CH Throttle for ED, and where to buy in EU (or should i get something else?)

ziphnor · Jan 16, 2015

I currently play with a Logitech Freedom 2.4 cordless joystick very similar to the Logitech Extreme Pro 3d (at least in appearance). Its working pretty well and the size matches my hand, though i could use more buttons and hats, but the biggest problem is the crappy tiny throttle handle. I need a "real" throttle.

I was looking to buy a HOTAS set, but after watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0mTd0SOLg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hX3R3t8-jY i am feeling somewhat less enthused about the Saitek offerings. At the same time a cheap choice like the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X seems silly as i suspect the joystick to be potentially worse than my logitech.

The CH Throttle Pro sounds good, and i like the idea of using the analog mini-stick to control lateral/vertical thrusters. The problem is that i am having a really hard time finding them (at least for a reasonable price). I see people mentioning £70/€92, but the best i have found is £130/€170 (and out of stock). Are people ordering them from the US?

Jack Shaftoe · Jan 16, 2015

I have a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, and hated the little throttle paddle thing too. Watched several videos and read several reviews, and bought the CH Pro Throttle. I tried Ebay, but as each auction came to a close the price came within $10 of a brand new one from MyPilotStore.com. It was about $110 USD, and I've had zero regrets. The analog joystick is perfect for thrusters (you're going to want a bit of a dead zone in the center, however) and there are so many hats and buttons that I honestly can't think of anything I would need VoiceAttack or even the Roccat PowerGrid for. With the CH software that comes with it, I set up some macros for about four preset pip configurations I use. Now I swap between the configurations with on flick of a button, without looking.

Here's another great video on the CH Pro Throttle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceOdOytgT64

DCello · Jan 16, 2015

I strongly suggest, from the bottom of my heart, the X-52. No need to get the pro version, normal one is perfect.

Soda Popinski · Jan 16, 2015

Brumster's Elite HOTAS video convinced me to go with the CH Throttle. Less bells and whistles, more ergonomic, and likely to last longer and I love using the ministick for lateral and vertical thrust. Forward/Reverse I use Saitek Pedals (toe brakes).

My one complaint about the CH Throttle is the lack of the detent in the center, making impossible for me to use the throttle for both forward and reverse. Not too much of an issue, as I use the toe brakes for forward/reverse most of the time when dog fighting / landing.

[video=youtube;ceOdOytgT64]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceOdOytgT64[/video]

Barticus · Jan 16, 2015

+1 for talked into CH throttle and fighterstick by Brumster's video. Got mine from Amazon US for about £170, where as it was £230-ish on UK Amazon.

bnrgator · Jan 16, 2015

The CH Pro throttle works well. I use the tiny analog stick for rudder and vertical thrust. I don't use horizontal thrust as much, but frequently use rudder.

There is also room for targeting, cycling weapons, boost, and several other functions. It doesn't look as cool as some of the other throttles, but works well and lasts forever. Mine is at least 10 years old.

smunisto · Jan 16, 2015

http://www.shop.aerosoft.com/eshop...._category=Flight Simulation&s_language=german

Got mine from here, arrives via DHL. Found it after I got sick of the ridiculous British policy of overpricing stuff due to a ridiculous currency value.

halide · Jan 16, 2015

I live in Australia and all local ch suppliers were out of stock. I got my ch pro throttle from the U.S. Delivery was 5 days from the order. Very happy with the quality of the throttle, feels very solid. I have never seen any complaints about ch product failure. I have seen numerous quality issues with most of the other alternatives especially saitek. I also recommend the ch combat stick.

rtho782 · Jan 16, 2015

Scan.co.uk supply the throttle. Not cheap and not in stock but you can backorder it, I think when I saw earlier it was in around the end of jan.

Have a link: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/ch-p...-and-24-buttons-upto-176-functions-for-pc-mac

TheNameIsJambo · Jan 16, 2015

As above. I used Scan, even though they're a shower of clowns.

I had some major issues with the CH Control Manager software, I uninstalled it all and now use Windows.. It's incrediballs. It has so many buttons, in ergonomic positions, you can assign practically everything to it.

It's bloody great!

Ravenov · Jan 17, 2015

Soda Popinski said:
My one complaint about the CH Throttle is the lack of the detent in the center, making impossible for me to use the throttle for both forward and reverse. Not too much of an issue, as I use the toe brakes for forward/reverse most of the time when dog fighting / landing.

I've read about where people have made a WEP (war emergency power) slash afterburner detent using velcro in the throttle track, which i think could be modified to make a centre detent. Centre the throttle, then get some sticky velcro and put it at either end so that when you slide the throttle forward or back it goes underneath, byt when centred both ends are exposed. Does that make sense?

Rall · Jan 17, 2015

Ravenov said:
I've read about where people have made a WEP (war emergency power) slash afterburner detent using velcro in the throttle track, which i think could be modified to make a centre detent. Centre the throttle, then get some sticky velcro and put it at either end so that when you slide the throttle forward or back it goes underneath, byt when centred both ends are exposed. Does that make sense?

I use mine in full range, you soon get used to where the center position is just with muscle memory - and bind a key to 0 throttle, though I rarely use it now. A true detente would be great though, may try the velcro thing.

The mini stick is awesome, and the throttle's build quality is excellent, no complaints.

ziphnor · Jan 17, 2015

DCello said:
I strongly suggest, from the bottom of my heart, the X-52. No need to get the pro version, normal one is perfect.

How old is your X52, i understand that MadCatz took over at some point and apparently made a mess of the build quality? My concern with the X52 is that i am not convinced that its in fact a better joystick than the Freedom 2.4. Its deadzone and rattling stick in the brumster video seems just as bad as (quite old) Freedom 2.4. Also, in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hX3R3t8-jY he holds the base vertically, and the spring doesnt even hold the stick horizontal, which doesnt look very promising.

I found the X55 to look like a really good bet, but based on the other video i linked to, the ergonomics seem rather bad (especially without large hands, and based on the reviewers hand measurements, he is close to my hand size), and more importantly it seems the resistance is not uniform (i *hate* that), ie it takes more force to break it away from center, than to continue the movement.

Soda Popinski said:
My one complaint about the CH Throttle is the lack of the detent in the center, making impossible for me to use the throttle for both forward and reverse. Not too much of an issue, as I use the toe brakes for forward/reverse most of the time when dog fighting / landing.

I dont like the sound of that, as one of my biggest problem with the tiny on-stick throttle is the problem with hitting zero thrust (especially when landing), i would have hoped that the bigger range of the of a full size throttle would fix that. I do have a G27, maybe i should use its pedals to control the throttle instead, though i suspect you would soon get annoyed by the lack of cruise control

smunisto said:
http://www.shop.aerosoft.com/eshop...._category=Flight Simulation&s_language=german

Got mine from here, arrives via DHL. Found it after I got sick of the ridiculous British policy of overpricing stuff due to a ridiculous currency value.

That looks like a good place to get it for me €130 and free shipping to Denmark. Of course, just like everywhere else its out of stock...

Rall said:
I use mine in full range, you soon get used to where the center position is just with muscle memory - and bind a key to 0 throttle, though I rarely use it now. A true detente would be great though, may try the velcro thing.

So you have no problem going to zero throttle quickly?

LuciusEsox · Jan 17, 2015

Here we go http://www.flightstore.co.uk/

It's where I got mine.

As far as joysticks go the Fighterstick which is made by CH as well is the best I have used.

If you get the pedals as well your good to go but I think the total price is about £400-450.. not good but CH have an excellent record for longevity, indeed I bought my pedals to play Longbow 2

although they are gameport which is less than ideal as I have to use a converter.

My comment about the joystick is ofc subjective but I have owned an X52 and tried all the other major ones and the Fighterstick just feels like use and ergonomics were the prime concerns when being designed, and yes I know it is an F16 replica but I'm thinking a joystick designed for a real fighter is going to have a level of expertise available to its design team far in excess of game joystick designers.

Buy the lot if you can afford it, you wont regret it

TomT · Jan 17, 2015

I also was convinced to get the CH Pro by the Brumster video. I love it, especially the little thruster mini stick. I was looking to get one for my son for his birthday, but couldn't find them anywhere. I emailed CH, and they said: "Sadly we are currently out of stock on the Pro Throttles. We expect to have more available through our resellers in early March"...

SE-Apocalypse · Jan 17, 2015

THe CH Products distributor for the EU is iirc simware. Unlike amazon they are not out of stock ;-)
http://www.simw.com/all.html?manufacturer=65
Besides that: CHP has a list with international resellers too: http://www.chproducts.com/13-29003-RESELLERS-INTERNATIONAL.php

Lastly, the saiteks are garbage, they could be really great sticks, if they would have been designed and produced with quality in mind, instead you might end up needing to do a magnet mod for the hall sensors to get them even close to those old potentiometer based CHP stick. That totally nuts, because by all means the saiteks should be better because of their superior sensors, but they simply are not.

If you want quality you simply have to buy CHP or VKB, nothing else really on pair with that anymore. And as VKB is not selling a throttle yet, there is only one choice left. ;-)

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ziphnor said:
So you have no problem going to zero throttle quickly?

Deadzone would be your friend for this anyway ;-)
Besides that I prefer to have a reverse toggle and use the full-range of the throttle for either forward or backward. The throttle has like 30 buttons + 3 modes to be used, plus programmable shift functions, you never run out of buttons on this anyway, so one toggle more does not really matter and is the better solution anyway imo.

Having reverse and forward thrust on the same axis is good for dual joystick setups only imo.

ziphnor · Jan 17, 2015

LuciusEsox said:
As far as joysticks go the Fighterstick which is made by CH as well is the best I have used.

If you get the pedals as well your good to go but I think the total price is about £400-450.. not good but CH have an excellent record for longevity, indeed I bought my pedals to play Longbow 2 although they are gameport which is less than ideal as I have to use a converter.

I think i used to have a CH joystick *way* back actually that i used to play X-Wing and Tie Fighter and then finally broke it playing X-Wing vs Tie Fighter. I seem to recall that it looked like the Flightstick Pro CH at least, it was pretty good as it recall. The problem with the CH sticks is that they dont provide twist AFAIK, and i dont think i want to use pedals for yaw. Yaw is too slow in ED for it to make sense, and i dont really play normal flightsims.

SE-Apocalypse said:
THe CH Products distributor for the EU is iirc simware. Unlike amazon they are not out of stock ;-)
http://www.simw.com/all.html?manufacturer=65
Besides that: CHP has a list with international resellers too: http://www.chproducts.com/13-29003-RESELLERS-INTERNATIONAL.php

Thanks, thats very helpful, simw.com adds a shipping cost of +20€ in contrast to the free shipping i found above. But then again, its actually in stock

SE-Apocalypse said:
If you want quality you simply have to buy CHP or VKB, nothing else really on pair with that anymore. And as VKB is not selling a throttle yet, there is only one choice left. ;-)

True, but i find their sticks quite interesting, do they have a twist-axis?

Having reverse and forward thrust on the same axis is good for dual joystick setups only imo.

I dont know, kind of made sense to me that you pull backwards to go backwards

Starbuckz · Jan 17, 2015

I know many people think the x52 are alright, they probably were IF you are lucky. If you can spend the money go for the ch products, don't let them talk you into buying toys. I got the pro throttle, fighterstick and pro pedals from ebay, anywhere else is just not reasonable in the EU.

ziphnor · Jan 17, 2015

Starbuckz said:
I know many people think the x52 are alright, they probably were IF you are lucky. If you can spend the money go for the ch products, don't let them talk you into buying toys. I got the pro throttle, fighterstick and pro pedals from ebay, anywhere else is just not reasonable in the EU.

I have a hard time finding them on ebay actually. Cant find the USB throttle, only the serial one.

ElectricZ · Jan 17, 2015

Another +1 for the CH throttle. I'm on my second one. I didn't replace it because it broke, though. I had my first one for years back in the 90's. When sim games died out in the 2000's, I got tired of my CH stick, throttle and rudders taking up space so I sold the whole lot for like $20 USD.

Then I signed up for Elite Dangerous. All I had was a playstation DualShock 4 controller. It got the job done. But within a week I knew I needed a new HOTAS rig. I did a little looking around, liked how the Saitek looked, but the CH setup was still getting great reviews for reliability, and the design hadn't changed one bit since the 90's except for the switch to USB.

So I jumped and picked up the Pro Throttle and Fighterstick. And they work just as good as they did back in the day. I look forward to buying a third set sometime around 2030.

As for the rudder thing, I did wish the CH stick did have some kind of analog control for rudder, but there's a setting in the game menu that lets you toggle/hold a button to switch yaw and rudder. It works well enough and I've gotten so used to it I don't think I need a separate rudder at all.