Welp, I've started my transition from Xbox to PC. Need advice on HOTAS.

[CMDR Muy Bien Gato]

Gotta say, the lack of updates on the console side of ED has finally caught up to me. So I built myself a sweet rig.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant


CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($348.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($61.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-UD5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($152.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($85.52 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($669.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB (32/64-bit) ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Dell UP2716D 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($682.40 @ Amazon)
External Storage: Western Digital My Passport 2TB External Hard Drive
Total: $2570.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-01 14:12 EDT-0400

Now I just have one more question. What are the benefits for throwing down even MORE money on a Warthog HOTAS as opposed to going with a T-Flight? Am I good with the T-Flight? The price alone is very tempting.

 

[Arjin]

Firstly congrats on making the switch, why did you wait so long??

Secondly I really think you don't need the Warthog it's overkill for Elite imho, unless you plan on playing other more detailed flight sims.

 

[PiLhEaD]

I've got a T-Flight, and it's great, had it 2+ years with no problems - superb value for money.

 

[Tepescovir]

main advantage, buttons, lots and lots of buttons. With a hotas setup like the x52 upwards is that you dont need to keep taking your hand off the joysticks to do things. The t flight will be fine for the moment to get the feel of things. but you will start to want to have more buttons as you go along.
But you can use voice attack which is cool to get around it, and a good hotas does feel nicer to fly with. The warthog is the best, but a lot of people, myself included dont like that there is no stick twist for rudder where the cheaper x52/x55 does have even if they are not as good quality.

And if you end up using VR, then joystick buttons become much more desirable.
I'd start withe the T-flight due to cost and then later move up if you want.

 

[Ashnak]

Why don't you stay with the XB controller? I mean, as long as you're used to it...

Regarding the rest of that rig - may I offer a couple of suggestions?

- get a larger SSD
- the Noctua cooler is good, but I finally decided on the Cryorig C1 (downward blowing)
- if you intend the external HDD as a backup medium - I use a hot-swap cage in one of the drive bays for that. And I really need to get a second HDD for that one...

 

[CMDR Muy Bien Gato]

Firstly congrats on making the switch, why did you wait so long??

Secondly I really think you don't need the Warthog it's overkill for Elite imho, unless you plan on playing other more detailed flight sims.

Honestly, it was just low on my priority list. I mainly do illustration/photography, and my macbook pro served me fine. Decided it was time to upgrade, since their proprietary-everything form factor and battery hell would render my macbook obsolete at some point. Figured now is the perfect time to sell it before I'm stuck with a $2200 paper weight.

And I appreciate the input guys! I'm definitely leaning toward the T-Flight. As far as switching flight modes/looking around the cockpit, would I run into more issues not having as many buttons?

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

Why don't you stay with the XB controller? I mean, as long as you're used to it...

Regarding the rest of that rig - may I offer a couple of suggestions?

- get a larger SSD
- the Noctua cooler is good, but I finally decided on the Cryorig C1 (downward blowing)
- if you intend the external HDD as a backup medium - I use a hot-swap cage in one of the drive bays for that. And I really need to get a second HDD for that one...

I'm only using the SSD as a partition for the OS and system files, so I'm not too worried about that, as I'll have the 4TB Hitachi Deskstar. The External is only backup for my graphic design work. As far as the Xbox Controller, welllll... I just like the idea of flying with a HOTAS. I'm definitely comfortable with the controller scheme, but it's just not very exciting.

 

[Garagiste]

With the little left index finger button mapped as a shift key, the T flight has enough buttons to mean you only need the keyboard for things that you very rarely need. Can also attest to the durability, been abusing mine for 18 months.

 

[Tall Paul]

Hi there. I have a T Flight Hotas and before that a had the cheaper T Flight Stick with no HOTAS.

I think they are absolutely great sticks for the money and you will absolutely be pleased with one.

That said, I had a chance to use the Saitek X52. Those sticks are probably double the price of the T Flight HOTAS but if you can afford one then I would recommend that.

I just don't see the value in some of the ultra expensive sticks though, unless money is no object.

Go for the T Flight HOTAS and if budget allows it then go for the X52

 

[deathmagnet]

I use the thrustmaster t.16000m and has been super good for me.

only about $50.

 

[Abbadon]

Whatever u do, DO NOT BUY SAITEK PRODUCTS!!!!!! I had 2 X52,, both of them started to randomly push buttons within a couple of months, and later the joystick itself turned out to be inprecise, and now I am playing..khm.. excuse me trying to play with an X55, but it simply started to produce the same problems as the X52 after a year.... If u want to buy a joystick buy the cheapest thrustmaster or if u want to spend a lot of money buy CH products or the Warthog.
In the end... Just FU Saitek!!

 

[DaggerSnake]

I would go with the X-52 Pro if you can swing it. It's the stick that the game models in the cockpit and is kinda the accepted "official" controller. I use a standard X-52 and it's been awesome, though looks like there's been people who have had bad luck.
The thrustmaster has a good rep for sure at its price point.

As for looking around, TrackIR pro is something you'll never regret. There is a more budget friendly EdTracker, but I have no experience with it.

 

[Nyres]

I would normally recommend the X52 pro though I've heard it has had issues working with the Intel z170 motherboards(the type the i7 6xxx cpus use) but if you can get it working or that issue has been fixed its pretty good. As long as your not screwed over by bad QC and have a usb 2.0 port(doesn't play well with USB 3.0). Its got plenty of buttons and has a twist on the joystick unlike the warthog which lacks one.

 

[sbdags]

T-Flight is great. I started with it and after upgrading to an X52-pro I wish I had stayed with the T-Flight.

Remember to shift map buttons so you can get all the functions on the stick and throttle

 

[Sworp]

Saitek has also just recently announced new X-56 HOTAS stick designed especially for space games and VR. In their press statement they say that "We've been listening the community and designed this for Space Sims blaa blaa blaa." Who knows, maybe they've also heard the loud and plenty complains about their inconsistent quality.

Anyway, this might be worth of checking out: http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x56.html

If you have extra cash, I can truly recommend Warthog. You'll need pedals too, but after using this everything else feels... plastic... =)

 

[Jmac1772]

I'm a recent xBox-to-PC convert, too... although I still play the xBox version from time to time when the 2 year old or the wife isn't watching TV...

I have a T-Flight HOTAS X ($40.00 from Amazon) and it has been absolutely amazing. Like another poster said, Voice Attack (haven't got that myself yet) will help out with the lack of buttons on the HOTAS but, honestly, I mapped mine such that I rarely use the keyboard. If I do have to use the keyboard, I have a Logitech G13 (another $40 from Amazon) that helps take up the slack.

The HOTAS coupled with a G13 is hard to beat in terms of utility.

 

[Ginrikuzuma]

Saitek has also just recently announced new X-56 HOTAS stick designed especially for space games and VR. In their press statement they say that "We've been listening the community and designed this for Space Sims blaa blaa blaa." Who knows, maybe they've also heard the loud and plenty complains about their inconsistent quality.

Anyway, this might be worth of checking out: http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x56.html

If you have extra cash, I can truly recommend Warthog. You'll need pedals too, but after using this everything else feels... plastic... =)

The build quality complaints I keep reading about is the thing that is still keeping me away from Saitek personally but at the same time I'm not ready to toss money on the asking price of the warthog.

The T-Flight seems nice but I don't like the fact they are bound together via a cable that's about a footlong from what I read (where as the x55 and the warthog have 2 separate cables)

I'd probably buy the T-Flight personally if the stick and throttle had separate cables.


As for OP, congratz on finally making the switch

I do feel you are overdoing it with the tower in comparison to the monitor. I got a 970 and I can easily get 60 FPS 1080p. That 980Ti would probably be better off with a higher refresh monitor and still at 1440p I imagine [or I might be overestimating the 980Ti but I feel if anything I'm still underestimating it ].

 

[Alex Brentnall]

Hi,
I know your are set on a Hotas but let me throw some interesting tidbits in there.
I was more effective with left hand keyboard and right hand stick than when I had a HOTAS with a throttle. I found a smaller easily movable throttle allowed much faster throttle change and having the keyboard was easier to get my head around than all the wheels and buttons

On the other hand the X52 is the one shown in the game and if you are ever going to use track Ir or Occulus/Vive thats the way to go for immersion. Depends on what you want really. Try getting to somewhere that you can try some. Ring up some shops, go to game/Elite conventions, ask friends or strangers. Yes it may be a bit odd to ask someone if you can come over and try their joystick but the worst they can do is say no

 

[CMDR Muy Bien Gato]

As for OP, congratz on finally making the switch

I do feel you are overdoing it with the tower in comparison to the monitor. I got a 970 and I can easily get 60 FPS 1080p. That 980Ti would probably be better off with a higher refresh monitor and still at 1440p I imagine [or I might be overestimating the 980Ti but I feel if anything I'm still underestimating it ].

Hey thanks! I actually already own the monitor. It's fantastic for design work! I plan on getting VR down the road, so I'm mostly building something that will require minimal upgrades in the future.

 

[sniper fish]

Welcome my fellow turn coat! I also recently switched.

The warthog does look way awesome with loads of buttons but I couldnt justify spending that sort of money, so my T Flight arrived a couple of days ago.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality, time will tell if it holds up well, but for £30 (about 43 of your colonial Dollars) it seems really good value for money.

As for changing from game pad to HOTAS goes, it takes a bit of getting used to but it's fun to have something new to learn.

Give me a shout if you want to wing up Btw. I play random times so I may be on when you are

 

[Ian Skippy]

Regarding HOTAS: you get what you pay for. As with any product, you'll always have people say their $2.99 Walmart solution is actually really awesome and exactly like the expensive thing, but lets be honest about it. The T-flight is great for the price. The stick is worse than some other similarly priced solo-sticks (both 3d pro and espescially 16000m). Not only when it comes to precision, but durability as well. Multiple buttons on my T-flight dont work anymore, the more expensive gear is holding up fine. As for the Warthog: make sure you wont miss twist, I personally wouldnt be able to fly in ED without it. I still use the t-flight for throttle and 2nd stick, but I'd honestly be very unhappy if I had to use it as primary stick.

My advice: if you dont want to spend dough on expensive throttles, get the T-flight HOTAS and spend the rest on a primary stick. Or get a X52 or some such and get a cheap 2nd stick.