Hardware & Technical Reccomend a good flightsitck?

LeetNoob · Nov 25, 2014

Hi all, after lurking around the forums a bit and watching some of this game on youtube I've decided to go ahead and get it.
I've never really played flight sims before and so have never had a flightstick but I don't think playing this game on a mouse/keyboard would be much fun so I thought I'll buy one now.
My question is what would those experienced in the game so far recommend as a good USB joystick to purchase. I don't want to spend too much money but I would still like to get a good quality one so something of mid-range price.

RobinsonUK · Nov 25, 2014

I bought an X52 Pro and it's amazing. It's not just one joystick though, it's about 4. It's hard to get the hang of and it actually took me about 2 weeks of (part-time) configuring to set the controls up to do things I'm comfortable with in game. You need to find a button diagram on the internet so you can find out which button on the stick or throttle unit is actually bound in game.

As you play the game you'll work out which buttons you should bind for which controls.

Polared · Nov 25, 2014

i'd recommend you try the Thrustmaster HOTAS

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaste...1416924781&sr=8-1&keywords=thrustmaster+hotas

for now and, then later if you really get bitten by the bug move up to a X52, x55 from saitek or the Thrustmaster Warthog once you're convinced yore going to get your money's worth out of it.

bummer6 · Nov 25, 2014

the x52 is in my experience the cheapest one worth getting. I tried cheaper sticks and they're just not worth the investment. Buy an x52 and you wont regret it. The pricetag may look intimidating if you're not 100% sure this is your thing yet, but trust me, it's a great stick.

Chattox · Nov 25, 2014

I just got a T.Flight HOTAS X and it's awesome for the price. My only issue is there aren't quiiiite enough buttons, despite there being obvious blank spaces where buttons would fit perfectly. Also the twist-axis has quite a large deadzone.

Doomus · Nov 25, 2014

I'm going to help you to clarify this matter by making yet another suggestion

I use CH Products. I have the Fighterstick and the Throttle Pro. They're absolutely perfect for me. Amazing build quality, great ergonomics and easy to set up. They're quite light to use which some people don't like and the joystick moves through quadrants which again some people aren't keen on. I love them and I'm glad I didn't go Saitek as was my original intention.

It's a real shame it's hard to find anywhere you can properly demo this kit before you purchase.

NEUTRAL · Nov 25, 2014

Is it possible to use two joysticks simultaneously instead of using the expensive HOTAS sets ?

I am seriously thinking of grabbing two sets of Thrustmaster T.16000M ambidextrous joysticks with twist function.

One for each hand.

http://www.thrustmaster.com/products/t16000m

Avago Earo · Nov 25, 2014

I'm using the T Flight HOTAS and I am very happy with it. I make up for the lowish button count (compared to the X52) with a cheap after market PS3 controller as the game lets you use more than one controller.

Robert Maynard · Nov 25, 2014

I have a T.16000M (pictured above) and am perfectly happy with it - very smooth action and its Hall Effect sensors are particularly accurate.

Steve50 · Nov 25, 2014

I have an X-52 and it's awesome. I'd highly recommend it.

Hilvar · Nov 25, 2014

The Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X is easily the best bang for your buck. About a fifth of the price of the Saitek(Madcatz) you won't catch me buying.

It's very solidly constructed as well.

If I ever get the urge to go for something that has more features then I would jump straight to the Warthog.

NEUTRAL · Nov 25, 2014

Robert Maynard said:
I have a T.16000M (pictured above) and am perfectly happy with it - very smooth action and its Hall Effect sensors are particularly accurate.

Thanks for the response !
I want to buy it even more now hehe

I do want the smooth action and accuracy.

Hopefully its better than my old Saitek X45 hotas.

Doomus · Nov 25, 2014

Hilvar said:
If I ever get the urge to go for something that has more features then I would jump straight to the Warthog.

I'd be wary of doing that. I'm reading more and more about people having issues with the Warthog. It may be metal on the outside but the internals are all plastic. My personal opinion is its not worth the asking price.

Polared · Nov 25, 2014

Hilvar said:
If I ever get the urge to go for something that has more features then I would jump straight to the Warthog.

get the urge! you know you want to! you won't regret it! best game controller i've ever bought by far.

Philip Coutts · Nov 25, 2014

Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X is what I got as I couldn't really afford anything too expensive. You should be able to pick it up for about £40 and at that price it's really good value.

Jarek Storm · Nov 25, 2014

The only brand I ever suggest when asked this is CH Products. They build actual, real world joysticks for professional applications, and that tech and quality have found their way into the consumer products.

Many sticks are metal on the outside, but use plastic for the internal works. CH is opposite, using professional grade parts internally.

No other stick feels as good to me, and I've read that their throttle has an amazing little analogue stick which works perfectly for thrusters in ED.

The only problem is the cost/availability outside of a North America from what I've heard.

TANDKO · Nov 25, 2014

Thrustmaster HOTAS X
Madcatz Cyborg 5
Thrustmaster T16000M
CH Combatstick/Fiterstick
Saitek X52 Pro
CH Combatstick/Fiterstick + CH Throttle
Saiteck X55

This is the list list in order of price, quality and functionality. If you live somewhere in Eurasia then may also look at Defender M5.
The problem with most of the low/mid range joystick is hard unappealing plastic finish. Madcatz/Saitek doesn't have that problem but the price for Cyborg is to higher than for TM T1600 even though TM is a better joystick but plasticy. Defender M5 has questionable quality from bunch to bunch.

After couple of months looking at different joysticks I ended up with X55 and it's really good for it's price(in comparison) finish is nice to touch, a lot of button. The stick is a little big for my hand and no adjustable like X52. But the throttle is outstanding with all the metal switches and back lightning.

Wicz · Nov 25, 2014

Do the CH products, particularly the CH fighterstick and CH pro throttle, support/work ok with Win 8.1 x64?

Watcher · Nov 25, 2014

My main controller is an x52 Pro - that has been working out pretty well. As others have said I spent some time adjusting the configuration to my own taste but I think that would be true on most controllers.
I was previously using a rather dated Cyborg Evo, that actually worked really well (again after some fiddling around) and I'm still using it for playing away from my main machine.
Whatever you get I would suggest that you want something with a) a hat (power-management and/or look-around), b) a few extra buttons for fire control and targeting, c) a throttle. Anything else is less urgent and the keyboard can handle it - probably

LeetNoob · Nov 25, 2014

Thanks all for the responses. Between this and reading some online reviews I feel more comfortable making a decision now.
I am too noob to justify spending a huge amount on a top controller yet, especially before Christmas so I am going to go with the Thrustmaster T-Flight if anyone's interested. It looks like a great starter with the features and the price.
Looking forward to getting blown out of the sky by you all.