I've been fairly happy with my Saitek yoke thus far.  As others have mentioned it's a slight bit sticky, but it rare that it really causes me any annoyance.  A major plus to the Saitek yoke in my usage is the flat top on the base - I keep it on my desktop 24/7, and my keyboard sits on top of the base.  Works well for me, and means that I rarely feel the need to disconnect it.

 

I also have the Saitek rudder pedals, switch panel, and the Cessna trim wheel.  The trim wheel has probably been my absolute favorite recent addition to my hardware setup - I couldn't imagine flying GA without it now. Works well for my new Q400 too. :lol:

I've been using the yoke + addon TQ since they came out.  I think they ar a good value.  don't expect perfection.  Some people are more discriminating than others about how the yoke feels in their hands, some do some mods.  I works for me as is.  I would say like all saitek I have seen the pots used are not the highest quality, and after time won't track as well as when new.  As far as support, back in the pre-Mad Katz days I didn't think it was that good on the software side.  Since then I've gone to just using default MS Win drivers and fsuipc and that works great for me.  The only thing I would say is I've never gotten fsuipc controlled hat switch to work as smoothly as with sending it to fsx directly, but it could be that I didn't spend enough time playing with it. 

 

I developed a home made stand for the throttles that mounts at approx 45 degree angle.  Works for me and I have it set up so I can install in a drawer on the side of the desk.

 

I would like a way to hold the yoke in place without using the clamp which interferes with my keyboard tray.  Just too lazy to figure something out.  I have my monitor on an arm so there isn't a problem with the monitor base getting in the way of the yoke.

 

scott s.

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Thank you for all the advice. I like the idea of the throttle quadrant but I don't have enough space for  the yoke and the quadrant. I've read a lot of reviews that mention detente's in the aileron and elevator controls which I interpret as the the movement of the yoke not being smooth. Is this correct? 

 

I've also looked at the CH Eclipse but its almost $60 more than the Saitek. Is it that much better in-terms of build quality and functionality?

 

I removed the null zones completely for the ailerons and elevator axis. Makes a big difference.

I would recommend Saitek products. Have the Yoke, rudder pedals, Extra TQ and custom made throttle, Spoiler and flap Handle for the NGX which fit on two Saitek TQ's.

Also have a Saitek X52 joystick for fighters but for gliders I use the old Microsoft Sidewinder force feedback 2(which is the best joystick ever made:-)

 

Have the Saitek Cessna trim wheel too. HOWEVER THIS IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE NGX You have been warned. I suspect that Madcatz customer support is very good. Before I was fully informed about the lack of NGX compatibility with the trim wheel, I contacted customer support and they where ready and willing to send me a replacement if it turned out the unit was faulty but it wasn't

 

The detents indicate when the yoke in centered! They do not represent a faulty in the unit. Though for a lot of users they represent a design flaw in the unit since they are not required. The shaft and wheel are spring loaded to return them to center. The spring forces could be weaker!

 

Using trim in FSX or I guess any other Home FS is not the same as flying for real!

In a real aircraft you would set your pitch with the yoke or stick and then remove the stick pressure by adjusting the trim and hence maintain your pitch.

 

With the Saitek yoke the only place there is no stick pressure is in the detent. I therefore flying the Sim accordingly i.e. set the pitch with trim, with the yoke in the detent. Otherwise you are fighting with the stick forces while maintaining pitch when hand flying. Not very comfortable!

 

I wish Logitech Made A flight Yoke and TQ. If they did it would be Awesome. Logitech make great game controllers.

I've been using the yoke + addon TQ since they came out. I think they ar a good value. don't expect perfection. Some people are more discriminating than others about how the yoke feels in their hands, some do some mods. I works for me as is. I would say like all saitek I have seen the pots used are not the highest quality, and after time won't track as well as when new. As far as support, back in the pre-Mad Katz days I didn't think it was that good on the software side. Since then I've gone to just using default MS Win drivers and fsuipc and that works great for me. The only thing I would say is I've never gotten fsuipc controlled hat switch to work as smoothly as with sending it to fsx directly, but it could be that I didn't spend enough time playing with it.

 

I developed a home made stand for the throttles that mounts at approx 45 degree angle. Works for me and I have it set up so I can install in a drawer on the side of the desk.

 

I would like a way to hold the yoke in place without using the clamp which interferes with my keyboard tray. Just too lazy to figure something out. I have my monitor on an arm so there isn't a problem with the monitor base getting in the way of the yoke.

 

scott s.

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Overcame that issue, two squares of Velcro , sticky side down on the desk positioned properly, then it can be stuck and unstuck whenever you need to remove it. You just have to be careful on initial positioning that you have it lined up correctly. Did the same with my rudder pedals, long strips of Velcro on either side stuck to a square of wood I cut out of an old desk I was throwing out, lies on the floor under my desk against the wall so when I apply pressure it goes nowhere. Then I can just whip up the square of wood with the pedals attached and throw it in the cupboard etc when I'm not in simming season.

 

1. I have a number of add-on's that are in regular rotation in my hangar. They are the the ESDG CX 2.0, RealAir Duke and Legacy, Majestic Dash 8, and everything from PMDG. Are there any compatibility issues with these aircraft?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not that I'm aware of, but out of the ones you mention, I only have the Duke.

 

2. How is the build quality of the yoke?

 

 

Good for the price. It's mostly plastic with a few visible (and feel-able) seams, but the actual shaft and parts of the yoke base are metal. The buttons and switches could perhaps be a bit more "clicky". The prop/throttle levers make a weird scratchy noise when you move them. I thought something was wrong at first but it's apparently normal. However I still prefer it to the small, flimsy levers on the CH Yoke I had before.

 

The yoke s smooth in the pitch and roll axis and doesn't "catch" like the old CH Yokes used to do. It's very easy to flare the aircraft smoothly. I put some silicone spray on anyway, but it isn't necessary. The center detent doesn't bother me at all. It actually makes it easier to trim for level flight IMO.

 

3. I have read that Saitek has fixed the issues with the random button operation and the detente issue?

 

I think there was a software bug in the Saitek software. They've probably fixed it, but I can't say since I just use the Windows built-in drivers.

 

4. How responsive is Saitek's support?

 

 

I have no experience with them so I can't say.

 

 

 

 

5. Is there another yoke that would be a better purchase than this item? 

 

 

 

 

There's the CH Yoke with a similar price tag and the Eclipse which is more expensive. There's also Saitek's own Cessna yoke.

When my CH Yoke gave up after many years of service, I went with the Saitek instead. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I like that the Saitek Yoke has a flatter base, stand-alone throttle quadrant and no protruding elevator axis shaft. The throttle quadrant can be mounted on top of the desk or hung from it.

It has a more noticeable center detent than the CH Yoke, which you may or may not like. The CH Yoke has a wider range of rotation, where as the Saitek Yoke is only +/- 45 deg (the more expensive Cessna yoke is +/- 90 however).

Overcame that issue, two squares of Velcro , sticky side down on the desk positioned properly, then it can be stuck and unstuck whenever you need to remove it. You just have to be careful on initial positioning that you have it lined up correctly. Did the same with my rudder pedals, long strips of Velcro on either side stuck to a square of wood I cut out of an old desk I was throwing out, lies on the floor under my desk against the wall so when I apply pressure it goes nowhere. Then I can just whip up the square of wood with the pedals attached and throw it in the cupboard etc when I'm not in simming season.

 

 

Thanks.  I've thought of going the Velcro route.  Wasn't sure if it would be secure enough (my first attempt was to just put a weight on top of the yoke case, but that didn't stop it from moving in response mainly to elevator inputs).  Because my monitor is suspended, when not flying I push the yoke to the rear, under the monitor and can use desk area where the yoke would be when in operation.  So the Velcro remaining on the desktop would interfere a little but maybe not enough to make a difference.  Easy enough to remove I guess.

 

scott s.

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The top and bottom of the main housing of my Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Yoke has bushed holes with machine threads for mounting together with other objects.  You could thus use countersunk screws to mount the yoke to a larger flat surface such as a piece of masonite or peg board material and then you could quickly place and remove it from the desktop.   The throttle quadrant has the same type of threaded bushings on the bottom, so it could also be mounted to the same piece of material.  Something perhaps the size of a typical desk mat.

 

By the way, I have only good things to say about the yoke.  I also have the Pro Flight Cessna Pedals.

 

 

Here is my setup:

 

 

I use the yoke with every plane I fly, except for the joystick planes of course.

 

I can't answer about support.

 

Build quality is good for the price, and there is no other yoke at that price range, except for the CH yoke but that is not as good.

 

I'd recommend it, I'm not going to spend $500 or $1000 on a flightsim yoke.

 

Lee

 

My sentiments, exactly. 

 

Has worked great so far (for over a year or so) with no problems. 

Alrighty, looks like I'll be getting this puppy soon. Thanks for all the info  B)

 

 

Here is my setup:

 

Is that wooden device at your headrest position what your wife uses to summon you to supper?  (: 

 

 

Is that wooden device at your headrest position what your wife uses to summon you to supper? (:

 

Actually that is the mount for want I like to call the frying pan barrier which is out of shoot!

While flying the NGX from YYZ to YUL I often hear from behind "You love that dammed fake airplane more than you Love me" followed by a load metal clank after which I would find myself on the floor coming too with a big bump on my head. The frying pan Barrier is a simple peace of actuated hardware with voice recognition built in. Barrier pops up every time those words are heard giving me time to escape. LOL

 

No seriously, That's the mount for my TrackIR camera.

Picked this up today from a local FBO's pilot store and first impressions are that its smaller than I thought it was going to be and its quite plasticky which I probably should have expected considering the price. The self centering is strong with the unit and there is a huge deadspot in the aileron/elevator operation which I think can be reduced with adjusting the null zones. So far, I've used it with the NGX, RealAir Duke, and the CX 2.0 and it worked well with them. I'll know if a couple of days if I'll keep it or return it.

Angle of Attack have a very good video Tutorial for setting it up with the NGX and FSUIPC. I am not sure if its a freely available Tutorial or if you have to be signed up for their NGX training