Are Hydraulic Sim Pedals an Advantage on the Simulator?

Lawrence Thomas

There is no doubt that sim racing has taken the world by storm in recent years. With ever-improving technology comes more realistic simulators, and with them, ever-more competitive players. Among the many pieces of equipment used by these serious sim racers is the hydraulic pedal set. Some purists argue that if you're not using hydraulics, you're not doing it right. Are they really an advantage, or are they just a luxury? Let's take a closer look at hydraulics for sim pedals and find out.

First, let's talk about what makes a pedal 'hydraulic'. When we are talking about hydraulic pedals, we're talking about pedals designed to create hydraulic pressure that is being translated in game. These systems mimic systems that are found in your every day car using a combination of hydraulic master cylinders and slave cylinders. These give you a realistic feeling that compares to what you'd feel on your road car. The reason this is so important to some drivers is that it gives you a more realistic braking experience. When you're using hydraulics on the sim it makes it more 1:1 from in game to real life feedback.

When you compare hydraulic sim pedals to load cell or even potentiometer pedals, there is a large difference in your ability to play with them. Driving to the limit of the car online is much easier with a set of hydraulic pedals because the pedal has more travel and allows you to make small adjustments mid corner that you can all feel. Going faster in most cases is easier with hydraulic pedals because of the more advanced feel you gain.

You feel the biggest difference when you are in the braking zone. If you compare braking with one of your friends that don't have hydraulic pedals you'll quickly see you can brake deeper into the corner and maintain threshold braking easier. Where as they'll likely lock up the brakes because they can't feel when they're at the limit. So, in many cases, using hydraulic pedals is easier then cheaper pedals because the feeling you get is more familiar.

If you're thinking of making the switch to hydraulic pedals but aren't sure if they're going to be right for you, i'd recommend looking into our P1 Pro Pedals. They come with a 14 day return period so if you end up not thinking they're for you, you are able to return them. This peace of mind gives drivers the confidence they need to try our hydraulic pedals and in almost all cases, once you try them, you realize what you've been missing out on and don't want to give them back.

When it comes to hydraulic pedals, there are a lot of benefits that you may not have considered. In addition to the increased realism and 1:1 feedback you get while driving, hydraulics also allow for a much smoother pedal feel. This means that your car will respond more realistically to your inputs, making it easier to control.

In addition, because of the way hydraulics work, they are much less susceptible to wear and tear than traditional pedals. This means that they will last much longer under heavy use, making them a wise investment for sim racers looking for an edge over their competition.

So if you're looking for the best possible experience when racing online, hydraulic pedals may just be the answer you've been looking for. With their increased realism and durability, find out they are sure to give you the competitive edge you need to take your racing to the next level.

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Jon Festinger

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