Hardware & Technical Best Joystick

I don't know if it is the best, but I am using a Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X, with the home key set to red, which allows the rudder bar on the throttle control to work (in the same way as twisting the main joystick). There are times when I need to use the keyboard, but not that often. I paid £34 for the joystick.
 
I'm using the Thrustmaster Flight stick X (£28)

The joystick works very well, its big, solid, heavy and cheap but you will still need something else.

I use the Razer Orbweaver Elite in my left hand for my throttle, thrust and targeting.

I also use the mouse too look about and have it configured for all the ui - the mouse sits to the right of my joystick and I use it when not flying / fighting.

All works really well.
 
Not really such a thing as a best joystick for Elite. There are several options. Expensive HOTAS like the Thrustmaster Warthog work really well, but you are looking at over $400 (US) for the stick and throttle. All the CH products work well and are well-made. Many people swear by the Saitek x52 HOTAS, which is around $140. I personally use a gamepad and a Thrustmaster T16000m, pictured below, and have seen several other people on here and Star Citizen that use that combo (like Bix in the last post is similar). That combo will run you $120-$150 depending on what sales you find. The best all depends on what you like and how much you want to invest.

If you are wanting to know what the best stick for the least money is, I think that is undoubtedly the Thrustmaster T16000m. It runs $40-$50, although people have been buying a lot of them with the new boom in space sims, so it can be hard to find them in-stock. Currently Office Depot has them in-stock online for $48 and Fry's says they will ship within the month at $40. It has twist, can be switched to left or right hand use, good stiff spring, uses the same magnetic sensors as the Warthog and can also use the joystick software the expensive Thrustmasters use. The construction and buttons aren't as nice or snappy as the expensive joysticks, but everything still works just fine and doesn't feel like junk. It is super-accurate and I don't regret buying one at all. Love it. The one annoying thing about them can be the green light that lights up any time you move the stick, but it is a 2 minute fix to disable it (detailed here, with pics).
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Hi there! :)

I'm really pleased with Saiteks X-55 Rhino. I only used it for a week, and had some trouble with installing drivers and some other glitches ;)
Fortunatly this forum excists, and have some clever people who knows what to do! :) Thanks to them! Havn't tried any other so you shouldn't listen to me anyway :) Hope you find The One!

Happy New Year to all of you!
 
I agree with you Hex63. I am running on a few weeks now and love it. I used to run an X45 eons ago and the FLY 1 I picked up for cheap wasnt quite doing it for me any more.

Only use the software to set a small dead zone and curve for the stick and the game for all else.
 
We've had polling threads where Joysticks have been rated. Sadly, whoever is the mod around here seems to believe that sticky threads are for announcements rather than important points like equipment feedback.

I use a Speedlink Black Widow myself. £20 so I didn't need to sell a kidney to get it.

I have no problems controlling the ship unless I stop concentrating, (which happens :p )

I supplement it with a 32 key keypad, relabled to suit me.

Though it sounds as if you are keen on blowing a lot of cash, so good luck.
 
Best and best for what you need might be different. The best are the TM Warthog with pedals of choice or a CH Fighter stick+Pro Throttle+Pro Pedals. But I wouldn't advise either (I own the later set) unless you also play Sims like DCS or you have money to burn. The T16000m is probably the best value stick though. ED works beautifully with a HOTAS though and a CH set will easily last a decade before the pots needs replacing which is easy to do.
 
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