Flight Sticks

[LCADolby]

Ok, my long serving Flight stick - Logitech X3D Pro - took a nose dive into the bin. (After the half the buttons failed)

I need a replacement, and pretty soon.

I have a budget of £200 ($250 there or there abouts)
I really want to upgrade to HOTAS and if possible, Force Feedback.

Logitech's Flight System G940 is currently £264.51, over my budget, but I sooooo so sooo want it.
Saitek X52 Hotas Flight Controller System is £104.94 but I haven't found any info whether it's a twist neck rudder or not.

I need a stick that has all 3 axis, pretty sturdy, and good value for money. Any help, advice or recommendations would be much appreciated

Cheers chaps

<S>

[sheperd]

I would go with a thrustmaster...it does not have FF or twist but its an awesome stick

[james]

I've had the x45, x52, and x52 pro. None of them compare to the x65f as far as precision and ruggedness. The stick is made of metal and doesn't move.
I've mounted mine to a piece of aluminum tubing to get some movement in the stick to get used to it quicker. Wont use another stick and the software for it is fine also.
It has rudder and ALOT of buttons to be used as well. I'd save a bit more and spring for it. I'm probably biased since i have one but i'm so glad I got it.

[AAJagerX]

Dolby,

The X52 does have a twist rudder, and for the price is a good stick.  I've been using mine for almost 2 years now.  I've done a bit of modification to it for a bit more precision, as it started spiking.  One thing about the 52 is that it is VERY light on the resistance side, which took me a bit of getting used to.  You can add a shim to the spring to increase resistance.  Alot of folks here don't like them for one reason or another, but I think it really comes down to personal preference.  I've tried the CH line of sticks, which are great, but they didn't feel as natural to me as the 52's.  If it broke, I'd get another one (probably an X52 pro).  I don't have any imput on the Logitech sticks, as I've haven't used one since the mid 90's. 

 
AAJagerX

[Reschke]

For your price point you don't have many options. You could look around various boards and ebay to see if someone has a used G940 they would be willing to part with for that price. OR just buy a new X-52 Pro. For the money its a decent stick and will accomplish what you want out of a stick for a while. My suggestion is to save up some of those nifty brit coins you guys use and buy a TM Warthog and a decent set of rudder pedals when you get to that point.

[Noir]

used to have a CH fighterstick. Great but started spiking and not centering. Bought a X65-F HOTAS and I can't get used to the stick for now. Now I'm using a Thrustmaster T-16000 with the X65 throttle and saitek pro pedals. Great value! Cheap, Hall sensors, 3rd axis, and enough buttons for AH...

http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=153&PlatformID=5

[Reschke]

Now I'm using a Thrustmaster T-16000 .... Great value! Cheap, Hall sensors, 3rd axis, and enough buttons for AH...

http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=153&PlatformID=5

Yep those are nice for what you pay for them. I have one now as a backup just in case something ever happens. I am thinking about breaking it down and making a set of rudder pedals from the components and using the switches for a control board for various sims...since it is visible and can be used in TARGET from TM it would let me combine it into a single virtual controller with my TM Warthog and TM Cougar MFD panels for games that only see limited numbers of controllers.

[LCADolby]

Thanks gents. A X52 Pro is on the way
Delivery estimate: 7 Feb 2011 - 9 Feb 2011