So, how much difference does a good stick and/or rudders make?

[BnZs]

I've always flown with $20 dollar ST290s, and they've mostly seemed to do their part if I do mine. Is there dogfighting benefit to some of the higher end sticks? What about rudders versus twistys?

[Bino]

Sorry, I've never even tried a twisty-stick.  From my very first PC-XT running Microsoft Flight Simulator in 1986, I've always used rudder pedals.  I like the fact that while pedals can provide fine control, I can also just mash one pedal to the floor if I need to.

I had a few hours in a Cessna 152 back when I was a teenager, so just I figured I'd better stick with the real deal.  <shrug>

[Ack-Ack]

I've always flown with $20 dollar ST290s, and they've mostly seemed to do their part if I do mine. Is there dogfighting benefit to some of the higher end sticks? What about rudders versus twistys?

In the days of the old legacy analog game ports, the quality of the stick (and game port) were very important and there was a difference that could be seen between quality sticks and 'bargain' sticks.  However, with a high end analog joystick, you would be hindered if you were using a standard game port (those that were usually found on sound cards) and to get the best out of your stick, you needed a dedicated, speed adjustable game port card.  With USB digital controllers, that difference is largely a matter of the past since the signals are now digital and not hindered by being analog.  So in theory, a $20 stick would be just as fast as a $100 dollar stick and offer the same precision in control.  The difference today is largely a matter of production quality, as in how well the stick is made.

As for the question of a twisty stick rudder vs. rudder pedals...while rudder pedals allow more precise movements compared to the twisty stick rudder, it does ultimately boil down to preference.  There are some that play AH that you can't tear their twisty stick away from them, mostly because they've become so used to it that it's not a hindrance while they fly.  Though, if you ask me, rudder pedals are the way to go.

ack-ack

[mechanic]

I fly with a very old sidewinder twisty but I also have some pedals that Jimmy gave me. I switch between the two depending how I'm feeling and how much space I have free, the twisty is much easier to use in a compact area. I'm still better with the twisty because that's how I learnt flight sims. Like AkAk says you can't tear it away from me. Pedals are the way to go. It would be dreadful trying to fly a real plane with a twisty column I reckon.

[Delirium]

What about rudders versus twistys?

I agree with what AKAK wrote and I'll add one more thing.

I can discern when a player has a twisty stick almost immediately, particularly if they are a newer player. You can tell because their aircraft have a greater period of time yawing in high G turns and often stall out on one wing (sometimes they look like salmon swimming upstream). If you have a choice I wouldn't recommend buying a twisty stick, as you can buy pedals earlier and not have to re-learn your muscle memory later.

edit: Batfink's post just confirmed my above opinion.

[Brooke]

I think that the feel of the stick and pedals matters.  I have purchased low-cost Saitek ST290's and Aviators as well as CH Products Flightstick (approx. $80) and pedals (approx. $100).  I vastly prefer the CH Products and can fight better with them.  I prefer pedals to twisty because I can more precisely control rudder (especially during combat) with pedals.

It's not a matter of how fast the signal from the stick or rudder responds to movement -- that is all close enough to instantaneous.  Also, most sticks (even inexpensive ones) should calibrate OK, not be spiky, and have full range of signal.  My Saitek's worked fine in that regard, and I recommend them to new players who want a low-cost stick to try out the game.

There is a caveat to all of the above statements:  I have vastly more time flying the CH Products than the Saitek sticks.

[BaldEagl]

I've always used twisties (MS Sidewinder, ST290, AV8R) and wouldn't want to change although I think with a twistie some amount of cross control is inevitable, especially if you're ham fisted or get excited/distracted easily.

The Saitek's loosten up around center over time and I can really tell the difference when I switch to a new one so in that regard higher quality might be better.  My old Sidewinder lasted 13 years and was only retired because I no longer had a gameport.  In the past six years or so I've been through more than six Saiteks but, until recently, they were the only option for a leftie.

[SilverZ06]

If you are used to twisty sticks you will absolutely hate rudder pedals....at first. When I first transitioned to pedals I almost threw them out the window in the first hour. It literally took me a couple weeks to a month to finally get the hang of pedals after flying with twisty sticks for so many years. Once you get used to the pedals you will love them and wonder how you flew without them. Just be forewarned that the learning the pedals will drive you crazy.

[Rogue9Volt]

How hard is learning pedals if you've only used a keyboard for rudder control?

[SilverZ06]

How hard is learning pedals if you've only used a keyboard for rudder control?

  I would think it would be very easy to learn since you wont already have the muscle memory developed like you would with a twisty stick.

[guncrasher]

I would think it would be very easy to learn since you wont already have the muscle memory developed like you would with a twisty stick.

he still does, instinct will tell him to use the keyboard instead of feet.


semp

[mechanic]

How hard is learning pedals if you've only used a keyboard for rudder control?

For someone who has been using keyboard for rudder getting pedals will be amazing. No one who plans to subscribe should limit themselves to keyboard for flight controls unless they really have to.

[Ack-Ack]

How hard is learning pedals if you've only used a keyboard for rudder control?

It varies on the person.  When I made the switch from a MS Sidewinder twisty to CH pedals, it took about a week or so to get used to them.  I think those with real flight experience would take a few hours to get used to them.

ack-ack

[Randy1]

Twisty always got twisted when I pushed for a shot.  Pedals were a natural for me the first use but I flew and built R/C planes which is much harder than learning to fly a real plane because of having to work backwards have of the time.

[Rogue9Volt]

I'm getting a ch set up for my bday next month..  So stoked!!