Entry Level Joystick?

[Cro]

Hello all,

 

finally saved up the money and got my hands on a copy of DCS Black Shark ($6.69 on steam yesterday) but after playing for quite a few hours and ACTUALLY getting my Black Shark into the air, I was being driven mad by the keyboard/mouse flying..

 

With that being said, I need a joystick.. I don't have a lot of money ($50 CDN) so my options are extremely limited. The most expensive one I can afford is the Thrustmaster T-FLIGHT HOTAS X at 47 dollars on amazon.ca.. I have been reading these forums trying to find a hidden gem of a joystick but it seems it is 'Warthog or bust'- so to speak.

 

So I come to you experts of simulation avionics and I ask, what do you recommend?

 

Thanks if you can help me out!

 

 

PS:

May be asking "Why 50?": I have had a rough few months so it looks like 50 might be my entertainment budget for the next while.. But a joystick seems like a good purchase.

 

Also: I live in Ontario so I can hit up most Canadian online / physical stores.. I HAVE tried getting my hands on a Saitek X52 [PRO] but the price ended up skyrocketing (stupid auctions!).

[rrasfly2]

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Cybrog-F-L-Y5-Flight-Stick/dp/B001EYU1VO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2CEP2HTAK7SS3&colid=1DSDDD6UNGXNV

 

Try this one.

Rob

[Cro]

Hey Rob,

 

I appreciate the suggestion, unfortunately that particular joystick seems to be 69.99 on the Canadian Amazon (sadly I cant order from the states)

 

Thanks though, I will look into product reviews for it sometime tonight.

 

(got a few recommendations from co-workers.. Mostly the Logitech Extreme 3D)

[Feed]

The T-flight HOTAS is a decent controller if you're truly that strapped. It is certainly a cheaper unit, but the separate throttle will serve you well (especially for flying a heli), and the rocker at the front of the thottle gives you another choice for rudder control (I've personally never been able to use a twisting stick for effective rudders). IMHO, it's be hard to beat at this price point. If your focus is precision flying, you might want to consider the T-16000M, though you lose the separate throttle and rocker arm, and I don't know what price that would go for in your market.

[Nate--IRL--]

(got a few recommendations from co-workers.. Mostly the Logitech Extreme 3D)

 

I have the Force feedback version of that stick and I can't fault it, the non-FFB version is also a very decent Stick for the Price.

 

Nate

[Cro]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

So tonight or tomorrow I am going to go look at the T-FLIGHT X and the Logitech Extreme 3D.. Both are the same price but I want one that doesn't break in a few weeks / feel flimsy.

 

Thanks again guys, it means a lot to get some good advice (for free even!)

 

PS: I got lucky and got a free copy of Battlefield 3 in a raffle.. So now I have something else to use this joystick on! Haha

[Rhinox]

1. any joystick is 3 levels better than the best mouse/keyboard combo

2. if you mean it with dcs:bs seriously, do not buy entry-level joy

 

Try eBay. Sometimes starting price is as low as 1€. With a little luck you could buy it for less than 50$...

[Cro]

You raise a good point Rhinox...

 

I was really hoping to get a joystick but it might just be a waste of time and money if I buy an inferior product and desire more. [Always wanted a good joystick..]

 

Since I got my hands on BF3 I wont be completely bored the next couple of months, so I guess in this time I will prowl ebay.ca for a super cheap X52. (wish me luck)

 

 

Thanks again and hopefully I will be back in no time.

 

EDIT: Might take me a little less time then I thought.. I was able to find someone selling their old X52 (non-pro) for 50 bucks.. So hopefully I can get my hands on that

Edited January 31, 2012 by Cro
UPDATE

[Cro]

Just a quick update.. I got lucky and got my hands on an old Saitek X52 for 50 bucks.. It works pretty good on Flight Simulator X.. Now just to find a good profile for DCS.

 

Thanks everyone

 

PS:

Sorry that this thread didn't do what it was started to do (find a cheap but effective joystick). For the record, I tried the T-FLIGHT X and the Logitech Extreme 3D and I have to say the T-FLIGHT X looks like a toy and feels like a toy but has enough features that it would have been my choice for sure.,

[Total]

i can shoot you a profile for DCS-10C and Blackshark both. PM me an email addy.

 

I don't use Saitek anymore, but still have backups of my profiles.

[Kenan]

Hey, are you Croatian by any chance (refering to your nick)?