Which Pedal Set would you buy?

[=FSB=Man-Yac]

Hey guys.

I have been using twisting joysticks for years. I am thinking of getting pedals to step up my game and also to improve my hand feet coordination. My budget is pretty low, is there anything around 100 euros you guys could recommend me? Something that you can "abuse" ( give sudden push to clear your tail, etc) around that price? I have been searching but a recommendation would be nice.

 

Thank you

[cardboard_killer]

It seems to me that many people have been using CH pedals very successfully for many years, even when they praise the higher end pedals when switching from the CH pedals.

 

However, I would recommend saving a bit more and buying the VKB T-rudder. I have crosswinds, but I got them used otherwise I would have gone that route for cost and smaller footprint.

28 minutes ago, =FSB=Man-Yac said:

I have been using twisting joysticks for years. I am thinking of getting pedals to step up my game and also to improve my hand feet coordination. My budget is pretty low, is there anything around 100 euros you guys could recommend me? Something that you can "abuse" ( give sudden push to clear your tail, etc) around that price? I have been searching but a recommendation would be nice.

 

[=FSB=Man-Yac]

29 minutes ago, cardboard_killer said:

It seems to me that many people have been using CH pedals very successfully for many years, even when they praise the higher end pedals when switching from the CH pedals.

 

However, I would recommend saving a bit more and buying the VKB T-rudder. I have crosswinds, but I got them used otherwise I would have gone that route for cost and smaller footprint.

 

The VKB T rudder seems really weird to me. I rather have something I can "rest" my feet upon. The CH seems hard to find online and budget wise similar to the VKB. What do you think of the LogitechG Saitek Rudder pedals? Budget is still an issue atm and I plan in replacing them in 2 years time with high end ones.

[cardboard_killer]

1 hour ago, =FSB=Man-Yac said:

What do you think of the LogitechG Saitek Rudder pedals? Budget is still an issue atm and I plan in replacing them in 2 years time with high end ones.

 

I've only ever had the crosswinds, so cannot really comment except that from my research the CHs are more respected than the Logitech. I didn't know that the CH were so expensive.

[Lupus]

4 hours ago, =FSB=Man-Yac said:

The VKB T rudder seems really weird to me. I rather have something I can "rest" my feet upon. The CH seems hard to find online and budget wise similar to the VKB. What do you think of the LogitechG Saitek Rudder pedals? Budget is still an issue atm and I plan in replacing them in 2 years time with high end ones.

 

Interestingly enough, I happen to have a set of CH Pro Pedals.  That's what I'm looking to upgrade from.  Once I have new pedals, I won't have much use for the ones I have (It's the ministick on my throttle thats giving me issues and started this whole upgrade process, not my rudder pedals).  I'll be looking to sell them at that point.  New they sell for about $120 USD retail.  I'll be selling mine for about $60 USD.  I've also got a Fighterstick and Pro Throttle I'll be looking to sell as well.  Those will also likely go for about $60 USD each.

[cardboard_killer]

6 hours ago, =FSB=Man-Yac said:

I rather have something I can "rest" my feet upon.

 

My one problem with the crosswinds is that often in resting my feet on them I end up pushing a little bit with my left leg, probably due to an old back injury.

1 hour ago, Lupus said:

I'll be looking to sell them at that point.

 

Not sure how it is in Europe, but I do often see used CH and logitecs on sale here in the US; not so much with crosswinds or VKBs!

[Beazil]

5 hours ago, cardboard_killer said:

 

I've only ever had the crosswinds, so cannot really comment except that from my research the CHs are more respected than the Logitech. I didn't know that the CH were so expensive.

Well, as an aside, I've been using my saitek pro pedals for more than 16 years with no issues.  I use them daily, and often for several hours at a time.  I'd also like "nicer" pedals.  But when it's $215 for a single axis (vkb) or $500 plus for either the virpils, crosswinds or that overpriced contraption of thrust master's (pendulum), the choices get harder to make.  At least from over here.

 

Edit:. I've also had the ch pedals.  The saiteks are nicer in that they have more adjustments you can make..  Ch are still good though.

Edited April 19, 2020 by JG51_Beazil

[cardboard_killer]

7 minutes ago, JG51_Beazil said:

$500 plus for either the virpils, crosswinds

 

Crosswinds are 275USD plus shipping right now, I think. I thought the VKBs were cheaper; maybe I saw them on sale somewhere? I got my VKB joystick for 30% off as an open box special, and my crosswinds used in  a package deal with a CH yoke and CH 6 axis quadrant for $320 shipped. Yoke sucked but quad and crosswinds work beautifully.

[Beazil]

Well then, thak you Cardboard.  I'll have alook and see if I can obtain a set for that price....

 

Edit:  Nope.  $402.00 Canadian.  That's a lot.  Oh, plus shipping.  Total $469.33.

 

 

Nope.

 

Just for fun:

 

VKB = $ 273 shipped - not a bad option, but you lose the two extra toe break axis.  I know you don't NEED the toe breaks, but really I can't justify that for a single axis control.  Even if it is directly integrated with my stick.  That COULD be USD though.  IF it is then the price for me would be $382.70.  Wow.   I can't tell from the checkout what the currency is.

Correction:  it IS USD.  Therefore my price would be $382.70.  

 

Virpil? = $457.20 before we even talk about shipping.  NEXT!

 

Slaw?  $602.00 before shipping.  Jesus Christ.

 

LOL Thrustmaster?  $649.00 before shipping.

 

So with CH starting at $130, Thrustmaster at $125 and Logitechs from $220 and up.... I just don't know.

 

I guess they were much cheaper before.  I don't think I paid more than $150 for my set of Saiteks.  

 

My winners would be Thrustmaster for budget, and then either VKB or MFG's.  And honestly, looking at my choices from here, it's one of the VKB or MFG's.  Those prices for a metal set really punch up the prices.  I can appreciate why anyone would just stick with something like saiteks, ch's or thrustmaster's entry level offerings.

 

I honestly don't know why people would spend hypothetically more for a set of pedals than a corresponding brand's hotas, but it appears that is the world we live in now.  Looks like a set of Saiteks will cost you as much or more than an x52, which is nonsense to me.  That's a whole other discussion though.

Edited April 19, 2020 by JG51_Beazil

[cardboard_killer]

41 minutes ago, JG51_Beazil said:

$402.00 Canadian.

 

There's a 5% off sale right now making them about 275 USD or 253 EUR or 386 CAD.

Edited April 19, 2020 by cardboard_killer

[Warpig]

I use a desktop with rolling chair setup on a wooden floor. The VKB T-Rudders are perfect for this setup. I get no chair motion at all while using these pedals. Plus, I personally love the up/down movement of the pedals. It just feels more intuitive to me.  Probably because they were my first set of pedals that I stuck with.

 

I originally tried the Saitek Combat pedals with the same desk setup, and they just didn't work. I couldn't use them without my chair moving, and they felt very wrong for me. My brain just didn't want to make the connection. After only one attempt at using them, I sent them back. So for me, the T-Rudders was a completely better experience than the traditional pedals on rails.

 

As far as a desk setup goes, you can't go wrong with the T-Rudders if you can afford to loose the toe brakes (I find the lever axis on my MCG Pro is very satisfying to use as brakes). The build materials and quality make them a bargain IMO.

Edited April 20, 2020 by Warpig

[Lupus]

4 hours ago, Warpig said:

I use a desktop with rolling chair setup on a wooden floor. The VKB T-Rudders are perfect for this setup. I get no chair motion at all while using these pedals. Plus, I personally love the up/down movement of the pedals. It just feels more intuitive to me.  Probably because they were my first set of pedals that I stuck with.

 

I originally tried the Saitek Combat pedals with the same desk setup, and they just didn't work. I couldn't use them without my chair moving, and they felt very wrong for me. My brain just didn't want to make the connection. After only one attempt at using them, I sent them back. So for me, the T-Rudders was a completely better experience than the traditional pedals on rails.

 

As far as a desk setup goes, you can't go wrong with the T-Rudders if you can afford to loose the toe brakes (I find the lever axis on my MCG Pro is very satisfying to use as brakes). The build materials and quality make them a bargain IMO.

 

I agree, that the T-Rudders sound like an ideal setup under the circumstances your describing.

 

I'm just not willing to sacrifice toe brakes.  Almost any of the GA aircraft I might fly have toe brakes.  Without exception, the Warbirds I fly regularly all are equipped with Toe Brakes, plus the slew use I have for them in Elite Dangerous.

[RedKestrel]

For me, the VKB T-rudders used to be quite a bit cheaper than the Crosswinds even when accounting for shipping and they are nice for under a desk. Now, with the CDN dollar in the toilet  vs the USD its basically the same price for both (i.e. too expensive for me right now). I was looking at getting pedals not too long ago but opted to upgrade my computer instead to deal with performance issues. My CH pedals are still functioning OK, obviously it would be nice to get something better but at this point anything better is $450 to $500 -  more than I paid for a new video card and 16 GB of fast RAM. If they died tomorrow I probably wouldn't have any option other than to replace them with another set. 

It's frustrating that there are so few pedals at the entry to mid level price point that are worth the money. But pedals absorb a lot of force and weight so a good set has to be durable, which means good materials and good engineering...neither of which is cheap. The CH pedals haven't changed in 20 years because they hit the price point with the right functionality and decent durability, and everyone just deals with their deficiencies. People who want something better are most likely going to shell out for a great set of pedals.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

I just got info from Slaw that my  dark metallic RX Viper V2 should arrive  in 2 days ? 

 

It's time to retire my CH pedals, espcialy good time becouse I switched to FC only aeroplanes in Il-2GB and those ww1 planes need plenty use of rudder, not just to coordinated the turn but actually to turn.

Edited April 20, 2020 by 1PL-Husar-1Esk

[Beazil]

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

I just got info from Slaw that my  dark metallic RX Viper V2 should arrive  in 2 days ? 

 

It's time to retire my CH pedals, espcialy good time becouse I switched to FC only aeroplanes in Il-2GB and those ww1 planes need plenty use of rudder, not just to coordinated the turn but actually to turn.

Post a review if you can and are so inclined.  I'm sure there are alot of us that would appreciate it.  I hope you enjoy them.  S!

[Brendo]

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

I just got info from Slaw that my  dark metallic RX Viper V2 should arrive  in 2 days ? 

 

It's time to retire my CH pedals, espcialy good time becouse I switched to FC only aeroplanes in Il-2GB and those ww1 planes need plenty use of rudder, not just to coordinated the turn but actually to turn.

 Nice 

[Lupus]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and for the information.  Based on your suggestions, and various reviews I found on Youtube.  I decided on the MFG Crosswinds.

 

The biggest reason for this though, personal preferences asside, as one of you pointed out, was the width of the pedals.  The Crosswinds, with the Width Adjustment and setting them to the narrowest setting makes them fit in the footwell of my Obutto R3volution.

 

Those pedals arrived today.  I haven't yet flown with them, but after making adjustments and 'trying them out'.  OMG! They are so smooth!

 

I'll update this after I actually fly with them.  I am so looking forward to this!

 

[FTC_Snowy]

Enjoy them Lulus. ? A good set of rudder pedals makes a huge difference. 

[Lupus]

WOW!  What a difference!  They are smooth and most importantly that translates into much greater precision.  When I'm training in on a Mig-3 I can give just a bit of rudder input and I no longer jerk greatly to one side, but rather small inputs are possible, resulting in that fine precision control that puts me on target and makes the kill shot possible.  I brought down 2 bogies tonight and easily still had half my remaining ammo.  I suspect that 4 bogie sorties are going to become much more common place for me, provided there are targets available, rather than the rarity where I get the lucky snapshot.  I didn't realize that they would make this big a difference.  All I can say is Wow!

 

This makes me wonder what more will change once my Virpil upgrades come in.

Edited April 25, 2020 by Lupus

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

4 hours ago, Lupus said:

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and for the information.  Based on your suggestions, and various reviews I found on Youtube.  I decided on the MFG Crosswinds.

 

The biggest reason for this though, personal preferences asside, as one of you pointed out, was the width of the pedals.  The Crosswinds, with the Width Adjustment and setting them to the narrowest setting makes them fit in the footwell of my Obutto R3volution.

 

Those pedals arrived today.  I haven't yet flown with them, but after making adjustments and 'trying them out'.  OMG! They are so smooth!

 

I'll update this after I actually fly with them.  I am so looking forward to this!

 

Did you try the cam with almost no dead center ? For me is way better for aiming

[dburne]

3 hours ago, Lupus said:

WOW!  What a difference!  They are smooth and most importantly that translates into much greater precision.  When I'm training in on a Mig-3 I can give just a bit of rudder input and I no longer jerk greatly to one side, but rather small inputs are possible, resulting in that fine precision control that puts me on target and makes the kill shot possible.  I brought down 2 bogies tonight and easily still had half my remaining ammo.  I suspect that 4 bogie sorties are going to become much more common place for me, provided there are targets available, rather than the rarity where I get the lucky snapshot.  I didn't realize that they would make this big a difference.  All I can say is Wow!

 

This makes me wonder what more will change once my Virpil upgrades come in.

 

 

Congrats!

Crosswinds are definitely a neat piece of hardware!

[Lupus]

7 hours ago, E69_Qpassa_VR said:

Did you try the cam with almost no dead center ? For me is way better for aiming

 

Is that Cam 4 or 6?

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

1 hour ago, Lupus said:

 

Is that Cam 4 or 6?

don't know, I think I would have to dismount it to see the number, it's the one with softcenter