Hi there, I'm getting back into my FS simming and now with a butt load of disposable income I'm wanting to really maximize my simming experience. I come asking for advice on pay/free ware ideas as well as yoke suggestions.

 

First off the yoke. I've looked around and the main two companies I see are Saitek and CH(?). Now I already own a X52 and I love it, but I want to get a yoke and throttle quadrant. My question is what do you guys recommend? Saitek has 2 yokes from what I've seen and it seems like the Cessna one is a bit better for a few more bucks. They also have a bunch of additional things you can add on (from what I saw they had a ratido stack and several instruments). For now though I just want a yoke and a throttle quadrant, if there is one that looks and feels like a jet throttle and or yoke that would be ideal as I like to do mainly jet simming (private and commercial). And one that allows more customization would be ideal. Currently I'm thinking Saitek is the way to go, but I figured I'd ask and see if there is another favorite.

 

Along those lines what are some good add-ons (free or paid) that would give me a good commercial, RL, feeling? I used to have World of AI which I thought did a good job of bringing me the feel of real world airlines to life. But are there better alternatives out there? I'm really looking for the best possible commercial jet simulation feeling, in particular if I could be pointed in a good direction for: real life airline liveries (for both myself and AI), better ATC, better flight planning, I just want more realism.

 

Thank you in advance for your suggestions, and if this is not in the correct sub-forum I apologize.

I like the Saitek Yoke. I wish the Cessna version was available when I bought mine. It turns 180 degrees.

 

But I prefer the CH Throttle... It lasted much longer than the Saitek Throttle. The Saitek throttle looks more solid, but it gets loose much much sooner than Ch Throttle. There are other Throttles that are much better..you may want to search for them

 

But you would require a rudder Pedals.. if you are not simming without Pedals... its totally fake. I'd rather simmers use a Joystick and Rudder Pedals (Stick and rudder) than no Pedals.

 

But unfortunately I am yet to see a rudder Pedal worth its salt.. I think a DIY is probably the way to go

 

 

Manny

In terms of aircraft, I'd check out the PMDG 737NGX. It's incredibly realistic in many ways (if you're in to systems and procedures). It also has a *ton* of airline options that you can choose from (displays, configuration of on-board equipment like HUD, AP behaviour, etc). You can't go wrong!

Does anyone have any experience with FSPassengers? It seems like a decently priced add-on that seems to be what I'm looking for in an add-on.

Well for passenger flights its probably the best that kind of addon at the moment, for cargo flying there is one called Air Hauler which is even better. REX is working on addon called SimAir which will probably be just superior to both of these, but it will probably take time until it's released.

 

So yes I recommend Fspax, just don't expect any support if you encounter problems. Developer of Fspassengers hasn't been active for years and doesn't actively develop this program anymore, and its forums are pretty much dead.

 

But this said Fspassengers has completely changed my FS experience and added a lot to it, so I do recommend this addon even with these shortcomings. Nowadays I really rarely fly without Fspassengers, other than when I fly cargo flights with Air Hauler.

Yeah I saw that you can get a free demo on their site with the only restriction being starting airport. So I figured that would be a good idea. I'll look into the freight thing too.

 

Also I've been looking for jet throttle quadrants and they seem to be really expensive. I saw one setup that used a normal saitek quadrant for flaps and spoilers and the X52 throttle as the throttle for the jet. I may try that.

 

Are there any good button panels out there? For like overheads, autopilot, lights etc.

Are there any good button panels out there? For like overheads, autopilot, lights etc.

 

Well I have those from Saitek, they have three different that kind of products with one that has autopilot stuff and flaps handle, one has radios and one has light switches, couple of other things and gear handle. I have autopilot and switch panel.

 

This is the switch panel: http://www.saitek.co...rod/switch.html

Autopilot one: http://www.saitek.co...prod/multi.html

Radio panel: http://www.saitek.co...prod/radio.html

 

These work with most addon aircrafts, though with some complicated ones like PMDG, Wilco etc only some of their features work. I heard that there is some kind of custom driver which allows to use these also with these complicated addons but I haven't tried it myself.

 

There are of course a lot more switch panels out there, however most of them are intended for cockpit building and are really expensive unlike these.

 

These are sold in Simmarket, Fspilotshop and various other FS shops, and of course through Saitek store.

Ideal Flight on the front page of AVSIM should peak your interest

Re Rudder Pedals - I quite like my Saitek Combat Rudder Pedals.

 

Well made and feel right..

I also LOVE my Saitek Combar Rudder pedals!

 

And btw I am using FSPassnegers now. I was looking at AirHauler to use with my RealAir Lancair Legacy but I don't quite like it that you have to have a base because that means you always fly from and to the same airport all the time... This might be realistic but there are limits. I decided to use FSPassengers because I discovered I had bought that one a few years ago LOL!!! Completely forgot about it. I am using it quite simple: I simply load a passenger and I only get penalties for pulling to mich G's and stuff like that. I turned off penalties for for instance lights because the Legacy doesn't have a beacon which makes that FSPassengers option useless... All in all it doesn't add too much but I do get some sounds then the passenger (only 1 in the Legacy) is boarding or getting off and also when I fly badly. The advantage is that I can take off from any airport I want to: no base here. And you do build up some promotion points but I mainly use it to force myself to fly well.

 

I still am considering Air Hauler though... even though you have to pick a base it has far more options and things saved which you can check out in the program itself. FSPassengers looks quite dated and it isn't supported at all anymore...

I also LOVE my Saitek Combar Rudder pedals!

 

And btw I am using FSPassnegers now. I was looking at AirHauler to use with my RealAir Lancair Legacy but I don't quite like it that you have to have a base because that means you always fly from and to the same airport all the time... This might be realistic but there are limits. I decided to use FSPassengers because I discovered I had bought that one a few years ago LOL!!! Completely forgot about it. I am using it quite simple: I simply load a passenger and I only get penalties for pulling to mich G's and stuff like that. I turned off penalties for for instance lights because the Legacy doesn't have a beacon which makes that FSPassengers option useless... All in all it doesn't add too much but I do get some sounds then the passenger (only 1 in the Legacy) is boarding or getting off and also when I fly badly. The advantage is that I can take off from any airport I want to: no base here. And you do build up some promotion points but I mainly use it to force myself to fly well.

 

I still am considering Air Hauler though... even though you have to pick a base it has far more options and things saved which you can check out in the program itself. FSPassengers looks quite dated and it isn't supported at all anymore...

 

You don't have to only fly back and forth between your base. You can accept jobs from any airport to any airport.

 

The only bonus going to your base is cheaper fuel and repairs.

Yeah that is true, many contracts don't even leave or arrive at your base airport, actually I think you can set from options how big part of the flights you want to start/end at your base airport.

 

Also its possible to buy more than one base airport.

FSCaptain - http://www.fscaptain.net/

 

You absolutely need to get rudder pedals. I like my Saitek.

 

For radios, autopilot, and a few other functions, be sure to check out the M-Panel (and other offerings) by VRInsight - http://secure.simmarket.com/vr-insight-page-1.chtml The M-panel is a little more expensive than what Saitek offers but it's really a quality, metal build.

 

Have fun!

 

Randall

Re Rudder Pedals - I quite like my Saitek Combat Rudder Pedals.

 

Well made and feel right..

 

Agreed. The only downside is the toe brakes - they are not realistic as they are far too easy to depress and the range of travel on the toe brakes is greater than the small planes I've flown in real life.

Guys, some of you are recommending the Saitek rudder Pedals.. Is it really much better than the CH Pedals? Does it give some basic resistence? Ch Pedals I can move it with my toes which is silly.

 

I remember after doing 15-20 Touch and goes when I was learning to fly, My thighs used to hurt, stepping on it so much when taking off on go arounds.

 

I'd like to have a semblense of that in simming