WinWing Orion Rudder Pedals (with damper) Review

[@Jakes_1-1]

I started with TFRPs....Loved them, cleaned and greased the rails meticulously and got 3 years out of them and still have them... but I got an opportunity to get a set of the Pendular TPR pedals and I jumped at it....what a game changer, specially in the Tomcat! Now I want to do the dampening mod so that I can get into Helo's properly.

[@sirkaithethird2536]

Sorry, late response here. I've got the TPR as well and absolutely love them. Can you explain the damper mod for helos? I've been flying the Huey with the TPR is it not realistic for that?

[@ernestwinslow7316]

It is amazing how flight sim HOTAS development has improved. I use a blend of Virpil CM3 Throttle, Winwing F-16EX Stick, and Thrustmaster TPPR rudder. We have a plethora of HOTAS brands to choose from this time. I am a modern Jet guy so my Thrustmaster TPR rudder is doing great in that department. Winwing products are great having just recently got their F-16EX Stick. Makes my flying much easier. Great review, thanks and enjoy the rudder.

[@grievesy83]

RUDDER IS SOOOOOOOO IMPORTANT FOR PROPELLOR AIRCRAFT. They're an advantage in jets and frankly I don't touch them often in the Hornet, yet I cannot stress enough how critical rudder is for a Spitfire, Mustang, etc. DCS does quite a good job of replicating the secondary effects of control inputs, which means that rudder input is important for controlling the aircraft. Cheers - a former Australian Defence Force pilot.

[@ViktorJaneba]

I just unpacked them and I am already impressed.

[@Boots3862]

This is what I needed to hear. Have WinWing F16EX stick and F/A-18 throttle, and love them. My TFRPs are wearing out, and I'm looking for something new. This is nicely in my price range, and I already know (and like) WinWing products, and I understand their, um linguistic quirks... ;-) Thanks! Looks like more money going to WinWing.

[@Kereod]

I think that those long adjustment bolts can be used to limit pedal travel: if you screw them in they will touch side arms earlier and stop them from more movement

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes, I think you're right! Thanks!

[@ViktorJaneba]

@@ReflectedSimulations Come here to say this. These are for yaw adjustments. Page 11 and 13 in the manual.

[@sandman11]

Been using mine for a week. Moved from the VKB T-Rudder. The addition of a damper is huge while flying the helicopters. Hope they come out with a slightly weaker spring.

[@VRSimWizard]

Greg, as always, GREAT content! You continue to rock!

[@_Zaid]

The twist-lock mechanism is for people who want to use the pedals as improvised driving pedals. While they aren't as good as actual simracing pedals, they're perfectly adequate for casually playing a racing game, or for something like Arma where a player might want to switch from driving to flight in the same mission.

[@ShawnHinck]

If I didn’t already have a set of MFG crosswinds with a dampener I’d definitely be strongly considering these. Winding has been putting out quality products. But going from the TFRPs to a quality set of pedals is one of those moments where you ever wonder how you made the TFRPs work

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yepp...night and day

[@SIMRIG412]

They really aren’t quality and the have no warranty on any product from winwing so spend hundreds or thousands on them and when something brakes guess what you’re out of luck the blame the failure on you as a customer. They say they have tested them with professionals so if something brakes it’s because you didn’t use it right 😂🤣

[@ShawnHinck]

@@SIMRIG412 when did winwing get rid of warranties? And having had time behind them, saying they aren’t quality is about the dumbest thing I’ve heard all day. They aren’t the best thing ever, but they are good, especially for what they cost.

[@algroyp3r]

For Logitech pedals enjoyers: 2 mods I highly recommend: - remove the centering mechanism by removing a spring-loaded plastic ball inside - it sucks! - coat the plastic rails in nyogel to simulate a damping effect - it works quite well.

[@wavehopper4183]

Pedals are one of those things I cheaped out on for years, then I got some decent ones and oh boy what a difference! The dampener is a nice idea for these (I use one on the throttle of my driving rig to improve resistance). Enjoy man. PS - to stop them sliding around I used some of those 3M Picture hanging strips (the velcro jobbies). My Virpils also tend to slide around if I don't fix them down.

[@richking2088]

6:07 You can adjust these screws with an allin key...it shortens the through of the peddles.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks!

[@PluckyUnderdog]

I have the Thrustmaster TPR because I have more money than sense haha, but I considered these as they're clearly great. I have their Viper stick and throttle like yourself, and they're excellent.

[@jeubby5614]

As do I.... Thrustmaster TPR WITH the add on Piston Mod. Had I waited longer I could have had this new WW Rudder/Piston combo for far cheaper than what I have invested already. I am still thinking about getting the WW Rudder Combo as ALL THEIR PRODUCTS I have are ABSOLUTELY Wonderful!!!!!!

[@shyneus9773]

I too had the Logitechs and recently got the WinWing pedals. Still need to configure them nice and proper. Need to maybe get a weaker spring. My recentering cam has some play to the center. Those two adjustment bolts I think you screw in so they collide with the frame to mechanically limit the main range of motion.

[@RagsHSC-7]

I've been waiting for the Skywalker wing wing rudder system. It was said to be out in September of last year. I was almost going to go to VP, but if they're out now that's where I'm going to WW. Can you tell me if they're out now? Totally awesome!👊😎

[@sedlo]

They’re out now ;)

[@RagsHSC-7]

@@sedlo SweeeeeT 😋

[@Zer0megaXX]

Looking at these for Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen though I'm hesitant on the damper as I've never used pedals before.

[@airplaneguru84]

The lock out mechanism is meant to be used for racing sims, I believe.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

True! I didn’t think of that

[@SIMRIG412]

Definitely not made for sim racing 😂 dumbest thing ever said by a flight company! These wouldn’t even work right for sim racing and don’t even have the right pedal faces or angles. Plus no loadcell for the brake. This is just a gimmick 😂

[@mytubehkjt]

FYI. Not 'dampener'. That would make it damp (wet). It is a 'damper'. This damps a movement.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Ah that explains why it’s all dripping wet! 😆 thanks, I fixed the title and description at least :)

[@DanielDrake]

Nice review

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks!

[@Fred-rv2tu]

I hope to get one soon. Sick of my plastic pedals

[@OrionRox]

Yet I'm still on the pre-order waiting list after 2 weeks. COME ON WinWing!

[@lostboy8814]

Me too,however I have only been waiting three days,so obviously the pre order wait is a long one and I am obviously in for a wait.

[@Tiber234]

yeah I was waiting on the list for about two week as well, but once the order kicked in they were here (London) in 3days faster than my Orions which took 5days

[@lostboy8814]

Thanks for your inputTiber234 after two weeks alas I am still waiting but it is very heartening knowing that the Uk delivery time from them is fast.

[@t8508702]

How much do they actually weigh? I have a motion rig that I need to keep balanced

[@belgeode]

I see what you did there! 🤘😁 One of my favorite Metallica songs too. 😉 How would you compare these to say Virpil WarBRD pedals?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I never tried those

[@SkyKing-Opa]

They are just Super 🎉❤

[@saren6538]

think ill save for ffb pedals

[@brandonchappell1535]

Shame i already got the virpils, otherwise i would of definitely picked up a pair of these, they look super beefy

[@ReflectedSimulations]

They are! But I’m sure the Virpils are great too

[@RW-zn8vy]

Virpil makes one of the best rudders

[@zeno6111753]

They kept the Skywalker name?!

[@lostboy8814]

No....they've now renamed them as ORION

[@zeno6111753]

@@lostboy8814 I thought that was the case. But the one in the review says Skywalker.

[@Fester_]

Thanks for that.

[@r4dio4ctiv3man9]

The WinWing pedals are propably very nice, the guys i´m flying with who own them are super happy. But tbh, they only make sense for people who only have entry level pedals. If you already own the TM TPR, Virpil or MFG rudders, the WinWing pedals do not realy offer something that is worth spending another 300€ on pedals. Also i´m very skeptical about WinWing. I do own the Super Taurus F-18 Throttle and the F-15EX throttle grips. Both products arrived faulty, WinWings QA is completely incompetent. From day one, the Super Taurus Slew control axis giving permanent input around the center, demanding a 10% deadzone to make the Y-axis usable. One of the reasons, why i switched to the F-15EX grips, wich then came with a different axis not working at all. And yes, it is an axis that should work on the super taurus. And two switches on the Super Taurus failed after 4 months. Their customer support is trash, they did not accept any warranty return in both cases and i had to live with the faulty units. My own fault to buy from WW again (well, wanted fully working throttle grips instead of getting a complete new throttle - should have gone with the VKB STECS instead). I for my part, am super dissapointed by WinWing overall and will avoid this company in the future. I do own Virpil bases (WarBRD and T50CM2), Realsimulator grips (F-16 SGRH CE and F-18 Super Hornet CGRH v1) and Slaw Viper RX pedals. Never experienced anything like that with these high-end manufactors. Winwing is only good as long as you don´t have any issues with their products, while the other manufactors provide excellent customer support. Realsimulator will even start a video chat session with you to solve problems, never seen any consumer hardware manufactor doing this.

[@sedlo]

Great review! Like you, I had the Thrustmaster TFRP. They were adequate, but when I got these I was blown away just how much I was missing! I was planning on reviewing it myself, but I think you summed everything up nicely here. I do have a few additional observations. ------------------ 1. I do have some additional info.. First off, the anti-slip pad they send with the pedals are a must if you have like wooden floors, or an office chair mat. But.. It is super, super sticky. Like, really, really, really sticky. When I unrolled it and placed it under my desk, my cat IMMEDIATLEY decided to lie down on it. It now looks like an orange shag carpet. Seriously, I cannot get the cat fur off of it. It's stuck forever. I guess it's good for trapping random dust and fur and keeping it from getting into the pedals itself, but I wonder if there may be a better material to use? ------------------ 2. This is next one is not a criticism of the pedals, just my observations. I had to make a few adjustments to my setup due to the rudder axis requiring so much force to depress. I would press on the pedal and instead of it depressing, my office chair would roll back away from the computer. Never had that issue with the TFRP, but these metal monsters required something else. For now, I've wrapped a dish towel around two of the wheels at the back of the chair, preventing it from rolling when I press them. Works for now, but not ideal. Next chair I get will have either locking wheels or just stationary. The force of the pedals also made me change my setup. I had my throttle and stick on my desktop, which I guess were kinda high. My arms would be angled up to use them. The force required to depress these pedals made it a bit awkward to maniuplate the HOTAS and depress the rudder. I broke down and bought some desk mounts. Just the cheap ones on Amazon, but they work really well and make my setup more ergonomic. ------------------ That's all I have to say about it, all in all I'm glad I bought them and it has made my flying a lot, lot better. Especially in warbirds and Heatblur's older jet series!

[@ChrisBeaufait]

Good feedback Sedlo, and thank you for all your contributions to the DCS community. Two quick items that help with rolling chairs (I use the Thrustmaster TPR pedals), either furniture cups (these cradle the wheels on the bottom of the chairs) or bell casters (these replace the wheels with stationary fixtures). Both are relatively inexpensive and available via Amazon (or likely Staples, others.)

[@sedlo]

@@ChrisBeaufait hey Chris! Thanks for the info! I’ll look into those cups and replacements. Thank you!

[@SIMRIG412]

Winwing has no warranty and covers nothing if you have an issue so remember that when buying this junk! Charge high end prices and offer no warranty in 2024 is a huge fail!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@SIMRIG412 a lot of people are shtposting about WW but the quality and construction is 100% brtter than my old TM Warthogs. It’s anything but ‘junk’

[@lambdacalculus8316]

Tfrp was a waste of money,

[@ImpendingJoker]

So, you built it around kit that most people won't be able to afford...sounds legit.

[@PorPor.T]

remove your shoe out!