Recommended HOTAS upgrade

[DRaven4135]

i have an old Thrustmaster T.Flight hotas x. That ive used for years. And its went through a beating from combat. Havent had any problem with it at all as far as holding up to the abuse. Really good HOTAS for the price. The only thing i dont like about it is it sometime (when in battle of course) slides across my desk. And the limited number of mapable buttons. Voice Attack makes up for the limited buttons. I have been looking at the new Thrustmaster T16000M though.
If you need Voice Attack here is the link https://voiceattack.com

 

[Hooplah]

The Saitek X-56 has the most controls but needs improvement in quality control.
The Thrustmaster T.16000M is reliable and surprisingly competes with the number of controls of the X-56.
The Saitek X-52 I haven't used. Blends in aesthetically with an Empire ship.
The Virpil mounted on a Warthog base probably doesn't have yaw.

 

[DragonIV]

Nyogel is very expensive and often hard to get.

I've been using this: https://www.paxman.org.uk/french-horn-hetman-oils-c2x13618333

Basically slide grease for musical instruments and it's £7.00.

It's been on my FWCS for 100's of hours of play now and no issues.

Harder to source and far more expensive, yes. And I got a tube that is so comically big, I could probably do everybody's HOTAS with what I have. Shipping charges might be prohibitive, tho. You can use most plastic safe greases on it, but I tell you, you'll be gobsmacked when you use a heavy dampening grease, and Nyogel's is top grade stuff.

I took a look at your recommendation. It's not clear what if any dampening capacity it has that I could see, but if your throttle no longer has that glorious sticking then sudden acceleration problem after you applied that grease, congrats on finding a much more practical alternative!

 

[DragonIV]

i have an old Thrustmaster T.Flight hotas x. That ive used for years. And its went through a beating from combat. Havent had any problem with it at all as far as holding up to the abuse. Really good HOTAS for the price. The only thing i dont like about it is it sometime (when in battle of course) slides across my desk. And the limited number of mapable buttons. Voice Attack makes up for the limited buttons. I have been looking at the new Thrustmaster T16000M though.
If you need Voice Attack here is the link https://voiceattack.com

The T-Flight's lack of buttons can also be ameliorated using button multiplexing. I used my T-Flight for a solid two years before upgrading to the T16000M. Also had issues with the sliding--my FCS is bolted to a sheet of wood that I clamp to my desk. The other big change in the T1600M is the huge increase in sensitivity over the T-Flight. I'd highly recommend the upgrade to you--I've been very happy with the FCS.

https://www.aventools.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/10826TCF_main.jpg

It really is that simple.

I'll take mine apart this weekend, I'm curious.

 

[KonigWolf]

I had an X52 for two years, it died a week out of warranty.. Always had issues with it's drivers and the USB power settings that were mentioned above. I will state that I loved how it felt and it was good looking, good function until it stopped. I now have a Thrustmaster T.16000 M FCS and I love it. The stick is more precise and fluid than the X52 and I actually prefer the rail system of the FCS to the arcing of the X52 (Bad wrists and joints).

The price point for the Thrustmaster is also really good for the quality and utility of the device.

 

[lenna]

I tried an X52 but can not recommend it due to compatibility issues with newer BIOS's and Operating Systems. If you don't have USB 3.0 then you will almost certainly be OK. If you have USB 3.0 on-board then there are no guarantees you will be able to get it to work reliably.

The Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X is perhaps the best budget HOTAS available, second to that I would rank the Logitech 3D Extreme Pro but you will lose an Analogue axis (no rocker on the throttle).

I would recommend the Thrustmaster Warthog which is an excellent and solid HOTAS solution but is comparatively expensive and lacks twist on the stick. However, I have not found the lack of twist an issue personally since you can use flight mode switching to alter what the stick axis are mapped to. Plus there is a little analogue finger tip stick on the Throttle handle that could be used (in theory).

 

[NascentChemist]

I've got to highlight the Achilles's heel of the T.16000M: the yaw input the OP wants. The sensor for joystick twist uses a very cheap potentiometer. It will fail. Has on both of mine.

You can try to recalibrate.

You can pry the stick apart to clean the sensor.

Doesn't matter. You will have ghost yaw input jerking your ship to one side.

 

[Gutser]

Poor people.

Look at vkb sim and get the Gunfighter with MCG grip.

 

[Ziljan]

What's an absolute bomb? I've had a T.16000m FCS + throttle for a year now and the throttle has held up well. I'm talking to TM right now to see if they'll replace the stick because the twist axis is shot. So I'm a little disappointed in the durability of this stick.

I placed an order for a VKB Gladiator mk2, but it won't ship until March because of the Chinese New Year. Looks like a nice affordable stick with twist, so we'll see!

My friend has had a Saitek X52 from before they were bought by Logitech and swears by it. Online reviews for the new models aren't too encouraging....

Same issue with my T16000. Replaced it with a Gladiator as well. Seems much more sturdy than the thrustmaster so far. I did have to re-lube the trigger pivot with silicon grease, but the thing is designed to be easy to service, and now the trigger is lightning fast. Center aiming is excellent. Pairs well with the thrustmaster FCS throttle.

I'd stay well away from the x52. Those things are hot garbage. I only know one person who has a Saitek that doesn't hate it and I personally know at least a dozen who had theirs break or have buttons crap out on them within a year. Had an x52pro that died slowly starting within a few months of buying it. The accuracy on the x52 is the worst of any stick I've ever used.

 

[Riverside]

I've got to highlight the Achilles's heel of the T.16000M: the yaw input the OP wants. The sensor for joystick twist uses a very cheap potentiometer. It will fail. Has on both of mine.

You can try to recalibrate.

You can pry the stick apart to clean the sensor.

Doesn't matter. You will have ghost yaw input jerking your ship to one side.

Unplug the controller, reboot the PC, plug it in again.

 

[Zeeman]

Wait until Virpil release the Constellation Delta. It looks amazing, and by all accounts won't be too expensive (although this obviously depends on your definition of expensive.)

You can always keep the throttle unit from the T-Flight if that doesn't have a problem.

The WarBRD will be ~$200US (currently listed on the site), and the constellation will likely be in the $100US region... I suspect that's a "bomb" to most...

Z...

 

[NascentChemist]

Unplug the controller, reboot the PC, plug it in again.

Sorry, but that doesn't help. That was the very first thing I tried.

TM used a cheap potentiometer instead of something more resilient like a Hall sensor for the joystick twist. This $0.01 part can fail very easily.

It's not an issue with drivers or the PC itself. It's the hardware.

 

[Zeeman]

Poor people.

Look at vkb sim and get the Gunfighter with MCG grip.

Or Virpil Mongoos T50. Or the upcoming WarBRD... But, honestly, that is stupid money for most. You Having gone through a boat load of sticks (including a Warthog), I'd try and convince people that going straight for a VKB or Virpil will actually save money over time, however, I don't like my chances of success!

Oh, and yes, on a side note...

YET ANOTHER hardware thread in the wrong part of the forum, because the Hardware and Technical section is in Off-topic... Just sayin'...

If mods applied themselves to transferring Hardware and Tech threads with the same vigour as PvP threads to the newly created PvP section, I dare say Hardware and tech would end up NOT being off-topic...

Z...

 

[NascentChemist]

Or Virpil Mongoos T50. Or the upcoming WarBRD... But, honestly, that is stupid money for most. You Having gone through a boat load of sticks (including a Warthog), I'd try and convince people that going straight for a VKB or Virpil will actually save money over time, however, I don't like my chances of success!

Z...

Any chance the new Virpil products will drop by the end of the month? That's when VKB's pedals should be available, and I'd like to stick with one manufacturer.

Edit: I don't mean Virpil dropping actual pedals, just more details about their new stick, throttle, etc.

 

[Ebel]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for an upgrade to my Thrustmaster T-Flight X. Noting that I absolutely want twist to yaw. I love this joystick, but want's something a bit less plastic squeaky and with smoother movement of the stick and thrust controls.

Ideally don't want to spend an absolute bomb.

Thanks in advance!

Okay, sometimes I will admit that it is good to be old...

I used to have the X52 and quite some time ago upgraded to a TM Warhog setup with flight peddles. No looking back. Solid and feels like real equipment in an airplane. Truly heavy duty build. Now price wise....not so friendly, but if you can afford it, top of the line.

PS Gave X52 to friend that I am trying to get more interested in ED. Good bestowal methinks.

 

[Zeeman]

Any chance the new Virpil products will drop by the end of the month? That's when VKB's pedals should be available, and I'd like to stick with one manufacturer.

Edit: I don't mean Virpil dropping actual pedals, just more details about their new stick, throttle, etc.

Virpil throttle thread is here, there's also one for the VKB TECS (which looks sensational), though, the Virpil has actually entered production, according to the rep on the DCS forums. Though I suspect the version ED pilots would want (with analog thumb stick) is still a couple of months away, as the non-thumb stick version will drop first. Anyway, I'd be expecting to see pre orders opening within 4 weeks, and delivery most likely in 8 (in theory).

The WarBRD, I think, is expected in March. I can't confirm that in any way, just seem to remember reading from one of the Virpil folk, but not sure if it was Reddit or DCS. I'm not sure about the space grip.

Z...

 

[[VR] Enexemander]

T16000m is an upgrade to what you have, and the VKB Gladiator MKII is an upgrade to that.

 

[the100thmonkey]

The Virpil mounted on a Warthog base probably doesn't have yaw.

The Constellation Delta is compatible with both the Warthog base and the WarBRD base, which will include a twist-to-yaw function.

 

[DaggerSnake]

I just got an X-52 Pro. It s a new Logitec one. The throttle was redesigned. I replace an old x-52 that lasted 8 years and had a chip go bad.

I considered the T13000 but then decided I didnt want to relearn the muscle memory. The x-52 pro does feel like an upgrade. Hall sensor and dual spring and more metal. Something important to me is that is has two hats on the stick. I use them a lot. One for pips and the other for fire group switching and target selection.

I also like like that the x-52 is what the in game stick is modeled after, before their thrust master sponsor. I don’t know why they don’t have new popular stick models or sale in game.

If this one goes bad, I’ll go thrustmaster. For now I find it’s precise and great. I didn’t bother with the software, jus tpluged it into a usb 2.0 and goo to go

 

[the100thmonkey]

The sensors on the x52 Pro are magnetic, but still pants compared to those on the T.16000M.

If I ever have the time (and the inclination) I'll splice an x52 crown onto the T.16000M base.