I was looking for simple start/stop/record pedals and found this one for under $25. Reviews are mixed from meh to good.
 
Anyone here try one yet?
 
PC USB Foot Control Keyboard Action Switch Pedal HID

I have that one and one pedal no longer works after a very short period of light use. I thought I'd try one at $25 it's what can be expected.  But other than that it does what it says and the buggy software works as can be expected from 100% Chinese engineering.   I use it to scroll through lyrics using Power point on a second laptop.  I only need the 2 pedals for that. 
Overall it's very flimsy and cannot be taken apart to fix if it breaks down. I would guess that it's a 50/50 crap shoot if you order one that it will work perfectly for any length of time. So I don't recommend them as your money is better spent on 
 
This:  
 
 I have used the PI Engineering  X keys pedal for about 12 years now. 
 http://xkeys.com/XkeysFootPedals/index.php
 
It is bullet proof and I have used it to control my playback of Win Amp and hundreds of gigs. It's well worth the extra money if you are looking for quality and dependability. 
One of the pedals became iffy and the company sent me 3 new micro switches free.  The mechanical part is indestructible but the micro switches I guess can be expected to wear out. I was very easy to fix as it is built logically.  So it's like new again after 12 years. And just as important is good software to program it. They keep the software up to date and you can tell it to do just about anything a computer keyboard can type. I've used it with Sonar setting the   W - R and spacebar as the 3 hot keys. Keeps your hands on your guitar. Always works.  These are made to be used in factories to control machines.
 
 http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xkfootFront.php

I use a PCB1010. I like it a lot.
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FCB1010?adpos=1o1&creative=55642031881&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&product_id=FCB1010&gclid=CjwKEAjw-uDABRDPz4-0tp6T6lMSJADNoyPbFQqJNWj0vUl2IgDyWCdRPvQzDn8ys7leNLdHi3uQjBoC4uXw_wcB
 
You have to read the manual though. I had to go in and set up how I wanted the pedals to work. Once done, it all works great!

Thanks for the replies guys. I like the looks of both of the suggestions you linked. When it gets down to what I actually need is really a floor pedal to simply engage the record button in a daw. Holding a guitar and hitting the "r" key and then playing the part at the right moment would be easier using my foot. Looks like the cheap one I ordered will be delivered today. I'll give it a go and from what I'm reading, I'll probably need to pony up more dollars for a quality pedal.

Well the cheapo pedal will work and worth a try as like I say 2 of the 3 are still working so in Sonar that gives me R and Space bar,,, but W is also nice to have. If then like the idea of a pedal you can upgrade to the Xkeys and then have potential of 6 hot keys on the floor. 
The pedals can be programmed to do ANY sequence of both mouse and keyboard clicks so lots you can do hands free. 

Good advice Johnny. Thank You!

The cheap pedal board arrived and like forecasted, it works fine. For how long will be the test. For right now I'm happy since I can assign any of Sonar's keyboard shortcuts to the 3 pedals. Recording guitar parts will be easier.

I use a foot pedal in Sonar under Mackie Mode and is good for recording while I am playing the keyboard.

The beauty of these USB footpedals is they do not need to use MIDI or ACT which is a PITA anyways.
You simply use the supplied software to assign each pedal to any keystroke, combination of keystrokes or mouse clicks.
It could care less what software it's being used with, so no possible conflicts. 
I could type this whole post into the pedal, save and assign ,  and it would re type it when I stepped on that pedal.
You can even unplug the pedal and go plug it into a different computer and it will work. The software is only needed to program it.
Doesn't seem to care what OS your using either.
It's a simple concept. I'm surprised that very few people catch on.
 
For my solo act it's indispensable to  keep my hands on my guitar and be able to advance the playlist and hit play with my feet.
I have certain songs I use the stop function to cut short, or use it when I screw up an intro :)
 
When I used only one laptop I used to open lyric sheets and if the focus was there  and I step on my footswitch it will type the assigned letter. The focus has to be on the program your needing it for.
 
Now with the second back up laptop running power point I have the dozen or so lyrics I need too. All accessed with my other cheapo footpedal.  Doesn't take long to find them if I keep them alphabetically. If I have time I match the power point to my playlist. 

It's working great here with Sonar and Studio One. Happy with it so far...