Hardware & Technical Fly 5 on way out, need new controls...

[Porina]

Yes, I know there's a million other threads on sticks, throttles and even the odd pedals. I must have read at least, err, five of them! My problem is guessing what to move to. Currently I have a Fly 5. It has served well for almost half a year but it is on the way out. I first lost fire button 2 after getting over excited one time with a KWS, and DIY repairs aren't lasting any more. I've started getting random rolls, and sometimes seeing slight bias on the y axis too. If I'm going to replace it, I want something that will last. As such I think I have to rule out the X52/X55.

So what's left seems to be a choice between the Warthog and CH fighterstick. I think I'd lean towards the Warthog mostly on looks, but both of these have one big change for me. I'm used to twist yaw. That means I'd also have to buy rudder pedals and get used to them. I've never used anything like it before so I'm a little concerned at exactly what I'm looking for, and what they're like in actual use. I'm particularly lost as to what pedals to look at. Does the Saitek reliability also apply to theirs? I see CH has a good reputation for lasting so would that be a safe choice?

Are there any other HOTAS or rudder combos I might have overlooked?

 

[Asp Explorer]

The FLY 5 is workable, but flimsy and generally hard to use.

I'd recommend the X52 Pro - IF, and it's an absolutely massive IF, you get a good one. If you get a bad one, send it back and keep on sending any replacements back until you get a good one.

I have three sets of X52 Pro's now, and I've been lucky so far in that all of them work ok - but I've heard (and seen first hand) horror stories from those less fortunate.

Others will recommend pedals and Warthog - which I admit I am considering myself.

 

[Porina]

I don't have time to mess around with sending things back hence I'm playing it safe by excluding the X52/X55 right off. I'm sure there are good ones, but I don't want that gamble.

 

[Asp Explorer]

Then pedals and Warthog it is then - if you want an easily available solution.

Better and more exotic kit exists, but it's pretty spendy.

 

[GJ51]

I've got the Wharthog setup and can't imagine using anything else. I've never seen anyone complain about them, only superlatives. Yes they are expensive, but have dropped a bit recently. They are heavy and well built and precise. They really are outstanding. I bought a cheap Thrustmaster X set for a second machine with another ED account on it and I just can't ever force myself to actually use it. The Warthogs will spoil you forever.

I will definitely hit excessive when my Slaw Device rudder pedals arrive, but at my age, I deserve it - or at any rate, I better enjoy these things while I still can.

I have Saitek pedals and they are pretty much terrible. I'd go with CH if I wasn't going into high end kit.

HTH

 

[Asp Explorer]

I will definitely hit excessive when my Slaw Device rudder pedals arrive, but at my age, I deserve it - or at any rate, I better enjoy these things while I still can.

Those pedals look fantastic - I'll go for a set sometime soon I think - last time I was tempted but had to buy new motorbike bits and the pedals I already have work ok

 

[Porina]

I didn't remember the name, but when I searched I instantly knew what they were. I remember reading about those on Arstechnica... don't think I'm quite ready for those yet.

 

[GJ51]

Those pedals look fantastic - I'll go for a set sometime soon I think - last time I was tempted but had to buy new motorbike bits and the pedals I already have work ok

I've had mine on order for a few months and Slaw says he's had some personal issues that have slowed output. He has assured me that he will do mine, but I'm not sure if he will actually do these much longer. he has a Facebook page but I haven't checked it recently. I sure hope he continues to produce these as I think of them as a work of art by a truly skilled craftsman. Hard to find these days. There's also the Crosswind product out there to consider, but I really like the look of the F-109 pedal.

Keeping my toes crossed that they are getting done.

https://www.facebook.com/slaw.device?fref=ts

He has stopped the production of the F 16 design unless already ordered and that post is from May 13.

 

[Asp Explorer]

I sure hope he continues to produce these as I think of them as a work of art by a truly skilled craftsman. Hard to find these days.

Absolutely! The thought and patience and skill involved in these is really something. As I said, last time there were open orders I was really tempted, but unfortunately my other pet took precedence. I just hope that another opportunity to buy turns up Even if it doesn't, those who own these things will know they have some exceptional gear - and I hope it serves them well

 

[Ving]

I haven't used the Warthog so can't comment on that, but the CH Fighterstick and Pro Throttle are both fantastic.
- The configuration software and mode switching is particularly powerful/flexible and it's very quick and easy to setup macros etc.
- Axis sensitivity can be set differently for each mode, which is great if you want different response curves for normal flight vs combat.
- You can make them appear to Windows as a single device (ED supports four, and I also using Rudders, a G13 and an ED Tracker!)
- Analog stick on Throttle for thrusters! Probably the best feature on the set.
(You could use this for Yaw and Vertical Thrusters if you don't want to buy pedals as well)
- Double-hinged stick movement, instead of ball actuated, which actually works really well for ED's Roll/Pitch style control.
- And enough hats for a Christmas party!

I went through an Extreme 3D Pro, then the X55 HOTAS, and after that went RMA I just plunged for the CH Products and I can't recommend them enough. If you have any specific questions then let me know.

I'm still using the Saitek Rudders as I bought them with the X-55 and they do the job.

(Edit: the thumb trigger on the CH Fighterstick is actually a 4-way hat...I use this for Yaw most of the time when trading/exploring as I don't want to be stuck in the same position for long periods of time, and if I'm on a long multi-jump route I'll often get up and do other things between jumps so being able to just grab the stick and still be able to Yaw is really handy. I only really use the rudders pedals when in combat.)

Just another opinion to add to the mix

 

[Juris]

I've had mine on order for a few months and Slaw says he's had some personal issues that have slowed output. He has assured me that he will do mine, but I'm not sure if he will actually do these much longer. he has a Facebook page but I haven't checked it recently. I sure hope he continues to produce these as I think of them as a work of art by a truly skilled craftsman. Hard to find these days. There's also the Crosswind product out there to consider, but I really like the look of the F-109 pedal.

Keeping my toes crossed that they are getting done.

https://www.facebook.com/slaw.device?fref=ts

He has stopped the production of the F 16 design unless already ordered and that post is from May 13.

Hi GJ51 just wondering if you've had any contact with Slaw recently. I've had my BF-109 pedals on order since March 26th and was in contact with him mid May when he said he was hoping to get back to production at the end of May but I dropped him an email on Monday to check on the progress and no response. Don't really want to keep bugging him if he's having personal issues but also getting anxious to get my feet on such high quality kit. Cheers.

 

[Porina]

Thanks to the earlier feedback, yesterday I got both the Warthog and CH pedals, and I only had time to set it up and give it a quick test.

1st impressions of the Warthog are, wow! A world apart from the Fly 5, but so it should be at their price differential. To nit pick the feel of the buttons and switches aren't as good as I hoped, but I guess they're par for the course as to their type. They're a bit mushy and I guess I was hoping for something more defined. Stick feels good in hand but I'm certainly going to work some muscles up using it. Similar again on the throttle. At least I don't need the off/afterburner positions and the middle bit is good enough for me.

The CH pedals didn't wow me. I think I'd prefer something with wider foot spacing as it isn't that comfortable for me so close together, plus stronger feedback on the neutral position as I'm currently finding it hard to zero out movement. Maybe it'll get better with practice. At the moment my legwork and stick certainly aren't very well coordinated. Didn't want to risk my main game so spent some time with combat training to get the feel for it. At least I've managed to resist trying to twist-yaw on the stick. I haven't tried the throttle control yaw option either, to compare how I feel about that compared to using pedals.

Also... so many buttons, it will take me a while to learn them all again. I'm half debating if I should ditch the default mapping, and start again with what I want, where I want. I certainly want to unmap the "ditch all cargo" switch included by default!

 

[neilisdead]

I haven't used the Warthog so can't comment on that, but the CH Fighterstick and Pro Throttle are both fantastic.
- The configuration software and mode switching is particularly powerful/flexible and it's very quick and easy to setup macros etc.
- Axis sensitivity can be set differently for each mode, which is great if you want different response curves for normal flight vs combat.
- You can make them appear to Windows as a single device (ED supports four, and I also using Rudders, a G13 and an ED Tracker!)
- Analog stick on Throttle for thrusters! Probably the best feature on the set.
(You could use this for Yaw and Vertical Thrusters if you don't want to buy pedals as well)
- Double-hinged stick movement, instead of ball actuated, which actually works really well for ED's Roll/Pitch style control.
- And enough hats for a Christmas party!


Just another opinion to add to the mix

In contrast I have used the Warthog, and like you am pretty new to it I came from an xbox controller
- You honestly don't need pedals for Elite, there's enough analogue switches that you can compensate enough.
- The configuration is an ass, you will spend weeks getting it right only to be infuriated when a new release comes out because you have to change it (read Wings)
- You need to run their own software in the background (Macros and advanced bindings), this is improving but still IMHO required... not a major issue just a pain. Oh and most of the examples require you to also use the in game settings on top of this.
- There aren't as many switches on the throttle as you might think, I'm struggling now.
- The switches are throw switches which aren't always the most convenient for Elite.

All that said, I love it