Questions

[Meghan's Mom]

I am purchasing MS Flight Simulator X for a friend who is an ex-pilot but I am confused on which accessories I should get also. Yoke, throttle, etc and which brands do most users prefer? Are there brands to stay away from?

All infomation will be appreciated.

Thanks.

[tigisfat]

I am purchasing MS Flight Simulator X for a friend who is an ex-pilot but I am confused on which accessories I should get also. Yoke, throttle, etc and which brands do most users prefer? Are there brands to stay away from?

All infomation will be appreciated.

Thanks.

I'm sorry about the late response, and we're very glad to have you around!

I own some pretty serious hardware for running Flight Sim, but have always stuck with my 30 dollar joystick from logitech that includes rudder and throttle functions. I just feels comfortable to me, and it's what I'm used to.

Your options are very open; that is to say that you can spend 20 or 600 dollars on joystick/throttle/pedal setups. I would go to a local store that sells computer products, and look for a simple joystick that has a hat switch for view swiveling, a throttle and a twistable handle for rudders just like my 30 dollar logitech. It will suit him or her just fine. If money is no object, head on over to fspilotshop.com and peruse the hardware available there.

I don't think there are any brands to stay away from, the joystick industry seems simple and straightforward, like buying jeans. I've never purchased a bad joystick.

[PPSFA]

If it's realizm you want, definatly go with the yoke, rudder pedals, and possible throttle quadrent setup. CH Products followed by Saiteck are the two most popular suppliers. There are other MUCH MORE expensive ones out there but these will work just fine. As far as FSX, try to get either the Delux or Gold version. On everything but the Gold, they will need to install Service Packs 1 and 2. Gold comes with the 'Acceleration' addon so its a complete package with the service packs.

Ebay has some great deals if you poke around, hope this helps.

[cianpars]

Before buying anything at all, make sure your friends PC is up to running FSX in the first place.

Don't rely on Microsofts minimum or recommended specs either. Post his system details hee and we will let you know whether it will run, run margianlly, run well, etc.

IAN

[b3burner]

Meghan's Mom,

I would have to go along with tigisfat on the Logitec $30 joystick. When I entered this hobby two years ago and didn't know what to get, that's exactly the joystick I got, and I'm still using it, and haven't been disappointed. The twist handle for rudder control is (I think) a must. I couldn't imagine operating a joystick that was only front-- back, left--right... but I suppose it can be done.

The only drawback to this is, if you say your friend is an ex-pilot, and he flew with real yoke, pedals, and throttle levers, etc. then a joystick by itself might lessen the experience for him. But on the other hand if he's just looking to have some post-career fun with minimal gadgetry, a joystick is a good place to start, and better than flying using the 10-key pad.

Cianpars also offers good advice in that FSX isn't necessarily a better program than FS2004. Yes it's technically newer (by date), and it's heavier on the features and the "eye-candy", but I think a lot of developers who design after-market scenery and aircraft still write for FS2004 because it is still so widely accepted (despite being 8 years old), and probably runs a little cleaner and faster on most moderate systems.