The ability to brake precisely and then give a throttle right on time can make a difference. Tracks like Monza with just a few corners require the utmost precision and early breaking at each of those corners will take a few seconds per lap easily. The reliable pedals give you confidence to break precisely and exit the corner with the right amount of throttle.
When it comes to racing pedals, you should look for compatibility, build material, performance and pricing.
Build material
Sim racing pedals can be made of plastic or some kind of metal. However, the plastic ones shouldn’t really be taken into consideration because of their stability and longevity. It’s feel to clumsy driving with them and you would probably change them before you even know it.
The best materials for racing pedals are metal-based. Its harder to break metal than plastic, the resistance is much better and simply, they look so much better on your rig.
The performance of sim racing pedals will depend on material but also on technology used in a set of sim racing pedals.
Potentiometer measures the distance that the pedal travels and is mostly found in lower-end pedal sets such as the Logitech G29. However, the fundamental flaw to this pedal technology is that brakes in a real car measures force applied rather than distance. These pedals produce less accurate output but they are often less pricey or they even come in a bundle with racing wheel.
Load cell pedals produce an analogue voltage proportional to pressure rather than distance. This is a more accurate way of measuring input into the pedal. For example, FANATEC’s ClubSport Pedals V3 uses the load cell technology.
Hydraulic technology works similar to load cell but it’s even more advanced. It contains fluid chambers and tubes that mimic a real life race car. Pedals using the hydraulic technology are much more expensive and used mostly by the professional sim racers.
Sim Racing Pedals Recommendations
If you aren’t buying for your five year old child, forget about plastic made pedals. Before you even know it you’ll be looking for the better ones and spending even more money.
Here you can find three different options regarding your racing style and budget. Think also about how much time you spend sim racing.
MOZA SR-P Pedal
MOZA SR-P Pedals represent an entry point to load cell brake pedals, with most load cell-based and hydraulic options costing considerably more. Although MOZA SR-P can’t compete with top-tier and much more expensive entries in the sim racing market, they drive nicely in consideration to their price.
The accelerator is the largest of the three faces, and it’s smooth and accurate, with a firm but not difficult resistance. Like the accelerator, the travel of clutch pedal travel is smooth, and the resistance is firm enough to feel realistic resistance. It’s also light enough to allow you to easily apply the correct amount of travel.
The MOZA SR-P pedals utilize pressure sensors with a maximum range of 75 kilograms, which is sufficient for most users. A driver can obtain the ideal breaking force by controlling the amount of pressure applied on the breaking pedal.
The plates of SR-P Pedals are made of aluminum alloy and the rest is made from steel. These solid pedals make your rig look quite stunning. The pedals are well-built, easy to set up, smooth and robust while in use. They offer some customization possibilities also.
FANATEC ClubSport Pedals V3
FANATEC ClubSport Pedals V3 are an excellent pedal set and great value for the price. The 90 kilograms adjustable and custom made load cell is extremely durable on these pedals. You can apply a realistic and strong pressure, and precisely control the brake with muscle tension, just like in a real car.
There is no denying the quality build of the ClubSport V3 pedals. All metal construction, fantastic appearance with black anodizing and red highlights. What really sets them apart from other pedals is the super simple adjustment on the brake pedal.
Nevertheless, the inexpensive Brake Performance Kit is recommended if you are considering the ClubSport V3 pedals. This Brake Performance Kit reduces the pedal travel by spring inserts in the preload screw of the brake unit. This reduces the feel at the pressure point of the brake and allows a higher brake pressure absorption.
The accelerator and clutch pedals are equipped with contactless Hall sensors with 12-bit resolution. This results in a smoother and more sensitive modeling of the accelerator pedal and makes it easier for you to handle rear-wheel drive cars. All in all, the trail braking into the curve up to the apex is simply fun with the ClubSport Pedals V3.
Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate+
Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate+ are perfect pedals for sim racing enthusiasts, high-end commercial simulator owners and professional drivers. They simulate the brake forces you would encounter in FIA Formula racing cars and Le Mans Sports Prototypes. With those, you get the right pedal feedback in each phase of the corner.
Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate+ come with a strong, durable and adjustable design. These pedals are capable of handling up to 140 kg of actual force at the brake pedal (200 kg Load Cell). There is hydraulic damping on every pedal and reliable Load Cell sensors coupled to Heusinkveld SmartControl software for an instant and accurate response with endless possibilities to configure pedal output.
Heusinkveld’s Sim Pedals Ultimate+ brake, throttle, and clutch feel like the real racing car. You can get closer to the edge with superior car control.
However, the price of Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate+ is significantly higher than of those pedals mentioned above, so it’s not really for those on a budget.
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