The High-End Battle Royale Pedal Shootout

[Aurelius_IL2]

Marvel, I like the mock-ups! ... Nice!

 

[kestrel79]

Nice review on 3 very cool sets of pedals. I have an Obutto Ozone cockpit and the metal isn't very side for all 3 of these pedals, so I'm forced to stick with cheaper narrower sets of pedals from CH or Thrustmaster. The $79.00 TRPS or whatever they are called work really good for me in the Obutto last couple years and I prefer them to my CH stuff which is probably over 20 years old.

[Aurelius_IL2]

Yea, ... you'd think Obutto of all manufacturers would be up to date on the latest flight sim equipment and size their cockpits accordingly. I'd be pretty pissed if I spent decent clams to then find my setup did not allow me to mount the Slaws, Crosswinds or T-Rudders.

[hsthhsth]

@kestrel79, Milan offers pedal adjusters to narrow the width of the pedals. He made these so the Crosswinds fit into the Obutto. I have the R3Volution and it works great without any problems.

You might check if the Ozone has the same dimensions.

[kestrel79]

Very cool thanks hsthhsth!

 

I'll have to check these out. I want to say the Rev is a little wider than the Ozone but I'll double check. Where do I check out these special adjusters? I don't see them on his website can you provide a link?

 

Actually I found it, it says the Ozone is too narrow

 

https://mfg.simundza.com/blog/volair-sim-obutto-r3volution-compatibility-with-wap-addon-from-mfg/

Edited October 19, 2020 by kestrel79

[norsetto]

On 10/15/2020 at 8:20 PM, kestrel79 said:

I have an Obutto Ozone cockpit

I hope you don't mind me asking, are you happy with it? Was thinking to get one myself but I was put off by the monitor attachment only allowing up to 32" screens. Also, it seems rather cheap (design and materialwise) for the asking price?

[hsthhsth]

@norsetto, I'm quite happy with the set-up. The chair is comfy (with Simshaker ). My (single) monitor is a dell_u3415w (34 inch) that holds no problem at all.

 

The whole set gives really much options for mounting various controls (stick etcetera) of various sizes. Check http://www.kanttorinkone.com/console.html for a picture of my cockpit.

 

The whole set is made of steel so I wouldn't know what part would easily brake or could be seen as 'cheap' ?.

If have the set since 2016 and after four years nothing has come loose or fallen off.

[Sokol1]

On 10/15/2020 at 11:28 AM, Marvel said:

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/uploads/monthly_2020_10/MCCP_1.thumb.JPG.80135b7b75588fad7970c57a56ba0f46.JPG

 

Marvel, 

 

Look in Viper pedals how CAM was used in brakes,  requiring apply an  progressive force when pressing brakes, giving better feel.

 

When drawing spring anchor support, look for possibility to add a anchor point for an motorcycle steering damper.

[Marvel]

15 hours ago, Sokol1 said:

 

Marvel, 

 

Look in Viper pedals how CAM was used in brakes,  requiring apply an  progressive force when pressing brakes, giving better feel.

 

When drawing spring anchor support, look for possibility to add a anchor point for an motorcycle steering damper.

 

Hi Sokol, thanks for suggestion! Yep, I will provide for a damper to smooth pedals movements. Rudder pedals are not finished, yet.

 

For cam used in brakes they are not so clear to me. They seem to operate with one or two springs....Do you have additional images, please?

 

Ciao!

 

M

[Sokol1]

Yes, are two springs, for allow customize "weight" (more, less).

The upper arm is fixed, the lower, movable  has the progressive profile, for increase the force applied to the pedal, see in this side view:

https://youtu.be/tIyeIED83e8?t=625

 

[Capt_Hook]

On 10/19/2020 at 12:53 PM, norsetto said:

I hope you don't mind me asking, are you happy with it? Was thinking to get one myself but I was put off by the monitor attachment only allowing up to 32" screens. Also, it seems rather cheap (design and materialwise) for the asking price?

I bought one of the very first batch of R3volution pits sent to the States, and I've been very happy with it.  Currently running the first gen Slaw pedals (BF109) pictured in the review, and they fit just fine.  I'd definitely go for the R3v rather than the Ozone, though to be dead honest - if I had to do it all over again today I'd compare the R3v with a full custom 80/20 setup from one of the many racing pit vendors before buying anything.  I'd still probably go with the R3v - Working from home during the pandemic I sit in this pit 12+ hours a day (before it was 4-5), and the ability to have the keyboard and mouse right in perfect position is critical.  I've got a pic of the pit in the 'pit pictures' thread on the forums here: https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/8441-show-us-your-cockpit/?do=findComment&comment=911123

 

 

On topic for the review, I've wondered over the last year or so if it would be worth it to sell my gen 1 Slaw pedals for the newest version.  I actually prefer the 109 pedals compared to the F-16, but I'd like the soft-center cam drive upgrade.

Edited October 21, 2020 by Capt_Hook

[norsetto]

9 hours ago, Capt_Hook said:

I'd definitely go for the R3v rather than the Ozone

Totally agree with you but the price tag is a bummer for me. I might look into a custom pit later on but for now I think I'll just go for the classic desktop with desktop attachments.

 

PS. Sorry for derailing the thread, I will keep quiet now

Edited October 22, 2020 by norsetto
Add apology for thread derailing

[Ribbon]

On 10/6/2020 at 2:51 PM, messsucher said:

 

Oh crap, I know for sure I don't like them if they are noisy. Breaks immersion, distracting noises.

I never noticed during the gameplay VKB rudder 4 pedals noise, not even once!

And i don't use headphones or earbugs, just crappy Rift S open audio!

When =VARP=Tvrdi said he had problem with them being noisy i wen't and checked mine without any background noise and there was some noise but only when you instantly keep pushing full left or right, nothing serious.

When using them normal there is no noise at all.

Mfg crosswind was one of my options when upgrading from CH but went for VKB since i'm quite limited with space.

 

I found that vkb pedals are perfect choice if flying in VR, it's press-in system makes them firmly in one place not sliding like other push pedals, and most important it's way easier to check six in VR as you can use them with rotating office chair while still having feets on them (not possible with other push pedals), offers soo many sitting and feet positions unlike push pedals making it more comfortable and last i'm much more precise with them due to press-in/heli system.

 

Downsides: no brakes but it's software allows it to bind switch button to use them as brakes and rudder when button pressed, irrelevant for me since i use brake on MCG grip.

Second downside is immersion since heli system isn't used in airplanes.

 

IMO for VR users VKB rudder mk.4 is best option!

 

[messsucher]

1 hour ago, =VARP=Ribbon said:

I never noticed during the gameplay VKB rudder 4 pedals noise, not even once!

And i don't use headphones or earbugs, just crappy Rift S open audio!

When =VARP=Tvrdi said he had problem with them being noisy i wen't and checked mine without any background noise and there was some noise but only when you instantly keep pushing full left or right, nothing serious.

When using them normal there is no noise at all.

Mfg crosswind was one of my options when upgrading from CH but went for VKB since i'm quite limited with space.

 

I found that vkb pedals are perfect choice if flying in VR, it's press-in system makes them firmly in one place not sliding like other push pedals, and most important it's way easier to check six in VR as you can use them with rotating office chair while still having feets on them (not possible with other push pedals), offers soo many sitting and feet positions unlike push pedals making it more comfortable and last i'm much more precise with them due to press-in/heli system.

 

Downsides: no brakes but it's software allows it to bind switch button to use them as brakes and rudder when button pressed, irrelevant for me since i use brake on MCG grip.

Second downside is immersion since heli system isn't used in airplanes.

 

IMO for VR users VKB rudder mk.4 is best option!

 

 

I very much agree on you with everything here. As a tool VKBs are near perfect and impressive design. Would not buy any other all things considered, of which one unmentioned thing is that you can connect the pedals and VKB stick to the same box, saving you one USB connection.

[kestrel79]

On 10/19/2020 at 12:53 PM, norsetto said:

I hope you don't mind me asking, are you happy with it? Was thinking to get one myself but I was put off by the monitor attachment only allowing up to 32" screens. Also, it seems rather cheap (design and materialwise) for the asking price?

 

Yes I'm very happy with my Ozone. I've had it for over 10 years now. Very sturdy, and is perfect for what I need because I play flight sims and racing sims. You can switch back and forth between both fairly quickly swapping out the stick and wheel.

 

If I was getting one now I'd make sure to get the Revolution Obutto, since the Ozone isn't made anymore really and seems to be better in every way over the original.

[Sokol1]

On 10/22/2020 at 8:36 AM, =VARP=Ribbon said:

T-Rudder... Second downside is immersion since heli system isn't used in airplanes.

 

T-Rudder operation is not exactly like helicopter anti-torque pedals, these move in arch, back and forth, when T-rudder move, in arch, down and up.

T-Rudder can be used like helicopter pedals if placed on vertical, as the pedals will move back and forth.

Only a Russian Airliner, Tupolev I think, use geometry similar to R-Rudder.

 

I use one, as posted above, as a (precise) tool for control rudder in flight games, and don't care if they don't look/feel "real".

And unless I get a kind of cockpit (highly improbable) I don't exchange then by more conventional pedals.

 

Edited October 24, 2020 by Sokol1

[Ribbon]

10 hours ago, Sokol1 said:

 

T-Rudder operation is not exactly like helicopter anti-torque pedals, these move in arch, back and forth, when T-rudder move, in arch, down and up.

T-Rudder can be used like helicopter pedals if placed on vertical, as the pedals will move back and forth.

Only a Russian Airliner, Tupolev I think, use geometry similar to R-Rudder.

 

I use one, as posted above, as a (precise) tool for control rudder in flight games, and don't care if they don't look/feel "real".

And unless I get a kind of cockpit (highly improbable) I don't exchange then by more conventional pedals.

 

Yes i know even i never had chance to work on helicopters, i would say it is much closer to heli pedals (more than half way there) than they are to airplane which are pure push.

Anyway for ppl with limited roomspace and those using spinning office chair and VR that want easier check six i think VKB rudder pedals are way to  go (quality and precision are high end too).....other than that MFG crosswind and Slaw pedals are wow!

 

S!

[icecream]

With the damper installed on my pedals(Slaw dora v2)I gain more control BUT I lose precision in the process.

seems to work smoother on the brd pedals.(maybe because of its dual cam design(?))

 

Pretty good read here about the different pedals too:(agree with most of the stuff he said about the VKB pedals and SLAW, Interestingly the brd pedals seems to be the smoothest hence why the damper is probably working better on them?

(Some guy claimed this is solved by pouring in new oil and grips, but then again, I didn't expect much from these ebay dampers anyways)

 

Honestly, after testing out most of the pedals, I always came back to my MK3 pedals, however, after buying the MK4 later, problems started to appear.

 

The right pedal felt sluggish and sticky, only the left pedal felt smooth, even after a new unit came in, so not sure what changed because I did not feel this on my mk3 pedals,

So I stopped using the T-Rudders all together,I deeply regret selling the mk3 as they were the smoothest for me out of all the pedals and had zero problems with them, unlike the mk4.

 

Just from playing IL-2 and playing with the rudder I can tell you that the Trudders have the smoothest operation/travel for me personally, I put pressure on both my toes and im in total control, I feel every small input.

 

It's not really hard to grasp why the T-Rudders are the most precise pedal for me personally.
you literally step on them with your toes, this is where you are the most precise with them, compared to pushing pedal with the entire feet.

 

But as I said above, I sold them, and bought MK4 pedal from VKB, and problems started to appear with a new unit.

Currently still using the SLAW pedals without damper, and I will keep using them until VKB or anyone else will blow me out of the water with new pedals.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 7, 2021 by icecream
link

[Aurelius_IL2]

I have never been able to test the BRD-F2 so I cannot say how smooth or reliable they are. I own a set of the T-Rudder Mark IV's and they have been flawless for me. I have not noticed a preference for right/left weighting as you describe. As you probably know, the Virpil ACE's, the Crosswinds and the Slaw Vipers all now offer cams with no center (formerly they did not). The Slaws with the damper do feel "heavy" (more like real aircraft) but are still very precise in my book. With the standard $30 motorcycle steering damper, you can change out the oil for a different viscosity but it is a bit of a pain for those not mechanically inclined. Overall, considering all facets, preciseness, bearings, construction, electronics, software, etc ... the Slaws are the best product.

[Aurelius_IL2]

Erik in Germany sent me a question asking about mechanical resonance in rudder pedal sets. In most of the high-end pedal sets Erik the frequency of applied force (from the pilot's feet) is simply too far from the natural frequency for it to be an issue. If you would like the more elaborate and exact differential equation answer, private message me.