Joysticks and steering wheels get most of the attention, but to really enjoy a flight or racing simulator, you need to put the pedal to the metal. CH Products' Pro Pedals USB are designed specifically for flight simulators, but they're just as effective for racing sims.

Setting up the Pro Pedals is easy, because the process is almost automatic. The pedals support plug-and-play with Windows, so you don't need to do much more than plug the USB cable into an available port and double-click the installer. The supplied 7-foot USB cable should be long enough for most situations.

The pedal base is 13 inches wide and 14 inches long, so it doesn't take up a large amount of space under a desk or require much in the way of clearance. The pedals are generous enough to accept even a large pair of feet, but they're fairly close together, which you may find a little restrictive and cramped. The ribbed surface of the pedals and a raised lip around the edges help keep your feet from sliding off in the middle of the action. Rubber pads on the bottom of the base help keep it from sliding out of reach if you get carried away while working the pedals.

The gas/brake functions add extra realism to the gaming experience. Once you get the hang of using your feet to control certain functions, you'll appreciate the sensitivity and responsiveness of the pedals. The pedals slide forward and backward independently, providing rudder input for the yaw axis in flight simulators. You can also put the supplied blocks behind the pedals to eliminate the sliding action for some games.

Switching from joysticks and gamepads to pedals takes some getting used to, so be prepared to spend a few hours adjusting your play. Functionality and responsiveness also vary from game to game.

The Pro Pedals should stand up to many hours of flight training and missions, as well as lightning-fast turns in your favorite racing simulation.


Pros: Pro Pedals round out the gaming experience, easy to install and configure, well constructed and responsive, compatible with a number of games
Cons: Expensive, pedals are fairly close together and may feel cramped for some individuals

Warranty
2 years