[Deepblue]

I am thinking about replacing my Microsoft Sidewinder precision 2. I have been leaning towards getting the HOTAS Cougar or the Saitek Cybork Evo. If you have another suggestion please select other and name it in the thread.

[Kamikaze]

If you're going to get a Saitek stick, I'd recommend the Saitek X45 'cause it's nice and affordable but is packed with most stuff you'd need.

If you have the money you probably should get the HOTAS Cougar for maximum value.

[mikhael]

If you're not taking into account cost, the best PC stick on the market right now is the Cougar. It has no true equal. If you're taking into account the cost, go for an X45 from Saitek (if you're not on Win2k/XP. there's issues).

Of course, if you game in DOS, you'll need to avoid the Cougar. Its USB only.

[Deepblue]

Its really... ugly.

[Gortef]

Go for x45. Nice HOTAS for that price ^^

And the issues with XP have been dealt with AFAIK. I haven't had any problems lately. At first I did have some minor issues (the stick got "lazy" time to times, but simply removing and inserting it back solved it) but now it works like a charm.

[Nico]

well, the sidewinder2 is already good, so if you wanna change it, go for an HOTAS otherwise I just can't see the point.

[Setekh]

Yeah, Venom said it. If you're going up from there, the HOTAS is the way to go.

[Deepblue]

I have read reviews on Amazon.com that the Cougar needs to have parts replaced rather quickly. Can anyone here verify that?

[mikhael]

To date, I have not had to replace any parts. I've only had it since Christmas though.

I did, however, have an F22 Pro and an F16 FLCS from Thrustmaster for like eight years and never needed a replacement part until the seventh year.

[Corsair]

I like the Sidewinder 2 myself... nothing wrong with it!

[Xelion]

Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless



I recently got this joystick (Month and Half Now) and its got as many buttons as you could possibly want, plus you might always wana keep a hand free for the keyboard especially with some Flight Sims and Space Sims. Theres always extra in flight controls a joytick won't suffice for

[mikhael]

Originally posted by Xelion
Theres always extra in flight controls a joytick won't suffice for

You have obviously never used a good HOTAS setup.

[Xelion]

Originally posted by mikhael
You have obviously never used a good HOTAS setup.

You'd understand what I mean't if you've flown real aircraft before

[Corsair]

Originally posted by Xelion
You'd understand what I mean't if you've flown real aircraft before

He's right. You only have one hand on the stick/wheel when you fly a plane...the other you use to operate all the knobs, buttons, and such.

[Odyssey]

[color=cc9900]Usually because plane manufacturers realise that it would be terminally dumb to cover the throttle with buttons. Not only is your hand rarely anywhere near the throttle, when your hand is near the throttle it's handy to be able to just grip it and move it without having to look for fear of your life in case you hit the trim rocker when you're a few metres above the runway.
Of course, with computers it's a different matter, and hence the design ethics go all screwy. I only have a HOTAS because it cost less than a similarly well-manufactured single stick - keyboards cost £2 apiece, and they have plenty of perfectly functional keys. Buy a spare keyboard and cover the keys with sticky notes relating to the bindings if you want something easy to use.[/color]

[Goober5000]

Hey, if you're going to chuck your old joystick, mail it to me. I need a trigger replacement.

[mikhael]

Originally posted by Xelion

You'd understand what I mean't if you've flown real aircraft before

Actually, perhaps in a civilian vehicle, sure. But in a fighter, its a different story. Perhaps if you'd ever been in the cockpit of the real deal, you'd have a different story.

Originally posted by Odyssey
[color=cc9900]Usually because plane manufacturers realise that it would be terminally dumb to cover the throttle with buttons. Not only is your hand rarely anywhere near the throttle, when your hand is near the throttle it's handy to be able to just grip it and move it without having to look for fear of your life in case you hit the trim rocker when you're a few metres above the runway.
Of course, with computers it's a different matter, and hence the design ethics go all screwy. [/color]

You are correct--if you're limiting yourself to civilian craft.

Throttle from an F16:


Throttle from an F4:


Throttle from an Su-27:


You have to keep in mind that a fighter puts as much stuff on the stick and throttle as possible, so that in a stressful moment, the pilot doesn't have to go looking for the critical gear. My stick and throttle are taken directly from the cockpit of an F16, design wise. All the buttons, knobs, hats and switches are in the same places as they are in the real deal. None are added and none are removed. The only differences are in the rotation of some of the hats, and the orientation of the speedbrake switch. Trim, for example, is on the joystick, where it belongs.

Please, gentlment, if you're going to talk about hardware--especially HOTAS hardware--get your facts straight and know what you're talking about.

[Odyssey]

[color=cc9900]"Military Intelligence"[/color]

[mikhael]

In this case, VERY intelligent. In a furball, hundredths of a second matter. It takes TIME to reach for a switch or knob with your whole arm.

This is why most fighters have something called the dogfight switch (or more officially, Master Mode Switch). The position of the dogfight switch dynamically determines what the rest of the controls on the HOTAS do. Since most of these switches are three position, you triple the amount of functions you give the pilot at any given time.

[aldo_14]

As an aside, isn;t an F-16 somewhat unusual (or at least, was) in that it has a 'side' stick?