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Best Flight Stick/Rudder/Throttle?

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:32 pm
by :FI:Dr_Strangelove
I know I mentioned I was going to by some CH pedals but have not yet. I am considering just dumping the Force 3D Pro since I just cannot get it set-up correctly at this point.

What are the best out there for Stick , Rudder, Throttle?

I want something I can keep for a few years that will be reliable and accurate. Force Feedback is not a must but it has kind of grown on me recently.

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:35 am
by :FI:TacticalS!
CH

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:49 am
by :FI:Dr_Strangelove
:FI:TacticalS! wrote:CH
So they are still the best at this point.

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:57 am
by :FI:Dr_Strangelove
Do you know if they work with XP64?

No...

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:53 am
by :FI:Heloego
...but if installed in XP64, wouldn't the OS automatically install all files as 64-bit?

A lot of the hardware I had with DOS worked fine in W95/98/98SE once all files were converted to FAT 32. Some items with drivers written for the FAT system worked fine converted to NTFS.

I think the biggest concern has been whether a proggie written for the 32-bit systems can take advantage of the 64-bit OS.



All trial and error I guess. There should be some forums linked to CH that might be helpful.

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:48 am
by :FI:Gurberly
Mini thread on SimHQ
http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards ... 4;t=005649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No direct comment on the quality of the new Saitek pedals as they are only just out (sure you can find some reviews now if you look around a bit)

...main point was the spacing on the pedals

Image

Saitek (on top) have the pedals further apart which would probably be a lot more comfortable over time if you have big balls or big feet.

G

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:09 am
by :FI:Bluebell
I think some us have the CH fighterstick, throttle and pedals, and as far as I'm concerned after three years they are still running smoothly, and looking good for another three.



Vin

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:00 pm
by :FI:Dr_Strangelove
Ah shoot, hmmm.....Saitek. Well I do not want to mix things around so it is either a complete Saitek system or a complete CH products system.

I used to own the X45 and can't say I really liked it all that much.

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:10 pm
by :FI:Macca
I've got the X52 throttle and Stick

Very good, though looks a bit cozmic.

CH is much more expensive, it all depends how much you wanna spend on the toys.

If i had the money id go for CH .

S!

Mac

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:22 pm
by :FI:TacticalS!
All I can say switching from a lonely MS Sidewinder to a complete CH setup (Fighterstick, Throttle & Pedals) has been a great experience in the immersion department (coupled with my TrackIR). It's pretty much a complete hotas solution, which has added to my simming.

Indeed very expensive by anyone's standards though as mentioned. If you are struggling with the decision, and in the the back of your mind want ('cause obviously we don't really need these toys :-$) the best complete setup, then you can struggle like I did for a while, or just bite the bullet and order it all TODAY. ;)

Alternatively, consider buying the stick and pedals TODAY, then add the Throttle later?

TS!

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:26 pm
by :FI:Dr_Strangelove
Well if you knew me a little better, you would see that buying just on or two items is just not my style. I am one to go for the "Full Monty" or nothing at all.

So, I am going to buy something, just not sure what I should do.

I saw this also: http://www.boxgods.com/dept/hardware/in ... cle&ID=161" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Heard about the Cougar before, but is it any better than the CH products?

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:30 pm
by napier
Well, I guess I will get into this discussion too. As pedals/throttle/new stick will be one of my upgrades for my machine when my new job starts and I can spend a little. I was looking into the CH products as well, Ive used CH sticks before and liked them quite well. Right now im using the MS Sidewinder 2 Pro, which I love, but is getting quite old and ready to break any day now, esp with those stressfull HE nights :)

Although never having used thrustmaster products, they do *look* durable and quite sexy, especially that cougar setup :) I'll be watching the forum and do a little research of my own.

Also, going with a whole solution, there seems to be about 113 buttons availible for use, Tactical, could you maybe give me a very simple explanation of how you have it set up? I'm assuming you use the throttle stick for more than just sliding up and down eh? I'm used to just using the keyboard right now :) Thanks mate!

Cheers :beer:

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:07 pm
by :FI:Dr_Strangelove
Well the idea of a HOTAS is to completely eliminate having to use the Keyboard for anything. That is why I am so interested in the Cougar HOTAS at this point.

Pricing when compared to the CH set-up seems about equal.

CH Setup

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:16 am
by :FI:TacticalS!
As requested Napier (warning big pics for the sake of clarity).

Please note that I only use 1/2 of the available programmable buttons. You can assign up to at least 4 commands per button. My little brain at best can only remember 2 per button.

Not shown are my pedals which have a script to allow for toe braking in IL-2. I sometimes use the mouse button on the throttle to pan and zoom around in the map.

Image

Image

Image

TS!

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:55 am
by :FI:Dr_Strangelove
NIce set-up TacticalS! Hmm......If only my desk had the Keyboard roll out.

Shoot, maybe I should just go for the whole CH kaboodle.....