Joysticks

lqcorsa · Post by **lqcorsa** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:22 pm

Hey I gotta question for ya VTB's. What joystick do you guys use? I know its probobly a HOTAS but do you guys use rudder pedals head trackers any of that stuff? I just recently got the X-52 HOTAS. Somebody told me you usually don't want twisting joysticks for close together flying because you can accidently twist while doing a loop or something. Thats what I love about the X-52, its got a lock on it because its made for that kind of stuff, I just wanted to know if it was worth buying any more hi-tech stuff to complete my lomac setup... T-BIRDS w00t!

Burner · Post by **Burner** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:29 pm

90% of us use Cougars, that's not to say a Cougar is a prerequisite. We have had outstanding pilots use MS precision pro joysticks (a twist joystick). I personally used to use a TM F22 and Suncom Throttle with great sucess (still the best throttle movement I've ever felt). However I will say I personally would rather use a MSPP joystick b/f using any saitek product.

Convertible · Post by **Convertible** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 4:08 pm

I am part of the 10% that does not have a cougar. I used an X52 for a while then found it to be really loose for my liking, especially flying in formation. I like the stick for combat flying and just flying around solo, but for tight formation flying i like a tighter spring in the stick. It gives me more precision. So when I fly formation with the team, I use my X52 throttle and my Logitech joystick. It may not be the best setup, but until i can affort a cougar it will do. As far as the twist rudder is concerned, I don't have any issues in loops with the twist. You can set a bigger dead zone in your stick for rudder to allow for a little twist without impacting your flying during a loop. I will eventually get a cougar, but my current setup is flyable for now.

Convertible

JaBog32_Dirty · Post by **JaBog32_Dirty** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:16 am

Although many people use it here, I found the Cougar a huge dissapointment:

The Pros:
-looks great
-unlimited programmability

The Contras:
-Too much centerplay,... WAY too much!!!
-Made of metal, but essential parts like switches and pots are of poor quality and need A LOT of Maintainance or replacement.
-Throttle requires high force, but doesn't move smoothly.

The X52 is a great Joystick. If you want a better one, you're looking at spending 700$ PLUS!!!! The Throtthe of the X52 is simply perfect. Its far superiour to the Cougar Throttle. Honesly, there is no comparing them.

I use a Cougar with FSSB-mod (Additional ~430 $US http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html ) in combination with the X-52 Throtthe (no problem in LockOn!) And it is not only close to perfect, it IS perfect.

...but to get back to your Question:

The X-52 is the best Joystick in the category "under 700 Bucks".

My honest opinion.

Dirty

Post by **Lawndart** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:25 am

In my personal experience and IMHO the Cougar HOTAS is hands down the best joystick for a serious simmer! It may have it's shortcomings and compromises in areas that other products do better in, but nothing beats the feel of a Cougar. If properly maintained (key word), it's as real as it gets! The mods such as the Uber NXT, FSSB, Hall sensors etc, all made by either very skilled end-user craftsmen or hardcore sim companies make the Cougar nearly unbeatable, yet very expensive! Your sim experience will change the minute you start flying with one, modded or not and as long as you overcome the flaws and take good care of it, a stock Cougar goes a long way. Just ask Bon, Burner or some of the other Virtual Thunderbirds!

I personally don't like twist joysticks, I'd have to use a large deadzone or disable the twist from registering inputs altogether. Once you fly with rudders daily, both virtually and in real life it becomes hard to re-learn the feel so ingrained in your feet and apply that with your wrist.

There are many good joysticks. I've never tried a Saitek, I've had my hands on CH, but once you dive deep into your wallet for that Cougar, there's no turning back. I'd never fly with anything less realistic again!

LD

STRIKER · Post by **STRIKER** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:49 am

Coming from my profession as a USAF Instrument and Flight Control Systems Craftsman,

HOTAS COUGAR=BEST REPLICA OF ANY FIGHTER JOYSTICK ON THE MARKET. From the metal to the feel and overall precision there really is no competition. I have rebuilt many real USAF joystick, throttles, and collective sticks in my day to day job and nothing even comes close to the HOTAS COUGAR.

Flying the Friendly,