Simsonn Pro Loadcell Sim Racing Pedals Review
These are the Simsonn Pro Sim Racing pedals, and despite their looks and having "pro" in their name, you'd be surprised to know that these are in the same price range as the Thrustmaster T-LCMs, a well-known budget set of sim racing pedals.
That's right, as tested, these cost about $230, with other versions without a clutch, without dampers, or with a pedal plate slightly decreasing or increasing their price but always maintaining their affordability. Sent over to me by Simsonn for review, I've been putting these to use for several weeks now, fidgeting with several settings, and seeing how they hold up, and today I'm ready to tell you all about them.
Review
The Simsonn pedals are designed for maximum adjustability and performance while remaining affordable, offering significant bang for your buck. Made entirely of steel, all components are 3mm thick and laser-cut, providing the product with maximum rigidity. In terms of build quality, I was seriously impressed—there was no unwanted flex, side-to-side movement on the pedals, or any squeaks... at least not so far.
One important thing to keep in mind is that since the pedal faces are only 3mm thick and not rounded on the edges, using these pedals without shoes when heel-toe downshifting was very uncomfortable for me, as my foot would hit against the firm and thin edge of the throttle. Other than that, and especially when using them with shoes, I had no problems, and they genuinely felt like a more premium product than the price suggests. Helping with this premium feel is, of course, the significant adjustability that can be made on all three pedals.
On the throttle and clutch, you can significantly adjust the angle of the springs, distance of travel, and position of the damper, which can drastically increase the resistance and overall feel. As it came, I felt the throttle was too stiff and the feel of the clutch bite point was too dramatic, so after some tinkering, I was able to get it more to my liking. My version also includes dampers on all three pedals, which help provide more friction and texture to the pedal feel. I found this felt much better on the clutch and brake, but I've since removed it from my throttle, where I prefer a more uninterrupted and soft feel. This, of course, varies based on preference.
Another aspect that will vary based on preference is pretty much everything regarding the adjustability here. Thankfully, Simsonn ensures everyone can get the feel they want by providing several interchangeable elastomers and springs to achieve the exact feel you desire. This, paired with the adjustability of the pedal angles, distance, and stiffness, means there is a near unlimited variety of setups you can achieve. After spending several minutes tinkering back and forth, I was ultimately very satisfied.
On track, the pedals were very responsive, and my braking was on point, comparable to pedals that cost twice or even three times as much. The lower price point of these pedals can, however, be noticed in their powder coating, which was okay but not nearly as refined as others. Additionally, no formal software is available for this pedal set; instead, you get a calibration program where you must independently calibrate all three pedals before use. Included in the box is a USB control hub with a grounding wire. All three pedals connect independently to this module, which then routes a single USB cord to your PC. The grounding wire is optional but should be used if the pedal signals interfere with those of other components in your setup, with Fanatec wheelbases being the most commonly reported to have signal issues.
On track, wearing shoes instead of my usual socks, the performance of these pedals was very impressive. Fitted with a load cell sensor capable of reading up to 200kg of force, the brake pedal was extremely capable and precise, with the optional damper providing slightly more depth and texture when pressing down. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel completely at home under braking. After setting a resistance I liked, it only took me a few minutes to get accustomed to everything, and before I knew it, I was matching my usual lap times.
The clutch pedal was also impressive for a product of this price. Unlike its competition from Thrustmaster and Moza, the clutch pedal here at least tries to emulate the feeling of a clutch bite point. Although it certainly doesn’t do the absolute best job, there is at least a noticeable feeling here that can be adjusted and felt quite good after my tinkering. Fitted with a hall effect sensor, the clutch and throttle are very responsive and never gave me any problems on track. The only initial issue I had was that the throttle pedal was too stiff, but that was easily remedied with some simple adjustments.
Overall, my experience with the Simsonn Pro pedals, considering the price at which they are offered, was a very good one. The build quality, adjustability, and performance all exceeded my expectations. While there are a few minor downsides, they are easily overshadowed by the numerous positives. The pedals feel solid, offer a high degree of customization, and perform admirably on track, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and more experienced sim racers looking for an affordable yet high-quality set of pedals.
OC Score: 8.3
Simsonn Pedals FAQ:
What materials are the Simsonn Pro Sim Racing pedals made of? The Simsonn Pro Sim Racing pedals are made entirely of steel, with all components being 3mm thick and laser-cut, providing maximum rigidity.
How do the Simsonn Pro pedals compare in price to other sim racing pedals? Despite their high-quality construction and features, the Simsonn Pro pedals are priced similarly to budget options like the Thrustmaster T-LCMs, around $230.
Are the pedal faces of the Simsonn Pro pedals comfortable to use without shoes? Since the pedal faces are only 3mm thick and not rounded on the edges, using the Simsonn Pro pedals without shoes can be uncomfortable, especially when heel-toe downshifting. It is recommended to use them with shoes for better comfort.
What kind of sensor does the brake pedal of the Simsonn Pro pedals use? The brake pedal of the Simsonn Pro pedals is fitted with a load cell sensor capable of reading up to 200kg of force, providing excellent precision and capability.
Can the resistance and feel of the Simsonn Pro pedals be adjusted? Yes, the Simsonn Pro pedals offer significant adjustability. You can adjust the angle of the springs, distance of travel, position of the damper, and stiffness to get the exact feel you want.
Is there any software available for the Simsonn Pro pedals? There is no formal software available for the Simsonn Pro pedals. Instead, you get a calibration program where you must independently calibrate all three pedals before use.
What is included in the box with the Simsonn Pro pedals? The box includes a USB control hub with a grounding wire. All three Simsonn Pro pedals connect independently to this module, which then routes a single USB cord to your PC. The grounding wire is optional but recommended if the pedal signals interfere with other components in your setup.
Are there any downsides to the Simsonn Pro pedals? The lower price point of the Simsonn Pro pedals is reflected in the powder coating, which is not as refined as some other products. Additionally, the lack of formal software means you need to manually calibrate the pedals before use.
FANATEC is BACK with a... shaft extension. But, will this be enough? Let's find out.