The Joystick/Controller discussion thread
Look for a used stick. I got a x52 for $40. Did the magnet mod and it is better than new. Having said that. Sidewinder FF2 is probably the best stick if supported right. No stiff vertical position that makes fast precise direction changes in the center tricky.
I might get another and use it with the x52 throttle.
I might get another and use it with the x52 throttle.
I've recently swapped out a SideWinder Force Feedback 2 for the Saitek X55 (via the X52 Pro) after trying out various controllers on Elite Dangerous.
Whist the Sidewinder FF2 is a great piece of kit, it just doesn't have the buttons to do Elite justice. The Thrustmaster Warthog is a superb piece of kit too, but sadly doesn't offer a joystick twist axis, so loses points for that as it really necessitates a set of rudder pedals which some people like myself probably don't want.
The Saitek sticks can't touch the terrific build quality of the Sidewinder, or the more expensive Thrustmaster Warthog, but all round I think the best HOTAS you can buy for Elite Dangerous at the moment is the X55.
The Xbox 360 controller is worth a look too if you want something cheap though as they work very well, but are just not in same league as a HOTAS piece of kit.
Whist the Sidewinder FF2 is a great piece of kit, it just doesn't have the buttons to do Elite justice. The Thrustmaster Warthog is a superb piece of kit too, but sadly doesn't offer a joystick twist axis, so loses points for that as it really necessitates a set of rudder pedals which some people like myself probably don't want.
The Saitek sticks can't touch the terrific build quality of the Sidewinder, or the more expensive Thrustmaster Warthog, but all round I think the best HOTAS you can buy for Elite Dangerous at the moment is the X55.
The Xbox 360 controller is worth a look too if you want something cheap though as they work very well, but are just not in same league as a HOTAS piece of kit.
You want the best stick? Here it is:
It's the One, That's serves you best. Test some, got friends with some of your preffered model? ASK them for a Test. Find it out.
Some in here use pedals, like ne, some Love the twist. Some need the twist. Some Need More buttons, some uses the Keyboard. And there are some that prefers the mouse.
Any advice in here is Good, and bad, at the same time.
It's the One, That's serves you best. Test some, got friends with some of your preffered model? ASK them for a Test. Find it out.
Some in here use pedals, like ne, some Love the twist. Some need the twist. Some Need More buttons, some uses the Keyboard. And there are some that prefers the mouse.
Any advice in here is Good, and bad, at the same time.
I'd recommend a CH combo
Up until a few days ago I had an X52, which has now been replaced by a CH combo Fighterstick+Pro Throttle. From the 5 days I have this now I can say that this is a massive improvement compared to the X52. Here is my verdict so far:
FighterStick+Pro Throttle
Pros:
- Very precise movement
- More real buttons and POV switches
- No rotary knobs (not used in ED)
- Much better button placement (especially on the throttle)
- Less flashy design
- No LEDs burning your retina in a split second
- Very sturdy build quality
- What deadzone?
Cons:
- More expensive than Saitek X52
- Separate USB devices (can also be a Pro depending on your POV)
- 1 or 2 more buttons on the Fighterstick would have been nice
- Fighterstick lacks Yaw twist (only a half-con for me though)
Edit: Totally forgot to add that there is a great community around the CH product range. If there ever is something you need to know one can most probably find it over here: http://www.ch-hangar.com/ (also a good resource for modders it seems)
Up until a few days ago I had an X52, which has now been replaced by a CH combo Fighterstick+Pro Throttle. From the 5 days I have this now I can say that this is a massive improvement compared to the X52. Here is my verdict so far:
FighterStick+Pro Throttle
Pros:
- Very precise movement
- More real buttons and POV switches
- No rotary knobs (not used in ED)
- Much better button placement (especially on the throttle)
- Less flashy design
- No LEDs burning your retina in a split second
- Very sturdy build quality
- What deadzone?
Cons:
- More expensive than Saitek X52
- Separate USB devices (can also be a Pro depending on your POV)
- 1 or 2 more buttons on the Fighterstick would have been nice
- Fighterstick lacks Yaw twist (only a half-con for me though)
Edit: Totally forgot to add that there is a great community around the CH product range. If there ever is something you need to know one can most probably find it over here: http://www.ch-hangar.com/ (also a good resource for modders it seems)
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This.
If you are going to get pedals, get a full CH lineup IMO. If you like your joysticks stiff but high quality, then Thrustmaster Warthog is also an option.
For just a single high quality stick, get the T.16000M
When not using TrackIR I have the head look bound to slew control on the throttle quadrant (basically a TrackPoint mouse). Not the most comfortable solution, but it works. Apart from that I have the sidescreens bound to coolie hat for direct access. That's ofc on a Warthog, I'm not sure if Hotas X has the trackpoint you can assign view axis to, so take that into consideration.
Mine's not stiff at all, I removed the big spring from the stick
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okay, dont need no x52 discussion as stated in OP
but ive boiled down to thrustmaster T-flight hotas and the f.l.y 5
which one is best? the fly has free angled stick right? that will put it a long way further than the T-flight...
but the throttle on the T is big and has buttons so im stuck...
but ive boiled down to thrustmaster T-flight hotas and the f.l.y 5
which one is best? the fly has free angled stick right? that will put it a long way further than the T-flight...
but the throttle on the T is big and has buttons so im stuck...
Another thumbs up for CH Products.
For head look, see http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15316
I also have a VKB Black Mamba Pro
For head look, see http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15316
I also have a VKB Black Mamba Pro
Hmm ok good to know. I do plan on buying an Oculus Rift, so it's only a temporary solution. And I think it would be a waste to buy a TrackIR just until the OR comes out.
The X-55 is finally in stock again and I have brought myself one.. A tad over budget but I needed a quality stick.
I'm normally quite a Flight Sim buff but I have not had a stick for some time. I can't see a Yoke being a viable option to fly a cobra with. The pedals I will use though..
When it arrives I can finally give my work colleague his Logitech Extreme 3D pro back.
I'm normally quite a Flight Sim buff but I have not had a stick for some time. I can't see a Yoke being a viable option to fly a cobra with. The pedals I will use though..
When it arrives I can finally give my work colleague his Logitech Extreme 3D pro back.
Aye... a Joystick or a HOTAS is very much a choice of personal taste.
that being said some people have no account for taste.
if you want PERFECT.. spend the extra money and get a Full CH HOTAS + Pedals.
If your vain and have more money than Brains. Get the Warthog, yes it has a Metal Shell for a body, but its guts are no better than the plactic innards of other cheap sticks. plus you'll need to but Pedals with it as well.
the Warthog really only shines (But Boy does it shine then )after doing one of 2 different mods to it.. but each of those mods effectively doubles the cost of the setup.
Saitek/Madcatz. meh, personally I consider them kiddie sticks.. flashy and cheap enough to purchase that you don't mind replacing them every 6 months.
please read the above with your humor bone still intact, although it IS my opinion
that being said some people have no account for taste.
if you want PERFECT.. spend the extra money and get a Full CH HOTAS + Pedals.
If your vain and have more money than Brains. Get the Warthog, yes it has a Metal Shell for a body, but its guts are no better than the plactic innards of other cheap sticks. plus you'll need to but Pedals with it as well.
the Warthog really only shines (But Boy does it shine then )after doing one of 2 different mods to it.. but each of those mods effectively doubles the cost of the setup.
Saitek/Madcatz. meh, personally I consider them kiddie sticks.. flashy and cheap enough to purchase that you don't mind replacing them every 6 months.
please read the above with your humor bone still intact, although it IS my opinion
okay, dont need no x52 discussion as stated in OP
but ive boiled down to thrustmaster T-flight hotas and the f.l.y 5
which one is best? the fly has free angled stick right? that will put it a long way further than the T-flight...
but the throttle on the T is big and has buttons so im stuck...
you may also want to check out the T-16000m its a really decent startup stick.
Stachel
Banned
The best joystick is presumably the one which gives you the most precision with the least cost. The most precise stick for the least cost is generally considered to be the Thrustmaster 16000m. The best HOTAS for the least cost is arguably the Thrustmaster Hotas X. Although these have risen in price on Amazon recently to a no-longer-bargain £40+. I'd hit up ebay. I just bagged one on a BIN for £25 inc P&P.
Last month I picked up an old Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 for £20 off ebay as well. I am very much impressed with it. I have also picked up a 'broken' X52 pro which I intend to repair and/or use the throttle with the FFB2.
At £109 you can justify a Saitek X52 on back-order from Dabs.com but not the silly money the now practically non-existent stocks are fetching elsewhere.
The X52 is a good cheap HOTAS. Its made of plastic though and the precision of the gimbals and the springing system are questionable. Uprating the magnets for better precision only exposes the weaknesses in the gimbals so be careful there. Be prepared to do further modding/shimming. Light use, kid gloves? Should be fine.
The pro is not much better. But has a slightly less sloppy dual sprung shaft. It still has cheap plastic gimbals (identical to the non-pro) that are known to be less than precisely engineered.
A word of warning about the X52 too. They are made by MadCatz who are known for penny pinching and terribad quality control. Rumour has it that the next batch of X52 Pro's to land in the UK will be a new remanufactured version with an emphasis on better costing by MadCatz/Textron Innovations Inc. Make of that what you will.
If you can afford it I'd get a Warthog every single time. Still needs a bit of love - likely a tear down and re-lube + some finishing of the ball joint etc. But definitely the best quality consumer item at the price point. For another monkey on top of what an X52 Pro will likely cost you in the current market its a no brainer.
How much you have to spend and how much wear and tear you can live with is the big decider tbh.
If you have money to burn and don't mind a non-moving part go for the X65f force sensing stick. At least it won't wear out (in theory). Won't be much fun in WW2 flight sims though!
My FFB2 is a decade old and very well used by several previous owners and is still tight (thanks to the springless return) and accurate (thanks to a good sealed pivot design that keeps crud out of the potentiometers). It isn't a HOTAS though and I think, really, if you're in this game for the long run, you want a seperate throttle control and at least 2 8 way HATs. How you do that is up to you but there are no cheap options really. Not that will last you more than a year or so.
All of the above is entirely just my opinion obv.
Here's someone else's opinion.
Last month I picked up an old Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 for £20 off ebay as well. I am very much impressed with it. I have also picked up a 'broken' X52 pro which I intend to repair and/or use the throttle with the FFB2.
At £109 you can justify a Saitek X52 on back-order from Dabs.com but not the silly money the now practically non-existent stocks are fetching elsewhere.
The X52 is a good cheap HOTAS. Its made of plastic though and the precision of the gimbals and the springing system are questionable. Uprating the magnets for better precision only exposes the weaknesses in the gimbals so be careful there. Be prepared to do further modding/shimming. Light use, kid gloves? Should be fine.
The pro is not much better. But has a slightly less sloppy dual sprung shaft. It still has cheap plastic gimbals (identical to the non-pro) that are known to be less than precisely engineered.
A word of warning about the X52 too. They are made by MadCatz who are known for penny pinching and terribad quality control. Rumour has it that the next batch of X52 Pro's to land in the UK will be a new remanufactured version with an emphasis on better costing by MadCatz/Textron Innovations Inc. Make of that what you will.
If you can afford it I'd get a Warthog every single time. Still needs a bit of love - likely a tear down and re-lube + some finishing of the ball joint etc. But definitely the best quality consumer item at the price point. For another monkey on top of what an X52 Pro will likely cost you in the current market its a no brainer.
How much you have to spend and how much wear and tear you can live with is the big decider tbh.
If you have money to burn and don't mind a non-moving part go for the X65f force sensing stick. At least it won't wear out (in theory). Won't be much fun in WW2 flight sims though!
My FFB2 is a decade old and very well used by several previous owners and is still tight (thanks to the springless return) and accurate (thanks to a good sealed pivot design that keeps crud out of the potentiometers). It isn't a HOTAS though and I think, really, if you're in this game for the long run, you want a seperate throttle control and at least 2 8 way HATs. How you do that is up to you but there are no cheap options really. Not that will last you more than a year or so.
All of the above is entirely just my opinion obv.
Here's someone else's opinion.
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I remember the old sidewinder FF I had. What I liked was that the force feedback meant that you could tweak it so there was no rigid center where the spring tension is strongest and makes opposite direction movements less than precise at speed.
I currently have a X52 I bought used for $40. Magnet mod took out the linearity and increased precision. Removed the handle and superglued where the metal shaft slides over part of the handle and is held together by a 1mm pin. That stopped all the play up top and now it's a good joystick. Better than a new one.
I think a really good combination would be a X52 throttle with Sidewinder FF2 stick. The throttle contains all the interface with the computer so it will run without the accompanying stick.
Sticks seems to be roughly the same if they are linear. HOTAS just means extra buttons, sliders, knobs and switches so you don't need to use a keyboard.
In War Thunder I started off with the Logitech Extreme 3d and that was actually better than the X52 until I did the mods.
I currently have a X52 I bought used for $40. Magnet mod took out the linearity and increased precision. Removed the handle and superglued where the metal shaft slides over part of the handle and is held together by a 1mm pin. That stopped all the play up top and now it's a good joystick. Better than a new one.
I think a really good combination would be a X52 throttle with Sidewinder FF2 stick. The throttle contains all the interface with the computer so it will run without the accompanying stick.
Sticks seems to be roughly the same if they are linear. HOTAS just means extra buttons, sliders, knobs and switches so you don't need to use a keyboard.
In War Thunder I started off with the Logitech Extreme 3d and that was actually better than the X52 until I did the mods.
I use the EDTracker so I can't give you an answer on headlook, but the CH Pro Throttle has a very precise thumbstick. Since I use the EDTracker the thumbstick is now assigned to the thrusters. Since that moment the docking procedure has become a really smooth procedure