Controllers?

[AussieFX]

Hi.

 

I currently use a Microsoft sidewinder 2 joystick but alas the hat swich isn't working properly and I really need it to slew the shkval. Unfortunately it's useless as is so I need a new controller. :joystick:

 

That brings me to the question of what to get. Most here seem to like the Saitek X-52. My other option would be a Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar F-16.

 

I have 2 problems, do I get the Saitek or the Thrustmaster?

If I get the Saitek X52 do I get the "standard" version or the pro? The pro is $150 extra for what seems like some pretty LED's.

 

Thoughts on my best option?

 

Thanks.

 

Prices in $AUD

Thrustmaster = $334.99

Saitek X52 = $193.45

Saitek X52 pro = $339.95

[Kwill]

CH Products is your best option :D

[BOSS330]

Hi.

 

I currently use a Microsoft sidewinder 2 joystick but alas the hat swich isn't working properly and I really need it to slew the shkval. Unfortunately it's useless as is so I need a new controller. :joystick:

 

That brings me to the question of what to get. Most here seem to like the Saitek X-52. My other option would be a Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar F-16.

 

I have 2 problems, do I get the Saitek or the Thrustmaster?

If I get the Saitek X52 do I get the "standard" version or the pro? The pro is $150 extra for what seems like some pretty LED's.

 

Thoughts on my best option?

 

Thanks.

 

Prices in $AUD

Thrustmaster = $334.99

Saitek X52 = $193.45

Saitek X52 pro = $339.95

 

Hi mate, I went and got an X-52 the other day from HN for $209. It's worth every cent!

 

The X52 Pro has a few extra features and a dual spring stick for extra tension but I prefer the single-spring X-52.

[AussieFX]

Which Harveys?

 

I'm just north of you, I'm in Dalwallinu. :)

 

Back to controllers, the pro version doesn't seem to bring much for the extra cash.

[Pirate]

I own an X52 and I'm quite happy with it, though given the choice I would have bought the pro instead for the extra £££. it is apparently more reliable and precise than the standard. That said, if that price for the Thrustmaster is the the cougar hotas I would be all over that in an instant... but you would need some rudder pedals.

[wickedpenguin]

Go for the Saitek X52 standard. The Pro's extra $$$ isn't justified at all.

 

I've used the Saitek X45 (predecessor to the X52) for about five years and have had zero issues with it. It's structurally sound and its buttons are both ergonomically and logically laid out. Also, with the rudder rocker on the front end of the throttle, you don't really need separate rudder pedals. The rocker also feels much more solid than a stick twist, since you can move your left hand independently without affecting the right's stick movement.

 

Here's how I have mine setup:

 

X-45 Stick

Hat switch 1: Camera view

Hat switch 2: HMS toggle / Select cannon / Select inboard pylons / Select outboard pylons

Btn 1: Fire cannon

Btn 2: Lock target

Btn 3: Flares

Btn 4: Release weapons (missiles/rockets/bombs)

Btn 7: Auto Hover

Btn 8: Uncage Shkval

 

X-45 Throttle

Btn POV1 (mini hat switch): Slew Shkval

Btn 5: Trim

Btn 6: Trim reset

Joy Slider2 (rotary): View zoom

Btn 19/20/21/22 (4-way switch): Head-on airborne target / Ground moving target / Auto turn-on target / Airborne target

Rudder rocker: rudder

 

I don't have any experience with Thrustmaster. No opinion there.

 

As far as CH Products go, I don't really recommend them anymore. Firstly, they're extremely expensive. Second, I've had hardware issues with their rudder pedals, leaving them basically useless. They simply refuse to center, and no amount of software tweaking alleviates the problem. They're out of warranty now, anyway. I've had to resort to using the rudder rocker lever on my X45.

 

At least here in the states, you can get the X52 HOTAS for less ($81 USD) than the cost of a single CH Products throttle ($109 USD) or stick ($100 USD). And it works very well.

[AussieFX]

So the X-52 doesn't have a twist rudder?

 

Thanks for the opinions, setups too.

 

EDIT: Here is the shop I'm looking at buying from, there are 2 pages of different controllers.

http://www.flightsimstore.com.au/index.php?cPath=30_35&sort=3a&page=2&osCsid=tb5ke6cp0sn799aoacgbk4ciu3

 

I probably should add that money isn't really an issue although I don't want to pay for something I don't need (like fancy LED's)

I just want something that works properly first time around.

Edited June 9, 2009 by AussieFX

[159th_Viper]

For precision, the Cougar (Personal experience) and CH Products are far superior in all aspects to the Saiteks, both X52 and PRO. Again - depends on how much you are willing to spend/what level of fidelity*precision you are after in a Flightstick setup.

 

I got fedup very quickly with both the X52 and X52 PRO before my Cougar and have not looked back since. Granted, the Kitty is Modded atm, but even unmodded outperformed the Saiteks.

 

A pity you do not have the opportunity to 'Test-Drive' all the available products - would make life a lot easier! There is a saying in Afrikaans: "Goedkoop is Duurkoop". Loosely translated it means 'Buying Cheap equals Buying Expensive'.........soooo, best advice is to purchase the product at the high end of your budget and keep for a while as opposed to an inferior/cheaper product which needs replacement in the not-too-distant future.........

 

No easy answer in topics such as these I'm afraid :D

[PeterP]

If you got the money and time -just wait for September and get the

Logitech Flight System G940 Force Feedback HOTAS

 

E3 report about this controller on SimHQ:

http://www.simhq.com/_commentary/all_090j.html

[InFireBaptize]

Hi.

 

I currently use a Microsoft sidewinder 2 joystick but alas the hat swich isn't working properly and I really need it to slew the shkval. Unfortunately it's useless as is so I need a new controller. :joystick:

 

That brings me to the question of what to get. Most here seem to like the Saitek X-52. My other option would be a Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar F-16.

 

I have 2 problems, do I get the Saitek or the Thrustmaster?

If I get the Saitek X52 do I get the "standard" version or the pro? The pro is $150 extra for what seems like some pretty LED's.

 

Thoughts on my best option?

 

Thanks.

 

Prices in $AUD

Thrustmaster = $334.99

Saitek X52 = $193.45

Saitek X52 pro = $339.95

 

I read online that CH is the best programmable joystick out there.

[AussieFX]

If you got the money and time -just wait for September and get the

Logitech Flight System G940 Force Feedback HOTAS

 

E3 report about this controller on SimHQ:

http://www.simhq.com/_commentary/all_090j.html

Wow that logitech looks nice and has grabbed my attention.

I have their G25 driving wheel and it works really well.

 

The only downside is I had an old logitech FFB and it was junk, it only lasted a few months.

I like FFB sticks though and might have to wait for this, but not having a hat switch atm is killing me...Literally. :megalol:

[Aeroscout]

I have to recommend CH. I have never tried the cougar so I don't have an opinion of it (though I've heard both really good and really bad stories about it)

I settled on CH because I had only heard good things about it and got to test-drive one. I bought the fighterstick the next day. It does have a very light feel, but it very precise.

 

Saitek X52: Excellent entry level stick. It was my first HOTAS and served me very well for over 2 years. However, it simply wasn't precise enough and I converted to CH

 

Logitech: I had a FFB stick from ligitech, and it was absolute junk. I don't know what this new HOTAS it like, but i'm going to stay away from in until i've heard good things...

 

my 2 cents

[Frazer]

If found this Flightsim Store rather expensive. I would try to find a cheaper place to buy your setup.

 

ps: The X52Pro over the X52 is well worth the money.

[531-Ghost]

I read online that CH is the best programmable joystick out there.

 

It is. :joystick:

[wickedpenguin]

If found this Flightsim Store rather expensive. I would try to find a cheaper place to buy your setup.

 

ps: The X52Pro over the X52 is well worth the money.

 

I'm curious as to why. From the descriptions that I've read, there wasn't that much different aside from some LEDs, an updated MFD, and - I believe - an additional spring for the stick.

[Frazer]

First, the X52 has precision issues. These can be solved easily, but its not the way it is supposed to be (strange but true, precision improves by pressing a button all the time).

Secondly, the X52 wears out quicker. This has to do with the plastic rings which are replaced with metal ones in the X52Pro. These plastic rings in the original X52 also couse a very annoying friction after about 3 months.

Third, the spring force in the X52Pro is a bit stronger.

 

Overall, worth the upgrade (I'm happy I did).

 

About other branches like CH, TM and Logitech, also worth to take a deeper look at.

In my opinion though, the X52Pro has the best price/quality balance and is all you really need.

[AussieFX]

If found this Flightsim Store rather expensive. I would try to find a cheaper place to buy your setup.

 

ps: The X52Pro over the X52 is well worth the money.

It's in Australia though.

 

Easier and much cheaper shipping. :thumbup:

[RedTiger]

My standard advice is to consider how serious you are about flight sims. Less serious = regular x52. More serious = CH. (you could substitute Cougar here for CH maybe, I can't say I've ever used a Cougar so I cannot comment).

 

I would strongly disagree that the x52 pro is worth the extra money, this is coming from someone who owns one. It is certainly superior to the standard model, but not so much as to warrant the extra cost vs. CH products/Cougar. If you hunt around, you can find a Fighterstick and Pro Throttle for about $100 USD each. I'd rather spend the extra $50 USD for CH. CH is top of the line stuff at the top price point. There are only equals, nothing better.

[tintifaxl]

I am very happy with my TM Cougar I purchased in 2004. It has around 1500 hours of use and still no signs of wear or tear. Only drawback is: no force feedback.

 

If I was looking for a new HOTAS, I'd be considering the G940 by Logitech because of the force feedback.

[Frazer]

Here is an interesting CH FighterStick/Pro Throttle and Saitek X52 Review.

Note1: They compare it with the X52, not the X52Pro.

Note2: Click the little arrow down the text to go to the second page.

 

Hope this helps with your final decision.

[PoleCat]

Cougar is a fine HOTAS as well. I highly recommend it. Every bit the competition for CH. Both the Cougar and the CH are highly programmable. Either one has facilities for advanced programming far beyond what 90% of owners will ever use.

 

Out

[Frazer]

I had a cougar 6 years ago. After 3 months the pods got dirty and so I sent it back to TM. After 5 months I still didn't have the cougar back and the computer company gave my money back.

 

This ofcourse is only one experience, though I just wanted to share it. As you can see there are people who have no problems at all with this stick.

 

Learn more about the Cougar stick: http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/forumdisplay.php?f=8

[AussieFX]

One question about the X-52.

 

With the throttle, it needs it's own separate cable so what type of connector is on the end of it?

I'm thinking that I really only need the throttle as the only problem with my ms FFB2 is the flaky hat switch, apart from that I'm more than happy with it.

So if the throttle on the X-52 has a usb connector then I'm laughing, if it has a proprierty connector then I'm back at square one.

 

I want to hold off until September to see what the Logitech system brings so spending $700+ on CH products (Joystick+throttle+pedals) wouldn't make sense until I have seen the Logitech gear.

$300 however wouldn't bother me for an interim solution.

Edited June 11, 2009 by AussieFX

[Frazer]

With the X52 there goes a cable from the throttle to the stick with a pin connector. The stick is the device which has a USB connector to your PC.

I do know that some people use a different stick with the X52's throttle, though I'm not sure how they did that (maybe simply leaving the X52 stick on the side).

[PeterP]

The stick is the device which has a USB connector to your PC.

 

It looks like the throttle has the USB connection.