Fanatec DD2 Podium Wheel Base

Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2 Review

Podium Wheel Base DD2

The DD2 wheelbase by Fanatec has been for years the premium choice that in every sim racer dream. Launched in December 2018, this piece of hardware has dominated the “luxury” market for more than 3 years now as the highest torque wheel base around.
Even with the release of many challengers by the competition, with some such as the Asetek Invicta that even exceeded it with 27Nm (but at more expensive price) the DD2 is still at the top of the list thanks to the Fanatec brand value.

Is the Direct Drive DD2 the last wheelbase you will ever need? If you are in the market for the best of the best, probably yes. Otherwise, we believe the Fanatec made “younger brother”  DD1 is cheapest than the DD2 version and for most of us, enough reasons for not expending the 300$ extra for this “version” Let me explain why.

The main  difference between the Fanatec DD1 and DD2 versions is the Torque, up to of 25Nm with no less than 20Nm even under heavy use in a race. That’s ok, but for most sim racers like you and me 5Nm won’t make that much impact in performance, especially if you drive cars with power steering that limit the need for a high max. torque.
We should also say that maximum torque is not only used for steering forces, the highest value you will have the more you will be able to feel effects such as hitting a curb, crashing, and so on. That’s why you need to be careful with Direct drive wheels to not get injured.
Other than that, the DD2 offers an included kill switch button, to stop the base in case of emergency, and 5 years warranty.

Do you have the budget for it, and want to get one of the best wheelbases available? Then, go for it!
If you are new and want to buy a direct drive system right from the bat, go for the DD1. If you are in doubt between the two, we put together a full comparison tutorial between the Fanatec dd1 vs dd2 where you can do your final decisions with more accuracy and data in hands.

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The Buyer’s Guide and Review

Last modified: April 17, 2023

Product Overview
Product Type	Wheel Base
Model	DD2
Serie	Podium
Pedals	Not Included
Editorial Rating	8.9
Ready For	PC / Xbox One Ready
Product Page	Fanatec Wheel Base DD2

Videos

Unboxing & Setup Tutorial | Podium Wheel Base DD2 | FANATEC

In this video you’ll see everything that comes included with the Podium Wheel Base DD2 and a detailed tutorial on how to get set up and start your sim racing from the top.

Brief Design Overview

• The ultimate Force Feedback experience ( one of the most advanced direct drive solution out there )
• Outrunner-type motor especially design for simracing ( First in class doing this )
• Suitable for commercial and professional use ( the last wheel base you’ll ever need )
• Direct Drive Without The Hassle
• Endless rotation ( The data and power is transfer wireless )
• First plug-and-play direct drive wheel base
• Fully compatible with the all Fanatec ecosystem
• OLED display (2.7” 256×64 resolution OLED display)
• Automotive-grade Quick Release (QR)
• Kill Switch with Remote Power Button

Other more ( tech) features

1. The motor can achieve an outstanding peak torque of 25Nm and not less than 20Nm even under heavy use in a race.
2. Ultra-low torque ripple.
3. Real-time telemetric provide by the OLED Display ( for example, real-time motor and force feedback data), such as power output, FFB clipping, and more.
4. Support for advanced dual clutch bite-point mode
5. Ultra-low latency
6. Killswitch allows instant shut down of the DD2
7. Fast 1000 Hz USB update rate
8. Allows connection of two external shifters
9. Exchangeable carbon fiber cover plates.
10. New Podium software for PC applications

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Comparison

Compatibility

PS5: No PS4: No PS3: No

PC: Yes 

Xbox: Yes  Xbox Series X: Yes 

Note: This product is not compatible with your PlayStation® console, this product is compatible with your personal computer ( PC) and with all Xbox® systems, including Xbox One® and Xbox Series X|S, JUST when you use a xbox one steering wheel.

Peripherals Compatibilities

1. All Fanatec Podium Steering Wheels
2. All Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheels
3. All Fanatec CSL Steering Wheels
4. All Fanatec Pedals
5. All Fanatec Shifters
6. RennSport Cockpit V2 (sold after Q4 2017)
7. ClubSport Table Clamp V2.

Features

PROS	CONS
Custom-designed servo motor	The price is high but this product is for high tickets as well too.
Outstanding peak torque of 25Nm and not less than 20Nm	You won`t notice a huge increase of Torque from the DD1
5-year warranty on the complete wheelbase	A lot of competitors are coming to the market
OLED display
Automotive-grade Quick Release system AND Kill Switch included

What is included?

• Podium Wheel Base DD2
• Kill Switch with Remote Power Button
• Torque Key
• Quick guide
• Power supply (480 Watt)
• Power cable (regional)
• USB cable

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How is the Fanatec Podium DD2 different from the DD1?

They are nearly the same, just vary in max torque they can reach and the inclusion of a killswitch.

Worry about the warranty?

Don’t, Fanatec products are really good and well design, they can last for more than 3 years and not reasons for not last at least 5 years, the max warranty the DD2 provides.

Podium DD2, Worth the money ?

Are 5Nm, the included killswitch and the extra warranty a “Must Have” for you ? Then the Podium DD2 worth the extra money you will pay, nevertheless for most regular drivers like you and me, the DD1 Base will most likely cover all our needs.

There are some other minors differences between the two products than should not make you lose your sleep time, like the finish materials, the DD2 is made carbon fiber and the DD1 from Aluminium but for most part the two products will delivery nearly the same sim racing experience.

How much torque does a Fanatec DD2 have ?

The Fanatec DD2 is 25Nm Ultra-low torque and the DD1 is up to 21Nm, both comes with the Torque Key to allows users to lock or unlock the DD full performance.

Is the DD1 better than the DD2 ?

No it’s not, they are nearly the same product, beside some add-ons that the DD2 brings from factory, that the DD1 don’t, they are for most users the same product, However some power user want to run the best of the best in hardware looking for that extra mile on experience, then the DD2 is the way to go. For most weekend drivers the DD1 with the 21Nm on torque is most than enough.

How hard is the DD2 Wheelbase Configuration ?

I think Fanatec does a good job creating a ready-to-go equipment, for most of their product the installation and configuration is really strait forward, depends on the platform you used is a matter of connect the right way and installing the proper drivers. Doing a full telemetry configuration is another thing, No only this but every high-end simracing equipment will need a lot of experience to set everything to meet your expectations on the track.

Need a software upgrade ? check the Information FanaLab Software available on the Fanatec Forum

Can I use Logitech and Thrustmaster Hardware with this base ?

The answer is yes, but there is not official crossplatform compatibility with any other brand, in theory you cannot directly connect products from different companies to each other or at least without using some third party adapters, this is valid for every platform (especially on consoles!) and EXCEPT PC, the reasons ? in your personal computer you you connect multiple, individual USB devices there IF the game/simulation supports them. “This will gives you multiple options to combine hardware of different vendors the way you want”.

What do I need 25Nm of maximum torque for?

They might come handy if you race non-power steering enabled cars such as Indycar, Formula 3, Formula 2 and many other older series. Indycars for instance have probably more than 30Nm of max. torque (or even 50).
More maximum torque also allows you “have some free space” left on corners to feel other effects other than the force needed for steering.

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Final Analysis

The inclusion of the killswitch and that extra 5-years warranty can make your final decision, I get it, but remember you can always buy the killswitch separately any time for an extra 100$ bucks , the other considerations are, performance and improvements in force feedback, the Fanatec DD2 comes from the factory with the 25 Peak Torque.

The DD2 Takeaways

I think if you decide to buy this wheelbase the money will be very well spent. The DD2 is very smooth, it’s sensitive to any adjustments but has a real strenght at the same time, the force feedback is really good and much like in a real car.

Fanatec DD2