F appears to be either for "Force" or Force Sense"

My guess is that the pic with the X65 label was taken earlier in the development cycle. The one labeled X65F has more (apparently consumer oriented) labeling on it.

LOL! Like an alien trying to speak English. It most definitely sounds like the product of one of those Internet translators.

Here's a site with some (well alittle) info:

Quote:

Top of the range flight stick and throttle featuring unique force-sensing mechanism, dual throttle control and the most functions ever found on a PC flight stick

* Metal construction for the ultimate in realism and durability
* Unique force sensing stick – all input is detected from how hard you push on the stick, just like in real modern day jet fighters
* Features on-the-fly adjustment of the force settings for the stick – including separate adjustments for each axis of the stick for the ultimate in stick response configuration Dual throttle for finer control over twin engine jets, or lock the two throttles together for single engine fighters
* Force-sensing twist rudder control
* Controls featured across both the stick and throttle: 8 x 8-way hats, 8 x buttons, 2 x rotaries, 1 x mouse hat, 1 x 2 way switch, 1 x scroll selector, 1 x 4 position mode switch – that’s a potential total of 608 commands possible without ever moving your hands from the controls!
* Back panel with 5 more control switches, force-sensing strength selection, mode indication and mounting points for Saitek Pro Flight Instrument Panels (sold separately)


Page is here: http://flightsimx.flightstore.co.uk/prod/SAIX65F/DEPT-FSIM/Y3/


This stick Looks fantastic but the price may be alittle prohibitive for some.

P.S. Not force feedback but "Force Sensing" like the actual F16 Stick and the "Modded" TM Cougars.

Gate

[color:#FF0000][/color][size:14pt][/size]
Thats where they lost my sale

Wow, this really is a genuine Saitek product. Logitech's got competition for my next HOTAS purchase, if I can ever scrounge up the US$300 again without selling my FCC-modded Cougar.

Also, I'm surprised to hear that it's using a force transducer stick like the real F-16 or an FCC/FSSB-modded Cougar, likely for a much more affordable price. Too bad force-driven sticks with little movement really don't work well outside of Falcon 4.0 and other modern jet sims. (I certainly don't like it for IL-2 Sturmovik!) They absolutely SHINE for that purpose, however-flying Falcon with a traditional deflecting stick would just feel wrong now. It's all about how the aircraft handles.

...Wait, force-sensing twist rudder? That just wouldn't work. Conventional deflecting twisty sticks already suffer enough from accidental rudder input when you just want X/Y-axis movement.

We'll see, though. I'm intrigued enough to consider selling my Cougar + RCS pedals to accrue the funds for an X65F and Saitek's pedals, Falcon 4.0 realism be damned (the stick switch/button layout is close enough to the F-16 one, and the throttle's a split one with gobs more buttons, switches, and rotaries), but there's still one important variable: Saitek's software, which I haven't heard too many good things about. (Then again, I'm not fond of Logitech's software either, which goes against the G940 as well. Only the TM HOTAS Cougar and all of CH Products' USB stuff still seem to compete in sheer programmability.)

X65F is now listed in Saitek website:
http://www.saitekusa.com/prod/x65f.htm

Personally I have doubts how comfortable I would be with a force sensing stick that doesen't move. Still I'm not going to order Logitech G940 yet, because I want to wait for reviews of the X65F.

It depends on what kind of games/sims you prefer.

Falcon 4.0 and space combat titles? It would take some getting used to, but you wouldn't want to use anything else after the adjustment period.

Prop jobs and helicopters? You'd probably hate it as your hand cramps up and you have an extremely difficult time trying to maintain a steady stick, so to speak.

Yeah after Falcon a small handful of other sims I can't see the need for a super expensive force sensitive stick. We practically begged Saitek for a FFB HOTAS and we got something completely different. I don't know anything but I'm thinking they thought since Logi was making an FFB they'd do something different. I'm still a little disappointed obviously!h

I'd love to see a series of flight controllers that came with extended grips. Or at least, the option to alter the parameters in the GUI to compensate for the longer shaft would be absolutely spiffy.

Unless you're sitting in a simpit, short controllers put strain on your arms. These things are not really ergonomic if you have use them on your desk.