Hi All, I'm looking at upgrading my BlackWidow all in one flightstick and throttle, and from talking to people who use them and doing lots of reading on the net I'm pretty sure that CH is the way to go for the following reasons.

1. High quality/durable build.
2. Snazzy integration between throttle and stick.
3. Quality software.
4. Trim wheels on stick + many many buttons.

Here are my questions
1. Some report that the pedals are too close together,l but having never used rudder pedals I have no point of reference. Is this an issue for CH users, if so what else would you reccomend?
2. Trim wheels, if they are mechanical and not programmable axes do they render in game trim pointless?
3. CH stuff is at the upper end of my budget(no Warthog for me ), with that in mind, what are the real alternatives that you more experienced simmers would reccomend?
4. Do you really notice that much difference in the precision of the more expensive sticks compared with budget options like mine? It may sound like a stupid question but I have only ever owned this flightstick. The last joystick I owned had microswitches!

Thanks in advance.

ad1.
The CH pedals are indeed quite close together. If you intend to use them in shoes, imho they are too close, with socks I feel its okay-ish. Looking at european prices, the SIMPED-vario/proUSB are not much more expensive, but are supposed to be much better quality. You can find them here:
http://shop.strato.de/epages/219707.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectID=2831102

ad4.
I used to have one of the old CH Flightsticks for Gameport. Combined with the long throw and low resistance they feel indeed much more precise than virtually all budget options. Yes, really. The only cheap stick that has comparable, possibly even superior precision is the Thrustmaster T.16000M, which however comes with issues of its own.

Non issue for me. I fly with either socks or bare feet. Also, I fly with a center stick.



Oh they indeed are programmable axes As in, at some point in the throw of the axis you want to, say, press a button to do something you can. No problem with Control Manager



Nothing







You're quite welcome!