I have a CH Products Flightstick Pro analog joystick with a broken hat switch. They no longer support the analog stick or have replacement parts. I am trying to decide whether to buy a Combatstick or another Flightstick Pro USB joystick. Does anyone have any experience with the Combatstick and setup with the Control Manager software. I am only interested in using it in FS9 and FSX. Thanks,Bob.

Hi Bob,If the CombatStick and the FlightStick are your picks, and you're not left-handed, I would get the CombatStick USB. It should just plug and play if FS is all you fly, there's no real need for the CM and the Combatstick. FS will map the controls by default to Ailerons, Elevators, and Throttle. Reassigning the throttle wheel to elevator trim if you've got another throttle is my favorite, analog trim is so much nicer. Anyway, FS has a pretty good interface all it's own, the CM isn't much needed there. Most of the guys that use it do it for the calibration, Windows won't center your rudders, and there are some other advantages, but with the CombatStick, there's not much to be gained. You'll get an 8-way POV in the process.Hope this is some help!Best regards,- BobThe StickWorkshttp://www.stickworks.com

Hi Bob,If the CombatStick and the FlightStick are your picks, and you're not left-handed, I would get the CombatStick USB. It should just plug and play if FS is all you fly, there's no real need for the CM and the Combatstick. FS will map the controls by default to Ailerons, Elevators, and Throttle. Reassigning the throttle wheel to elevator trim if you've got another throttle is my favorite, analog trim is so much nicer. Anyway, FS has a pretty good interface all it's own, the CM isn't much needed there. Most of the guys that use it do it for the calibration, Windows won't center your rudders, and there are some other advantages, but with the CombatStick, there's not much to be gained. You'll get an 8-way POV in the process.Hope this is some help!Best regards,- BobThe StickWorkshttp://www.stickworks.com

Hi Bob. OK. Thanks. I'll take your advice. I don't have a throttle. I was able to fix the switch for now but I am getting the Combatstick next week. Have you any ideas on what is a good set of commands to be programmed to all the Combatstick buttons for FS9 and FSX? Regards, Bob.

Hi Bob,You might check over at:http://www.ch-hangar.comand get some ideas. It leans more toward the combat side of things, but there are quite a few maps posted. They might give you some ideas if nothing else. Most of the guys use the FighterStick, but if you're just using FS you'll probably want to use the FS assignment dialog or FSUIPC anyway. In any case, that's the most likely place to pick up information, technical help, etc. Give it a try!Best regards,- BobThe StickWorkshttp://www.stickworks.com

Hi Bob,You might check over at:http://www.ch-hangar.comand get some ideas. It leans more toward the combat side of things, but there are quite a few maps posted. They might give you some ideas if nothing else. Most of the guys use the FighterStick, but if you're just using FS you'll probably want to use the FS assignment dialog or FSUIPC anyway. In any case, that's the most likely place to pick up information, technical help, etc. Give it a try!Best regards,- BobThe StickWorkshttp://www.stickworks.com

Hi Bob. Thanks. I'll check it out. Regards, Bob.