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 .

SharkH

S
I had bought a Logitech Wingman Force 3d around 2004 to play MS Flight Simulator it was a blast to fly with back than but this year I started to play War Thunder and I had to plug in my old Logitech again. I really enjoyed flying again and I was happy with my stick It is still working but now I started to play ED.

ED has no FF yet and I felt my joystick a bit worn-out and It doesn't have enough button to confortably play the game with. So I was tempted to replace it. After I went to check what is the new logitech controller at 2014 for flight sims I was suprised that it seems there isn't any big improvement with their 2014 product over the my old one made back in 2004 so I started to search what are the other options at the market.

After I had watched/read a lot of test/review about recent products I have found there are only a few options atm worth considering.

These are in my opinion are the following products from cheapest to themost expensive:

1. Thrustmaster T Flight Hotas X
2. Thrustmaster T.16000M
3. Saitek X-52/X-52 Pro
4. Saitek X-55
5. Saitek X-65
5. CH Figherstick/CH Pro Throttle
6. Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas

At first I voted for the T.16000 because according to the reviews it has the best accuracy(hall effect magnetic sensors) at the lowest price and good quality and I didn't want to spend so much money for only a controller using for ED exclusively.

But at the end I bought the Saitek X-55 Rhino and I am verry happy with it.
I didn't want it to be wasted only on one game so I started playing DCS:world and I realized how I loved simulators back in the day when I was younger (falcon 3.0,Tie-Figher, FS 2004 etc.) now I feel it totally worth it.
ED made me enjoy the simulator genre once again :).

If you have low budget I strongly suggest considering the T.16000M or if you don't mind a bit worse precision and quality and need a separate throttle go for the T flight hotas.

If you have higher budget I would go for X-52 pro or X-55 and if the money not an issue than go for the Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas.

I skipped the X-52 normal because I think the t.16000 has better precision and quality. And I don't like the mechanism of the CH sticks but lot of people love and "praise" it.
Beside CH sticks don't have twist rudder option so you need a pedal set also same with the Thrustmaster Warthog.


The difference is big between these(except maybe the T Flight X but that have a nice throttle) and the old Logitech 3d and if you buy hotas system you won't have to touch your keyboard any more playing sims.

This is my opinion based on reading tests and reviews.

Good Luck Commander! :)
 
Last edited:

yxpoh

Y
It depends if you really need it.

My friend is happily using my old attack pro for the game.
Though he is thinking of getting the saitek pro x52, depending on how the final game feels like..
 

Evolution13

E
Thanks for the advice everyone. If my current Joystick gives me problems I think I'm going to go for a T.16000M. Looks like a nice balance between price and quality.
 

Alric

A
I'm using the extreme 3d. Not 1998 vintage but must be pushing a decade old. It does the job nicely for me. I use the twist rudder and the throttle Hat switch for lateral movement, thumb buttons for targeting and shooting, and voice attack for almost everything else.

I'll almost certainly splash out on a nice HOTAS before launch, but for now I'm quite happy with it.
 

CTR69

C
Evolution13 said:
It hasn't seen a lot of use as PC gaming has had a lack of good fight sims since XvT/X-wing Alliance.

For people who're using Joysticks with this game in general, do they work well? have you got any complaints? Is there a particular device that you'd recommend?
Click to expand...

You NEVER played Falcon 4.0, Jane's, IL2, DCS or BMS?
 

Warbler

W
Those cyborg/madcatz joysticks are supposed to be a bit disappointing. They have an unstable base & possibly a large dead zone.
To my knowledge the T16000 or the Logitech Pro 3D could be better.
 
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cootuk

C
I use the 3d extreme pro.
My throttle wont work even though calibrated fine, but I tend to keep my left hand on the keyboard anyway for quick access to throttle and other keys.
All the other buttons map well.
it's still a good entry level joystick.
 

Vikinger

Vikinger
I started the game whit a 3d pro and it worked ok in the game but there was to few buttons on it and I had problem to calibrate the throttle properly to suit my need.
So I bought an thrustmaster X instead that is more of a fly sim stick than the 3D pro.
And iam glad I bought it as I have better control whit that, and its easy to map.
 

Nat

Nat
Hadar said:
Those cyborg/madcatz joysticks are supposed to be a bit disappointing. They have an unstable base & possibly a large dead zone.
To my knowledge the T16000 or the Logitech Pro 3D could be better.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Logitech Pro 3D is small, and priced inbetween the two mad catz sticks.

Thanks, will read some more reviews..
 

JamesBondage

J
i cant decide

i'm having trouble deciding between the Logitech Extreme 3d pro which i can get for about $25, or the Thrustmaster T Flight Hotas which would be about $50.. leaning more towards the logitech based on price but..
 

SnowGhost

S
JamesBondage said:
i'm having trouble deciding between the Logitech Extreme 3d pro which i can get for about $25, or the Thrustmaster T Flight Hotas which would be about $50.. leaning more towards the logitech based on price but..
Click to expand...

Go the T flight. In a month you won't remember the cost factor.

And at that point you'll be down to $1/hour and dropping of cost per hour of play time.
 

nosleepdemon

nosleepdemon
I splurged for the x52 pro and it's a pretty good joystick, the build quality is concerning though - after a month of use the flipguard doesn't snap up anymore (it seems a piece of metal is blocking it), instead it just sort of flops upward, and the throttle makes this weird snapping sound when i nudge it to min or max speed. The MFD is also completely and utterly pointless.
 

xaccers

xaccers
I've got the wireless version and to be honest I only use 3 buttons.
Everything else is either controlled by Voice Attack or the keyboard (such as thrusters when docking and some menu navigation)
 

Kanoer

Kanoer
I've been using my Saitek EVO Cyborg, but just took the plunge and ordered the x55 Rhino :)


nosleepdemon said:
I splurged for the x52 pro and it's a pretty good joystick, the build quality is concerning though - after a month of use the flipguard doesn't snap up anymore (it seems a piece of metal is blocking it), instead it just sort of flops upward, and the throttle makes this weird snapping sound when i nudge it to min or max speed. The MFD is also completely and utterly pointless.
Click to expand...

I stumbled across this post which may prove interesting to any that have the x52 pro and use Trade Dangerous which addresses the MFD usage :)

Taken from http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=34824&page=4

kfsone said:
@wtbw: Just wanted to let you know that, with the time you saved me, I went ahead and added a feature that makes TD walk you through a trade route and even outputs it on the X52 Pro MFD...

(click to bigify)
Click to expand...

Great work going on by the community.
Keep it up :)
 

flexy123

F
(I am sure this needs to be moved in the HW sub-forum if not merged in the joystick thread :) )

I cannot say anything about the Logitech JS but think to remember that quite a few use it and they say it's a decent joystick. AGE doesn't really matter since some sticks today are indeed the same as they were 15 something years ago. For example, the CH Pro sticks and throttles are sure not the "newest" of what's available today but they're amongst the best you can get today.

That being said, I finally was able to play the game "intensively" the last few days and I can say the following in regards to joysticks:

* If one game demands a VERY PRECISE stick, this is it. Whether its cargo scooping or landing maneuvers...you really want the most precise stick you can get.

I myself got the Thrustmaster 16000m exactly for that reason and I am happy with it. I also got a separate CH Pro Throttle and I LOVE this thing.

Whether Thrustmaster Hotas X (Joystick/Throttle combo) or any other stick with a large deadzone would not be suitable because they MIGHT be "less precise" I dont know, I didn't test them. I do know tho you NEED to set a deadzone on the 16000m (at least on mine) since it's simply too sensitive without one ...which means that Hotas X etc. may well work perfectly...because "too sensitive" is not ideal either.

Edit: "Too sensitive" I mean that it wiggles a bit in the center position and I don't want it to move by accident or simply by touching the stick. But then I got a used 16000m which may already be a bit "lose", it's possible that a brand-new stick would require none or a much smaller deadzone.
 
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DeGrimmy

DeGrimmy
I've had a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for years, although it's a bit worn out after being used for so long. Upon finding ED, I decided to buy a Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X, mainly for the throttle. Being able to reverse thrust in the game is incredibly useful!

I have tried out the Extreme 3D Pro for ED, and ultimately, it's a pretty good stick and is more than useable for ED, but I do like my T-Flight now. It's just mine was too old and knackered to use. :)
 
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