HOTAS help

[FalcoNg]

With the holiday season approaching I have decided to finally invest in a HOTAS set up. I currently fly LOMACFC, IL2, and FSX with a microsoft FF2 that I love but I find it quite annoying sometimes to resort to the keyboard while flying. I am currently toying with two ideas:

 

1) Go the CH route and start with a pro throttle to go with the FF2 and then add in the pedals and fighterstick over time or

 

2) purchase the saitek x-52 pro and saitek pedals right off the bat and go with that

 

I am a little mixed about the x-52 because I think it has been mentioned that it is not the most accurate stick and because the durability on them can be a bit questionable. On the other hand it also appeals to me because it has the "rolling" type throttle, the throttle has rotary dials (trim), and because the throttle can also be used alone. It will also end up costing a bit less than the complete CH set up.

 

I have also heard nothing but good things about the CH products so I am bit torn between the two.

 

I am wondering what your opinions are on the two set ups are and which route would you recommend I take. I am also wondering if each throttle plays nice with the FF2 so I choose to stick with for a while longer.

[S77th-GOYA]

The rotaries on the Saitek are the only advantage to that hardware. (Unless you think blue LEDs are cool) You are right about Saitek's lifespan. I would suggest CH all the way and the piece by piece method is a good idea.

[S77th-konkussion]

Having owned both- I'd say your impressions are pretty much on. I've owned several Saitek X45's and their durability is quite questionable- but they are cheap and the software is easy to use. http://www.freewebs.com/konkussion/flighthardwaresetuppage.htm

 

I've since retired the Saitek- which had a broken centering plate that required constant lubrication, (a feat by itself) The throttle axis was beginning to lose the top 20% or so of the input signal. (full throttle would only bring you up to 90-95% or so in game) Gimpy rotaries losing signal, and sometimes the loaded profile would just stop working. These issues could not be fixed by disconnecting- a full reboot (or 3) would SOMETIMES bring it back- temporarily. That said- the Saitek is a good starting stick.

 

The CH flightgear is amazing stuff. There is so much programmability- I no longer need separate profiles. I have almost the entire LOMAC command list on it with lots of space left.

 

My only knocks on it are:

 

1. CH manager is not easy to learn at first. It will humble you fast. Once you get past some of the odd quirks that cause major problems to the CH greenie- it's awesome.

 

ex: Leaving a command blank isn't enough- you have to put "NULL" there and not just any "null" will do- it has to be NULL or the command you put in there might not work.

 

Scripting capabilities are freaking PHENOMENAL if you can figure it out. (read about this on above link)

 

2. I miss those rotaries.

[tim_k]

Go "CH Way"! :)

As owner of CH, FF2, X52 and thrustmaster topgun :) I can say the following:

Throttle - CH Pro Throttle - the best

Stick - question is harder. Best axis (+ FF) are in MS FF2, best buttons (including most flexible, though most complex mapping) are in CH. So I can advise to find somebody, who can mutate together base of MS FF and top of CH Fighterstick. :) I saw such megadevices. They were coooool!

[Pilotasso]

My brother has got the entire CH setup, I tried it myself, even bought another set of CH pedals for myself as a testimony of how good they are (189 Euro yikes). My Hotas is X52, although CH Hotas sparks quality and durability I had a few issues with ergonomics and handling (I have modded my X52 to fix handling, something I couldnt do with the CH), plus the throttle doesnt have any afterburner detent.

 

I have given serious though to go for a Cougar, but reading from the Cougarworld forums, it has a few issues that need to be checked and fixed as soon as one opens the box, wich kinda makes me stay away from it, specialy now that LOMAC is its sunset withou any SIM of fast jets in the horizon the heavy investiment and risk such as this doesnt justify. Its damn pretty though.

[badaboom]

Pilotasso,How did you Mod your X-52?I have one so im interested.

Thanks

[Pilotasso]

Its not an ideal fix but it helps, I have placed a rubber disk 2-3mm thick with a hole for the axis at the upper stick spring holder. Mine has the exact inner diameter and thikness of the socket there, and fits perfectly in such a way you have to look up from the bottom of the stick to see it. This gives a preloading to the spring and increases the return to center force, not by much but at least it makes the stick travel handling more predictable when your not looking at it.

 

In oder to fit it in you have to cut a small notch on the disk (or better, a doughnut) and pull the spring down while you push it into place dead center with the axis. The hole should be slighly wider than the axis to prevent obstructing twist movment, but the outer diameter of the disk should be, as I said above, an exact match for the inner diameter of the spring upper holder socket so that it fits without slack.

[Pilotasso]

yes, that has more to do with the fidelity of the stick reproduction of the movment in the test window. But thats another story. Most people dont even notice that making circles with the stick actualy produces diamonds in the test window.

 

This MOD requires you to open the stick up, I used to have a tutorial but I lost all my pictures in a hard drive disaster in my previous PC. I have found no courage to disassemble my stick again to make another tutorial, its starting to show its age and wear.

[SoaringEagle74]

As always you normally get what you pay for! For example, I own a Thrustmaster Topgun Afterburner and although it performs reasonably well from every aspect I have noticed the rudder does not exactly return back to neutral...meaning plane tilts slightly in some direction requiring you to take additional corrective actions.

 

I don't regret buying it but if I could spare 400-500 euros I would certainly go CH all the way!

[Pilotasso]

I still have my Thrustmaster Afterburner arround, I dont miss it at all, beleive me. Looks like a toy, even more so than Saitek, but is extremely innacurate, not to mention the very few buttons it has.

[SoaringEagle74]

I still have my Thrustmaster Afterburner arround, I dont miss it at all, beleive me. Looks like a toy, even more so than Saitek, but is extremely innacurate, not to mention the very few buttons it has.

 

I think you are exaggerating a bit...has about 8-10 buttons on the stick and rudder. Sure its not terribly accurate but for 80 euros I am not complaining!

 

I initially bought it for MSFS 2004 and now I use it for Lock-On.

[Pilotasso]

Once you find the aquisition of a better HOTAS like X52 or CH you will notice a quantum jump in playability, namely the speed of wich you can swich radar commands. After 1 month of usage of my current combo, retunring back to the TM AB would be almost like having to fly with the keyboard.

 

PLaying guns, I would always be outmanuevered by a half competent opposition, now I have a chance. :)

 

But if SIM's are not your favourite hobby the money for a HOTAS is something to think about carefully. FOr serious fliers, theres no contemplation possible but to take the plunge.

[badaboom]

Pilotasso,Thanks for the info on the X-52