[procdrone]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-X-Joystick/dp/B001V5QHSC
What do you think?

WARNING: Im not that wealthy to purchase stuff like Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog so just forget it. I want a good joystick for as small price as possible.

[Phantom Hoover]

I think joysticks are pretty overrated when mouse controls suit most space sims just fine, I can't comment on this specific purchase.

[BirdofPrey]

It functions as well as any other cheap joystick.

I think joysticks are pretty overrated when mouse controls suit most space sims just fine

Shun the nonbeliever
SHUUUUUN

[procdrone]

I think joysticks are pretty overrated when mouse controls suit most space sims just fine, I can't comment on this specific purchase.

Its all about immersion and challange. Joystick players will surely have more to say then I do.

[deathspeed]

The US version of amazon shows that with a  4.4/5 rating, with 722 reviews.  I'm sure a lot of those are PS3 reviewers, but if there were build quality problems I think the rating would be lower.  I would consider this same stick if my Sidewinder died today.

For me the joystick is about immersion.  Maybe I could play better with mouse and keyboard, but I would feel like I was playing Battlefield of Duty Tournament in space, rather than flying a spaceship.  That's why I could never get into Freelancer - there wasn't even an option to use the joystick.  I used to use a wheel for racing games for the same reason, but once I got a family and had to share my desk there just was not room for it any more, so I use an Xbox 360 controller for those.

Too bad they don't make force feedback sticks any more (afaik - other than rumble feedback).  That adds even more to the experience, feeling your ship react to weapons firing, afterburners kicking in, missile hits, shock waves, collisions, and even cap ship engine wash. 

[procdrone]

Dont watch for prices on amazon and so on. Im not going to order it there. Im just looking for model that has a good setup and VALUE, because ill be buying it locally.

[Herra Tohtori]

Instead of the Hotas X I would rather recommend the Thrustmaster T.16000m for an entry level stick.

Mostly because it uses Hall effect sensors on X and Y axes and that makes it not only more precise, it means the electronics will last longer. Less moving parts and all that. In fact, the sensors used in the T.16000m are pretty much the same as those used in the HOTAS Warthog.


The only advantage with the Hotas X is the separate throttle, but I would rather have a stick that works well and reliably. For a more involved HOTAS rig I would recommend saving some money and getting a more expensive system instead, but as a "babbys first flight stick" I would definitely say the T.16000m offers best price/quality ratio.

[Flaser]

If you insist on buying a HOTAS and you live in the US (where I'm told they can be bought a lot cheaper) lot of people recommend sticks from CH Products. Sure they don't look good, but they have a history of reliability and are the only company where you can buy replacement parts for your stick.

[BirdofPrey]

Unfortunately, CH are not cheap products (If you want an actual HOTAS setup at least) since you actually need 3 things.
Buying the stick, throttle and pedals comes out to a few hundred dollars.

[Vrets]

I've been trying to replace my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for eons. If only Consumer Reports did a flight stick section.

I'm willing to spend up to $100.

[Dragon]

Might be though, but you could try looking for a used CH Fighterstick. New ones are available for 150$, used ones will likely be around 100$. Wear shouldn't be an issue, those sticks are built like a rock.

Unfortunately, CH are not cheap products (If you want an actual HOTAS setup at least) since you actually need 3 things.
Buying the stick, throttle and pedals comes out to a few hundred dollars.

Yeah. They're worth every cent of those few hundred, though. A full, new CH HOTAS costs about 400$. It's worth it, though. Those things simply don't wear out, and if they do, you can just buy replacement parts instead of a whole joystick. The plastic is actually the same one you find in actual airplanes, and the switches likely come off the same manufacturing lines as ones meant for aviation and industrial uses (and you can buy them separately as well). Not to mention the control software is awesome. It allows you to make Windows recognize all the controllers you have as one, meaning you can use the whole setup for games like FS with no support for multiple controllers (not always the case with other HOTAS setups).

[BirdofPrey]

I was poking around last night, and actually found Amazon was selling the fighterstick for a bit less.

I do agree they are worth it, though I personally like twist sticks since my setup makes pedals a pain in the ass (and besides, real spaceships don't have pedals), and CH doesn't have one.

Still TheHound mentioned not being able to afford a Warthog which also means no CH setup.
The T-Flight is functional, but not stellar.  Accuracy is decent, though I don't expect one to last.
Next step up at around $200 is the X-55 which I don't know much about, and above that is the Warthog which is overpriced for what it is and you should get a CH setup instead.


I really hope with all these flight games coming out of the woodwork lately, some more options come onto the market.