Coming Aboard: control questions

[Seabeast2]

Hail Shipmates,

Here is the deal, I am somewhat new to the flight sim world and played AH long enough to invest. I presently purchused the Belkin n52te and next month going to purchuse a stick and throttle set. Here are my questions.
1. will the Belkin help me better than a mouse until i get the stick? if so any sugjestions on use would be cool.
2. The ongoing debates about stick and throttle leave me confused, I want a cheap to decient rig to fly enjoyably (same as everyone else I guess, flyers are cheap hehe). So, which will best stick will configure to this game simply and is best for the noob flyer?
V/R,
Seabeast

[bbosen]

Welcome aboard! I hope this is as fun and satisfying for you as for me.

You'll find that choice of joystick, throttle, rudders, and other controls is a lot like religion around here. Opinions are strong and varied. Ultimately, you'll just learn what works for you. If you like it and you can afford it, then it's the right choice for you.

I personally have had very good success with the low-cost Logitech "Extreme 3dPro" joystick and a numeric keypad. That combination, IMHO, gives you the best combination of value and functionality. Many, MANY others will disagree. But for a beginner, I'd start out with something relatively low in cost just to learn how everything affects your level of enjoyment. If you choose to stick with the Logitech Extreme 3dPro and numeric keypad idea, you can gradually add additional, low-cost controls as described here:

http://techvideoreview.com/FlightSimMovies/General/ControlsAndCockpits/JoysticksControlsAndFlightSimCockpitsFullPage.htm


I hope this helps!


Regards,


-Peabody-

[bbosen]

I forgot to comment on your Belkin N52TE.  Sorry...

It looks like you can use it instead of the numeric keypad in the context of my earlier suggestions. Should work very well.


Regards,


-Peabody-

[Spikes]

I also have the n52te but only for FPS games. I solely use my X52 joystick for AH though.  I don't think you will find much better use out of the n52te. If you want to get a cheap holdover stick until you can get a nice setup, check out the Saitek ST290Pro. Around 20-25 bucks at local walmart.

[Ghosth]

I have to agree with Spikes, if you want a stick good enough for the first year. Yet without having to invest hundreds of dollars for a full set, its hard to beat the ST-290.  It is going to have everything you "need". After you've been here for a while, it will be easier to decide if you want to invest the money in a full blown CH setup.
Or X-52 or other options by Saitek.

[gyrene81]

I'm using the Saitek Cyborg X...fully adjustable and easy to configure...it was a step up from my Logitech Wingman Extreme 3D digital.

Next step will be the Saitek X-52 or CH Combatstick with a throttle.

[sheperd]

I have the Nostromo N52( well kinda, I have the insides of one and hacked it)  so I could use it in a SIM PIT as an interface yours should work fine for ya But I would go to walmart or something and spend a bit on a cheep stick to get you buy until you can afford a good one. Speaking of a good one there are a lot of opinions about that but I think a HOTAS with rudder is a must ...I couldn't imagine flying with a twist stick. But I'm not that great of a pilot so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[Strip]

Rudder pedals are probably the exception not the rule around here.....nice to have but not absolutely needed.

Although its been mentioned a few times I want to through it out there again, at the very least get a cheap 20-30 dollar stick to start out with.

Sure you can use a mouse, but its like driving a car with a left and right key.

Welcome to the club!

 

Strip

[Fianna40]

Hello,

I am yet another newcomer that's trying out AH for the first time. I'm also shopping for a joystick, preferably one that is amenable to a left-handed person. 

Also, are there any areas that I should avoid entering (being new) so as to not make a nuisance of myself?

[Ghastly]

First off, you should avoid trying to use a left-handed stick, (the Saitek Cyborg can be set up left handed.)  You will find that with a little practice, flying with the stick in your right hand will be just fine, and becoming accustomed to a left handed stick will close the door on many of the best HOTAS systems should you choose to continue with this as a hobby.

<S>

[Fianna40]

First off, you should avoid trying to use a left-handed stick, (the Saitek Cyborg can be set up left handed.)  You will find that with a little practice, flying with the stick in your right hand will be just fine, and becoming accustomed to a left handed stick will close the door on many of the best HOTAS systems should you choose to continue with this as a hobby.

Thanks for this. This is a right handed world after all, so having to switch over isn't something new; I learned to golf and play hockey right-handed.

[Spikes]

First off, you should avoid trying to use a left-handed stick, (the Saitek Cyborg can be set up left handed.)  You will find that with a little practice, flying with the stick in your right hand will be just fine, and becoming accustomed to a left handed stick will close the door on many of the best HOTAS systems should you choose to continue with this as a hobby.

Thanks for this. This is a right handed world after all, so having to switch over isn't something new; I learned to golf and play hockey right-handed.

Yep!
I am a lefty but use my X52 righty fine (actually never thought about the fact when I got it) and golf/bat righty.

[Fianna40]

Quote from: Fianna40 on Today at 08:01:13 AM
First off, you should avoid trying to use a left-handed stick, (the Saitek Cyborg can be set up left handed.)  You will find that with a little practice, flying with the stick in your right hand will be just fine, and becoming accustomed to a left handed stick will close the door on many of the best HOTAS systems should you choose to continue with this as a hobby.

Thanks for this. This is a right handed world after all, so having to switch over isn't something new; I learned to golf and play hockey right-handed.

Yep!
I am a lefty but use my X52 righty fine (actually never thought about the fact when I got it) and golf/bat righty.

This is good to hear. So you use a Saitek X52? Can this be upgraded to use rudder pedals (eventually)?

[Fianna40]

Spike, can I ask you a slightly different question? I'm trying to add a picture under my name, and the system keeps telling me that it's either too big or not an avatar. I'd like to add some animation to mine, and yours is certainly.............animate d. 

[Spikes]

Yeah I use the X52, I believe peds can be used with it.

It might be too big width wise. Avatars have to be 80x80 pixels.