Of Yokes and Sticks

[pilotjj1]

Hi,

I am thinking of buying a new set of flight yoke and sticks to go with my new computer and also to replace my Sidewinder 2 which is having some connections problems (the connector seems corroded, but the stick itself is still working well.)

Other than the standard yoke, throttle and pedals, I also wish to include a flightstick (either a basic stick or a HOTAS) to go with it so that I would not be using a yoke to dogfight and also to better simulate the airbus's sidestick aircraft. That said, it will mean that both pedal and throttle must be able to work with either the yoke or the stick.

Anyone with any suggestion what combination of hardware to get to achieve that. Looking at recommendations from peers, Saitek is most probably my prefered choice. But I want to be assured that the combinations I want to achieve is possible (more specifically, I am worried if i am going to attach the joystick, it will disable the throttle quandrant, as I know the throttle is (in Saitek's case) extended from the yoke.

And also will a HOTAS work in this case? Can I switch between using the HOTAS stick and throttle (fighter) and HOTAS stick with throttle quandrant (airbus)?

[congo]

Dibbs on the Sidewinder ?  :)

[pilotjj1]

don't quite get what you mean...

Seems like people here not into flight controllers?

[Mermaid Man]

I've got the X52 Pro, dad has the Saitek yoke and gear levers- I could ask him to get them round if they work as you ask, when both connected in the same time, but don't hold your breath..

[Brett_Henderson]

I have a CH yoke and pedals.. and a Logitech 3D Pro joystick..

I have them all connected, and just disable what I won't be using for a specific flight (i.e. no yoke for the F18) via Device Manager.

[congo]

don't quite get what you mean...

I meant, don't throw the old sidewinder away. I'd like your old stick but I'm in Australia

I've got one but they do need parts from time to time, and spares are always welcome here.

[pilotjj1]

I meant, don't throw the old sidewinder away. I'd like your old stick but I'm in Australia

I've got one but they do need parts from time to time, and spares are always welcome here.

Sorry to to dissapoint though... I do intend to keep it in my "museum". It is after all my first game controller of any kind and has had some 7 yrs of distinguished service and is still active.

I have a CH yoke and pedals.. and a Logitech 3D Pro joystick..

I have them all connected, and just disable what I won't be using for a specific flight (i.e. no yoke for the F18) via Device Manager.

Yeah, I know that does work. I'm more worried for the part of the throttle as it is connected via the yoke system (ie not stand alone). I am thinking of the possibility of enabling both yoke and stick system at the same time (ie either can be used to control the aircraft at any moment). If it is possible, then any wierd combination of control is possible. Let's wait and see if Mermaind Man brings bad good news.

[Brett_Henderson]

You can disable individual axes, too (from withinn the sim). Like if you have pedals and a stick with a twisting rudder.. just disable the rudder axis on the stick so it never conflicts the pedals..  OR.. disable the throttle axis on the yoke so it doesn't conflict a stand-alone throttle..

[volunteer]

I have the Saitek oke and pedals. I have connected my saitek force stick to the yoke as the yoke has several connectors. It all works fine together and I am well chuffed. I can fly helis with the pedals  and stick and then switch to yoke and pedals for straight flying. It all runs sweetly together as connected.

You can also put the stick into the back of the computer and it works that way. The FSX sorts out what is being used automatically.

The only snag is if you use the Y control - then the plane is difficult to control.

Igot theaitek stuff as a XMas pressy  -but people told me that its more realistic that the CH stuff. I have not used the CH stuff to compare.

[pilotjj1]

I never touched a real aircraft controls so I could be wrong, but I doubt the CH is really realistic. My school uses CH yokes + rudder for the flightsim lab and they feel very springy (yoke), and the pedals, its like a light touch pushes it all the way to the back.

[MWISimmer]

My school uses CH yokes + rudder for the flightsim lab

Blimey, schools have come a long way..

The closest I got to flying at school was a bad tackle on the football pitch.  :P

[Ben R]

My school uses CH yokes + rudder for the flightsim lab

Blimey, schools have come a long way..

The closest I got to flying at school was a bad tackle on the football pitch.  :P

My school has even blocked Simviation.com  :( Silly eh? But for yokes? Wowwww

[pilotjj1]

We call it school, as in school in the broadest sense, but actually its university. Restricted access though, so can't play it whenever I like it. And guess what, they use FS2004.

Alright, I've come up with my shopping list more or less:
Saitek
ProFlight Yoke + 1 more throttle quandrant (total of 6 levers)
ProFlight Pedals
Aviator or ST290 Pro (though leaning towards ST290)

Thanks a lot for all the help so far. Any further comments still welcomed  ;)

[homebrewer]

Sorry to hear that, BenR. Our Supreme Court in its sometimes muddled wisdom has deemed it constitutional that public libraries must allow any and all websites to be accessible. Boggles the mind, doesn't it? I was in our public library a few years ago and saw several kids playing Runescape on the library computers rather than using the system for educational purposes. Makes me sick...

[mhoffman50]

It appears that someone is making Sidewinder 2 sticks.