Then you really should go for a joystick. You should check out the Logitech 3D Extreme, it's cheap and works great. Many simmers use it.

 

Yes, I think by now that Logitech 3D Extreme is THE stick to get when you are interested in this hobby but not yet ready to invest too much in it. But even when you DO want to invest in it... I own Saitek Combat Rudder pedals but still use that good old Logitech 3D Extreme for elevator and aileron!

So you are saying to get a Joystick rather than a Flight yoke? I would expect a flight yoke to be a better experience over a joystick in flight sims.

 

Was reading http://forum.avsim.net/topic/380482-flying-with-a-joystick/ as well. Bobsk8 said he is using a joystick and would never go back to a yoke. Do you feel the same?

 

My impression is that a yoke would be more comfortable to use than a joystick. I have a Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro, it's a great joystick but it has a gameport connection. It's large base makes it uncomfortable to use when the joystick is on the desk and my elbow is resting on the desk as well.

No question that a yoke is more precise control than a joystick, but it is awkward to try and fly a heli with one...

 

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I haven't had a yoke yet but there are plenty of planes that don't have a yoke (like the new Carbon Cub) so I see no reason for spending a LOT of money on one. I like my joystick. Easy to pick up and to put away. Rudder pedals on the other hand are worth it imho: the twist of the Logitech or keyboard buttons will never work as well as rudder pedals.

but it is awkward to try and fly a heli with one

 

I've tried flying the FSX heli missions with my keyboard, and gave up on that not soon after.

 

Easy to pick up and to put away.

 

Very true. And good money saved over a yoke. I will check out Flight a bit more and if it's a keeper I will certainly get a joystick. The Logitech 3D Extreme looks like a winner.

 

Thanks for all your input, folks.

So you are saying to get a Joystick rather than a Flight yoke? I would expect a flight yoke to be a better experience over a joystick in flight sims.

 

Having used both (although the vast majority of my flight time was with a yoke), I find that a stick offers far more intuitive control of the aircraft. A yoke is often easier to use, and offers finer control in certain situations, but if you are going for a "the aircraft is an extension of my body" experience, a stick offers effortless control where it's almost like the control surfaces are wired into your nervous system. I never really got that feeling from a yoke, possibly due to the way pitch and roll controls are isolated from one another.

 

And just another thing to think about... of the aircraft currently in Flight, only one of them (the Maule M-7) has a yoke. All of the others feature a control stick.

IMV the good thing about Flight is the feel of flying, so would definitely recommend a joystick to maximise that.

On the other hand the missions/jobs are cheesy and disappointing, with little feel of taking part in an actual experience.

FSX missions are much better IMHO, so I'd hesitate to recommend Flight for the missions....

Cheers

Keith

Well, I recently started playing Flight and FSX both. You might be disappointed by the limited planes and areas, but you know that going in. FSX has much more depth in almost every aspect. Otherwise, I enjoy Flight. I like the feel of the flight model, the default graphics and lighting are a step up from FSX and it runs smoother for me. I fly with mouse when I'm doing casual sightseeing or long distance jobs and missions, but I use a joystick for aerobatics, landings and other challenges. I wouldn't recommend keyboard alone (I tried it myself) because the control is a bit rough. Mouse flight makes things very simple, but it also limits your control so you can't really do aerobatics.

It really helps to have a stable joystick platform and not floating around the deskttop or in your lap. I finally hacked together a stand, still needs some work, but is working very well for me anyway,

I thought about engineering a platform on each arm of my desk chair for the stick and throttle, but ended up just setting them on the keyboard drawer, so they are down low and comfortable to use. My keyboard seems to be permanently relegated to the desk surface itself.

 

Since you've already got your fold-away rudder pedals, have you considered mounting a mechanism of some kind under the keyboard drawer, to let the joystick fold underneath (ending up pointing down) and slide back out of the way?

From what you described you like regarding the entertainment aspects of FSX, I think you will really like Flight as it does a good job with these items. While the graphics and some of the details are a big step up from FSX, in my opinion there is not enough functionality or features modeled (no ATC, not all navaids work, no GPS/auto pilot, AI traffic etc., real world weather etc.) to keep your interest if you are more into simulation. However, Flight appears to have the foundations to eventually be a full fledged simulator, it's just that nobody knows when that might be, possibly years from now.

Unfortunately, now we do know. Flight has met an untimely and undeserved early death, before it was even seven months old...

Unfortunately, now we do know. Flight has met an untimely and undeserved early death, before it was even seven months old...

 

Corpora lente augescent cito extinguuntur.

 

It seems fitting words to describe the path of Flight, and its end.

Sorry you took the "plunge" only to find the pool empty, or nearly empty.

Personally, I'm a simmer, not a 'gamer'. I just couldn't see myself flying around ballons or landing on top of buildings. I try for as much realism as FS will allow. For that reason I never even considered getting into 'Flight".

Jim D.

Yes, dear friends. What a bummer that is. Honestly, Flight deserved better than that. I thought Flight was is a lot of fun and quite entertaining. It's still on my harddrive and I will continue to play it. I might still buy the DLC but I'm hoping the price will drop a little now.

 

Nevertheless, I really appreciate the input I've received from you all. Thanks for that.