New HOTAS advice / opinions

[FESS67]

Current setup is a CH Products Fighter stick, throttle and pedals.  7 years old.  Works fine but sloppy in the middle and I have to add constant input - can not even use auto pilot now.  This may be some odd configuration issue but I am now in the market for a high end HOTAS.  Question is, which one?

Do I go for CH again?  My understanding is not much has changed over the years.  Solid gear though but is it worth changing or just getting a new Fighterstick?

Saitek - some pretty good looking stuff - does it work as good as it looks?  Which one?

Other options?

Thanks in advance.

[HornetUK]

Like everything m you get what you pay for. What is your budget if you don't mind me asking?

[FESS67]

High end is fine.  I can go to $1,000 if needed

[Randy1]

A couple of points to add to your thoughts is do you want to mount the joystick or will it be free to move around?  Do you want a throttle?

[FESS67]

Yes I do want a throttle. - and pedals although I assume I can still use my existing CH throttle and pedals if needed.  Just thought a full new set would be the go.

I currently mount my stick and throttle 'dynamically' by way of Velcro areas on my desk and the bottom of my controllers.  Allows me to place them when in use and remove them when not.

Cheers

[wpeters]

Yes I do want a throttle. - and pedals although I assume I can still use my existing CH throttle and pedals if needed.  Just thought a full new set would be the go.

I currently mount my stick and throttle 'dynamically' by way of Velcro areas on my desk and the bottom of my controllers.  Allows me to place them when in use and remove them when not.

Cheers

This the best way to go.

http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Hotas-Warthog-Joystick-2960720/dp/B00371R8P4
http://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Pedals-Simulator-300-111/dp/B0000512IE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1395412582&sr=1-1&keywords=ch+pedals
http://www.amazon.com/TrackIr-Premium-Head-Tracking-Gaming-Pc/dp/B0029M6VKA/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_z


Total is $724.16 +shipping.

This is what I have and I love the setup

[Wiley]

WPeters's advice is solid.  Saitek, if you're looking for top shelf equipment, I'd honestly avoid them.  They are decent enough for the money if you're not hard on your gear.  I've been using an X-52 and pro pedals for 7 years or so now and it still works fine, but a lot of people have durability issues with them.  I am very gentle on my controls though, and it's been alright for me.

Wiley.

[Warmongo]

I use a Warthog throttle, Saitek pedals and my joystick is http://flightsimcontrols.com/store/joysticks/vkb-fat-black-mamba-for-non-eu/. Don't know what's the deal with the company is with the current situation in Ukraine. Check the website and sent them an email. I am waiting for their next batch of Fat Black Mamba joysticks and their grip conversion kits for the Warthog. I don't like the gimbals of the Warthog. IMHO 

[FESS67]

Thanks guys.

I have CH pedals and TrackIR

Stick and throttle is what I want.  I am hard on my gear in terms of trigger pulls but usually soft in terms of stick action.  That is where the CH Products has been amazing, it really is durable.  

[wpeters]

Thanks guys.

I have CH pedals and TrackIR

Stick and throttle is what I want.  I am hard on my gear in terms of trigger pulls but usually soft in terms of stick action.  That is where the CH Products has been amazing, it really is durable.  

The warthog can take quite a beating do to the fact it is made out of good old metal

[Hoplite]

Warthog or another CH set.  Avoid Saitek. 

[TequilaChaser]

Since you have already been using your current ch hotas setup for over 7 years....

I recommend and suggest you stay with ch products, so you don't have to go through the trials and errors of programming a new different stick ( and even throttle possibly )...

You might also could find an old gameport model of the ch fighter stick and just replace the guts/part that is causing you problems..

You're already comfortable using the ch stuff... I think it would be a setback switching to something different, that you might not even like after buying it and trying to adjust to it's different feel, etc...

Hope this helps

TC

[Rich46yo]

If I had all that cash I'd buy a warthog.

[Warmongo]

I had CH for many years and still use it in my other 2 lower end rigs. I don't think you are going to like the stiffness and sticky/gritty feeling of the Warthog. I had the damn thing bolted to my desktop. I am six feet tall, 180 pounds and size 8 1/2 gloves. My Warthog is disassembled until I figure out how to make it "feel right". I cut the main spring a bit too short 

[Brooke]

I like CH Products a lot.