best joystick?

[jfg123]

Dear Sim pilots

I have been using since 1998 the sidewinder Microsoft joy stick, is this the best for FS 2004 our should I get another, like the Sidewinder Percision model?
Please don't suggest a yoke with pedals as I am handicapped and can't use my legs that good.

I have OS Xp home edition

Thanks for your helps  Sim pilot JG IFR and VFR

[Scottler]

Saitek X-45 HOTAS.  Beautiful stick and throttle combo.  Quite popular among the folks here at SimV.

[Nexus]

If you're sitting on a pile of cash, then it's easy. The Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar is the best trottle/stick combo available ATM. I love it. The looks, feeling and sturdiness (it weighs over 8kgs/14 lbs) makes it a great choice. Not even death will separate me from my cougar  ;)

If you're on a budget, then go with the X-45 like Hyperion said. Can't match that performance and price. It's a great combo indeed  :)

[Scottler]

One is a "mere" $300, the other, in the $90 range.

Whether you're on a budget or not, which is the smarter move?

[Nexus]

The smartest thing to do (if you're budget allows) is to buy what suits your needs, always will be.
And this baby definetely suits my needs more than a blue/orange plastic controller.
To understand why the Cougar is so good, you'd have to personal try it out, there is no other way.

The cougar is really a needle in the eye for you Hyp

[torquestripe]

Thrustmaster Xfighter/Attack Throttle/Elite Rudder Pedals. I've had them for five years now and they won't break!

Go to Ebay for all your joystick purchases before you shell out the cash else where.

[Scottler]

It's not a needle in the eye, Nex.  Not at all.  There are some people who truly believe that spending more money is indicative of a better product.  Then there are others of us who can spot quality before we look at the price tag.  

Personally, I would NEVER spend $300 on a joystick, or anything else for a computer game.  For starters, that's three hours of flight instruction, as I mentioned the last time we went on about this.  lol

Second, it's still a joystick, which I'm not keen on anyway.  If you're a big fighter fan, then a joystick is fine.  But there's just no appeal to me to fly at mach 1and miss everything below you.  I'd much rather take a 737 up, in which case, I don't need a stick anyway.

Now if I could find a decent, realistic yoke, and still not pay $900 for it, we might be talking...lol

[Scottler]

Oh, and btw...they're not just orange buttons, they're lights.  Also, the blue plastic you referred to is non-existant.  It's blue metal.  lol

[JBaymore]

So here's a few questions for you all on controllers..........

If I had the Saitek (or the HOTAS) with the sweet little throttle module...... and then I wanted to also install the CH products controll yoke........ could I configure it so that the yoke was active instead of the Saitek (or HOTAS) joystick BUT the Saitek (or HOTAS) throttle was still active?

I tend to fly commerical and GA aircraft.  (If I wanted to jockey a fighter around... I'd be flying in a different sim  ;))...... so the yoke is far more realistic.

And then there is the thrid part of this setup I am thinking about.........

Can I then also connect the Saitek throttle control, the CH Products yoke.... and the CH rudder pedals all at the same time?

Thinking about upgrading the "virtual cockpit"...... which at the moment is just the chair in front of the computer  ;).  Pretty soon...... I'll have me one of then full sized, full motion 747 flight deck mockups.

Yeah ... right.  Anyone got a suggestion for a Powerball number.  ;)


best,

.................john


PS:  I agree with Hyperion on the "good yoke" comments.  The CH one seems to be the best there is in the lower price range right now...... but it is still pretty limited in features and realism........ and then it jumps to really BIG bucks.  The whole problem is that this stuff is limited market items....... so the development costs can't get averaged out over a gazillion units.

[JBaymore]

Oh yeah...... one more question........

Does anyone know of a force feedback yoke unit?

best,

.................john

[Scottler]

John-

I've been wondering about finding out how to use the throttle from the HOTAS with a yoke.  But the obstacle I run into is finding a yoke I like.

When I first got 98, I used the CH Products yoke, which was nice, but was terrible realistically.

I'm actually contemplating learning how to build this stuff so I can start selling lower price range higher quality products.  There's a HUGE hole in the market, and no one seems willing to fill it.

Sorry this doesn't answer your questions, I just wanted to let you know that if there is a way, I've yet to learn it.

There are some decent tutes out there about building your own yokes and peddals, and such.  Perhaps one might lead you down the path to the exact yoke you're looking for!  

[Scottler]

Ran a quick google, and came across this site.  I haven't read it yet, other than a brief scan, but it seems to have some good info on building your own stuff.

I'm gonna have to check it out!  LOL

http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/primary_ ... rols_4.htm

[JBaymore]

Hyperion,

Thanks for that reference site..... I just spent a few minutes there and following threads..... WOW ..... quite a great set of resources there.  It'll take weeks of research.

Who knows... if you develop that new yoke soon...... I might be a customer  ;).  I expect that I will make that move in the not too distant future.

best,

................john

[jfg123]

Thanks Sim pilots and Sim staff for all your replies on the best Joy Stick to buy.

I hope to soon get a new Joy stick when I can afford it on my SSI payments. I have deceided to get the X-45 HOTAS Saitek, but in the meanwhile will continue to fly with the old Micorsoft Sidewider.

Thanks again for your speedy replies JG123

[SaVas]

Glad I found this thread instead of posting a new one.

Saitek HOTAS looks like my future stick since my budget is  based on what my fiance says we can sink into my new "hobby" which I can't blame her for as she knows I would drop well over $100 for a stick or yolk without batting an eye, then wondering why I did it. Being frugal AND spontaneous doesnt mesh very well.