Author Topic: thrustmaster Top Gun Afterburner II (Read 455 times)

Stone · « **on:** May 08, 2006, 11:40:19 AM »

What about this stick?

Who has used it, is it any good?

http://www.thrustmaster.com/eng/d_prd.php?p=T64&fam=6

It is 75% cheaper than a Saitek X45 and way cheaper than CH.

flakbait · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2006, 12:26:42 AM »

It might be cheaper (<-key word) but I've never heard of anyone getting used to it. Last time I had the chance to wrap a paw around that thing, it didn't feel right. It felt, well, cheap; quality construction it ain't. The so-called "8-way hat" is a fairly slick button with almost no grip. Add to it the funky throttle geometry (it rolls back to front instead of a linear slide) and you wind up with a very goofy-feeling HOTAS that'll prolly break quickly. As much as I hate to say it, you'd be better off with an X52. Just make sure you get the CompUSA one-year return policy.

That being said, CH is still the way to go. Their products don't break often, and when they do all it takes is a quick call for help. Now if they'd only lower the price!

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Flakbait [Delta6]

Easyscor · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2006, 02:21:59 AM »

The construction of the Afterburner II has improved a lot in the last 4 years. I bought two when they were still made with thin plastic and I regurlarly crushed both the throttle and stick. Even so, it was the hat switch and buttons that failed on both Afterburner IIs after 400-600 hours prompting me to go with Saitek. flakbait is right about the POV hat switch, it was a pain but the rudder toggle was a comfortable design compared to the x45.

Overall, the x45 was 3 times the stick compared to the Afterburner but the current model, the x52 seems like a step backward because of the twisty stick rudder and "mouse stick" which replaced one of the hats. I suppose you could program the hat switch on the front of the throttle as a rudder but I like that one for trim. As for myself, I plan on taking a close look at CH products from now on and may not wait for my x52 to wear out.

You can expect about 1300+ hours out of a Saitek with moderate abuse and the x52 has some kool features but IMO you'll need a set of rudder peddals to be happy with one.

Be sure to get the stores' extended warrenty. Probably one year if you're a heavy user or two years if you have another life besides AH.

On a budget? I'd recommend a cheaper Saitek in the $35 range + CH rudder peddals at $100 from Frys. Both would be cheaper online. Upgrade to a better stick when you have the money or can talk someone into a nice birthday present.

GL

68DevilM · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2006, 01:37:56 PM »

i have to object. ive been through a dozen saitech and longitech joysticks, but always encountered spikeing issues with all of them. and my thrustmaster AF2 FF has not let me down in over a year of banging away with it.

as far as the hatswitch, no problems noted with mine and the non grip buttons dont bother me at all....

only complaint, is the throtle has three posistions, idle, sumthing and afterburn. if your not carefull youll push the throttle off your desk during a furball becuase it sticks in each posion requireing you to put a little extra force on it to move the throttle.

i dont use the rudder toggle, instead i use the twisty stick.......

overall best joystick ive used so far.......

Easyscor · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2006, 03:20:11 PM »

Devil he wasn't looking at the force feedback stick and I have no experience with it and don't know what it costs. He didn't mention Logitech but I sure don't know any long time player recommending them these days.

Glad your TM is holding up.

Stone · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2006, 12:23:09 AM »

I have a logitech now. But some how it just does not feel right.

Had a MS SW but its dead now. That was a good stick, but they dont make em any more.

The force feed back costs only 80€, and a X45 costs 105€.
Then there is the X52 for 140€ and CH throtle and stick for ~280€.

So expencive

Now I found a very strange stick on the net.
Strange stick

I might get it for 20€ from an ebay like site.

I had game port pedals, but now I may have to get used with a twist stick again.

68DevilM · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:13:30 AM »

whos the maker of that stick....looks like a longitech......

38ruk · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2006, 09:47:42 PM »

I have used a TM fox 2 usb stick , and its the closest thing ive found to a ms precision pro 2 . Ive got to say its one of the best "Cheap" twist stick on the market , and ive had a few to compare it to ( Saitek: X-45, Evo , Cyborg3d Gold, STPRO 290, Logitech: Wingman 3D, Extreme 3D Pro ThrustMaster : 1ST Top Gun Afterburner Hotas ) . The only ones ive owned that are better are the MS PP2 , X-52 , or the full Ch setup im trying to get used to now . It fairs very well for itself considering it was a 30 dollar stick

Schatzi · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2006, 03:48:15 AM »

Schutt used the stick for over a year. Had no issues (towards the end hit hatswitch got a little sticky). A great stick to start out IMHO.