Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Moza Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
As an Amazon Associate, Driver Labs earns from qualifying purchases.
As an Amazon Associate, Driver Labs earns from qualifying purchases.
Fanatec's Podium DD2 and Thrustmaster's TS-XW Servo both claim to offer direct drive technology, but let's take a closer look at their specs. The Fanatec boasts an impressive 25Nm of torque, while the Thrustmaster settles for a relatively meager 6.4Nm. On paper, it seems like the Fanatec is the clear winner.
I've seen users report catastrophic failures with the TS-XW Servo - faulty QRs that break after repeated use are a common complaint. And don't even get me started on the support team's response time; it takes an eternity to get ahold of them, and even then, they're usually clueless about what's going on. But hey, at least you can still play with the thing - until it dies on you, that is. Users are reporting buzzing noises, dead zones in the middle, and calibration issues that drive you mad. I've seen people try to troubleshoot these problems themselves, but it's like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. And when you finally manage to get it working, it's just a temporary reprieve - the thing will inevitably start malfunctioning again. The big problem here is not just the product itself, but the entire ecosystem surrounding it.
If I had my money, I'd be going with the Fanatec Podium DD2 every time. While it comes at a premium price point, you get what you pay for - top-notch build quality and performance that's unmatched by its competitors. Don't even get me started on the TS-XW Servo; it's a budget-friendly option that's just not worth the headache. If you're serious about Sim Racing, don't waste your time with the Thrustmaster. Invest in a product that will last you through the long haul - or at least, one that won't drive you completely insane in the process.