Earlier this year, we launched the Turtle Beach Velocity One Universal Flight Controller (our review), which gives us everything we need to experience games like Flight Simulator that keyboard/mouse can’t get close to. Was the best for testing, but every time I run it, I spend a little more time than it takes for my test, just enjoying the freedom of flight. With the right joystick and throttle setting like the Velocity One, nothing beats it. The only thing missing from this rig is the rudder pedals, and today we’ll be adding them to our rig. Just in time for the holidays, Turtle Beach has released the Velocity One handlebar pedals. We put on virtual wings again and touch the sky.
When I set up the pedals, I immediately realized that they can be adjusted for a narrow or wide fit. While aircraft like the Cessna have pedals very close together, your larger aircraft offers a wider seating position. Here, you can simply adjust them to suit your comfort level – just because small planes can feel cramped doesn’t mean you should be here.
The next thing I noticed was the modularity of the pedals. Light aircraft have simple short pedals and heel hooks, while larger aircraft have larger pedals. Whether you prefer realism or comfort, you can change them to any configuration with the included pedals and hex wrench. While we’re on the modular theme, you can also swap the included silver or black spring kits to adjust the rudder tension level between 80 and 60Nm to your liking.
The next thing you may notice is that they are listed as universal rudder pedals, which means you don’t need to specifically use them with the Velocity One Universal Flight System. However, they are like peanut butter and jelly, why not? When connected to Velocity One, they are instantly synced and ready to go, but if you are not using them with the system, you can simply connect them to your computer with a USB-A cable. At the moment, Windows dominates, and from my tests, games that support steering wheel pedals (like Elite Dangerous, Microsoft Flight SIMulator 2020, etc.) recognize them immediately. It’s great when everything works, even more so when it’s an input-enhanced device like this. Connect them to your Xbox via Velocity One Flight Control and your Xbox will instantly recognize them and be ready to fly.
The most important thing that a good set of rudder pedals offers is realism. It’s strange to say that a pair of pedals simply adds an already assigned function (like yaw) to the mix, but nothing beats the ability to add more independent and detailed control. Using an Xbox controller with Flight Simulator, you can yaw left or right with the bumper, which, frankly, is a mess that almost destroys your landing smoothness score. By switching to the VelocityOne flight controller, you will use the same bumpers, but they are on the back of the yoke. Unfortunately, it can be just as unstable, so you will most likely have to combine steering and that binary yaw function for a smooth landing. If you are using a third party HOTAS joystick, you can also use the joystick’s turn function to turn left and right. While this rotation function may be analog, it is nearly inaccurate, often resulting in the same jerk when the joystick is returned to center. The steering wheel changes everything.
The first time you fly with a set of rudder pedals, you will immediately notice how smooth the analog input is when making small adjustments. I’m not a pilot, but I’ve taken a few courses and there are some rules to keep in mind so your passengers don’t relive their lunch. You use the yoke to turn the plane, but to do it smoothly, you are “in the know”, meaning you will press the rudder as indicated by the inclinometer (also known as “turn and slide”). indicator”) of the pedal, or you may see “T/S” on the flight controls. The device has a small metal ball that determines the overall aerodynamics of your turn. “Step on the ball” means to press the rudder on the side of the ball head. When the ball is on the other side of the turn, you will feel it with your belly. This “sliding” or feeling of being pushed to the side can be counteracted by “stomping on the ball” bringing it closer to the center. If the ball is in the opposite direction of the turn, it is called ” sliding,” and it will give you the same feeling, but as if you are being pulled in rather than being pushed out.
To sum it up, smoothly turning the aircraft around without putting extra pressure on the airframe or uneven combustion of fuel in the fuel tanks is both an art and a craftsmanship. While Flight Simulator doesn’t account for uneven fuel consumption between your tanks (at least I’m aware of), it does take into account how much you step on the ball. Mastering this technique is one of the most important parts of smooth real life and simulation flight, so if you’re going to actually learn this technique or just want to make your game as realistic as possible, you need to pedal.
There aren’t many flight simulation pedals out there, but to say that the few that exist are vastly different would be an understatement. Let’s look at their main differences and characteristics, as well as why they are important.
Some steering wheels use a simple lever system that actuates linearly, like the gas pedal in a car, such as the Logitech Flight Simulator Pedals ($179). They are similar to the controls you will find on the Cessna. Some pedals are really just general purpose controls that are more like pedal sets you’ll find for racing or heavy equipment – the kind you’ll find in any racing wheel setup. Thrustmaster has released a set called Thrustmaster Pendular Rudder Flight Simulator Pedals Rudder Pedals that fully replicate the feel of a real pedal by using a suspension mechanism to create the push-and-pull action you would find in a real aircraft, but for $599 they do “Not let people in.” expensive for most potential pilots. Thrustmaster also makes a set of pedals ($139) that slides up and down a rail to approximate push/push action on an airplane, but with two sets of pedals, I can tell they stick to that rail way too often. The Turtle Beach Velocity One rudder pedals use a rudder shaft that rotates on a frictionless disc in the center of the unit to smoothly move the feet in a way that conveys pedal pressure linearity on the true plane while still maintaining thrust/pull like Thrustmaster. Smoothness of pendulum rudders. When you release pressure, they return to the center with a smooth motion and light pressure, just like a real object, simulating rudder pull in the air or front wheel pull on the ground.
Another feature you’ll find on tiptoe that cheaper pedals don’t have is differential braking. Just as stepping on a ball is a simulated action and feel, braking is a simulated action. Instead of hitting the brakes as soon as you touch the ground, you need to apply the brakes gradually. The Velocity One rudder pedals move a set of spring brakes that you apply by pressing your heels to the ground. They are individually controlled, so you can adjust the drone’s trajectory on the ground by gently applying the left and right brakes to guide it towards your center line. When you release pressure on your heel, the brakes release as they should.
The rudder pedals include three mechanisms to prevent slippage. The first is a smooth, rubbery matte surface, ideal for tile or wood floors. You can then use the rubber grip with the ridge at the bottom. This more aggressive grip is ideal for carpets or porous tile surfaces to prevent movement. The third isn’t so much about gripping as it is about preparing the chair for full use – the pre-drilled mounting holes. If you’re using a chair, or better yet, the upcoming Yaw2 (video), this option will lock your pedals into place. If you’re shopping for the holidays, Turtle Beach also has the option of launching a foldable “flying coaster” in mid-December.
There is really one small problem with these pedals and wheels – the firmware. Repeatedly, I had difficulties with the firmware update process, which caused my system to hang in update mode. I had to reinstall the correct firmware using a powershell script to force a reboot and bring the system back to a working state. I had to pedal four times with the update utility to use it. Just be patient – you’ll be fine, if you’re not lucky there are ways to unravel the system, but keep in mind that flashing can be a little tricky at times. The Update Utility gets 2 stars in the Microsoft Store for a reason.
I don’t know what to say, nothing frees the soul like flying. Peripherals like these rudder pedals take the experience to the next level by providing another point of connection to flight. Whether your vehicle is a Cessna, Boeing 747, Interstellar Junk Transporter, or a high-speed space fighter, adding pedals to it will make you feel as real as you would in a cockpit. After all, is this escapism the reason why we play games at all?
From superb build quality and modular design to smooth ride and value, Velocity One pedals are essential for any flying enthusiast.
Post time: Nov-02-2022
