Hello,

Currently I own a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick, which I have for a while, and it did job very well. But for now I want to make an upgrade for something better for MSFS. I look for something with good fidelity and good reliability. I searched on google and looked for stocks in my country, and the best I found for the price is Thrustmaster T.1600M FCS Flight Pack (which include TFRP rudder pedals and TWCS throttle) . An other variant would be Saitek X52 Pro which have almost same price, or Saitek X56 which is a bit more expensive. I read few reviews about Saitek joysticks and many had problems with reliabilty and few recommended this Thrustmaster instead. I looked for a yoke too, but are very expensive here and have limited stocks. If you have any other recommendation please tell me.

Sorry for my English, is not my native language, but I hope that you understand what I mean to ask you.

Thank you

 

 

I've used Saitek sticks for a long time now - and currently have the X52-Pro. However - I definitely would NOT recommend them:

1) Appallingly semi-functional/outdated drivers.

2) Axes start spiking very quickly. I bought some Saitek rudders (brand new) and they started spiking within the first 3 weeks. Their support appears to be pretty bad too - so I didn't even bother getting them exchanged - just tried to reduce the problem via filtering etc. in FSUIPC. I now use a Thrustmaster rudder.

3) General build quality is low. The "rubberised" matt surface wears of fairly quickly.

I've heard good things about Thrustmaster, but don't forget to check out CH as well - especially if you fancy dual/split throttles.

 

For a budget setup this one is really good.  Used to be like 110 USD before covid

https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/11243?gclid=CjwKCAiA1aiMBhAUEiwACw25MUyNCoSRaMV1ej193nBUo_sXpVwaLKEo_6C82lERhkkmQOadFBQOERoC28AQAvD_BwE

The best option, if you can manage to find one, is get a second hand MS FFB2 on ebay. 

Unfortunately they are very rarely listed these days and tend to get snapped up when they do appear.

3 hours ago, ryanbatcund said:

For a budget setup this one is really good.  Used to be like 110 USD before covid

https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/11243?gclid=CjwKCAiA1aiMBhAUEiwACw25MUyNCoSRaMV1ej193nBUo_sXpVwaLKEo_6C82lERhkkmQOadFBQOERoC28AQAvD_BwE

Thanks Ryan for that link! I didn't know this site existed or heard about it.  Good Flight Sim hardware there.

Thanks again! 

Thrustmaster 16000M is on of the very few that has Hall ICs which never get noisy or drift. Calibrate it once and you are done forever. 

I use this setup which is reasonably priced : http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_UK/products/tca-officer-pack-airbus-edition

Imo,  the VKB Gladiator offers excellent precision per dollar.    And you can install different springs to change the feel.   

They also have different side panels you can purchase.   Most of it is in stock on their site right now tool.

VKB is on the hobbyist end of the spectrum.  They expect people to open up their sticks,  and don't mind showing them how.

https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product_cat=gladiator-nxt-series

 

I've owned a VKB Gunfighter MKIII for 2 years now,  and I've installed 2 50 lb springs in each axis (4 springs total),   and I'm using their 200mm stick extension.   Very high quality,  solid gear.  Extremely precise.

Edited November 10, 20214 yr by Waldo Pepper

2 hours ago, johnbow72 said:

I use this setup which is reasonably priced : http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_UK/products/tca-officer-pack-airbus-edition

Does this work well with all single engine aircraft too? It is quite a good price on Amazon at the moment.

The VKB Gladiator NXT is incredible, a lot of bang for your buck and it actually feels like a quality unit. Definitely the best standalone unit with throttle and rudder twist, that also sits comfortably on your desktop without a mount, before you hit the big league stuff. Had the old and new T.16000M prior to this and that almost feels like a flimsy, cheap toy in comparison.

OP: The Thrustmaster 1600 set up of stick, throttle, and pedals was a very good setup for the price before the Covid markups. The three together were bouncing around from November 2018 to September 2020 for about $200 for all three together (U.S. dollars).

Notice how it spiked upwards when MFS 2020 was released (I think late August 2020). $400-$578! ! It is $279 right now, so it says, but not available. I would say for $279 USD it's a good deal.

https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B01HZ2APKU

https://www.amazon.com/ThrustMaster-T-16000M-Flight-Joystick-Black/dp/B01HZ2APKU/

Edited November 10, 20214 yr by Fielder

6 hours ago, Glenn Fitzpatrick said:

The best option, if you can manage to find one, is get a second hand MS FFB2 on ebay. 

Unfortunately they are very rarely listed these days and tend to get snapped up when they do appear.

Nice stick, unfortunate is difficult to ship from in my country. The shipping cost is expensive and don’t worth it. I found few on ebay. Thank you for your suggestion.

3 hours ago, johnbow72 said:

I use this setup which is reasonably priced : http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_UK/products/tca-officer-pack-airbus-edition

This is interesting stick and i found it with a good price. If I buy with separate rudder pedals for a better experience come a bit more expensive then the thrustmaster pack, but I take it in consideration. Is suitable for GA too? Or is suit best with Airburs or other airliners? And how is ergonomy at this stick? Thank you.

 

1 hour ago, Waldo Pepper said:

Imo,  the VKB Gladiator offers excellent precision per dollar.    And you can install different springs to change the feel.   

They also have different side panels you can purchase.   Most of it is in stock on their site right now tool.

VKB is on the hobbyist end of the spectrum.  They expect people to open up their sticks,  and don't mind showing them how.

https://vkbcontrollers.com/?product_cat=gladiator-nxt-series

 

I've owned a VKB Gunfighter MKIII for 2 years now,  and I've installed 2 50 lb springs in each axis (4 springs total),   and I'm using their 200mm stick extension.   Very high quality,  solid gear.  Extremely precise.

Interesting find, unfortunate the only option I found shippable in my country is expensive. For example Thrustmaster flight pack is around 257$, this stick is 491$ which is over my budget (probably my wife will call for a divorce if I spend so much money 😂).

 

 

MSFF on ebay built like a tank With FS force software. You will not regret it 

1 hour ago, Espana Pete said:

Does this work well with all single engine aircraft too? It is quite a good price on Amazon at the moment.

Yes , that is primarily what I fly . 

33 minutes ago, David27 said:

Nice stick, unfortunate is difficult to ship from in my country. The shipping cost is expensive and don’t worth it. I found few on ebay. Thank you for your suggestion.

This is interesting stick and i found it with a good price. If I buy with separate rudder pedals for a better experience come a bit more expensive then the thrustmaster pack, but I take it in consideration. Is suitable for GA too? Or is suit best with Airburs or other airliners? And how is ergonomy at this stick? Thank you.

 

Interesting find, unfortunate the only option I found shippable in my country is expensive. For example Thrustmaster flight pack is around 257$, this stick is 491$ which is over my budget (probably my wife will call for a divorce if I spend so much money 😂).

I primarily fly GA planes so you can also just use the throttle on just the stick . For that matter you could also just buy the stick only .