Hardware & Technical Rudder Pedal Upgrade

Thinking of upgrading my rudder pedals from my current CH Products set (decent functionality...but bit plasticky and feet close together)
Doesn't seem a lot of choice out there at the moment so looking at the MFG Crosswinds...just wondering if there are any alternatives to consider?
 
Thinking of upgrading my rudder pedals from my current CH Products set (decent functionality...but bit plasticky and feet close together)
Doesn't seem a lot of choice out there at the moment so looking at the MFG Crosswinds...just wondering if there are any alternatives to consider?

In that price range, also take into account the Slaw Device and potentially the Baur pedals.

To elaborate: Both Baur (BRD) and Slaw make high end sets of rudder pedals. Unlike the MFG Crosswinds, they're all metal constructions:

Slaw device pedal review (FB contact)
Baur pedals... unboxing Russian forum for contact

You probably can't go wrong with either of those sets. I'm personally using the MFG Crosswinds, as they were the most easily available in terms of ordering and there was most info on them available. Ordering both the Slaw device and Baur pedals seems to be quite "ghetto" in terms of the process. "Ghetto", because they don't provide web shops that deserve the name. Less socially awkward characters would call it social interaction - you'll have to contact them. Slaw through the FB page or probably via email (see FB page) and Baur apparently by means of the russion forums I linked.

All three sets ought to be fixed to something however - even if its just a wooden board that doesn't slide or move around on the floor. They're heavy, require some amount of force to be pushed through completely and have comparatively narrow bases. For something more desk friendly, but less realistic, you might also look at the VKB rudder pedals, which offer mechanics that are even comfortably usable while not wearing shoes. It seems they do lack the toebrakes though.
 
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The only other that comes to mind is the VKB unit. Supposedly very nice.
Happen to use an MFG Crosswind myself. It's "very nice".
 
Thanks for the heads up...I'll check out the Slaw and Bauer sets...was aware of the VKBs but lack of toe brakes puts me off...
cheers guys
 
Keep in mind if you happen to have an Obutto R3volution, the Slaw pedals will not fit unless you have the footrest completely flat. The MFG Crosswinds do fit, but barely, and I had to use the width adjustment to make the pedals sit narrower. Not sure about the Baur pedals.
 
Got a set of crosswinds coming in today. Lucky me :D

The Slaw pedals look gorgeous but at this point you have to ask what you're paying for. I've tried crosswinds and they are beyond phenomenal; utterly clean and as much adjustment as you can shake a stick at. My mate's had them quite some time and iirc there was a testimony from an owner of the early crosswinds when they were still being developed, saying to this day they play like brand new.

If anyone can put the crosswinds to shame in comparison enough to justify the extra couple of hundred or whatever the difference is, let me know and I'll be ever shameful. As far as I can tell though, this is the realm of "propah equipment", and it's all good stuff. In comparisons between the two, the favour seems to go to whichever one the poster owns...

EDIT: nice objective review here from someone that owns both in favour of the crosswinds-conclusion in spoiler.
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3990867/Re:_Slaw_VS._Milan_the_battle_


"What really separates these pedals apart?

When it come to the Yaw action of the pedal Milan's Cam technique is far superior. The feel has more control and gives a true feel of center. Slaw's pedal relies on a rubber stopper plate in the middle to center the yaw axis. without a Cam this feels a bit awkward and instead of a steady gradual movement the action relies completely on the inadequate spring tension.

...

Both pedals sensors are laser accurate in any game or sim. Both pedals were plug in play out of the box. Both pedals are very ridged, sturdy and well built. A dead tie when is comes to sensor accuracy.
Milan's design, over all feel and control is the champion of these 2 great pedals in my opinion.

Slaw's pedals are heavy duty and super ridged. Top notch magnetic frictionless sensors and well built. But the lack of spring tension on both yaw and toe breaks, lack of a cam to control tension(feel)and centering of the yaw axis put his design in 2nd place.
I think if Slaw was to allow for pedal angel adjustment(horizontal), Go to a Cam tension/centering design for the yaw axis and use heavier springs He would have thee best hand made privately produced Rudder pedal on the market.

I just want to thank Slaw and Milan for making such awesome pedals and allowing us flight simmers to have an alternative to the assortment of garbage that's being produced by commercial companies. I had almost given up all hope of being able to enjoy flying with accurate, sturdy, good feeling pedals until I found these guys on the web. Thank you Slaw and Milan for completing the flight sim experience!

I'll be replacing these horrible Saitek "combat pedals" with Slaw's pedal at my home in the country.

And I'll continue to use Milans pedals at my primary residence."
 
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I'd get Crosswinds were my budget unlimited, but I'm largely content with my CH pedals. The fact they are plastic is almost purely a cosmetic issue; my first set lasted nearly 6000 hours of fairly heavy use before needing to be dismantled for tuning. The pedals are close together, but I actually prefer that as it makes them easier to use in semi-confined areas.

That said, the only pedals that aren't total trash I think I couldn't use would be ones that lack toe breaks, I find them critical as a forward/reverse thruster override.
 
I'd get Crosswinds were my budget unlimited, but I'm largely content with my CH pedals. The fact they are plastic is almost purely a cosmetic issue; my first set lasted nearly 6000 hours of fairly heavy use before needing to be dismantled for tuning. The pedals are close together, but I actually prefer that as it makes them easier to use in semi-confined areas.

That said, the only pedals that aren't total trash I think I couldn't use would be ones that lack toe breaks, I find them critical as a forward/reverse thruster override.

I upgrade to the Crosswinds from the CH Pedals. Have now given my CH to my son and have no intention of ditching them, as they're likely to last forever. For all that, the Crosswinds make accurate flying significantly easier. Not so important in Elite, but MUCH more so when trying to fly say a helicopter in DCS.
 
Just for a laugh, I plugged in my old set of CH "Pro"flight pedals again...

It was horrific...

Back to my MFG Crosswind.

For information; Two years and still as good as new, just in case you're concerned about them being made from "composite materials".


Also, they now come in black and graphite as well as black and white. Mine are not bad looking, but the new graphite ones are the puppy's privates!
 
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VKB T-rudder if you want to not go too extreme, Slaw, Baur or MFG if you want to really do it properly. Honestly, any of those will bring you years (perhaps decades?) of joy. I've got VKB T-rudder MKIII's, and Baur F3. Baur/MFG/Slaw work better for a more cockpit like seating position, VKB works better for office chair type deal.

Re the MFG v Slaw review above, note that both VKB and Baur use cams in their design - Baur having a particularly nice feeling cam design, not that the VKB's don 't also feel very, very nice, both being super accurate, but Baur does also have toe brakes, if that is important to you. Honestly, though, if you're an office chair style pilot, the VKB's will likely be a better bet.

Z...
 
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I'm in a office style chair and recently bought the VKBs. I'll never go back to sawing my legs back and forth. Seriously. And who needs toe brakes? I fly a P-51D (tail dragger) just fine without them. :)
 
Got a set of crosswinds coming in today. Lucky me :D

The Slaw pedals look gorgeous but at this point you have to ask what you're paying for. I've tried crosswinds and they are beyond phenomenal; utterly clean and as much adjustment as you can shake a stick at. My mate's had them quite some time and iirc there was a testimony from an owner of the early crosswinds when they were still being developed, saying to this day they play like brand new.

If anyone can put the crosswinds to shame in comparison enough to justify the extra couple of hundred or whatever the difference is, let me know and I'll be ever shameful. As far as I can tell though, this is the realm of "propah equipment", and it's all good stuff. In comparisons between the two, the favour seems to go to whichever one the poster owns...

EDIT: nice objective review here from someone that owns both in favour of the crosswinds-conclusion in spoiler.
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3990867/Re:_Slaw_VS._Milan_the_battle_


"What really separates these pedals apart?

When it come to the Yaw action of the pedal Milan's Cam technique is far superior. The feel has more control and gives a true feel of center. Slaw's pedal relies on a rubber stopper plate in the middle to center the yaw axis. without a Cam this feels a bit awkward and instead of a steady gradual movement the action relies completely on the inadequate spring tension.

...

Both pedals sensors are laser accurate in any game or sim. Both pedals were plug in play out of the box. Both pedals are very ridged, sturdy and well built. A dead tie when is comes to sensor accuracy.
Milan's design, over all feel and control is the champion of these 2 great pedals in my opinion.

Slaw's pedals are heavy duty and super ridged. Top notch magnetic frictionless sensors and well built. But the lack of spring tension on both yaw and toe breaks, lack of a cam to control tension(feel)and centering of the yaw axis put his design in 2nd place.
I think if Slaw was to allow for pedal angel adjustment(horizontal), Go to a Cam tension/centering design for the yaw axis and use heavier springs He would have thee best hand made privately produced Rudder pedal on the market.

I just want to thank Slaw and Milan for making such awesome pedals and allowing us flight simmers to have an alternative to the assortment of garbage that's being produced by commercial companies. I had almost given up all hope of being able to enjoy flying with accurate, sturdy, good feeling pedals until I found these guys on the web. Thank you Slaw and Milan for completing the flight sim experience!

I'll be replacing these horrible Saitek "combat pedals" with Slaw's pedal at my home in the country.

And I'll continue to use Milans pedals at my primary residence."

The new viper set from slaw are much better than the last version, I don’t know the crosswind but as I prefer metal they aren’t on my radar.
 
VKB T-rudder if you want to not go too extreme, Slaw, Baur or MFG if you want to really do it properly. Honestly, any of those will bring you years (perhaps decades?) of joy. I've got VKB T-rudder MKIII's, and Baur F3. Baur/MFG/Slaw work better for a more cockpit like seating position, VKB works better for office chair type deal.

Re the MFG v Slaw review above, note that both VKB and Baur use cams in their design - Baur having a particularly nice feeling cam design, not that the VKB's don 't also feel very, very nice, both being super accurate, but Baur does also have toe brakes, if that is important to you. Honestly, though, if you're an office chair style pilot, the VKB's will likely be a better bet.

Z...

What about the VKB in a pit? The really high end ones wont fit in my too-narrow Obutto ozone. Do the VKB's need to be angled up significantly for pit use?
 
I've never sat in an Obutto, but it would depend on the seat height. It wouldn't be hard to angle the VKB. I'd argue it's easier to make the VKB work in a low seated position than the others on a desk seated position.

I'm building a simpit (eventually), and that is what the F3 is really for. Though, I'm likely to also use the VKB for helicopter modules, as it is much more like a chopper rudder pedal set than the others.

Z...
 
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