Is this Joystick ok?

[leehowling]

Ive just ordered the game and was wondering if this joystick would be ok to use?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320925620953?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2893wt_986

[BRooDJeRo]

Im not sure if that joystick will do. Sensorsensivity quality plays a big role in DCS. Im using a Saitek X52. It has 3 banks with shifts. Multiple rotarys and buttons. Every button has 6 functions at some point. I chose this stick, because of its finesse for still a reasonable amount of duku. The Hotas is kind of very cool, but....uhm expensive. Youll need something like this with DCS. TrackIr is welcome hardware too.

[TurboHog]

I'm really impressed by my current joystick, the Thrustmaster T16000. It's in the same price range and uses magnetic (hall) sensors.

 

It also feels very smooth and has the perfect tension when you move it around...

[HiJack]

Go for nothing less than the X52 Pro! You need a lot of buttons to press.

[Mouse]

Just to give an additional opinion here, but I loathe the X52 because it has the worst possible ergonomics you could imagine. I also feel like the stick is way too floppy. I took mine back and got a Warthog.

 

That said, my recommendation for anything that isn't a Warthog is to get instead the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro as your entry stick. Turbohog's recommendation is probably better if it uses Hall sensors.

 

My opinion of the stick you linked is that it's too much stick and not enough buttons. You'll have more buttons handy AND more desk space with something like a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro or Thrustmaster T16000. The keyboard isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

[TurboHog]

Just to give an additional opinion here, but I loathe the X52 because it has the worst possible ergonomics you could imagine. I also feel like the stick is way too floppy. I took mine back and got a Warthog.

 

That said, my recommendation for anything that isn't a Warthog is to get instead the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro as your entry stick. Turbohog's recommendation is probably better if it uses Hall sensors.

 

My opinion of the stick you linked is that it's too much stick and not enough buttons. You'll have more buttons handy AND more desk space with something like a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro or Thrustmaster T16000. The keyboard isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

 

My previous was the logitech actually.

 

Nice stick. I like the button lay-out more. I have only 4 buttons and a hat switch on the T16000. The logitech has 5 buttons and a hat switch + an additional button on the left side of the stick.

 

But tension (and distribution of tension) is so much better now. Absolutely dont want to go back.

[leehowling]

I was actually looking at the Logitech Extreme 3D to start with

[HiJack]

i had (i still have them) two Logitech Extreme 3D joysticks when flying this sim. It completly ruined the experience and made the sim impossible to master. You simply need much more buttons and a more presise stick!

 

If I was starting out today I would go for the Warthog stick and TrackIR 5 as a minimum.

 

(HJ)

[BRooDJeRo]

I was actually looking at the Logitech Extreme 3D to start with

 

I have such a stick somewhere in the closet. The reason mine is in the closet is because sensitivity and accuracy is way off. A minimum of a 10% deadzone is too much innit.

 

As said before in a previous post, for low budget you might be best off with a X52 or a X52 pro. TrackIr will make your life alot easier as well as a realism kick in the ....

Edited July 9, 2012 by BRooDJeRo

[Mouse]

I never needed a significant deadzone on my Logitech, but the stick is inexpensive so mileage may vary. I think TurboHog's recommendation is probably better though.

 

It's just that for me the X52 was a miserable experience all around. I think it's in this grey area where you are now spending lots of money but not actually getting a high quality product. Better to spend more for the best, or stay on a low budget and save your money until you can afford the TM HOTAS.

 

Even though I have the TM HOTAS myself, I learned the basics without it and taught a friend to fly using the keyboard too. I don't think it's the miserable experience some people make it out to be.

 

So if you're not enjoying DCS, get a wingman. It's less expensive. ;)

[pixelpilot]

i dunno i get on pretty good with my x52. I'd really hate to put someone off buying a joystick for £40. it is almost impossible for it to be worse than a gamepad or keyboard. I've no experience with the thrustmaster stick you're looking at unfortunatly but the i found the logitech extreme 3d to have a very forward tilted stick which just felt odd after having a microsoft sidewinder2 previously (i liked that stick but the force feedback wouldn't play ball with early builds of Blackshark).

[Koht]

I just registered after lurking a bit to answer this. I'm not sure how 'good' I am at A-10 but the HOTAS X works pretty well for me. I use the buttons on the throttle as mainly modifiers to be able to use the hat switch for TMS/DMS/Coolie etc. I don't have track IR so I have to use the hat switch thing for view control and another modifier for zoom. Means I still have to use the keyboard but it works well I think. On my desk I would have:

 

Throttle || Keyboard || Stick

 

Anyway for £40 I think its a great intro and I really like using it. I like the fact that it has a big seperate throttle instead of a small lever you get on other sticks in this price range.

[Yurgon]

To reiterate what others have already said, I would consider the X52 Pro the minimum in terms of HOTAS. I never had one myself but it usually receives lots of praises from people who do and the bang per buck ratio is very good.

 

However, one cannot overrate the importance of a head tracker, so if money is an issue and you don't feel like investing the time to setup a webcam as a head tracker, I would rather go for a cheap(ish) joystick+throttle combo and TrackIR and then replace joystick+throttle at a later date (or even add rudder pedals prior to that).

[leehowling]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saitek-X52-Flight-Control-System-Joystick-and-Throttle-USB-Wired-10-Buttons-LCD-/330745742333?pt=UK_Controllers_Attachments&hash=item4d01fb83fd#ht_2524wt_1042

 

 

??????? didnt really want to spend this on just a joystick but it its going to make me enjoy the game.

[HiJack]

that will give you a good stick to use for flight sim indeed. Start savings to get the TrackIR 5 also!

 

(HJ)

[leehowling]

Thanks every one. I will be sticking around here still waiting for the game to come in the post

[leehowling]

Got my X52!!! oh my!!! I want to take it to bed! Still not received game though.

 

Will be trying in out on Lock on 2 tonight

[Yskonyn]

Congrats, leehowling! It's a fine stick. Served me well for many years.

[leehowling]

For some reason i cant install the programming software. Only used the stick slightly on lock on 2 but limited as i cant program it.

[jimcarrel]

What is the problem with installing the software?

I have it installed, but never have used it, I have always used the mapping program inside of the sims that I fly.

[leehowling]

Something about missing a file.

 

Also how do I program the buttons and thrust leaver on the game, I can find the controls menu but cant program them and dont know which ones would work best

 

Other than setting up the joystick i can at least fly and shoot the gun lol

[leehowling]

I want something like this