Flight Sim Rudder Pedals (DCS) + Collective question.

[steve45]

Quite surpised there isnt an all encompassing Flight Sim equipment thread for less important recommendation questions. That said I'm looking for a bit of advice. I'm looking for a decent Rudder pedal set with toe brakes.

I've recently got bit by the DCS bug AGAIN. I used to have a TM Warthog HOTAS with Logitech G flight rudder pedals. However about 2 years ago sim racing kinda took over again for a little while. However I'm making amends and I'm investing again in flight sim kit.
I have a Winwing Orion 2 F16EX setup on its way to me. Rudder whilst an important input has never been an absolute necessity for me, I've made do with twist grip or rudder mapped to buttons in the past. However I want to do it properly again. I've held off on investing in rudder as yet as I'm undecided, its a lot of money and want to make sure I make the right buy.
I guess the logical decision would be to complete the Winwing setup with their rudder pedals. However I'd like to hear from others to see what other options are out there worth considering. I'm not in any way interested in the Logitech ones or similar offerings, I'm not looking for plasticky tat. TM ones seem very over priced.

Anything else I should I be considering? I'm in no rush to buy either this is a slow-time build, it'll be a few weeks before I can round up all the parts for my sim rig. As it stands the Winwing Orion Rudder pedals without Damper kit is in the basket (is damper worth it?).


On a side note. I could possibly be looking for a collective for heli simming in the future. I have the Blackshark module for DCS and as fun as, I get a sense I'm missing something. However, Winwing seem to have discontinued their KA50 stick and I imagine finding it used will be a bit of a mission. Anyone know if they plan to bring another option to the market? I potentially have access to a surplus Gemini throttle so would be an easy fix. Or is Virpil the only realistic option for this now? Its by no means a must have but it would be a nice addition in the future to have the option for a replica collective.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Thoughts:

Ref the rudders. IMO, in jets, a twist joystick is probably enough.
However, it’s more important in warbirds and in helicopters, pretty much essential (except the KA50).
As for options, there are several good ones. The set that seem to get the best feedback for normal rudders are the TM TPRs and the Slav units. After that there are MFG Crosswinds, Virpil, VKB and WW options. About the only real difference I can see on the secondary group is whether you want toe brakes or not.
I’ve owned MFGs and now use TPRs, couldn’t really fault either, both are lovely to use.
If you’re more hands on, I believe that some of the niche players have FFB pedals, but they appear to be nuts expensive, or partly DIY.

On the collective, I’m unaware of anything sensibly priced after the Virpil option. I’m currently using one of their bases with an Alpha Left. It’s very nice. If you get one, do try to get their counterbalance system. I grabbed an older s/h base that doesn’t have one and it suffered more droop than than a bloke waking up sober after a heavy night out in someone else’s bed.
My solution was a bungee cord, but it’s not as elegant as the Virpil solution.

 

[Borsch]

The DCS bug is no joke Rudder pedals are definitely more accurate and more fun than twist, so well worth having. Especially for helicopters and WW2 birds, but some modern jets like the F-14 and MiG-29 too.
Basically, there are three approaches to rudders - the slider type (e.g., Crosswinds, Virpil, Slaw, CH, Logitech G, etc), the push down type (VKB T-rudder, etc), and the pendulum type (Thrustmaster TPR, etc). The pendulars are the most precise and the most comfortable but ideally require a more horizontal seating position - see the pic below. The sliders are more forgiving in that respect.

 

[Borsch]

Here is a simple IKEA cockpit with pendulum TPRs, made by a real life pilot who spends a lot of time in DCS.

 

[steve45]

Cheers for the input guys.

The pendulars are the most precise and the most comfortable but ideally require a more horizontal seating position

Guess TM TPR's are likely going to be the most appropriate for my setup then. I'm reconfiguring my Alu profile race sim to fit this setup. Pedal plate is adjustable and already in a raised position.

On the collective, I’m unaware of anything sensibly priced after the Virpil option.

Cheers, I kinda figured this was going to be the case.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Ref the TPRs and profile, mine are bolted directly onto a couple of profile crossbars. The TPRs need to be mounted on a horizontal base, which makes them dead easy to attach.

 

[ak22]

DC

Cheers for the input guys.



Guess TM TPR's are likely going to be the most appropriate for my setup then. I'm reconfiguring my Alu profile race sim to fit this setup. Pedal plate is adjustable and already in a raised position.


Cheers, I kinda figured this was going to be the case.

Thats how I had my setup I made rig using 4080 Alumiun profile, I had TM TPR pedals and Virpil Collective with T-50CM2 base and 200mm extension for the flight stick. It is a great combination Virpil is king when it comes to flight sim hardware its very high quality equipment.

Unfortunately I just spend most of today taking everything apart as I need the space.