Firstly, I don't know if this is the proper place to post this, but I didn't see any dedicated forum or sub-forum for hardware discussion, so if this is in the wrong place, I do apologize, and please move it to the proper forum/sub-forum.
Now, on to my plight (so to speak); I've been playing Elite: Dangerous since I'm pretty sure around December of 2015, and have (within the past couple of years) started playing with a HOTAS. Started out with the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X, and about 5-6 months ago, finally pulled the trigger (no pun intended) on getting the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS package.
I initially shied away from the T.16000M Flight Pack (which includes not only the T.16000M flightstick and TWCS Throttle, but the TFRP rudder pedals) because I figured, with the T.16000M having the twist stick rudder feature, andd the TWCS having the rudder paddles, I wouldn't really have need for the pedals, and that it was just an extra $50 that I really had no need to spend at $189.99 (USD). Now though, I'm actually starting to contemplate getting the pedals after all, but my question still remains, "Is it actually worth it?", even from an immersion standpoint? As you can tell, I'm quite on the fence about it.
I guess, what I'm looking for are some experienced, well-informed thoughts and opinions from owners of not just the Thrustmaster pedals, but those from owners of other brands, as well, just to see a general consensus of whether or not the experience is worth the extra expenditure.
I gamed for a long time on a laptop (I worked on ships, no space for a PC), the first twist stick I owned was a revelation! Time passed, I got a 'real job' back home and finally got a decent gaming rig. Pedals were every bit as much of a revelation, if not more.
My journey's been from (1980s) two button joystick (with a
mahusive eight directions available!
) through simple analog sticks, through to a force feedback twist stick (Saitek Cyborg 3D Force), a slimline collapsible job and ultimately a Thrustmaster T-Flight X. Lots of joysticks, all pretty good for their time and all great value- most of them still work fine today, in spite of hundreds of hours of cack-handed abuse from yours truly!
My first and only HOTAS was an X-55 Rhino. Brilliant bit of kit and I hear the X-56 is even better. Still 'just' a twist stick, though.
I have the space, so I figured I'd give pedals a go. Unlike the Rhino the pedals were just proof of concept, a toe in the water to see if I'd take to them. There were and are a whole bunch of more expensive options, but Saitek's Pro Flight looked like a decent compromise between price and quality.
It turned out to be one of the best choices I've ever made!
Don't get me wrong, there are
much higher quality products out there. The PF look and feel a bit plasticky, they rattle a bit in use and they have a noisy detente, which used to get a lot of flack on flight sim forums. But they're very comfortable, with big, size adjustable footpads, they're accurate and they've been rock solid reliable.
I kept the twist and the rudder pedals in my key bindings for a while, alternating between them at first. But after a while it just became more natural to use the pedals. So much so that I even steer my SRV with them! [haha]
I honestly can't imagine 'flying' without them.
I appreciate that gaming peripherals aren't cheap. The PF pedals cost me just under a hundred pounds four years ago. But they're still as good as new now, meaning that the relative cost is actually going down each year they're still working. Fifty pounds a year is less than a quid a month, an amount that will drop further the longer they last. The initial outlay is large, but the cost becomes pretty reasonable
as long as you continue to use them.
If you try them and find out they're not for you, then the expense is eye watering!
If any of your friends have them, ask for a go, you'll get a pretty strong inkling there and then about whether you really need them. If you're near to a game or trade show it might be worth popping along, most will have dream set ups for flight sims and space games.
The short answer to your question is yes, rudder pedals are absolutely worth having, from an immersion perspective and as a control solution. But whether that's worth enough to throw down fifty bucks on is a question only you can answer.
Hth...
