Does an $$$ Flight Controller really make a difference?

[Dafunkn]

Hello all!

 

I am thinking of buying a new Flight Controller and was wondering if dropping $400.00+ USD ( "+" meaning more $) on X, Y, or, Z's Flight Controller really makes that much difference.

 

 

i.e., $400.00+ USD vs. anything less expensive no matter what brand.

 

 

For the record, I'm am currently using a Saitex X-45, so I am using this as my definition of Flight Controller. Although, this does not mean that I am not open to any and all solutions, again no matter what brand or cost (within reason). Thanks and . . .

 

 

 

 

Watch your six!

 

Dafunkn

[GGTharos]

It does make a difference. I used to use an X-45, so I'll tell you the diff vs. my TM Warthog.

 

X-45 feel: Plasticky

TMW feel: Real, man stuff. Could kill home invaders with it.

 

Button feel: The resistance and feedback on hats and buttons and switches is just like the ones in the F-15E (I have not had a chance to get into an A-10). It is a very welcome feel, you KNOW you've pressed a button, no accidental pushing.

 

Number of buttons: TMW wins. Period.

 

Accuracy in controlling your aircraft: This is a HUGE difference that you will NOT understand until you have a hall-sensor equipped HOTAS. You get PERFECT control of all aircraft light functions with the TMW, including throttle. It STAYS where you set it, and it sets there consistently. Same with the stick ... very smooth, very accurate control. No squeaking. No sticking. No spiking.

 

Programmability: TMW wins again. It is more stable, more capable, and it can be as easy or as complex as you desire.

 

In short, yes, you get what you pay for, at least with the TMW: You get precision in control, robust software, robust and very flexible programming, you get the feel of a REAL HOTAS, and it's just truly a pleasure to fly with it ( ... or to bludgeon a home invader).

 

When and if you try it, you will be convinced almost instantly if you're serious about your simulation hobby.

 

Finally, a TMW can easily last you 5, maybe 10 years ... so it's actually not that expensive. You can expect the Saitek to start being troublesome after one, maybe two years.

Edited December 10, 2010 by GGTharos

[Slammin]

I thought it was a silly question :-)

 

But seriously, YES!

[kylania]

Makes a huge difference, it's up to you if that difference is worth not eating for two months. :)

[Spectre_USA]

I'd type it all up again, or lead you gently to the link in my sig.

 

My feelings on the Warthog pairing there.

 

Hint: There be medals here, Kep'n...

 

:D

Edited December 10, 2010 by Spectre_USA

[Steel Jaw]

Makes a huge difference, it's up to you if that difference is worth not eating for two months. :)

 

Funny thing: I'd be willing to eat Kraft Dinner for 3 months to afford a TMW but the prone-to-violence-cop-wife would clearly not.

 

She...umm, scares me a little. :D

[Cali]

I had an X45 and loved it, but after 6 months of heavy flying it developed center play. I then saved my money and got a CH set up and have had it for the last 7+ years. I just bought a cougar, cause I have always wanted one. But have yet to get 2 of them to install on my computer. Just exchanged the 2nd one for the 3rd one and I hope it works. CH is very durable and the programming is above anything out there. I do not like the throttle and after feeling the buttons and stuff on the CH, it's not comparison, the cougar feels 10x better.

[Boberro]

You mention about X-45 only... how about X52 Pro? And isn't it difficult to fly another plane\choppers with TMW? I am curious cause X-52 has universal look and suits everything, TMW as name says for Hog the best?

 

Finally, a TMW can easily last you 5, maybe 10 years ... so it's actually not that expensive. You can expect the Saitek to start being troublesome after one, maybe two years.

 

Through many very low pros like "oh it looks nice and it is so cool", "it does have metal button OMG FTW" ect so on... you've finally said what would

tempt to buy that thing, even for such terrible high price (for me overpriced). ;]

[asparagin]

If TMW would have "Do not panic!" written in large, friendly letters on it's back I would buy it.

[TeeJay82]

one word... YES

[Snoopy]

I've been an A-10 crew chief on and off since 1995, I have experience on A models and C models. I can tell you the HOTAS Warthog looks and feels just like the real thing. I love it and even with having my throttle "bricked" I would purchase it again (FYI, my throttle is fixed and on it's way back to me hopefully by mid week next week!!)

[GGTharos]

The X-52 has the same quality issues as an X-45. It's quite easy to fly anything with the TMW.

 

You mention about X-45 only... how about X52 Pro? And isn't it difficult to fly another plane\choppers with TMW? I am curious cause X-52 has universal look and suits everything, TMW as name says for Hog the best?

 

 

Not so terrible. If it lasts you 5 years, you are paying less than 100/year for it and it's almost at the same price as having to buy two X-52's for that period of time (you'll probably have to buy 3 if you want to keep up level of quality). If it lasts 10, it becomes much cheaper than an X-45 or 52 that manages to last trouble free for 2 years (IMHO quite unlikely).

 

Through many very low pros like "oh it looks nice and it is so cool", "it does have metal button OMG FTW" ect so on... you've finally said what would

tempt to buy that thing, even for such terrible high price (for me overpriced). ;]

[Succellus]

If TMW would have "Do not panic!" written in large, friendly letters on it's back I would buy it.

 

HUH ?

 

To the OP.

I don t know about saitek, i only can tell you my tale.

After 3 years, my CH pro pedal was in need of pot change for the second time, my CH FX was crap but for games WITH FFB and i had to open the Pro throtle once each 6 month to clean the slide, which was clearly showing wear, and was sticky as an ungreased pig trying to slide on tarmac.

At that point i decided to switch to TM Cougar. It worked flawlessly for ...2 years and a half. I m no swarzenegger, it wasn t perfect, but i didn t tire flying him, the problem is Cougar pots are SH!T.

So i saved/waited 6 months to buy a TM RCS sending it to Cubby to hall sensor it (Mine was the first one, rat lab, rat lab) and buy the rest to modify myself my Cougar.

Since then, 3 to 4 years, its been a charm to fly many and many hours, and many sims from Falcon heirs to IL2 passing by BS (at which i suck) and LO, FC modded, always SP cause internet is crap outside country, probably internal infrestructure doesn t support so many MMO, FPS players.

So after 7 to 8 years of flying it has a center play, axis transition is a little jerky.

Since so many praised the Warthog, i bought one that is waiting for Brazilian custom people to haul their asses.

As for my Cougar, it will not die. A buddy of mine will inherit it upon the sole condition of giving it back to me if he doesn t wan t it anymore.

 

So yes, its worth paying big buck when you dilute them over the years. A video card won t last that long and you pay the same price as an example.

And i pay usually near twice as any other person cause of import taxes and shipping.

 

I agree the Warthog may not seem as fit as the Cougar for other sims, but there s always a trade off isn t it ? And its probably more a matter of adaptation than anything.

Edited December 10, 2010 by Succellus

[Cali]

I've been an A-10 crew chief on and off since 1995, I have experience on A models and C models. I can tell you the HOTAS Warthog looks and feels just like the real thing. I love it and even with having my throttle "bricked" I would purchase it again (FYI, my throttle is fixed and on it's way back to me hopefully by mid week next week!!)

 

AD or Res? and where have you been stationed at?

[asparagin]

HUH ?

 

You should read the book or watch one of the movies then you'll understand.

[wickedfastball]

To answer your question: most definately YES!

 

I had an X45 for a few years. Flew mostly MSFS, IL-2, CFS, and it served fairly. It started getting sloppy and a little just plain old and I decided to upgrade. Was a toss up between a Cougar and a CH setup. Ended up going with CH (stick, throttle, pedals, MFP) and love it. Will get their A-10 throttle when they release it. (yes, when, not if. keep hope alive.)

 

The build quality and support of CH gear is top-notch. Good people and personal support. Can't beat it.

 

Now, about that CH Warthog throttle... :music_whistling:

Edited December 11, 2010 by wickedfastball
answered the OP's question

[Slammin]

"I agree the Warthog may not seem as fit as the Cougar for other sims, but there s always a trade off isn t it ? And its probably more a matter of adaptation than anything."

 

I keep seeing statements like this and wonder. Basically, the WH is a stick and a throttle with a LOT of buttons, and some of the buttons have labels. Is it the labels that makes one think that the the buttons cannot be reprogrammed?

 

One of my main gripes with the Logitech G940 was that it didn't have enough buttons. I had other issues with it too, but at the time that was my main issue with it.

 

I think it is really cool the way the WH throttle has lit up descriptions of the switches, but that will not stop me from reassigning them for whatever I need them to do.

 

The WH can be whatever you need it to be via TARGET, just as most sticks come with software that allows you to do the same.

 

I don't have the desktop space to support multiple joysticks and faced with the hard choice between WH and Cougar, I've picked WH. That said, I feel the Cougar U2/NXT stick is still better than the WH, but I also love the extra buttons on the WH throttle and am making good use of them with other sims.

 

Granted, it was a little painful getting my WH stick to feel the way 'I like', but a small price to pay. And for anyone wondering, the WH grip is almost identical to the Cougar grip (stick) though it is not the same. I can reach the WH buttons easier than I can on the Cougar, and the extra ooph needed to press the WH buttons is no problem for me, being a bass player for 42+ years. I can see how some would balk at the need to press a button so forceful, but I really like the feel of the WH sticks' buttons. They do feel like The Business, and I like that.

 

Also, as far as the feel of the stick, folks need to keep things in perspective. When an o'l timer says that the motion is not as fluid as expected, or as can be, you can almost bet that the o'l timer has a very good reference point to base that on. If you are not an o'l timer, you may not have a whole lot to compare to. Us o'l timers that make posts regarding smoothness of the stick are just stating that we know it could be better, but not that it is bad. I like to fly without a thought to anything other than completing the mission. I don't want to be distracted by anything other than the element that is trying to stop me. This element cannot be my own tools. I guess that's why I spend so much $$$ trying to keep my rig updated, lol!

Edited December 11, 2010 by Slammin

[Teej]

Back in the day I burned through 2 X-45 sets flying choppers in the "desert combat" mod for Battlefield 1942.

 

They were "cheap"...but they creaked and groaned, buttons only worked half way, it has the world's tiniest spring (figuratively) on the rudder rocker, etc.

 

That was about the time I started shopping for my Cougar and FCC mod....and then got back into Falcon with AF.

[skypirate]

Everything said so far is true.

 

The "Saitek" products (sorry to say that) put next to the THW look pathethic... I own X-52Pro, 2x Yoke and Throttles and the Pedals. Since the Thrustmaster arrived I sometimes catch myself just sitting and looking at it. It is a piece of art mate. The saiteks are back to the box. No more plastic...

 

I just need to change the rudder pedals with something more solid now.....

[Teej]

If TMW would have "Do not panic!" written in large, friendly letters on it's back I would buy it.

 

Wouldn't it need to be slightly cheaper, too? :)

[NotiA10]

the x52 is a great stick. in fact i only put it in the box because i couldnt resist getting the THW.

 

i had the x52 for over five years and it still works like a charm (it really depends how heavy handed you are). And, yes it has a lot, i mean a lot of stick time.

 

that said, the THW is a fantastic piece of equipment and if you are serious about flying the a10 it is simply a must have.

 

 

cheers,

NotiA10

[Boberro]

the x52 is a great stick. in fact i only put it in the box because i couldnt resist getting the THW.

 

i had the x52 for over five years and it still works like a charm (it really depends how heavy handed you are). And, yes it has a lot, i mean a lot of stick time.

 

that said, the THW is a fantastic piece of equipment and if you are serious about flying the a10 it is simply a must have.

 

 

cheers,

NotiA10

 

Hmm good to know...so if you take care of joy it won't crack after year or two...

 

I am going to buy someday X-52 as I use Cyborg Evo and I heard good opinions about x52:)

 

that said, the THW is a fantastic piece of equipment and if you are serious about flying the a10 it is simply a must have.

 

I would say if you want to fly serious build own 3D cockpit :) No serious playing even with real joystick if you play in front of 22" LCD or even 40", without real cockpit around :D

Edited December 11, 2010 by Boberro

[some1]

"I agree the Warthog may not seem as fit as the Cougar for other sims, but there s always a trade off isn t it ? And its probably more a matter of adaptation than anything."

 

I keep seeing statements like this and wonder. Basically, the WH is a stick and a throttle with a LOT of buttons, and some of the buttons have labels. Is it the labels that makes one think that the the buttons cannot be reprogrammed?

 

One of my main gripes with the Logitech G940 was that it didn't have enough buttons. I had other issues with it too, but at the time that was my main issue with it.

 

Buttons yes, but you can't add more rotaries via TARGET :). Controlling radar antenna elevation with up/down buttons instead of analog axis is PITA. For RoF / Il2 / any other sim with piston powered planes, you don't have enough axes to comfortably control mixture, propeller or radiator. Also, those sims don't require that many buttons, the WH is a bit overkill for them. ;)

 

As for the original question, an expensive joystick won't make you twice as good pilot as you were before, but you would feel the difference in precision, and build quality. At least that's what I felt when I swiched from an 3 year old, heavily used X52 to WH.

Wonder how long the WH will last, all in all, it's just half plastic, half metal toy. :)

[LawnDart]

Always going to be some pros and cons with any stick, but I think the HW will stand the test of time better than most. As far as the button placements etc., they're obviously modelled after the real stick, but that doesn't mean they can't do other things, in fact, a lot more than the real A-10 could do (if you learn to program your stick well).

 

In case the original poster is still reading; does it make a difference (having a pricey and good HOTAS)? - I'd say hell yes!!! It won't make you a better pilot per se (that still takes practice, knowledge and technique), but you'll never blame it on your setup again. ;)

[Dimebag1]

I have to say that a good hotas will make a difference to your experience. The whole point of a hotas is that it allows the user to access all essential controls at your fingertips, meaning the level of control and mastery of the sim will increase, making the aircraft almost an extension of your own body. It means you don't even need to think about which button to press in a certain scenario, as muscle memory takes over once operating procedure is committed to memory. No it won't make you a better pilot, BUT, it will bring out the top gun within, and expose your true piloting potential. Obviously the better the controller, the less distractions you have, and better is defined by your simming requirements.