As someone who finally grabbed my ol' CH Products "Pro" Pedals out of storage:

If you do get pedals, get something decent with a centering spring that is not too strong/noticeable, but also offers progressively more resistance as you push harder on the pedals. The CH pedals are a bit annoying in that there is a noticeable center detent and it takes some force to move the pedals from the center position, but once they get moving they are too easy to move. This results in having to pay more attention to the amount of initial force you've giving the pedal so you don't over-control, which kind of negates the point of having pedals in the first place. And the brakes... the brakes on those pedals are not good.

Probably why they were sitting in storage for 10 years! The twist of my FFB2 is not ideal but it gets the job done.

7 minutes ago, Funky D said:

And the brakes... the brakes on those pedals are not good.

Yep, wouldn't disagree with that. Somewhere down the line I may well replace the CH Pro setup, but I'm kinda used to them for now.

2 minutes ago, Funky D said:

As someone who finally grabbed my ol' CH Products "Pro" Pedals out of storage:

If you do get pedals, get something decent with a centering spring that is not too strong/noticeable, but also offers progressively more resistance as you push harder on the pedals. The CH pedals are a bit annoying in that there is a noticeable center detent and it takes some force to move the pedals from the center position, but once they get moving they are too easy to move. This results in having to pay more attention to the amount of initial force you've giving the pedal so you don't over-control, which kind of negates the point of having pedals in the first place. And the brakes... the brakes on those pedals are not good.

Probably why they were sitting in storage for 10 years! The twist of my FFB2 is not ideal but it gets the job done.

I replaced my ancient CH Pro Pedals recently with VKB T-Rudder V. I now have no dead zone and the difference is night and day.

The T-Rudder doesn't have toe brakes though, I bound these to the front triggers on my STECS, it works as well as an axis.

An advantage of rudder pedals is that you have something under your desk you can play with when you're doing something boring for work.

2 hours ago, jlund said:

I have used flightsims for more than 30 years (Yes, I'm that old) and I have never had a set of rudder pedals, only a joystick with a stick that can be used as rudders

Now i have bought the Thrustmaster TCA pack, and even though it still can be used as rudders, I'm also considering if I finally should buy a set of rudder pedals to go with it Do you guys all have seperat rudder pedals or do you still use a "twisting"  joystick? And when is it mot critical in flight to use pedals?

 

 

Not sure anything is "necessary" in this sim 🙂 but decent pedals (TCR Pendular) have certainly improved my experience. I now use the twist on the joystick to control the nose wheel.

I'm with Ron...whatever makes you happy! It's a hobby, not real life. Don't feel pressurised simply because it seems to be the 'right' thing to do. Yes, if you want to get as 'real as you can get,' or reflect real aviation as much as possible, then sure, get a set of rudder pedals, just don't get them because you feel you have to. Having said that, I would definitely say you'd get a lot from doing so! 

Edited November 27, 20241 yr by Rocky_53

55 minutes ago, Sethos said:

Only if you're an old man with no coordination. 

At least I am not a pretend pilot that uses a twist grip to try and fly an aircraft. 

3 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

At least I am not a pretend pilot that uses a twist grip to try and fly an aircraft. 

Must be difficult when you're in the sunsetting hours of your life, stuck in front of the computer playing pretend pilot and then someone else not using the same input method as you. I can see why it sparks such ire in you, Bob. I hope you feel better soon. 

Edited November 27, 20241 yr by Sethos

Many of the GA planes I fly now have steering using the yoke, and I can steer a lot better with that.  My feet are further from my brain so they don't do as good.   But I still need the pedals for the brakes.  I only use the joystick for helicopters.

27 minutes ago, Sethos said:

Must be difficult when you're in the sunsetting hours of your life, stuck in front of the computer playing pretend pilot and then someone else not using the same input method as you. I can see why it sparks such ire in you, Bob. I hope you feel better soon. 

 I would love to see you land a real aircraft in a strong crosswind trying to twist the yoke. 😉

8 minutes ago, Roy Warren said:

Many of the GA planes I fly now have steering using the yoke, and I can steer a lot better with that.  My feet are further from my brain so they don't do as good.   But I still need the pedals for the brakes.  I only use the joystick for helicopters.

Only GA aircraft I have ever seen where you could fly it like that was the Ercoupe. I had a short flight in one many years ago, really weird. 

45 minutes ago, andy1252 said:

Somewhere down the line I may well replace the CH Pro setup, but I'm kinda used to them for now.

Didn't mean to knock the CH Pro pedals right after your post, I was writing my post at the same time 🙂 They were also by far the most popular and inexpensive option back in their day. And you make a good point: you will probably get used to the quirks of any pedal that you purchase after using them for a while.

47 minutes ago, flyingscampi said:

An advantage of rudder pedals is that you have something under your desk you can play with when you're doing something boring for work.

After looking through some YouTube reviews over the past hour, you can also get a bit of a leg workout with how solid the mid to high end pedals are!

4 minutes ago, Funky D said:

Didn't mean to knock the CH Pro pedals right after your post, I was writing my post at the same time 🙂 They were also by far the most popular and inexpensive option back in their day. And you make a good point: you will probably get used to the quirks of any pedal that you purchase after using them for a while.

After looking through some YouTube reviews over the past hour, you can also get a bit of a leg workout with how solid the mid to high end pedals are!

My first pair of pedals were the CH Pedals. They lasted about 15 years, and I finally tossed them when they needed new pots, and I didn't want to bother changing them

29 minutes ago, Funky D said:

Didn't mean to knock the CH Pro pedals right after your post,

No worries! I'm not a "love me, love my pedals" kinda guy <grin>

Thanks a lot for all the replies. I my be able to get a used pair of TC pedals for about 50 US, and I'm well aware they're probably not the best but for a start to see if it's something I can get used to, I think they will do.

Had them for years. Now have a twist. Another less of a peripheral. Necessary: no.