Deciding on a Joystick

[Dude902]

I'm new here and not too much of a serious player, so please bear with me.

I was searching on Amazon and I need a budget joystick $30 (US) or less, and I found a few (I only have about $30 in gift-cards and I'm not quite ready to get those top of the line ones). I need help deciding which I should order. They all have a hat switch, rudder control, and throttle.

#1 is a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. I heard a lot of bad things about Logitech however, so I'm pretty sure it's a big no-no. I like the number of buttons though, and I can't really find any around the same price with that many buttons (12).

#2 is a Thrustmaster Top Gun Fox 2 Pro. I think it looks pretty good, but there are only 6 buttons + the trigger, which might be enough.

If anyone can find some good budget ones ($30) I missed on Amazon, I'd appreciate any help.

Anyways, which do you think would be the best choice?

[Trog]

Dude 902

I have a Sidewinder Presicion Pro, but its getting old and i needed a new one. They don't make them anymore.

I debated back and forth to stay with similiar stick or go with a Saitek x52
I went with a x52, but before i did i researched all the sticks and one of the best available was the Saitek Cyborg Evo now available in your price range at Saitek.com for 29.95

I would stay away from logitech and believe you will not be disappointed with the Cyborg Evo.

If you can find a good used Sidewinder on ebay or somewhere that would be a good stick too.

Good Luck

 

[38ruk]

Avoid logitech if at all possible, they spike right out of the box.

[OOZ662]

The Sidewinder is the Holy Grail of joysticks. Very coveted. Few buttons, but enough to get along.

The X-52 is the geek's dream. If you're a gamer who can deal with an overload of glowing buttons, this thing is for you. Less sturdy but still worth it, you can perform every action possible in a plane without taking your hands off the X52.

The Evo is an inbetweener. It has a medium range of buttons, but poor placement of some of them. It's a little clumsy. More sturdy than an X52.

Both Saiteks are extremely sensitive. Half deflection on my X52 stalls everything but a Ki-84 or a Zero. However, they have beefy springs and sliding plates that make them harder to pull. Not too hard, but it will make your movements more accurate over time.

Logitech sucks. Unless you plan on only playing a month. Then have at it. But seriously, most of their sticks are legends if they reach the three month mark.

[detch01]

Dude902, you're far better off going for a stick with good quality pots in it than one with more buttons. A stick's first and most important job is to allow you to control your aircraft in AH. Logitech is truly terrible quality and won't do well in AH. If you're only choice is the two you mentioned I'll bet you'll get more satisfaction in the game with the thrustmaster, although I've heard good and bad about that one too - just not as consistently bad as the logitech.

YMMV

Cheers,
asw

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

You can usually pick up a base model Saitek Cyborg at WalMart for under $30. You can get the Saitek Cyborg Evo at Best Buy, but you will probably have to order a Saitek Cyborg Evo Force if you want force feedback. The Saiteks are pretty tough, and affordable. They are very adjustable as well.

I went to Saitek when I realized Logitech was garbage about 10 years ago, and never looked back. My Evo Force is the most expensive stick I've had in near 15 years of flight sims, at around $70 counting shipping.

I've long lusted after some CH gear, but it is just more than I can justify.

[RTR]

STAY AWAY FROM LOGITECH!

For pretty close to the same $$ you can pick up a Saitek EVO (non FFB is about $25 to $30). It has everything you will need to get started and is a pretty solid functional stick. (I used one for a couple years..no complaints).

Whatever you get though, make sure it has what you need.

cheers,
RTR

[Sting138]

Best bet is to get a reconditioned Saitek from their website.

Get the same product at a HUGE savings!

http://saitekusa.stores.yahoo.net/recprod.html

[Lye-El]

Second the opinion of Logitech. Had one out of the box that wouldn't stay centered. Went in the trash.

[Spatula]

Logitech is rubbish.

If your on a tight budget but want reasonable quality and loads of functionality, get the Saitek X52.

However, if you can possibly scrape together a bit extra go for real quality: CH Products. Will cost ya, but no-one ever regretted buying quality. Ive had my setup for years and years and they still work perfectly. Plus you can buys replacement parts as and when or if required.

[gpa3]

After the demise of the famous Microsoft FFII stick, I have had every darn stick Logitech makes. They are all terrible quality. Bad out of the box and only get worse. Geesh, what's wrong with those people!

I finally decided to give the cheap looking Thrustmaster a try.

Guess what? It's the best stick I have ever owned. The thing rocks, always perfect calibration. Buttons are great. The bomb button (yellow/black striped on top of handle) worked in AH right out of the box. Adjustable spring action on bottom. Tight center, not sloppy center like Logitech. More buttons than I ever use.

This stick is worth $200 IMO.

Solid, durable, great design.

Thrustmaster Top Gun Fox 2

***** 5 stars all the way!

[38ruk]

Originally posted by gpa3
After the demise of the famous Microsoft FFII stick, I have had every darn stick Logitech makes. They are all terrible quality. Bad out of the box and only get worse. Geesh, what's wrong with those people!

I finally decided to give the cheap looking Thrustmaster a try.

Guess what? It's the best stick I have ever owned. The thing rocks, always perfect calibration. Buttons are great. The bomb button (yellow/black striped on top of handle) worked in AH right out of the box. Adjustable spring action on bottom. Tight center, not sloppy center like Logitech. More buttons than I ever use.

This stick is worth $200 IMO.

Solid, durable, great design.

Thrustmaster Top Gun Fox 2

***** 5 stars all the way!

I agree with the TM fox 2 , its almost like a MSpp2 and is a great stick for the money . Even the Saitek st290 pro is a decent stick that ive tried and was dirt cheap . Ive pretty much tried everything except a  TM cougar , TM , saitek , CH and IF you can find one Microsoft. I ended up selling the ch setup and buying a MS precision pro 2 off ebay . I just cant use pedals due to back surgerys . GL picking one out

[DiabloTX]

I just bought a TM Pro 2 and it's as close to my old Sidewinder (RIP ) that I've found.  It doesn't feature as many buttons but it's damn close.

My setup:
Trigger - primary fire
Coolie hat - views
Top middle button - lower flaps
right middle button - raise flaps
right side index finger button - secondary weapon select
left base button - look up
middle base button - WEP
right base button - secondary weapon fire

Like I said, not as many buttons as the Sidewinder but it's as close to it as I can find.  When I go back to playing online I'll reassign one of the buttons for the mic.  It also has a tension rotator under the base to adjust the resistance of the stick on all of hits axis, very nice feature.  Price is unbeatable as well.

[Wilbus]

Logitech make excellent desktop solutions but stay away from their joysticks, the quaility there is just awfull.

If those are the only two choices you have, go for the Thrustmaster. I had the same stick and it held out pretty well untill I got bored of it and gave it away.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by 38ruk
Avoid logitech if at all possible, they spike right out of the box.

A former squaddie is still using my Wingman I sent to him after using it myself for 3 years.   He's had it over three years.