Saitek or Thrustmaster

[Froglips]

Need to purchase one of the above A-10 HOTAS. I have looked through the forum for a good comparason but couldn't find one.

Both are metal. I have a Cougar with Hall sensors, Cubby mode so I know about Thrustmaster quality. The two HOTAS seem to be slightly different in their configuration. Neither seems to be an exact match for the A-10C.

 

Signifcant price difference aside, I am seeking opinions, not trying to start a flame war.

 

Thanks,

Froggie

[garengarch]

This may be of interest

 

http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_094a.html

[159th_Viper]

Need to purchase one of the above A-10 HOTAS.....Neither seems to be an exact match for the A-10C....

 

Not sure I understand. Saitek does not have an A10-replica HOTAS. Thrustmaster however does - HOTAS Warthog which is an exact match for the A10C.

 

Personally I would vouch for the HOTAS Warthog.

[Sandman]

Cannot comment on the Saitek as I don't have one (and per the response from Viper I didn't think they produced an A10 replica HOTAS anyway). For DCS A-10 I find the TM Warthog to be excellent - not only because of the quality of the build, but also the default support in the game - i.e. button references in the manual referring to the very same buttons on the HOTAS. Makes learning this complicated sim just that little bit easier....

[mic1184]

The TM Warthog is as good a replica of the real A-10C hotas as you could demand. It has a paddle which the real A-10C doesn't have but it's rather a feature than a shortcoming.

 

I believe you mean the saitek x65. It isn't a A-10 replica. Interesting is that it's force controlled like the stick in the real F-16. The A-10C uses the F-16 stick but it's a classic mechanical stick that actually moves.

 

If you've got the money, get yourself the TM warthog, especially if you plan to use it for DCS: W. If you like the fancy force control stuff, get the x65.

 

x52 (pro) is a nice all-round stick with great value.

 

you can read the tests on simhq.com, they're fairly comprehensive.

TM Warthog test on simHQ

saitek x65 test

 

 

greets

[hawka]

X65F

 

To start with I havn,t used a WH stick but I have no doubt that they are as good as everyone say,s but people keep saying they are a replica to the a-10c. Ok fair enough but we fly other planes and helicopters so where is the advantage there, there is none I have veiwed the sim HQ reveiws and found them to be so biased you couldn,t give it creditabilaty.However if I had an WH I am sure I would love it.

The X65F does not have all those switches spread around the throttles but it has them on the throttles where they are in easy reach and can be used without taking your hands off either throttle or stick, the stick has all the same hats and buttons as the WH or near enough and is programed the same so that it works in the same way.Of course the real difference is the force senseing before I got mine I used the saitek x52 and loved it and it was great so I do have experience with a moving joystick, for me the transition to a force sensing stick wasn,t hard I found it a challange at first but as you go along it no longer becomes an issue the are very precise and I think probably less to go wrong, and don,t let any body tell you that you can,t fly the shark with it because I can tell you it is great and very accurate in its control.I use the sst software for my programing and find it really good once you get used to it beause its so easy to try different thing out to see how they will work, one thing with the X65F is you must have rudder peddals for black shark I believe, but then if you are serious about sim flying you would have them anyway (and trackir) .Both these sticks are top units and whichever you get I'm sure you will enjoy but for me I like the saitek but then again I,m biased.

[element1108]

What about CH??

 

EDIT: hmm i guess they don't have a dual throttle.

[WarriorX]

To start with I havn,t used a WH stick but I have no doubt that they are as good as everyone say,s but people keep saying they are a replica to the a-10c. Ok fair enough but we fly other planes and helicopters so where is the advantage there, there is none I have veiwed the sim HQ reveiws and found them to be so biased you couldn,t give it creditabilaty.However if I had an WH I am sure I would love it.

The X65F does not have all those switches spread around the throttles but it has them on the throttles where they are in easy reach and can be used without taking your hands off either throttle or stick, the stick has all the same hats and buttons as the WH or near enough and is programed the same so that it works in the same way.Of course the real difference is the force senseing before I got mine I used the saitek x52 and loved it and it was great so I do have experience with a moving joystick, for me the transition to a force sensing stick wasn,t hard I found it a challange at first but as you go along it no longer becomes an issue the are very precise and I think probably less to go wrong, and don,t let any body tell you that you can,t fly the shark with it because I can tell you it is great and very accurate in its control.I use the sst software for my programing and find it really good once you get used to it beause its so easy to try different thing out to see how they will work, one thing with the X65F is you must have rudder peddals for black shark I believe, but then if you are serious about sim flying you would have them anyway (and trackir) .Both these sticks are top units and whichever you get I'm sure you will enjoy but for me I like the saitek but then again I,m biased.

 

Hawka, let me start off by saying I know this is a Sim Forum, not an English Comp class, but that "wall of letters" you just posted is hideous....It makes you not want to read what you have to say.

[Froglips]

Thanks for the feedback and links. I read the SimHQ article. For me the TARGET programming language will make the difference. So now I am off on the hunt for a TM stick for something less than list price. Any suggestions where to buy are welcomed and appreciated.

 

I noted in the article that the Cougars have been discontinued. That was a bit of a surprise but hey I got three and matching Cub Pilot and Uber kits for each.

 

Froggie

[RogueRunner]

TM built quality?!? Now there's a laugh! Although I own a Warthog, a Cougar and a bunch other TM gear, built quality is not a word that immediately springs to mind thinking about them. The Cougar had pot issues, the Warthog suffers from poor CMOS quality in the throttle leading to high failure rates and the early versions of the MFD's also had high button failures. . History keeps on repeating themselfs with TM.

 

That been said, when they work it's a pleasure using them.

 

I owe a X65F also btw. Cannot fault that stick at all.

Edited February 27, 2011 by RogueRunner
spelling

[Steel Jaw]

I am looking at replacing my sloppy cougar but TM has not done well with manufacturing quality in the past and that is a fact . I cannot decide if I should roll the dice on a WH or seek more reliable solutions from companies with better reputations like CH.

[wickedfastball]

<Beating CH Products drum again>

 

Go CH. As was mentioned about their reputation, it is certainly deserved.

[Steel Jaw]

Problem I see with CH is you have to buy stick and throttle seperately, which usually costs more.

[RogueRunner]

I am looking at replacing my sloppy cougar but TM has not done well with manufacturing quality in the past and that is a fact . I cannot decide if I should roll the dice on a WH or seek more reliable solutions from companies with better reputations like CH.

 

f... yeah, now you are talking. :joystick:

 

I bought the Warthog, hoping that TM learned something from their previous mistakes but sadly it seems they just do not care. Luckily though, it seems they are changing faulty units around for new ones. As to getting feedback from them about why, good luck on that one :megalol:

[MackTheKnight]

I have a CH Fighter Stick, Pro Throttle and Pro Pedals, as well as the HOTAS Warthog - I cannot fault the CH Gear - it is all top notch in build quality and I've been very happy with it.

 

However I couldn't resist the temptation of having a replica control set for DCS: A10, along with a dual-throttle. So I went out and bought the HOTAS Warthog. I've really enjoyed having the accurate controls as it makes learning this sim much easier. Also the dual-throttles are a great blessing when it comes to managing engine issues. Yesterday I was flying a mission and took some fire from a T55 that caused my right engine to over-heat. I was able to reduce power quite quicly and re-adjust trim. I think if I"d only had a single axis throttle at the time, I would have crashed and burned.

 

So far it seems I've been lucky as I"ve had it for 4 months and have had no issues at all. I hope I haven't jinxed myself here.

 

I also prefer the higher tension springs in the Warthog as it feels more precise then the very light touch and long throw of the CH Fighter Stick.

 

As for quality difference, well obviously the CH wins from reputation alone. I've had my CH Gear for a few years and have had zero issues. It all works as good as the day I bought it.

 

At this point I can't fault either one, but to be honest I feel alot more confident in the build quality of my CH gear and I know I will continue to use it for years to come with no issues. I still use it in blackshark and other sims.

 

As for the CH being more expensive having to buy them separately, you can buy a CH Pro Throttle and Fighter stick for around $300.00 which is less than the Warthog. Mower - check out NCIX as they are one of the few vendors in Canada that can get CH Products gear AFAIK. They have the Fighter stick for $129.99 and the Pro Throttle for $129.99. So there ya go - $259.99 plus tax. =D http://www.ncix.com/search/index.php?categoryid=0&q=CH+Products

 

For what it's worth, I hope my opinion helps someone,

Mack

Edited February 28, 2011 by MackTheKnight

[Peyoteros]

Stay away from Saitek...

[Succellus]

Afaik TM, although loving to realease faulty products and getting kicked in the teeth providing free replacement (go figure...) has an advantage for DCS A10 only.

The cougar is discontinued and although i loved mine its not worth it anymore. With the X65, g940 and CH it had become an inferior product which is normal after 10 years (not counting the modded ones).

CH seems to be taking a hell of a time to release theyr A10C replica.

If they could take this change the space between their rudders and cut off the feet holders it would be a winner althoguh still uggly as hell.

As for Rudders i got Saitek theyr are beautifull but ok only. They slide easely so i guess i will only enjoy them when i fix them. But th build could be a little better even if confortable. And dont fool yourself Saitek rudde system are all the same, pro or non pro. Just visuall change, confort and visuall are relative.

[Revvin]

Problem I see with CH is you have to buy stick and throttle seperately, which usually costs more.

 

It can work the other way around. By being separate not only can you buy the devices a piece at a time as your budget allows but also shop around a buy each device from whichever shop is cheapest. You might find somewhere with a deal on rudders but not sticks for example and find a cheap retailer who sells sticks but no rudders. In another forum just a few days ago this kind of subject came up and the cost of each option and Provantage.com had the CH Fighterstick and Pro throttle each costing just under $100 and the CH Pro Pedals were only around $68. For around $270 you have a very reliable, very programmable HOTAS with pedals.