The G940 it's already available in Europe.. You can find it at Simware.com (Belgium).
I'm from Italy, and I've already ordered mine, and they said that had shipped my item friday... maybe tomrrow I'll can plug it on my PC!

I purchased a G940 from Amazon and have been using it quite a bit in Black Shark. I love it, but I've never used rudder pedals, force feedback, or anything fancier than an x45 before. It all makes a huge difference. The stick itself is precise and the FF provides wonderful feedback while flying. The trim model in Black Shark makes the FF a real treat. In IL-2 as well, you can really feel the plane biting into the air while maneuvering. Makes it much easier for me (who isn't very good) to fly on the edge. Rudder pedals take some getting used to, but my flying is already more coordinated, as are my heli takeoffs. Rocket runs in Black Shark are accurate! My x45 was horrible for rocket runs.

The G940 is plastic, but it's sturdy and very thick impressive plastic. Well, the long run will tell on the sturdy aspect. However, the stick is currently shaking my desk apart slowly Flimsy Ikea desks are not good platforms! (Edit) That's a good thing, it's a reflection on how strong the force feedback is, and on how the stick is a lot stronger than a cheap Ikea desk! (/edit)

Downsides: It does occasionally make a clicking/buzzing noise near center, and it does get warm (but not hot) during extended use. Finally, you can notice the force feedback gears, but pretty much only out-of-game. While actually flying I haven't noticed the gears, and the force feedback is just plain useful.

The software does seem to be the weak point - shift buttons, notably, are localized to the device they are physically on. If I have S5 as a shift button on the joystick, it shifts ONLY the buttons on the joystick and not the throttle. This pretty much makes it useless, especially compared to the in-game shift function. However, the in-game configuration will never let you use the modes or other advanced features. Finally, the mini-stick desperately, desperately needs calibration. However, it's hard to find the new software on the website, it may not have been released on Friday, and I've read nightmares from you folks upgrading to 5.07 or whichever it was.

It's worth noting I had no problems installing, setting up, etc, in Vista x64.

So, software aside, I love the G940 system. However, I can't contrast it with the other higher-end HOTAS systems.

We are releasing version 5.08 this week. It corrects a number of things, including:

Shift mode: Assigning a shift on on one device now works across to the other. i.e.assigning shift on the stick will cause a shift of the buttons on the throttle as well.

Manual Mini-stick calibration: the mini-joystick on the Stick is now calibrated manually during installation, so it gives a more precise center.

Updated Profiles: added many profiles to the game updater. Profiles are included for IL-2 series, Falcon:AF, Flight Simulator X, Lock On series, DCS: Black Shark, and others.

OS Support: Includes Windows 7, 32 and 64 bit.

Should be available for download Wednesday.

Thank you Mark, really delighted by you and Logitech's response on the software, along with keeping us informed!

Thanks Mark for keeping us updated with the product related news. I've been waiting for the profiles these past couple weeks.

What about this? Running 5.07, even with repeat set to zero, I find it near impossible to map a single key command to an axis without having the command repeat indefinately.

Ordered it from the UK via www.MoreComputers.co.uk at £240 including next day delivery.
So will be working from home tomorrow. he he he...

Mate, you dont want to order in the UK.

Either find someone to bring one back from the states, or find a company who will ship from the states to you. Make sure they mark it as a gift otherwise Gordon Brown is going to come after you for VAT!

Mailman

Woo? For anyone in Canada NCIX is apparently in the process of adding it to their inventory - I say in process because although I can find the item in the search, I can't add it to my cart yet. :-)

This may be good news for any Canucks looking for the system.

http://www.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=G940

I guess this question would be for Mark...

Do you have any sketches of the throttle and stick? I have home built cockpit and would like to see how this system would fit in it. I have seen some basic dimensions but would like to know the size of the body in comparison to the size of the mounting flange and other details like how height of the base (I have my cougar recessed right now).

Also, i have a couple more questions on the programming. Is the mode switch on the throttle an actual pair of DX buttons? Also is it possible to program the different buttons to have different DX functions based on which mode it is in?

Are there Hall sensors on all of the axis and rotaries or just the stick x and y?

Finally, is it possible to remove the throttle detents for helop sims or are these detents meerly at the end of travel anyways?

Thanks,

BT