Cammus C5 review: an impressive and affordable Direct Drive steering wheel

As a new manufacturer in the sim racing sector, Cammus seems to want to stand out with a rather aggressive pricing policy. The Cammus C5 is one of the cheapest Direct Drive steering wheels on the market. The brand is positioned between entry-level models and premium solutions. So just how good is this racing accessory?

Included accessories

For this review, the Cammus C5 Direct Drive steering wheel was mounted onto a desk using the Cammus CS5 clamp and paired with the Cammus CP5 pedals. Both accessories are optional. The wheel’s box contained a 120-watt power adapter, a USB-B to USB-A cable, two T brackets and a cooling fan for mounting on the desk clamp. These various accessories have to be assembled, but the manufacturer supplies all the necessary screws and tools. It took us around twenty minutes to assemble all the sim racing equipment, using the instructions provided.

Presentation of the steering wheel and accessories

A newcomer to the car simulation sector, Cammus wants to stand out and is pulling out all the stops. The first impression of the Cammus C5 Direct Drive steering wheel is excellent. The choice of materials, such as aluminum and imitation leather, gives the unit real robustness and very appreciable build quality. Despite its very affordable price, the quality is top-notch. From the accessories to the cables, the manufacturer has taken great care over the entire design of this force feedback gaming wheel.

The Cammus CS5 desk clamp is very sturdy and adapts to any type of desk, as long as it is no thicker than 8cm. The fan fitted to this desk mount creates slight air circulation to help cool the Direct Drive motor. However, the unit doesn’t heat up very much, but this cooling system remains discreet and maintains a normal temperature, even during intense use.

The CP5 pedal set, on the other hand, is very basic, offering just one accelerator pedal and one brake. Two springs provide the resistance, offering good driving sensations. The absence of a load cell, and the fact you can’t add a clutch, may indeed put off the most advanced sim racers, but this equipment is not aimed at these players. The anti-slip pads supplied are not always very effective on tiled surfaces, but on a carpeted floor, these pedals are perfectly usable. Mounting the steering wheel and pedals onto a cockpit or simulation seat is the ideal solution.

Key specifications

Cammus C5 Direct Drive steering wheel

• Casing material: aluminum
• Minimum torque: 5 Nm
• Max. torque: 7 Nm
• PC compatibility
• Direct Drive dimensions (WxHxD): 278 x 278 x 82mm
• Direct Drive weight: 3.6kg

Cammus CP5 pedals

• Sensor type: Hall
• Material: cold-formed steel
• Dimensions: 300 x 270 x 140mm
• Weight: 2.4kg

Configuration

Whether it’s the Direct Drive steering wheel brackets, the desk clamp or the pedal set, you have to assemble everything yourself. All the parts, screws and tools are supplied, making assembly a breeze. If you follow the instructions, installation is straightforward. To put this equipment to the test, we installed Assetto Corsa and BeamNG.drive on our test machine. Please note that the Cammus C5 steering wheel is PC-compatible only.

Our impressions

Original, high-performance design

Unlike most entry-level wheels, the Cammus C5 doesn’t use belts or gears. It’s a direct-drive model, which offers much better feel and superior durability. This range positions itself cleverly, creating an affordable option that uses the technologies of premium models. In practice, this translates into excellent performance, and the 5 Nm means you can feel the road texture and steering column resistance of different vehicles. In the event of collisions or bumps, this steering wheel can reach a theoretical force of 7 Nm, which also offers excellent sensations.

One of the strengths of the Direct Drive Cammus C5 steering wheel is its compact design. As the motor is integrated directly into the steering wheel, it takes up very little space and can be installed on most gaming desks. It can also be easily stored in a cupboard or large drawer. The downside is that it isn’t possible to upgrade the steering wheel.

The Cammus CP5 pedalboard, also offers good sensations. Although the Hall-effect sensor is particularly precise, the choice of simple springs doesn’t allow you to enjoy dynamic effects, so you’ll have to make do with these fixed resistors. It’s still a pleasure to use, but you’ll have to either fix it to the floor or prop it up against a wall, otherwise it’s liable to slip. The supplied pads are effective, but tend to slip on tiled floors. On carpets and rugs, on the other hand, it is much more stable.

Good build, but not very ergonomic

Overall, the Cammus C5 steering wheel’s build quality is great. As one of the cheapest Direct Drives on the market, the Chinese manufacturer offers a high-quality and durable model. However, to achieve this ultra-competitive price, compromises have been made and, unfortunately, the ergonomics suffer a little.

Indeed, both paddle shifters are quite short and may not be accessible when turning the wheel a lot. This could be a problem during online competitions. It is sometimes necessary to adjust the gears when the steering wheel is turned all the way, and in this particular case, it may not be suitable for rally or drift enthusiasts. The same applies to the buttons on the front panel, as you have to let go of the steering wheel to reach them.

However, these shortcomings need to be put into perspective, as this model is not aimed at competitive players, nor is it intended for esports. It does, however, allow you to discover sim racing, without the drawbacks of a basic entry-level wheel. What’s more, with a price that defies all competition, it’s hard to deny yourself the pleasure of a simracing set-up that offers real driving sensations.

Promising PC software

On the software side, Cammus offers a very comprehensive and promising program, but that has some teething problems. As soon as it is installed, Windows warns us that the program doesn’t have a certificate identifying its authenticity, which is not necessarily very reassuring. On a multi-screen configuration, we were unable to drag the program onto a monitor other than the main one. We hope to see these minor flaws corrected via future updates.

However, the software remains fairly straightforward, and the racing games installed on the PC are immediately recognized. It can automatically configure key assignments for compatible titles. This saves time, allowing you to get on with the race straight away, without any tedious configuration. The software consists of several sections dedicated to setting the various parameters:

“Base Settings” tab

• Steering Range: sets the maximum steering wheel rotation angle, from 270° to 1080°, to suit different types of simulated vehicles.
• Power: sets maximum motor power, directly influencing force feedback intensity.
• Natural Damping: adds smooth resistance to dampen rapid movements and make the steering wheel more stable.
• Natural Friction: simulates continuous mechanical friction to give a realistic feeling of heaviness in steering.
• Natural Inertia: introduces virtual mass to reproduce the inertia effect of a real steering system.
• Idle Spring: applies a re-centering force towards the mid-point when the steering wheel is at rest or not in use.

“Game Effects” tab

• Effects Intensity: adjusts the strength of the force feedback effects transmitted by the game to the steering wheel.
• CF Filter: smoothes out sudden variations to make steering smoother and less jerky.
• Q Factor: modifies the resonance of the force feedback to amplify or attenuate secondary vibrations.
• Game Friction: adds constant resistance to simulate mechanical steering friction.
• Game Spring: reinforces the automatic return of the steering wheel to the center, which is useful in games that don’t support it.

🗒️ Expert tip: in the game Assetto Corsa, for example, a moderate Q Factor (40-60%) can provide a good balance between precision and comfort. In BeamNG.drive, a lower Q Factor keeps force feedback clean and avoids over-amplifying the jolts associated with the physics engine, especially on maps dedicated to stunts and accidents. 

“Support” tab

• FFB invert: inverts the direction of force feedback if it reacts in the opposite direction to the expected movements.
• 2-in-1 steering wheel & base: defines the steering wheel and base as a single piece of hardware, useful for some older games.
• Hands-off protection: deactivates or limits force feedback if hands are no longer detected on the steering wheel, to prevent dangerous movements.
• End stop strength: determines the firmness of the end of wheel rotation (Soft, Medium or Hard).
• High speed stability assist: gradually increases the damping of the steering wheel as the speed increases to make it more stable, reducing abrupt movements.
• Overheat protection: automatically limits motor torque if the temperature exceeds a defined threshold (80°C by default), to protect components from overheating.

🗒️ Expert tip: activating the “Hands-off protection” option allows beginners to play safely. In the event of a crash or accident, simply let go of the steering wheel to avoid sudden movements. 

“Device” tab

With the Cammus software, you can calibrate and customize the response of the CP5 pedals. It displays brake and accelerator pedal pressure values in real time, and lets you set minimum and maximum points with the “set min” and “set max” buttons. The rider can also select different response curves (linear, progressive or aggressive) for each pedal to adapt sensitivity to their driving style or the type of simulation.

“Update” tab

Finally, the “Update” section automatically searches for software updates. You can also update the firmware of your connected Cammus equipment with a single click. The more inquisitive can also receive Beta updates to test new features in advance.

🗒️ Expert tip: in each tab, a “Reset” button resets the settings to their original values. This feature is ideal for beginners who want to try out the options, while having the ability to go back if a problem arises. 

Cammus C5 compared to the Moza Racing R5

The Cammus C5 is alone in this price range, but with a more generous budget, the Moza Racing R5 Direct Drive (pack) with its steering wheel and pedals is a serious contender. Although the target market isn’t exactly the same, the Moza Racing hardware is easier to upgrade, enabling you to change the steering wheel, add a clutch pedal, gearbox or handbrake, for example.

Who is the Cammus C5 steering wheel designed for?

With this range, Cammus aims to attract new gamers interested in sim racing. The Chinese manufacturer is positioning itself between ultra-high-end models and more affordable options. A position left vacant by the competition. The Cammus C5 steering wheel makes it possible to get into car simulation on a moderate budget. It’s a very convincing model, and despite its minor imperfections, it can clearly appeal to beginners and more experienced drivers wishing to create a small sim racing setup directly on a desk, or on an affordable simulation seat like the Next Level Racing GTLite Pro.

Frequently asked questions