MOZA MRP Rudder Pedals Review: A Compelling New Entry for Flight and Combat Sim

Introduction

The MOZA MRP rudder pedals are a new entry into the flight and combat sim rudder market. They bring a dark, premium aesthetic with an aluminum frame, black powder coat finish, and a champagne gold accent that ties the design together. With hall sensors on the rudder axis and each brake pedal, plus a range of adjustments, these pedals aim to deliver a polished experience out of the box.

What’s in the Box

Before you can start flying, there is some minor assembly required. The left and right brake pedals do not come attached, but following the included manual makes installation straightforward. The same applies to the optional damper, which can be added with the included hardware.

In the box, you get a USB Type B to Type A cable for connecting the pedals directly to your computer, a transit cable for daisy-chaining to other MOZA devices, and a tool bag with hex bolts, hex keys, a nut driver, and a spanner. As with other MOZA flight simulator hardware, a manual is included that covers both setup and the companion software.

Design and Build Quality

Once assembled, the MOZA MRP rudder pedals look the part. The dark color scheme is consistent with the rest of the MOZA hardware lineup, broken up by a single champagne gold accent that matches the logo on the bottom. The frame is mostly aluminum, with steel used in areas that need reinforcement. The black powder coat finish is smooth and does not attract fingerprints.

The rudder axis uses hall sensors, as do each of the brake pedals. The rudder offers plus or minus 30 degrees of rotation, resulting in about 20 cm of total travel. That travel is adjustable through hex bolts on the back of the device, letting you reduce or increase the rotation as needed.

Because the pedals pivot around a central point, they use a rotary or arc-based movement. As you move through left and right, your feet move out and then in through the middle section. It is a design choice that differs from pendular linear movement found on some other pedals, but it is subtle and easy to adapt to.

Adjustability and Comfort

The brake pedals offer about 25 degrees of angle adjustment, which helps with comfort whether you are using the pedals on a desk or mounted in a sim rig. On a desk, having the pedals in the far back position works well when sitting at a high desk. When mounted in a sim with a more reclined seating position, tilting the pedals forward makes them more comfortable.

The tension on the rudder axis comes from a pair of springs that are easy to remove. With both springs installed, you are looking at around 6 to 12 kilos of force, or about 14 pounds. Dropping down to just the small spring reduces that to about 3.5 kilos, roughly 7.7 pounds. The large spring alone provides a similar amount of resistance.

Each brake pedal uses two springs with about 4 kilos of force required to apply the brakes. Foot rests are included to help support your feet and keep them off the floor, though some users may find it more comfortable to remove them and rest their feet against the base of the pedals.

Underneath, four rubber feet do a solid job on tile floors, with no movement at all. On carpet, there is less grip, as there are no teeth or flip-down mats like some entry-level racing pedals. If you are mounting the pedals to a sim rig, the rubber feet remove easily, allowing direct mounting with no movement.

The Optional Damper

The optional damper is a standout addition. Installation is straightforward, requiring the metal risers on both the front and underneath the left swing arm, along with the included bolts. The damper has an adjustment knob on the side that can clamp down significantly, to the point where the pedals become very difficult to move.

Compared to other dampers in the market, this one provides a much stronger resistance range. At its maximum setting, the pedals feel heavy and weighted, which adds a genuine sense of immersion, especially when flying helicopters. The damper does an excellent job of providing weight to the rudder pedals, something that is often missing in this category.

Software and Configuration

The MOZA software is straightforward to navigate. On the front page, you get a visual representation of the pedals, and clicking into it shows the configuration with linear axes for the left brake, right brake, and rudder. The software allows you to apply user curves to each axis, which is useful for fine-tuning brake application and rudder input.

For braking, a user curve lets you apply a little brake initially and then gradually increase the braking force as you push further through the pedal. Similarly, for the rudder, reducing the initial input can help in aircraft where rudder application is sensitive, such as during ground taxi.

The software also includes invert axis buttons and calibration for each axis. In multiple weeks of use, calibration was not needed at all, both on initial setup and throughout regular use.

Performance in Flight

In the Cessna 172, the rudder pedals performed well. The rudder axis is smooth and consistent, making taxiing easy. Applying a little rudder to keep the aircraft straight works well, though the brakes require a visual reference rather than physical feedback to gauge the level of application.

In the Apache in DCS, the pedals really come to life. With the springs removed and the damper dialed up a few notches, the rudder pedals provide a weighted feel that supports balanced flight. The damper adds weight behind the rudder pedals, making helicopter flying more immersive.

On the carrier in DCS, the rudder axis performs fantastically for ground taxi. It is very smooth and consistent, and keeping the aircraft straight down the line is easy. Braking requires a little care, but it is not an abrupt situation.

Things to Consider

The main criticism is the brake pedal application. The brakes use spring resistance that is consistent all the way through the braking application. There is no increasing resistance as you apply more force, which means you have to create a mental picture of your ankle angle to gauge braking force. This is a missed opportunity, especially given the technology available in the sim racing space, where load cells measure the amount of force applied to the brake pedal.

That said, a load cell rated at 90 kilos would not work well on carpet. But increasing resistance on the brake pedals as you get deeper into the brakes would be a welcome addition to the flight sim market.

Buying Advice

The MOZA MRP rudder pedals are priced at 599 Australian dollars, or about 349 USD. If you add the adjustable damper, that is a further 129 Australian dollars or 65 USD, bringing the total to 728 Australian dollars or 414 USD, before shipping.

For the price, these pedals offer a solid package. They do not do anything particularly new, but what they do, they do well. The adjustable brake angle, adjustable rudder degrees, and varying spring tensions are all features seen in other rudder pedals, but the execution is polished.

The standout feature is the damper. If you can afford the extra cash, it is worth it. It does a far better job than other dampers in the market, providing the sensation and immersion that many simmers want. For helicopter flying in DCS, the extra weight makes for a super immersive experience.

Conclusion

The MOZA MRP rudder pedals are a compelling new entry to the flight and combat sim rudder market. They offer a smooth rudder axis, solid build quality, and a range of adjustments that make them comfortable in different setups. The optional damper is a highlight, adding real weight to the pedals and enhancing immersion.

While the brake pedals could benefit from more advanced technology, the overall package is strong. For simmers looking for a reliable, adjustable set of rudder pedals with the option to add meaningful resistance, the MOZA MRP is worth serious consideration.