Hardware & Technical Joystick selection. Halp!

Preferred budget Joystick/HOTAS?

  • Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick

    Votes: 6 9.4%

  • Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X Flight Stick

    Votes: 1 1.6%

  • Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick

    Votes: 35 54.7%

  • Other -- please explain

    Votes: 22 34.4%
  • Total voters
    64

CMDR StackOfCups

C
I can't decide between these 3 joysticks. I have heard from multiple sources that the the more expensive of the three options is amazing for elite, but I'm honestly not sure i'm interested in having my hand up on a throttle lever the whole time I'm playing. I'm kind of a lazy player.

So I'm looking at:

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro -- $29
Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X Flight Stick -- $28
Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick -- $44

The reviews on the logitech seem more solid than the thrustmaster (as in, less complaints about random tidbits, but the positive feedback all seems the same). Would you guys fill me in on your experiences with these joysticks and what you might like or dislike about them? I don't have a ton of desk space either but would totally go buy some crappy old chair to turn into some cockpit type setup. :p

EDIT: For extra credit, detail how you have it "mounted" if it's not just sitting on your desk.
 
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jsinjun

jsinjun
You will either need to have your hand on the throttle or on the keyboard. I have the Hotas and i could not be happier with it definitely the thing for ED.
 

Ravenov

Ravenov
The T-Flight Hotas is an excellent entry level Hotas setup, it lacks some buttons and could use another hat or two (but ED can accept multiple button presses for one operation, so use one button as a shift) but apart from that you can't go wrong for the price.
 

Don Alvarez

Don Alvarez
I have the Logitech. It seems solid enough and it works well for Elite. I'm happy with it. Honestly though, I didn't know Thrustmaster had a Hotas setup for under 50 bucks when I was shopping for a stick, or I would have probably gotten that instead.
 
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JacobFox762

J
I recommend the Saitek X-45 for your assumed price range @ less than $100.

It's what I use. You won't find a higher quality HOTAS at that price range. The only downside is that Saitek no longer makes them, and you *HAVE* to buy it used... which sucks, because they are quite awesome.

That being said, I went through the trouble of digging one up for you on Ebay (which is where I also bought mine)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saitek-X45-...ontrol-J24C-/291533123179?hash=item43e0ba6e6b
 

Drink!

Drink!
Prediction.
HOTAS will win by a landslide

If I didn't go with dual sticks, I would have gotten that same exact one.
 

eaxs

eaxs
I have the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X since January 2015 and it's great for the money. The throttle and the stick share the same base plate, but can be separated (unscrewed - tools are included). I have them stuck together, sitting on my lap because I found it too uncomfortable to have it standing on my desk. But that's not the issue of the hotas, just my personal preference. I never had one of the expensive models, like the X52 or whatever, so I can't provide a comparison.

Nontheless, I am very happy with it. It's got just enough buttons for most functions if you're clever with the keybinds. I suppose the stick could be more precise, although the movement itself is pretty smooth. Not sure what else to say. Maybe it would be better if you'd ask specific questions about what you'd expect from a hotas/stick.
 

Lord_Crazy

L
Never used any of those but I have heard a lot of good things about the Logitech 3D. Not only it seems to be a good bargain, but you may eventually buy a second one to play dual joysticks!
 

Louella

Louella
I fly my Sidewinder with my old Sidewinder Precision Pro, lol.

I think Elite really benefits from having a joystick with lots and lots of buttons on it, there are so many things you'll want to press at some point, that having them on the stick or throttle is really helpful.
 

Cody

Cody
I use the Logitech 3D Pro (albeit an old one), which is a good budget 'stick - solid base, plenty of buttons. Its throttle ain't up to much though.
 

KonigWolf

KonigWolf
Personally... IF my X52 dies, I'd get the HOTAS X(Can't afford to replace it at the moment... Which I would gladly buy another). I couldn't play Elite without a HOTAS.

So, yeah.. If price is a problem Get the HOTAS X. If you can spend more.. The X52 or the X52 Pro are good choices.
 

CMDR StackOfCups

C
Drink! said:
Prediction.
HOTAS will win by a landslide

If I didn't go with dual sticks, I would have gotten that same exact one.
Click to expand...

Dual sticks? So you're rocking two joysticks instead of a joystick and throttle? How does throttle work for you? Do you have to hold down the "throttle" stick to move forward or do you just "click" it forward a few times and let go? I'd honestly consider this just for the more natural trigger for the 2 fire groups, and it would be very similar to operating heavy equipment I'd imagine. Would you be willing to go into a little more detail on this setup? I'd almost just go with the cheaper of the 3 options just to give myself the option of buying 2. Oh, and did you have to buy a special left handed stick?
 

nosscar

nosscar
Of course there is this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Games-Pow...ift-Idea-FR-/161617690017?hash=item25a12a3da1

i think the is model more familiar in the USA.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...r-flight-control-system/522774_914571129.html

Nice cheap hotas, and i was thinking buying one, but a couple of poor reviews put me off.
So i eventually went and ordered the trusted and reliable Thrustmaster t flight hotas x, which should arrive tomorrow, it has mainly good reviews from my research.
 
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Darrett

Darrett
I love my T-Flight HOTAS X. Nothing even comes close to it at the price point. I picked mine over an X55 or X52 Pro because of all the build issues the Saitek stuff has now (Made my MadCatz, known for making cheap/flimsy replacement Gamecube controllers).

It does everything I need. The only time I have to touch the keyboard is to type; everything else is bound to the HOTAS.
 

Jacob Marshall

Jacob Marshall
I started with the Logi 3D at it was ok, I found that movement was a bit too sensitive and Yaw was a nightmare; I couldn't bank and pitch with yawing; this only became a problem for me when I started flying faoff. If I wasn't flying faoff then, with the use of deadzones or Jcurves, it's perfectly good controller, although the thrust 'flap' leaves a lot to be desired.

I moved onto the TH X. Initially I found the movement heavy and again Yaw is a pig, the Yaw deadzone for the TH X is HUGE...but once I'd got used to that, and with a little prodding from Jcurves*, the TH X really is a fantastic bit of kit for the price.

My opinion, go for the TH X. It's a quality budget option, and gives you an independent throttle with the extra buttons.

*I needed this for faoff, if you;re not flying that or only dabbling it you won't need Jcurves imo.
 

Ving

V
Abil Midena said:
CH fighterstick and pro throttle. The extra controls/buttons/hats make controlling the ship feel natural, and easy.
Click to expand...

This ^^ The responsiveness of the Fighterstick is streets ahead of the 3D Pro (I know, I have one too). If you can afford it, get CH.
 
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