Hardware & Technical Joystick Recommendations

[SneakySniper]

Hi All,
I just started playing the beta and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a reasonably priced joystick/throttle setup for a beginner.

Been looking at the Saitek's and Thrustmasters but am struggling to justify the cost of some of them

Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers.
Matt

 

[Kerrash]

Greetings Commander,

Can I ask that you visit the introduction forum and say hello, as defined by the forum rules

Frontier Moderation Team

 

[TheDoctor]

I have been using my very old (15 years) but serviceable MS sidewinder up till now and I got my X52 Pro yesterday and it is worth all the extra money (although due to certain circumstances I got mine new for £60).

You could try one of the entry level joysticks for under £40 and see how you go or see if you can snap up a X52 or X52 pro 2nd hand on eBay.

I had an eye on one this week nearly new which went for £60.

Or you could even pick up a 2nd hand MS sidewinder off ebay for a few quid as plenty of us can vouch for their long life.

 

[Crunchy]

I'm getting on nicely with a Thrustmaster T Flight X - £40

I did start with a Saitek Fly 5; button broke off within 2 weeks of play. Piece of junk and getting a refund, definitely wouldn't recommend one of those.

 

[flexy123]

I did a lot of studies on that and I am sure others did too.

Here is what I found:

The Thrustmaster Hotas X is a very affordable HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) combo although it's build quality and joystick precision MAY possibly be lacking. But for the very low price, this combo can be a nice beginner HOTAS.

The Thrustmaster 16000m is arguably the "best" budget joystick with the highest precision since it uses magnet sensors. It is said to beat any other budget joystick in terms of precision and is even said to be a better stick than, say, you get with the Saitek X52 HOTAS combo.

Of course you have more options, you could even get the best of the best and spend several hundreds on a Thrustmaster Warthog or X52 Pro etc.

The best "budget" combo for me is a Thrustmaster 16000m joystick with a separate CH Pro Throttle, especially if you can get the throttle cheaply used somewhere. Ebay etc. Currently those things are in HIGH demand.... Otherwise the throttle alone would cost you $100 ish new. Sadly, there is basically no alternatives to the Ch Pro throttle EXCEPT if you get the (cheap) Thrustmaster Hotas X combo..but then have to make compromises with the joystick.

Conclusion:

* If you want something very affordable get Thrustmaster Hotas X. You get everything, stick and throttle at a very low price.
* If stick precision is your priority, get Thrustmaster 16000m and separate Ch Pro Throttle,
* If you have the funds, get Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog or possibly X52 Pro. (Not 100% sure about X52 Pro because some people complain about deadzone and say the stick is not much better than the X52 stick)

 

[drdreh]

Someone could buy at that store and send for me in Brazil?

http://www.microcenter.com/product/353242/t16000m_flight_stick_joystick

 

[kration]

Conclusion:

* If you want something very affordable get Thrustmaster Hotas X. You get everything, stick and throttle at a very low price.
* If stick precision is your priority, get Thrustmaster 16000m and separate Ch Pro Throttle,
* If you have the funds, get Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog or possibly X52 Pro. (Not 100% sure about X52 Pro because some people complain about deadzone and say the stick is not much better than the X52 stick)

I'd second the "Thrustmaster Hotas X". I've not noticed any problems with stick precision and the separate throttle and stick combo is perfect for Elite. Combine it with a voice recognition software such as 'Voice Attack' and it's perfect in my experience.

 

[Pon Farr]

I get on fine with my Logitech 3D Extreme Pro and, for thrusters, the keyboard. Works well for War Thunder and Elite. Roll mapped to the stick's twist, etc.. Can't map the throttle to the slider thingy on it though as I end up going in to reverse all the time, LOL. Happy with the setup as it is, though if I had the money I'd love one of those groovy looking HOTAS systems with all the cool flip switches and whatnots.

 

[flexy123]

I'd second the "Thrustmaster Hotas X". I've not noticed any problems with stick precision and the separate throttle and stick combo is perfect for Elite. Combine it with a voice recognition software such as 'Voice Attack' and it's perfect in my experience.

I *can* actually see this. In fact, my 16000m is way too "sensitive" out of the box and having (almost) no deadzone (like they say about the 16000m) is actually not something you want. You don't want the ship to move just by gripping the stick. It can well be that the Hotas X is just right. Maybe, at some point I will get a super-cheap Hotas X just for comparison