I've been happy with my saitek pro yoke and the 737NGX. I've been meaning to do the mod to remove the center detent but otherwise I like it.

 

You can get a yoke/throttle combo at Amazon for $165 with free shipping right now too.

 

What exactly is the mod to remove the center detent? Does the Cessna yoke have a center detent?

 

 

As far as feel of realism which yoke would be better... the Cessna model or the Pro model?

I have owned the Saitek yoke (not the Cessna one) for over one year.

 

The quality is not great, as the plastic feels flimsy and the action does not seem highly durable. The main issue is the smoothness. The axes are not very smooth, and detents are rather annoying. Nevertheless, they should work fine for most basic simulation purposes.

 

Calibration is an issue as well, as my yoke is experiencing greater sensitivity towards the left side. Initially, a simple unplug would recalibrate the yoke, but now, there seems to be a permanent inaccuracy. I can make far more precise left banks/corrections, but it takes a greater displacement to achieve the same command towards the right side. This is annoying when trying to make small corrections during an ILS approach. However, the issue is still not at a point where it impairs proper flight.

 

When I first purchased the yoke, it seemed pretty good. Now, while I do not necessarily not recommend it, I would consider purchasing a PFC yoke if you believe that you have a serious, long-term interest in aviation.

The quality is not great, as the plastic feels flimsy and the action does not seem highly durable. The main issue is the smoothness. The axes are not very smooth, and detents are rather annoying. Nevertheless, they should work fine for most basic simulation purposes.

 

Calibration is an issue as well, as my yoke is experiencing greater sensitivity towards the left side. Initially, a simple unplug would recalibrate the yoke, but now, there seems to be a permanent inaccuracy. I can make far more precise left banks/corrections, but it takes a greater displacement to achieve the same command towards the right side. This is annoying when trying to make small corrections during an ILS approach. However, the issue is still not at a point where it impairs proper flight.

 

This is very helpful information. Thank you Owen.

 

I was wondering about this. Do the yokes in real Cessna aircraft move 180? Don't the yokes in all modern Boeing only move 90? So, if you're flying the NGX wouldn't you only want 90 degrees of movement anyways?

 

I should clear this up. By 90 degrees is mean 90 degrees from center in both directions (or 180 total). I thought you meant the Cessna yoke goes 180 from center in both directions.

 

It sounds like the Saitek Cessna yoke would be more realistic towards NGX flight controls. Does the Cessna model have detents?

When I first purchased the yoke, it seemed pretty good. Now, while I do not necessarily not recommend it, I would consider purchasing a PFC yoke if you believe that you have a serious, long-term interest in aviation.

 

Mine seems pretty good after 5+ years of usage... but it does seem Saitek is not very consistent in build quality (hence I recommended a new buy, lest something goes wrong, so you can send it in)

 

Anyway PFC is a great choice but no less then 5 times more expensive for the most basic one, and even more so for Boeing one... not in MY budget...

Yes. While there are small issues with the Saitek yoke, I must make it clear that it is not a bad product, and it has certainly made a huge difference moving up from the mouse!

 

I am with you regarding budget and the price of PFC yokes, but many have stated that the PFC yoke will hold its value for a much longer time. Regardless, it is probably much more realistic in operation anyway. Also, you do not need to purchase the Boeing model, as all of their yokes seem to operate similarly. Perhaps the Beechcraft or Saab model will do, as Word Not Allowed has shown in his review and videos.

 

With flight simulation, there is almost no limit when it comes to the quality of hardware. It is easy to get carried away with Saitek, then PFC, then ACE, then Revolution Sim (motorized yokes)! Pretty soon, you're drooling over Flight Deck Solutions and the full cockpit!

With flight simulation, there is almost no limit when it comes to the quality of hardware. It is easy to get carried away with Saitek, then PFC, then ACE, then Revolution Sim (motorized yokes)! Pretty soon, you're drooling over Flight Deck Solutions and the full cockpit!

 

I agree too! PFC isn't in my price range right now either. Until I can afford the PFC Boeing yoke and JetMax cockpit from Flight Deck Solutions I just want the most realistic yoke for under $300.

 

I have watched several review videos on the yokes mentioned and I'm still unsure which will the best choice for realism.

I advise you to take Saitek.

X2

 

Just wanted to say I tried both the Saitek Pro Flight and Cessna yokes and despite some of the features being removed the Cessna yoke feels much nicer to handle than it's predecessor. The original Pro Flight yoke feels very oversized and toyish. Whilst the Cessna yoke has it's issues it's crafting is superior I feel.

 

Of course if you want the real thing I guess you will have to shell out the big bucks for PFC or similar.

X3 - Budget-wise... Go with Saitek.. I have Dual Saitek's in my home cockpit and have yet to have a single issue. Good stuff in my opinion. Very reliable. Lots of hours on the PF side as well..

 

Jeff

I have owned the Saitek yoke (not the Cessna one) for over one year.

 

The quality is not great, as the plastic feels flimsy and the action does not seem highly durable. The main issue is the smoothness. The axes are not very smooth, and detents are rather annoying. Nevertheless, they should work fine for most basic simulation purposes.

 

Calibration is an issue as well, as my yoke is experiencing greater sensitivity towards the left side. Initially, a simple unplug would recalibrate the yoke, but now, there seems to be a permanent inaccuracy. I can make far more precise left banks/corrections, but it takes a greater displacement to achieve the same command towards the right side. This is annoying when trying to make small corrections during an ILS approach. However, the issue is still not at a point where it impairs proper flight.

 

When I first purchased the yoke, it seemed pretty good. Now, while I do not necessarily not recommend it, I would consider purchasing a PFC yoke if you believe that you have a serious, long-term interest in aviation.

 

Hi Owen I had exactly the same issue with the original Pro Flight yoke which is one of the reasons I returned it and got the Cessna one instead. I can guarantee it is a much nicer product and I didn't have the sluggish movement on the right that you described. It fits my hand very very nicely.

 

Now I just need to get FSUIPC so I can calibrate my controls correctly. FS doesn't seem to give you enough sensitivity in some planes i.e. Wilco E-Jets.

I suggest you save up and just buy a good yoke to begin with. I had the saitek yoke which I switched out to the pfc after a few weeks. Now I desire a good 737 yoke for my cockpit I hope to be building soon. I haven't heard many good things about ACE, I heard their customer support is terrible.

I had exactly the same issue with the original Pro Flight yoke which is one of the reasons I returned it and got the Cessna one instead. I can guarantee it is a much nicer product and I didn't have the sluggish movement on the right that you described. It fits my hand very very nicely.

 

Now I just need to get FSUIPC so I can calibrate my controls correctly. FS doesn't seem to give you enough sensitivity in some planes i.e. Wilco E-Jets.

 

Well Saitek it is but do you think that the Cessna model is a better choice over the Pro Flight model? What issues are there calibrating it to FSX and the PMDG? Is it possible to use the third axis on the quadrant for flap settings? Does the Cessna model have the center dentents?

 

Thank you all! This is great info before I buy!

Hi Ben,

 

I will answer what I can on that... I have dual Saitek PF yokes and supplied 3 axis quadrants. For some reason, FSX see's both yokes and they both show up for programming. They calibrated very easily with no issues at all. I used the spoiler and flap setting axis with success.

 

If you really want to learn a lot about the programming on these via FSUIPC, I am sure someone else will chime in or you can visit "mycockpit.org" as they have a few guys there who have used the pro-flight model with great success.

 

Someone above mentioned smoothness and i will advise this was an issue at first.. They do smooth out with a little flying in my experience. The "detent" has not been an issue to me but others tastes may vary of course..

 

I have roughly 800 flying hrs on the pilot side yoke if that helps as well... I bought these very early on and enjoy them very much. Only my opinion and experience.

 

Jeff

I was a user of the CH line of periferals for FS for many years. I thought that I was in FS heaven, yoke, throttle on top, buttons for differential braking... Then, 4years ago, I had a 500$ credit at NCIX (a reputable pc outfit here in Canada) so I got the Saitek PF yoke and extra throttle for twin ops.

 

It only took a quick 30 min flight to fall in love with my new controls! I mounted my throttles on a pedestal beside my chair that houses my charts/NGX manuals and other modules like COMM/NAV, MCP and a custom mount I made for my iPad which acts as an EFB/ECL and audio source for listening to the Uncontrolled Airspace podcast while flying.

 

For the money, I highly recommend the Saitek PF line. If you choose this route, do a search on avsim for the saitek Yoke rubber band mod. Makes a big difference in the way it feels and responds.

Well Saitek it is but do you think that the Cessna model is a better choice over the Pro Flight model? What issues are there calibrating it to FSX and the PMDG? Is it possible to use the third axis on the quadrant for flap settings? Does the Cessna model have the center dentents?

 

Thank you all! This is great info before I buy!

 

Cessna yoke is defo a better choice (who needs that big ugly chronometer anyhow??). It is a much smoother, higher quality build and just feels lovely. Yes it does have a center detent but I've not found it to be an issue in any way. It's probably one of those things that some people won't mind but others will hate. If you really want to there is a way to mod the yoke to get rid of the center detent as someone mentioned though i would never be confident enough to do that myself.

 

As far as calibrations go I never had any issues setting up buttons and axis' but you might find you have to manually edit the standard.xml file to increase aileron axis sensitivity beyond 127 (max value you can set via the UI) as it might not feel responsive enough - this is an FSX issue though and is not a problem with the yoke itself. In some cases it is even the aircraft's flight model. FSUIPC is best for configuring sensitivities based on what I've read.

 

As for the throttle yes you can use the levers for flaps and other things - essentially anything FSX is capable of assigning to a controller axis (probably more with FSUIPC). I do just that. I've assigned the prop lever to flaps and the mixture lever to speed brakes but I think I will swap it as the prop lever gets in the way of the throttle on landing when it's at the bottom of it's axis (for flaps fully extended etc).