joystick

For several years I've relied on my Saitek ST290 for all my simulator programs. But suddenly it has decided it doesnt know where center is and so I went to replace it last night. To my great dismay I see that most of the "25" dollar sticks are out of production. Any thoughts or suggestions on a medium priced alternative? My only real requirement is that the handle twist for rudder control. Beyond that, I'm pretty flexible.

Thanks for your ideas ! Jim

http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/extreme-3d-pro-joystick

This seems to be fairly reasonably priced and has the twist rudder that you require. I saw it on a site called Jet for $29.95 + shipping. Maybe check out Amazon.

I use a Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS-X, which has the twist that you like as it comes out of the box.

This is more expensive at around USD 50, but it is a joystick-throttle combo, and what I like about it is that you can turn the twist off and use the rudder bar on the front of the throttle for rudder control.

Jorgen

For less money I recommend the Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X. Very precise control and heavy construction.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/816519/?gclid=CN_Up5-7-csCFQ1ahgods5UH5g&c3api=1876%2C52248989522%2C

Have a look at Frys electronics, they have a good selection and prices too.

http://www.frys.com/search?cat=-73032&pType=pDisplay&fq=101584%20Flight_Simulators

I use a Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS-X, which has the twist that you like as it comes out of the box.

 

This is more expensive at around USD 50, but it is a joystick-throttle combo, and what I like about it is that you can turn the twist off and use the rudder bar on the front of the throttle for rudder control.

 

Jorgen

Purely out of interest because I also have the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas-X, how do you manage to use the rudder bar on the front of the throttle control?

I would be interested to know how you achieve this in the control settings.

Also, how do you turn the twist off?

Any advice would be very appreciated.

I use a Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS-X, which has the twist that you like as it comes out of the box.

 

This is more expensive at around USD 50, but it is a joystick-throttle combo, and what I like about it is that you can turn the twist off and use the rudder bar on the front of the throttle for rudder control.

 

Jorgen

Hello

I also use and can recommend the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas-x .It comes as a Joystick plus separate throttle control .

A lot of JS for your money.

Mine must be six seven or eight years old ,and still going strong.

I suppose my only minor criticism is its weight ,its heavy .

But! it doubles as a weight lifting kit ,and keeps scrawny simmers in mighty muscles.

Cheers

Horatio the Huge!

PS For any Fs9 users who may be reading this the TF Hotas X also works with fs9.

PS For any Fs9 users who may be reading this the TF Hotas X also works with fs9

Yes it does. Just got one for my lovely wife and she loves it. VERY precise control if you turn the sensitivity almost all the way up, and nullzones all the way down, except the rudder. Give it about a 10 unit zone. Very small, but it prevents any "noise" that might occur due to human movement, inadvertent though it may be.

That's the way to set a "tunnel diode" type controller. IMO, they are much more precise and easy to use than the old potentiometer type. The potentiometer type need larger nullzone, as pots all have slightly different nullzones in them due to manufacturing variations.

Tunnel diode types don't have that. They are all so close to identical as makes no difference. All it takes is just the slightest movement of the stick, almost just a pressure, and they start to conduct (tell the sim to start movement of the correct control). Pots need some actual, physical movement to go off center and start conducting.

Just a few of my own personal thoughts on it...

Pat☺

Hi guys

Was digging through my PC junkster box and found a Mad Catz v.1 flight stick. Seems to work ok, but I'm at a loss as to how to make any of the button/throttle assignments work beyond the standard roll and pitch axis. Some of the online stuff makes reference to profiles that can be loaded? Anyone have experience with this device?

Here is a stick that you can configure in FSX. These are out of production years ago. I have used mine for 10 years. The 'old' one (same) still works (is 'back up'). Can't beat these. You can pay a lot of money and then need to do 'work arounds' (profiles are for Video Games not Flight Simulator). This is USB and XP/7/8.1 is 'plug and play'. Here is pic.

Chuck B

Napamule

Thanks, Chuck

I found a used one claiming to be well cared for for $ 25.00 We'll give her a whirl.

Jim

Good! You can't find this 'New' anymore. They are $25 because the 'crowd' wants the greatest & latest controllers and not a 'used' stick so that is why you are lucky to find one. Hope it passed the test. I swear by these (Sidewinder) sticks. Simple but sturdy. Oh, if you want to 'lubricate' the rubbing surfaces, use a 'fabric softener' sheet that you put in the clothes dryer. The 'oil' on those does not cake, or react with plastic, and is anti-static so it won't attract dust.

Chuck B

Napamule

Hi Chuck,

Great joystick ! Everything works like it should and the stick itself is very fluid and easy to use. Nothing to program...just works period. Many thanks for the excellent suggestion.

Jim

I've been using a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for many years. It still works and I see it for sale most of the time at around $30 - $40 USD.

I had a semi-cockpit years ago and it was loaded with stuff from Elite Simulations in Winter Park, FL (heavy-duty commercial stuff for the most part, but compatible with FS9 at that time). The yoke and pedals were awesome. Shen I sold all the cockpit stuff, then got back into simming, I bought a keyboard encoder and dug out my old Logitech joystick. Pleased as punch to discover how well it still works.

With virtually any joystick, you can accomplish more than one might think if you learn FSUIPC thoroughly. You can fiarly easily make 12 buttons into 36 or 48.

Art - N4PJ

Leesburg, FL

I've been using a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for many years. It still works and I see it for sale most of the time at around $30 - $40 USD.

 

I had a semi-cockpit years ago and it was loaded with stuff from Elite Simulations in Winter Park, FL (heavy-duty commercial stuff for the most part, but compatible with FS9 at that time). The yoke and pedals were awesome. Shen I sold all the cockpit stuff, then got back into simming, I bought a keyboard encoder and dug out my old Logitech joystick. Pleased as punch to discover how well it still works.

 

With virtually any joystick, you can accomplish more than one might think if you learn FSUIPC thoroughly. You can fiarly easily make 12 buttons into 36 or 48.

 

Art - N4PJ

Leesburg, FL

+1! That's been my favorite joystick since the day I bought it.

Since I have a Saitek Multi-Panel, Rudder, and Throttle Quadrant, I've never needed to reprogram any of the controls past 1 function. But I can see how it would easily be done.

Hi guys

 

Was digging through my PC junkster box and found a Mad Catz v.1 flight stick. Seems to work ok, but I'm at a loss as to how to make any of the button/throttle assignments work beyond the standard roll and pitch axis. Some of the online stuff makes reference to profiles that can be loaded? Anyone have experience with this device?

I'm not familiar with that stick. But you can always call up your "Calibrate" and "Buttons & Functions" assignment pages in FSX, then cycle each button or switch and find how each button or switch function is identified out of the box.

Then If you want any button or switch to do something else instead, just follow the basic instructions to designate a new function. It will then ask you if you want to delete the previous function? Say "Yes" and then make it do anything in the huge menu list you wish it to do. :cool: