Pedal Question

[Pete Gaimari]

After using TSW, Logitech G series, and Fanatec belt drive wheels. I'm ready for a DD wheel. So, i'm waiting for the Fanatec CSL DD bases to come back in stock May 2nd.

My question is about pedals. I've used the Fanatec V3 pedals for quite awhile and i'm happy with them. I've always plugged them directly into a USB port but was wondering if i'd gain anything if I plugged them into the DD base? I'm asking now because i'm making a new setup for bolting down the pedals. I want it all done so when I get the wheel in just bolt it down and go race. Once the pedals are bolted in I can't change the cable to hook up to USB or base. So, I need to decide now.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of hooking up to base or USB?

Thanks.

[Pete Gaimari]

No thoughts?

[yassen.petrov.rl]

I think that the only benefit of plugging them into the base is that you can calibrate them from the wheel directly (I've always had mine plugged into the PC, full disclosure)
Still, it's worth checking on Fanatec's site if there's anything else. For CSL Elite LC pedal set you had a higher resolution for the brake if plugged directly into the PC as opposed to the wheel base, but that was a couple of years ago, and I don't know how the situation will be with your setup.

[Pete Gaimari]

Ok, thanks. I thought the same thing but I wanted to make sure.

[goblueteam]

as someone who owns the CSL DD 8 nm i would not purchase it again. in my opinion it was not a huge step up from the thrustmaster t300 and only a minor step up.

personally i just dont think that 8nm is enough and it really doesnt feel hardly stronger than the t300 and i think the t300 is weaker than the fanatec belt drive wheels at 3.9nm all i can say is the csl DD 8 nm probably never actually feels stronger in any situation and is actually much easier to push past the grip point so its super easy to turn the wheel to much and burn your front tires off that is my experience.

i just would not believe the hype from any youtube video that is sponsored ive had my CSL DD for a year and have been disappointed the whole time and even just did not enjoy the game as much sense i got it ever sense i got the CSL DD 8nm i actually have played less and less sim racing because its less enjoyable now and i spent so much on this low value thing that it pops in my head non stop basically around every corner its a reminder of how much money i wasted on this wheel.

personally i would go with something like 12-15 nm not saying stay away from fanatec i just dont think these low end DD wheels are going to transform the game for anyone on a decent belt drive wheel.

I did not gain any more car control or lap times i actually lost a lot of lap time somehow and i only played on the t300 as a filler till the CSL DD got back in stock probably about 100 hours on the t300 and not probably 500 hours on the csl DD (this is in ACC only)

so lets break it down.... i bought my thrustmaster tmx for 200$ basically used to 30-40 hours a week lol i loved it and felt really good about the low price and value i used this for abour 900-1000 hours of my ACC game play.

upgraded pedals to TLCM load cell-200$

then i wanted a csl DD but it was out of stock so i got a thrustmaster t300 for 280$ shipped open box from amazon. honestly i was even slightly let down by the t300 but overall it really was better in every aspect faster smoother doesnt make noise really felt much more power instantly i actually was feeling more in control and catching slides doing better lap times. used it for a couple months 2-3 maybe 100-150 hours really enjoying ACC at this point.

Then finally the CSL DD is in stock i have been waiting forever it feels like order it and the bmw csl cheap wheel total shipped is about 700$ for the base and wheel. opening it im pretty happy with the qaulity the wheel is a big upgrade its just bigger thicker and feels really nice. the t300 rim felt similar just smaller. i do wonder if this is why the power feels about the same the bigger wheel rim gives you more leverage so it feels not as strong.
as soon as i start driving and pushing around corners it just feels off... like you sort of hit the line you have tractction and it just feels light and bouncy through turns like the slightest move will push the wheel past how much you want to turn...idk how to explain it it just does not feel good or maybe it very easy. with the t300 i could throw the car in and find the line with grip and the wheel would be basically locked through the corner once the wheels got to the max grip point it was not easy to push through it with the csl DD its like a hot knife through butter and also is bouncing and stuff in a odd manner.

in general after i got the CSL DD my racing time dropped by 50-75% and idk its just not as fun anymore and i do blame the wheel a bit lol idk maybe sense i used thrustmaster wheels starting i just like there FFB more or something not sure have not used on in a year so cant really say im actually tempted to go back to my thrustmaster tmx i still have it.

but yea long story short i would just save and skip the low end DD they are not really much of a upgrade of a decent belt drive wheel.

[Pete Gaimari]

I wasn't expecting that. Every review i've read really liked the CSL DD. The same with the Moza R5 and it's only 5.5nm. I thought of getting the Moza but shipping is ridiculous. They want $95 to me (Colorado). Fanatec only wants $14 for shipping but charge sales tax and Moza doesnt. So, Fanatec is about $65 total. I don't complain about tax but I do about shipping.

However, that's not the problem now after your post. I never planned on using high forces. I'm too old for that now. (80) I just want the smoothness and finer detail of DD. Plus, the smaller base since I sit close to the monitor.

My main sim has been GPL for over 20 years with just a little of more modern race sims. GPL doesn't have great FF being so old. I thought i'd upgrade since i'll be more into the modern race sims I guess I should have kept my Fanatec Clubsport 2.5. To late now to buy another one.

Have you thought that maybe your CSL has problems? It's hard to believe there being so many positive reviews and you don't like it. Anybody else here with a CSL DD? What's your opinion of it?

btw...Being an old fart I live on a SS check. So, a high end DD wheel is out of the question. It's a CSL/Moza R5 or back to a belt.

[goblueteam]

well i have thought many times my wheel could be faulty honestly. but idk its not like it doesnt work and does not have any weird issues appearing.

I know my review probably seems like its super harsh lol but to me its really only a minor upgrade because these other belt drive wheels are actually pretty good and the CSL DD is still good just not ground breaking in my opinion.

I also think that the 5 nm version must be terrible lol over all the weakness of the CSL DD for me is the biggest let down even with the 8nm

so maybe they would be fine for someone wanting something with lower forces i just dont know how much detail the csl dd would even put out that you could notice over a belt drive

i actually have heard the csw 2.5 felt much stronger than the 8nm csl dd

[goblueteam]

also to add in I also bought the CSL DD 8nm thinking i would never want a different wheel. but yea it just left a lot to be desired for me

[goblueteam]

and to add in i dont have a ton of money to spare either so this was actually a massive purchase for me and it sort of sounds like it could be a big deal for you as well... and when your a little let down on a really expensive item sometimes that can just make it feel like a bad value at least in my case..

the csl DD is still a good wheel base its just not like extra special or going to be life changing lol

personally i think the pedals are the most important thing and you have good pedals it sounds like so i would just watch a bunch of youtube comparisons. i just do think the CSL DD nm ratings a bit idk weaker than it apears i think the 5nm will feel way less powerful than a t300 or the fanatec belt drive bases because my 8nm feels pretty close to the t300 maxed out.

not sure the prices on the thrustmaster DD and logitech DD but i think both are higher power than the fanatec also higher price i think... could be worth checking reviews.

its to bad you cant test an item like this out before purchasing.

[Pete Gaimari]

The 2.5 belt had good power. It was rated at 8nm. I never came close to using it all. I'm not looking to fight the wheel. Just looking for some detail and no cogging. I doubt i'd need the 8nm power pack. 5nm turned up may be just right.

Keep in mind I used a TSW wheel for almost 10 years and loved it. I set all my fast times in GPL with it. TSW has no FF.

[Vitamin 6]

if someone cant tell the massive leap from T300 to CSL DD 8nm, they dont know what theyre doing.

I run ACC with Fanalab/Fanatec Control Panel settings at 100% FFB, no damper, nothing else but 1 (One) for INT and 100% for FEI and FOR. NOTHING ELSE.

Also, Google Maurice's Fanalab profiles. Theyre setup for a DD1. but he has the LED's DOWN PAT for every car in like every sim, SUPER HELPFUL. Plus, I use his iRacing Profiles. just up the FFB and down the INT.

YES, for less money, or same money, you can get a 9-11nm base elsewhere. An extra 1, MAYBE 2 newton meters can help, but it's not lifechanging.

I own a GT DD Pro, 8nm, and I'll say that 5nm is not enough, but 8nm is ALMOST perfect. And going from gear/belt to DD is A HUGEEEEE step up. Again, try that setup in ACC, the FFB effects are AMAZING. iRacing too, with iRFFB.

[goblueteam]

idk i mean i feel like its a step up but still not a huge step up and it does not feel like double the power even though its rated at double the power.

for me its just not going to be some crazy experience if you have used a decent belt driven wheel for a little while sure if its your first wheel base or going from a g29 or thrustmaster tmx/t150 its going to be amazing but for me i would only give it a 10-15% upgrade over a t300 i mean...the t300 is just good so its not like im saying anything that bad i just had much more expectations i guess thats my fault.

i have tried some different settings over the year i had the wheel base i mean its ok and idk works maybe im just much more critical than other people idk for me its not worth double the price of a t300 i also got a good deal on my t300 at 280$ pretty much new it seemed unused anyways and that included a cheapo peddle set the fanatec was 700 for the cheapest rim and the 8nm wheel base.

im just giving my take on it and for me the t300 actually felt like a great wheel and the csl dd feels maybe 10% better so also great but costed double and then some its not that its the worst thing you could use or anything just in my opinion not a great value for the price.

the problem is prices are out of control stock seems to be down so people are all to willing to pay a premium right now.

the entry into sim racing just seems to be getting higher and higher.

[piterk518]

Originally posted by goblueteam:

also to add in I also bought the CSL DD 8nm thinking i would never want a different wheel. but yea it just left a lot to be desired for me

I had exactly the same thought when ordering CSL 8nm :) But man, please, you can't compare T300 to CSL 8nm and claim they have similiar forces. I wondering if you use "peak mode" in Fanatec settings, if not then your wheelbase has more or less same power as T300. But if it's set in correct way to "peak" then between ~4nm and constant force of 6nm in worst case scenario there's 50% of a difference. How can you not feel 50% bigger forces? :D
I also expect more from DD so my final wheelbase will be 20nm+ just to be sure I have enough power to all scenarios. CSL 8nm though, can be final choice for most of the people, it can deliver nice forces and after 1-2h of driving you can feel it at some point. Also if you want to go higher you need very rigid rig and these can cost similiar money as CSL 8nm, so we are not on economic side anymore.
Just to summarize - T300 is s**t and I can't belive you're honest with that opinion :) If you are, than there aren't many people sharing your remarks

[goblueteam]

idk man i really feel like the csl dd 8 nm only feels about 10% better that is really how i feel the strength was the least impressive part to me lol and you do get slightly more detail in the road i guess.

anyways idk you have your opinion i have mine its all good. I also do use peak "mode" lol

the t300 is a good wheel and recommended by pretty much everyone who reviewed it lol same with the csl dd i think if you look for direct comparisons on youtube you will see that they are not to far apart.

also let me be clear if its the same price go with the csl DD but idk that it is worth double the money.

I also did try the suggestions above "Google Maurice's Fanalab profiles" and they do indeed seem to help a bit so that was a nice thing to find the really funny thing is lol...loading the new v1.9 mclaren ffb file thing made it feel much closer to the t300 through the corners. i did lose some of small detail though compared to my previous settings my old settings were much more grainy and raw feeling. the new one from Maurices profile is very smooth feeling.

[broadswordnottm]

If you plug your v3 pedals into the wheelbase you lose the vibration and feedback from them.

[Pete Gaimari]

Originally posted by broadswordnottm:

If you plug your v3 pedals into the wheelbase you lose the vibration and feedback from them.

Ok, thanks. If that's all I lose i'm fine. I never thought those vibrations were a big deal.