[scoggy7]

Sorry if this isn't the right spot to post but I didn't see a general help section. I was wondering about everyone's opinion on the best joystick to use with IL2. I was looking at the Saitek x52 with its seperate throttle control. Any suggesitons?

Thanks

[dday8754]

Saitek ST290 pro

[Guest]

microsoft sidewinder ff2

[RAF_Leigh]

it is hard to say because everyone has their own tastes

ive got a X52 and love it 2nd on in 2 years but thats cos i use it everyday


i would go for the X52 cos you can have different modes and all of that

but anyway its your choice

RAF_Leigh

[Pirate]

Hey Scoggy. I've been trying to make the same decision, and have decided on the x52.

It seems to be down to the price, if you can afford/justify a CH product setup or thrustmaster cougar then you'll get what you paid for. But the x52 is the best of the rest... thats seems to be the general consensus.

I currently have a ST290 pro, and whilst it was very cheap - and is still working ok after a year, I really do want an upgrade asap...

[seaniebeag1983]

Logitech extreme 3d pro all the way!!!

Cheap as chips but great value for money if you ask me!

[Paulo Hirth]

I have a old Microsoft ForceFeedback2, it have shack, have resistence when pull up, you can
change the contacts, my joystic have more than 5500 hours in use, its true! Since CFS2....

[Revi 01]

x52 throttle and saitek Cyborg FFB joystick. Cyborg is more responsive and better trigger than x52.
I wouldnt be without FFB now either. I never found the numerous switches and buttons on x52 very useful, I only ever use weapon 1,2 and occassionly fly by veiw.

[{HVY-E}Jinxx]

The two top dogs on the block for sticks are the CH Products Fighterstick and Throttle and the Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar. Stay away from Saitek unless you like substandard quality and durability. The software that Saitek uses also has numberous problems with different games/hardware.

The most durable, Bar none, is the Cougar. The most reliable, out of the box is the CH Products. The major difference between the two is price and durability. The CH Products is almost all plastic and feels like you're moving a wet noodle around. The Cougar is ALL metal, weighs in a over 8.5lbs/stick and throttle (almost 19lbs total weight). The Cougar, stock, still uses pots and they will need to be cleaned/replaces from time to time, but for a nominal fee, you can purchase Cubby's Hall Effect Sensor Kit and never use pots again. They never go out of allignment, never spike and never need to be re-calibrated. Unfortunately, this kit makes the Cougar a wee bit pricey.

Bottom line: If you're worried about cost, get the CH Products. If you want the absolute best sticks out there and don't want to ever buy another set, get the Cougar and Mod it.

My Cougar has been modded with the HS mod and the NXT Gimbal set. Total cost of everything was about $600.00. Now some will say that I'm nuts, but I'll never have to buy another stick as long as I live. I also have not had to re-calibrate them since the upgrade, (2yrs ago).

I've owned my Cougar for about 8yrs now. How many sticks do you go thru in 8yrs?

[liamp2oo6]

A use an ancient saitek cyborg 3d Gold 2001/02 had it since then works fine wouldent change it for the world

[danimalhanke]

I bought 2 Logitec force feedback controllers (early 2000's) and the 1st was replaced 3 times via the extended warrenty thru BB. The 2nd was no better. replaced it several times as well. This was in the 1st 30 to 60 days!!!! Crap FFB controllers. The FFB would fail but the stick would still function in games all axises and buttons. But when u pay for a feature u want it to work. After the in store service plan expired BB would not let me extend it, I don't blame them I went thru 9 of the damn things and when the service ran out I threw both away. I'll never again own anything from logitec! MS's FFB controller was the best but it's no longer produced. Since then I've used Saitek sticks and my current one is 5 years old and still rumblin' along. At the time I bought it saitek didn't make the FFB version. My next stick will be saitek with FFB if this one ever dies! LOL! Actually I'll probably go with the saitek yoke, rudder peddles and the panel controls. it all fit together making for a really awesome and affordable set up.

[Bearcat]

If you want FFB then NOTHING beats a MSFFB2. If FFB is not an issue then CH or Saitek depending on what you want to spend is the way to go. Cougars are good sturdy sticks, but in my opinion the cost of modding one to get it to where t should be is prohibitive and frankly should not be.

Saiteks are good sticks for the money. If you get one at a retail store thern get a product replacement plan with it and be done. At the end of the product replacemeny period take the stick back to where you got it and get a new one, even if it is working fine.

CH products are good. I have heard few complaints about them over the years but I prefer Saitek. I think you just get more bang for the buck with Saitek.

[Oh_Frustration]

Never buy s stick with force feedback vibration... Logitech Extreme 3D pro is my bet.

[WWSandMan]

The most durable, Bar none, is the Cougar.

+1

I bought mine second-hand, seven + years ago. I use it nearly every day, and it's never failed to provide excellent control of my sim aircraft in many different sims, from FS to Condor to F4AF and the IL-2 series, among many others. The serious flight simmer requires serious gear. The Thrustmaster Cougar is serious gear. Well worth the price tag for equipment that will last a lifetime.

My one foray into using CH gear was many years ago. Their product at the time was superb (as it is now), and the only reason I didn't go back was price. I literally wore out the stick and rudders flying RB2/3D for many years. Several of my squad mates have CH gear and they all agree CH sells top-shelf gear. Highly recommended.

I went through four Saitek X-45 sticks in less than two years (two purchased, and both returned for repair/replacement within a year)... and While Saitek did honor the warranty, I was decidedly unhappy with the durability of their product. And the fact I was left without a flight controller for weeks on end while awaiting the return of RMA'd X-45 units left me highly unlikely to ever purchase Saitek products again.

Gathering dust on my shelf is an old Microsoft Sidewinder. I have no idea if it even works any longer, but it provided reasonable service while I waited for my Saitek gear to be repaired/replaced. Much better than the X-45 stick, though I can't give an honest appraisal of how it stacks up against the X-52. There is no comparison needed against the CH or TM gear, both of those handily win any competetion.

All this is my own opinion of course.

[ArcticViper]

it is hard to say because everyone has their own tastes

ive got a X52 and love it 2nd on in 2 years but thats cos i use it everyday


i would go for the X52 cos you can have different modes and all of that

but anyway its your choice

RAF_Leigh

Wait... your second one in 2 years? you must be excessively rough with it. I've had mine for 2