Hey guys, I'm in the market for anew yoke and could use some first-hand opinions. I've been trying to find a used yoke that I could butcher and convert into a left-hand-only frankenyoke, but nobody seems to be interested in getting rid of their old gear. Because of that, price, and because I've had a Saitek ST290pro joystick for years that seems to be well made and reliable, I'm leaning towards buying and butchering a new Saitek PZ44 yoke. But I have questions that aren't addressed within the product's specs.

 

Does the aileron and/or elevator axes of this model spring back to a neutral position?

Does it have a smooth action allowing for reliable, one-handed operation?

Hi Hed,

 

Here is my option (pro flight yoke: PZ44):

1) The aileron AND elevator are equipped with spring to get each axis back to neutral position

2) But my opinion is that the spring are too strong. Having an accurate control of the elevator axis with one hand is not easy and therefore, the movements are not so smoothed. The aileron axis is much more smooth but I found it not pleasant to use it especially near the neutral position. Indeed, you can feel "hard points" near either side of the neutral zone. It has only 45° left and right...

 

The cessna pro yoke is much better than the PZ44. Very smooth even near the neutral zone and easy to have accurate movements with only one hand...and it has 90° of rotation L and R so 180° of total rotation improving a lot the precision and accuracy.

 

Regards,

 

Stéphane

Thanks Stephane. You say it has springs, but from your description, I get the impression that it uses detents on either side of the centers. So to be clear, do you feel the return tension through the entire stroke/turn, or only when it approaches the neutral zones?

Sorry for the confusion, effectively, that what I wanted to say: We can clearly feel the return tension when it approaches the neutrol zones. Far way of the neutral zone, the tension felt in the yoke is constant.

Hope it is clearer now :)

That does indeed help very much. Especially since these items are never available locally for purchase or trial. Thank you.