Looking to buy a Joystick for Flight Sims

[smakme7757]

Hi all,

I've been on the hunt for a decent Joystick to get stuck into some Flight Sims.

I've been playing Microsoft Flight Simulator X and I've been playing the demo of DCS: Flight Simulator and i really enjoy it, but using a mouse and keyboard just makes everything so clunky and fristrating.

So I'm keen to get a Joystick. I've never actually owned a Joystick before, so this would be my first .

At the moment I put in a pre-order for the Saitek X55 RHINO I had considered the Saitek X52 Pro, but it's been out for along time and i thought I'd jump on something new. It also seemed quite nice having the throttle and stick as seperate devices. So i presume i can just use the stick if i want too, say in Flight simulator X. Then hook up the throttle when i want to play DCS.

However it's not too late to cancel the order if anyone who knows about Joysticks has a better alternative .

 

[chimaxi83]

Hi all,

I've been on the hunt for a decent Joystick to get stuck into some Flight Sims.

I've been playing Microsoft Flight Simulator X and I've been playing the demo of DCS: Flight Simulator and i really enjoy it, but using a mouse and keyboard just makes everything so clunky and fristrating.

So I'm keen to get a Joystick. I've never actually owned a Joystick before, so this would be my first .

At the moment I put in a pre-order for the Saitek X55 RHINO I had considered the Saitek X52 Pro, but it's been out for along time and i thought I'd jump on something new. It also seemed quite nice having the throttle and stick as seperate devices. So i presume i can just use the stick if i want too, say in Flight simulator X. Then hook up the throttle when i want to play DCS.

However it's not too late to cancel the order if anyone who knows about Joysticks has a better alternative .

That Rhino looks really nice, first time I've heard of it. My setup is relatively simple. CH Fighterstick Pro, CH Pro Throttle, and Saitek Proflight Rudder. It works well, just all really plain.

I'm not sure I'd preorder an untested HOTAS setup, but I'm sure you can return it if it doesn't meet your expectations. What's your budget?

 

[cmdrdredd]

CH fighterstick etc is well tested and has been around for years.

 

[smakme7757]

That Rhino looks really nice, first time I've heard of it. My setup is relatively simple. CH Fighterstick Pro, CH Pro Throttle, and Saitek Proflight Rudder. It works well, just all really plain.

I'm not sure I'd preorder an untested HOTAS setup, but I'm sure you can return it if it doesn't meet your expectations. What's your budget?

The X55 is at my budget limit which is $300USD here in Norway, however that would be around $200 USD in the states.

The Thrustmaster Warthog is $200 more expensive (costs almost $600USD here) than the X55 which is more than i care to pay at this point in time. Maybe in a year if I was fall in love with flight sims. I just want to get a decent stick and throttle to get me "In the game" so to speak.

Norway isn't a big country and Joysticks aren't exactly a must have so choice is a little limited. However Pedals, and throttles and quite a bit of kit are available.

With regards to stick and throttle my options are (Going down in price):
Thrustmaster Warthog
Saitek X65F
X55 RHINO - Ordered
Saitek X52 Pro
Thrustmaster M16000
Thrustmaseter Flight X

The reason i settled on the X55 was because it has inbuilt rudder support (like the X52 pro) which means i can get by without pedals in the beginning. Seeing as i'm not 100% sure if flight simming is for me I don't want to dump lots of money and then find out it's not my thing.

You have a point that the X55 is not well tested and vetted in the community. I've been pouring over various forums and early reviews and they seem mixed. A lot of it feels like personal preference though. I've never had a Joystick before so I won't have any prejudice when i first start using it.

I searched about the X52 pro and it was the same, mixed reviews. The only stick and throttle with almost purely positive review was the Warthog from thrustmaster, however that doesn't have any twist for rudder which would mean i need pedals. That would put me over $800. Way too much for an entry level simmer like myself.

CH fighterstick etc is well tested and has been around for years.

Can't get them here unfortunately . If i import i pay a one time fee of $25 and 25% on top of freight and unit cost together, which is too expensive.

Thrustmaster, Saitek, Logitech and Mad Catz are the brands available to me.

 

[naddicott]

Someone in the star citizen forums got an X55 early without an NDA attached (shipping error). He gave pretty detailed impressions and posted many photos:

https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/102572/so-i-got-my-saitek-x-55-rhino-early/p1

 

[smakme7757]

Someone in the star citizen forums got an X55 early without an NDA attached (shipping error). He gave pretty detailed impressions and posted many photos:

https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/102572/so-i-got-my-saitek-x-55-rhino-early/p1

Thanks for that.
I did read almost the entire thread yesterday.

There are also two who have written what they think here:
http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/3289-new-saitek-x-55-rhino-hotas/

 

[CropDuster]

You could look into the Thrustmaster Cougar (if you can still find them). It paired with Falcon 4 BMS 4.32 is an awesome combo as it is a replica F-16 HOTAS.

 

[sze5003]

I usually play dcs a10c and I have the x52pro. No way you can play a dcs game with mouse and keyboard because it's completely too advanced. I've had my x52 pro for a year now. I bought it for $90 bucks on eBay and it was like new. If you get this stick look on the dcs forums for fish's profiles.

I know the thrustmaster warthog is too expensive but in terms of a throttle and stick look for a stick with swivvle so you don't have to buy pedals.

I also have track ir and its great for the dcs games.

 

[chimaxi83]

I usually play dcs a10c and I have the x52pro. No way you can play a dcs game with mouse and keyboard because it's completely too advanced. I've had my x52 pro for a year now. I bought it for $90 bucks on eBay and it was like new. If you get this stick look on the dcs forums for fish's profiles.

I know the thrustmaster warthog is too expensive but in terms of a throttle and stick look for a stick with swivvle so you don't have to buy pedals.

I also have track ir and its great for the dcs games.

Flight sims.... with a twist rudder? D: Maybe for War Thunder or WoWP I used to use my trusty MS Sidewinder 2 for flight sims (which has the twist stick), but now I feel dirty and ashamed just thinking about it lol. Still use it for arcade type games though.

 

[sze5003]

It works fine in dcs it's actually pretty smooth. Track ir also helps and the a10 has a lot of flight settings so keeping it stable isn't that tough.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

My setup that I use for : IL:1946, DCS Black Shark/A10/P51, IL2: Cliffs of Dover, IL2: Battle of Stalingrad, FSX, Falcon 4.0.

TrackIR 5
Saitek Combat Flight Pedals
CH Products Fighterstick
X52 Throttle

I love it

 

[guskline]

Love my Microsoft Force Feed 2 flight stick. Awaiting my Saitek Pro Rudder pedals.

P.S. Do yourself a favor and buy the Alpha release of Il2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad. WONDERFUL new and developing flight sim .

 

[WT]

Love my Microsoft Force Feed 2 flight stick.

:thumbsup: That stick was made when MS actually put some effort into hardware !! I love mine and still use it for Wings of Prey.