Direct drive for under $600 (and a steering wheel, included)? Sounds impossible...but Cammus has pulled it off! The Cammus C12 is the first of its kind: a fully integrated 12Nm direct drive wheelbase and steering wheel combo built to deliver power, precision, and affordability in one compact unit.

At just $599, it undercuts most DD bundles by over $300. But how does it perform on track? In this review, we’ll break it down across four categories:

• Design & Build Quality
• Feature Set
• Ergonomics & Grip
• Overall Value

👉 Watch the full video review below:

Design & Build Quality: Compact but Premium

The C12 shows up in a small box — and it’s easy to see why. At just 4.8kg, it’s roughly 3kg lighter than a typical direct drive base + wheel setup. The design is compact and surprisingly sleek.

Carbon fiber details, a brushed finish, and quality plastics give it a premium look and feel. It comes with 14 mappable buttons, 7 encoders, and a 7-way funky switch — all with a nice tactile response. The paddle shifters are carbon fiber and magnetic, which feels crisp... but very loud. Some rubber bumper pads would go a long way here.

• 300mm wheel size — better than Cammus C5's smaller rim
• Integrated cooling fan
• Carbon fiber shifters
• Synthetic leather wheel rim

I found that some of the stitching along the wheel rim was very slightly pulling - not very noticeable, but it was there on my unit. Obviously, I'm not expecting a world-class level of finish here at this price point, but it's something to note.

🔧 Design & Build Quality Score: 7/10

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Feature Set: Surprisingly Capable for the Price

The C12 delivers 12Nm of torque, comparable to full-size DD bases. You also get:

• Fully mappable buttons and encoders
• Color-customizable RGB lighting on each button (done within Cammus' own software)
• T-brackets that attach to the rear of the base, for installation onto wheelbase decks; a desk clamp is an optional/additional purchase at $30

The included software is plug-and-play. It recognized both the base and wheel separately, which makes it easy to configure. Changing lighting presets and customizing colors was straightforward and actually kind of fun.

For basic sim racing needs, this wheel covers it all. You aren't getting a full display on the wheel, but the shift lights are awesome and the button-specific color customization is great.

🧠 Feature Set Score: 8/10

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Ergonomics & Grip: Improved Over the Cammus C5

This is where Cammus listened. The C5 was criticized for being too small — the C12 fixes that with a 300mm rim that feels right at home for GT and even oval racing.

The synthetic leather feels decent, though a bit basic. Grip was never an issue, and the ergonomics were solid overall. One minor complaint: the top blue dials don’t have as much click feedback as I’d like. The carbon fiber paddles are super small, but feel of decent quality - but again, very loud.

• Larger shifter paddle size - the C5's paddles were awkwardly small
• Larger wheel rim size and layout than the C5 (the C5 was tiny)
• Nice tactile buttons and encoder positions
• Slightly awkward button dials at the top

🧤 Ergonomics & Grip Score: 8/10

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Setup & Compatibility

• USB plug-and-play with PC
• Optional desk clamp fits up to 8cm thick tables
• Cooling fan can be mounted under clamp or rig
• Pre-drilled holes compatible with most rigs

Although the desk clamp is meant to be used on desks/tables, I recommend you get it no matter what. That's because you'll get added rigidity if you install the desk clamp onto your rig, instead of bolting the T-brackets directly onto your rig or wheel stand.

This was genuinely one of the easiest setups I’ve done. From the moment I began to unbox it to when I started racing in Assetto Corsa took under 30 minutes.

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On-Track Test: 12Nm of Surprise

Jumping into iRacing and Assetto Corsa, I was shocked — the force feedback felt every bit as strong and detailed as my standalone wheelbase. I could feel curb detail, surface textures, and subtle grip loss clearly.

I installed the C12 onto my Next Level Racing Go-kart Plus rig. Not the sturdiest of rigs, but even then, I didn't notice any flex or wobble coming from the actual C12. I tested it both mounted to a rig and using the desk clamp. The T-brackets for installation onto a rig/wheelbase mount will offer all the sturdiness you need. The desk clamp is...well, a desk clamp. The stability will be entirely dependent on how sturdy your desk is. I recommend installing it on a very heavy, solid desk or table. Otherwise, you're going to get a lot of movement.

If you don't have a large, heavy desk or table to install the desk clamp onto, I recommend that you at least have a wheel stand (you can get one for around $100) so that you can properly install the C12 onto. 12nm is no joke - that's a lot of torque and you need something to secure it onto properly.

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Value: Direct Drive Base + Wheel Rim for $599? Yes Please.

This is where the C12 shines. For $599 (with free shipping), you’re getting direct drive strength, a full-size wheel, and software-controlled tuning in one tidy package. That’s hundreds of dollars cheaper than any comparable bundle.

• Awesome value for mid-level DD performance (12nm is considered middle of the range when it comes to torque)
• Minimal setup needed - truly plug-and-play
• There's no quick release, and changing the rim is possible but not viable; the rim that you get is the rim you're pretty much going to be stuck with

If you’re shopping for your first DD setup, or something for a kid, a secondary rig, or a clean desktop sim, this is a great deal. Keep an eye out on sales, too. I've seen the C12 go for under $550 when discounted.

💰 Value Score: 9.5/10

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Final Verdict: Big Torque, Small Price Tag

The Cammus C12 isn’t just affordable — it’s legitimately fun and capable. I wasn't expecting much, and was pleasantly surprised. You give up some luxuries (like displays and a quick release), but what you gain in price-to-performance ratio is impressive.

If you want to feel real direct drive torque without breaking the bank, the C12 is probably the best entry point in 2025 - as long as you're okay with not being able to change in and out the steering wheel rims. Whether it’s your first rig or a budget build — this thing delivers.

🏆 Final Score: 7.8/10

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Looking to buy the Cammus C12 Direct Drive Wheel? Click here!

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Cammus C12 Specs

Wheel Rim Diameter	300mm
Paddle Shifters	Magnetic
Clutches?	None
Built From	Aluminum
Weight	4.8kg
Torque	12nm
Compatible With	PC only
Buttons	12