Best joystick out there

[VVanks]

What's the best joystick out there? (HOTAS systems included)

 

I have an aging cyborg evo with 2 buttons missing and am looking for a better stick.

[diveplane]

or if your poor like me next best thing is the saitek range

 

x52 is nice also the x52pro ..but a lot of people still prefer the older x45 still

 

http://www.saitek.com/

[Cosmonaut]

CH Pro Throttle and Fighterstick USB. :D

 

I agree! .. Dont have either myself :P but CH is the best.

[Aeroscout]

I don't have the CH ones, but just from the feel of my X-52 and some of the issues i've been having, i'd go with CH it your willing to pay a bit more money.

 

The X-52 sure as hell looks cooler IMO.

[SuperKungFu]

yea the X-52 is the "best bang for the buck," meaning you get a pretty good HOTAS system for around $100. IIRC the X-52 pro is a lot more expensive.

 

If you had the money for the X-52 pro, you mind as well go for the CH product which i heard is the most reliable.

 

Next comes the Cougar joystick, based on all the stories I heard, its a little fragile or sucks when its out of the boxs. But after modding it, the beats everything. But that comes at a huge price when modding it.

[hitman]

Ill sell you my x-52 but only because I want to go with a more precise joystick. Ill give you a great price if your interested.

[graywo1fg]

Hmmm well Saitek is all I know so X-52 :P had a 45 for 6 years and the only thing kinda bad that happend to it within the last year i had it was the spring broke in the rudder :'( but other than that been good to me and so far with my X-52 :D however the blue LED's contrast my Green computer LED's LOL but eh i'm the only one who notices.

[Zuki]

Well If you want a super duper programmable hotas, that lasts forever get the CH. If you want a real heavy super programmable hotas that feels like the real thing (this is where it stops), and needs 500$ worth of mods to make it super duper, get a Cougar. If you are looking for a inexpensive hotas, and dont mind the starwars look, get the Saitek. I have owned just about ever hotas made... CH for life!

 

My Cougar looks real good up on the shelf.

[Kuky]

Define "best" and if that means best money can buy in terms of programmability and feel...it's moded Cougar hands down... if best means best bang for the buck... then by all means it's CH stuff.

[Zuki]

Define "best" and that means best money can buy in terms of programmability and feel...it's moded Cougar hands down... if best means best bank for the buck... then by all means it's CH stuff.

 

I will agree with you on "feel" the Cougar beats anything, but programmability the CH can do just about anything the Cougar can. One thing I forgot to mention...try getting any kind of tech support from Guillemot, CH on the other hand has fabulous T.S.

[zaelu]

I am not rich (by US standards I might be poor as I earn like 400$ per month) and I have a Saitek X52 and a Cougar (Cougar Akhbar! :P ).

 

I had put my hands/feet on CH stuff and didn't like it at all but, it may last a lot though... I also have a Renault 21 car... still lasting from 1987 till today but I would like a Subaru Impreza... :D . So don't forget the looks and feels when you buy a HOTAS as you might get the most proffessional tool but you play with it games ;) .

[159th_Viper]

Cougar :thumbup:

 

'Nuff Said!

[Ice]

The best joystick is whichever one I'm using :joystick::pilotfly:

[VVanks]

Ill sell you my x-52 but only because I want to go with a more precise joystick. Ill give you a great price if your interested.

 

Yeah I'm interested. Where do you live? I'm in Toronto Canada and I'm wondering what sort of shipping fees we'll have to pay if you ship from Colorado Springs.

 

---

 

Also, I plan on using my Cyborg Evo since it's still very precise and simply getting a throttle instead. Can you use just a throttle? Or are the HOTAS systems linked? I know the x45 stick is linked to the throttle, and throttle as USB to PC.

[Ven]

Cougar definitely did look sexy but I chose Saitek because I have fairly small hand. And Saitek does allow adjustments for different hand sizes. That's one thing you have to consider when you're buying $200+ controller. Make sure it fits your hand comfortably.

[hitman]

For some reason I cant edit text with quotes from another member.

[hitman]

Yeah I'm interested. Where do you live? I'm in Toronto Canada and I'm wondering what sort of shipping fees we'll have to pay if you ship from Colorado Springs.

 

---

 

Also, I plan on using my Cyborg Evo since it's still very precise and simply getting a throttle instead. Can you use just a throttle? Or are the HOTAS systems linked? I know the x45 stick is linked to the throttle, and throttle as USB to PC.

S&H shouldnt cost too much, its only 1300 some odd miles. You can use it like that but Ive never tried it before. Give me a good price and see if we can do it like that. I might be moving to denver soon so Ill have to lighten the load if I do.

[hitman]

Yeah I'm interested. Where do you live? I'm in Toronto Canada and I'm wondering what sort of shipping fees we'll have to pay if you ship from Colorado Springs.

 

---

 

Also, I plan on using my Cyborg Evo since it's still very precise and simply getting a throttle instead. Can you use just a throttle? Or are the HOTAS systems linked? I know the x45 stick is linked to the throttle, and throttle as USB to PC.

S&H is to a suburb in Toronto:End of day (4 Business Days) FedEx International Ground® var Text2="FedEx International Ground®Base Rate13.05<b>Additional Charges (+)Residential Surcharge2.20Fuel Surcharge0.69Total15.94"; $15.94

[VVanks]

15.94 + say 84.06? Makes an even 100 USD (I'll pay for shipping) It's 140CDN for a retail one so I guess that's a pretty good price (100USD is like 120CDN)

 

I was looking at Ebay and the guy was selling it for 100 as well

 

I just need to know what sort of condition it is in (good? working? lol). You don't have to take any pictures I'll take your word for it.

[hitman]

Its in outstanding condition. Ive never disassembled it, I keep it dust free, and its fairly new like 3 or so months old. No blemishes whatsoever on any plastic or seemingly metal components, and Ill sell it to you far cheaper than that...this unit cost me 120 at best buy brand new. Ill take 50, honestly. Just allow me a few days to get a replacement stick for it, as I want something extremely accurate.

 

Still debating on what stick I want...CH is going to cost an arm and a leg with all the mods, and Im not sure if any other joystick is really compatible with Vista yet. I got research to do.

[LawnDart]

What's the best joystick out there? (HOTAS systems included)

 

Thrustmaster Cougar

+FSSB mod (by Real Simulator: http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html)

+Hall sensor Elite/RCS rudders (mod by Cubby: http://cubpilotshangar.net/)

+Cubby's Cougar screw kit (stick handle)

+Ian J's Metal switch casings for the Cougar

 

Combine all the above with your own home pit and voila!!!

 

Gunner's setup (still work in progress using Stangs ACES II kit).

[PoleCat]

This is a repost of my opinion on the CH vs The Cougar. Reposted from another forum.

 

I am sick in love with my Cougars. I was over a friend’s house today that has the CH Hotas setup for a PC service call. The call was over quickly so I asked if he would mind if I tried his HOTAS out for a bit. He owns the Fighter Stick pro, the pro throttle, and the Throttle Quadrant. I sat down. The first thing I noticed was the throttle Quadrant was under the desk not even connected. (I guess not much use for it in Combat flight sims like LockOn, IL2, or Battleground Europe etc).

 

Well I used the CH Setup to try both IL2 and LockOn and I can tell you it was absolutely nothing special at all. It worked fine but it feels light and flimsy and of little substance to me. I would take a stock Cougar over this setup any day of the week. No comparison, none , zero , zilch. All this test did for me was make me absolutely sure I made the right choice in my purchase of my Cougars.

 

The Cougar is superior in every way IMHO, ergonomics, realism, substance, mass, spring tension, rotaries, metal construction, metal hats and buttons, and ease of advanced programming. It is true that you can do some very complex programming with the CH , it is little known that often to achieve the same advanced function in logical programming you can get more simply with the Cougar on the CH it may require much more verbose programming. Not sure why this is often left out of the conversation.

 

After my refresh with the top of the line CH products I am surer now then ever before that the Cougar is the best choice. IMHO Everything else is just a toy. The Cougar is simply in a class by itself. It is a force, an experience. The CH for me is not. It is just another joystick.

 

I was then asked the following question in response to my post:

yes but I see you have modded Cougars.

How long before the stock gimbals wear out?

My Response:

Let me see if I can make this some how clearer for you. Yes 3 of my Cougars are now modded. Why? Not because any thing was broken or not working correctly but because like many others here I wanted the perfect HOTAS. After modding #278 with a beautiful NXT ala IJ, another with a second hand FSSB1, and a third still with an original IJ Uber mod I have HOTAS setups that are absolutely second to none. I would not have done any of this with the CH even if I could. Why? IMHO It would be like trying to paint a masterpiece on a paper bag as apposed to an artists canvas. My fourth Cougar is not modded in any way shape or form, neither are the other two stock Cougars which are left here connected to my computers for my LAN friends to use on my other machines during our regular weekend LAN meet. They also each have another Cougar at home so they can fly either here or there. Such is their love for thier stock perfectly functioning Cougars mate that they would buy two. All are 100% stock. The gimbals are all fine and twice a year we open and clean and re-grease them. We have had to replace ONE stick pot in over two years of steady use. It is absolutely without a doubt UNTRUE that you MUST mod a Cougar. And I would take any of these stock heavy metal bad boys ANY DAY over the CH stuff, ANY DAY!

 

Out

[hitman]

My ultimate requirement would that the drivers be compatible with vista. IK I know your correct and Ill keep my mk1 mod 0 eyeball out for one...just as long as I can use the thing on my o/s.

[LawnDart]

HOTAS COUGAR - Windows Vista 32 bits - Release Candidate 1 2007-05-24

 

System Requirements:

 

• Windows Vista 32bits

 

Installation Instructions:

 

1. Unplug your HOTAS Cougar joystick.

2. Run the "2007_HCO_VISTA_32_RC1.exe " setup to install the new version.

3. Follow the instructions on the screen and Reboot your computer (if asked to) .

4. If Windows ask you, follow the instructions to install the drivers.

5. You are then ready to use your Hotas Cougar.

 

Download: Windows Vista (x86) 32bits 48 MB

 

This is straight from Thrustmaster.com's support page for Cougar drivers & downloads. Not sure about any 64bit drivers yet...

 

 

Also, read this related topic (Vista drivers) @ Frugalsworld: http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=117757

[hitman]

OK...in order for me to shell out 250 bucks for a new Cougar...it better be the cats own ass. How well does it perform out of the box? And how long will the thing last? (modless of course)

 

Edit: nvm...I just bought a Cougar on ebay for 170 brand new...supposedly. Thing better fetch me a beer when I tell it too.