What Joystick should i buy?

[Spiers]

Hi. I want to buy a joystick but dont know which was is the best. Can you describe the features of the stick and its price.
Thanks

[bm]

First what is your price range? What sort of flying do you do (eg. Combat flight sim, Flight sim or allround)? Does it need to have Force feedback?

Some more information would make it easier for us to help

[Spiers]

Sorry i was in a rush. Its for fs2004. Force feeback sounds good but it must be able to turn off if its too much and annoying. I was going to look on ebay thats why i didnt give a price range because on ebay you can normally get 50% off rrp's on most things. For instance i bought fs2004 for

[Scottler]

Check out the Saitek X-45 HOTAS...lovely stick!

[Spiers]

Ive had a look and that stick ands its abit expensive. It also looks gay. I mean two bits to it? looks too difficult to use.. Can you use it on other games like far cry? or soldier of fortune?

[Gixer]

HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) is designed like that so that all functions you would ever use can pe programmed onto the buttons on the joysticks, hence you never have to let go of em!  This is the same setup used in the F-16 fighter.  Could be a bit extreme if you are planning on using it for other games though.

I got a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision pro II.  This is ample for me, has 8buttons in total and a hat switch for looking around in VC view.  Also has the 'Twist' capabilities for using the rudder on an aircraft.  Its also fine for using with other games too.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/Joysticks.asp

That link takes you to the M$ page for some info.  Sure its not super flashy but its robust, automatically calibrates, and does the job.  Didn't cost me to much either so I can spend more on payware goodies for FS2004  ;D

[Skittles]

Ive had a look and that stick ands its abit expensive. It also looks gay.

Wow, I believe it's the cheapest HOTAS available. I thought based on price, it would be very delicate, but I was wrong. It's a nice sturdy piece of equipment.  The programming abilities are awsome.

I thought it looked horrible, but if your in love, anything looks good.

[Scottler]

Ive had a look and that stick ands its abit expensive. It also looks gay. I mean two bits to it? looks too difficult to use.. Can you use it on other games like far cry? or soldier of fortune?

As wrong as that is on so many levels, let's tackle them individually, shall we?


1.  It's not cheap, but it's hardly expensive compared to some of the alternatives.

2.  Meaning what, exactly?  It likes other joysticks?  In fact, you'll be pleased to find out that the joystick is completely asexual, meaning it does not reproduce sexually.  In fact, each one is assembled by either a person or a machine.  Go figure.

3.  Too confusing?  Seriously, how hard is it to increase your throttle with one hand and steer with the other?  Oh wait, you're doing that already with your keyboard.  

4.  There are some games you can't use it on (BF:1942, for example).  This is the fault of the game's creator, not Saitek.  How?  I can't remember, I was too busy doing things more productive than reading the technical aspects of a game I don't play.  Check the Saitek Forums and they'll probably explain it for you.