Flight Stick worth it?

[Tudorp15]

I am considering the Saitek PS41 flight stick controller. Is it really worth moving to a flight stick? I really don't have much issue with using a standard XBox 360 controler, but it does drive me crazy when I am trying to maintain throttle control while using rudder. Sometimes, I find I accedently cut my throttle to zero without realizing it until too late, or at 100% ...

Also, I don't have a table or desk. I am disabled, and sit in my recliner while flying, and that isn't going to change. How difficult would it be to hold a flight with one hand, controlling it with the other? I am just wondering if moving to a flight stick is feasable, or even worth it for me..

[King Jareth]

AFAIK the Saitek AV8R-02 is the only saitek stick that'll work with a 360.
The only other stick choice is one that was bundled with Ace Combat 6.

[Ju-87]

Imo the only thing a flight stick is good for is the fun factor (both xbox360 and ps3 sticks have their flaws).

I'm pretty sure improved/custom control layouts for the standard controller will be included in the upcoming patch.

[jaywinner]

i agree. i think it might help once you really get the hang of it,but as for now its more about the realism. i sit on a couch to play, i just put a book on my lap and put the controler on the book. the MAIN HUUUUGe draw back is the lack of customizable buttons. in order to use the Chase cam once locked on you have to move your left hand across your body and off the throttle. (if you are a righty)i cant fly with my left hand. i REALLY want to map the chase cam onto the top 3 face buttons and move the missle to the base. i think that would make me TONs better.

[DoraNine]

Hey Tudorp15,
I sit in a Lazy Boy recliner (I like to be comfortable while I'm getting shot down) and use a Saitek AV8R with no problems. I just use the same hand to throttle, that I use to hold it. The spring is so stiff in this joystick, that even if you set it on a flat surface -- you still have to hold it in place a little to keep the base from moving.

The only advantage (and it is a big one) I get from it is the throttle action. The rudder controls are horrible (all on, or all off) -- so if you need just a little rudder action to set up a shot -- forget it. The hat switch gives a good all-around view, but I only use it on Sim (which I hardly get a chance to play since most are playing "Science Fiction Mode" -- I mean "Arcade Mode". Another thing that drives me nuts is the "switch target" button -- which is on the base -- not the stick -- so you have to take your eyes off of the screen for a few seconds to hit that button.

My analysis: If they had the joysticks configured more intuitively I could recommend them -- but they really aren't much better than the controllers (atleast the Saitek isn't). If your looking for a little edge to improvement your ability to kill people -- this isn't it.

I do agree with some of the others about the increase in "fun factor" though.

[jaywinner]

with him. its all the lay out of the buttons. i hate having to take my eyes off the screen. Doranine, do you find that changing the sensitivity helps?

[DoraNine]

jaywinner,
Yes, I do find that lowering the sensitivity helps out alot in the "realism" and "Sim" lobbies -- but it doesn't help with the rudder at all. The all on/off rudder has definitely cost me kills -- infact, its so bad that I wish there was a way to disable it. I'll wait for the patch and see if it is addressed. If they don't fix it, I'll probably just open up the base and snip the leads to the circuit board that control the rudder. I'd definitely be better off without it as it is configured.

Also, I've lost sight of plenty of planes while in the process of trying to hit that "switch cam" button (extremely annoying). The other quirky problem is that the "Hat switch" on the base (the one between the R1 and R2 buttons) will sometimes brush up against my shirt and I get instantly thrown into a view of the bottom of my plane (crazy annoying). Unfortunately -- I'm only down to one reason for actually using the stick at this point -- and that's the throttle. The throttle/rudder combo on the gamepad is a real "mess". Just my 2 cents worth.

[jaywinner]

i'm ok sofar with not hitting buttons accidently with keeping it on a base on my lap. but still i know id have more kills with better layout.

[SEE]

My AV8R-02 arrived and it is far better than the gamepad despite the criticsms of the 'dead zone' which quite frankly isn't as bad as some would have you believe. Having the rudder and throttle separated is the biggest bonus along with the top hat button enabling intuitive panning. The rudder sensitivy is very good and responds well to slight movements of the stick. I have always used a Joystick on my PC based Combat Sims and tend to fly mostly in SIM mode on BOP but it also perform extremely well in Realistic mode. I use a 40% sensitivity setting and I would recommend one if you are struggling with the gamepad which I found frustrating and poor in comparison......gets the thumbs up from me, not the most rugged of designs but does the job far better!

[Chrester]

Does the hat switch give you a pan around inside the cockpit when using the cockpit view or does it pan around outside the aeroplane?

Is the hatswitch a 8-click typo or is it like the minijoys on the gamepad? Kinda analog.