Hi guys, I wasn't sure if this was the proper place for this, but starting it here since it's yoke/controller related and Google is not giving me what I want.  With the current controller shortage I'm looking to expand the list of vendors to search beyond Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, and B&H.  I've seen some others show up like "Mypilotstore" and "Pilotshop" but I can't seem to find much about them and if either one or both are worth keeping an eye on.  Anyone have input on these or other recommended retailers to watch?  If it matters I'm looking for places that would have the new Logitech version of the X56 hotas, or Saitek yokes/etc. or possibly that honeycomb stuff. 

Been out of simming for a few years and my OG 2004 era X52 is on its way out.  Deadzones keep getting bigger and the coating on the main stick turned sticky and I had to strip it off with alcohol before I could even go flying in the new MS sim.  I'd been wanting a yoke/pedals anyway so this seemed like the perfect time to do until until well, yeah everything is out of stock lol. ugh.

Honeycomb!  But I am however, biased.  Still, it's a terrific Yoke especially for the cost and the companion throttle quadrant will soon be released.

 

3 minutes ago, DaveCT2003 said:

Honeycomb!  But I am however, biased.  Still, it's a terrific Yoke especially for the cost and the companion throttle quadrant will soon be released.

 

Thanks 🙂 Any input on the website I was mentioning for getting a hold of one?  Besides deciding what to get the biggest problem is finding one and I don't want to think I found one and it turns out to be a poor site.  I haven't bought from anywhere except Amazon, BB, Newegg, and B&H so not sure who else to keep an eye on for them and not get burned.

It depends where you live. What country are you in?

 

28 minutes ago, DaveCT2003 said:

It depends where you live. What country are you in?

 

In the US, west coast. 

If you're looking for a HOTAS type setup and not a yoke you could check out VKB. Their Gladiator range would be more or less in the price range of the X-56 but the quality would be much higher e.g. the stick uses non-contact sensors for X and Y axis compared to pots which always go bad in the Saitek sticks. They don't have their throttle out yet but they are putting together a modular GA throttle setup which will release later next year - the Gladiator has a small wheel that you can use as a throttle in the meantime. I have the Gunfighter MkII from VKB and it's really excellent though a bit more pricey. Their US store is here: https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product=gladiator-nxt

If everyone can accept a slightly biased post then I’ll jump in with our release currently on pre-order but starting shipping from mid September! There aren’t enough enthusiast level hardware manufacturers in this hobby and we are trying to fix that.

Currently the best non force feedback yoke for desktop flight sim use. A bold claim and counter to my normally modest outlook on claims but convinced to use that description by Scott from A2A at the flight sim show at RAF Cosford last year and reinforced by a good number of other developers after trying it. Yes I’m including even the more expensive options in this. Feature for feature nothing can beat it. Unfortunately it is not as cheap as some other options at £360 plus tax and shipping.

I don’t push it on avsim because I’m not comfortable with pushing the advertising rule limits but seeing as it is a new product about to launch then why not!

Currently available through the Fulcrum website and we ship worldwide.

Having tried the Fulcrum from its 3D printed model at Cosford in 2018 right up to the pre-production model I tried early this year I can confidently say the Fulcrum is a quality yoke. The Honeycomb (like Saitek) has around 3.5" of elevator travel whereas the Fulcrum has 8". Imagine the control that gives you.

It also uses Hall-effect sensors on both axes so no pots to wear out. All British-made including electronic board. With the GBP/USD and GBP/Euro exchange rate hugely in favour of the Dollar/Euro this is a bargain for US and European customers. Around half the price of the Yoko and a much smaller case.

On 8/27/2020 at 4:34 PM, DaveCT2003 said:

Honeycomb!  But I am however, biased.  Still, it's a terrific Yoke especially for the cost and the companion throttle quadrant will soon be released.

 

I managed to get one of these last Tuesday night while the MS Store had some in stock very briefly (like less than 12 hours).  Showed up today (Monday) and got it set up.  Really liking it so far on the one test flight I did in the TBM after fixing the default profile to keep the 10 degree heading bug at bay.  Need to play with sensitivity a bit, but just that quick test flight it was soo much better than using my 16 year old X52.  Control is so smooth now vs a stick.  I turned on "takeoff rudder assist" as I don't have rudder pedals so no rudder control.  Not sure if that actually helps with ground steering as well, but I didn't have any issues that I could tell.  Won't be quite as good in some aspects of flying since I no longer have the rudder axis to use while actually flying.  Have debated trying to bind it to one of the two dials on my X52 throttle which I'm still using.

 

edit: I'm planning to buy rudder pedals ASAP, just everyone is out right now still.

Edited September 22, 20205 yr by flyinion

On 8/27/2020 at 10:26 PM, flyinion said:

In the US, west coast. 

Check your local pilot shops around airports. I live in Florida. Banyan carries a ton of sim related stuff. Gulf Coast Avionics is where I bought my Honeycomb Alpha. Both are pilot shops on airports. 

On 9/2/2020 at 4:23 AM, Ray Proudfoot said:

It also uses Hall-effect sensors on both axes so no pots to wear out.

Why is hall effect the king? Why not simply do like a mouse does and use laser? Then you don't even need separate sensors for pitch and roll, just a shaft for the yoke and a laser to read it's movement in/out and rolling.

6 hours ago, Phantoms said:

Why is hall effect the king? Why not simply do like a mouse does and use laser? Then you don't even need separate sensors for pitch and roll, just a shaft for the yoke and a laser to read it's movement in/out and rolling.

Because there are no parts that touch. It's based on magnetism. I'm no engineer so can't answer your question. I just know that where potentiometers are used and eventually wear out hall-effect sensors are the alternative.

27 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Because there are no parts that touch...

Pretty much similar to the laser idea, @Phantoms I guess.

18 minutes ago, HighBypass said:

Pretty much similar to the laser idea, @Phantoms I guess.

I'm not qualified to answer. I imagine @tutmeistercould explain as he has the qualifications.

My reasoning is the laser technology in mice are precise, proven and reliable. They also do not require a separate sensor for both pitch and roll. And furthermore, they do not need any moving parts (as you do with either a pot or hall effect sensor) so there's even less wear. Just curious why this hasn't taken off and everyone claims hall effect is king. I would think hall effect is at the same disadvantage to laser as pots are to hall effect.