Best Flight Stick - suggestions needed

[DragoonKnight]

So I've got a HOTAS X, but I am looking to upgrade. I have my eye set on the new Thrustmaster throttle coming out, but I am not crazy about the T16000m it comes bundled with. I can purchase them separately so no problem there.

Based on the reviews I have read the T16000m has flimsy buttons, but great stick Precision. I want something with good ergonomics, quality buttons, and good precision.

And I am a little undecided on the twist feature. Seems like I can just have yaw on the throttle. Would like to know what your experiences have been like with this.

So tell me what you guys think. I could use some help in narrowing downy choices.

P.S. I like the design of Saitek HOTAS, but I dont trust their quality.

 

[WizzyThing]

x52 Pro is pretty good imo, the display is kinda gimmicky tho.

 

[Jypson]

So I've got a HOTAS X, but I am looking to upgrade. I have my eye set on the new Thrustmaster throttle coming out, but I am not crazy about the T16000m it comes bundled with. I can purchase them separately so no problem there.

Based on the reviews I have read the T16000m has flimsy buttons, but great stick Precision. I want something with good ergonomics, quality buttons, and good precision.

And I am a little undecided on the twist feature. Seems like I can just have yaw on the throttle. Would like to know what your experiences have been like with this.

So tell me what you guys think. I could use some help in narrowing downy choices.

P.S. I like the design of Saitek HOTAS, but I dont trust their quality.

Saitek X52 Pro - Lasted about 4 months before falling apart. [down][down]

Saitek X55 - Have used it for a year now, some buttons are starting to not work. [up][down]

TM Warthog - Have used it for a year now, still as good as new! If you don't need twist-yaw, it doesn't get much better than this! The throttle is also really nice to use. I would prefer more buttons than toggles, but it's a solid HOTAS with no QA issues as of yet, and a great tactile experience. [up][up]

 

[Andovar]

Based on the reviews I have read the T16000m has flimsy buttons, but great stick Precision. I want something with good ergonomics, quality buttons, and good precision.

Really? I've seen mostly great reviews for the T16000m
Was planning on going full-bore with that setup and including the thrustmaster pedals along with it.

As a side note, according to newegg, this new thrustmaster hotas becomes available on oct 2nd.

 

[jgm]

CH Fighter Stick, for reliability and sheer number of useful buttons. Pair it with the CH Pro Throttle, add a modifier or two, and you'll have more combinations than you know what to do with.

 

[WizzyThing]

How did you break yours after just 4 months?
I've been using mine (and still am) for more than a year now and it's not showing any signs of failure.

 

[Jypson]

How did you break yours after just 4 months?
I've been using mine (and still am) for more than a year now and it's not showing any signs of failure.

[hotas] I dunno. It started in the throttle when the plastic piece that makes the indent came loose. Then the default boost button stopped responding, and then the castle-hat on the stick stopped responding, and then the stick itself started to separate.

I'm not rough on my gear, it just started to fall apart. So far two buttons on the X55 throttle have stopped responding after a year of use [sad]

 

[SheepDip82]

Holding on for the T.16000 FCS HOTAS, though been told by Thrustmaster it's still being developed, eta - by end of year

 

[Lornd]

i have the saitek x55 myself which i bought to replace my hotas X whose throttle broke. Whilst i'd love to say it is fantastic to justify the price i paid for it it, in reality it has many flaws mostly quality control ones and flimsy wires in the throttle (apparently). The stick itself is not very ergonomic and i wouldn't recommend it unless you have very large hands. I have reasonably large hands and the top buttons are stretch to reach. to get around this i only really use the hardest to reach hat for subsystem targeting and the red button for chaff. honestly, i prefer the hotas x stick to the x55 stick purely for comfort.

I do however really like the throttle on the x55. That being said i half broke one the the hats on it which i use for vertical and lateral thrust last week. it still functions but 2 of the 4 directions no longer have a nice click to them. Maybe i was a little rough with it trying not to crash into a planet or something. A friend of mine has the x52pro on which i really like the feel of the stick but dislike the throttle. he never uses it and I'm half tempted to ask to buy it off him and see if i can get the x52 stick and x55 thottle to work together.

 

[salad]

OP Consider using Dual Sticks, once you get used to it you'll never want a HOTAS again.


Best part? Single sticks are cheap to replace and will likely last you as much as a fancy HOTAS.

 

[DragoonKnight]

CH Fighter Stick, for reliability and sheer number of useful buttons. Pair it with the CH Pro Throttle, add a modifier or two, and you'll have more combinations than you know what to do with.

I have a Logitech G13 for functions that dont require lighting quick reflexes. I would like to wait for the new Thrustmaster throttle before I decide on which throttle to buy. The Flightstick seems to come down to a choice between a Warthog, CH fighterstick, and a T16000m (cant go wrong on price here). I've heard very good things about VKB, but it seems like their Gladiator stick is more suited for WW2 flight sims than space sims/games. Whatever I get I would like to also use with Star Citizen too.

 

[Ophion]

Holding on for the T.16000 FCS HOTAS, though been told by Thrustmaster it's still being developed, eta - by end of year

Me too

 

[Marak]

I had 2 X52's - I got the first one and loved it, but it broke.

I bought the second one 'cos I'm an idiot (it broke).

I got a Thrustmaster T-Flight summat and it just keeps working . I'd like more buttons but at least it hasn't broke yet.

 

[TomR]

OP Consider using Dual Sticks, once you get used to it you'll never want a HOTAS again.


Best part? Single sticks are cheap to replace and will likely last you as much as a fancy HOTAS.

This is a good answer. Dual T16000m is where it's at. Cheaper than a HOTAS too. Though the new HOTAS coming from Thrustmaster next month looks good too.

 

[DragoonKnight]

OP Consider using Dual Sticks, once you get used to it you'll never want a HOTAS again.


Best part? Single sticks are cheap to replace and will likely last you as much as a fancy HOTAS.

So the throttle and yaw is on the left stick while my pitch and roll is on the right?
Isn't it a little awkward to control your speed like that?
I wouldn't mind trying it.... Maybe if I can find a store with a good return policy on a T16000m.

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This is a good answer. Dual T16000m is where it's at. Cheaper than a HOTAS too. Though the new HOTAS coming from Thrustmaster next month looks good too.

It looks like a reskinnned T16000m and a brand new throttle. Looking at the pricing for each of them supports this theory. Of course they could have made some improvements in their reskinned T16000m

 

[Connolly91]

So the throttle and yaw is on the left stick while my pitch and roll is on the right?
Isn't it a little awkward to control your speed like that?
I wouldn't mind trying it.... Maybe if I can find a store with a good return policy on a T16000m.

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It looks like a reskinnned T16000m and a brand new throttle. Looking at the pricing for each of them supports this theory. Of course they could have made some improvements in their reskinned T16000m

Some people use pedals for throttle, like a racing car.

Personally, I just have 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% throttle bound to buttons on the left joystick itself. You won't miss it, and having full 6DOF is worth not having a dedicated throttle for.

 

[salad]

So the throttle and yaw is on the left stick while my pitch and roll is on the right?
Isn't it a little awkward to control your speed like that?
I wouldn't mind trying it.... Maybe if I can find a store with a good return policy on a T16000m.

It depends on how you want to set it up, I have Roll/Yaw/Pitch on the right stick and Forward/Backward/Lateral/Vertical thrust on the left one, but my sticks don't match(different brands) so Its a weird unique setup.

Other examples of dual stick setup:
http://i.imgur.com/8M5tfif.png
http://i.imgur.com/Czonpfg.png

 

[Jigster]

The original and the best.

Spoiler

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

Just bite the bullet and get a Warthog tbh, the X52 is what Warthog owners moved away from. Its expensive yes but compared to GPUs and their longevity its not that bad in the long run.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Holding on for the T.16000 FCS HOTAS, though been told by Thrustmaster it's still being developed, eta - by end of year

I do have high hopes for it, and hoping the delay is a good thing overall.