fanatec steering wheel and you’re good to go.
You just need to connect it to your PC or console via USB and you’ll be ready to race after tweaking the tuning menu settings for optimum performance.
What steering and pedals are compatible with the Fanatec CSL DD wheel base?
Here’s the full list of compatible steering wheels with the CSL DD wheel base:
- All Fanatec Podium Steering Wheels
- All Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheels
- All Fanatec CSL Steering Wheels
- All Fanatec Pedals (adapter cables might be required on some pedals without the RJ12 connection)
What’s included in the box?
The Fanatec CSL DD comes with:
- Fanatec CSL DD Wheelbase
- USB & power cables
- instruction booklet
Can I use the Fanatec CSL DD on PS4 and PS5?
No, unfortunately the CSL DD wheel base is only compatible with PC and Xbox consoles.
For that reason you won’t stand a chance of getting it to work with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Does the Fanatec CSL DD work on PC and Laptop?
Absolutely, the CSL DD works both on PC and Laptop with an operating system of Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11.
However, we highly recommend avoid running it on laptop since it most of the time won’t have the right graphics card and CPU making the whole experience quite laggy and unpleasent.
What are people saying about the Fanatec CSL DD?
After doing some online research and analysis we’ve found that the general consensus for the CSL DD wheel base is pretty positive.
The most common comment was that the wheel base allows you to realistically feel the grip of the tyres and limit of the car which is really key for any sim racing wheel.
And also its medium-range price makes it quite affordable for anyone that’s looking to get into sim racing without breaking the bank as you would do with a Fanatec Podium F1 wheel base.
Will the Fanatec CSL DD make me faster?
We can’t guarantee that by 100% but it will surely help you improve your driving skills thanks to its precise and realistic FFB.
You can check dozens of raving reviews online from people that have actually bought the Fanatec CSL DD wheel base and now have improved their lap times by quite a chunk.
Of course you’ll also need to purchase a pro steering wheel and a set of good quality pedals to go with it which can be a bit pricey but totally worth it if you’re looking to be really competitive in sim racing.
How much does it cost?
The Fanatec CSL DD wheel is currently being sold at around 350$ (450 with “boost kit”), which makes it a pretty decent bargain considering that it comes with an impressive force feedback.
It’s actually quite affordable compared to other Fanatec wheel bases selling between 400$ to 1000$, so this is definitely something you should keep in mind if you’re trying to spend as little as possible.
Where can I get the Fanatec CSL DD?
You can only get the Fanatec CSL DD directly from the Fanatec official website and not from Amazon unfortunately.
This means that you may not have a 1-day delivery as in the case of Amazon and instead it may take a few working days.
Bottom line: Is the Fanatec CSL DD worth it?
So, is the CSL DD wheel base really worth buying?
The answer is definitely yes if you’re planning to take your sim racing skills to a whole new level and with its current price it’s actually one of the best deal you can get on the market.
The Fanatec CSL DD is definitely a realistic wheel base that comes with features that are usually only found in more expensive models.
It’s perfect for anyone looking for an immersive racing experience, from beginners to more experienced sim drivers.
Good luck and we’ll see you on track! 🙂