Best controller for Black Shark / other flight sims? and trackir question

[airjocky2]

I just built a new computer and currently only have a mouse and keyboard. I can't wait to get some good flight simulator games and was wondering what is the best input device is for playing these games? I'm thinking about:

 

Logitech:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102204

 

or this Saitek X52:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102507

 

I don't wanna buy rudder pedals if I don't have to.

 

I'm also wondering if anyone has experience using trackIr. It looks cool. Does it work well? Is it worth the money?

 

And if anyone has any advice on some (combat) flight simulator games that are pretty realistic that are must haves please post (my last flight sim was falcon 3.0 and US Navy Fighters and am looking for games like those.

[Zembla]

Go for the Saitek. Or at least, that's what I did. The added functionality that stick offers in comparisson to the Logitech you linked really makes it worthwhile.

 

I don't use pedals to fly Black Shark, and I haven't had much trouble in that area with my X52. Fair enough, pedals may make yaw control easier in the long run, but I'm fairly used to flying it by "twist" of the handle for now.

 

TrackIR, takes getting used to, but is probably a better invention than sliced bread. I used to fly without it for a long long time. Then one day decided to get it, see what all the fuss was about, and I can only say I wouldn't find flying as entertaining without TrackIR as with it. TrackIR gives you a full around view, and most of all, it gives you visual freedom so to speak. It frees up "finger workload" of operating a POV hat as well.

 

Really, it is quite neat. Pretty hard to explain exactly how it completely changes you game experience, but it does.

 

-Z

[Shrubbo]

.........I don't wanna buy rudder pedals if I don't have to.

 

I'm also wondering if anyone has experience using trackIr. It looks cool. Does it work well? Is it worth the money?.........

 

You don't have to have rudder pedals, you don't have to have sex either but ......:thumbup:

 

trackir. Once you have trackir you will not ever play a sim again that does not support it. Race and flight. Well that is at least how I see it and a lot of others I gather. Recomendation 1000%+++

 

Sounds 100% stupid, you can't really picture how it could possibly work as you have to keep looking at the screen anyway... until you own one then there is no going back. :)

[Maverick-GER-]

without starting another discussion or should i call it flaming contest about what joystick is really the best lol =)

I can say and almost all should agree on that one:

You can choose from Thrustmaster, Saitek and CH Products....

You should not go for the Logitech...

 

you dont have to buy rudder pedals.... i mean you dont have to buy a joystick either.... but every piece of hardware increases your immersion that's for sure...

 

Track IR well as shrubbo said once you tried it (and got used to it in around 1-2 weeks) you never wanna play without it anymore!!!!)

It works very very very well, and in my opinion it is worth every cent!

 

And recommending you combat flight sims.... right now there is just DCS in my eyes =)

Lock On is too arcadish.... I think that's about it for modern combat flight....

 

If you like WW2 setting too tho i could still recommend you the IL2 series,...

[AlphaInfinity]

I use the X52 and love it for all the sims. The programming can be a little steep in the profile editor, but overall it is a nice stick/throttle combo.

[Skydiver]

Trackir is a must have. The first week or two you'll worry about neck strain, and worry about having the right profile loaded but then CLICK and there is NO going back.....

 

I've got an X52pro, the thing works really well with BS. HOTAS is the way you should go. There are others that are better and more expensive, but for me the Saitek is faultless.

 

Next on my list are Saitek rudder pedals.

[spybaz]

Track IR = no going back after trying it!

Saitek x52 = fully programmable. No need to touch keyboard. Great feel. (tho No FFB).

Rudder pedals = if you wanna really 'fly' this helo, rudder pedals add full immersion (not vital tho - x52 has twist rudder capability)

Also (if you have the cash) Triplehead2Go (w/3 monitors) = completes the illusion amazingly.

[airjocky2]

Thanks for the info guys. I have to get trackir. It sounds awesome. I might get pedals too it sounds. I'll look for some good ones and x52 is my stick. appreciate all this knowledge. Is DCS out yet? I just learned about it yesterday. I built this computer on a whim with hopes of playing some realistic flight simms and was a little disappointed when I stated looking at games and didn't really see any. Crysis and stuff is cool but I have an xbox for that kinda stuff. What is Triplehead2go? I've never heard of that. I've seen multiple monitor setups on youtube but never really thought about it. I wouldn't even know how to set that up.

[Jagr]

Airjocky,

TrackIR is a must have. When I first got it I had been using a TM Cougar and had played Warbirds so much I could use the Hat and some other buttons to switch views without thinking.. for the first few days I thought I had made a mistake with TrackIR.. but I reprogrammed my stick so I could not use my view keys and within a day I was in love.. I do not buy Sims that do not support it.. People say that all the time..but in this case it is absolutely true..

 

I'm using a CH stick right now..works fine. I thinking about grabbing a FFB stick judt for DCS but there's not to much out there.. There is supposedly a new one out (maybe by "Genius") but I have no idea if its supposed to be any good.

[Tbag]

I recently bought the X52 and am very pleased with it. I flew with the CH Fighterstick before and I think both sticks are very good. It's the throttle that makes a big difference and the extra buttons are more then welcome in BS. Of course you can buy a whole CH combo as well but that's quiet expensive.

 

TrackIR = absolute must have in BS!

Pedals: I know many who fly without them and use the twiststick (i.e. on the X52) or a slider on the throttle instead. I love my pedals though! I always recommend the simped pedals:

 

http://www.combatsim.com/htm/dec98/pedal-hoff.htm

 

http://www.dhs-electronic.de/homeeng.htm

 

Outstanding quality and very precise!

Edited February 6, 2009 by Tbag

[MackTheKnight]

TrackIR is definatly a must.

 

I had a bad experiance with my Saitek X52 Pro. It wore out after only 5 months of use and became extremely in-accurate, off center. Saiteks support department treated me like crap and as a result I will never buy from Saitek again.

 

I've since switched to a CH Products Fighterstick, Pro Throttle & Pro Pedals. I'm still amazed at how much more precise this kit is, than my old Saitek X52 Pro. I still kick myself for wasting money on Saitek.

[ACUTech]

Indeed, CH is the shizz :) I suggest you wait until you can afford it, as this kit will last much longer then any other HOTAS. So in the end it's not that expensive considering how long you'll be using it. Nothing flashy, but you'll feel the built quality right from the start. Nothing feels fragile on it, unlike Saitek, IMHO...

 

Cheers,

[AlphaInfinity]

TrackIR is definatly a must.

 

I had a bad experiance with my Saitek X52 Pro. It wore out after only 5 months of use and became extremely in-accurate, off center. Saiteks support department treated me like crap and as a result I will never buy from Saitek again.

 

I've since switched to a CH Products Fighterstick, Pro Throttle & Pro Pedals. I'm still amazed at how much more precise this kit is, than my old Saitek X52 Pro. I still kick myself for wasting money on Saitek.

 

I have been simming with my x52 for several years now and I havn't had any problems with it.

 

There are people who love the CH products and other like me who have had 0 issues with the saitek. Go with whatever your budget allows. Both IMHO will do well in Black Shark.

[RockStar]

CH products has my vote hands down. I've been through many Logitechs and Saiteks. My CH gear is rock solid, and has been for over 5 years with heavy use. I have the Fighterstich, Pro Pedals, Yoke, and Franken Potatoe custom Throttle. TIR is a must for any simmer. I won't fly without it...period!

[brewber19]

Another CH fan here - costs more but far better than X52. I've had X45, X52, Ch Fighterstick and (stock) Cougar....CH gets my vote, worth the extra £.

[Chelco]

CH, hands down. More precise control than anything out there and it will last forever. One word of caution only, you better have big hands.

[mR.Waffles]

You guys are a great help! Question:

 

Is there a Force Feedback X52?

[Flash1606687761]

You guys are a great help! Question:

 

Is there a Force Feedback X52?

 

Nope.. There are no FF HOTAS

[CyBerkut]

You guys are a great help! Question:

 

Is there a Force Feedback X52?

 

No. There is a rumor that Saitek is going to be coming out with an FFB HOTAS. We shall see.

[Der Moloch]

Hi guys.

 

I just got my X52 from amazon.de today and I'm already thinking about returning it.

 

First of all the controls are huge, way bigger than I expected and from what I've experienced so far, too big for me to control the chopper the best way possible. Second, there is no simulation feeling coming up when I take a look at it. To me it looks like a childish space craft controller. Third, it doesn't look like its worth the buck. It may be a very affordable for a HOTAS, yet it seems like its worth only a couple of bucks and the material was skimped on in every possible way.

 

The problem is, I haven't been playing simulations since Jane's Longbow I&II and F15. This means, I'm almost totally out of the picture. Thus, I cannot be 100% sure if the problems, which I experience, relate to the controller, to my handling, or both. I haven't had my hands on CH products either and cannot judge if they are so much better. Also, a fighter stick alone costs 170Ђ (= 220$) in Germany and since I did not get a hands on, I'm not able to tell, if its worth the enormous amount of cash.

 

If anyone of you has time for a conversation, please contact me by skype or icq. I was so happy when I found out about this sim, because attack choppers are my favorite, and now it seems to fall apart before it started because of the controls.

 

Thank you very much for your attention.

[Redeye26]

Ch sticks for me . I recommend the x52 though over the logitech , i have many friends that use it and love it . It costs more but its a proper HOTAS and i dont think you would be dissapointed from what i hear about it .

 

Track ir is a must the immersion it brings is amazing .

[MackTheKnight]

Der Molch - Sent you a PM with contact details if you wish to discuss your dilemma...