So, getting into DCS. Looking for Hardware

[Rysgame]

Anyone got a link to a good although budget freindly setup for both fixed wing and rotary? I do not need pedals, I can use my keyboard for that, but deff needing a joystick and a collective for helicopters. Any help would be great!

[cichlidfan]

IMHO, for helicopters, you DO need pedals.

[Rysgame]

Well, what would be the best cost effective setup?

[cichlidfan]

These are the least expensive pedals out there.

 

http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Pedals-Simulator-300-111/dp/B0000512IE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1417626153&sr=8-4&keywords=saitek+pedals

 

These are next.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Pro-Flight-Rudder-Pedals/dp/B000H67DDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417626153&sr=8-1&keywords=saitek+pedals

 

Here is a decent, mid price, stick.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Flight-Control-System/dp/B00030GSJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417626293&sr=8-1&keywords=saitek+x52

 

It does have a twist function if you want to try and fly helos with that, or use your keyboard, before getting pedals.

 

Of course, used items on Ebay may be less expensive.

[golani79]

I flew the helos with twist axis before I´ve got pedals and it was a bit of a pain in the a** I must say.

Used a rotary for a while which worked a bit better than the twist axis but still no match for the rudder pedals.

 

So I would also recommend to get pedals if you wanna fly helos.

[Tone71]

Really depends on your budget. If you're after a HOTAS setup you can't go wrong with the Saitek X52 (as linked by cichlidfan), or Pro version. If you've got cash to spare after that I would highly recommend getting TrackIR, before investing in Pedals.

[Rysgame]

What is the difference between the x55 and the x52

[Haukka81]

What is the difference between the x55 and the x52

 

http://www.google.com :thumbup:

[xaoslaad]

The X-55 is a (somewhat) budget competition to the Thrustmaster warthog.

 

You can certainly see the similarities, though it is not 1:1 and I think it has some knobs/dials. I'm not a big fan of Saitek products in general. I had an X-52 Pro and have the Pro Combat Pedals. http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Flight-Combat-Rudder-Pedals/

 

The X-52 Pro had a flaky mouse thumb stick that would often drift hard right. Unplugging the stick and plugging it back in anywhere from one to a dozen times would temporarily fix it. If it didn't blue screen windows. Meanwhile the pedal toe brakes at idle had a lot of jitter. I had to set dead zones to cover up the small inputs. They do work ok, but I don't like seeing a product that expensive behave like that.

 

I can't speak about the X-55 quality, but if better pedals weren't prohibitively expensive I'd replace those too and be done with Saitek for good. As it is the Warthog is a bank buster all on its own.

 

You might want to consider Track IR as well, or trying to implement one of the free (as long as you have the needed components) alternatives. It does wonders for situational awareness, especially in Air to Air combat.

 

You don't need it day one though. I'd honestly say, if budget allows, go for a good HOTAS (thrustmaster warthog if you can, if not get t he best you can), then when budget permits pedals, then track ir, etc. One thing to be aware of is that the warthog is not a twist stick.

 

I flew with a Logitech 3D Extreme for many years. Then an X-52 Pro, and then after I had it with that PoS a warthog. I wish I had skipped the X-52 to be honest and just gone for the quality up front, but maybe you will have better luck if you go the Saitek route.

 

On the topic of pedals I flew he Ka-50 with a twist stick and it was OK. I found the Huey and Hip impossible without them and got pedals when the Huey was released.

[Demon_]

What is the difference between the x55 and the x52

 

The X52 is ugly.

[G00dnight]

X52 is good stick for the price, Saitek combat pedals are good I have not got any jitters on any axis.

Track ir will help but a lot cheaper alternative is Edtracker, but you do have to put up with recentering as it does drift over time. It also is only 3 DOF but thats fine for me.

[Rise Tragedy]

I can vouch for the CH Pedals. Although they're loud, they get the job done pretty well. The one thing that I don't particularly like would have to be the fact then when you're using the rudder axis (when being used for fine adjustments, such as in the Huey for example), it starts to move, stops, and then likes to jump to a farther position, which causes an over-correction type of effect. But i'm sure if you're not afraid to take it apart, you can somehow make it so that it's more smooth. Other than that, they're an excellent set of pedals.