Coming back to FSX flying after a fwe years off, and am looking to get a yoke for flying. I used to use my Thrustmaster Cougar for both military and FS200/2004 back when I used FS, but would like to move to a yoke for flying in FSX, and keep the Cougar for military sims/games. Looks like the only two options are the Saitek pro flight system and the CH Eclipse.Both seem to get generally good reviews, with some problems. Saitek seems to have that detent that some people hate, is it really that bad? I'll look at stores locally, but I probably won't be able to do a "hands on" test at a store. CH can be a little grabby, but fixed with a light lubricant. Any strong feeling about which one to get? Any other options (PFC is a bit expensive, so they are out)? One question about the throttles, I take it if you either use the integrated throttle on the CH, or the one throttle quadrant with saitek, you can just use the one lever for both/all engines when flying multi-engine planes, right? Adding multiple throttles or just lets you give each engine it's own lever right? Is that really a big deal? Was I missing out when I had my single-throttle Cougar? If it helps, I'll probably be flying mostly GA light singles up to a twin turboprop, I'm really not that into the big iron, at least not yet. That seems to be more FMC programming instead of real flying. (don't mean to start a flame war)

I recommend the Saitek with the Saitek Rudder pedals. It is very good. You can use one throttle lever to control all engines, or you can program 2 throttles for multi-engine aircraft.There is also the possibility to program the flaps and spoilers to 2 of the levers.

I recommend the Saitek with the Saitek Rudder pedals. It is very good. You can use one throttle lever to control all engines, or you can program 2 throttles for multi-engine aircraft.There is also the possibility to program the flaps and spoilers to 2 of the levers.

So that detent isn't that bothersome? That is probably the only worry I have about it.

Well, you have to adjust the repeat button in the controls menu, and it works fine. If you have the registered version of FSUIPC you can also program the reverse thrust function to a throttle lever.

I just ordered a Saitek yoke the other day. I've previously used a CH yoke (the regular one, not the Eclipse), but it had an accident last time I moved, and I got tired of gluing the little levers back on every other day.. I suppose I could have repaired it more permanently, but I figured it was time to try something new. Will be interesting to see and feel how they compare. I personally don't think the detent is going to be such a big deal. The CH yoke might not have a center detent, but it still returns to the center position when you relax your grip, just like a joystick does. So you're always trimming out against the spring force rather than any simulated aerodynamic force anyway. Only way around that would be to use a force feedback yoke, but they're rare and very expensive.

Id wait and see if the new Saitek Cessna Yoke has the detent.Im waiting myself as I like Cessna yokes per traing in the rl 172.Chris

Will be interesting to see whether there are any actual improvements, or if you're just paying to have the Cessna logo on there. it does have 90 degrees rotation in the roll axis, vs 45 degrees for the CH and regular Saitek, so at least there's some difference. At $200, vs $120 for the regular Saitek Yoke System, it's not really a replacement but an addition in the product line. It does come with the same throttle quadrant, which uses cheap, proprietary little potentiometers, vs the much bigger ones used for the CH throttle levers. These things were meant to be adjusted with a screwdriver and left in one position, not constantly rotated back and fourth. However since the levers are on a separate unit, you can use it until the trimpots give up and then just buy another throttle quadrant, maybe taking the opportunity to upgrade to a multi-engine quadrant. The center detent isn't so much a design flaw as a design choice. If you have your aircraft trimmed for straight and level, and you bump the yoke or make a a small adjustment, it should return to straight and level when you let go. With the free-floating CH yoke, you will have to either re-trim or "search" for your previous center position. The disadvantage is of course that there will be some mechanical interference as you move through the center of the pitch axis.