Hotas? Which one?

[Firby]

I'm looked the Internet for a suitable Hotas setup for X-plane and dcs. I found the g940 and the x-52/pro suitable for my condition. I heard that the saitek isn't durable and the Logitech has problems with the FF. Please help!

[MTFDarkEagle]

If you can afford it: Thustmaster Warthog.

 

If not, go for the X-52pro.

[Buckram]

The G940 is essentially the biggest problem you will have in a HOTAS, it's mapping is difficult and as you mentioned the force feedback is a nightmare. X52 Pro is the way to go for an all rounder, good-at-everything HOTAS. However if you can afford it, I can personally recommend the HOTAS Warthog by Thrustmaster....

[Cali]

Just make sure you do some research on whatever u get. Check different sites, forums and google is your friend. They all have pros and cons, it's what you want and don't want, good luck.

[Firby]

Thanks for the help! Still, about the X-52, is the pro worth the extra money?

[Sceptre]

IMO, the best HOTAS is the CH Fighter Stick and Pro throttle. That's what I use. Lasts longer and is cheaper than TM Warthog. CH also make real aircraft products and these HOTAS are amazing quality. Also, the stick has exactly the same buttons as on the Hog in the same places. Throttle has buttons and hat switches on the back (can't see in the pic) and front. Also has a thumbstick, which is invaluable for slewing the cameras around.

 

Edited June 28, 2012 by Sceptre

[Firby]

I know that the CH is a good combo, but as I said, it isn't suitable for me. (price, delivery...) And no rudder control without n extra 100.

 

Ps. I don't like

The throttle. Looks odd. Well, for me of course.

[Kenan]

Lasts longer than TM Warthog.

 

What a nonsense..I've been having mine for 5 months and it's working great.

Unless you're comparing the years Cougar's been out there but that isn't really a fair comparison since it's an old product.

[Cali]

Ps. I don't like

The throttle. Looks odd. Well, for me of course.

 

Your not the only one! I've been telling them for years to make a new (F-16) type throttle, wouldn't be that hard. I went back to CH cause it works and works well! I'm use to the throttle, it works for me even if it's odd looking.

[BHawthorne]

It's difficult to get a truly unbias answer on what HOTAS to use. People have emotional investment in hardware that expensive. The more $$$ invested the more bias there can be. You often see it with video cards too.

 

I've used both the X65 Pro and the Warthog. I like both of them but for different reasons. The force sensitive stick on the X65 feels less of a toy than a stick on a gimbal. The problem I've found is there are some pieces on the X65 that like to fall off. The hat on the throttle unscrewed on the one I've used before. I really like the compact stick for the Warthog. You can side mount it or mod it for center floor mount. There is a bit more plastic than I want on the Warthog throttle in places it really needs metal.

 

Those are just two observations on the X65 and the Warthog. I'll let you make up your mind if they have any weight or meaning to your purchase. Also I have no practical experience with CH Products hardware, so I have nothing to say about them. Either way, all three options have minor nitpicks but in all three cases you'll have solid controllers.

Edited June 28, 2012 by BHawthorne

[Firby]

I actually never said x-65 (which seems stupid, the joystick doesn't move!). I was talking about the x-52

And I already said my price range and while I'm not saying that the warthog isn't awesome, but it is WAY (like twice or triple the price if the saitek) too expensive

Edited June 28, 2012 by Firby

[BHawthorne]

Hotas? Which one?

 

I'm looked the Internet for a suitable Hotas setup for X-plane and dcs. I found the g940 and the x-52/pro suitable for my condition. I heard that the saitek isn't durable and the Logitech has problems with the FF. Please help!

 

I actually never said x-65 (which seems stupid, the joystick doesn't move!). I was talking about the x-52

 

And I already said my price range and while I'm not saying that the warthog isn't awesome, but it is WAY (like twice or triple the price if the saitek) too expensive

 

The topic is about what HOTAS people would suggest and why. I think you'll find other people want to know about options people have experience with. Don't shoot the messenger if you don't like the information given. It was done to be helpful afterall. The build quality on the X-52 is of cheap construction. It's feel and play seems like a toy to me. I have no experience with the logitech stick. Personally, I'd suggest neither. You get what you pay for in controllers.

Edited June 29, 2012 by BHawthorne

[Sceptre]

What a nonsense..I've been having mine for 5 months and it's working great.

Unless you're comparing the years Cougar's been out there but that isn't really a fair comparison since it's an old product.

 

Sorry, I did not mean like that. They are both extremely good HOTAS, just the CH is my preference.

 

 

BTW, that screen on the saitek throttle looks beast, what is it for?

I would not get a saitek though, as they look too 'alieny' or futuristic for me. Just my two monies.

[Cali]

This is what I've had in this order, what years I had them.

 

-Mircosoft sidewinder FFB 2001-2003, at the time I liked this stick, the force feedback was cool.

 

-Saitek X-45 2003-2004, last 6 months then started developing center play. I ended up giving it to a friend when I bought my CH stuff. I loved the way the throttle was. Like the programming software

 

-CH (stock) 2004-2011, last several years and still worked like I just took them out the box, traded it for the FCC2 modded cougar. I;ve always hated the throttle on CH and have told them for many years that they need to make a new F-16 style one. Maybe one of these days they'll do it. Love the programming software

 

-TM Cougar (stock) bought in 2006 and 2010 tried 3 cougars in the span of 2 months and they were all broke from the store. Some said I didn't know what I was doing, but that was clearly into the case. Tried the unmodded cougar and for the way I fly it wasn't a good match, the spring was way to hard. Glad i keep my CH just in case it didn't work out.

 

-TM FCC2 Cougar (modded) 2011, Could never get use to it, ended up selling it and buying the CH fraken potato. I really liked the FCC2 cougar and I wish I would have kept it, but can't change that now. The programming software is harder then the CH one, but I have been using CH since 2004.

 

-CH Fraken-Potato (modded) 2011-present

Edited June 29, 2012 by Cali

[Strut]

Firstly the X-52 is pretty good for its price and does was it claims, bottom line is that we dont know what you can afford, we aint mind readers and crystal balls are overrated, and you will only get what you pay for. So my advice is if you want to fly well save your money until you "can " afford a good HOTAS, all those mentioned are good or go with something cheap, but expect the technical hassles and related problems with cheap hardware. Other than that, there is not much to tell you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I actually never said x-65 (which seems stupid, the joystick doesn't move!). I was talking about the x-52

And I already said my price range and while I'm not saying that the warthog isn't awesome, but it is WAY (like twice or triple the price if the saitek) too expensive

[Double_D]

Firstly the X-52 is pretty good for its price and does was it claims, bottom line is that we dont know what you can afford, we aint mind readers and crystal balls are overrated, and you will only get what you pay for. So my advice is if you want to fly well save your money until you "can " afford a good HOTAS, all those mentioned are good or go with something cheap, but expect the technical hassles and related problems with cheap hardware. Other than that, there is not much to tell you.

 

 

This is true unless we know your cash flow it is hard to make any real concrete suggestion..I made do with a Saitek SST220($50.00) for a couple of weeks until I got the Hog..the Saitek did the job..but has many limitations...so unless you wish to feel the real impact of any sim...you have to spend the money to get the realism...

 

Cheers..:thumbup:

[Cali]

This could help you out a little....maybe. http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_094a.html

[Firby]

My price range right now is up to 200 euros

 

... Actually amazon has a big sale and the fighterstick + throttle is 145 euros. Is it worth it?

Edited July 1, 2012 by Firby

[531-Ghost]

My price range right now is up to 200 euros

 

... Actually amazon has a big sale and the fighterstick + throttle is 145 euros. Is it worth it?

 

ABSOLUTELY! :thumbup:

[531-Ghost]

Oh, and the Franken-Potato, got a face lift...

[aap_flanker]

Hey, may be somebody can help me to finally decide witch hotas to buy...

My requirements are simple: I will use it for dogfight and close formation aerobatic

I know that most will tell me "go for the TM warthog" but I just watch

and I'm thinking about if worth it to spend u$s500, if that requirements can be done by the X-52 pro...

I also watched the red arrows video (they fly with TMW) and I noticed the same quality of the maneuvers....

So should I go for the TMW or the saitek will be enough?

 

Ps: I would like to hear opinions from owners

Edited July 14, 2012 by aap_flanker
Typing error

[cichlidfan]

I have owned both. For fine aerobatic control, IMHO, the Saitek will not meet your needs.

[aap_flanker]

I have owned both. For fine aerobatic control, IMHO, the Saitek will not meet your needs.

 

Ok, so should I worry about that mentioned at this post???

[SackDestroyer]

Hey, may be somebody can help me to finally decide witch hotas to buy...

My requirements are simple: I will use it for dogfight and close formation aerobatic

I know that most will tell me "go for the TM warthog" but I just watch

and I'm thinking about if worth it to spend u$s500, if that requirements can be done by the X-52 pro...

I also watched the red arrows video (they fly with TMW) and I noticed the same quality of the maneuvers....

So should I go for the TMW or the saitek will be enough?

 

Ps: I would like to hear opinions from owners

 

That video says it can't be viewed in my country (USA) because of copyright restrictions.

 

I don't do formation flying, but there are threads where people who do claim that the TM Warthog is not precise enough for it, without some particular modding (removing springs and/or regreasing the bearings, if I remember correctly).

 

As a non-formation flyer, I have never personally had any trouble with the precision, though.

[cichlidfan]

Ok, so should I worry about that mentioned at this post???

 

Let me put it this way. If you are looking for performance at the level sought by the people doing mods like that, then the Saitek does not have a prayer of making you happy.

 

IMO, the Warthog is the best sub-$500 stick out there but it is by no means perfect. I have not used any of the more exotic units that can be found but for under $500 it is the best you are going to find in an unmodded stick.

 

Once you start modding then it is up to the effort you want to put into the improvements and how far you are willing to take it. I may consider modding a Warthog at some point but not until I have two of them. ;)