Best easy setup *inexpensive* joystick??

by **exz** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 5:39 pm

Hello, first time posting here. I'm going to order a joystick, not just for FlightGear, but for use with other games as well. Looking for something which works well but is easy to set up.
Looking on Amazon, under cheapish joysticks with reasonable user ratings, I can see models from Thrustmaster, Saitek, and Logitech.
What model, for not more than about 50GBP, would anyone recommend?
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exz

by **massima** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 6:53 pm

I fly with a cheap TH Hotas-X, it costs only 55€.

by **sim** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:07 pm

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/thrustmaster-tflight-hotas-x-joystick-with-detachable-throttle-control-entirely-programmable-for-pc-
Looks like a good joystick for the price.
intrigued by the PRESET and MAPPING buttons - Does js_demo see those?
If so perhaps they show as button 13 and button 14? :idea:

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• Detachable, real-size, ergonomically-designed throttle control
• Dual-system aerodynamic control: by rotating handle (with integrated blocking system) or by progressive tilting lever
• High-precision joystick with adjustable resistance
• Wide hand-rest for optimal comfort
• Weighted base for greater stability
• Exclusive "PRESET" button": to switch, while playing, instantly from one programme to another
• Internal memory: to save all of your programming, even with the joystick disconnected
• Exclusive "MAPPING" button: all functions may be instantly switched around between each other
• Programmable: the 12 buttons and 5 axles are entirely programmable
• Trigger for brakes (civil flight) or for rapid fire (military flight) + multi-directional hat (panoramic view)

UK price £33.72

Scan Code:LN63087

Manufacturer Code:2960703

by **sanhozay** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 9:54 pm

I have the Thrustmaster Hotas X and no complaints after 18 months of use. The joystick dialog in Flightgear makes programming the buttons easy but I've not used the preset and mapping buttons. The rocker switch on the back of the throttle works well as a rudder axis. Good for fixed wing, including taildraggers, and helicopters.

by **legoboyvdlp** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:19 pm

Bookmarking to buy when I start uni versity

by **hamzaalloush** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:33 pm

Thrustmaster T.Flight Stick X is good too, it's basicaly the same stick but without dedicated throttle, have slider instead.

by **japreja** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 4:34 am

If you want to pay rock bottom $$$'s for a controller you can use any cheep PS3 controller, I got mine for $9.99us new. It's not the best but sure beats flying by keyboard. I would go for the wired USB kind so there is no latency between the device no matter what you end up buying.

The PS3 style controllers in FlightGear will flip the axis of the left stick (edit: to an alternate axis) by pressing the Home button which can come in handing when changing flight modes or during control reversal depending on aircraft.

by **someguy** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:17 am

I've had a Thustmaster T.16000M for several years, and it's showing no discernable wear or slop. It has approximately (too lazy to check right now) 16 buttons, all programmable via the FlightGear config file. It's built quite nicely, and uses Hall effect transistors instead of pots on the stick axes. The only possible issue is that the springs are a bit too stiff IMHO.

Saitek used to be good, now it's junk. Logitech has always been junk. (Junk = doesn't last long, has poor precision, and/or is poorly designed.

by **sim** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 3:06 pm

Am using 6 year old Saitek AV8R-01 and it's still going strong. Have a spare one still in box ready once the old 'un gives up the ghost! Cheap too £16 UK or $25 US. Had more than my moneys-worth out of 'em already! :wink: