Joystick Reccomendations

[corsaire]

Hey guys, I just got Pacific Storm and the controls are just so hard to fly a plane that I decided to get a joystick, but I don't know which to buy or if I'm getting ripped off, any tips?

[MobyGrape]

Saitek x45 or x52..then u b set for flight sim in future
http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/x45.htm

simple FS with muti engine control
http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/av8r.htm

review good bargain Sticks
http://www.gameplasma.com/articles,id,101.html

What ever you buy Best of Luck and enjoyment

[GlobalExplorer]

I am very happy with the Saitek X45 and it was a real bargain, at 70 Euro I believe. Though I dont know if it can still be found.

[corsaire]

Thank you for the reccomendation, I think I will buy the Siatek X45 since I'm planning on buying Flight Sim anyway plus it looks cool as hell(cheaper than the X52.. over $100 in ebay!).

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by corsaire

Thank you for the reccomendation, I think I will buy the Siatek X45 since I'm planning on buying Flight Sim anyway plus it looks cool as hell(cheaper than the X52.. over $100 in ebay!).

The best is the Cougar from Thrustmaster, but its pricey. I have one. If you don't plan on playing heavy sims like Falcon 4, then stick with the Saitek - its a good stick.

-S

[Hellcat]

I've had the Saitek X45 for a little over 2 years and have to say that I have mixed feelings on it's longevity.

The throttle unit is great and will be used with my new stick... now the stick is starting to really annoy me. I dont fly too much, lets say less than occasionally but the saitek has developed about 1" of slack along the Y-Axis. This is enough for me to find a replacement. (i'm pretty nice to the thing, no yanking and banking stuff) I've been really getting back in to IL2 lately and with enemy engaged 2 coming out soon I need something more solid....

I dont want another saitek and I dont have the money for the cougar so in my case I'm leaning towards a CH Products Fighterstick. Ugly but apparently is tough as brick. I'll be able to still use the saitek throttle too in games that support multiple devices.

I suggest you do some more research via google, the x52 is suppose to be significantly more durable than the x45 but does not have the rocker for rudders on the throttle, rather it uses a twisty stick which is not so good imho.

regards,

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Hellcat

I've had the Saitek X45 for a little over 2 years and have to say that I have mixed feelings on it's longevity.

The throttle unit is great and will be used with my new stick... now the stick is starting to really annoy me. I dont fly too much, lets say less than occasionally but the saitek has developed about 1" of slack along the Y-Axis. This is enough for me to find a replacement. (i'm pretty nice to the thing, no yanking and banking stuff) I've been really getting back in to IL2 lately and with enemy engaged 2 coming out soon I need something more solid....

I dont want another saitek and I dont have the money for the cougar so in my case I'm leaning towards a CH Products Fighterstick. Ugly but apparently is tough as brick. I'll be able to still use the saitek throttle too in games that support multiple devices.

I suggest you do some more research via google, the x52 is suppose to be significantly more durable than the x45 but does not have the rocker for rudders on the throttle, rather it uses a twisty stick which is not so good imho.

regards,

This might make you a little sick, but a friend of mine just got a Cougar off ebay for $145. You might look around a bit since that is a pretty good price!!

-S

[Hellcat]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

This might make you a little sick, but a friend of mine just got a Cougar off ebay for $145. You might look around a bit since that is a pretty good price!!

-S

After a bit of research it looks like my observations about the cougar's price were a bit off. Provantage sells 'em at $170 new...

Still I've read lots about the cougar's out of the box issues and the lengths people go to to mod their sticks with hall sensors, etc. Despite that awesome price I'm still gonna buy the CH Fighterstick it's $80 less and if that works out all well and good I'll grab the CH pedals as well.

[MobyGrape]

sounds good..Happy flying

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Hellcat

Still I've read lots about the cougar's out of the box issues and the lengths people go to to mod their sticks with hall sensors, etc. Despite that awesome price I'm still gonna buy the CH Fighterstick it's $80 less and if that works out all well and good I'll grab the CH pedals as well.

DOn't ever feel scared about the Cougars so called problems - I've never seen them in all the sticks I have tried. What you are seeing is a fear carried over from the old days with the F-22 and FLCS pots. These problems have never cropped up on my Cougar or any other Cougar I have seen. Even if it did though, its not a big deal to replace a pot.

By the way, another friend of mine just found a set of RCS pedals that he only paid $20 for that had a bad pot in it. I gave him one that I happened to have, and in 5 minutes - he made himself a perfectly working set of RCS pedals!

-S

[Egan]

Subman - thats good stuff to know. I've got a Saitek X52 but I'm seriously thinking of upgrading to a Cougar when I've got the cash. I always got scared off before by talk of having to mod it. Keeping my eye of the CH stuff as well, though.

I like the x 52 well enough but it has always felt a bit flakey to me. Lots of mouse drift, seems very sesitive to abient temperature ( on of the mods over on their forums actually recommended putting it in the fridge for a while before use as a solution to one of it problems. ,) and the springs are rather naff as well. I've not ever had the deadzone problem others have experienced but it took me a while to adjust to the very long throw on the stick. I do like the software though. it is very, very easy to program.

Having said all this, the best investmant I've made in flightsimming is my Trackir 4 - wouldn't fly without it now.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Egan

Subman - thats good stuff to know. I've got a Saitek X52 but I'm seriously thinking of upgrading to a Cougar when I've got the cash. I always got scared off before by talk of having to mod it. Keeping my eye of the CH stuff as well, though.

Recommended. I use fighterstick and prothrottle since around 8 years. Robust, precise, easy to program, very flexible. I use the throttle also in combination with a driving wheel+pedals, to have all those cockpit gimmicks to switch on and off at hand. Also perfect combo for SBP.