Anyone use the VKB T-Rudder? Thoughts and Impressions?

[RedKestrel]

Looking at upgrading my rudder pedals again (wishfully, at this point the money exists only in my mind) from my current CH pedals. I find them to be mostly OK but the 'hard centre' detente kind of kills my precision, and they are not the most comfortable to use for extended periods. I know its possible to mod them to have a soft spring or something but I'm not very confident about doing it and frankly I would just rather replace them.

I have looked at the MFG crosswind  and as far as I can tell they are the platinum standard, I have heard nothing bad about them at all. If money was no object I would be getting them right now, but the cost is high and the shipping is brutal where I am. 

I have looked at the VKB T-rudder and was wondering if anyone here uses it? VKB has a good reputation so I have no concerns about product quality, but It looks really different from other pedals and I wonder if its difficult to get used to.

Any thoughts appreciated!

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I haven't heard many complaints besides the fact that they only have one axis. For some the vertical motion and the lack of physical toe brakes are immediate deal breakers. It's probably not a problem if you're looking for a precise controller rather than an accurate simulation of a particular aircraft.

 

VPC WarBRD is another option if you want a more traditional configuration at a similar price, although I don't know about shipping to your location. It's a very nice product, but you still only get a single axis unless you choose the more expensive variants.

 

[RedKestrel]

30 minutes ago, Mitthrawnuruodo said:

I haven't heard many complaints besides the fact that they only have one axis. For some the vertical motion and the lack of physical toe brakes are immediate deal breakers. It's probably not a problem if you're looking for a precise controller rather than an accurate simulation of a particular aircraft.

 

VPC WarBRD is another option if you want a more traditional configuration at a similar price, although I don't know about shipping to your location. It's a very nice product, but you still only get a single axis unless you choose the more expensive variants.

 

I will check the VPC out. Thanks!

[icecream]

I've had the MK3 version and now the MK4 version as well.

I also owned two MFG Crosswinds, and a custom russian pedal bought off the il2.RU forums(seen below)

Spoiler

 

 

for pure comfort and pin point accuracy, it's definitely the VKB T-Rudder hands down, simply because of the movement of pedal.

with the VKB T-Rudders, I can take off straight in a perfect line without a single hitch.

rudder plays becomes enjoyable, rather than a chore.

 

the only downside on them is, no toe brakes, but I didn't even care about that to be honest.

because I'd prefer this accuracy over toe brakes anyways.

 

MFG are not bad pedals, far from!

but I noticed that some units require a disassembly to get rid of some friction.(no big deal, takes 5m) at least my unit did.

 

If you NEED the toe brakes, go with the mfg's.

for the comfort and the pin-point accuracy, I'd say it's definitely the VKB T-Rudders hands down, simply because of the movements of the pedals.

 

It's not that the mfg's are bad, it's simply how the pedals are moving that makes it night/day difference for me.

 

 

[WallysWorld]

I bought the VKB Mk.IV about a month ago and enjoy them very much. The pedals don't slide on my carpet like my previous pedals did and I like the movement which is super smooth. The only thing I did change was the tension which I thought is set too lightly so I moved the tension screw to the more tense setting. Before whenever I put my feet on the pedals, I got some slight unwanted rudder movement. That can be offset by some dead zone setting in-game though.

 

No regrets paying the high price for them. Combined with the VKB Gladiator Mk.II, it's a winning combination.

Edited December 6, 2019 by WallysWorld

[Sokol1]

I use VKB T-Rudder Mk.II and like, specially of their down-up operation, don't became tiresome in long use like conventional pedals based in legs and ankles movement.

 

T-Rudder is  "high end" (mechanically and electronically) like MFG, VPC, TPR, but packaged at an average price ~$220, with basic features -rudder only, and few adjusts.

 

"Toe brakes"  is not indispensable in Bo'X because all planes have "differential brakes" modeled, but necessary for some planes of DCS, CloD. A trade for medium price and high quality.

 

 

[JG_deserteagle540]

I use the VKB-T-rudders and they are fantastic.

 

The quality is really impressive, but no toe brakes on it.

 

Planning to get the VKB gunfighter III in the future and that would make a wonderful package together.

[Birdman]

I like them a lot, I was using the CH rudder before and I don't find the lack of toe brakes to be a problem in my case. I use them in DCS and IL2.

 

Really good bang for the buck IMHO

[No_85_Gramps]

I've had the VKBIII's for over 2 years. Plug and play, haven't had to do anything since I installed them, still work perfectly.

[DiscoPhil]

Using them for 1,5 years. They are great!

[RedKestrel]

Resurrecting this thread from the dead to say that I finally ordered the T rudders and they arrived in the middle of a week where I can’t yet use them. However, other members of the household are already finding some use for the packaging at least...

[J37_Spyboy]

On 12/6/2019 at 11:26 PM, WallysWorld said:

I bought the VKB Mk.IV about a month ago and enjoy them very much. The pedals don't slide on my carpet like my previous pedals did and I like the movement which is super smooth. The only thing I did change was the tension which I thought is set too lightly so I moved the tension screw to the more tense setting. Before whenever I put my feet on the pedals, I got some slight unwanted rudder movement. That can be offset by some dead zone setting in-game though.

 

No regrets paying the high price for them. Combined with the VKB Gladiator Mk.II, it's a winning combination.

Agree, using T Rudder MK2 with a Gladiator MK2 and latterly Gladiator  Pro. VKB stuff is really good, easy to configure and with reasonably good customer support. Waiting with bated breath for their throttle to be released.

 

[Beazil]

Good endorsements for the vkb pedals here.  I think I'll take the plunge in the near future.  Thanks all.  :).

(I have a gunfighter now with mcg pro grip).

[RedKestrel]

23 hours ago, JG51_Beazil said:

Good endorsements for the vkb pedals here.  I think I'll take the plunge in the near future.  Thanks all.  :).

(I have a gunfighter now with mcg pro grip).

From experience ordering these:

-Service is good and fast. I ordered during a week-long shutdown of the production facility due to a holiday in China so my processing was longer than normal, but it still got to me 3 days earlier than the courier predicted
-You will likely have duty and processing fees to pay, like I did, so budget for them (unlike me, fool that I was). Depending on where you live they may assess you additional shipping fees - I was considered to be in a 'remote area' by the courier, so I had to pay a bit extra there again. If you do they will contact you to make a payment before shipping, and the courier will contact you to pay duties. I found that these contacts went straight to my junk mail so make sure you check it occasionally to avoid delays.

As far as endorsement goes, what I did manage to take them out for a spin last night and I'm really liking them so far. I did what I usually do with a new controllers and set it to have 0 deadzone and zero curves applied, just straight linear forces, to see how precise I could be. On my old CH pedals I had a significant deadzone because the minimum amount I could move the pedals was actually quite a bit due to the way they do the 'hard centre'. You have to apply a decent amount of force to start moving which ruined my precision. A deadzone and quite a bit of response curve was necessary to get decent precision.

With these, even with the hard centre (the default cam) and no curves or deadzone, I found it was much easier to be precise around the centre of the movement. Overall I found it much easier to stay coordinated in maneuvers even on twitchier planes that need a light foot. I'm still learning the different way that the rudders moved but its not as different or unintuitive as I originally feared. What I have found so far is my instincts in hard maneuvering don't yet match with the way the rudders work and my ability to kick in hard rudder quickly isn't as good just yet. I will have to get online and into some serious combat to really test them out.

 My plan is to give them a solid month of play before making any adjustments to the linear response so that I can really be sure I need it or if its just a matter of building muscle memory. 

Perhaps the best thing is that they take up very little space under my desk and can be easily moved and put back where they need to go. They also are more comfortable for my office chair set up - my old setup strained my lower back a bit and made long sessions uncomfortable.

I had a bit of trouble getting my machine to recognize them first off, they weren't 100% plug and play it seemed. Had to plug/unplug a few times, restart the machine, and run the T-link software before they got recognized by windows and the game. I didn't do any kind of configuration or calibration, it wasnt necessary. Just took about 20 minutes.

[Beazil]

RedKestrel, I will be most interested in hearing more from you as you develop with them.  Saiteks now on my part.  Not all that different from CHs.

 

Footnote:. Open to PMs from private sellers, particularly in NA.

Edited May 28, 2021 by JG51_Beazil