Hey,
I've purchased FSX not long ago and still play using the keyboard only .
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 .

I really don't know which joystick I should choose 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  

P.S. I use Microsoft Windows XP and it's quite new (purchased less than an year ago). I don't have the exact specs here (I'm not using the computer I fly with at the moment).

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.

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

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

Crash

Frequent Flyer wrote on May 27^th, 2009 at 10:18am:


Then you DO care about the price  

The X52 is very nice, and its setup is much like fighter aircraft. (or the right side in an Airbus   ) And I would recommend it as it will give you a very nice throttle that fits in your palm, not between your index finger and thumb, that holds extra buttons for all those little functions of the aircraft and gives you the ability to control the rudder.

Next option would be the Saitek aviator, I dont know much about it but it has dual throttle control and rudder control. You can find more info here: http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/av8r.htm

What I would personally recommend if you really want to get into flight simulation is a Flight yoke such as the Saitek Pro Flight System. It comes with a separate throttle quadrant that also allows control of prop and mixture along with the throttle. However, to get rudder control you will need to purchase the rudder pedals. Its in total about $300 depending on where you get it. But it will last a long time and really give you the feel of an aircraft. But its probably out of your price range.

But in your price range I would say what your looking at along with the X52 or the Saitek Aviator should all do just fine.

Fozzer wrote on May 27^th, 2009 at 11:36am:

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.

My lovely old Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, which cost me the Princely sum of £100* many, many Moons ago, was the most robust of all my Joysticks... ...!

Unfortunately, it went belly-up a few years ago, and try as I might, I haven't been able to repair it... ..!

Like everything else in my house, I haven't the heart to throw it away...(nostalgia)... ...!

I suppose MS couldn't compete, price wise, with the competition...It really was a very well built Joystick..... shame!... ...!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_SideWinder#Force_Feedback_2

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

* ...actually £99.99...so you always end up with a pocket full of Pennies... ...Why do they do it?...!!