Reality has long hydraulic lines, including flexible hoses,what is used in reality
Actually I didn't mean hydraulic systems, but pneumatic (based on compressed air), like the SRP pedals
Or even replaced with much longer if not forever lasting springs, like these brake upgrade kits from MRP.Rubbers/elastomers will wear out but are easily replaced from other sources.
@Elaphe :
Difficult t say as the sample size is really small.
To my knowledge SRP is the sole manufacturer and uses bespoke cylinders which are manufactured for them or even inhouse.
So if SRP ceases production or even goes belly up you have expensive paper wheights as soon as the first problems surfaces.
There´s a long list of boutique sim manufacturers that went extinct quickly and unannounced, e.g. Racewerks, HPP and so on.
A loadcell pedal of the usual suspects has bespoke parts of course, but these are unlikely to fail.
Rubbers/elastomers will wear out but are easily replaced from other sources.
Loadcells and circuit boards need a little more knowhow but the parts are out there.
Hydraulics are also proven technology but add more complexity and failure points.
I´ve seen everything fail in my job, from brake calipers to master cylinders and several hoses and pipes.
Still I´m dreaming of a DIY hydraulic brake but am wary of leaks because I hammer my Heusinkvelds way more than the Subaru/Brembo/Ferodo system on my toy car.
So, for long term reliabilty stay with mechanical elastomer/spring operated pedals from a trusted manufacturer.
100%.@Elaphe :
Difficult t say as the sample size is really small.
To my knowledge SRP is the sole manufacturer and uses bespoke cylinders which are manufactured for them or even inhouse.
So if SRP ceases production or even goes belly up you have expensive paper wheights as soon as the first problems surfaces.
There´s a long list of boutique sim manufacturers that went extinct quickly and unannounced, e.g. Racewerks, HPP and so on.
A loadcell pedal of the usual suspects has bespoke parts of course, but these are unlikely to fail.
Rubbers/elastomers will wear out but are easily replaced from other sources.
Loadcells and circuit boards need a little more knowhow but the parts are out there.
Hydraulics are also proven technology but add more complexity and failure points.
I´ve seen everything fail in my job, from brake calipers to master cylinders and several hoses and pipes.
Still I´m dreaming of a DIY hydraulic brake but am wary of leaks because I hammer my Heusinkvelds way more than the Subaru/Brembo/Ferodo system on my toy car.
So, for long term reliabilty stay with mechanical elastomer/spring operated pedals from a trusted manufacturer.
The HE ultimaes are like the sprints so far as they use a loadcell and anything that would break on them could be sourced by you, if you needed to. Worst case the electronics dies, HE were out of business you could hook up a bodnar board and go again.I've heard many horror stories with hydraulic pedals. Honestly, I don't want to have to worry with maintenance or, even worse, with the consequences of leakage or a catastrophic failure. I currently own the HE Sprints and I don't really know what is the best way for an upgrade. I've read the HE Ultimate's brake is hydraulic but doesn't require maintenance. Actually, the pedal doesn't look like hydraulic with all those intimidating fluids deposits, pipes, etc. you can see in other models.
100%.
If I was ever tempted to go with hydraulic again it would be with someone using off the shelf parts that I know I can by and replace if/when I need to.
IMO, these very custom hydraulic solutions are waiting for problems to arise, like the many HPP customers.
I´ve been musing about that for a while now and still I´m not sure if its worth the hassle to build my own hydraulic brake ( I´ll definitely keep gas and clutch from Heusinkveld) or if I should just upgrade to the Ultimates.I went back to loadcell after a couple issues with hydraulics and peoples experience will differ but I would personally not buy hydraulics with custom made parts. I think the early pioneers of this stuff using real car parts/master cylinders etc may have replaced a part or two after all these years but they have not had to bin the whole thing.
I´ve been musing about that for a while now and still I´m not sure if its worth the hassle to build my own hydraulic brake ( I´ll definitely keep gas and clutch from Heusinkveld) or if I should just upgrade to the Ultimates.
HE Ultimate has dynamic dampers, not brake cylinder, I haven't heard of them leaking, perhaps because the oil pressure is much lower. Take a look at Simtrecs, amazing pedals, there is thread around.I've heard many horror stories with hydraulic pedals. Honestly, I don't want to have to worry with maintenance or, even worse, with the consequences of leakage or a catastrophic failure. I currently own the HE Sprints and I don't really know what is the best way for an upgrade. I've read the HE Ultimate's brake is hydraulic but doesn't require maintenance. Actually, the pedal doesn't look like hydraulic with all those intimidating fluids deposits, pipes, etc. you can see in other models.
Upgraditis is an uncurable disease.So, do you think I should replace my Sprints with the Ultimates considering the only thing I'm interested is a more realistic brake pedal feel? I don't want a higher load to simulate GT3 or F1 cars, but rather something like a street car.
Upgraditis is an uncurable disease.
I've moved from HE Pro to Simtrecs GT Pro, and it was worth every penny, completely different level of craftmanship. Had HE Ultimate on my list for a very long time, but decided on those after long research of the available options, no regrets whatsoever.
What specific "brake" feel are you after, most RL race pedals have high resistance short travel, there is hardly any "feel".
I know, but I'm not sure if I should invest more in upgrading these pedals. The Sprints are not bad, but they are not top. They squeak, get rust, they are small, the pedal plates are sharp and with a flat uncomfortable surface, not smooth on the throtle and not grippy on the brake... I would like something sturdier and better built, made with better materials.I am not sure what you want either, if you dont want more pressure but want a different feel like a road car then maybe the ultimate wont give you what you expect, i am not sure.
You can also get a spring kit for the sprints and maybe that will give you the feeling you are after with softer springs.
HE Sprint Brake Spring Upgrade Kit
Please purchase from our new dedicated sim website https://mrpsimracing.co.nz/product/he-sprint-brake-spring-upgrade-kit/www.mrpltd.co.nz
I had a set of sprints I bought for a rig for one of my sons, I didnt spend a lot of time on it but the he brake and throttle are quite a bit better on the ultimates to me. The throttle was nicer and the brake more configurable. The bad news, the brake still has a small not very comfortable pedal face. If you are not planning to use more pressure than your sprints I dont imagine it to be an issue in socks, if you wear something like aqua shoes its even better.I know, but I'm not sure if I should invest more in upgrading these pedals. The Sprints are not bad, but they are not top. They squeak, get rust, they are small, the pedal plates are sharp and with a flat uncomfortable surface, not smooth on the throtle and not grippy on the brake... I would like something sturdier and better built, made with better materials.