Heusinkveld Sprint vs Ultimate – The 4 Main Differences

Heusinkveld is a brand known for manufacturing high-end sim racing equipment. The brand makes two distinct sets of pedals in particular that are very popular, the Sprint series and the Ultimate series. But what are the differences between the Sprint and Ultimate pedals?

The 4 main differences between Heusinkveld Sprint and Ultimate pedals are:

1. Their prices
2. Their internal mechanisms
3. Their maximum braking forces
4. Their designs

Each of these differences results in two very different sets of pedals, but they both have a lot in common as well. We will touch on their similarities at the end, as both are very good sets of pedals, but first we will go into more detail about what makes each one unique.

The 4 Main Differences Between Heusinkveld Sprint And Ultimate Pedals

1. Their Prices

We won’t focus too much on this point, as it should not influence your decision more than the other factors unless you really are on a budget. Both of these sets of pedals are high-end pieces of equipment, and so you should expect the prices to be quite high. Regardless, it is the most obvious difference that you will find when you check out these pedals.

The Sprint pedals come in at around $800, while the Ultimate pedals will cost closer to $1500. This is quite a substantial difference, but there are many reasons for this nearly doubling in price going from the Sprint to the Ultimate.

2. Their Internal Mechanisms

One of the main ways that these two sets of pedals differ is in the mechanisms used to make them work. The Sprint pedals utilize load cells to allow for increased accuracy with each pedal when compared to standard potentiometer pedals. The Ultimate pedals also use load cells to measure the pressure, however they also feature hydraulic dampers as well.

More Advanced & More Accurate

Essentially this means that the Ultimate pedals are much more advanced than the Sprint pedals. They offer more adjustability due to the fact that there are extra hydraulic components that help to make the pedals work, but they are also more accurate at representing the kind of feel that would be expected when pressing the pedals in a real car.

Note: The Ultimate pedals are not true hydraulic pedals, as they do not feature hydraulics that interact with the sensors in any way. If you want proper hydro systems, check out our list of the best hydraulic pedals.

The Sprint pedals still offer a lot of realism and a high level of accuracy, but the Ultimate pedals, through their hydraulic dampers on each pedal, simply offer a much more realistic feel. This does come at the higher cost, but it makes them the perfect choice for advanced sim racers, while the Sprint model is better for intermediate sim racers instead.

3. Their Maximum Braking Forces

This is a fairly straightforward difference, but it is an important one to bear in mind. The most important pedal is usually the brake pedal, and this is because it requires the most tuning in order to provide the ideal experience for the specific driver. The throttle pedal can only be adjusted so much, and the clutch pedal is made completely unnecessary if you don’t race with a gear shifter.

So, an important factor to consider when choosing a set of sim racing pedals is the amount of force the brake pedal can register. In the case of the Sprint pedals, this number is 65 kg or 143 lbs, while for the Ultimate pedals it is 136 kg or 300 lbs. This is more than double the braking force, and so for advanced racers this difference could be crucial.

4. Their Designs

Finally, these two pedal sets also differ in the way that they look. One of the reasons for this is that the Ultimate contains hydraulic dampers, and these extra components mean that the backs of the pedals look quite different. However, there are differences elsewhere, such as the color of the materials. The Ultimates have a shiny stainless-steel color, while the Sprints are much darker.

Smaller Details

The next difference pairs up with the adjustability of the pedal faces. The Sprints feature a fairly solid face on each pedal, with 4 holes on the clutch and the throttle, and 7 holes on the brake pedal. However, the Ultimates have far more holes, and the brake and clutch pedals are more uniform in shape, with the accelerator also wider than the Sprint pedals.

Although the pedals do differ in their styling in certain areas, they both look like professional racing pedals. So, what else do the Sprint and Ultimate pedals have in common?

How Are They Similar?

Load Cells

Both the Sprint and Ultimate pedals feature load cell technology to measure the pressure applied to each pedal. This means they provide far more accurate acceleration and braking than standard potentiometer pedals, and so are the ideal choices for serious racers. They are also both highly adjustable, both in physical space and in terms of software.

The two systems also come with external controllers. This box is called the Smart Control, and it allows for a lot of customization of how each pedal reacts to pressure. This control gives racers much more ability to fine tune their pedals, and so goes a long way to giving them the tools they need to set their pedals up for their specific driving style.

Precision Engineering

Both sets of pedals are also made out of steel, with both also being crafted using laser cutting CNC machines. This provides extremely accurate construction and gives some of the most precise pedals available on the market. This extra level of build quality just reinforces the fact that these pedals are designed to be some of the best options for intermediate and advanced racers.

Finally, both the Sprint and Ultimate pedals do not need to be bought as a set of three pedals. This may not seem important to many, but for those that don’t need a clutch pedal for example, or just want to upgrade their brake and throttle pedals, this can allow for a lot of saved cash. You can also just buy the clutch pedal on its own if you later decide to upgrade.

Final Thoughts

The Sprint pedals and the Ultimate pedals from Heusinkveld are two of the best sets of pedals in the world of sim racing. They are sometimes hard to find as they sell quickly, but if you are a big sim racing fan and want to upgrade your pedals, they are both definitely worth looking for. The pedals have their similarities, but there are also some key differences that set them apart from each other.

You will find the Sprint pedals to be much cheaper than the Ultimate pedals, and they are a good set of intermediate pedals for those looking to upgrade to load cell pedals. However, the Ultimate pedals do offer hydraulic damping, a bit more customization and more than double the maximum braking force, and so are the ideal choice for more advanced racers.