Hi,

 

My CH Eclipse yoke has packed in.  It is part of my CH hardware of Pro Throttle, Yoke, and Pro Pedals, plus Fighterstick.  I also happen to have a set of Saitek pedals in the loft, which I used several years ago, before the CH setup.

 

I'm wondering if a Saitek-Pro Flight Yoke System would be a sensible replacement for the CH?

 

It would have to fit into my present method, of having yoke and throttle in use for fixed wing, and throttle and stick working together for choppers.

 

I'd appreciate any advice from experienced users.

 

Edit:  Saitek Cessna Yoke?

 

Thanks, Jim

I sympathise. My CH yoke gave up several months ago now. Mainly, well entirely, because I messed with it so much trying to obtain a less 'heave ho' feel to it.

I seriously considered the Saitek Cessna but there were too many gimmicky bits on it. I got myself a new CH 'ordinaire' (didn't care for the flappy paddles on the Eclipse) and found some proper replacement springs. Happy as a sandboy now. :biggrin:

Bizarrely your message was the first one after I stumbled across the new Goflight yoke - looks great, and only a "little" (at $US 749) more than the Saitek  I'm looking to upgrade from: http://www.goflightinc.com/collections/systems/products/gf-pro-yoke-system

 

I had the original Saitek, and I understand from the Madcatz guys I met last year that the Cessna accessories have better components than the originals. Decent stuff .. but that Goflight yoke is a different level, with pric to match

 

 

 

 

I have the Saitek Cessna Pro Yoke and really like it because it feel's substantial and not like a cheap piece of plastic. Have not experienced the CH version however but may give it a try the next time I need a new yoke.

Robert,

Do you find yours smooth and precise in flight, just as is, without any of the mods I've been reading about in this forum?

 

Danny,

I just love your recommendation.  If only........................... :rolleyes:

 

Ron,

I'm interested in your choice of CH.  I got the Eclipse because of its reputation for increased smoothness in operation.  I never touched the paddles.  With pedals I couldn't see the point.

Do you find the standard version as satisfactory in use as the eclipse you had previously?

 

I've been happy with the eclipse, and I'm a little apprehensive about the Saitek, after reading lots of posts in the forum.  I'm pretty handy, but after getting into the guts of a Saitek, I'm not too sure of choosing just the right rubber band/spring.

 

Thanks, guys

Honestly Jim it was my first yoke system after using a Thrustmaster HOTAS, I quite like it but would love a GoFlight setup as Danny.  If you are looking for the most authentic feel then it would be the GoFlight unit or some mods on the Saitek, guess I'm not that fussy LOL.

I never did have the Eclipse. As I understand it the Eclipse has identical mechanics, it just has added buttons and those paddles. Seemed a lot to pay for just that. The spring replacement wasn't a problem, I simply made sure the length of the spring was the same as well as the guage of the wire. Only the cumference is about 1/3rd smaller.

There really is a market for a mid price range yoke around the £250-£300 mark. The choice is either Saitek, CH or silly money! 

 

 

I have the Saitek Cessna Pro Yoke and really like it because it feel's substantial and not like a cheap piece of plastic. Have not experienced the CH version however but may give it a try the next time I need a new yoke.

 

X2.  I had a CH yokes for almost 20 years it seems, and they were OK.  When my most recent one got too sloppy when I still lived in So California, I did a phone search and found a Frys store that had both brands in stock and on display.  I was quick to determine the difference in build and quality.  In addition the Saitek were designed to work with their other products such as panels and gauges, and even come with built in threaded bushings.  Those come in handy for a variety of purposes.  Once I had one home and ready to use I also found the design of the mounts to be more friendly, adapting to a wider range of situations.

 

But if you want to spend 750 American smackeroos then go for it....  The difference in price could instead buy a lot of high quality add-ins.

I bought the Eclipse because it was reputed to be much smoother in operation, than the standard CH yoke.  I've been happy with it, but it has never been "Super" smooth.  I've been spraying it with ptfe lubricant to help.

 

There's nowhere I can try before I buy, and I'm nervous about a detente in the Saitek.  That would seem a bad idea, as you are nursing the attitude of the aircraft, just before touch down.

 

I'm most certainly not in the league of Go Flight  purchasers!

 

Not easy to make a choice, but users of Saitek seem to feel the build quality is better than CH.

 

Thanks, Jim

The CH Eclipse Yoke did have improvements to the shaft to allow a smoother travel over older models as well, but a little extra lube certainly still helps.

I've had two CH Products Yoke USB which looks like the Eclipse but without all the extra gadgets. I now have a Saitek Pro flight yoke (well, two actually but dunno where the other is right now...) and based on my experience with them I would definitely pick the Saitek instead. I liked the grip on the CH more but otherwise it was just much  more flimsy and of worse build quality. But as I said, that was quite a few years ago and things certainly may have changed since then!

 

Having said that, I have never managed to fly a chopper with the yoke! Instead I have a Saitek X45  with a throttle unit that are also simulatenously connected to the computer. So I instantly switch between flying airplanes with a yoke or a chopper/airplane with a stick. And when I fly eg the PMDG 737NGX with the yoke, I have assigned the tiller function to the rudder grip on the X45. Works perfectly!

The CH Eclipse Yoke did have improvements to the shaft to allow a smoother travel over older models as well, but a little extra lube certainly still helps.

 

I stand corrected. :smile:  On my previous CH I tried various lubricants but on the new one I've left it dry. Still nice and smooth....so far. Oh, I did shave the plastic moulding edges off of the shaft, maybe that was the improvement? :wink:

That's the trouble with mass produced stuff..Finish! <_<

On the older standard yoke, what often caused the problem with stiffness of the shaft was the plastic bushing on the base of the unit that encapsulated the entry point of the shaft into the base. Depending where you lived and the current weather, this bushing could sometimes expand enough to grab the shaft and restrict movement or make it less smooth. But again, the CH Eclipse design fixed that issue for the most part.

 

In terms of CH vs Saitek, I do get more returns and warranty claims on Saitek gear than with CH Products gear in general, the exception with Saitek being their rudder pedals which have proven to be the most durable item in the Saitek ProFlight range with very few (almost zero) returns/warranty claims.

In terms of CH vs Saitek, I do get more returns and warranty claims on Saitek gear than with CH Products gear in general, the exception with Saitek being their rudder pedals which have proven to be the most durable item in the Saitek ProFlight range with very few (almost zero) returns/warranty claims.

 

That speaks volumes! If I was sitting on the fence, those few words would do it for me. :smile:

 

Can you recommend a particular lube? Slicker is better (so they tell me) :wink:

When using lube on the plastic CH yoke, keep in mind that some petroleum based oils/greases can soften the plastic. I found some silicone grease designed for plastic at a local hobby shop, in the racing car accessory area. It has served quite well and my CH USB yoke has 5+ years.

 

The lube I used is AE Team Associated, part no. 6636.

 

I tried a CH Eclipse yoke, but sent it back because the plastic shaft was binding or "sticking", making elevator control very difficult.

 

I think any of the CH yokes can be made to have smooth operation, but it involves sanding and polishing the plastic shaft and possibly changing to lighter springs. Of course, these modifications void the warranty.

 

Dale