Best HOTAS system

klasvaakie

K
Good evening (or day, depending where and when you are reading this)

Sooo...I finally managed to convince my boss that I need a DK2 for a project that I am spearheading (which is true...I just didn't mention that I could use the much cheaper cardboard from google), so I am getting my DK2 hopefully this weekend or on Monday. (Please dear lord let it be this weekend)

Now for as complete as possible immersion in the game, I am looking at purchasing a HOTAS system...and who best to ask than the very people who have probably already has their VR system setup. So which would you recommend and why?
 

Nasuti

N
klasvaakie said:
Good evening (or day, depending where and when you are reading this)

Sooo...I finally managed to convince my boss that I need a DK2 for a project that I am spearheading (which is true...I just didn't mention that I could use the much cheaper cardboard from google), so I am getting my DK2 hopefully this weekend or on Monday. (Please dear lord let it be this weekend)

Now for as complete as possible immersion in the game, I am looking at purchasing a HOTAS system...and who best to ask than the very people who have probably already has their VR system setup. So which would you recommend and why?
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The popular choices are the Saitek x52 and Saitek x55 HOTAS.

If you can afford it, the Thrustmaster Warthog is by far the best. It costs twice as much as the Saiteks, but that money does not go to waste. You go from plastic components to industrial level metal components - the thing is an actual replica of the HOTAS used in the A-10 Warthog. It's amazing to play with.
 

klasvaakie

K
Thanks a ton m8...I am really looking forward to this...been dreaming about VR since I started gaming...which was a good 16 years ago :D
 

Ancipital

Ancipital
Nasuti said:
The popular choices are the Saitek x52 and Saitek x55 HOTAS.

If you can afford it, the Thrustmaster Warthog is by far the best. It costs twice as much as the Saiteks, but that money does not go to waste. You go from plastic components to industrial level metal components - the thing is an actual replica of the HOTAS used in the A-10 Warthog. It's amazing to play with.
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Depends, Warthhogs with stiction issues are horrible- Warthogs without are really nice. Personally, I'd take the CH stick and throttle, with some pedals thrown in (CH, MFG Crosswinds or Slaw, but NOT the Saitek pedals), if you were paying :)

The X-55 takes a bit of work to tame, it can be a bit horrible out of the box- but has a brilliant range of bindable controls, and feels pretty good for the money. It's certainly less flimsy than the X-52/pro. The other option is a T1600.M and a CH throttle- which is a relatively good cheapish option.
 
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Tri Velo

T
Don't forget about the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X. I know it may not be as nice or popular as the Saitek 52/55 or Thrustmaster Warthog. But it is actually a pretty decent basic HOTAS. It is only $40-$50. But it does have some drawbacks compared to the others. It only has 14 buttons compared to the magnitudes of buttons, switches on the others. I use Voice Attack so I have most things mapped to voice. I also like how the throttle axis is set in the middle with a detent so I can reverse without hitting a button. Some people may not like that feature but I can't live without it. I also agree on the pedals. I have CH pro pedals for YAW control and they add another level of immersion. I spent my gaming funds on 2 GTX980 cards so had to buy the "cheapest" HOTAS for now and I am very impressed with the HOTAS-X for what it delivers. I know it doesn't fit in the category of the "best" HOTAS but it allows me to play the rift with HOTAS immersion which is good enough for me (for now).
 

Beavis Tingleball

Beavis Tingleball
I gotta stick with the X-52 or X-52 pro..they are by far the most comfortable hotas on the market with more buttons than are needed. the quality isnt too shabby either. yes, they're plastic but they still feel sturdy when mounted. oh, and they're the cheapest sets too.EDIT: cheapest in the pro flight range..$120-$190ish..
 
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Soda Popinski

Soda Popinski
Really happy with a CH throttle and stick. Best part is the analog minijoystick for translational thrust. Saitek pedals with UJR to combine the toe brakes for forward/reverse thrust.

This video convinced me to go CH.
[video=youtube;ceOdOytgT64]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceOdOytgT64[/video]
 

avow555

avow555
X52 or X52 pro are great HOTAS and had mine for many years and not had trouble with them.
Plenty switches and hats and the software is quite comprehensive once you get to grips with it.
Can recommend either.
 

Commander Pew Pew

Commander Pew Pew
I would test several and see what feels most comfortable. Specially for long sessions the comfort is important. Second is buttons, hats, etc. Quality of the pots is important (hall sensors are better).

Don't look at the Warthog too much. It's a great HOTAS but it is definitely not comfortable. It's very accurate and has lots of buttons but serious comfort modding is needed (or you need very large hands). At least that is my experience. I have one, love it but dislike the lack of comfort.
 

Ancipital

Ancipital
Commander Pew Pew said:
Don't look at the Warthog too much. It's a great HOTAS but it is definitely not comfortable. It's very accurate and has lots of buttons but serious comfort modding is needed (or you need very large hands). At least that is my experience. I have one, love it but dislike the lack of comfort.
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Send it to me, if you like, then- assuming it doesn’t have stiction issues :) I may as well get some payback from all these years of finding laptop keyboards uncomfortably small to use ...
 

Simon853

S
A good compromise between the plastic Saitek and Thrustmaster sticks and the metal Warthog would be a Thrustmaster Cougar F-16 replica set-up. But good luck finding one second hand. They're like rocking horse poop.

Oh, and bear in mind if your choice of stick doesn't have a twist rudder (like the X52) or a rocker (like the X45) then you'll need pedals also.
 

Ancipital

Ancipital
Simon853 said:
Oh, and bear in mind if your choice of stick doesn't have a twist rudder (like the X52) or a rocker (like the X45) then you'll need pedals also.
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Even if it does, decent pedals are more accurate and nicer to use.. and oddly, they add to the experience too. Despite having a twist stick, I grabbed pedals in the end. It takes an hour or two to un-learn old reflexes, but it's absolutely worth it.
 

klasvaakie

K
Thanks for all the info guys.

It turns out the only proper system I could find in my country was Saitek Rhino. I also got myself a surround sound headset. Now all the remains is for my rift to get cleared from customs.

- - - Updated - - -

Any ideas how to keep it from sliding over my desk? lol
 

ranix

ranix
I didn't have any sliding issues with the Rhino. If you do consider just putting your keyboard in between the stick and throttle and pushing them up against it
 

Beavis Tingleball

Beavis Tingleball
Ancipital said:
Even if it does, decent pedals are more accurate and nicer to use.. and oddly, they add to the experience too. Despite having a twist stick, I grabbed pedals in the end. It takes an hour or two to un-learn old reflexes, but it's absolutely worth it.
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I'll bet you $10 that when we DO have interstellar travel and space combat ships, they won't have rudder pedals...in fact if you look down while in game, you'll see there arent peddles there either. not tryin to be ish but why pay more for less immersion?
 
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