Need to take pedal plunge...high end advice wanted...

[Guest Izoul123]

Ok folks, need you to chime in. Going to build new rig for DCS/high end PC gaming, and this current gaming rig I'm using now for DCS/Steam will be moved living room for steam box of sorts.

 

I have TMWH+TIR5/really nice monitor/wild sound system. Don't worry about the upcoming build, will be a self build like always. I'm not looking for advice on gaming rig as that's a whole thread in itself, I got that part lol. Rudders though, I'm virgin as can be. Let's just say I want the icing on the cake for A10C in DCS.

 

My question is RUDDERS. I've never bought them before. I have hardwood floor where they will be used in my office/man cave/, so I don't want shit that is to lightweight/slides. A brake/brace for them screwed to the floor is not out of the question assuming they are on caliber of TMWH, I want the good shit. If need be I will screw the bastard to the floor, just trying to avoid that as it's virgin nice hardwood. But man cave comes first, and I will screw it down if need be, hope that makes sense.

 

I want function wise: Toe-brake/obvious rudder control for it. USB connection. I'd prefer something for 'larger feet' that is comfortable enough to use bare foot.

 

Price is not an object as long as it's on par with TMWH. I want plug and play into DCS, no light shit that will 'skid' on my hardwood. I want something HEAVY that I won't have to screw to the floors to keep from moving (but again, not totally out of the equation), and I want it to be fluid/accurate/plug and play like the TMWH. The latter is the more important. It must be plug and play compatible with TMWH and TIR5 out of the box as the latter 2 are way more critical...

 

This and new build is going to be my present to myself this year specifically for DCS in anticipation of EDGE and rounding off the A10C.

 

Also, to those who say "rudder is not that important for the A10"=piss off. I want it for ground steering/takeoff/landing/ and just 'because I can' for gun runs. I've played this sim since 2011 and there is no way you can't tell me it wouldn't be nice to have it.....needed=no.....wanted=yes.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102003

 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=103-0002-00003

 

Those are the 2 most focused on now...but I'd appreciate feedback from people who actually have these/or something better.

 

Thank you

 

Izoul

Edited December 5, 2013 by Izoul123

[Yurgon]

Until Hofman Electronics went out of business, I'd have recommended their brilliant Simpeds. With that option no longer available, there really seems to be a worthy successor: the MFG Crosswind.

 

[Review] Simped F16/USB vs. MFG Crosswind

 

MFG Homepage

 

I've read quite a bit about them and I'll definitely get that if my current Simpeds break. They're not the only option, though, as you'll see when going through the review-thread.

 

If money was an issue, the Saitek Combat pedals are always a decent choice, but nowhere near Simpeds or MFG in terms of quality and feeling (and price :D).

 

Edit: MadCatz and Saitek is the same company. I've got a set of Saitek Pro Flight Rudder pedals as backup. Decent quality, but not in the TMWH region. I suppose the Pro Flight Combat Rudder pedals are very much alike.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Yurgon

[chaos]

My MFG Crosswind pedals shipped yesterday. I can't comment on the item itself, obviously, but the guy who builds these pedals offers great support. I've received several updates and he's always quick in responding to email. Highly recommended!

[MonnieRock]

My MFG Crosswind pedals shipped yesterday. I can't comment on the item itself, obviously, but the guy who builds these pedals offers great support. I've received several updates and he's always quick in responding to email. Highly recommended!

 

Mine are on the way too. Milan has been great with communication and looking forward to receiving mine. Will be hard mounting into my Obutto r3volution cockpit

[outlawal2]

You may want to look at Komodo Simulations as well. I have not used them myself, but there have been some good reviews from simmers... (I am waiting on the convertible cyclic and collective so I can get the Black shark and Huey controls, then I will look at the pedals as well...

 

Be forewarned. They are not cheap..

[docfu]

I just got my Slaw Device pedals in from Poland two days ago. I intentionally passed up any pedals by CH products or Saitek because I knew they would just be cheap plastic. The Slaw Device pedals, from the moment I took them out of the box, have been nothing but a dream.

 

 

 

They worked the instant I plugged them in without any drivers. They are of an all solid steel construction and can easily be serviced even by a non-technical fan(not that any should be needed for any length of time.

 

Sitting next to my Warthog HOTAS they look and fit right in. The price is about the same as the MFG. I didn't know those existed until today actually.

 

Looking at MFG's video, his pedals look physically lighter than the Slaw Device which weighs in at 7kg. I would appreciate if someone could confirm the overall weight.

 

Video of MFG:

 

 

Photos of the Slaw Device from another thread:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1910482

[javelina1]

Ok folks, need you to chime in. Going to build new rig for DCS/high end PC gaming, and this current gaming rig I'm using now for DCS/Steam will be moved living room for steam box of sorts.

 

I have TMWH+TIR5/really nice monitor/wild sound system. Don't worry about the upcoming build, will be a self build like always. I'm not looking for advice on gaming rig as that's a whole thread in itself, I got that part lol. Rudders though, I'm virgin as can be. Let's just say I want the icing on the cake for A10C in DCS.

 

My question is RUDDERS. I've never bought them before. I have hardwood floor where they will be used in my office/man cave/, so I don't want shit that is to lightweight/slides. A brake/brace for them screwed to the floor is not out of the question assuming they are on caliber of TMWH, I want the good shit. If need be I will screw the bastard to the floor, just trying to avoid that as it's virgin nice hardwood. But man cave comes first, and I will screw it down if need be, hope that makes sense.

 

I want function wise: Toe-brake/obvious rudder control for it. USB connection. I'd prefer something for 'larger feet' that is comfortable enough to use bare foot.

 

Price is not an object as long as it's on par with TMWH. I want plug and play into DCS, no light shit that will 'skid' on my hardwood. I want something HEAVY that I won't have to screw to the floors to keep from moving (but again, not totally out of the equation), and I want it to be fluid/accurate/plug and play like the TMWH. The latter is the more important. It must be plug and play compatible with TMWH and TIR5 out of the box as the latter 2 are way more critical...

 

This and new build is going to be my present to myself this year specifically for DCS in anticipation of EDGE and rounding off the A10C.

 

Also, to those who say "rudder is not that important for the A10"=piss off. I want it for ground steering/takeoff/landing/ and just 'because I can' for gun runs. I've played this sim since 2011 and there is no way you can't tell me it wouldn't be nice to have it.....needed=no.....wanted=yes.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102003

 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=103-0002-00003

 

Those are the 2 most focused on now...but I'd appreciate feedback from people who actually have these/or something better.

 

Thank you

 

Izoul

 

of the two you've listed, I'd recommend the Saitek Combat Rudders. They're rock solid, and feel rugged, (and they're metal). :) I've been using them with BMS Falcon, FSX, and now DCS. Quite a nice addition for the immersion. Check on Amazon, and read the reviews folks have posted about them, as an additional source.

 

Like you, I can give a hoot about what others may say about the rudders. They're awesome to have, and a must for any pit!!! as you say, even for the the toe brakes, and ground steering. But I've found myself, "walking the rudder", when the guns are a blazing... :thumbup:

 

whatever you do, you WON'T be sorry for adding rudder pedals. they're awesome....

[Lausbub78]

Im using the MFG Pedals since August and can only recommend them. I can not compare them to Slaw Device pedals,which also are looking great and certainly are high quality also. But I can compare the MFG's to the Saitek Pro Pedals and the discontinued Simped Pedals.

 

The Saiteks are all Plastic,although the Saitek Combat Pedals have metal footrests the internals are the same as the Pro pedals. The Saiteks are certainly better than no pedals at all. But overall I'm not much impressed by them,not saying it's a bad product though. After a short while something broke on the Screw where you can adjust the Tension,maybe I just had bad luck because I read nowhere else it happened to anyone. Could have been an easy fix,but I didn't even bother to repair it since the Simpeds where already on the Way.

 

The Simpeds where a big step up from the Saiteks in overall quality and feel. They used Hallsensors instead of Potentiometers,but the Resolution of the Sensor was only slightly higher than the Pots on the Saitek. Still the accuracy was much better because of the wider Stance of the Pedals and the smoother movement. A Downside of the Simpeds was that there was a small Deadzone around the Center,something like 3-4% to each side. Hadn't noticed this on the Saiteks. Simpeds where a great product at their Time,no doubt. But the electronics where outdated already and the mechanical showed signs of wear after about 1 Year of heavy use,I used them for more than 2 years and it got not much worse though. Also the erconomics wheren't that great and I had to make my own Footrests for them to be more comfortable.

 

Now the MFG's are a totally different league.There is no play anywhere,the axis moving is smooth and accurate and you don't hear any noises except maybe from the Spring when you listen for it. They are adjustable in almost any way you can think of. Starting from the Centering feel and springstrength of the mainaxis and the breaks to the angle of the Footrests. They are very sturdy built , they are not all metal but the material is very strong and without using heavy tools they won't break. Every part is exchangeable,so IF something will ever wear out it can be replaced easily.

I rate the quality higher than my Warthog and the Customer support is very good.

[docfu]

May I ask what the overall weight of the MFG pedals is? I'm very curious versus the Slaw Device...

 

Also, can the MFG's be bolted to the floor of a cockpit?

[Lausbub78]

The MFG's weight is under 5 Kilos,something like between 4-5 kg. Milan,the guy who makes and sells them,put some efforts in to stay below 5 kilos to keep the shipping costs down. Yes,they can be bolted to a Cockpit,there are 4 holes pre-drilled in the base plate already. I bolted mine to a Frame.

[AlphaOneSix]

Looking at the MFG pedals, I don't see how you'd fly properly with your heels on the floor, it looks like your whole foot has to go on the pedal...and that's just a deal breaker for me...heel has to be on the floor, with toes on the pedals.

[Lausbub78]

You can certainly put the heels on the floor,I'm doing it that way. You just need to adjust the angle of the pedals until you feel comfortable. To use the break you need to use the whole foot though.

You can make your own Footrests too,if you like to. The Footrests are held by 2 Screws. It's planed to release different Footrest designs,like a F16-style or Cessna-style etc. But when it will be aviable I don't know.

[chaos]

AlphaOneSix,

 

Completely agree and that was the only reason I hesitated pushing the 'purchase' button. These pedals are highly customizable though. As Lausbub78 mentioned, it's easy produce a couple of footplates in your kitchen and have them fitted in no-time. I believe Milan is also planning on releasing different pedal designs for the aftermarket but ETA is unknown at this time.

 

The quality is great, a simple and sturdy design that should last many years. I would encourage anyone thinking of buying a (new) set to watch the YouTube videos that were posted a while ago...

[AlphaOneSix]

Awesome, thanks.

 

I'm in the market for some pedals, but I'm not great at searching, so until now I just assumed that I'd be getting the Saitek combat whatever pedals.

[chaos]

For a comparison and a closer look check out the video below.

 

Edited December 8, 2013 by chaos

[docfu]

AlphaOneSix, can you clarify what you mean by having feet on the floor and on the pedals? I've never heard an actual pilot mention anything like this and I remember keeping both feet on the pedals when I had a training flight in a Cesna years ago.

[Boltz]

I've got the Saitek Pro Flight Comabt Rudder Pedals and they are great. Tough, heavy duty and made from metal. They've got adjustable angle and also adjustable resistance. They can be screwed down which is what I have done and it makes them rock solid.

 

I went for the Combat pedals rather than just the Pro Flight ones because they are metal and last for years compared with a lot of reviews talking of the pro flight ones lasting just a few months. Excellent quality but I have never had any other rudders before so I don't have anything to compare them to but they fit perfectly with my TMWH. I would highly recommend them.

 

When I've been flying a couple of times I've always been told to keep heels on the floor and just push gently. Avoids you pushing toe brakes, keeps the movement smoother, prevents you using too much force and it's also much more relaxing resting your feet on the floor.