Rudder/Pedals: Thrustmaster TPR or MFG Crosswind? (Newbie Question)

[tangofan]

Thrustmaster TPR vs MFG Crosswind

 

Hello,

 

I'm fairly new to DCS World, have dusted off my old CH Fighterstick USB and ordered a cheap throttle (before deciding on a good one to get).

 

With rudder/pedals the choice seems to be a bit simpler, so I'd like to order a decent unit right away. After doing quite a bit of research I'm looking at either a Thrustmaster TPR or an MFG Crosswind, but I'm not really sure, which one to get. It seems that both do their job very well and their owners generally have very good things to say about them, so it's probably more about nuances than about major faults in either product.

 

So here is my pro and con list for both (and I hope that I got my facts correct):

 

Thrustmaster TPR:

+ sturdy metal build (apparently much higher build quality, when compared to Warthog HOTAS system)

+ supposedly more "realistic" pedal action for fighter jets

- some center detent (not sure how much that matters, but I hear for helicopter sim it's a problem)

- pedal height not adjustable, potentially causing discomfort, since balls of feet rest on the floor

 

 

MFG Crosswind:

+ Several modification option, e.g. for center CAM, pedal distance

* feet rest on pedal, thus more comfortable (but less realistic)

* Material not metal, but (supposedly sturdy) composite

- no (or very slight) center detent, so better control, particularly for helicopters

- less realistic pedal action for fighter jets

 

 

At the moment I'm just getting to know the F/A18-C Hornet, so I won't be flying a helicopter any time soon, yet it would be nice to have a pedal that could do both.

 

So I'm wondering, if the Crosswind is the overall more flexible pedal, even though the material might be somewhat "inferior" to the TWS and the pedal action less realistic.

 

I would appreciate any comments on my thought process, particularly if there are things that I should be aware of regarding either (or both) of the two.

 

Thanks so much in advance for any input,

Bernhard

[hornblower793]

I can't compare the two as I have not used the Thrustmaster pedals. I own and use daily a set of Crosswind pedals and am very happy with them.

 

The material is very sturdy and, while they are not heel on floor pedals, they have a nice feel to them. I am not a real pilot so do not have muscle memory complaining about them not being heel on floor.

 

I use them happily with both fixed wing and rotary modules.

 

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[Gruman]

Since Milan from MFG never delivered the promised Combat Pedals, I switched out my MFG Crosswinds with Thrustmaster TPR. I prefer the style and foot placement.

Never missed the crosswinds since then.

 

But both are simply great products. Choose according to your foot placement preference.

In this price range there are also other products like Baur and Slavs. Maybe worth a look as well.

 

Thrustmaster TPR:

+ sturdy metal build (apparently much higher build quality, when compared to Warthog HOTAS system)

Well, build quality is great. But the comparrision for the HOTAS is a bit unfair...

+ supposedly more "realistic" pedal action for fighter jets

Yep

- some center detent (not sure how much that matters, but I hear for helicopter sim it's a problem)

You can tighten or loosen the spring or completly disconnect it for no-centering

- pedal height not adjustable, potentially causing discomfort, since balls of feet rest on the floor

Put something under your feet if the leg/foot angle causes discomfort. Other than that, foot placement is perfect. You wont need those toe breaks for 99% of flying.

 

 

MFG Crosswind:

+ Several modification option, e.g. for center CAM, pedal distance

You can change out the CAM's and install distance plates to have them wider apart. AFAIK thats all.

* feet rest on pedal, thus more comfortable (but less realistic)

I found it uncomfortable. But thats just me. Prefer to have my foot resting on the floor

* Material not metal, but (supposedly sturdy) composite

Great material. Get it in dark if you plan to use it barefoot. Gets dirty and ugly real quick

- no (or very slight) center detent, so better control, particularly for helicopters

Adjustable spring as the TPR. But the changeable cams can get good results.

- less realistic pedal action for fighter jets

modern fighter jets

Edited May 5, 2020 by Gruman

[Voyager]

I have not tried the Thrustmaster TPR either, but do have a pair of Crosswinds. The centering cam is replaceable, and they do have a set of Jet representative cams. I'm personally using the prop job cam, mostly because I use them most for WWII era aviation, but the material is very solid and comfortable. It is a composite so it does not get cold to the touch if you are not wearing shoes or foot coverings when your using them.

 

I also appreciate just how much spring tension you can put into the centering. I noticed on my older CH Pro-Pedals that, if I got distracted, I could forget just how much rudder I was applying, without lifting of the pedals entirely to figure out where I was again. The MFG's I've got so strongly sprung that I always know where I am in the travel. Also encourages me to trim when I can.

[Nightstalker]

I own the TPR pedals. Next to my Virpil stick, the TPR pedals have so far been the best purchase I’ve ever made in regards to my flight sim hobby. I just can’t describe how buttery smooth they are. I can literally control the rudders with nothing more than the pressure of my big toe on each pedal.

 

I love helicopters but they were very frustrating to control until I got one of these. Now helicopters are a joy to fly. The unit is very sturdy. It is also very adjustable for foot angle or tension. In 30 yrs of buying flight sim gear, this was definitely one of my smartest purchases. It just made such a difference.

 

Last point. For such a large purchase I felt more confident that if there was a problem I could go to my local store for a return or service. I didn’t want to have to be shipping that thing across the pond.

[X-31_VECTOR]

I'm a very happy MFG user and see them as a good compromise across module types (jet, WWII, helo). Build quality is entirely solid so don't worry about that.

 

If I were buying a set of pedals today, I would also give some consideration to the Virpil pedal series, which gives you options for foot-rest style (e.g., heel on or off floor). Your challenge will be catching them in stock, as Virpil production does not keep up with demand.

[Sokol1_br]

You can modify Crosswind for heels of floor operation, with 3D printed pads:

 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2669273

 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3994696

 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2830791

[dburne]

Not sure why Milan never got around to offering those heels on floor pedals for the Crosswinds.

He told me that was the reason he designed the front of the frame to come in so narrow, to allow for that.

I guess he was always too busy to get around to it.

[Aviators]

VKB? ;)

[Sydy]

Hi,

I have the MFG Crosswinds and it is awesome. I put them in a mdf wood plank with white finishing. Fancy!

Good luck,

Sydy

[Sydy]

Hi,

I have the MFG Crosswinds and it is awesome. I put them in a mdf wood plank with white finishing. Fancy!

Good luck,

Sydy

[tangofan]

I'm a very happy MFG user and see them as a good compromise across module types (jet, WWII, helo). Build quality is entirely solid so don't worry about that.

 

If I were buying a set of pedals today, I would also give some consideration to the Virpil pedal series, which gives you options for foot-rest style (e.g., heel on or off floor). Your challenge will be catching them in stock, as Virpil production does not keep up with demand.

 

Actually I'd be very interested in the Virpil paddles, however I ruled them out, since the supply situation is ... aehm.... "precarious" at best.

[tangofan]

VKB? ;)

Their rudder pedals don't appear to have a toe brake (not counting the "virtual toe brake" in Windows), so I ruled them out because of that.

[BuzzU]

I had the TPR pedals and didn't like them. I'm looking at the Crosswind and i'm sure i'll like those.

[tangofan]

I had the TPR pedals and didn't like them. I'm looking at the Crosswind and i'm sure i'll like those.

 

What was it you didn't like about them?

[BuzzU]

They would better in a cockpit that lets you sit lower and get the proper angle to move the pedals. I use a desk and sit too high. It was uncomfortable to push the pedals. My desk is my only option, so the TPR's aren't for me. Think how low you sit in a real fighter.

 

I lost $150 selling them.

[tangofan]

Thanks so much to all who responded. In the end I decided to go with the MFG Crosswind. If the Virpil pedals would have been available, I might have chosen them, but since they're out of stock, the decision was made a bit easier.

[Aviators]

MFG ;)

[dburne]

Thanks so much to all who responded. In the end I decided to go with the MFG Crosswind. If the Virpil pedals would have been available, I might have chosen them, but since they're out of stock, the decision was made a bit easier.

 

:thumbup:

 

Nice choice!

[X-31_VECTOR]

Awesome choice. While you wait for them to arrive, give some thought to how to keep them in one place. Despite being very solid, they are also relatively lightweight, so can creep away from you depending on your flooring type.

 

The pedals have adjustable stand-offs on the back side that work great for bracing them against a wall, if that works for your particular setup. If not, you may want to add some sort of board between them and the wall, or think about how to anchor them in place by other means. Mine are now bolted to a Wheelstand Pro, but before that I used foam rubber shelf liner to keep them from sliding on a wood floor.

[Aviators]

Great choice ;)

[hornblower793]

Awesome choice. While you wait for them to arrive, give some thought to how to keep them in one place. Despite being very solid, they are also relatively lightweight, so can creep away from you depending on your flooring type.

 

The pedals have adjustable stand-offs on the back side that work great for bracing them against a wall, if that works for your particular setup. If not, you may want to add some sort of board between them and the wall, or think about how to anchor them in place by other means. Mine are now bolted to a Wheelstand Pro, but before that I used foam rubber shelf liner to keep them from sliding on a wood floor.

We have used Really Useful Boxes as our spacer - it has a groove at just the right height for the pedal spacers bars to sit in

 

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[Aviators]

i change my choice :D TPR :D