Which Pedal Set would you buy?

[Lupus]

I currently fly with a CH Products full HOTAS flight system.  I'm currently shopping for an upgrade.

 

For Rudder Pedals, I need toe brakes.  This means that of the high end products out there I seem to have two choices, although I'm willing to consider others, MFG Crosswinds or Virpil Ace.  Which would you choose and why?

[SvAF/F16_Goblin]

It depends on budget and if you have, lets say, an obutto seat for instance since dimensions could make the pedals You choose not to fit in the seat.

I have the MFG Crosswinds myself since a few years back and am extremely happy with them.
The reason I chose these was the modularity, they can be adjusted  in width and feet position and have excellent precision, also they fit my wallet at the time

Edited April 11, 2020 by MA_Goblin

[FTC_Snowy]

I voted before I read you need toe brakes but I really rate the VKB-Sim T Rudder Pedals MkIV. No toe brakes with these but I don’t find I need them. 
https://flightsimcontrols.com/product/vkb-sim-t-rudder-pedals-mk-iv-2/

[CSW_Rannisokol]

As I´m from Czechia, I would buy these. They cost about 130 €, so they are much cheaper than Virpil or MFG. I have mine for more than year and I´m very satisfied with them, they work fine.
https://pedaly-happy-mzm.webnode.cz/

 

[KpaxBos]

http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/tpr-thrustmaster-pendular-rudder

Thrusmaster TPR : problem very expansive. I replaced my CH pedals with TPR (just go on diet for a few monthes ?), very happy with this change.

 

Have fun

Edited April 12, 2020 by KpaxBos

[dburne]

Very pleased with my Crosswinds. Have had them since Dec 2014.

[jollyjack]

I chose not to buy pedals; all that space needed. I had the Thrustmaster TM1600 throttle with those big levers for a while, works OK for YAW with them big flappers.

But now switched my set for a Warthog combination i got fairly cheap because of some (now fixed) malfunctioning buttons.

 

I fitted the throttle unit with a thumbstick from Deltasim, and it works really well for yaw-rudder.

A bit of work though to get it mounted however, even if you're not too clumsy with your hands.

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by jollyjack

[robbiec]

I have also recently begun to retire my CH Products Hotas with only the Fighterstick still actively being used. I went with the MFG pedals and they are a relevation. I doubt I could take off in a FW190 without the toe brakes

They are as smooth as silk in use. 

[Lupus]

 

Thank you for your suggestions so far.  Keep them coming please.

 

1 hour ago, robbiec said:

I have also recently begun to retire my CH Products Hotas with only the Fighterstick still actively being used. I went with the MFG pedals and they are a relevation. I doubt I could take off in a FW190 without the toe brakes

They are as smooth as silk in use. 

 

Yes, after 11 years (I've been flying my CH since 2009) I've noticed the pots starting to get sloppy.  It's time to replace them.  The total budget for replacing my flight controls, Throttle, Rudder Pedals, and Flight Stick is between $1000 and $1500 USD.  That means that anything short of a custom built set of pedals is in budget.

[NC_2_VA]

Are toe brakes a must? I'm still kind of new to this. Coming from the modern jets in DCS toe brakes were not really a thing.

[Lupus]

1 minute ago, NC_2_VA said:

Are toe brakes a must? I'm still kind of new to this. Coming from the modern jets in DCS toe brakes were not really a thing.

 

They are for me.  While they add a touch of realism for the WWII aircraft that have them, I also play other games, like Elite Dangerous.  There I map the Toe Brakes as thrust left and right for flight axis. I also use them in games like Mech Warrior 5.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

Slaw devices , high end , only on that product can install the dumper which make movement feel like in the real airplane.

 

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by 1PL-Husar-1Esk

[3uster3oo]

 VKB-Sim T Rudder Pedals MkIV .These every time, small well made and do a great job.

Edited April 11, 2020 by 3uster3oo

[NC_2_VA]

Just now, 3uster3oo said:

 these every time, small well made and do a great job.

 These are what I have, what are you doing for toe brakes?

 

[3uster3oo]

buttons on joystick, this is where alot of brakes are on real planes.

[FTC_Snowy]

As 3uster3oo says, assigning a button or buttons on the joystick works fine for me too. I have no experience with Elite Dangerous so can’t comment on usage in that.

[JGr2/J5_Baeumer]

11 hours ago, Lupus said:

I currently fly with a CH Products full HOTAS flight system.  I'm currently shopping for an upgrade.

 

For Rudder Pedals, I need toe brakes.  This means that of the high end products out there I seem to have two choices, although I'm willing to consider others, MFG Crosswinds or Virpil Ace.  Which would you choose and why?

 

Lupus, I've been flying 15 years or so and worked through my Saitek twist sticks before I got a CH pedal and Fighterstick Pro 7 or so years ago.   In other words, I've had the similar setup as you until very recently. The CH pedals gave me problems for half the time I've owned them.  A few months ago I rewarded myself with a pair of Crosswinds.  Quiet, simple, elegant, strong, customizable, and sensitive if I want them to be.   The design engineering is amazing.  Received them on the West Coast of North America within a week of ordering them all the way from somewhere half way around the world.  I mounted them to a small decorative plywood base I bought at a home supply store for $5 and put carpet tape on the bottom.  I'll never expect to buy another set of rudder pedals because the only thing that will wear out is a $3 spring I can buy at a hardware store (although I did buy the optional spring available).

 

One of the few things I've spent $$ on that exceeds expectations.  I considered the VKB for space saving, but wanted the more historical experience of pedals.

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by J5_Baeumer

[Sokol1]

I opt for Virpil pedal, get the Ace-2, with two types options of foot rest pads.

The "combat" pads make the use less tiresome.

Can 3D print a similar for MFG Crosswind, files available in Github.

 

 

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

21 minutes ago, Sokol1 said:

I opt for Virpil pedal, get the Ace-2, with two types options of foot rest pads.

The "combat" pads make the use less tiresome.

Can 3D print a similar for MFG Crosswind, files available in Github.

 

 

Ace-2 - Availability: Out of stock

 

BTW what you think about recent Slaw device RX Viper V2/ RF Dora V2 in comparison?

[Sokol1]

 

9 hours ago, NC_2_VA said:

 VKB-T-Rudder These are what I have, what are you doing for toe brakes?

 

Depends on game.

In IL-2 series you just need set a joystick (or throttle) button for "wheel brakes", this work for any plane of this game series.

Or if have VPC, VKB joysticks set their lever pad axis as "Wheel brakes". *

For DCS or CloD, GA sim use VKB T-Link, that emulate the above.

 

*I use the left half of axis of VKB Gladiator twist rudder axis for emulate a new virtual axis and set this axis for "Wheel brakes".

Twisting the stick grip for left I have a proportional "wheel brakes" and moving T-Rudder rudder for left or right I brake only this wheel, like in RL Spitfire, Yak-1, Mi-15, MiG-21...

 

"Toe brakes" is a must but is not a universal solution for brake of all planes of any game. "Differential brakes" - native supported or emulated with T-Link is.

 

1 hour ago, 1PL-Husar-1Esk said:

Ace-2 - Availability: Out of stock

 

BTW what you think about recent Slaw device RX Viper V2/ RF Dora V2 in comparison?

 

Slaw is around $150+ more, but is considered the top notch.

http://jaytheskepticalengineer.com/fathering-and-hobbies/flight-simming/flight-simming-hardware-list/

Edited April 12, 2020 by Sokol1

[NC_2_VA]

Is T-Link a pain? I just downloaded it today to try out. Seems it is like thrustmaster's target as you have to start it every time before playing.

[Brendo]

9 hours ago, 1PL-Husar-1Esk said:

Slaw devices , high end , only on that product can install the dumper which make movement feel like in the real airplane.

 

 

I love my slaw pedals  cannot  fault them 

 

[Lupus]

The Dora V2 Slaw pedals look nice, but I can't find there website, only a facebook page.  Can you provide a link?

[Brendo]

1 hour ago, Lupus said:

The Dora V2 Slaw pedals look nice, but I can't find there website, only a facebook page.  Can you provide a link?

No website contact him through fb he's legit so no problems there 

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

I have the MFG Crosswind and they are the best purchase I have done for this simulator 

[Sokol1]

22 hours ago, NC_2_VA said:

Is T-Link a pain? I just downloaded it today to try out. Seems it is like thrustmaster's target as you have to start it every time before playing.

 

No, is easy to use.

No install is required, just run for a folder, but first right click over and make a shortcut and set "Run as administrator".

 

What you have to to is in T-Link interface define a joy/throttle button to be the "wheel brakes".

 

T-Link manual: http://ftp.vkb-sim.pro/Documentations/T_Link_En.pdf

 

Pressing this assigned button, two virtual axes is moved simultaneous, so in game (DCS, CloD, GA sim...) controls assign this two axis for right and left wheel brakes.

When press the button and move the pedal for a side only the wheel of this side is braked.

 

Should notice that this is a "differential brakes" emulation for planes that native has "toe brakes".

 

Planes that (RL) already have "differential brakes" (Spit, Yak-1, Mig-15...) don't need this, since games allow set a button direct for "wheel brakes".

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

People recommend what they have bought. The Crosswinds are much longer on the market than the Virpil Ace. 

 

The technology inside precisely the same, while the Virpil Ace has a more durable full metal construction.

 

I'd go by price in this case. If you like metal, the choice is clear.

 

P.S. Be careful with Slaw recommendations, you don't know how the support level is there. Will they send replacement parts? Virpil sends even electronic boards within a week without double questioning. Don't know if MFG does the same.

[Lupus]

7 hours ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

People recommend what they have bought. The Crosswinds are much longer on the market than the Virpil Ace. 

 

The technology inside precisely the same, while the Virpil Ace has a more durable full metal construction.

 

I'd go by price in this case. If you like metal, the choice is clear.

 

P.S. Be careful with Slaw recommendations, you don't know how the support level is there. Will they send replacement parts? Virpil sends even electronic boards within a week without double questioning. Don't know if MFG does the same.

 

Yeah, I got that most people were recommending what they had themselves.  It's what they have experience with.  It is those experiences I'm interested in hearing about though.

 

Your right, MFG's have been on the market longer than the Virpil Ace's, but I couldn't identify a lot of difference, except maybe some of the adjustments you can make on the MFG's that you can't make on the Virpil pedals.  Toe in and out being the most prominent I can see.  Perhaps toe break tension as well.

 

  I'm a little leery of the Slaw pedals as well.  If they don't want to invest in a website for their company to promote their product and provide a point of sale, which only costs about 90 to $100/year for full service web hosting I have to wonder about whether this is a business or hobby for them and how long they will be around to service their product.  Just a lingering doubt in my mind.  And I can't even easily find out how much they would cost either.

Edited April 13, 2020 by Lupus

[Sokol1]

10 hours ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

The technology inside precisely the same, while the Virpil Ace has a more durable full metal construction.

 

I don't think metal construction frame have a real advantage.

MFG composite material is in the market for almost 10 years and no cases of wear out are reported.

On the other side I see  metal pedals (of two know new brands) with rust problems. 

[dburne]

56 minutes ago, Sokol1 said:

 

I don't think metal construction frame have a real advantage.

MFG composite material is in the market for almost 10 years and no cases of wear out are reported.

On the other side I see  metal pedals (of two know new brands) with rust problems. 

 

I know about the material used in Crosswinds, dealt with it a lot in my long career back when I was working.

It is a phenolic resin composite, and extremely tough. It is used in industry quite a bit for machining gears amongst many other load bearing parts . Very tough product.

Knowing what was used I had zero concerns about it when I ordered the Crosswind pedals. 

 

I also sold a lot of it for backer plates in the boat building industry. A lot of builders use it rather than metal due to corrosion, and again it is tough as can be 

so no worries anchoring boat parts down into it. Things like boat towers anchored into the boat hull.

 

The way Milan is using this material in his pedals, yeah they won't be wearing out.

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by dburne

[Brendo]

12 hours ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

People recommend what they have bought. The Crosswinds are much longer on the market than the Virpil Ace. 

 

The technology inside precisely the same, while the Virpil Ace has a more durable full metal construction.

 

I'd go by price in this case. If you like metal, the choice is clear.

 

P.S. Be careful with Slaw recommendations, you don't know how the support level is there. Will they send replacement parts? Virpil sends even electronic boards within a week without double questioning. Don't know if MFG does the same.

Slaws support is fine ,answers any questions within 24hrs

4 hours ago, Lupus said:

 

Yeah, I got that most people were recommending what they had themselves.  It's what they have experience with.  It is those experiences I'm interested in hearing about though.

 

Your right, MFG's have been on the market longer than the Virpil Ace's, but I couldn't identify a lot of difference, except maybe some of the adjustments you can make on the MFG's that you can't make on the Virpil pedals.  Toe in and out being the most prominent I can see.  Perhaps toe break tension as well.

 

  I'm a little leery of the Slaw pedals as well.  If they don't want to invest in a website for their company to promote their product and provide a point of sale, which only costs about 90 to $100/year for full service web hosting I have to wonder about whether this is a business or hobby for them and how long they will be around to service their product.  Just a lingering doubt in my mind.  And I can't even easily find out how much they would cost either.

 Truth be told when I was going through the process of slaw pedals I was a bit on edge,tracking him down to make an order ,language barrier ect. It's only him that makes these pedals he's been around for years now and has a solid reputation.the end it comes to what you are comfortable with.  I haven't read any problems with virpil pedals or the crosswinds either  so anyway you go is going to be good

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

I love my Crosswinds and they operate flawlessly. My only issue, if any, is the heel plate which should keep your foot on the pedal is kind of shallow and your foot can slip if the heel of your shoe is rounded. I'd prefer the heel plate was taller. Response, build and support are all top notch. I'm considering the Slaw Dora pedals with a damper mostly because they are sexy looking.

[69th_Panp]

 Go Crosswinds 

I have serial number 0067 and I have never had any issue what so ever, with them.

Just as accurate as the first day I used them, always return to zero.

It's been plug and play with no worries!?

Well worth the money

Wish I could say the same for some of my other flight gear?

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Agree they are easy to set up but they aren’t quite plug and play. Milan’s YouTube videos are a must to set up the software or adjust the pedals.

[Eclipse4349]

I sometimes dream of replacing my modded CH pedals with Crosswinds... Maybe someday soon

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

On 4/14/2020 at 7:05 PM, 69th_Panp said:

 Go Crosswinds 

I have serial number 0067 and I have never had any issue what so ever, with them.

Just as accurate as the first day I used them, always return to zero.

It's been plug and play with no worries!?

Well worth the money

Wish I could say the same for some of my other flight gear?

7484 here ?

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

Where is that number on MFG Crosswinds? Got the V2 version..

[56RAF_Roke]

I have Crosswinds, and they are excellent...although given that I'm sitting at a desk, in an office chair, I do wonder if the VKB solution would actually be a bit more suitable to that environment.

 

Certainly if you use the PC for many other things and think that you may need to move the pedals regularly, the VKB set are probably the most compact and portable. The Crosswinds are  a pain to move. Toe breaks are no issue for me, easy to set up an alternative IMO.

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

On 4/16/2020 at 5:00 PM, LLv34_Flanker said:

S!

 

Where is that number on MFG Crosswinds? Got the V2 version..

Top right part ?, clean the dust ?

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

Thanks, found it ? S/N: 9450