With an emphasis on great build quality, affordability, and pedal feel, the Simgrade VX-Pro pedal set promises to provide both novices and seasoned pros with an elite level of simulation racing experience. Simgrade, unlike many other manufacturers, has concentrated on providing high performance across all pedals, hence increasing consumers’ speed and consistency.
As a relatively young player in the sim racing sector, Simgrade was founded in 2017. The VX-Pro pedals are its third release, following the R7 and Thera models. All of our goods are designed, manufactured, and assembled in Finland, and we ship globally.
The VX-Pro pedals are priced around £470 (without local taxes and delivery), which is higher than the Fanatec V3 Clubsports (roughly £340) but substantially lower than high-end options from Heusinkveld (approximately £585) or Sim Lab (approximately £555).
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First impressions: Unboxing and Build Quality
The VX-Pro pedals feel and look high-quality upon unboxing. They come in neat, well-packaged boxes with custom cardboard cutouts and indents. When the pedals are mounted on your rig, their distinctive designᅳstanding more upright than usualᅳcaptures your attention right away. In addition to reducing space in some rig configurations, this design decision strives to produce progressivity and feel in the pedals.
The construction is of exceptional quality, with no squeaks or unwanted movements and near operation, of course thanks to the creative bearings that rotate on the load cells for the purpose of transmitting signals.
This technique changes the leverage ratio as the spring moves away from the pivot point, increasing the progressive feel of the pedal. Although only a few of the many features can be adjusted with the pedal such as pneumatic angle, stiffness and pedal surface, the simple construction ensures simple setup. The thing to note of course is that the pedal does not require additional elastomer because it only uses one spring to provide stiffness and durability.
The pedal is said to require no maintenance due to its sealed bearings and load cell design from Simgrade, which also carries a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Accuracy and contentment in performance
From the start, the throttle pedal feels precise and pleasurable to operate. Its adjustable weighing and resistance felt ideal, and the stopper at the conclusion of the travel is precisely placed. You can remove the stopper to get a slightly longer pedal travel and a more metal-on-metal feel. Muscle memory is developed for smooth power application out of corners by using a load cell on the throttle pedal.
Both a linear and a clutch-biting point-like profile plate are available for the clutch pedal, which is equally enjoyable. There isn’t a firm stop point on the clutch, unlike other pedal sets, therefore calibration may be necessary.
Still, the brake pedal is something special. As-is, it’s fantastic, a pleasure to use and has a great feel. The brake pedal offers performance that can improve speed and consistency even in the absence of customisation thanks to its wide range of adjustable choices.
Electrical engineer and sim-racing content developer Dan Suzuki designed the printed circuit board, which guarantees high EMI resistance and steady signal transmission, and is partially responsible for this performance.
For cars without ABS or for threshold braking, the two-stage brake pedal enables firm pressure application with a pushable resistance point for increased braking force. A reference point for late braking maneuvers is provided by this feature. It is preferable to adjust this resistance point in between races as opposed to on the fly because it is feasible but takes time.
Other Choices and Things to Think About
Other options include a tilting heel support (£50) for extra comfort and a side support (£20) to stop feet from slipping. For about £34, a brake kit is also available. Although the benefits of the heel support may differ depending on the user, these options improve the already outstanding configuration.
Points of Improvement
Although the performance and construction quality of the VX-Pro pedals are excellent, the instruction booklet and related information might be expanded upon. Because of the high degree of flexibility, customers need thorough instructions to help them optimize settings for their unique requirements. Users could enhance their racing experience by better understanding and utilizing the pedal modifications with the support of clear instructions.
Cost and Rivalry
Comparing the VX-Pro pedals to other pedals of comparable quality, they are quite affordable at £470. They are similar in price to Moza Racing CRPs and less costly than Sim-Lab XP1s and Heusinkveld Sprints.
Last Word
The Simgrade VX-Pro pedals are some of the best available on the market, pound for pound. For a price significantly more than many of their entry-level competitors, they offer professional-standard build quality, design, functionality, and feel. If you’re a dedicated sim racer, the VX-Pros are a great option because of Simgrade’s superior engineering and attention to detail. We look forward to Simgrade’s upcoming release as they keep innovating.
