I've posted this thread before but I want to make sure before I actually click the purchase button, will the Flightstick Pro USB 4-Button Joystick 8-Way Hatswitch be what I'm looking for in terms of flight sims (IL-2) and space shooters (WC all)? These are game I just can't seem to handle with my game pad but before I fork over $70 I want to make sure I don't just suck at them rather then I actually need a good flight stick. Chances are I'm not going to use it for much more.

Thanks and again forgive me for posting this query so many times over the past year.

i honestly cant help in this case, sorry mate.
however i have just this week picked up a cheapy thrustmaster (yes someone had a sense of humour with that name!) for use with Incoming - and wow what a difference it makes! im now looking for a few other game i can use it with just out of curiosity.

e: oh i tell a lie I've seen people mention that it really helps to have an option to adjust the manoeuvrability (my brain is saying torque but that not the word) so your movements aren't exaggerated / reduce the sensitivity. The other comments ive seen in user reviews are r.e. enough buttons and a non keyboard method for rudder control. but i suspect all this you know to look for.

But how can we tell you either do suck at them or not.

I had a similar thread. I hope it will help :)

http://www.gog.com/forum/wing_commander_series/joystick_for_space_sims

I had a very old one many years ago - but it appears to still be pretty much the same physically. Didn't like it. I found the base to be very light, and wouldn't stay sat on the desk when I was using the stick.

I'm going to have to think about this some more. +1 to everyone who responded; I seriously doubt I'd get this quick, and honest, of a reply anywhere else.

just wanted to say thanks for that, Azilut post has reminded me of a solution to a problem i had ages ago with controllers!
also thanks to tinyE for the thread to prompt you to link to your older thread and thus to Azilut.

4-button... after playing I-War2 quite a bit, I can vouch that a few more configurable buttons might be handy for a detailed space sim; for WC I'll say that 4 buttons are fine. That said, there's only so far that one can stretch the thumb while still grasping the stick in a usable manner, and I-War2 - in particular - uses a fair number of keyboard commands that are helpful in combat.

You also might want a stick that rotates along the vertical axis, for keyboard- and pedal-less rudder control (to control the 'roll' axis). Even in space sims, where there isn't quite an "up", this is handy.

And if you don't want to try I-War2 then I will suggest throwing your PC in that giant bathtub outside your window and giving up gaming as a pastime. ; )



This thread reminds me that my old Wingman Extreme has just about reached its useful life. I'll be watching along to read what others are suggesting...

Does it have a twisting stick? I like that mainly in space combat games (roll), albeit I think it can be used also in flight sims for e.g. rudder controls.

But maybe some real flight sim enthusiast might feel that the twisting stick makes the stick feel too loose or something.

The only space game I've ever really needed to roll with is Freespace but I can only play that with a mouse+keyboard so I'm thinking maybe it isn't a vital option.

If I can give you some advice, get the T.16000M as it's probably the best joystick in its price/quality class.
It is very durable too, something not all joysticks can claim and it doesn't have potentiometers (at least not for the X and Y axis) which mean you won't have to throw it away and buy a new one after a session of X-Wing.

$50 at Amazon seems like a decent price. AND it has stick rotation for rudder control, plus a ton of buttons. Hmm, I might need to jump on this one... gonna look for reviews.

this

They're somewhat more expensive here, I can't recommend it enough and I play everything with it from Strike Commander and Rise Of Flight to X-Wing Alliance.
The only annoying thing about it is that it has a silly green light at the base that turns on when you move the stick around but to be honest I don't notice it when playing.

I recommend looking at this stick as well. It's the cheapest stick I've found that has hall sensors, and the twist function is nice.

On the downside, it's not the most ergonomic joystick I've ever used, and the green light in the middle that insists on being on while the stick is in use is a bit annoying as mentioned. Even more so when, occasionally, it stays on while it is not in use because the stick isn't quite centered. Though wiggling the stick around or, at worst, unplugging it and plugging it back in usually fixes that.

Still, for durability and function, it's probably the best you can get at the price.