Reccomended joystick?

[Sanke]

What is everyone's recommendation on a joystick for DCS?

[Woodstock]

Limited Budget: Saitek X52, maybe the Pro version and maybe their Rudder pedals.

 

Not so tightly limited budget: CH Products stick, throttle and pedals.

 

Unlimited Budget: Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar with Realsimulator FSSB force sensor mod, Cubpilot´s Throttle Hall sensor mod, Simped F-16/C pedals.

 

...or better...

 

(Not a joystick, but highly recommended: Naturalpoint Track IR 4.)

 

Only my personal recommendation, I will discuss pros and cons of the individual pieces on request but not participate in fanbois battles.

Edited December 15, 2008 by Woodstock

[scatter]

Between these two there is CH gear (although it's at the high end of the spectrum).

 

My CH HOTAS has given me good service over the years and is only now needing a bit of cleaning/maintenance. The controls are quite light (low spring force) if that's the sort of feel that you like and they are very programmable.

[Sanke]

Yea im looking into the X52. Whats the difference between the pro and regular?

[urze]

>>>X52 vs X52 Pro

Welcome o the Forum.

:)

[cquail]

X52 is what I use.... I've never had much luck with CH products. The cougar looks cool but I remember a few years ago it had some serious defects with it... People had to replace gimbles right out of the box. Not to sure if they've fixed that issue yet.

[tusler]

If you are thinking of using an X52 or Pro check the forums, many of us are getting errors and BS is shutting down because of the Saitek software drivers. I think I read of a workaround but am not sure . It is something to do with direct input.

[Jalava]

I can strongly recommend Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 for yoke, if you can find one.. or some other force feedback yoke because of how trim works in KA-50

 

Only problem I had was flipping the force axis. Now flying is so easy because the trim works as intended.

 

Btw, KA-50 is my first game where trim actually trims the center point correctly by modifying the forces to keep stick centered in new position.

[Giantsfan24]

I love my X52. Eventually I will probably get a Track IR but X52's are wonderful if you're on a budget(or even if you're not lol)

[f4ufly]

I own X52 and it works fine but for black shark i use saitek evo force. You just need a force feedback joystick because of the trim. Trimming without FF is a pain.

[FuzzyWuzzyBear]

I have a Cougar with FSSB (I got it for when I used to formation fly virtually) and it works great with Black Shark. Cougar + FSSB is really unbeatable when it comes to precision maneuvers in flight sims because the stick doesn't move, it just reacts to pressure. Downside is, it doesn't work so well with IL-2 and other dogfighting games because the need to yank the stick around is really tough when you have to apply around 8 pounds of force to the stick.

 

For now I'm using the throttle mini-stick as rudders and it's working well. When and if I get the money for Simped pedals, those may be next...

[crazysundog]

How much does the Cougar with FSSB cost?

[Weta43]

X52 throttle + MSFFB2 stick. (The X52 stick is in the cupboard)

The FFB in BS is very nicely done & makes trimming a more accurate simulation of the real thing...

[Bulletstop]

I use the X52 and Saitek peddles. It works great.

Bullet

[RedTiger]

CH gear, all the way. I still use my Saitek pedals, but if I had to buy another set, it would be CH.

 

If you live in the US, I would suggest Provantage:

 

http://www.provantage.com/ch~880CHPD.htm

 

You'll save about $50 on each part you buy compared to buying directly from CH.

[Brute]

MSFFB 2.

ED's guys always rave about how great it is for the sim, on the Russian side of the forums. Having had the pleasure to use it to fly the Shark, I concur. :thumbup:

[Highwayman-Ed]

X-52, Saitek pedals, and URZE's collective mod with a Saitek Pro Gamer unit.

 

http://www.leftside-limited.com/

[CiniKo]

I suggest you: X52, Simped vario Pro (pedals), and naturally Trackir4.... all together works very well with BS. An plus could be a mini keyboard like new G13 by logitech.

 

-LuKariello-

[brewber19]

CH Fighterstick, CH Throttle and CH Pedals for me.

 

I've had Saitek...nice for the price, but CH is better...they just cost more. I think my pedals are finally dying after 3 years of abuse so I might have to get the screwdriver out to see what the prob is.

 

Cougar I've also had and I just couldn't get on with it. Too heavy, too clunky, too imprecise (this was a stock cougar).

 

Edit: I wish I had never eBay'd my MS FFB2 joystick...it was a brilliant stick, especially for IL2 etc.

[deltahawk2008]

X52 throttle + MSFFB2 stick. (The X52 stick is in the cupboard)

 

How did you do that? I have an old X45 I would love to use along side my CH joystick (BTW they are robust good joysticks, if you can stump up the cash).

[BeetleJuice]

CH umodded beats Cougar unmodded. I have my Cougar modded with hall sensors but I have trouble to control this level of fidelity. Its like grabbing a long helicopter stick not at the top but at the base of it. I'am considering buying one of these for my cougar: http://www.leftside-limited.com/flightstick_extension-cougar.html

Edited December 15, 2008 by BeetleJuice

[MBot]

Anyone heard any rumors what the next CH product will be? The way I understand their press release about their new yoke, they are building a whole new product line.

 

I am secretly hoping for a central mounted stick, preferable with FF.

[Shrubbo]

I'm have been running all CH gear for maybe a month now. Pro pedals, pro throttle and fighterstick.

 

Basically I have 3 points to say about them.

 

1: Such a long way from cheap.

 

2: Only their mother could love the look of them. Winna of the 2008 non sexy-pig dog ugly-Welcome to last century-Where the hell is the cool-award.

 

3: Best controllers I have ever owned. Awesome fidelity. Very very happy with them as I wanted quality out of the box un-modded stuff I didn't have to fool with and it seems that so far I have got exactly that.

 

Longevity is the only thing I can not attest to yet but from what I have read when I was doing my research into what to buy things looked pretty good. Time will tell :)

[Triggerhappy69]

Hands down any Joystick that can be programmed to suite your needs together with Urze's Force Feedback MOD is the best for blackshark..! I have a Cougar and I must admitt that the Cougar without modding is not my favourit.. WITH some modding however.. IT GREAT..!

 

CH is quality through and through.. And Saitek is the preferred joystick for so many because it has good quality and centering (at least the X-52) and resolution. And also the programming possibilitys are good.. I've had them all and none of them suck. But for DSC Blackshark nothing beats Urzes MOD..

 

I use a homemade version of Urzes FFB MOD, but you get the general idea:

 

 

As far as Pedals go I would say either build your own (all othe ones I have tested have the padals to close to eachother), or get CH or Saitek pedals..

But if your up for it.. Build'em yourself..! It's not that complicated:

 

[crazysundog]

Triggerhappy, you just came in here to shame us!! Go back to your own thread!!

 

lol...