May I direct you to the
Hardware and Tech section of the forum (stupidly located in the "off topic" section, which clearly, it is not...), and specifically, check out the threads on the T16000M, Warthog, CH Pro, VKB and Virpil products (you can search specifically for these, too).
Now, a lot of this will depend on budget, however, from personal experience...
T16000M - Would be the perfect bang for buck stick - period. Except... They have located 12 buttons uselessly on the base, and the number of buttons on the stick itself is limited. It's still a good stick, well priced, but the lack of buttons on the stick becomes a handicap, yes, you can use modifiers, but having more buttons is easier than remember combinations.
Twist - Yes (analog pots, not magnetic sensor, sadly).
CH Products Fighterstick - good stick, will last forever, good number of bindings on the grip, "feels" cheap, however (it isn't), and it's a design dating back well over a decade (if not two?), meaning it is using pots (though they are good ones), but it's 8 bit/256 step, which may or may not be something you notice.
Twist - CH has no twist.
Saitek - Avoid
Warthog - My favourite grip (which I use on a Virpil Mongoos Base - more later), lots of buttons that are well placed. Buttons are a tad stiff, but feel nice, and there is nothing like cold hard metal in your hand when trying to grab a 400T+ starship by the scruff of it's neck! The Warthog grip is based on the A-10C Warthog grip.
The Warthog gimbal is a mixed bag. It's accurate, sensitive, but the centre is too hard, is actually made of plastic (poor design choice), and the newer ones need to be re-lubed, as TM have gone cheap with their lube of choice, so they feel a bit "sticky".
The stick is also quite large, and has a very big metal plate on the bottom - which may or may not be an issue for you.
Twist - the Warthog has no twist.
Virpil Mongoos T-50 - My favourite base, with swappable cams (hard, soft and no centre options), adjustable spring tension (without having to open the base), and swappable springs (hard, medium and soft options), which means it's a very customisable base. Super accurate, and beautifully smooth to use. early models had cam issues, but this is pretty much resolved now, and Virpil sent free cam replacements to anyone affected.
The down side - it is designed to be mounted in a specific way (there is a mounting point/bracket on the front of the base), which means you either need to buy their desk mounting bracket (which is excellent), or, you need to figure out your own way, as it has no base plate. It is not designed to sit on a desk.
The Mongoos Grip (based on Russian fighter jet designs) is very good, made of high quality plastic, feels nice in the hand, ergonomically comfy (though I think the Warthog has better button placement). It's taller than the Warthog (by quite a margin), but the buttons do feel nicer to operate, and are certainly easier to press, with a very satisfying and tactile "click" when activated. If the thumb button was a 4 way hat + press, this may actually be the top pick for grip for me.
Virpil also have a budget grip in the works, the Constellation, aimed the space sim crowd.
Twist - a twist adaptor is in the works - this should work for all Virpil sticks in the future.
Virpil WarBRD - Coming soon, a "budget" base, designed by Mr Baur of BRD N gimbal, and BRD F1, F2 and F3 rudder pedal fame. The guy knows his stuff, and although it won't be as adjustable as the Mongoos, or the VKB stick below, it may actually be a "best buy" simply because Baur know show to design a gimbal, and the price point *may* make it the best bang/buck high end base on the market. Here's to hoping...
On a side note, Virpil uses the same connector type as Thrustmaster do with their Warthog. so you can interchange base and grip either way with no issues. Virpil does allow for adjustment of the angle of the stick though, which is good for those that use a centre mount fly style.
VKB Gunfighter - Again, like Virpil, another high end base, with swappable springs and cams (though no spring tension adjustments). It does, however, have a "dry clutch" mechanism, which allows you to dial in the amount of friction you want in your stick - very useful if you want to fly choppers in, say, DCS. It may also be interesting with light springs with FA off...
You can use a Warthog grip with this base, but you will need to crack it open and modify the grip with an adaptor, thus, it will no longer work on a warthog base.
Basically, quality stuff, and pricey.
VKB MCG Pro grip - looks very similar to the Mongoos T-50 grip (being Russian fighter jet inspired), but has a 4 way + push hate at the thumb (YES!!!), also has two analog sticks in place of hats on the crown of the stick - this may, or may not suit you. The VKB MCG Pro grip is on my "to purchase soon" list...
Twist - a twist adaptor is in the works.
Just wanted to point out - you *can* buy the Warthog grip as a spare part, directly from Thrustmaster. Thus, it is possible to buy a Vripil or VKB base, and use a Warthog grip, without having to spend up on a Warthog base.
Throttles...
TM FCS throttle - looks to be an excellent "budget" throttle. I've heard about the odd quality control issue with the analog stick, and the sliders needing a re-lube, but otherwise, the button layout seems to be excellent. I was considering getting one, but then heard Virpil and VKB were making throttles, so...
CH Pro Throttle - my current pick as best ED Throttle. Well placed buttons and hats, analog thumbstick for lateral thruster control, comfy... Generally, I love this throttle for ED. The downside is, again, the very light feel (made of high quality plastics) makes it feel cheap - though it isn't.
The tech is ancient, again, using 8bit/256 step pots, though they will likely last forever. The Thumbstick isn't as accurate as I'd like, as it doesn't always seem to go back to the same "central position, and thus, at times I find myself drifting at 1-2m/s in the upward direction, until I give the thumbstick a flick and it centres. This is with much calibration...
It is pricey for what it is, but still, the best grip you can currently buy, with money, for ED (IMHO). Although the TM FCS throttle also has a great button layout, the location of the analog stick makes it less precise, and the FCS has similar analog stick issues, so....
Warthog throttle - Not really suited for ED. Lots of flick switches which don't really work so well in this game. I love the feel of the throttle, very nice, smooth, and accurate, but the buttons and layout are just wrong for a ED, the analog nipple located where your middle finger should sit is useless as a lateral thruster controller, and the 4 way hat at your thumb is on/off only, which may work, except, because the grip pushes on a rounded axis, you sometimes lose the correct up/down/left/right position for the hat, and thrust the wrong way (you hit up+left instead of just up, for example).
Like I said, very nice throttle, especially for the DCS Warthog sim, but just not right for ED.
Virpil DECS - Still just a render, but looks promising, will have an analog thumbstick - and it will be magnetic. YES!!!
VKB Throttle - also in the works, looks to be modular, with add on bits to give you more control, aimed at the flight sim crown, like the Virpil, but the addition of analog sticks makes this potentially an excellent candidate for ED.
Both VKB and Virpil are in the design phase, the Virpil expected to be released first, and likely both will be in the $200-$300 range.
I'd get into pedals, but I need to go work...
Now, personally, if you are serious, I'd suggest saving your pennies and getting one of the high end sticks off the bat. It'll save you money in the long run. Ask me how I know...
Z...
