Getting together some civ/general aviation gear for a change. I've never owned a yoke or throttle quad - and I've been doing some research: I was never a fan of the Saitek/ Logitech yokes as they felt cheap and didn't have a full 180 degrees of rotation. Over Covid the Honeycomb stuff was so hard to find and price gouged at retailers, I put off buying any. Now that it's all back in stock and at MSRP - I bought their XPC Yoke and throttle quad. The rudder pedals just got on pre-order after being delayed for some time - so I also picked those up which should be here over the summer. https://flyhoneycomb.com/collections/honeycomb-flight-sim-hardware
I already have a dedicated flightsim chair and HOTAS platform (Playseat Airforce/Flight) that I've been using with my Uber 2 Nxt modded HOTAS Cougar and RCS pedals, along with the Winwing Combat and Takeoff panels. But that is really for military flying...
I'll let you all know how it goes! Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on the Honeycomb gear?
Well I've got all the bits in and assembled that I can. I reached out to Honeycomb about their USB-A to -C hub, and they said that in PC mode I should be able to plug everything into that, and have one USB-A out from the yoke. They did say that it's really built for the XBox, but that it should work with the PC too. I just want one USB cable from my stand to the computer...
So far I'm really enjoying the setup. It took some adjusting because I've got long arms AND legs - but now I'm comfortable. The slide rail I got for the Playseat Flight/Airforce is also helping me get in and out of the chair better. It also raises the height about an inch, which I wanted because of where my keyboard tray sits.
Oh I will still be using my modded Cougar as well, this yoke stuff is just for civ flying and the occasional bomber. I've snapped some pics, will get them uploaded tonight.
I'm really liking it so far! We'll see how well it holds up, and how well built the pedals are from them when they come in this summer.
Ok here we go. Keep in mind I don't have the Honey Comb pedals yet (these are my RCS ones I use with the Cougar), so I've just velcro'd these to the Wheel Stand Pro HC. I am also going to get their USB hub and mount it behind the yoke for the pedals and the throttle quad to all plug in to.
When this is in place, I unscrew the handle to the Cougar and stow it aside so it doesn't get in the way. I do the same thing when I have that racing wheel stand in the background in place as well.
Lastly, I have 3 sets of throttle levers: General aviation, commercial aviation and the Airbus set. The commercial aviation ones are what I have installed at the moment.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
Hi Argon, I wish I'd seen this thread earlier I could have assured you of the Honeycomb products, IMO they are easily the best available within their price and even beyond. I don't know if you've set up the quadrant autopilot panel "properly" yet, there are various Youtube tutorials on how to do it effectively, by way of example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrHYNtjWHo8
It makes a huge difference to get it set up properly, and unfortunately its not quite intuitive, there's a couple of tricks to it. I didn't go for the Honeycomb pedals I went with Thrustmaster TPR, expensive but the last rudders I will ever buy. Excellent product.
In addition I bought a Saitek Radio Panel and also a Saitek Flight Instrument Panel, just one of each is enough to be a gamechanger IMO. It's nice to be able to tweak a physical bug knob or actually tune a physical radio panel. The instrument panel can be cycled through 8-12 instruments (I forget what is natively installed) and the radio panel can be flipped between 6 or 7 different stacks. (Of course, you could simply buy multiple of both of these but for me that would be overkill ). They both fit together and they both can be fitted to the top of either yoke or quadrant. They all seem to use a standard screw size & placement.
Image of my 'pit. Not as fancy as yours but I need that desk for other stuff You might notice a dustcover-covered Thrustmaster Warthog there too. All of this stuff replaces my Thrustmaster Cougar + RCS & crappy old yoke who's make I can't even remember now.
Last edited by DM; 04/25/2310:07 AM.
"They might look the same, but they don't taste the same."
No worries! Glad to know I made the right choice. That is a very lovely setup there you have.
I've not set up anything really in-depth. Still waiting on the rudder pedals to come in (should be late June/early July). Thanks for the video though! I will run through all of that when I have some more time. What does the Saitek Flight Instrument Panel net you?
On your Cougar and RCS pedals, do you have the hall effect sensors on those?
What does the Saitek Flight Instrument Panel net you?
You mean what did it cost? Over here (Czech Republic) the radio panel was about a hundred bucks, the instrument panel about 130. I daresay you can get them much cheaper in the US you usually can.
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On your Cougar and RCS pedals, do you have the hall effect sensors on those?
No I never altered them, the Cougar was fairly well behaved and only became slightly rattley around the middle of its travel quite late on. As I had it for about 20 years or so I count it as OK The RCS I saw & bought in a little out-of-the-way shop in north Scotland, the guy practically gave it to me I was very lucky to find it. Never let me down but I do wish it had toe-brakes.
Last edited by DM; 06/06/2302:35 PM.
"They might look the same, but they don't taste the same."
Yep yep, thanks! I did not realize you were out that way.
I'm shocked you managed to get that long life out of the stock Cougar gimbals. I went thru 2 sets before I finally got a hold of the U2Nxt gimbals and hall sensors. I've had mine since about 2004, and the RCS while old, I've only had for about 10 years. I'm with you on wanting toe brakes though, something I'm looking forwards to with the Honeycomb gear!
Sadly I just learned that the pedals have been delayed - issue with the supplier and the hall sensors. It's fine though, I knew pre-ordering ran the risks of delays, but great equipment is worth the wait! I will NOT be canceling my pre-order.
Not yet, they were delayed and I do not have an exact ETA at the moment.
Here is what was said:
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Honeycomb’s FSExpo announcement included updates to their already-announced and upcoming products, and unfortunately, many of those are delayed or put on hold. The Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals, hotly-anticipated for years, have been once again delayed. According to Repenning, this most recent delay is due to a supplier issue with the American-made hall-effect sensors used in the Honeycomb Charlies. A “Best-case” would result in a 2-3 month delay, but Repenning stated that the more reasonable scenario was late 2023 or Q1 ’24. “I’d rather disappoint you with delivery time than on product quality,” he said apologetically. Customers who have pre-ordered the Honeycomb Charlies have the option to cancel for a full refund or receive a free Honeycomb Aeronautical hat as an apology if they elect to keep their pre-order.
From what I have seen online Honeycomb is in danger of bankruptcy / shutting down.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
Yep, sadly I just got some emails last Friday. I fear I may never end up with the Charlie Rudder Pedals. A shame too, they really did make pretty good gear.
Something about their business partner not holding up his end, and finances and payments not being done properly on the books.