New Joystick

[BFOOT1]

My Saitek x45 is finally wearing out, and I'm in need of a new stick. I'm looking at anything below $350, but I need suggestions here folks. My x45 had the stick and throttle separate, and on the throttle, were you fingertips go, was the rudder. I'm looking for something similar to that, but still open to new stuff 

[puller]

X52 FTW 

Get rudder pedals too   

[BFOOT1]

Pretty solid setup I assume?

[TequilaChaser]

puller, are you recommending the X52 or the X52 Pro?  (am I correct, thinking there is 2 versions of the X52?)    I don't remember a X52 FTW version, assuming you meant For The Win

BFOOT, is it just your stick that is wearing out? or  both the stick and throttle?

As puller suggested, I also recommend you to get rudder pedals, if you can and are able to use them (physically) and can afford the extra expense

Their are so many different sticks out there, these days, that makes it hard to recommend one to long time players..... It is easier to make recommendations like this to new / semi-new players

Are you looking to just replace the stick or looking for a complete new (or used) Hotas? and possibly rudder pedals?


TC

[BFOOT1]

puller, are you recommending the X52 or the X52 Pro?  (am I correct, thinking there is 2 versions of the X52?)    I don't remember a X52 FTW version, assuming you meant For The Win

BFOOT, is it just your stick that is wearing out? or  both the stick and throttle?

As puller suggested, I also recommend you to get rudder pedals, if you can and are able to use them (physically) and can afford the extra expense

Their are so many different sticks out there, these days, that makes it hard to recommend one to long time players..... It is easier to make recommendations like this to new / semi-new players

Are you looking to just replace the stick or looking for a complete new (or used) Hotas? and possibly rudder pedals?


TC

Both are wearing out my friend.

[TequilaChaser]

Ok, I would search Amazon to see if you could hopefully find a good price on a new (or even used but in excellent or almost new condition) if you really like using the the X52 (X52 Pro)....since that is what you have used for awhile

Learning to use a new "different" hotas can be a real pain, and you might come to find that you don't like the new hotas setup....verses buying a new replacement of what you was already using and accustomed to...

Unless you are just wanting to change and try a different new hotas brand

I have been using CH Products CH hotas fighterstick, pro throttle, rudder pedals since 1995 gameport type then USB version (except for my gameport CH rudder pedals, they been being used since about 1993 or 94...

Lot of talk recently about the "VKB" sticks in the hardware and software forum... pretty sure I got the brand right

Thrustmaster's T1600 or is it TM1600 stick/throttle gets a bit of praise and I actually have 1 similar to it or it is what they used to model the 1600 from.....

If you have the money and can afford it, you might want to consider getting the warthog hotas by thrustmaster

Buy yourself some rudder pedals, once you get use to them, you will be kicking yourself for not getting a set years ago

Hope this helps you

TC

[Gman]

I had an X45 15+ years ago too, still have it in my Hotas collection but some buttons don't work, and if you want a throttle with a rocker for the rudder peds, the new TM TWCS throttle just came out in 2016, and has a rocker sort of similar to the X45 in function at least, if not form.  That + any stick will give you the same type of controls you're used to with the X45 if you aren't going to pedals.  It's well under $100 USD, and that gives you a lot of $ budget wise to get a CH Fighterstick, or a Warthog stick without the throttle, and so on.

VKB are great, I have a set of their pedals, but they are out of your budget you've listed for their higher end stick.  IMO your best value to get an x45 like experience is the TWCS TM throttle, and a CH Fighterstick or Combatstick.  That should come in at no more than $250 after tax/shipping I think.  If you want to move up to your 350$ max, you could trade the CH stick for a stand alone WH stick.  I found a brand new one with a small scuff on it on Amazon for a couple hundred CDN recently, and new I think they are around 270 USD still.  The TWCS is $65 right now, so either stick with the throttle is less than $350.


https://www.amazon.ca/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-PC-Windows/dp/B01L28LVUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501020320&sr=8-1&keywords=thrustmaster+throttle

[Bizman]

In the $250 range you'd get the full package from TM. Not only the throttle, but also pedals and the T-16000M stick which is known for its accuracy.

[Petey]

VERY  Interested in the VKB stuff.

I have to say that I am really disappointed with my TM warthog rig.  i expected better support and quality from TM but, they are the same as they were in the old days and the reason why I went CH and never looked back. gave TM a try this time and same thing over priced crapola

anyone else using VKB would be nice to get some reviews on their experience before I pull the trigger and get a get my second set up this year.  if they arent all they are cracked up to be I will go back to CH.


thanks.

[Pluto]

Im not sure about the VKB Gladiator but if you decide to go with the gunfighter I recommend the base only and adapter for the warthog grip if you still have one. The grip it comes with is very light and feels cheaply made.

[Petey]

thanks Clu

still have my warthog.

[JimmyC]

VKB Gladiator  here..very nice stick
I got mk1 not pro..pro is better.. metal gymbal and internals
It is really precise.no calibration needed.modern magnetic pots.
Real great feel..highly recommend it.

[Petey]

the reason I am weighing my options is...... I am considering purchasing  the VKB stuff if it has better support and quality.

My Warthog has experienced the  sticktion issue.   I took it apart and cleaned everything up and polished the gimbal.   also cut a couple coils out of the main spring it is a lot better now. (Smoother ) should of not had to do this for what I paid for this rig.

I hear you can use the TM WH stick handle on the VKB base?  that would be nice if this is true.

disappointed with the quality of TM I expected this flight gear to be with me for a long time and now I have a bad toggle and failing hat switch on my throttle.

this equipment is less than a year old and expensive!  also it seems parts are hard to find or, I just am not looking in the right place?

If the VKB is better and people have had better experiences with this equipment and getting product support. I would like to hear from you all.

still using my trusty CH rudders. 

any place to get replacement parts for the  TM stuff?

  back in the day I had a lot of parts failures with TM stuff. thats why I went to CH and it was way more dependable but the stick was way uncomfortable and I had to build it up so I could reach the hats better.  otherwise I wold of just bought new CH stuff again when it was time to get new gear.

[Pluto]

From what I have seen reading the vkb forum the North America support has been very good so far.  I kept my warthog grip and put it on the gunfighter base. It was quite nice not having to get used to new buttons.  It was a little tricky setting up the software, but once it was set up I haven't had to mess with it anymore. I also highly recommend the vkb rudder pedals.

[Ack-Ack]

VKB support is pretty good when I've needed it.  The only thing that sucks about the VKB gear is the software but VKB is working on improving the programming software.