What joystick?

[Staybullex]

I'm new here and when the DVD comes out in the UK, I'll be buying the KA50 as soon as I can.

 

In the meantime, I've been trying to look at getting a new joystick to use. Currently I have a basic but well made Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (don't laugh!).

 

My research seems to point at the Saitek X52 as the best bang for the buck right now and great value. The comments on forums suggest getting the X52 Pro as its built a little better than the X52 standard.

 

I wondered if anyone here could post what they use and also any recommendations and links to whats best for helicopters (if different from standard Aeroplane equipment.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Andy

[Kwill]

I had the same Logitech joystick man, it was awful, I tried the X52 at a friends house and it was muuuuuccchhh better but then I heard about their reliability problems and decided to buy the CH Products joystick even though it didn't look as cool as the Saitek, I'm glad I did because the CH it's amazing, it's a little bit more expensive but it's made in the USA and the quality and programming software are the best.

[EtherealN]

Staybullex, I use the Saitek Cyborg Evo Force which is pretty nice for the cost, but it's force doesn't agree with DCS very well. If you want something cheap but still functional, go for it's non-force sibling.

 

I've been thinking about an X52 Pro but this stick works so I'll probably keep it for a while. CH products I haven't tried out so I can't really say much about them.

[joey45]

My X52 has been going good for about 3 year now. CH are good aswel but it all points to one thing... you.

[Jigsaw]

I ordered this one today:

 

Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X

 

 

I'm a little bit sceptical about the low price of 30€ but it looks sturdy and you can seperate the thrust lever unit from the stick. I'll post my impressions once I had the chance to give it a whirl.

[159th_Viper]

All depends on how much you're willing to spend. CH products will cripple you financially here in the UK compared to Saitek (52 and Pro) and the Cougar (Stock).

 

If you're not constrained by a budget and you're a serious Flight Simmer then Cougar/CH Products are the ONLY reasonable products to consider......IMHO of course ;)

 

And Yeah - Welcome :)

[SSneg]

I use Saitek Cyborg Evo, it's more than worth the money (starts at $24 at Amazon). If you find yourself hooked on flightsims in a while, you can always give it to a nephew or something and buy a CH hotas =)

[MTFDarkEagle]

X52. 'nuff said. (non-pro or pro)

[redbeard]

I had an x52 for a few years with only minor issues and no real complaints. I recently bought a ch fighterstick and throttle setup and the difference is noticeable right away. If you've never had a hotas and don't have a big budget, the x52 is going to be great, more so if you don't have pedals. However, the ch fighterstick is unbeatable in terms of feel and accuracy compared to the 52. The only downside is it doesn't have stick twist which wasn't an issue for me because I already had the ch pedals. In short: if you can afford it get a ch setup, if you don't have or don't want to spend the money on it then go x52. Either way you won't be disappointed.

[hemoptysis]

I went from a Logitech Freedom joystick (I don't care what people say about Logitech, that was a pretty awesome little joystick) to a CH setup. And it's definitely awesome. It's not as flashy as the X52 by any means, but it's so smooth and well built. But yeah, they sort of screw you as far as a rudder goes. You're pretty much forced to buy pedals, which is another $100+. So you're looking at a setup that costs roughly $320 versus a setup that costs about $100 (from Amazon, which seems cheaper than some other places out there). It's up to you whether or not you want to pay that much more for a stick. I view it as a long term investment. I don't see me needing to upgrade any of this any time soon and with CH's quality record, I don't see it breaking down on me (which I had issues with when I owned an X45). After that X45, I pretty much decided to stay away from Saitek products as quality control isn't their strong point.

[spyda]

i use an x52 with no issues at all, very good for the money

[th3flyboy]

I'm hoping to get an x52 pro for my bday soon. I hope I get that sucker, I hate having to be restricted to a certain amount of buttons on my stick, it makes F4 and DCS too complex.

[Legerdemain]

I use Saitek Cyborg Evo, it's more than worth the money (starts at $24 at Amazon). If you find yourself hooked on flightsims in a while, you can always give it to a nephew or something and buy a CH hotas =)

 

I'll third the Cyborg Evo as a great little joystick. Plenty of buttons if you map the shift keys to shift, and mine has been going strong for a few years now.

[Tnt Snipes]

i have microsoft sidewinder and cyborg evo, sidewinder is much advanced but am using evo for Black Shark for following reasons.

1. No force feed back

2. six functional buttons and a hat switch on the thumb and the index finger.

3. three functional buttons on each side of the joystick.

4. slider as well..

5. adjustable hand grip base.

6. adjustable thumb buttons pad up/down and bank left/right through the silver round nobs as you see in the picture

7. Good on price for such extensive functions

Edited April 8, 2009 by snipes

[Yskonyn]

I have been using an X-52 (non pro) for over 3 years now and haven't had any issues with it so far.

It a decent product with loads of programming options.

I'd buy another one without blinking if this one breaks.

[Staybullex]

Thanks for all the great comments everyone...... It seems that the majority use either the X52 or the CH products. I do like the look of the thrustmaster. That looks a really well designed piece of kit... good luck with that :)

 

I might start by continuing with my Logitech Extreme Pro and use the pedals from my steering wheel to start with. That could be a good start :)

[Feuerfalke]

X52 non pro here, too.

 

Very decent stick for the money. The non-pro looks like it was taken from the Enterprise, but it handles very nicely and has enough buttons for most games.

 

The new software is also pretty nice and stable.

[EtherealN]

Using racing kit pedals might actually be a problem, since the two pedals are on separate axes. There might be a way to set it up but I've never seen it done. If it works it's a nice saving tho. :)

 

But from my own perspective, a "proper" pedal set should have higher priority than HOTAS. Proper pedals are just massively awesome to get that proper simulation feel. :D

[Staybullex]

I've got a couple of different wheels. On the logitech ones, I'm pretty sure I can setup using the software for the pedals to be on one axis. I'll check... thanks for the point :)

 

Nope, I'd have to use my logitech wheel and then I wouldn't be able to use the joystick at the same time I dont think...... oh well!

Edited April 8, 2009 by Staybullex

[EtherealN]

If it doesn't work, I have only good experience with this set:

http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=322634

 

(Sorry for the swedish link, but model name and a pic is there anyway :) )

 

They have an adjustable mechanical spring to give resistance and automatic centering, and toebrakes. :)

[Yskonyn]

Usually you can configure the racing pedals to become on Axis rather than seperate. At least I can with my MOMO Racing.

 

Mind you that pedals in aircraft are 'sliding' instead of 'depressed' like gas pedals in cars. It's a different feel.

I would invest in some decent flight pedals first as well. :)

[the_pantman]

I have a set of saitek pedals and when they broke a couple of times I used my microsoft wheel pedals instead. They were a bit odd to begin with, but infinately better than a twist stick.

 

The trouble with the X52 is that is has the most limp wristed feeble feel to the stick ever.... It has loads of features, but anyone that has ever flown a plane will know that once up to speed, the stick takes some considerable force to move it any distance and the x52 is about as far removed from that feel is possible. I told a mate to buy one based on reviews and I was so glad that I didnt..!

[Staybullex]

I noticed on GAME.co.uk they have DCS on pre-order with 10 pounds off it....... ordered :)

[Shrubbo]

Best way to pick controllers imo.

 

1: What do you want? (Bling, bang for buck, long throw, short throw, high pressure, low pressure, accuracy, longevity etc etc etc)

 

2: How much are you willing to pay for what you want.

 

3: Research. Because we will all tell you ours are the best and all the rest suck!

 

I spent a couple of weeks + researching mine (Kinda odd for me, generally an impulse buyer but getting older hahha) and ended up getting exactly what I wanted and have been exceptionally happy with them for near 6 months now. By all indications I shall continue to be happy for a very long time.

 

Interesting to note after picking 1 and 2 and then doing 3 for a while 1 and 2 changed and I ended up with something I originally wanted like a hole in the head.

 

BTW I ended up with CH but what is best for YOU depends totally on your own 1 and 2 and what 3 does to it over time.... or you could just rush out and buy whatever we tell you is sweet and then suffer.. good luck :)

[Yskonyn]

3: Research. Because we will all tell you ours are the best and all the rest suck!

 

Very much so! Good point. With the amount of money you have to spend in general on your flight gear you should make a well educated decision on what you expect from your gear, what you think is important and what price you're willing to spend.

All the info you want about whichever stick/throttle/pedals you fancy is right there at your fingertips once you browse the net for a while.