Want to treat yourself to a Thrustmaster pedalset to complete your SimRacing setup? Well, let’s take a look at the Franco-American brand’s range. Luckily, it won’t take long, as the brand only offers 3 pedalboards in its catalog, not available in packs. And depending on how you ride (on a fixed simracing chassis or on a desk or table), the choice will be very different.
But I won’t keep you any longer, let’s get down to business!
Thrustmaster pedalset in a nutshell
To be perfectly clear, choosing a Thrustmaster pedalboard isn’t a choice I’d advise just anyone to make. If you only intend to play on a console , or if you want to connect your pedalboard directly to your Thrustmaster baseboard, then OK. In those circumstances, it’s a defensible choice.
On theother hand, if you’re a PC gamer and/or you don’t have a Thrustmaster flywheel base, then you’d be better off checking out what other manufacturers are doing. I’m thinking, for example, of the Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals V2, which, for €50 more than a T-LCM, offers a much more powerful model… albeit perhaps less sexy?
Rubber included to harden the brake pedal
Sensors: potentiometers
More expensive than T3PM
If you want to stay with Thrustmaster for your pedalset, this is the model you need.
6 springs included to modify the hardness of the pedals
The finest finish in the range
Enough settings to make you happy
3 pedals
Magnetic sensors
Stronger and more stable than T3PA
4 brake hardness modes
If you’d like to understand these three models in more detail, let’s take a look at them together 😉
T-LCM Pedals: the choice of reason
The brand’s only pressure-sensing pedalboard is also the most relevant model if you want to combine performance with value for money.
Its gas pedal and clutch pedals are equipped with 16-bit magnetic sensors (on PC, 12-bit on console via a Thrustmaster base). The brake , meanwhile, is equipped with a Load Cell sensor capable of withstanding loads of up to 100kg.
More good news: it comes as standard with 6 different springs to modulate brake pressure .
It’s generally available for between €200 and €250 on retailers’ websites, depending on the season. A price that makes it competitive even with the Fanatec CSL Pedals LC. Although it has to be said that the Fanatec offers more pedal position adjustment options.
On the other hand, unlike its German competitor, the T-LCM has a relatively nice design! Metal-covered footrest. Metal pedal arms and plates too. It’s clear that, unlike the Fanatec, there’s been some real work done to make the product sexy.
A word of warning, though: a Load Cell brake generally means greater pedal pressure. This is a model more suited to owners of fixed chassis than to occasional gamers. Don’t expect to get the most out of it if it’s just sitting on the floor. It could surprise you by going into orbit at the first over-enthusiastic braking 😉
In short: if you want a good-quality Thrustmaster pedalboard to enhance your setup, this is the one to get the job done.
T3PM: the wallet’s choice
Here’s a model that may be of interest if you don’t have a fixed chassis. The T3PM uses the same design as the T-LCM, but at half the price!
It’s generally available for between €100 and €130, depending on the season. But of course, half the price means that compromises have had to be made.
Forget the metal finish of the footrest. The bottom bracket arms are made of plastic compound. Only the pedal plates are still metal.
But where we lose out the most is, of course, on the brake pedal. Good-bye load cell, hello magnetic sensors.
Of course, this isn’t a catastrophe for everyone. Of course, a pressure sensor is great for a brake. But if you don’t have a fixed simracing cockpit, this model will be much more practical for racing.
Especially since, in terms of resolution, it doesn’t really fear comparison with the T-LCM! 14-bit resolution on PC and 10-bit on console, that’s more than enough. At least for an entry-level model at €130. And to top it all off, its brake features 4 hardness modes so you can find your ideal balance.
T3PA: the unlikely choice
Okay, let’s not get carried away here. This model is of no interest today. It was one of the brand’s best-sellers for many years, but is now completely out of date.
Plastic design. Very few adjustments. Pedal movement captured by potentiometers… Welcome to 2015.
It doesn’t even have the advantage of price, being €10 more expensive than its T3PM replacement. So it’s clearly not a wise choice today.
Don’t think I don’t like this model: I owned a T3PA Pro for many years and loved it. But today, it’s clear that it no longer has the slightest advantage over its competitors. Thrustmaster included!
What are the criteria for choosing a SimRacing pedalset?
Still struggling to get your head around the differences between models and technologies? OK, let’s take a moment to see exactly what corresponds to what. Here are the criteria we’ll be looking at together:
- Types of motion sensors
- Pedal motion technologies
- Compatibility
- Alternative choices
Types of motion sensors for sim racing pedalsets
There are currently 3 main types of sensor. There are potentiometers, magnetic sensors and pressure sensors, more commonly known as load cells.
Potentiometers
Potentiometers are the simplest and most widespread type of sensor. When you operate your pedal, the potentiometer turns and sends the degree of rotation to your simulator.
The advantage? They’re really cheap components, which keeps manufacturing costs as low as possible.
But not everything is rosy with “potsards” as they’re called… They’re mechanical parts that can wear out over time. But they can also lose their precision if dust gets inside. But they do the job! That’s why you’ll find them in many simracing bundles sold to the general public.
–> Pot model: T3PA
Magnetic sensors
A magnetic-sensor pedalboard works in the same way as potentiometers, but eliminates some of the negative points. Since information is transmitted magnetically rather than mechanically, there is virtually no wear and tear over time. Dust has absolutely no effect on them! These sensors are also (generally) more precise than the potentiometers found in simracing.
But inevitably, there had to be a downside… They’re a bit more expensive. For many years, magnetic sensors were only found in mid-range and high-end models. But simracing is evolving, and so is technology. Now it’s almost unthinkable not to have magnetic sensors in a pedalset.
–> Magnetic sensor models: T3PM and T-LCM (for throttle and clutch)
The Load Cell pressure sensor
Ahh, the grail of the simracer. A good old-fashioned pressure sensor for a brake pedal that’s as effective as it is realistic. As with any self-respecting brake pedal, it’s not the “position” of the pedal that transmits the information to your favorite simulator, but the pressure you exert with your foot.
The difference is enormous in terms of feel and precision. After all, the human body is far more efficient at replicating forces than amplitudes of movement. Once reserved for top-of-the-range models, Load Cells are now available at all prices. Yes, even in entry-level models, such as the Fanatec CSL Pedals LC.
–> Load Cell model: T-LCM
Pedal motion technologies
We’ve got a capture system, which is great. But we still need our pedals to move! For that, there are several options:
- Springs: Inexpensive, they give more or less hardness to the back of the pedal. These are found on almost all gas pedal and clutch pedals on the market.
- High-density foams or elastomers: generally found on pressure-sensing brake pedals. This system provides a feel much closer to that of a real brake. You’ll also generally need to apply more force to the pedal to use it. It’s a very effective and relatively affordable system.
- Hydraulics or pneumatics: This is the top of the brake pedal range. These systems are found on top-of-the-range models (nothing under 600€). Here again, the aim is to replicate the feel of a real brake pedal.
Compatibility of Thrustmaster pedalset
All Thrustmaster pedalboards are PC-compatible via USB connection. But they are also PS4, PS5 and X Box Series compatible if you connect them directly to your steering wheel base. Please note, however, that on a console you’ll lose a little resolution on the magnetic sensors.
On a PC, plugging your pedalboard directly into the USB port means you’re not restricted in your choice of steering base. So there’s nothing to stop you mixing and matching with other brands as the mood takes you.
Alternative choices
If you’re a PC gamer who also wants to see what other brands have to offer, you won’t be disappointed! In the same price range as the models above, you’ll find, for example :
But of course, if you’re on a budget and want to take your performance to the next level… I invite you to have a look at the complete guide to simracing pedalboards!
I hope you’ve found what you’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions in the comments, I’ll be happy to help 🙂
See you soon below, and maybe see you soon on the virtual tracks!
