Are you going to fly it like a real 737 pilot is the big question. That would mean AP on asap and probably mostly ILS approaches with some hand flying thrown in which leaves around 10% stick time very roughly.

 

no need to spend more than $50 if you only fly 737 however if you decide to fly smaller GA stuff then yes go for the big $$ spend

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!

 

One advantage of the Cessna Yoke package is getting the large trim wheel along with the same throttle quadrant as the basic Saitek. You will likely want a 2nd quardrant to have a full multi-engine setup. Take a look at this avsim review, it shouuld answer most of your questions. There are later reviews of the Saitek cockpit as it was growing. Just google avsim reviews and Mad Catz/Saitek cockpit.

 

http://www.avsim.com...tek/Saitek.html

http://forum.avsim.n...or-cockpit-r690

 

 

 

After reading a few more of the posts here . . . . you should look at the Saitek Multi Panel as one of the items as it has an excellent trim wheel and flap lever along with the full autopilot and the Saitek Switch Panel has a lot to offer with the gear lever/ postition lights, most of the switches we use and the magnetos and start switch.

 

All the Saitek stuff can be calibrated in FSX without the purchased version of FSUIPC. There are hints and info sheets at the support site online.

 

Caution: This can become habit forming as there are lots of panels that truly enhance the desk/cockpit. I have all that Saitek has to offer and use them daily.

 

Ray

 

This was a few months ago. I have more now.

 

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.

 

This is great info. The more I hear and read I am thinking that the Saitek Cessna model with 2 throttle quadrants will be the way to go.Thank you!

 

 

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.

 

Great info, thanks Jeff!

 

 

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.

 

This is great info, thank you Rick! Does the "rubber band mod" apply to the Cessna model as well?

 

Caution: This can become habit forming as there are lots of panels that truly enhance the desk/cockpit. I have all that Saitek has to offer and use them daily.

 

:lol: I am beginning to realize that! Thanks for the great info Ray, it is very helpful! You have helped me make up my mind on what to buy. Nice set up too.

If your going to do it do it right dont mess around with toy yokes

 

http://www.737yoke.com/prod_list.php

If your going to do it do it right dont mess around with toy yokes

 

http://www.737yoke.com/prod_list.php

 

LOL ummm have you seen the price on that thing? For that you could pretty much build a whole cockpit with Saitek gear and still have change to spare =O.

 

 

LOL ummm have you seen the price on that thing? For that you could pretty much build a whole cockpit with Saitek gear and still have change to spare =O.

 

Then perhaps this one?

http://www.revolution-jetstream.com/Gold_Line_Yoke.html

 

Then perhaps this one?

http://www.revolutio..._Line_Yoke.html

 

Which one do you use?

 

I'm only looking in the $200-$300 range for now. Very nice yokes tho! When I do eventually decide to drop that kind of money on my home sim it will go straight towards the Pro Flight 737 single seat cockpit!

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Update: I ended up purchasing the Saitek Cessna yoke system, Saitek Pro Flight rudder pedals, and an extra Saitek throttle quadrant all from amazon with free shipping. The yoke and pedals are extremely smooth, feel very natural and add a significant amount of realism to the simulation in PMDG. Set up within FSX was very simple. I didn't use any of the included programming software. I was able to set the yoke buttons up with elevator trim and autopilot disarm on the left side just like real world. With the extra throttle quadrant I am using the (left to right) first axis for spoilers, the next 2 axis are bound together for engine 1, the next two axis are bound for engine 2, and the sixth axis is used for flaps. The buttons on the quadrant are used for TO/GO, auto throttle dissarm, parking brakes, and landing gear. Without breaking the bank I was able to achieve a much more satisfying feel of realism and higher level of simulation within the PMDG cockpit. I have many hours behind the new controls and I love it. I would highly reccomend this set up for anybody looking to upgrade from a joystick or just to add some feel of the real world.

 

Thanks again for everybody's advice and suggestions! It all helped me make the right choices in the end!

My Advice buy what you can afford.....John

 

PS: 6 or more years with the Saitek and still no problems.

Has anyone tried Modifying a Yoke to give more than +-90 deg of movement,

360 deg travel Potentiometers are common.

One would imagine that the CH yoke could be modified, to give at least +- 175 deg movement.

 

From what I have heard, most Yoke pots do not last very long till they get noisy (cheap pots !!), so if one is going to get a new pot, one might be able to fit a 350 deg pots and ensure that there are no other mechanical limits in the Yoke, that would prevent the full +- 175 deg travel.

 

The Center DETENT might also be an easy thing to disable ?

There is a Romanian company that makes accurate 737 yokes, however, they only supply the yoke part and not the stick component. Will post the link when I get back home.

Routech -- http://www.routech.ro/