Newcomer / Intro Cheap, really cheap, HOTAS

I was thinking about controls most of the day today while working on the last house remodel to get it for sale. I was wondering if you could use 2 mice. Gaming mice with all the fancy buttons and doo-dads. Then I thought hmmm, maybe a gaming mouse on the left side with the wheel as a throttle and a cheap joystick on the right. Curiosity got me so when I got home I went looking. I found this and of course it wasn't anything like I was thinking but it sure is cheap. $56 US... dunno what that is in other currencies but it is still cheap and free shipping. Too cheap? It does have vibration if that can be considered a plus. No ratings or reviews. Does anyone use one of these? Opinions?

https://www.newfrog.com/product/pxn-2119-computer-flight-game-handle-controller-joystick-simulation-rocker-212275?currency=USD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9JT7_sSs3QIVCVuGCh3pbQ1MEAkYBiABEgIdDvD_BwE
 
Is it Brexit that has pushed up the price of the t-flight HOTAS-X? On the amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ThrustMaster-Flight-Hotas-System-PS3/dp/B001CXYMFS/

... it is now nearly £60 - that's twice what I bought them for. You can get them cheaper in Argos etc but I don't think that is much use to a US player. ;)

EDIT - just checked and see that the HOTAS-X is available in US amazon for $49.99:

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-Flight-Stick-PC/dp/B001CXYMFS/

I would totally recommend this as a first HOTAS, it works well and lasts even if it feels like it won't (I have one still on the go after 3.5 years on my secondary PC).
 
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But... but... did you see that snazzy red color and the Chinese characters? Don't forget about the vibration that might come in handy on an extra long exploration trip. Dang I wish my current work load was behind me and I could focus on building a gaming system.
 
But... but... did you see that snazzy red color and the Chinese characters? Don't forget about the vibration that might come in handy on an extra long exploration trip. Dang I wish my current work load was behind me and I could focus on building a gaming system.

It's an interesting piece for sure. Clearly a Saitek knockoff in the typical Chinese tradition.
But having tried all Saitek joystick of past ten years, I'd say if you're lucky, it will even be better quality than the original. :)

Otherwise I'd go for T16000 FCS HOTAS.
 
I kinda expected to see all bad reviews but some are positive. Now, the bad ones are really bad and enough of them to probably pass on this one.
 
+1 quality/price the best to get.

Yep, couldn't be happier with it.
Theough I have to say I am quite surprised by their prices, right now. I guess the word got around. I think I I bought it for about 50 bucks (without pedals) and now the cheepest I see are way over 70.
 
The Hotas X is 50$, the T.16000 FCS (which a lot of people here use, and a lot of others regard as "cheap") 113$ at Amazon.
If you want/need to go below that, the game still works reasonably well through a gamepad. XBox original, for preference, but anything works. And if, at some point, you decide that you now want to go for a Hotas, you can still keep the gamepad connected for controlling the external camera.
 
As I'm researching on how to build my system and the controls I want. So far the Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Flight Pack is on the list. It comes with pedals and everyone needs pedals right? I'm also looking at a the Razer Orbweaver Chroma keypad as an additional array of buttons. That TrackIR is nice but will probably be further in the future along with maybe a switch panel for the often used items like landing gear and screens while at a station. I watched a video where this fella built his flight chair from an old office chair by taking off the arm rests and assembling some side panels to hold the HOTAS, very cool looking. I don't much care for the swivel part so I'll have to figure that out and the wheels have to come off as well. I can see myself ripping the USB cables out when I forget to unplug everything. My verbal commenting on the different things I'm finding keeps my wife in finger waggling mode saying I can't buy anything until we get this last house done, sold and us relocated on the other side of the world.... at least she's onboard with it. Anyone wanna help me with the plumbing? So yes, I AM going to do this and I've already changed my name to reflect something more appropriate.
 
As I'm researching on how to build my system and the controls I want. So far the Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Flight Pack is on the list. It comes with pedals and everyone needs pedals right?

It depends on what your primary use is.
Pedals are great for the right feel of the ship for sure, but if you want to be precise in combat, especially with fixed weapons, it's better to simply control the yaw with the stick twist.
 
I have a pair of CHPro Pedals under the desk - they only get used in flight sims - I found it so awful to use them for yaw in Elite that they are no longer bound.
 
The Hotas X for $50.

I use it. Works great for ED. Option to separate throttle from stick if you like. Adjustable mechanical sensitivity and plenty of buttons. Love mine!
 
There are also some people who built their chair (well, not the chair itself, but everything around it) for sims (car or flight) from high pressure PVC tubing.
And one crazy guy here on the forum put a chair on a set of actuators, to give the full motion feeling.

Something else - you said you were a trucker. Old (otherwise, they're too expensive) car/truck seats are also often used for the seat part of these setups.
 
There are also some people who built their chair (well, not the chair itself, but everything around it) for sims (car or flight) from high pressure PVC tubing.
And one crazy guy here on the forum put a chair on a set of actuators, to give the full motion feeling.

Something else - you said you were a trucker. Old (otherwise, they're too expensive) car/truck seats are also often used for the seat part of these setups.

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:D :D
 
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