Are Thrustmaster T.Flight rudder pedals any good?

[AndyJWest]

My Saitek Pro pedals have died (only three years old):

 

Definitely a hardware fault - I've tried them on my Ubuntu PC, and it can't detect them either.   Having just had to replace my graphics card, I'm rather tight for cash, and the only low-cost option seems to be Thrustmaster T.Flight pedals (http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/tflight-rudder-pedals). I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has used them. Are they worth the money, or am I going to have to put off playing for a few months (or go back to twist stick  ) while I save up for something better?

 

 

[=IL2AU=ToknMurican]

I can't speek for the T.Flight Pedals.      I can say that they weren't available when I decided to get a set after finding my Saitek pedals were broken. 

 

 

I got on Milan's wait-list for a set of MFG Crosswinds and have been using them since April of last year with zero complaints, and more faith in them as a product than any piece of plastic I could ever put underneath my feet.   Plug and play, software to calibrate and even turn the toebreaks into buttons.  Smooth cam design.  Adjustable spring strength for centering.  http://mfg.simundza.com/products

 

 

<-- Slaw Device...all metal construction.. also using a cam/spring setup similar to the MFG Crosswinds.  

 

 

 

IMO the MFG Crosswinds at 256 euros makes it a great deal and will likely last you a lifetime..   I flew with a twist stick while waiting for mine.. and it seems like he ships them out a lot faster these days if you look at his expected shipping dates on his website.   Milan sent me a mail today responding to a question I asked him yesterday in regards to ordering  his width adjustment plates to make it fit into an Obutto cockpit or even make the foot stance wider with the ease of twisting an allen wrench.   If you can afford it - I haven't come across one using them who has something bad to say about them.. and I seriously feel like I'm set for life on rudder pedals.

 

 

I wish I could say something about the t.flight other than.. I don't trust plastic pedals anymore.  But at $90 U.S... that's probably the least you're going to pay for a set.   Apparently the pedals are very close together.

 

I'm not a salesman but with my experience with his excellent customer service and honest work with a product that I doubt will ever fail me, personally I'd point you to Milan at MFG and tell you that when they show up and you plug them in.. I think you'll find them worth it.  

[Sokol1]

MFG, Slaw, Baur, VKB pedals don't combine with "Having just had to replace my graphics card, I'm rather tight for cash, "   

 

 

 

This TFRP is hinder by pre-existent bias by simmers against narrow design - is Cessna 172 based - they say that is no much compatible with "3 balls", so is difficult find a honest reviews (most are "blog reviews"), but some simmers options there:

 

https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=55034

 

In durability expect something similar to Saitek Pedals, since like this TFRP use cheap potentiometers in axes.

 

All in all better than the low precision twist stick rudder control.

Edited February 1, 2017 by Sokol1

[SYN_Mike77]

Andy, I was recently in the same boat as you and went with the Thrustmaster pedals. As noted above they are narrower than the Saiteks you are used too. However, I think they are smoother. Quality is about the same and at half the price that Logitec is charging for the old Saitek model. Much better than a twist stick!

[kestrel79]

Andy they are very good for the price. I recently replaced my over 10 year old CH Pedals with the TFRPs and they are much better. I'm used to the narrow style since I had CH for so long, but the rails are much smoother, less noise. I'd recommend them for anyone on a budget. The small size fits really well in my Obutto Ozone cockpit as well, and their color and style blend in better than CH as well. We'll see how long they hold up quality wise but for 70-80 bucks can't go wrong!

[AndyJWest]

Thanks all. It looks like I'm going with the Thrustmaster's then.

[9./JG27golani79]

I'd say save up for smthg better - had troubles with my Saitek pedals and went with the MFG.

No regrets here and I'd buy them anytime again.

[=IL2AU=ToknMurican]

 

MFG, Slaw, Baur, VKB pedals don't combine with "Having just had to replace my graphics card, I'm rather tight for cash, "   

 

 

 

This TFRP is hinder by pre-existent bias by simmers against narrow design - is Cessna 172 based - they say that is no much compatible with "3 balls", so is difficult find a honest reviews (most are "blog reviews"), but some simmers options there:

 

https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=55034

 

In durability expect something similar to Saitek Pedals, since like this TFRP use cheap potentiometers in axes.

 

All in all better than the low precision twist stick rudder control.

 

The OP asked if he should save up until he can afford something high-end.. 

 

and I gave him my opinion..the MFG Crosswinds are worth the money and the wait in my opinion.   Hall sensors and no plastic... last you a lifetime. 

[Sokol1]

In this video the TFRP (and FCS HOTAS) seems do the job as expected:

 

[ruby_monkey]

I was in the same situation - my Simped F16 finally gave up the ghost after over a decade and I picked the TFRP as a short-term replacement. I have to say that they do a very good job - rigid, stable, with a light, accurate action but a bit of plastic-on-plastic rubbing that is slowly smoothing out. The two points I would bring up are that the pedals are *very* close together; and that applying full toe brakes on mine causes the pedal action to bind - again, something that should smooth out with time and use.

 

I will upgrade to a Slaw or Crosswind at some point in the next year or so, but I don't regret buying the Thrustmaster - it's a very good controller, especially for the price (<£70 in my case).

[Sokol1]

I was in the same situation - my Simped F16 finally gave up the ghost after over a decade 

 

If you don't trow then in recycle bin, Simped pedals has a solid structure, with ball bearing in main axis, today is easy and cheap replace their electronics with Arduino and contactless sensors - of course require some DIY skill, time and patience.

[=IL2AU=ToknMurican]

I was in the same situation - my Simped F16 finally gave up the ghost after over a decade and I picked the TFRP as a short-term replacement. I have to say that they do a very good job - rigid, stable, with a light, accurate action but a bit of plastic-on-plastic rubbing that is slowly smoothing out. The two points I would bring up are that the pedals are *very* close together; and that applying full toe brakes on mine causes the pedal action to bind - again, something that should smooth out with time and use.

 

I will upgrade to a Slaw or Crosswind at some point in the next year or so, but I don't regret buying the Thrustmaster - it's a very good controller, especially for the price (<£70 in my case).

 

If you don't trow then in recycle bin, Simped pedals has a solid structure, with ball bearing in main axis, today is easy and cheap replace their electronics with Arduino and contactless sensors - of course require some DIY skill, time and patience.

 

If you can repair those things with some diy, or know someone who's good with soldering and circuitboards I bet it'd be the cheapest least expensive (cuz..quality counts for cheapness) option.  Simpeds are no joke from what I've read.    But I have to say it one last time.. You can't go wrong with Milan IMO.   The only downside to Crosswinds that might be a consideration is that they can tip over if both feet aren't on them (only one foot).  But that could probably be solved with some quality adhesive velcro.. or you could go my route and take a piece of plywood, mount the pedals to it along with 4 6 inch length pieces of 2x4 and part of some chopped up ikea tables, use the drillbit for i forget either a 1"-1.5" hole to accept the rest of the ikea tables cut down to size for stick + throttle and drive a screw threw the base of the 2x4 to keep them from spinning.  I also cut out room for my chair, and cut some holes into the plywood to lock the wheels into.  By the way I'm from the Southeast US can you tell? (humor) 

 

It MIGHT not look as atrocious if perhaps I'd carpeted it.. but I think over the next 6mo to a year im going to attempt to get an obutto and replace my desk that I only really use a portion of. 

 

Other than that.. probably the best bang for the buck, and if the electronics go out I doubt it'd be difficult to purchase the electronics or cables from Milan himself if need be.  

 

K I'll leave this thread alone.  I don't want to discredit the pro's of less expensive and more accessible pedals, or even the other custom jobs like Slaw/Baur/VKB..lol it's hard to stop.  I don't stand behind many products as strongly as I do the crosswinds under my feet atm and I tend to do tons of research on items i'm getting close to $200 or more for. 

 

Anyway.. enough out of me.  I swear I don''t know Milan personally and he's not paying me lol.  Baur and Slaw are probably top notch as well.  But compared to the pricepoint of say saitek proflight (add to it the cost of the t.flights you bought because your saiteks broke (speaking more of personal experience) - MFG seems like a bargain, especially once you experience them. 

Edited February 13, 2017 by headwarp

[Guest deleted@1562]

IMO the MFG Crosswinds at 256 euros makes it a great deal and will likely last you a lifetime.. 

 

For me it's 337 EUR delivered to Austria. Don't forget shipping and (import, VAT, ...) taxes.

[=IL2AU=ToknMurican]

For me it's 337 EUR delivered to Austria. Don't forget shipping and (import, VAT, ...) taxes.

 

it was about $300 USD shipped to the U.S. for me.  Which is about twice the price of say, Logitech/Saitek Proflights before shipping.     But considering my pro flights lasted me about 2 years (if that) - I still stand by my opinion.     The T-flights being much less expensive is the one thing they have going for them imo.. where something like the Xwinds are of such a high quality standard that I doubt I will ever have need to replace them.