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MFG Crosswind - Review


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Ok so I got Serial Number 1457 unboxed this morning and assembled. They were packaged very well in a small box, with plenty of Styrofoam custom cut in there for protection. Simple packaging but very effective and efficient. I am sure this packaging could deal with some very rough handling in transit without any harm to the pedals.

 

IMG_0420.jpg

 

 

This is how it looks straight out of the box. All that is required is to attach the pedals, the main spring , and plug in the toe brake cables. Very simple and easy, but do watch the video. The hardware appears to be top notch and very stout as well. I think it took me around 15-20 min tops to get them assembled.

 

IMG_0421.jpg

 

Width adjustment plates and extra cam. The width adjustment base can attach direct to the pedal base, and then the pedals can attach to the plate in either the outer or inner holes. This would allow one to make them wider, or narrower, than stock. I currently have mine set up as they came stock, so far feel pretty nice as is. I may attach them anyway at some point to try them out and see the difference in the feel of the pedals as I operate them.

They also come with Cam4 and Cam6 ( Cam 6 is already installed by default), I also got Cam5 as an extra option as well, so I would have it if I decide to try it out. The Cams effect the feel of the force of the pedals, think of a curve in an axis response, the Cams give it kind of a physical curve in the feel of the pedals as they move.

 

IMG_0423.jpg

 

 

Final Pedal assembly and hooked up:

 

IMG_0426.jpg

 

The amount of adjustment options is really incredible, pretty much everything can be adjusted. The main spring tension ( easily done by turning a knob), moving the spring out or in to the respective notches to give more or less force. The pedal angles, they come set up at 20 degrees and that feels pretty good to me, I may adjust a little more but want to give it some time before deciding. They can go up to 52 degrees. The pressure for the toe brakes. The toe out in the pedals can be adjusted for best comfort.

 

I installed the adjustable pedal wall-spacers, and found I really did not need them. My desk is very deep, so for them to hit the back panel of the desk the pedals would have sit too far forward under my desk. But with my hardwood floor and the pads he has on the bottom of the pedals, it does not appear they are going to be moving on me, at least so far. If I find they eventually do I will put some sort of friction pad under there.

 

Software: Really no software to install, Windows 10 recognized the new MFG pedals right away. You just need to download the Version 2 calibration tool, and run it. He highly recommends to NOT use windows calibration, but use the calibration tool he provides. It was quick and easy, and one can even assign dead zones and amount of travel in there for both the rudder and toe brake axis. I had them calibrated and ready to go in just moments. Plus there are more adjustments in there he has put in Ver 2 for future clarification at some point. Once calibrated, just close the tool and you are done- no software needs to be running, it is all in the pedal firmware.

 

I launched DCS, took a look in controller setup, sure enough as usual DCS had assigned several things to the rudder and toe brake axis. I cleared those out and reset them, inverted the toe brakes, and I was good to go. Thankfully it did not mess with my Warthog assignments. Again took just moments.

 

So with it set, I loaded up the KA-50 in DCS 2.0 Open Alpha, and launched the Cold Start mission. Once I took off, and started using the pedals, wow - just wow. The pedals are so darn smooth, and with the installed Cam 6 Profile, the center detent was very slight. I mean when I just wanted to give a little bit of rudder, left or right, it was practically like just thinking about it would give me that little bit of rudder I wanted. Able to give the amount of rudder needed very easily and very smoothly. As I gave more rudder it would progressively get a little stronger, but it felt very natural to me.

I flew to the London airfield and landed on one of the heli pads. Probably one of the smoothest landings I have made since starting to learn the KA-50.

 

I am pretty sure I have finally got the final set of rudder pedals I will ever need. I can't imagine needing anything else for rudder pedals as this point. The Saitek Combats served me well for a few years, but the Crosswinds are in a whole different league. I can't imagine any better. I know in one of Milan's videos, he talks about with the way the pedals attach to the assembly, future different pedal designs are a possibility. It will be interesting to see down the road if he indeed does that, I have a feeling right now he has his hands full with just producing to meet demand.

 

Coming from the Saitek Combats, where the heel rests on the floor and pedals are controlled by the balls of the feet, I was a little unsure how I might adjust to having to raise my feet and put them in the pedals themselves.

My concerns were quickly dissolved, as I found them to be very comfortable and natural feeling. And so very easy to operate, and to be precise with.

 

One last thing - the material they are made from. Having spent the better part of 36 years in the industry, I am pretty sure it is a thermoset composite material made with phenolic resin. That is about the strongest material there is without going to all metal, and really would hold up just as well. With the way pedals are used and the environment they are typically used in, these things will last forever from a materials standpoint they are made from. They will be very durable.

 

So there is my initial review. I am very pleased, and I must say the process from ordering to communicating with Milan, to delivery and unpacking, assembly and hooking them up, was very easy. Dealing with Milan was a real pleasure , he is top notch in the way he conducts business. I hope we see some more innovations in hardware from him in the future.

 

Now I got some serious chopper flying to do with my KA-50!

:thumbup:

  • Like 3

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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:thumbup:

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]

_____________Semper paratus, In hoc signo vinces________________

 

PC: Intel i7-8700K (4.9 GHz), Aorus Ultra Gaming Z370 MB, Gigabyte RTX 3080, 32 GB DDR3 (3,2 GHz), Samsung EVO 860 M.2 500 GB SSD + Samsung 960 M.2 250 GB SSD Gaming: Virpil T-50 CM2, TM WH Throttle, Crosswind pedals, HP Reverb

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You guys that have these on order, are in for a heck of a treat!

I have not even eaten anything today, just can't seem to tear myself away from these new awesome pedals.

I can tell you they are worth every penny from what I can see, the quality and worksmanship in these are superb.

 

One final bit of upgrade, my 7.5cm black Warthog extension by Sahaj has shipped and is in transit, should complete my setup nicely. All this just in time, now that I have learned the KA-50 proper ready to do some good campaign flying with the new gear.


Edited by dburne

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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dburne,

 

now that is a great review...

 

you have included some info which has been slightly worrying me...

 

you make reference to the siting of your pedals which I visualise may be similar to mine... I also use an office desk which has a set of drawers on either side of a centralised foot space which is a shade over 50cm wide.

 

The Saitek Combat's fit very nicely but I am concerned there might not be enough space either side when the MFG's are being used. I have examined the schematic which shows the pedals are 49.4cm wide so it's gonna be a snug fit.

 

can you have a look at yours to see if I'm going to run into any problems please?

 

sounds like i might have to tag a set of width adjustments plates onto my order.

 

appreciate you've only just got set up - will it be too much trouble to check how wide the pedals are when the adjustment plates are installed and set to the narrowest setting?

 

another friend of mine is about to order but is asking the same question as he intends to use them in a custom pit frame of some kind.

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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dburne...

 

questions answered in Milan's video:

 

http://mfg.simundza.com/products

 

MFG standard width = 49.5cm

 

width adjustment plates fitted:

 

using outer position, width = 52.5cm

 

using inner position, width = 46.5cm


Edited by slicker55

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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Your desk opening must be fairly narrow...

 

Well according to the width adjustment plate video by Milan, the measurements are:

Stock 49.5CM ( this is probably without any toe out adjustment).

 

Width adjustment plate either:

52.5CM

46.5CM

 

The widest part of the assembly are the pedals themselves, so this is likely accurate. When I round up a tape measure I will be glad to double check.

 

Edit: Lol, you beat me to it by a couple of minutes. I think you will be fine, might want to get that extra width adjustment plate though if you have no room to spare, to be safe.


Edited by dburne

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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yup, sounds like a safe precaution...

 

i do like the way Milan's website makes it easy to amend the original order - I'll head on over there and get a set of WAP's added.

 

PS... your wife just sent me a text to say your dinner's in the dog!


Edited by slicker55

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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PS... your wife just send me a text to say your dinner's in the dog!

 

Lol, that is ok we have Christmas Dinner leftovers, yumm!

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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WAP set ordered :thumbup:

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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WAP set ordered :thumbup:

 

Good move!

After using those Saitek Combats you won't believe how good these feel.

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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I bet :D

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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Good move!

After using those Saitek Combats you won't believe how good these feel.

 

Told you so!!! :megalol:

Another Satisfied, if not enthralled Crosswinds customer.:thumbup: Remember, you still have a RL and most likely a Wife that is jealous of all the attention your Crosswinds are getting. Hint, a Happy Wife = A Happy Virtual Pilots Life!:smilewink:

Now off to fly the Mirage 2000c :pilotfly:

 

S!Blade<><

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you still have a RL and most likely a Wife that is jealous of all the attention your Crosswinds are getting. Hint, a Happy Wife = A Happy Virtual Pilots Life!:smilewink:

 

Lol no worries there, that is why I did not even think about trying to do it over the weekend with all the festivities. Plenty of time during the week for me now that I am retired.

And she is very supportive anyways, I am very lucky in that regard.

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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Just ordered! Feb 2016 hopefully!!!

 

:thumbup:

 

Congrats, you will be very pleased !

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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Just ordered! Feb 2016 hopefully!!!

 

Congrats - you're in the queue :thumbup:

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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Here is an MFG Crosswind Community List.

 

The information has been captured from this thread (post 1 to 487) and serial number database (post 1 to 36)

 

There are a few gaps here and there (I'm happy to update the list if information is forthcoming)

 

Apologies for any inaccuracies or omissions - please advise:

 

 

attachment.php?attachmentid=131605&d=1451399613

ED MFG Crosswind Customer List 2.pdf


Edited by slicker55

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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Man the more I use them the more I love them, truly incredible. I would like to try out some adjustments, different cams, changing pedal angles, spring tension, but can't seem to tear myself away from launching another flight with them as they are.

 

Flying the KA-50 with these new pedals is quite an experience.

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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dburne,

 

Look up (for just a minute)... you're gonna love this!

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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dburne,

 

Look up (for just a minute)... you're gonna love this!

 

Very nice slicker! Thanks!

Don B

EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|

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Yeah, sorry to have caused you to take your eyes of your new pedals for just a few seconds but it had to happen sooner or later... you can look down again now!

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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Trying to help a friend - anyone using MFG Crosswinds with Volair Sim pit?

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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I've added you to my master list but won't upload it until there's a few more changes. can i have info for location please?

i7-5820K 3.30Ghz | Asus X99-S | Sapphire R290X | R7 240 | 16GB DDR4 PC4 2800MHz | Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (OS) | Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD (DCS) | Noctua NH-D14 2011 Cooler | OCZ ZT 750W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular PSU | NZXT Phantom Enthusiast | 3 x IIyama Prolite E2473HDS 24" | 1 x Dell S2240T 21.5" Touch Screen | Windows 10 64-Bit | AMD Eyefinity 5760 x 1080 | TrackIR5 | TM Warthog HOTAS | MFG Crosswind 1771 | Vaicom Pro + VA (Licensed) | Sennheiser Game Zero | Honeycomb Yoke (June 2020)]

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