Hotas. Which one should I choose?

randommagic · Sep 11, 2016

Hi People

Im currently using a Thrustmaster Hotas X ( i think it is called ) and thats okay I guess but

I need more of everything! more keys, less noise while moving the stick, better quality etc.

So ive been looking around.. and it seems no matter what I buy there is a major downside/problem! it just doenst look like there is this "ONE awesome hotas" that just got everything right.

Warthog : doesnt have yaw yes I need that since I refuse to use rudder pedals.
CH hotas : same deal no yaw so deal breaker for me
X55 : will break down on you, and the yaw shouldnt reset right after right pitch or something
X56 : same deal as x55 but boy does it look awesome gotta give em that.
X52/52pro : seems to be the best choice? less wierd problems? only thing i see people QQ over is the build quality and weak spring?

So I wanted to ask in here

What are you guys using, and what should a new'ish player pick?

IceFire122 · Sep 11, 2016

CH Pro Throttle (simply the best due to Buttons/Hats)
+
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (Twist & 5 Buttons/1 Hat on the stick)
or, if you can get it:
Defender Cobra M5 (better precision, wist, 5 Buttons incl. dual stage trigger, 2 Hats on the Stick)

CH Throttle and the Cobra hat 3 modes. While the former needs the software to make it work, the latter has it build in, making the buttons appear as a different one in game upon mode switch.

Robbie84 · Sep 11, 2016

<deleted> due to me not seeing that you already have entry level HOTAS.

I suggest Saitek x52. It is pure awesomness, full compatibility with ED and many other games and very very responsive.

BigBANGtheory [VR] · Sep 11, 2016

pedals are awesome, you should work on your hang-ups

sun_tzu · Sep 11, 2016

It's a personal decision.... what you can afford, aesthetics, how often you will use

I got an x55... couple of years ago and no issues at all - id probably get another or an x56 if I did somehow break it

Cmdr. Numa · Sep 11, 2016

Pity that you rule out the best ones out there. Best bet would probably be the new Thrustmaster FCS then.

5miley · Sep 11, 2016

I am using a X52 Pro at the moment and after 8 months of vigorous use the stick itself has gone all floppy.
Due to my heavy handiness the spring has weaken to the point where the stick just about self centres.

So now I am looking to upgrade to higher quality stick. From the reading I have done there is no stick
in the higher range price bracket that has twist yaw ..... shame that

Yaw can be bound to one of the hats on the throttle or stick but for me that sounds a little unatural.

So my only choice will be Hotas and pedals .... The Warthog and CH pedals

Connolly91 · Sep 11, 2016

Would you consider using two sticks? Much cheaper alternative than most hotas setups and definitely feels more space simmy.

I personally use two Mad Catz Fly 1 sticks and I could never go back to hotas now I've used hosas.

Cruise · Sep 11, 2016

I would hold on for the new Thustmaster, can't remember the release date, but I know it's very soon

IceFire122 · Sep 11, 2016

BigBANGtheory said:
pedals are awesome, you should work on your hang-ups

That might be the case, but personally, I prefer to game with my legs rested on a nice soft cushion instead of some hard pedals

.

Lobey · Sep 11, 2016

As I've said elsewhere Thrustmaster hotas x beats everything else hands down - cheapest and best, nothing comes close.

ExoForce · Sep 11, 2016

I am for waiting this on sale end of the year

sndle9 · Sep 11, 2016

randommagic said:
Warthog : doesnt have yaw yes I need that since I refuse to use rudder pedals.

CH hotas : same deal no yaw so deal breaker for me

X55 : will break down on you, and the yaw shouldnt reset right after right pitch or something

X56 : same deal as x55 but boy does it look awesome gotta give em that.

X52/52pro : seems to be the best choice? less wierd problems? only thing i see people QQ over is the build quality and weak spring?

On the CH (my pick of the best)...
If you are set against pedals, the CH throttle has a very smooth and accurate mini analogue thumb joystick. You could map this to Yaw (I'd have it a shifted function so it can be 'look around' normally).

My wrist was very grateful for dropping the twist yaw on my old stick too.

Overall, I'm really pleased with the CH throttle and Flight-stick. It does not look as cool as the Warthog, but it's just as well made and solid. I wasn't keen on the Warthog I borrowed because of all the buttons and toggles on the base (excellent build etc, just personal preference).
The CH controls are all on the handles and if you use a single button as a shift button you have more options than functions so I never touch the keyboard or mouse outside of typing system names in the map.

Although I don't have VR yet, I think no buttons on the base will be more suitable for that too as you never have to let go and find the others like you do on the warthog.

Kietrax · Sep 11, 2016

Having used a Thrustmaster T16000M since Elite launched I would say wait for the FCS (due out this month or next if memory serves). Few of the buttons may be in slightly odd places, but the stick itself has been great for me so if the throttle is anywhere near as good then the combination should be great - plus the light on the FCS is Elite orange not the green of the T16000M! My stick is still going strong after 21 months or so of abuse (not the most gentle pilot!) so I don't think there should be any build quality issues.

Golaz · Sep 11, 2016

I currently use the X-56 and I'm very happy with it so far.

My X-55 broke down so I had to a buy a new HOTAS. Keep in mind my X-55 lasted around 1200 hours before I had to replace it.

robbyp · Sep 11, 2016

Chpro throttle and a t16000m. Lots of buttons and nicely placed hats on ch pro. Cheap accurate twist stick.. if it breaks just replace/fix. Works for me.

Howe · Sep 11, 2016

My X52 (non-pro) has started breaking down after a little over two years. Is the X56 a good upgrade? I'm really to seriously consider Warthog or CH set ups for a number of reasons, just wondered whether the throttle problem in the X55 had been resolved.

Strudelbaron · Sep 11, 2016

randommagic said:
X52/52pro : seems to be the best choice? less wierd problems? only thing i see people QQ over is the build quality and weak spring?

Hi there, decided to finally stop lurking when I saw this. Something you should definitely know about the X52's that a lot of people fail to mention is the strength of the magnets in the base. They are complete garbage. You'll find stronger magnets on your fridge door. This leads to a rather large deadzone in the center of the stick, that no software suite will be able to remedy. I had to jog down to the local warehouse district and pick up some replacement magnets to fix my X52. The deadzone is now gone....BUT there's still the matter of the sticky twist motion, so now you'll have to disassemble the stick and apply some lubricant to the relevant part.

What I'm trying to say is, just get a Logitech 3D extreme Pro. They're $20 and they work properly out of the box. Sure they're not as cool looking (the X52 appears in a lot of film and tv series like Agents of SHIELD and Riddick for a reason), but it'll save you a huge headache. Why even both with a HOTAS in a 6DOF game if you're not using rudders for lateral movement. You're keyboard will do the job perfectly. I stopped using my X52 throttle week one. Learn to love the HOKAS pocus (Hand on keyboard and stick).

Good luck.

DancingShade · Sep 11, 2016

You can never go wrong with a high quality indestructible CH stick. Fighterstick/Combatstick - whatever takes your fancy depending on what hats you like.

That being said I ordered a VKB Gladiator Pro to replace mine because well, I wanted one. Look forward to trying it out when I finally get it.

Ian Skippy · Sep 11, 2016

randommagic said:
Hi People

Im currently using a Thrustmaster Hotas X ( i think it is called ) and thats okay I guess but I need more of everything! more keys, less noise while moving the stick, better quality etc.

So ive been looking around.. and it seems no matter what I buy there is a major downside/problem! it just doenst look like there is this "ONE awesome hotas" that just got everything right.

Warthog : doesnt have yaw yes I need that since I refuse to use rudder pedals.

CH hotas : same deal no yaw so deal breaker for me

X55 : will break down on you, and the yaw shouldnt reset right after right pitch or something

X56 : same deal as x55 but boy does it look awesome gotta give em that.

X52/52pro : seems to be the best choice? less wierd problems? only thing i see people QQ over is the build quality and weak spring?

So I wanted to ask in here

What are you guys using, and what should a new'ish player pick?

If you're okay with the throttle, just get a new stick. You can use the current stick to control vertical/lateral thrusters, in analog rather than a digital hat. If budget is a concern, try the 16000m, its extremely precise although the build quality isnt on par with, say, a Warthog. If you dont like the throttle, you can wait for the Elite Dangerous HOTAS, which is basically a new throttle + 16000m for +-100 bucks. Beyond that just get a CH throttle + whatever stick you like.