Hardware & Technical Thrustmaster Hotas X or T16000M ?

dannyboy

dannyboy
First up, please don't say 'neither' - for the amount of gaming time I get, I just can't justify spending more than £40, plus any more than that would be wasted on someone of my modest abilities ;)

I was just about to order the Hotas X, but then saw the T16000M mentioned in another thread. Am I right in saying they're about the same price but the latter isn't a HOTAS - it just has a throttle slider, but higher quality pots than the Hotas X? Some of the reviews on Amazon say the throttle on the T16000 is a bit awkward to use, but I'd be really interested to hear first-hand opinions from anyone who uses either of these sticks with Elite.

thanks :)
 

Jim Panse

Jim Panse
Hi Dannyboy,

i started with Keyboard an mouse and i didn´t like it. So i choose the Hotas X for around 40 Euros. Very good investment. Give it a try. You will not reget this :) I will always play Elite with it.
 

Kwitzak

K
Hey everyone :)

Old elite player from Amiga here in DK :)

I just bought the 16000 after readint most threads in here and from some other gaming sites..

I think that is the most thrusting joystick around without spending a fortune :)
 

vicwarrior

vicwarrior
I got the HOTAS X, tried it and had a really hard time hitting anything with fixed guns, and it didn't have enough buttons if i were to play joystick only so i ended up going back to keyboard and mouse which ive really enjoyed so far, i haven't got the T16000 but if you are ok with keyboard and mouse i suggest just to stick with it unless you really want to rock with a joystick in which case i do not recomend the HOTAS X but i dont know if the other option is any better.
 

overlow

O
I wrestled with this exact same question 1 year ago when getting joystick for warthunder, I ended up with hotas x. Now 1 year later, I can say I made the wrong choice. My reasoning being: Hotas X has so few buttons that I still need to press something from keyboard regularly which is bit awkward considering you have big 2handed hotas system in your desk, and it is pain to get it so you can still get to the kb when needed. I'm not sure how the throttle on t16000 feels but if it is too awkward you can bind the throttling to kb and it will probably be just fine.
 

Pille

Pille
How can you have too few buttons on the Hotas X?
You can use buttons as modifier. If you just use one button on the throttle as modifier you double the bindings you can use. I use only 3 buttons on the throttle as modifier and I don't even know what to bind anymore. :D
See this thread for some reference sheets and binding files: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=16140
 
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OillyRag

OillyRag
Hotas x .. very good value .. plenty of buttons if you use one as a shift ... The only critisism i can think of is i would like the hat switch to be analogue and i tend to use the horizontal analogue axis on the throttle as a digital switch (its a bit pointless as an analogue (for me))

Good stick
 

Chaodiurn

Chaodiurn
I own a T16000 as a second stick combined with the X52. The precision it often is praised for is really there, but only on the axes. The buttons are as cheap as you would expect them to be in that price range, what is perfectly fine as they still give you feedback that they're pressed. The Hotas X, while I do not own it, felt a bit stiff when I got my hands on it in a shop, with equally stiff buttons. Its only main advantage is that you have a better feeling for your throttle, as the throttle on the T16000, like the buttons, doesn't exceed above-average quality for the price range. It does do its job though, and since Elite allows you to assign a button to switch between controlling forward- or backward thrust, the limited movement range of the throttle in comparison is a compensable drawback.

Then there is the fact that the buttons on the base of the T16000 aren't numbered (but still there, thus outnumbering the buttons on the Hotas X), so you could get a little confused with what button does what at the beginning. The two buttons you got at the sticks aren't many either, since the trigger isn't two-staged and as a trade-off for being configurable as right- or left-handed a possible thumb-button isn't existent. If you, however, at one time want to upgrade for another 40$ to another T16000, then you'll get a proper two-sticks setup that gives you great control for your spaceship. In this case starting with a T16000 would be a no-brainer, as upgrading from Hotas X would require you to buy a whole new (expensive) hotas.

Overall I think the advantages of the T16000 outrun the finer (and arguably better feeling) throttle control of the Hotas X, not only because I can't but see how throttle control (i.e. forward/backward) seems to be less important in spaceships than it is in planes.
 
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aRtFuL

A
In terms of pure stick T16000M is a vastly superior joystick. It is just a lot more accurate and has no deadzones.

Only problem is that it doesn't have a fully-featured offhand throttle and you have to buy one (and there is only 1 company that makes fighter throttle separately, which is CM... and it is more expensive than the joystick).

They should replace HOTA X's stick with T16000M and sell it for 30 bucks more.
 

KiltedNinja

KiltedNinja
dannyboy said:
I was just about to order the Hotas X, but then saw the T16000M mentioned in another thread.
Click to expand...

I have always been a keyboard+mouse user for almost every game I've played - but when I tried the same tactic with Elite, it totally failed.

I bought the T16000m after it was recommended by a friend, and I have to say - it is pretty damn awesome. It has a throttle slider, and 6 buttons on each side - you can configure it for left-handed or right-handed use.

Personally, I don't use any of the buttons or the throttle slider - I use it in conjunction with a Nostromo N52. I use the "Pov" button at the top of the joystick for strafe left/right/up/down. It has 3 buttons beside this POV button, which I use for "Target hostile", "Next Target" and "Fire Secondary". (So for me, all the extra buttons and throttle slider don't mean much.)

All in all - it is very sensitive and responsive - reacting to the slightest pressure and weight-shift of my hand - I'd recommend it indeed :)
 

dannyboy

dannyboy
Hmm, thanks for all the input guys, plenty to consider there. Not going to rush into it, as my existing Logitech Wingman Extreme still works, after a fashion anyway. It sounds like either of these Thrustmaster sticks would be a pretty nice upgrade though.
 

Billy Chase

Billy Chase
Unfortunately I never owned or tried the T16000 so I can't give any feedback on that. But I own the Hotas X as well as the Saitek X52 and I must say that I clearly prefer the Hotas X over the X52. It feels more comfortable somehow. It's true, a four-axis (preferably analogue) switch on the throttle would be very nice, but I have managed to map all important commands on the Hotas X. (But okay, I'm using pedals for yaw and lateral thrusters.) Generally, I feel you could do a lot worse within this budget!
 

aRtFuL

A
Hayray said:
Unfortunately I never owned or tried the T16000 so I can't give any feedback on that. But I own the Hotas X as well as the Saitek X52 and I must say that I clearly prefer the Hotas X over the X52. It feels more comfortable somehow. It's true, a four-axis (preferably analogue) switch on the throttle would be very nice, but I have managed to map all important commands on the Hotas X. (But okay, I'm using pedals for yaw and lateral thrusters.) Generally, I feel you could do a lot worse within this budget!
Click to expand...

I don't think Saitek ones are any good if you get anything below X55.

From my experience anyways.
 

dannyboy

dannyboy
Yeah that was my conclusion about the X52 too, based on comments from here and Amazon - and it's more than double the price. (N.B. apologies to anyone who owns an X52 and is perfectly happy with it - I'm only going by opinions I've read though :) )

Also, anything called 'Thrustmaster' has to be good. I'm sure my wife thinks my research into this subject has nothing to do with gaming controllers.
 

JACyo

J
Although I haven't owned any of these two, if I were you, I would choose T16000.
The sensor for T16000 is superior than HOTAS X making T16000 a more accurate stick.
IMO it is more important to have an accurate stick than having "immersion but sacrifice accuracy".
 

baskila

B
I have both and prefer T16000 by far. Way more precise and comfortable. Both joys are plug and play so no calibrating which is great so it just a matter if you like separate throttle or not. I don't need a separate throttle and prefer more precision so I'm using T16000 and Hotas X just sits there gathering dust.
 

Schoolboy

Schoolboy
I dug out my Hotas X for elite and its been great you can assign extra button with the hat combo. So a throttle button held down + pushing hat up/down/left/right. its great value for money and you can get some bargins on ebay from time to time. being plastic it got a good build quality for the price. and the throttle mid click point means you never over/undershoot the throttle as it has a nice lock for 0 deadzone.

I did sell mines but only because i wanted to upgrade to the x55 as i know I'll be playing this game for long long time.

Not had much exposure on the T1600M but no full throttle stick just wouldn't do for me.
 
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