We Check Out the Fanatec Direct Drive Wheel

[Paul Jeffrey]

At the 2017 Sim Racing Expo today I had the chance to check out the new Fanatec Direct Drive wheel... here are my first impressions.

Now before going any further I need to give out some caveats. My time with the wheel was limited and used with the so far unreleased Project CARS 2 software. I had over three and a half laps at Spa in PCARS 2, under race conditions at night. Not an ideal scenario to give a serious and informed opinion, but enough to at least give me an idea of what we can expect to find come release day.

Using the Porsche rim from the Fanatec ClubSport range, the wheel felt like a marked step up from my personal ClubSport V2 I use regularly at home. The initial weight of the wheel on first turn into a corner carried more force, as did the step up in resistance once additional forces were applied to the car under heavy cornering.

The build quality was the usual Fanatec standard, well put together, stylish in finish and I must say a rather neat and "cool" solution in comparison to some of the other Direct Drive products available in the marketplace today.

Having spoken with Endor CEO Thomas Jackermeier at length about the new range (interview video to follow later), he confirmed the Podium series of wheels will be compatible with earlier ClubSport rims as well as receiving a brand new range of rims, pedals and accessories further down the line. Additional confirmation was given that two different DD units will be produced, both containing the same housing but with different torque strengths.

No release date has been confirmed as yet, however early development units are under testing as we speak.

RaceDepartment have requested and have been approved for a long term test unit, of which we will put through its paces once it arrives and give you a full and detailed review in the coming months.



Stay tuned to RaceDepartment for more news and insight from the Sim Racing Expo over the next few days and follow us on social media at on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, Steam and YouTube.

Looking forward to the Fanatec Direct Drive range of products? Can the company challenge the established DD manufacturers? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[Paul Mullins]

..and it appears the CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 has been delayed as well

We had some last minute electrostatic issues on this product and we had to make some small design changes. This means that the shipping date will be postponed to late April.
All customers who pre-ordered the steering wheel will get an e-mail and they can also expect a nice compensation for this delay. All affected customers will get a free ClubSport quick release adapter or a coupon code if they already purchased one. Of course they can also cancel the pre-order at any time.

 

[dud]

What do you folks think? I was about to replace my Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari set with the Fanatec Clubsport set, and cash in on the (meager) $50 discount when buying a complete (new) set all at once.

I am not sure how to react to the upcoming release. I don't think there are any shops around Boston where I could actually try the physical wheels, so I'll have to order blind anyway.

Do I wait and buy the directdrive unit blind?
Do I wait to purchase a Clubsport unit which might then be dumped to the used market a lot cheaper?
Do I just stop overthinking and buy now? How much better would DD be?

 

[Furnace Inferno]

What do you folks think? I was about to replace my Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari set with the Fanatec Clubsport set, and cash in on the (meager) $50 discount when buying a complete (new) set all at once.

I am not sure how to react to the upcoming release. I don't think there are any shops around Boston where I could actually try the physical wheels, so I'll have to order blind anyway.

Do I wait and buy the directdrive unit blind?
Do I wait to purchase a Clubsport unit which might then be dumped to the used market a lot cheaper?
Do I just stop overthinking and buy now? How much better would DD be?

Depends if you can wait until the summer or not, if you go DD you will need a solid rig though so keep that additional cost in mind. Whilst people can and do bolt them to popular consumer cockpits it will make a lot more noise from rattle and shake of the rig not being sturdy enough for the forces.

 

[Hiro Abe]

My .02 cents - buy now. Reason: not only do you need to wait till it is released but I would also hold off till some reviews/reactions are posted. At least that's the route I am taking. I have 2.5 CSW and really like it but plan on purchasing Fanatec's DD after it's been out for a bit.

 

[LeonS]

.02 cents

That's not a lot of money.

 

[RMR1]

Some news from fanatec.
Talking about delays...
We are all waiting for this product to be released but we had to fight a lot of small issues. The pre-production is done and we are still making internal tests to verify the design and sort out some obvious issues.
Currently we select the beta testers and will get in contact with them shortly. The beta tests will start in late february and it is still planned to held a community event in our HQ where we will invite interested potential customers and direct drive specialists to help us fine tuning the wheel base.
At the moment we are aiming to start selling the DD wheel bases in summer.
Some good news as well. We managed to crank up the torque on both versions. We also successfully eliminated all torque ripple so you can expect the same smoothness as on your ClubSport Wheel bases which is better or on par with the very best DDs out there.

LOL

 

[Hiro Abe]

That's not a lot of money.

It's about all I have left as I continue to tumble down the sim racing rabbit hole!

 

[Phaster89]

What do you folks think? I was about to replace my Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari set with the Fanatec Clubsport set, and cash in on the (meager) $50 discount when buying a complete (new) set all at once.

I am not sure how to react to the upcoming release. I don't think there are any shops around Boston where I could actually try the physical wheels, so I'll have to order blind anyway.

Do I wait and buy the directdrive unit blind?
Do I wait to purchase a Clubsport unit which might then be dumped to the used market a lot cheaper?
Do I just stop overthinking and buy now? How much better would DD be?

until we know what motor they're using and if it can be replaced easily, i wouldn't blindly give them my money, plus looking at how much fanatec's wheels cost, i'd be tempted to buy an osw and one of those sweet rims with custom buttons boxes for not that much more money

 

[Turvey]

until we know what motor they're using and if it can be replaced easily, i wouldn't blindly give them my money, plus looking at how much fanatec's wheels cost, i'd be tempted to buy an osw and one of those sweet rims with custom buttons boxes for not that much more money

Yep @Jamie put me in the direction of hrs products, i had a lot of time to think and ill need a lot more time to save the coin but i think ill be heading in that direction .

 

[ricerracer]

Thrustmasters asleep and fanatec takes the lead! That paint job on the wheel base is cool, however, I am sure those who love immersion will not like it. Like my friend for instance, he makes his room dark, covers silver bits of the rig in black sheets etc etc, having a big white zebra striped block and two gold bars starring at him would drive him mad!

 

[LeonS]

Thrustmasters asleep and fanatec takes the lead! That paint job on the wheel base is cool, however, I am sure those who love immersion will not like it. Like my friend for instance, he makes his room dark, covers silver bits of the rig in black sheets etc etc, having a big white zebra striped block and two gold bars starring at him would drive him mad!

You are aware that the sim expo look was more of a joke and not the look of the final product?

 

[Gate3]

Thrustmasters asleep and fanatec takes the lead! That paint job on the wheel base is cool, however, I am sure those who love immersion will not like it. Like my friend for instance, he makes his room dark, covers silver bits of the rig in black sheets etc etc, having a big white zebra striped block and two gold bars starring at him would drive him mad!

The paint job is supposed to mimic a test mule cars paint:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JzBUwUbUXDQ/maxresdefault.jpg

 

[Paul Mullins]

You are aware that the sim expo look was more of a joke and not the look of the final product?

Nothing like stating the obvious Leon

 

[Boby Kim]

Don't know lads...(currently TM TS-PC user), if I would go DD i would go for accuforce, surely not TM or Fanatec.

 

[LeonS]

Don't know lads...(currently TM TS-PC user), if I would go DD i would go for accuforce, surely not TM or Fanatec.

Why go for the weakest "DD" solution available?

 

[LeonS]

Nothing like stating the obvious Leon

It seems it wasn't so obvious to everyone.

 

[Turvey]

Anymore info

 

[HugoB]

Same boat here, buy the OSW now or wait for Fanatec Podium. Currently T300RS so in dire need, but do I have to wait until end of 2018? Really? They said beginning of 2018, is Fanatec always that much delayed? And will it compare to the SW20 or more like the SW7C? They said there will be two versions, both focussing on power rather than speed, what does that even mean? Will the Fanatec Porsche 918 wheel fit directly on the Podium without hanging wires? Will the Podium support haptic feedback in the wheels? (main reason I want one).

 

[Neils on Wheels]

Where you get end of 2018 from? they said hopefully summerm, which isn't to far away. I guess if things need improving then its going to be put back.

 

[traind]

What do you folks think? I was about to replace my Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari set with the Fanatec Clubsport set, and cash in on the (meager) $50 discount when buying a complete (new) set all at once.

I am not sure how to react to the upcoming release. I don't think there are any shops around Boston where I could actually try the physical wheels, so I'll have to order blind anyway.

Do I wait and buy the directdrive unit blind?
Do I wait to purchase a Clubsport unit which might then be dumped to the used market a lot cheaper?
Do I just stop overthinking and buy now? How much better would DD be?

I think there is a sim racing center near Boston but I'm not sure of the equipment they have there. Crimson simulation in Norwalk Connecticut has fanatec club sport, osw direct drive and bodnar direct drive all available to try.

The direct-drive solutions are significantly better than the fanatec clubsport wheel. I have an accuforce but I have driven all the wheels at Crimson simulation and every direct drive I have tried is just so much better than the fanatec clubsport.