Well, i'm using a Saitek X52 Pro plus the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals... and i gotta say, it's awesome if i had to give it a rating, i would give it 10/10

about the realism of the controls, that depends on what kind of aircraft you're flying... for instance, for military aircraft, or helicopters, this unit is absolutely perfect... however, it lacks realism when it comes to flying commercial jets or any kind of aircraft with a yoke... so it is somewhat specialized... but any control system that's worth anything will be specialized... and it's up to you to determine which is the kind you need

about the feel, i can't say it 'feels' like a real aircraft stick... the travel range is not the same, since real sticks come up from the floor, and there's no force feedback... BUT, the precision of this unit is astounding, and it did improve the responsiveness of the sim in general
also, having all controls where they should be, add a lot to the simming experience, having your throttle on the left hand, the pedals at your feet, does increase the realism and overall 'feel' of the sim, even though it won't have the tactile accuracy to mimic a real aircraft

about durability, the X52 pro looks like it's built to last... Saitek offers a 2 year warranty, and they advertise about how the non contact sensors are much longer lasting than conventional potentiometers, which i can't not agree with

now, the software... that's the high point of the whole thing... the SST as it's called, is very flexible, allowing you to create profiles for each game (or even each aircraft) and you're able to switch between profiles in-game, which i find quite cool...
other than that, the profiling is very powerful, allowing you to even map axes as buttons, on several different modes... i have even made a profile for Photoshop, the throttle axis controlling brush size, and the rotaries controlling flow and opacity... note that photoshop does not have any kind of joystick support, so all the set up was done on the SST software

overall i couldn't be happier with my control system... i'd only advise you, since you're training to be a real pilot, that you get the Pro Flight Yoke system, instead of the X52... it also comes with the same software, but will offer much more realism when you're flying GA aircraft of jets

Cheers

I have a Saitek ST90 joystick, i got it for chrissy a few years back, no force feedback, there is a Trigger, throttle  (with 4 LED) and 2 buttons.

I can say it it a good little thing Sure beats a keyboard

I use a Saitek Yoke and Pedals

Well, I've only flown a real plane once (changing that this weekend, C172 with my name on it!) but it's pretty real. What I like most about the Saitek is the heavily sprung detent at the centre of the yoke. This makes it totally convincing when trimming the airplane, as you do it exactly as you would in real life - trim until you neutralize the yoke forces. This is the main reason I chose it over the CH alternative. The yoke is smooth, has no stickyness, and has lots of perfectly placed buttons. The yoke has a sweet backlit LDC clock in the centre, good for checking your segment times, but also good for seeing when it's "beer o'clock" while in full screen mode  

The Rudder pedals are also great. I'm a beanpole of a man, so the pedals had to be large, and the Saitek's are! They are fully adjustable, and fit my feet just fine. Even my missus can use them, and she's 5'2"! The pedals also have analogue toe brakes, and adjustable pressure - and they get quite heavy, on a long approach in heavy winds, your legs will be aching by the time you roll out I guarantee it. Speaking of which, the pedals can be plugged into the yoke via usb, as the yoke has in integrated USB hub, very handy.

Both the pedals and the yoke are very well constructed, with steel (stainless no less!) in all the right places. The base of the pedals have "barbed" areas so it'll grip your carpet, and adhesive velcro so it'll grip your posh laminate flooring  

The included throttles are great - there is nothing better than cranking up the sound and grabbing a fistful of throttle. The throttles are smooth and have quite a bit of resistance to them, they also have a detent from reverse thrust.

I also want to mention Saitek's great mounting system, I can practically promise you it'll fit your desk, unless it's more then 3" thick!

As for software, I've not delved into that too much but the Saitek provided SST programming suite looks to be pretty comprehensive. The yoke has 3 modes so you can triple the number of inputs it has.

My only gripe is that the USB lead from the yoke itself is quite short, I have to use a USB extension lead to make mine reach my tower, but's a small blemish on an otherwise fabulous product.

If you're a long time simmer and have used a joystick, I urge you to get the Saitek throttle, yoke and pedal kit, it really is the biggest change I've ever made to the way I sim, and has re-ignited my enthusiasm for simming, I only wish I had done it sooner.

If you want any pictures, let me know I'll be happy to provide.

Ric B.

I've been a CH customer for more than a decade.  For most of my FSX flying I use the CH Yoke and Pro Pedals.  

Yoke
Control realism - 9/10 - It loses points for no force feedback and a maddening little bind that makes the smallest adjustments near the center difficult.  The throw from full left to full right is much less than a Cessna, but feels right.  That said, you'll likely not find anything remotely close for the same price.      
Control feel - 8/10 - The throttle/prop/mixture trio are easier to move than real, but then they don't get vibrated like crazy.  At least they stay in place (bless you N6242G).  There is some resistance from springs for both roll and pitch that help give a bit more realistic feel, but it's not quite the same.
Sturdyness and Durability - 9/10 - Bomb proof.  I'm not that rough on it, but it could take some abuse.  It lost a point due to one of the clamp nuts seizing to the bolt.  An inconvenience that a trip to Lowe's and some minor surgery fixed.
Control software - 9/10 - the latest version (4.5) of CH Control Manager added the ability to load settings from the command line or a batch file, gaining it a point.  It doesn't make it to 10 as it could use a bit finer control in the scaling and shaping, but that can be fixed with FSUIPC.

Pro Pedals
Control realism - 9/10 - The pedals work much like the real thing, except they have their anchor points at the bottom instead of the top.  That would be tough to do.  The brakes work pretty much the same as the real thing.
Control feel - 8/10 - without force feedback, or some really strong springs, it would be hard to mimic the feel of a real plane.  Also, there is detent at the center that throws of the realism.  I've learned to ignore it.  If I keep my heels on the floor and use the balls of my feet to move the pedals it does a decent job of acting like a plane.  
Sturdyness and Durability - 10/10 - truly bomb proof.  Dirt, dog hair, clumsiness, they've seen it all.  
Control software - see above

An additional bonus is that the stuff is really easy to work on. CH sells most of the bits that might wear out for reasonable prices, so if you know which end of a #1 Phillips goes in the screw you can fix most problems yourself.  

Look for used gear on eBay and you may find a sweet deal on a combo.  Also, ProVantage appears to have the best prices on new CH gear.  

Saitek yoke and throttle quadrant. Quadrant programmed to be flaps, gear and spoilers. CH Throttle quadrant as throttle. CH Rudder pedals, TrackIR and home made MCP and home made lights and start switches. Most buttons have been programmed too.

Matt

You guys are awesome.  Thanks so much.  Before posting here above I went down to Frys and bought the Saitek yoke and throttle quadrant, however it was miscalibrated (one of those time the old manual microsoft calibration would be nice) and so though the yoke was in the center indent, the control was reading slightly right.  To fix that I adjusted the dead zone, however I had to move the controller somewhat significantly to the left to get it to turn, as it thought it was still in the deadzone.

So I took it back, and decided to check out what everyone else thought and was using.  I think I'm going to go ahead and try out the Saitek again.  The other thing was I didn't get the pedals, and it's nearly impossible to fly without them (from my short experience anyway.  Anyone using a yoke and now pedals?).  I tried mapping the rudder to one of the throttle levers.  Oh what fun. 

Anyway, thanks again everyone for your input, I really appreciate it.

Us simpit building guys discuss this all the time.  

For the best realim versus $ spent factor, get the Elite yoke and pedals (and throttle quad).  They are in a "different class" than the Saitek and CH stuff...and priced accordingly.

http://www.flyelite.com/hardware.php?product_id=11

http://www.flyelite.com/hardware.php?product_id=91

http://www.flyelite.com/hardware.php?product_id=19

If that stuff is out of your budget range (which if you are a real world pilot.... shouldn't be   )..... then my recs would be the CH units.  I find the Saitek stuff is too "gamey" feeling and "light weight".

I've been using the CH Pro yoke and pedals for a long time in the simpit.  They stand up to punishment and keep on going.  

The new CH Elite yoke (not the same as the Elite yoke mentioned above) seems to have some improvements over the older model.......... BUT.... they added the annoying game controller type stuff in the middle and screwed up all the realism factor.  Too bad.  Guess they were trying to "keep up with" the Saitek yoke's center controls.

For control in the sim itself .....get the paid version of FSUIPC.  It will be the best money you have invested in flight simming ever.  Solves TONS of problems.  Tune up the flight control surfaces responses and get rid of transients and such.  AMAZING difference... and that is just one MINOR feature of FSUIPC.

best,

.................john

blazer003 wrote on Mar 15^th, 2009 at 9:25pm:


I had that exact same problem and its an easy fix.

I just opened up the base of the Yoke (very easy, no springs to worry about falling out) and found there were 2 Analog sensors in there, the one closest to the front is the one you will want to mess with. All I did was move the gear that's attached to the sensor one notch to the left I believe. The hardest part of doing this was wrapping my head around which way to move the gear since its all upside down. But after that the yoke was completely centered/calibrated.

I love the Saitek flight yoke and pedals and plan to get the switch panel at some point. I have also seen rumors that they are releasing LCD gauges (Clicky) that can also attach to the yoke. They look pretty cool too!

I hace ch yoke and pedals. One problem with my Yoke is the my monting thread stripped. so I can only lock one side now. pretty sad. 250 bucks pretty much wasted because of 1 bolt. sigh

blazer003 wrote on Mar 30^th, 2009 at 9:01pm:


Blazer,

You need to go into your control setting in FS, and find the setting for the toe brakes under control axis', you must set the null zone to zero, and the sensitivity as high as it will go, this should cure your problem. If it does not, try checking the tick box that says "reverse axis".

Ric B.

My trusty Saitek Cyborg Eve Force, satisfies all my daily flying requirements for all my fixed wing, and flex wing, aircraft.

http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/joysticks.htm

It has everything I need to control my aircraft...and costs the Princely sum of £25! .... ...!

Paul....G-BPLF...FS 2004...and a Stick of Joy... ...!

I also have a "Trust" Steering Wheel and Pedals, for my Truck Driving Simulators... ...!

http://www.trust.com/products/product_detail.aspx?item=13153

Its a funny old do...

I've recently tried Sim Flying with a Yoke and Pedals (borrowed)...

...and my usual, trusty Flight, Twist, Joystick...

..and do you know what...for cheapness, ie:low cost, and simplicity...I find my "point and fly" Twist Joystick with Throttle,  full-fills all my overall, daily flight activities, in all the different aircraft......!

Paul...G-BPLF...Fs2004...and a low cost, Twisty Joystick!... ...!

Of course you need a way to pitch and roll but those rudder pedals have to be the olive in the martini - that final touch.  Before I unleash that 'realism rudder enable' again, I'll have something for my feet.  My X52 is fine in the X/Y ax(es?) but the twist grip is almost laughable for realistic rudder input.  Having just squirted some silicone spray on said X52, I may be in the market for something new.  The control feel has dampened nicely but there's always Murphy's Law .

HarvesteR
Sounds like you have TrakIR.  Tell me all the good things about it.  This whole business of looking around with the hat switch in VC mode isn't bad when you have a plane with a VC cockpit but that TrakIR sure looks like my next toy - if wishes were fishes (quoting the wife here)  .

I like the Saitek stuff!

Started out with a ST90, then upped to the X52 Pro.  Cured the 'cheap gamey' feel by mounting them to smallish 'out'boards on my desk.

Recently got the Cyborg keyboard (for the lighted keys) and the ProSwitch panel.  Luvin' the whole setup!  {and it was less than $2495 + $695 + $449 which would sum up to the wife kickin my ---!}

Closing in on my 1500th hour....................

You're completely right Paul... I've been going down that very road

when I was a little kid I used to play FS4 with the keyboard on a 286 black and white laptop

then I moved up to FS95 and got my first joystick. a Logitech Extreme... 2 axis, 4 buttons, not much else

by this time the joystick virus must have thawed out of it's spore, for not much later I was flying FS98 with the MS Sidewinder 3D... 4 axes!! 8 buttons!! now THAT was a joystick  

and soon after, MS's Force Feedback 1.0 (which I still have and works perfectly)... amazing piece of hardware that is!! how it managed to last 10 years, and still work even despite having the cables chewed by the dog  

after I moved out, my brother kept the FFB, and I bought a much cheaper, USB Leadership Cobra out of need... this one had its 4 axes and some 12 buttons... but FSX was out at the time, and I felt something was missing

then I saw it... or better it, grabbed it at a computer event... it was just awesome! I put aside my plans for building my own input device after I put my hand on that thing... it was an X52...

I worshiped that stick for months... I read every review on the net about it... but it was just SO expensive!! in Brazil (land of all taxes) just the X52 alone would cost me the equivalent to 700USD!! not to mention the pedals i was also drooling over

the opportunity came for me when I got to live in Mexico with my GF last year... I think it took me like, 2 days after I got there before I ordered   (she didn't like that very much)

A month it took! a whole, long, uncertain month... I usually don't have any trouble buying stuff online, but I was in another country, unsure of how things worked there... the wait seemed to last forever...
I was just about to give up, already having sent emails to the shop claiming it as lost merchandise, when it arrived!!

I rushed home to find a crumpled cardboard box, beaten up and probably forgotten for a while in some dark corner of some post office... but it was intact! my very own X52 Pro and the Rudder pedals to boot!!

I am happy now... for now... I'm starting to itch for the Yoke set...

I currently own 8 different joysticks, all told... I have my Sidewiders, the Cobra, the X52, the pedals, a gamepad, a wheel, and a Gearbox i built myself, but those are side stories that don't fit that well here  

the virus has spread and it's raging rampant  

Cheers


PS: if you couldn't help not wanting to know more about the gearbox, Click here