Need advice on HOTAS purchase...

Let the great debate begin here as well... I'm in the market for a new set up. I've been using a Saitek Cyborg-X for the past 6 years with marginal satisfaction. It's now squeaking like mad, and all the rubberizing has gone to goo, making it annoying to use.

I just recently spent two weeks salary on a new rig which I am very happy with, as well as having 2 monitors now! I'm using P3dv4 for Flight Siming, and getting deep into DCS as well learning the finer points of Jet Combat.
Eventually I will purchase the A-10c, F-5e, and F-86F packages (Mig's will wait but I'm eyeing the 15 and 21's as well).

So what is the best HOTAS setup for WOFF, P3dv4 and DCS that you guys might be using?

- Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS - looks great, hearing a lot of good about it... but holy God... $$$$$$$!! Plus I have to mount it as well as it's too big for my desk.
- CH Products HOTAS - old time favorite... old time technology, less buttons than the Warthog, slide throttle, but made very well.
- Saitek X55 - see above.. hate the rubberizing they use.

Tell me what you guys think and own.

Thanks!

OvS

I would go to ask Sokol1 and others on the Simhq Flight Sim Controllers section, they can provide, based on specs/facts a good advice's.
Also I know the ED DCS simforum does have lots of specialist members who can give you an good advice on what you want and wanting to pay.

https://forums.eagle.ru/forumdisplay.php?s=99a142fa2dade48daaf8031a41610190&f=96

Hi OvStachel,

While not yet offering a throttle (both are rumored to be in the works) two good sticks are from Vipril and VKB.
They are costly.
I have the VKB GunFighter Pro and really like it.
I have read that a lot of users say while it was good at the time, there have been issues with the Warthog stick and it is dated.

(For a throttle, I am still using the Saitek)

OvS, take a look at Thrustmaster's T.16000M FCS HOTAS. It's Warthog for us mere mortals. You can also couple it with TFRP.

I have the TM Warthog stick and throttle. I've not had any issues, not sure what Stache might be hinting at. I use the MonsterTech table mount system . I am really pleased.

I use what Fullofit uses and I've had no problems whatsoever.

@dutch... I'd rather hear from you guys what you use. I've been sniffing around the DCS forums and I'd rather see what you guys think.

I'm leaning towards the CH HOTAS with the monster desk clamps as well.

I have been using the old Saitek x52 for alot of years now it is okay, but I will tell you that if you want to fly the A-10C you will want some thing with a split throttle. I find having a single throttle to be a problem flying GA twins in Prepared3dv4 also. It can be done, but having two throttles is nice. I would like to own a TM wARTHOG, but the cash outlay is prohibited for me. I need to many other computer upgrades. You will like the DCS Warthog it takes alot to learn, but it gives back so much in blowing things up. I am also looking into the F-86F module, but I also own the Spitfire,P-51,FW-190 Dora and the 109. I got the because I joined the kicksarter for the DCS WWII map and module. I still have the ME-262 coming when it is finished. I also fly in Prepared3dv4, but I am just starting it. I used my HOTAS for most of my flying in FSX. I will someday go to a different HOTAS, but the computer upgrade will have to come first. I would not be discouraged from, buying another Saitek product, I have their pedals as well and they have served me well.
John

Prior to getting the VKB Gunfighter Pro I was using the Thrustmaster's T.16000M stick and thought it was a good stick, never made use of the buttons on the base.

When I was looking for a new stick (before the VKB was mentioned), I came across "some" posts by Warthog owners that, while they thought it was a good stick, had some issues.
One is that these people were looking for an ALL metal gimbals.
Two is that people mentioned having to take it apart often, clean and IIRC lubricate it.

The Warthog is a mixed bag in my opinion. The often mentioned stiction issue is a real problem,but this differs from unit to unit. Some say they don't have this issue at all,when I bought mine some years ago it was terrible out of the box. I had to open it up and apply some quality grease to the plastic gimbal. This made it better,but not what I would expect from a stick in that price range. On the other hand I never had any other issues with it in the over 4 years I had it in heavy use. Some users have reported failure of one or more buttons over time,but I can not confirm that. Also the Throttle unit held up pretty well from the beginning,I can not say anything bad about it. Functionality of the base toggle switches is not so good if you don't want to use the advanced programming feature of the Thrustmaster Software.
Most of them are On/Off switches,problem with that is that most programms only see the On position. Means if you, lets say ,want to turn on the engine you flip the switch up to On. To turn off you have to flip it to the Off position and then to On again for the sim to see another input.

I can not recommend the TM Warthog wholeheartedly for the price it is sold, because there are a few issues. There are some more high end alternatives that came up lately,namely the VKB and the Virpil sticks. Both don't offer a Throttle yet,but the sticks seem to be very high quality. I rather recommend one of those,if you can.

Ha ha, I am no help at all as I still use a Logitech Wingman....yep, this one:



I've had it for at least fifteen years now, probably longer. My first one looked just like this one, and then it broke, so I bought a second one from ebay that has a black top button. Functionality: a top button, a trigger button, a slider to the left of the joystick (throttle), and a left-right and up-down set of difficult-to-move sliders for joystick adjustment. Also I still use my CH analog pedals with a Manhattan USB converter. I must admit I would not trade it for anything, and I have looked around trying to find another wingman joystick when mine finally goes west.

Regards,

Jeff

I'm going with the CH Products Fighterstick USB and the Thrustmaster Warthog Throttle pack. I figure best of both worlds.

I've read a lot about the Warthog flight stick and it's issues(good and bad)... but all good things about the Throttle pack.

On the flip side, nothing but kudos for the Flighterstick (aside from it's age of design being the same for 18 years) and many shortfalls of the CH Pro Throttle (single throttle being one of them).

We'll see how it all goes...

OvS

I'm on the poor man's side and use a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro and with 10 buttons, it gets the job done for me.