New HOTAS? Recommendations?

[HawkDCS]

Hey all

 

Just getting back into flight sim world. I got away from it for a few years as my real life took priority. That being said getting back into DCS and needed a new stick.

 

I have an X52 Pro and had an X45 before that. I have had good luck with Saitek where others seem to have problems for whatever reason.

 

This X52 I bought right when they came out so its 5+ years old and is starting to get flaky. The Z axis doesn't report properly it will slew all the way right and half way left. Calibrating doesnt fix this. Also unless I am in mode 3 if you use any of the top buttons on the stick it also sends data for about 3 other buttons like you are pushing them. Push one button get three!

 

Looking between Warthog Thrustmaster Warthog and X55? I use pro flight rudder pedals so I got the rudder handled. I do like the rotating stick on space games but I guess I could live with out it if the warthog is super nice. Only concern I have with the Warthog is seems to not have suction cups on base for desk not sure if it would stay put.

 

Thanks for any help!

Edited March 29, 2016 by HawkDCS

[cichlidfan]

The Warthog is super nice. :)

 

EDIT: I did mount mine to the desk, but the base is heavy and wide, so it is pretty stable without bolting it down.

Edited March 29, 2016 by cichlidfan

[Rangi]

Yes warthog is great, if you can afford it, go for it. It doesn't need suction cups for the desk, it is so heavy it won't be moving in a hurry.

[HawkDCS]

Read a few places that the Warthog really hard to move off center? The tension is super high?

[chinaiyf]

Not in my mind. Feels perfect. I can't think of any other HOTAS that I would buy instead of the Warthog.

[agrasyuk]

Not overly hard , but to be fair it will feel significantly harder then saitek and it will require getting used to. I also recommend looking at extensions , even shower one will improve the feel.

 

If budget permits TMWH is clearly superior option.

[cichlidfan]

I also recommend looking at extensions , even shower one will improve the feel.

 

While shower extensions are nice for bathing, for simming, an extension for the Warthog, even just 3 inches, makes a huge difference. :P

[blkspade]

Read a few places that the Warthog really hard to move off center? The tension is super high?

 

The spring is really strong when its new, but I feel the larger factor is placement. Its more strenuous if mounted on a desk that is somewhat high. You will probably want it on a surface at or below your navel.

[HawkDCS]

Bummer ya it will probably have to be on my desk. I don't have room for like a sim pit or anything.

[Rangi]

I definitely recommend getting the joystick off the desk, it doesn't take up much more room but is much more comfortable. A small table or box will do the job.

[Sporg]

Just getting back into flight sim world. I got away from it for a few years as my real life took priority. That being said getting back into DCS and needed a new stick.

 

I have an X52 Pro and had an X45 before that. I have had good luck with Saitek where others seem to have problems for whatever reason.

 

Looking between Warthog Thrustmaster Warthog and X55? I use pro flight rudder pedals so I got the rudder handled. I do like the rotating stick on space games but I guess I could live with out it if the warthog is super nice. Only concern I have with the Warthog is seems to not have suction cups on base for desk not sure if it would stay put.

p!

Like several others I also recommend the Warthog.

 

Went from standard x52, and the precision is night and day!

(and I think that most will agree that the Warthog is super nice in comparison also. ;) )

 

The Warthog stays nicely put, it is way heavier than the x52.

I have not been missing the x52 since I switched.

Bummer ya it will probably have to be on my desk. I don't have room for like a sim pit or anything.

I use mine on the desktop for now, and it works, even with extension.

So it can be done, if you do not have room for it anywhere else.

 

About having room for a sim pit, try to look around at the more compact solutions people have made.

I'm a little bit in the same situation, so am looking for something compact as well.

 

Some good solutions can be seen here, for inspiration:

http://www.battle-fields.com/commscentre/showthread.php?25663-Project-Foldable-SimPit

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=139801

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=147557

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=138406

 

But make Google picture searches also, there is no limit to people's inventiveness. ;)

Edited March 30, 2016 by Sporg

[HawkDCS]

Thanks for the info!

 

I have a big professional office chair I sit in so would be hard to get stick any lower or I would be hitting arms on chair. The desk isn't super high so I think I can get away with it.

 

Ya the Saitek stuff has served me well in the past. I use it for tons of stuff. Its just a bummer that the X52Pro doesn't seem to have gotten a proper replacement. Mad Catz though is not known for quality and unfortunately they bought Saitek.

 

Also sad when I retire a stick haha. I keep them all and kinda get attached to them the more I use them.

 

I saw Logitech had one awhile back but seems they don't make it anymore.

Edited March 30, 2016 by HawkDCS

[MegOhm_SD]

Clear the desk and mount it to your chair along with a mouse pad.

There Are many ways to do this.

[King_Hrothgar]

The X-55 is basically an X-52 Pro with more buttons and not as good ergonomics (on the stick, everyone loves the throttle). I find accuracy on it to be just fine, the hall sensors are top notch. The throttle uses pots though, so they tend to have a 1% jitter straight out of the box. But they haven't gotten any worse in they year I've had it and a 1% jitter on the throttle axis' doesn't hurt anything from a practical standpoint. So I consider that a non-issue.The X-55 also has 3 additional axis' over the WH, if ignoring the twist grip. Those are pretty handy for things like zoom, gunsight ranging, lights, prop pitch and so on.

 

I've had mine about a year and a half now, works fine. The X-52 Pro I had before (and still sits in the closet) I bought around 9-10 years ago when the X-52 Pro was first released (replaced an X-45 that wore out). It still works as far as I know. I've never had an issue with Saitek, though the X-55 is the first item I've bought from them since they were bought out by Mad Catz.

 

CH Products also makes solid gear. Everything they have uses pots, but the pots are of good quality. The devices themselves have a reputation for being virtually indestructible. My CH pedals are about a year old and work good as new. Only had to open them up and clean them once so far, and my pet rabbit was the reason (electronics on the floor and rabbit fur don't go well together).

 

The TM WH is fine of course, but it does have a very heavy stick making it terribly ill suited to flying choppers. I mostly fly choppers, and so that combined with the lack of supporting axis' is the reason I went with the X-55 instead. A full CH HOTAS setup got eliminated for the lack of axis' (I will never go back to keys for zoom, a rotary or slider is just too good).

[HawkDCS]

Thanks!

 

I will take that into consideration.

 

I never thought of putting the site ranging on the rotarys haha. Its pretty handy.

 

Looks like they just replaced it with X56.

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/saitek-x-56-rhino-hotas-peripheral,31522.html#xtor=RSS-100

Edited March 31, 2016 by HawkDCS