Let's talk about pedals resolution

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AlexDB9

AlexDB9

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I'm getting the T-LCM pedals but although they are advertised as 16-bit resolution (about 65,500 values) I learn that this holds only for PC, while on PS4, where I play, this is downgraded to 12-bit or 4,096 values.

On paper this seems like a great difference but is it actually a disadvantage or is this a case of diminishing returns?

And should I not sweat about it, and have no inferiority complex towards PC master race?
 
Think of it this way: with the 12-bit resolution, if the full pedal travel was 40 cm, you'd have a value change every tenth of a millimetre. In reality it's closer to 10 cm, which means forty values for every millimetre.

Do you have feet that can accurately make movements smaller than a quarter of a tenth of a millimetre, or do you absolutely need the 600+ values per millimetre?

In perspective: with 4096 values, you could have a pedal travel of four metres and still have a value change every millimetre.
 
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@Greycap thanks that was a great analogy... and I think it would take many lifetimes of tens of millions of virtual miles for a person's feet to be sensitive to the difference... so yeah
 
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On the other hand, if we're talking about a load cell, with the 12-bit resolution for a 40 kg pedal you'd have one value for every ten grams. That's about three to four sugar cubes...

...so yeah, the point still stands.
 
Higher resolution on the brake pedal does actually make a noticeable difference in PC games. I haven't played iRacing in years, but I still have the Bodnar USB adapter that was sold to make the G25/G27 compatible as standalone devices on the PC. If I remember correctly, it increased the pedal resolution on the brake to 10-bit, which is a 4x increase from the 8-bit resolution they come with stock. Back then, it absolutely made a difference in my experience, and it helped you keep from locking the brakes as easily in iRacing compared to using the stock pedals. You could immediately tell it was easier to brake without locking up.

Don't just take my word for it. Barry from Sim Racing Garage reviewed the Bodnar adapter a few years ago and says pretty much the same thing about the effects of increased pedal resolution:
 
You won't notice any difference between 12 and 16 bit, or anything higher.

Check out this video from Niels Heusinkveld, once you go above like 10 or 12 bit there are diminishing returns, and you are more likely to have effects from any play in your rig, or the accuracy of your foot than your pedal resolution.

 
^Was about to post that Niels video. TL;DW basically you need only 10 bit on pedals and 12 bit on wheel maximum. Anything above this is just bragging rights and marketing fluff without any practical improvements. Besides your foot and hands, most games physics/FFB tick rates and the USB connector on your device also doesn't refresh often enough to take advantage of bit rates higher than this.

One of the fastest guys in my country qualified for GT Academy on a humble DFGT with its crappy plastic pedals. If you're fast, you'll be fast regardless of equipment ;)
 

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