Sim-Lab Launch Their Black Friday Deals For 2024
It is now November, and Sim-Lab is the first sim racing brand to launch its Black… Read More »Sim-Lab Launch Their Black Friday Deals For 2024
Sim Racing Product Guides » Fanatec CSL DD: Is The Boost Kit Worth Buying?
Fanatec provides sim racers with a modular way to upgrade their wheel base in the form of the Boost Kit 180. In this guide, I'll look at what this upgrade is, how much it costs, and whether it's worth buying.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from any sale after clicking an affiliate link. Find out more.
With Fanatec’s latest wheel bases, the small direct drive CSL DD and GT DD Pro, you have the option of two different variations. There is the base CSL DD and GT DD Pro models which create 5Nm of torque. Or you can opt to upgrade to the 8Nm versions of these wheels.
The only difference between the 5Nm and 8Nm wheels is that the upgraded versions include the Boost Kit 180. The Boost Kit is essentially a larger power supply that unlocks the additional performance of the CSL DD and GT DD Pro wheel bases. The wheel bases themselves are the same, whichever strength option you choose.
This approach allows sim racers to upgrade their racing wheels down the line by adding a Boost Kit. In this guide, I’ll look at how the Boost Kit 180 works, what it costs, the extra performance on offer and whether it is ultimately worth buying.
As mentioned, the Boost Kit 180 is a stand-alone power supply that can be used with either the CSL DD or the GT DD Pro wheel base. The Boost Kit 180 supplies each wheel base with more power, which in turn allows the wheel base to produce force feedback at an increased strength.
The Boost Kit 180 was specifically designed for the CSL DD wheel base, giving sim racers the option of two different price points. The Boost Kit has also been used with the GT DD Pro, which is essentially the same wheel base as the CSL DD, but with added compatibility with PlayStation.
Currently, at the time of writing this, you cannot buy the GT DD Pro as a stand-alone wheel base in its 5Nm form. It is only available in its upgraded 8Nm form which includes the Boost Kit 180. You can, however, buy the CSL DD either with or without the Boost Kit 180.
There are also bundles that include the GT DD Pro wheel base without the Boost Kit. If you choose to buy one of these bundles, you can then buy the Boost Kit 180 to increase the strength of the GT DD Pro up to 8Nm of peak torque.
It is safe to say that the Boost Kit 180 isn’t a cheap upgrade, costing $149.95. However, when you consider how much of an upgrade this upgraded power supply provides, you can argue that it is worth the cost.
Buy the Boost Kit 180 here United States
Buy the Boost Kit 180 here Europe
Buy the Boost Kit 180 here Australia
With all of the costs and compatibility looked at, now we come to the question, is the Boost Kit 180 worth buying? In a nutshell, yes, it is a great upgrade to either the CSL DD or the GT DD Pro.
In their base 5Nm forms, these wheel bases produce very detailed force feedback with a decent amount of strength. Being able to buy a direct drive wheel base for under $350 is fantastic.
However, by adding the Boost Kit 180, and boosting the peak torque up to 8Nm really brings these wheel bases to life.
It allows them to produce significantly stronger force feedback, and with that increase in power, you will feel an increased range of force feedback. Within this extended range are finer details which can be missed when using either wheel base at 5Nm.
I always say that the perfect torque levels for a direct drive wheel base range from 10Nm up to 16Nm. Anything above this range is almost considered too strong to enjoy for longer race distances in my opinion.
With the Boost Kit 180, it brings both the CSL DD and GT DD Pro up close to that perfect power range, making it one of the best racing wheels around. And for many sim racers, these wheel bases with the Boost Kit 180, will make for the perfect wheel base that will perform at a high level and last for years.
You can use the links below to shop for your favourite sim racing products, or for any products that we may have recommended. These links are affiliate links, and will earn us a small commission, with no additional cost for you.
Rich is the co-founder, and one of the main F1 setup creators and content writers for SimRacingSetups. With over a decade of experience as a graphic designer, marketing director, competitive sim racer and avid motorsport fan, Rich founded SimRacingSetup.com to share his passion and knowledge of sim racing and Formula 1 with other sim racers. Regularly writes for sim racing website SimRaceReviews.com
View all articles written by RichFind the latest sim racing car setups to always have the advantage on track, with the best ACC car setups, iRacing setups and F1 24 setups.
Assetto Corsa Competizione Setups iRacing Setups F1 24 SetupsView the latest deals and discounts for all sim racing brands, including our exclusive discount codes.
View All Sim Racing Discounts MOZA Racing Discounts Fanatec DiscountsRead the latest news from the sim racing community, recent hardware reviews, guides and tutorials for ACC, iRacing, F1 24 and other titles.
Sim-Lab Launch Their Black Friday Deals For 2024 Trak Racer Black Friday Deals for 2024 Are Now Live GT Omega Launch Its Black Friday Deals For 2024It is now November, and Sim-Lab is the first sim racing brand to launch its Black… Read More »Sim-Lab Launch Their Black Friday Deals For 2024
Trak Racer is another sim racing cockpit brand to launch their Black Friday sales early. Following… Read More »Trak Racer Black Friday Deals for 2024 Are Now Live
Sim racing cockpit and gaming chair brand GT Omega are the first gaming and sim racing… Read More »GT Omega Launch Its Black Friday Deals For 2024
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |