Fanatec GT DD PRO – Review

We analyze one of the most important releases in the history of Fanatec and that allows it to be the star peripheral of Gran Turismo 7. Its features include a perfect compatibility with PlayStation 5.

I’ve been wanting to try any title in the Gran Turismo series with a steering wheel for a long time. It has always been on PC when I have had the opportunity to enjoy these peripherals and only temporarily and in press events I have been able to try Gran Turismo with steering wheel and pedals. My console years go back to more than 20 years ago and it was missing time to appreciate how the saga works when it tries to put itself in the simulator light. I have to say that having a device like the one Fanatec has created allows my experience has been exciting and a ray of hope.

For those who do not know me, I can say that through my hands have passed all or almost all the steering wheels and bases on the market since the turn of the millennium. Not only the commercial ones, but many personal projects and even some beta versions before going on sale. In this case I think my experience supports in some way the opinion I may have of this adaptation of the CSL DD to PlayStation.

Last year at this time Fanatec made a joke on social networks about the possibility of creating and selling a reduced Direct Drive that was within the most restrained budgets. The response was very positive, but the important thing is that the joke was made with an almost finished development behind: the CSL DD. A base with a technology superior to that of its segment that broke the market. This GT DD PRO is the same base only with an important and not negligible added; the compatibility with PlayStation, and therefore with Gran Turismo.

Until GT Sport, Polyphony Digital had Thrustmaster as its preferred partner and the T-GT as the base and flagship in this mid-range. In this new title they have decided to open the range before the strength shown by the Germans of Fanatec and benefit from that to represent with greater verisimilitude what happens in the competition of Gran Turismo 7.

Packaging

Our approach to the GT DD PRO has been the 699,95 euros bundle that Fanatec has given us + the Boost Kit. For what occupies everything and how it is organized, the packaging meets the maximum efficiency of space and volume saving. In these times in which we have entered and with the price of logistics rising along with fuel, it is not a trivial matter to get the storage and shipping as small as possible. With a total of 13kgs and dimensions of 45cm on all three axles, it doesn’t get any better than this. Inside everything has its place and is properly secured without bumping or scratching other parts.

The pedals

The pedals included in this pack are the new CSL pedals for 79,95 euros. This is the most basic product that Fanatec has for beginners. After all it tries to replace other packs present on the market, and at least here we have all-metal pedals, with a good base and very well thought out (thanks Hector with sufficient resistance, although not comparable to anything mid-range or higher. These pedals have an upgrade path consisting of a third pedal, which can be either the clutch, or the brake with a load cell. The recommendation is to go to the load cell brake to at least have something consistent that is not travel dependent, and thus use the default brake as a clutch. As with everything, if you have tried something superior they fall way short, but if they are your first pedals you will like them.

The Wheel

At first glance we have a wheel that follows the design guidelines dictated by Sony for its official peripherals and that we can see in others like the T-GT II. The wheel has all the buttons of the controller and even more, as it includes five funky switches (4 +1) and even an LED rev strip in addition to a small OLED screen for gears or other information. All this comes in a synthetic leather wheel of 28 centimeters in diameter that has enough cams for this type of product and that connects without difficulty to the base by means of a basic QR.

The integration of the base and hoop with the game is almost seamless in PlayStation 5 compatibility mode. Everything works first time, even if we turn off or disconnect, which makes it really easy to operate. Gran Turismo 7 also gives few configuration options to the players, which allows the FFB to convey a similar experience in equal conditions and no one messes up more than they should. This is a problem that usually occurs in advanced bases where the options are too many. Anyway you can see in another post several configurations in addition to those recommended by Fanatec.

The base

The charming thing about this base is that it is so small and reduced that it really can be attached in many ways to many places. A great feature of this pack and that is not in others is the table anchor, which in this case, having a cockpit profile of the first prototypes, has been very good for me to hold the base. With all this mounted, the base is firm, does not move and does not suffer any vibration or dance or with the Boost Kit of 8Nm activated. In addition all Direct Drive docks have an added bonus whenever we talk about them, and that is the zero internal ventilation sound thanks to its technology and the passive cooling of the all-aluminum case. Great work of design and execution in a very cute product that does not suffer from overheating.

During the analysis we have tested both the 5Nm and 8Nm options of the Boost Kit. In both cases its behavior is very good, but naturally shines with the 8Nm where we can capture even more the immediacy of the loss of traction or those small imperfections of the asphalt that guide us to go more to the limit. Surfaces and pianos are clearly felt and the resistance and forces supported in almost the same way as in its PC big brothers in other simulators. The only problem that somewhat overshadows the overall package is that while peaks and sharp changes can be felt clearly enough, the base is not able to provide sustained force for more than a few milliseconds. With the 90W (5Nm) power supply it is especially noticeable if for example we climb the Watkins Glen S with a GT3 in iRacing. We will appreciate a continuous clipping that makes us lose any detail of aerodynamic or mechanical grip, so it is especially advisable to make the jump to the 180W (8Nm) where this problem is less pronounced, although it is still present.

All in all, it is a real joy to discover that the console world can enjoy these sensations with a simpler and cheaper environment. Mind you, do not be fooled as they are still below in fidelity and verisimilitude compared to what we can get from the top models of the same brand as DD1 and still compatible with PS4 and PS5.

Conclusions

I’ve put quite a few hours into online play over the last month and the base (and wheel) has performed flawlessly, with no glitches and no overheating. No bugs or inconsistencies and with a reliability to be expected from this type of technology. In its small size it has the ability to make enough force without needing active ventilation, so its internal noise level is almost 0 and the base stays warm after hours of play. I can’t really think of any negative points apart from the small clipping mentioned, having known first hand what it costs to make these bases I can say that the price is tight and that Fanatec has done a great job approaching its big brothers and other brands’ flagship products. It is not surprising that from the same German company are proud of what they have achieved as it marks a small milestone at the technological level that will be very difficult to replicate by the competition.

At the moment, sales are proving right what a few years ago could seem a risky bet and we will see if this encourages other companies to fight in this segment somewhat higher than the entry range and that has so many potential buyers waiting for it. This GT DD PRO can be purchased in various packs and formats with the base alone (8Nm), with hoop, with pedals, etc.. From 599,95 euros by clicking here.