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What controllers to buy? (Read 1499 times)
Apr 22nd, 2010 at 9:03pm

Venge   Offline
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Hello, getting back into flight simming but have absolutely no controllers except for a mouse. 
Will be using it for FSX.
PC is a quad core with a Nvidia 9800GT 1 gig gcard

Use to fly 172s for fun in real life, don't do that anymore but want to try out some FSX action Smiley
I did read some previous threads that touch on this topic but seemed that most were asking what pieces they should use with such and such other controllers.

So, for someone with no controllers, any recommendations as to what to buy?
Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions  Cool
 
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Reply #1 - Apr 22nd, 2010 at 9:27pm

JBaymore   Offline
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If you are a former RW pilot... and flew GA craft....... and plan on flying them in the sim..... likely you'll want a yoke and pedals and maybe a throttle quadrant.  The trio might set you back about $275-300.

CH Products makes two varieties of yokes, pedals, and a throttle quad.  (I have all three....love them.)

Saitek also makes a yoke, pedals, and throttle quad.  I fell they are more "gamey" than the CH stuff.

All are relatively similar in overall cost. 

There are more realistic sets of stuff out there mainly for the simpit market.... but the price jumps exponentially.

Maybe see the "Homebuild Cockpits" forum section for the stickies at he top of the section for suppliers listing for them.

best,

................john
 
... ...Intel i7 960 quad 3.2G LGA 1366, Asus P6X58D Premium, 750W Corsair, 6 gig 1600 DDR3, Spinpoint 1TB 7200 HD, Caviar 500G 7200 HD, GTX275 1280M,  Logitec Z640, Win7 Pro 64b, CH Products yoke, pedals + throttle quad, simpit
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Reply #2 - Apr 22nd, 2010 at 9:51pm

Venge   Offline
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Looked at the simpit sticky and had no idea people put that much effort into it!
Don't get me wrong, i love it Smiley
Not quite ready for that sort of immersion just yet though.  Want to make sure this is something I am going to stick with before taking over a large part of some room with a home made cockpit.  Was a real eye opener for sure tho, thanks!

Thanks for the heads up on the CH and Saitek name brands too, will have a look into them.
 
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Reply #3 - Apr 22nd, 2010 at 10:04pm

olderndirt   Offline
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As a former GA pilot, you're probably used to having something in each hand.  The big decision then becomes yoke or stick to go with your separate throttle control.  Personally I chose the Saitek X52 'cause most of my flying was in light aircraft with sticks.  Both types perform the same funtion so it's just a matter of preference but do consider the separate throttle.  Rudder pedals are a nice addition.  They'll catch that little left turning thing when you open the throttle and, once airborne, help keep the ball in the center. 
 
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Reply #4 - Apr 22nd, 2010 at 10:25pm

Venge   Offline
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I must admit, I had not even considered a yoke until this thread.  I guess over the years I got used to the idea that flying on a pc = joystick.  Even though all my flying was yoke based.
I think what would be wise at this point (as you guys suggested) is find a decent yoke or stick and add a throttle.  However I may put off the rudders until a bit later just to make sure this is something i am going to play for a while.
So I do need to choose between stick and yoke still.  Tough call really.  I can see yoke getting pluses on the 'what I was used to in real life' side of things, however I can see the stick being more useful if I get into some flight combat games or sims of planes that use a stick in real life.

As for which brand, seems to me CH is a bit tougher to buy over here in New Zealand.  I googled it and not a lot came up.  However Saitek is like a plague over here in a relative comparison of availability.

Hmm, have to think about it some more it seems.  Heh, only disadvantages of choices, you have to actually choose lol
 
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Reply #5 - Apr 22nd, 2010 at 11:38pm

Venge   Offline
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Something along the lines of
http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Saitek-Pro-Flight-Yoke-System/1545633/
a decent starting set?  Likely more costly then you guys are used to seeing as we here in NZ tend to have to pay a ton more for this sort of thing.   Cry
 
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Reply #6 - Apr 23rd, 2010 at 6:38am

Fozzer   Offline
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Over 10+ years of daily Flight Simming I have found a "Twist" (Rudder) Joystick (with Force-feedback) with Throttle control perfectly adequate for my purposes.... point and fly!...This allows control over BOTH the Ailerons and Rudder for keeping the ball in the centre when performing banking turns!
Without having (very expensive) Rudder Pedals for a Flight Yoke set-up, this doesn't seem to be possible, resulting in side-slip, and crabbing?

....and a suitably Joystick costs only a a few Pounds...(£30-40)... my baby!...>>>
http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/evoforce.htm

Paul....G-BPLF...FS 2004...FS Nav...and a stick of joy!... Wink...!
« Last Edit: Apr 23rd, 2010 at 2:25pm by Fozzer »  
Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.
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Reply #7 - Apr 23rd, 2010 at 10:49am

olderndirt   Offline
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Venge wrote on Apr 22nd, 2010 at 11:38pm:
Something along the lines of
http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Saitek-Pro-Flight-Yoke-System/1545633/
a decent starting set?  Likely more costly then you guys are used to seeing as we here in NZ tend to have to pay a ton more for this sort of thing.   Cry
Those New Zealand prices are a bit breathtaking.  If you have friends or aquaintances who do flight simming, it would help to see and try what they're using before you take the plunge.  Like Fozzer, I'm a stick fan but that's why they sell both  Smiley.
 
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Reply #8 - Apr 23rd, 2010 at 11:18am

JBaymore   Offline
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Didn't mean to imply you should immediately go the simpit route.  In fact that is the LAST thing I'd recommend to anyone interested in flight simming.  You have to be addicted to go there.  Just that there were links in the "resources" sticky to some hardware you might check out

And you CAN have both a stick and a yoke.  Except for trhe added costs that could be the best option.  You can even have them both hooked up at the same time if you want.  The one that is last "active" gets the usb priority.

Really... no CH over there?  Hit their website and offer to be a distributor  Wink.

best,

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

PS:  The NZ prices!!!!!!!!!!   Shocked Shocked Shocked
 
... ...Intel i7 960 quad 3.2G LGA 1366, Asus P6X58D Premium, 750W Corsair, 6 gig 1600 DDR3, Spinpoint 1TB 7200 HD, Caviar 500G 7200 HD, GTX275 1280M,  Logitec Z640, Win7 Pro 64b, CH Products yoke, pedals + throttle quad, simpit
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Reply #9 - Apr 23rd, 2010 at 1:33pm

patchz   Offline
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You can take this with a grain of salt, but I would like to make you aware of my experience with Saitek. I recently purchase an X52 Pro from Dell along with my Alienware order. At first, I was very pleased, except it seemed to have a 'catch' in the stick. olderndirt told me that it would improve with use, but I could help it along with a little parafin lubrication. After about a week, the z rotation (twist) changed from proportional to full with the slightest movement. I had to start using autorudder just to be able to fly. Then it went completely haywire and started cycling through views non-stop. My hands were not on the controller or keyboard at the time it started this. I contacted Saitek and was given an RMA to return for repair or replacement. It arrived in San Diego 4/20/10. This morning, I was informed it would be one to two weeks before repair and return. I have no other stick to use in the meantime and this was explained up front, as well as it being a brand new purchase. Considering the circumstances, I felt they should have sent me a new stick and have me return the faulty unit when that arrived, as Dell did with the monitor. I informed them, I would not consider a future purchase of their product.

...

I sincerely hope you have better luck.
 
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Reply #10 - Apr 23rd, 2010 at 2:22pm

JBaymore   Offline
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I've heard other stories like this with Saitek.

And if you look at the actual units compared to the CH ones...... as I said above..... they seem "gamey" in construction.  Just kinda' "loghtweight" in construction and in the design aspects.

best,

...............john
 
... ...Intel i7 960 quad 3.2G LGA 1366, Asus P6X58D Premium, 750W Corsair, 6 gig 1600 DDR3, Spinpoint 1TB 7200 HD, Caviar 500G 7200 HD, GTX275 1280M,  Logitec Z640, Win7 Pro 64b, CH Products yoke, pedals + throttle quad, simpit
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Reply #11 - Apr 23rd, 2010 at 3:08pm

Venge   Offline
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Having fun yet?
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Awesome info guys!
After reading what you guys have to say I think I may put my money back in my pocket for now and just go with a stick with attached throttle and twist ability for rudder. 
If I find I do become as addicted as most of you seem to be then it will be time to get some quality gear. 
I was a furniture maker for years, so ya, I can see me becoming one with a simpit down the road if flight simming becomes a passion for me.  Smiley
Again, thanks guys, your info was super helpful!

Plus, I think my money may be better spent on something like REX at this point.

Oh, and CH is over here, I know I have seen it somewhere.  It just isn't nearly as popular with the suppliers that list online I guess.  When the time comes, I will definitely find some and have a good look.

And yes, you don't get much for your gaming NZ$ I am afraid.  A lot has to do with the currency exchange though.  Not sure what the exact US - NZ rate is at the moment, but I know it usually hovers between 55 - 70 cents US = 1 NZ
We get used to getting gouged over here.  Unfortunately it was something I had to get used to when I moved here from Canada.

Edit:  Picked up a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for $45 NZ.  Seemed reasonable value for money over here Smiley
« Last Edit: Apr 23rd, 2010 at 7:25pm by Venge »  
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Reply #12 - Apr 24th, 2010 at 4:26am

Fozzer   Offline
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Excellent...!

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/joysticks/devices/291

..that's all you need to get you up, and into the air... at a sensible price!....Smiley...!

...and you can manage quite well without "Force-Feedback" effects... Wink...!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...FS Nav... Cool...!
 
Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.
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Reply #13 - Apr 25th, 2010 at 7:27pm

JBaymore   Offline
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Venge,

Check this one out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CH-Products-Eclipse-Flight-Yoke-200-616-INTERNATIONAL-/16041...

best,

............john
 
... ...Intel i7 960 quad 3.2G LGA 1366, Asus P6X58D Premium, 750W Corsair, 6 gig 1600 DDR3, Spinpoint 1TB 7200 HD, Caviar 500G 7200 HD, GTX275 1280M,  Logitec Z640, Win7 Pro 64b, CH Products yoke, pedals + throttle quad, simpit
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Reply #14 - Apr 26th, 2010 at 3:26am

Fozzer   Offline
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An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861
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JBaymore wrote on Apr 25th, 2010 at 7:27pm:
Venge,

Check this one out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CH-Products-Eclipse-Flight-Yoke-200-616-INTERNATIONAL-/16041...

best,

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


$160 just for the Yoke assembly, John!

And I still cant figure out how your manage to fly, and control the Rudders for banked turns, etc, without having an additional set of very expensive Rudder Pedals?

The cheap, low cost, twist joystick does the job, at a fraction of the cost of a Flight Yoke + Rudder pedal set...for anyone on a budget!!

(I'm not on a budget...I'm just a tight-arse).... Grin...!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...with a £35 Joystick....and a purse full of Cobwebs!... Grin...!
 
Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.
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