The Most Innovative Sim Racing Wheel In a LONG Time! Cammus ePedal Review
This is the all-new Cammus ePedal direct-drive wheel, and that’s right! Despite it looking identical to the C5 we all know, it’s significantly different. How so? Well, with it, you don’t need pedals. The wheel itself is fitted with individual pressure sensors that can be used as throttle and brake inputs.
Designed primarily for disabled sim racers who can’t use their legs, but also useful for many other scenarios, the Cammus ePedal is unlike anything the sim racing community has ever seen. However, being such an innovative new piece of technology, is it any good, or does it have a long way to go? Well, I’ve been putting this ePedal direct-drive wheel (confusing, I know) to the test for several weeks now, and trust me when I say, this may be one of the most innovative uses of sim racing technology I’ve ever seen.
Cammus ePedal Review
Sent to me by Cammus for review, the ePedal is the world’s first sim racing wheel with incorporated pressure sensors. As you can all tell, it’s based on the same platform as the C5 and, as such, performs, looks, and feels exactly like it. The only real difference is the fingerprint indents it has on the grips of the wheel—this, of course, being where the pressure sensors are located.
Despite being roughly unchanged from the C5 I reviewed over a year ago, it’s still a high-quality wheel. Its synthetic leather wrap looks and feels good, it has precise stitching throughout, a carbon fiber faceplate that glistens under light, and, of course, the integrated direct-drive motor.
Capable of exerting up to 5Nm of force, the in-game performance here surprisingly feels better than I remembered. Probably due to newer software updates since the last time I used it, the feedback feels very capable and punchy, and smaller details like road surfaces, bumps, and curbs are far more accentuated than they were in the past. This ultimately led to a pleasant driving experience that not only felt realistic, but also refined and very similar, if not identical, to the competition from Moza and Fanatec at the 5Nm level.
Of course, there are lots of other positives and negatives regarding this direct-drive wheelbase from Cammus, but all of that I have already covered in my C5 review, so make sure to watch that if you’re interested in learning more about the technical specifications.
As for this review, I really want to focus on what makes the Cammus ePedal unique, and like I’ve said, that’s the ability to use it without a dedicated set of pedals. I’ll start by saying that when Cammus originally reached out offering to send this to me for review, I was fairly skeptical—Is this a huge gimmick? Is it nearly impossible to use? And is it so niche that it’s not really worth going over? Well, I was in for a massive surprise… this wheelbase is truly none of that.
Although I believe there is a significant learning curve to get seriously competitive with it, the ePedal quite literally allowed me to get up and racing, modulate my brake and throttle inputs, and feel immersed in-game, all in the palm of my hands. Most interestingly, I actually wasn’t completely terrible when I first launched it in-game. Though I was nowhere near my normal lap times, I was at least able to stay on the track, hit a lot of my braking points, and be somewhat competent—something I wasn’t expecting to be able to do considering it’s so different from what I’m used to. In this sense, the way Cammus integrated these pressure sensors onto the handles was very intuitively done, and it almost felt like second nature.
That being said, there is still a lot of room for improvement. Starting with the throttle input on my right hand, no matter the adjustments I tried making in the software or in-game, I found its actuation to be extremely quick. In practically a millisecond, I could go from zero to max throttle input, almost like flicking a switch.
Combined with the fact that there is no tactile feedback or resistance to indicate how much pressure you’re applying, I found it very difficult to precisely modulate my throttle inputs, which is very important. Apart from spinning out on several occasions due to this lack of control, another issue I encountered was that, on long straights or after a few laps in general, my right thumb would begin to get very tired. Although not much force is required on the sensor, you still have to actively press down with your thumb, which became tiresome for me. As such, I think Cammus should consider implementing some type of cruise control function, allowing you to relax your hand while still maintaining maximum throttle.
Regarding the brake control on my left hand, it works exactly the same but requires substantially more force to fully engage, providing more fine control over its input. Overall, I had a slightly better experience here. For starters, my left hand didn’t get as tired, and in moments where heavy or light braking was needed, I felt I was able to modulate that input accordingly.
However, one very important thing to keep in mind is that when needing to brake while cornering or making significant movements on the steering wheel, much of that perceived control was lost, as I struggled to balance the wheel’s movements while precisely pressing down the sensor. As such, the Cammus ePedal will certainly be more challenging to use in rally or drift scenarios where precise pedal inputs need to be in sync with rapid and sporadic wheel movements.
That being said, I truly believe that for sim racing use—i.e., competitively racing against others—just as many people can be super quick on an Xbox controller, I think that with enough practice, many people could also be rapid on something like this. In this sense, despite my complaints, I do think the hardware here is good enough to give you what you need as a driver looking to be quick.
That, of course, is an amazing thing for existing or aspiring sim racers who are injured or disabled from the waist down and still want to experience the thrill of racing. Since the start of this channel, I’ve said that sim racing is for everyone, and the Cammus ePedal is the embodiment of that—a product that, despite not having the biggest customer base, is still presented as an option for that minority. This is something we all have to respect Cammus for doing. Although disabled or injured sim racers are the primary market for this product, there are other interesting use cases. People who travel a lot or are going abroad for a long time could technically take this in a suitcase and, paired with the table clamp, have a mini sim racing setup available at all times. Furthermore, if you really want to race but are extremely tight on space to the point where you can’t fit a set of pedals, this is also an option. And finally, if you do have pedals and can use them but want to bind these sensors for things like a clutch and handbrake input, that’s also a possibility. As such, the Cammus ePedal is surprisingly versatile.
In conclusion, this product is certainly not for everyone, but for those of you who it could be for, despite its drawbacks and room for improvement, I can say with confidence that it is a very capable piece of equipment and, at the very end of the day, simply great to see.
Video Review:
Cammus ePedal FAQ’s
What is the Cammus ePedal?
The Cammus ePedal is a direct-drive sim racing wheel that incorporates pressure sensors on the wheel grips, allowing users to control throttle and brake inputs without the need for traditional pedals. It is designed primarily for sim racers who cannot use their legs but can also be useful for other scenarios.
How does the ePedal differ from the Cammus C5 wheel?
While the ePedal is based on the C5 platform and looks almost identical, the major difference is the integration of pressure sensors on the wheel grips. These sensors enable throttle and brake control directly from the wheel, eliminating the need for a pedal set.
Who is the ePedal designed for?
The ePedal is designed primarily for disabled or injured sim racers who cannot use their legs. However, it also caters to those who might need a compact or portable racing setup, as well as racers who want to use the sensors for additional controls like a clutch or handbrake.
How does the throttle and brake input work on the ePedal?
The throttle input is controlled via the right-hand sensor, while the brake input is managed by the left-hand sensor. Both sensors detect pressure and translate it into in-game controls. The system allows for modulation, though the review noted some areas where it could be improved.
Are there any drawbacks to the ePedal system?
Yes, the review highlighted a few areas for improvement. The throttle input can be too sensitive, making it difficult to modulate smoothly, and there is no tactile feedback or resistance, which can make precise control challenging. Extended use may lead to thumb fatigue, especially on the throttle side. Balancing steering and braking can be difficult during heavy wheel movements, affecting precision.
Is there a learning curve with the ePedal?
Yes, users may need time to adjust, especially if they're accustomed to using traditional pedals. However, the review suggested that with practice, users can become competitive using the ePedal, similar to how gamers adapt to using controllers.
Can the ePedal be used with a traditional pedal setup?
Yes, users who already have pedals can still use the ePedal sensors for additional functions, such as clutch or handbrake inputs, providing more versatility in their sim racing setup.
What environments or scenarios would benefit from the ePedal?
The ePedal is beneficial for disabled or injured sim racers who cannot use foot pedals, those who travel frequently and need a portable sim racing setup, racers with limited space who can't accommodate a full pedal setup, and users looking to bind the pressure sensors to other controls like a clutch or handbrake.
How does the ePedal perform compared to traditional setups?
According to the review, the ePedal provides a realistic and immersive driving experience. Although there is a learning curve, the feedback is responsive, and the direct-drive motor offers precise control comparable to other 5nm wheelbases from brands like Moza and Fanatec.
Is the Cammus ePedal worth buying?
The review concluded that while the ePedal might not be for everyone, it is a groundbreaking product that provides a solid racing experience for those who need it. Despite some areas that could be refined, it offers a unique and versatile solution, especially for those who may have struggled to find suitable sim racing equipment.
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