Joystick / HOTAS recommendation

domaq

domaq
My play style is a 60/40 mixture of exploration/trading and combat. I play almost every day for a couple hours.
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I went through 2 X-55's in 3 months due to poorly manufactured throttles. They are just as terrible as the reviews state but I haven't tried an X56. My next venture was an X52 Pro which I really enjoyed the feel of. It worked for about 11 months before the circuit board for the upper stick buttons came apart. If Logitech improves production quality, the (old) Saitek options will again be worth the money. Right now they are not (IMO).
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I bought the Thrustmaster X16000 HOTAS (one stick and one throttle) 4 months ago and they work very well.
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I do miss the feel of the X-52 Pro but there are more options for mapping on the x16000 once you get used to the limited options on the stick.
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If this one fails, I will go to a Warthog and rudder pedals.
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Happy HOTAS-ing
 

Prasinus

Prasinus
I started with a Thrustmaster T-Flight X, then bought a Thrustmaster T16000. It's definitely an improvement. I still use the X throttle with it. Would probably buy the Thrustmaster TWCS throttle as well if I was buying one now. I think one of the baggers has one, Peregrinus maybe?
 

Thomas Hogarth

T
Aashenfox said:
@Warthog owners...How do you live without twist for yaw?
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I toggle yaw on and off using one of the thumb hats on the hotas.

It has 4 directions of movement and press in. So press in and I get yaw. Release and I roll.

Only problem is that after 145 days flight time the button I used to boost has started to stick. Had to map to another one. Thankfully I have lots to work with.
 

Aashenfox

Aashenfox
I know it's how real aircraft are, but I wonder if I could get used to it. I suppose I should, at least then I'd have a better chance at flying a plane if I'm ever on one and the pilot has a heart attack or something. :D
 

Blairvoyach

Blairvoyach
Warthog FTW. Had a thrustmaster F22 and TQS for 20+ years (still going strong too).

Or CH products but nothing else for me at least.

As others have said, pedals for yaw, it's only right and proper.
 

GreyAreaUK

GreyAreaUK
Aashenfox said:
I know it's how real aircraft are, but I wonder if I could get used to it. I suppose I should, at least then I'd have a better chance at flying a plane if I'm ever on one and the pilot has a heart attack or something. :D
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Plus, the Warthog is so heavy-duty that you could bludgeon the hijacker to death with it and still land the aircraft afterwards, because the joystick would have taken no damage whatsoever.

Granted you probably won't need to do that a lot, but it's nice to know you can if you have to.
 

Leo Sagan

Leo Sagan
Aashenfox said:
I know it's how real aircraft are, but I wonder if I could get used to it. I suppose I should, at least then I'd have a better chance at flying a plane if I'm ever on one and the pilot has a heart attack or something. :D
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I used to ask myself the same question.

Personaly, I got used to the pedals after maybe 2 hours : it is absolutely natural once the transition is done. Overall I'd say I prefer the joystick twist because pedals can be (a little) tiresome for my legs after a few hours (long play sessions).

In terms of immersion though, pedals are a must have. It is like skating in some ways. I suspect high quality pedals (example)would solve the legs effort though but we're going into another price territory entirely here ...
 

Marklar_

Marklar_
Leo Sagan said:
Personaly, I got used to the pedals after maybe 2 hours : it is absolutely natural once the transition is done.
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This. It's like learning to ride a bicycle, it's awkward at first because you have to think about what you're doing, but once you get used to it it becomes second nature.
 

robbyp

robbyp
I too have problems with this question.

I use a 16000m with a Ch pro throttle

The throttle is great. The joystick is great when new, but it only lasts for a while before the buttons start to become dodgy.

So I would love to get a great solid joystick. But there is not one with a twist that exists. Yep the warthog is great, but it's not got twist, and when your used to flying your ship with it...

So at the moment since the 16000s are so cheap, I just replace
 

Bottom Hat

Bottom Hat
Prasinus said:
I started with a Thrustmaster T-Flight X, then bought a Thrustmaster T16000. It's definitely an improvement. I still use the X throttle with it. Would probably buy the Thrustmaster TWCS throttle as well if I was buying one now. I think one of the baggers has one, Peregrinus maybe?
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Nice one, thanks mate - I will drop him a line and see what he has to say :) I like the way you have made a 'progression' in similar veins to my thinking Pras, it is reassuring!

robbyp said:
I too have problems with this question.

I use a 16000m with a Ch pro throttle

The throttle is great. The joystick is great when new, but it only lasts for a while before the buttons start to become dodgy.

So I would love to get a great solid joystick. But there is not one with a twist that exists. Yep the warthog is great, but it's not got twist, and when your used to flying your ship with it...

So at the moment since the 16000s are so cheap, I just replace
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Very interesting, as are the other posts in the thread. I have enjoyed seeing everyone's different opinions, and they all have excellent explanations, although that makes me sound like a creepy old schoolteacher!!

There is a lot of love for the Thrustmaster throttle widget, the 16,000 FCS Throttle system for the left-hand, alongside some for the accompanying stick. Several give me the impression that the Warthog stick by itself is still great despite its large price-point, but I am still perturbed by the lack of a z-axis; I am particularly troubled with this as I lack space for properly using a set of pedals [too much cr4p in too small a space at home!!] - they will fit but I will have my knees by my ears!

Due to the above, I have almost set myself on the Thrustmaster 16000FCS Throttle setup for the left-hand, but am still uncertain on the right-hand's desires. Parts of me think I should just plump for the accompanying stick for the throttle piece, but I still wonder if I can 'get more' from the others on the market. Sadly I am put off from the Warthog stick piece, as I have mentioned about the z-axis, something obviously pretty particular in my example. So, can anyone mention any direct advice for sticks like the X52 Rhino piece?

I know several have offered up alternatives to the stick from less well known manufacturers and I am going to look through these as well, but at the moment I am inclined to keep things 'matching' for want of a better phrase. Ergo using the thrustmaster stick combo-set. If anyone can offer up alternatives or advice for them then that would be great. My Thrustmaster HOTAS X has been great and has not failed; it is just beginning to get a bit sticky, and I forgot to mention earlier that a couple of the buttons are becoming less reliable as well. Sod's law says they are the combat buttons of course, or similar,

Thanks again for the help and any future suggestions. Much appreciated as before,
The Hat :)
[Ironic hat comments appreciated lol!!]




:)
 

Necronaught

Necronaught
GLAD_PRO_FINAL_2-400x300.jpg


If you can wait a while this beast with the "Modern Combat Grip" (below) by VKB should be a robust and accurate stick. I have the old Defender M5 Cobra by VKB and that is a well built and accurate piece of kit. Twist adapter included for the MCG.

ade16cc0-42a5-4804-b839-3c24179643a7.jpg


https://vkbcontrollers.com/ North America

https://flightsimcontrols.com/ Europe
 
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Aussiedroid

Aussiedroid
Zeeman said:
I've got one of these on the way. Looking forward to comparing with my Warthog...

Z...
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Wow those look awesome, would be great to hear your thoughts once you have had some play time.


In regards to the OP, another vote for the Warthog here. One of, if not the best controller I have ever used. There isn't anything you can't really do with it. The nub on the throttle could be a replacement for the twist, although not as good as having a twist, but save the initial investment into Rudder pedals. Personally, after using the X55 and the arm pain that used to give me with the twist, I would never go that route again.
 

Tarman

Tarman
I've had a CH HOTAS setup with the Fighterstick since launch, like Hammer with no issues. If you can live with pedals or without twist and are looking for something to leave in a will as a functional item then CH stuff is it. Even if you need a different stick setup, pairing it with the CH Throttle will give you access to practically all the same number of buttons as the Fighterstick itself and the super handy ergonomics along with the analog thumbstick, which makes for excellent thruster control.
 

FoxTwo

FoxTwo
Just a short summary of my overly long post over at the Hardware forums....

I was torn between the Thrustmaster 16000 HOTAS and the X52 Pro. Then I came across a couple of posts mentioning "wrist aches" with the Thrustmaster. So I went with the X52 Pro.

A couple of comments in my thread also had people saying the wrist aches is a real issue for some people.
 

RedWizzard

RedWizzard
robbyp said:
I too have problems with this question.

I use a 16000m with a Ch pro throttle

The throttle is great. The joystick is great when new, but it only lasts for a while before the buttons start to become dodgy.

So I would love to get a great solid joystick. But there is not one with a twist that exists. Yep the warthog is great, but it's not got twist, and when your used to flying your ship with it...

So at the moment since the 16000s are so cheap, I just replace
Click to expand...

I had the same setup but ended up replacing the 16000m with a CH joystick. I didn't miss the twist for long, it's a great joystick.
 
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