The Joystick/Controller discussion thread

Which Joystick do you currently own/plan on getting?

  • Black Widow

    Votes: 47 1.5%

  • Saitek AV8R-03

    Votes: 8 0.2%

  • Saitek F.L.Y. 5

    Votes: 93 2.9%

  • Saitek X52

    Votes: 381 11.9%

  • Saitek X52 Pro

    Votes: 653 20.4%

  • Saitek X55

    Votes: 455 14.2%

  • Saitek X65

    Votes: 45 1.4%

  • Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X

    Votes: 654 20.4%

  • Thrustmaster Warthog

    Votes: 364 11.4%

  • Logitech G940

    Votes: 52 1.6%

  • Other ... (Leave details on the comments)

    Votes: 690 21.5%
  • Total voters
    3,205
  • Poll closed .

Calico Jack

C
Mutant said:
T.Flight Hotas X (very cheap, not too many buttons)

or try:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=77875
Click to expand...

I had a BlackWidow and wasn't a huge fan, one of the buttons stopped working after only moderate use, and the slot made the stick feel like it wanted to move in only 4 directions. I'd suggest spending a little more on the standard budget suggestions of T16000M or T-Flight HOTAS, if possible (though I haven't tried these).

CH products stuff is supposedly bomb-proof, so used CH HOTAS could be a good option too.
 

Connor Caple

Connor Caple
I still have a Speedlink Black Widow. Do not install the driver for it, if you do get one, just let Windows recognise it and it works fine. The official manufacturer driver is pants.

My Black Widow outlasted my Thrustmaster by years. The pots went bad on the T-Flight within months of having it and made landings 'challenging' in IL-2, so I got rid of it. The BW by comparison has been silky smooth for years.

I'm sure they all work equally well. The BW is about £10 cheaper than the T-Flight and has a similar throttle lever, but the extra buttons are larger and along the front of the rig. It's all down to personal choices.
 

Dragosani

Dragosani
Connor Caple said:
I still have a Speedlink Black Widow. Do not install the driver for it, if you do get one, just let Windows recognise it and it works fine. The official manufacturer driver is pants.

My Black Widow outlasted my Thrustmaster by years. The pots went bad on the T-Flight within months of having it and made landings 'challenging' in IL-2, so I got rid of it. The BW by comparison has been silky smooth for years.

I'm sure they all work equally well. The BW is about £10 cheaper than the T-Flight and has a similar throttle lever, but the extra buttons are larger and along the front of the rig. It's all down to personal choices.
Click to expand...



^^ What this guy said.....Black Widow - cost around £20 I think and is a very basic flight system.

Four buttoms on the joystick handle and a directional button also. A Thruster stick with left and right buttons on this and 4 nice sized buttons on the joypad itself....
Agree with the above - don't install the driver, just let windows decide and use it's own and it works fine.....
 

Shigawire

Shigawire
If you want the VERY best stick and throttle combo for a HOTAS, and don't mind some tinkering:

Flightstick / Gimbal :
VBK Fat Black Mamba (when it comes back into production, sold out at the moment) - you can replace the handle with a Cougar or Warthog handle at your pleasure.
The Fat Black Mamba has the best quality, most advanced gimbal of any flight stick I know of. I only have a Cougar (now disassembled) and Warthog gimbal/stick, but I really want the VBK Fat Black Mamba! :)

Throttle :
The Thrustmaster Cougar throttle is the best in my opinion. The benefits of the old Cougar throttle is the ergonomic design (your hand fits it like a glove), and most importantly for me: there is an ANALOG thumb-stick axis, not just a digital hat. I use this for total fine-tuned control over lateral and vertical thrust. A hat is digital, and will only allow you to control it digitally (on / off) and not with fine tuning, similar to when you press the keyboard buttons. However, I would recommend you replace the pot sensors (based on friction, wears down) with magnetic hall sensors (longer lasting, zero wear), and that requires a bit of tinkering from your part. (google "Cubpilot's hall sensor kit")


If you just want a very well manufactured consumer HOTAS, that is cheaper, I would go for the X-52 Pro. But I would be weary of Saitek's support and driver issues. There are some stories about it. Hopefully they have learned and gotten better. But for example, if you were unlucky enough to have bought an X-65F HOTAS like my friend did once, you would be left out to dry with zero support. They've discontinued it and refuse to give proper support to those who bought it. My friend bought a Warthog instead.

A full Warthog HOTAS setup is perhaps the easiest solution to acquire if you want a high quality HOTAS, but you should be aware that the Warthog throttle (in contrast to the Cougar throttle) is not ergonomically designed - your hand does not rest comfortably on it. It does not have an analog thumb-stick, only hats.
You can find the Cougar throttle on Ebay. Though I've not seen one pre-modded with hall sensors.
 
Last edited:

Lucas Kell

L
I'm in no way an expert, this is the first time I'm using a joystick since Amiga days, but I've got the Cyborg F.L.Y. 5. Works well, feels comfortable, loads of adjustments, single or double throttle controls and the base folds up when not in use. It's about £40 on amazon.
 

Tomsch

T
Best Joystick for Frontier

hi Folks
i can't Play frontier with Keyboard oder mouse :(

In that case i am looking for a good Joystick (HOTAS) for the game.

have anyone one of These:

X52 Pro
x55 (Madcatz)
Thrustmaster Warhog

(sry english is not my native speech) :)
 

Argus Leadhead

Argus Leadhead
I'm pretty sure the devs play with the X52 Pro. Even the in game flight stick looks like the x52. Personally, I want the x55. The warthog doesn't have any yaw control on the stick, just pitch and roll. If you want yaw functionality you need pedals.
 

Starbuckz

Starbuckz
For quality there is only one choice - CH products.
There are many that are lucky with their Saiteks but for me it's just toys, cheap and fragile plastic.
 

ronin516

ronin516
Tomsch said:
hi Folks
i can't Play frontier with Keyboard oder mouse :(

In that case i am looking for a good Joystick (HOTAS) for the game.

have anyone one of These:

X52 Pro
x55 (Madcatz)
Thrustmaster Warhog

(sry english is not my native speech) :)
Click to expand...


Have had all of them. I am a big flight simmer. Of the bunch the best is buy way far the warthog (my current HOTAS) but you will need a pedal system as there is no twist. The wart hog will change your world of flight in comparison to the others. Now the X55 Is a great hotas for the price. And is usually the most common as well. I really liked my x55. The X52 on the other hand Was made very cheaply and light. It also has cheap switches and buttons and two of them failed on me on two sticks. Also the same happened to another friend of mine. But they are comfortable and look pretty cool. And some people are having some good luck with them now. hope this helps.
 

PiLhEaD

PiLhEaD
I have a Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS - not expensive but feels like a quality product, with the (essential imho) yaw-control.

I'd also strongly suggest investigating Roccat's Powergrid (if you have an android device to hand).

Once configured to how you like - it's very (very) immersive - at least it is for me.

Well worth the 0 price tag.
 

Viking84

Viking84
I love the Warthog, but if you get it, budget for a set of rudder pedals, they are needed for efficient combat flying in my opinion. Can't beat the quality feel of the Warthog though, heavy and solid :)
 

SquidgyB

SquidgyB
I have an X55 but... it's a little bit modified (not just for elite) and a set of home made rudder pedals.

I like the X55 throttle and stick combo - plenty of buttons/switches for E:D.
 

Creepeh

C
Only have experience with the X52 and an Xbox Pad. The pad was fine for trading and exploring but it I found it seriously lacked the fine control needed for effective combat. After getting used to my new X52 I love it and my target tracking is much better.
I know some people say the X52 isn't high quality but for the price and features I think it's fantastic.
 
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