New DCS user - F18 HOTAS recommendation

[noamkrief]

Hello, first time posting.

I'm planning for the 12 months to get moderately good at the F-18.

Being a small business jet pilot, I'll enjoy learning the systems.

So far I am studying tutorials about cold start from Matt Wagner.

I'm trying to make the right decision for HOTAS. Searching the web is seems like Winwing is the ideal solution?

https://winwingsim.com/view/goods-details.html?id=369

Sorry for the ignorant questions.

The buttons and switches of the throttle quadrant base don't seem to match those on the simulator. Is there a better solution? OR is it best to buy a plane throttle base and use the switches via mouse?

Also - does this flight stick have force feedback?

Thank you!

 

 

 

[speed-of-heat]

Unless you only ever intend to fly the Hornet, I would suggest  that whilst win wing builds excellent controls, don't get the f18 stick/ handles, you are better off with the 16 stick and the 15 handles as thsese give you way more buttons and you will need them! 

I try and avoid using keyboard and mouse as much as I can, and I am in vr most of the time.  There is, alas, no perfect answer.

None of win wing devices today are force feedback, though they can provide some feedback via vibration with the f-16 stick and f-15 handles, not a feature I use myself. There are some force feedback sticks out there but they tend to be very expensive.

 

[Phantom711]

Unlike @speed-of-heat I would say the F/A-18 throttle grips are a solid choice even for other modules unless you are eyeing the A-10 or F-15 modules as well. There is simply no second guessing on which button to bind for the Hornet.

As for the throttle base: it is not meant to be a Hornet replica but is still a little Hornet inspired. You might still want to choose to map buttons differently from what the base labels say. 
If you can squeeze out a bit more money, also take a look at Winwings Take-off panel (PTO2). It gives you a nicer gear lever and it frees up some more buttons/switches on the throttle base. The layout is also relatively realistic for the left front quarter panel.

I‘ve never owned a Winwing stick, so I can‘t say much about them. 

Thrustmaster (TM) also has a Hornet stick, but the buttons on that are a bit lower quality. It‘s not too bad though.

TM also just releases a new stick base, the AVA base, which seems to be quite good. Other than that, a TM stick can also be put on Virpil bases.

Edited June 10, 2024 by Phantom711

[Foka]

WinWIng is a good choice. Switches on throttle handles are this same as in Hornet. There is no product on the market right now, that would have throttle quadrant matching the real thing. There was Super Taurus, but it's discontinued for long time. WW teased about newer version of it, but there is no solid news about it.

[Q3ark]

I’m using the winwing Orion 2 base with the F18 stick and the F15 throttle handles, it’s been great no regrets at all, it works well with all the modules I fly (f4, f14, f16, f18). 

[noamkrief]

Thank you so much guys!

[tityus]

Welcome, @noamkrief,

I've used a bunch of sticks and HOTAS. Warthog is a good choice, but If buying now, I would go with winwing F15ex2. Although I fly the Hornet a lot, I would choose the F15ex2 over the warthog - I have modded mine with the slew ministick and instead of adding mods for finger lift ant rdr antenna, I'll probably buy a winwing and make my warthog a backup (I always have a backup).
We always can use more switches and buttons on the handle as there are those used with meta (maps, hide pilot body etc...)