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

[Bruv119]

FPH's use CH sticks and pedals.   Be warned though cheating accusations are mandatory.

No substitute for practice against good opponents and stick time though.

Pedals definitely improved my shooting and energy retention after years with a twisty, took 2-3 weeks to stop ramming people.

[lunatic1]

i have to use a twisty stick--i'm overweight(400)lbs i'm afraid if i use pedals i'd brake them first time i used them..and the twisty is all i've ever used.

[Brooke]

i have to use a twisty stick--i'm overweight(400)lbs i'm afraid if i use pedals i'd brake them first time i used them..and the twisty is all i've ever used.

Regardless of your weight, you won't break pedals.  You don't stand on them, they are more like your gas pedal or break pedal in your car in how you push them.

[Vudu15]

I find that with the switch from twisty stick to pedals I've lost my quick up close precision in fights but I've gained overall better performance out of all aircraft. Some of the others have stated opposite but I'm thinking this has to do with the types of fights and the angels being fired at. Making crossing shots or shots on planes in wide arcing/predictable turns is fairly easy given time. But on aircraft that spots you lining up your shot then changing its angle getting a quick correction can be a literally hit and miss affair. I flew for five years with the logitech extreme 3D pro and now have a full CH setup, which I like.

[zack1234]

I would own you in a Yak9t

[morfiend]

I would own you in a Yak9t

  Tha's only because you are so pretty and have lost your sense of smell!

  Those yaks just smell so bad to me!


   

[MajWoody]

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.

^ 
This

[hotcoffe]

I dont know about the sticks. since i had only cheap sticks so far but i recently bought a CH rudder pedals and I can tell you it makes a big difference.

[ink]

my hit% doubled when switching from twisty to rudder peddles.

I used a twisty for about 4 years, it took about a month for it to be second nature with the peds....

I would not want to go back to a twisty now.

[JimmyD3]

my hit% doubled when switching from twisty to rudder peddles.

I used a twisty for about 4 years, it took about a month for it to be second nature with the peds....

I would not want to go back to a twisty now.

Good to know Ink, now I know what to save my dimes for (seeing they're looking at getting rid of pennies and nickels)

[ink]

Good to know Ink, now I know what to save my dimes for (seeing they're looking at getting rid of pennies and nickels)

I have the Saitek peds they are wide and work like a charm....the x52 throttle also kicks butt....I cant stand their sticks....(new one looks nice though)

the peds should be screwed down from all sides...... if not they will eventually start to jump track....at one point after about 2 and a half years of use...every sortie they would jump track...had to open them up  APITA many

many times.....once I screwed it down from ALL sides they haven't jumped since.

save your self some  get a piece of ply wood a little larger then the overall size of the peds...there are 8 holes in the peds...use em

[FLOOB]

To me a bad joystick is like having a pebble in your shoe. It's not going to limit how far or fast you can walk, it's just going to make walking unpleasant and infuriating.

[JimmyD3]

Good to know, I am also using the X52 and am very happy with it. Several people I know have bought the new X55 and just love it, may have to upgrade to that someday as well.

[Lusche]

Personal experience:
After using high quality rudder pedals for years, going back to twisty stick had no notable impact on my AH performance at all.
But preferred fighting style may have some significant influence on that.

[Randy1]

. . . preferred fighting style . . .

How would you describe your preferred fighting style?