[Dragon]

"Cheap", as in, about 300$.
Isn't there anything similar, but cheaper?

[Reprobator]

Yeah i was joking, that's a big investment !
But i do not regret it, especially the transparents button, you can write/print whatever you want and place them inside your button, that's a gadget... but that's fantastic

Anyway a good hotas + rudder control is about 250$ minimum (x52 + rudder) but you won't have ffb.

But it has defaults too... like being forced to use ppjoy if you want to play fs2 with it (as it appears as 3 different devices in windows)

But playing freespace2 with ffb on a hotas has no price (and the ffb on the g940 is really great and powerfull)

[Sushi]

I'm actually seriously considering getting rid of my brand-new joystick and going back to mouse. The deadzone is fairly large and driving me crazy, and I can't afford the kind of joystick that would have a small/nonexistent deadzone...

[QuantumDelta]

Which joy sushi?

[Sushi]

Which joy sushi?

http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-Game-console/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1288140622&sr=8-1

For a $40, it's a pretty good deal, but the large deadzone may turn out to be a dealbreaker. You get what you pay for.

[Thaeris]

Which joy sushi?

http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-Game-console/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1288140622&sr=8-1

For a $40, it's a pretty good deal, but the large deadzone may turn out to be a dealbreaker. You get what you pay for.

Man... There's a distinct lack of controls on that stick! I for one would not be interested.

[skiallday]

I've been enjoying the XBox 360 wired USB pad (in conjunction with a nearby keyboard for some of the lesser-used commands). It works with the XBCD driver that lets you assign axes (like the right analog stick and triggers) to buttons. XBCD is tricky to install on Vista/7 x64 since it isn't signed, but it's do-able.

[Dilmah G]

I'm becoming seriously annoyed with my Saitek Cyborg Evo. The maximum detectable range is a bit short of what the stick's actual range is, and compounding this is the fact that the stick is really stiff around the centre, so increasing sensitivity doesn't really mitigate it. Subsequently makes flying by feel a bit harder and the lack of trigger is also a massive pain.

[deltantor]

I just started playing FS2 again and recently I've been playing with an old xbox controller I had soldered a usb plug onto. Great controller, but really wish I had my WingMan force 3D or my logitech extreme 3d pro. both amazing sticks that I lost when I moved out of my parents house...Used to use them together when playing Descent. Always got weird looks, but was great fun.

Edit: Anyone ever come up with a good control scheme for when using xbox style controllers?

[Nohiki]

I am using the Saitek Cyborg Evo Force, and I'm never gonna use anthing else 11 buttons, 2 shifts, noob-proof configuration software, and fully adjustable handle. It can even be set up for left hand.

[QuantumDelta]

Try flying against a half way decent opponent, I do believe a fair few experienced squadwar pilots broke their(those Saitek Cyborgs) sticks in frustration, trying to get their ship to respond fast enough.

[Dilmah G]

I've noticed a bit of slow response with my Saitek as well in-game. Gah, nothing beats that Sidewinder Precision Pro.

[Wobble73]

Pah! I prefer a gamepad, the thumb moves faster than the wrist! 

[Nohiki]

Pah! I prefer a gamepad, the thumb moves faster than the wrist! 

I strongly disagree, it's all about setting up the sensitivity. I move my joystick just in the range of 30° and ask the shivans how fast is it 

[torc]

x 52 pro forever! scifi design,many many leds, great control and customizable commands... not too cheap,but not so expensive 

[FreeBass]

First started playin' FS w/ my X-36....graduated to the X-45....now usin' the X-52.

I'd recommend any Saitek HOTAS ya can get yr hands on &/or can afford.