What joystick should I purchase?

[Frequent Flyer]

Hey,
I've purchased FSX not long ago and still play using the keyboard only [smiley=shocked.gif].
I know that a joystick will make my flying experience much better, but I don't know what joystick should I purchase.
So far I've searched for many joysticks and the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick really looks great, but it has many reviews that say that it has calibration problems [smiley=sad.gif].

I really don't know which joystick I should choose [smiley=undecided.gif] and I'd appreciate any recommendation.
In general, I'm looking for a joystick that will work well for a few years. Also, I would like to purchase I joystick that has a rudder-control axis.
I don't really care about the joystick's price (well, I won't buy a joystick costing $200...).

Please ask me any question if there's any missing info.

Thanks in advance,
Frequent Flyer

[Fozzer]

The Logitech looks fine to me, and at a good price!...;)...!

My trusty stick is similar...>>>

Saitek Cyborg Evo Force, (with annoying Force Feedback turned off!.....)

http://www.saitek.com/UK/PROD/evoforce.htm

As long as its got a Twist action for the Rudder, its good-to-go!... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...and all in a twist!... ...!

...you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on expensive Flight Controls, (Flight Yoke and Rudder Pedals), to get you off the ground!...... ...!

[Frequent Flyer]

What's the idea of purchasing a Force Feedback joystick without using it?
In fact, I forgot to mention I don't want Force Feedback.

[Fozzer]

What's the idea of purchasing a Force Feedback joystick without using it?
In fact, I forgot to mention I don't want Force Feedback.

..the reason...

At one time, if you wanted a Joystick with a "Twist Action", they all came in a "Force-Feedback" style...like it it not!

I find the Force-Feedback action very annoying...so its switched off!

The Joysticks without Force-Feedback had no Twist action, and only moved Forwards, Backwards, Left, and Right......no good for Flight Sims!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...and a selection of different Joysticks......!

[Sir_Crashalot]

What joystick you want is up to you. I have a Saitek X-52. It's big, has a separate throttle, a twistgrip for rudder and more buttons than you can shake a stick at. Never want anything else.

Crash

[Frequent Flyer]

Thanks both!
Just a small question: what is Twist Action?  [smiley=cheesy.gif]

[Sir_Crashalot]

It means that you can twist your joystick handle to the left and to the right for rudder control.

Crash

[Frequent Flyer]

I see. But as far as I know, the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro has Twist Action althought it isn't force feedback.
Any other joystick recommendations anyone?

[BAW0343]

I don't really care about the joystick's price (well, I won't buy a joystick costing $200...)

Then you DO care about the price

[Fozzer]

I see. But as far as I know, the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro has Twist Action althought it isn't force feedback.
Any other joystick recommendations anyone?

As it would appear that you have your eye set on

[Hagar]

What's the idea of purchasing a Force Feedback joystick without using it?
In fact, I forgot to mention I don't want Force Feedback.

..the reason...

At one time, if you wanted a Joystick with a "Twist Action", they all came in a "Force-Feedback" style...like it it not!

I find the Force-Feedback action very annoying...so its switched off!

The Joysticks without Force-Feedback had no Twist action, and only moved Forwards, Backwards, Left, and Right......no good for Flight Sims!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...and a selection of different Joysticks......!

I don't see the point of getting a FF stick if you don't intend using the FF. My trusty MS Sidewinder Pro (No FF) has a twist rudder & it's over 10 years old. It's still working perfectly despite years of abuse. Unfortunately they no longer produce them.

[BAW0343]

What's the idea of purchasing a Force Feedback joystick without using it?
In fact, I forgot to mention I don't want Force Feedback.

..the reason...

At one time, if you wanted a Joystick with a "Twist Action", they all came in a "Force-Feedback" style...like it it not!

I find the Force-Feedback action very annoying...so its switched off!

The Joysticks without Force-Feedback had no Twist action, and only moved Forwards, Backwards, Left, and Right......no good for Flight Sims!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...and a selection of different Joysticks......!

I don't see the point of getting a FF stick if you don't intend using the FF. My trusty MS Sidewinder Pro (No FF) has a twist rudder & it's over 10 years old. It's still working perfectly despite years of abuse. Unfortunately they no longer produce them.

I had that joystick for quite some time while I had CFS, fantastic little thing for sure!

[Fozzer]

My lovely old Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, which cost me the Princely sum of

[brantmacga]

I use the saitek aviator that was linked to above.

I've enjoyed it much. Its lightweight and doesn't have a large footprint, so its easily stored to the side of my desk when I'm not using it.



I can do all the common tasks using it and a mouse; those toggle switches are very convenient.  It also has programming software so you can make all needed changes in the saitek interface and not in FS. You can setup multiple profiles for different aircraft if you like, and only need to click a mouse button on the system tray icon to change profiles.


I have mine setup as follows:

T= toggle

T1; gear
T2; brakes
T3; zoom in
T4; zoom out
T5; spoiler
T6; thrust reverse
T7; retract flaps
T8; extend flaps

Button 1 (red "bomb" switch) '1' <- convenient for communicating w/ ATC

Button 2; opens ATC window
Button 3; view change

trigger; resets zoom, so after using ATC window you can use the zoom feature w/o having to click on the main window w/ the mouse.