Hi everyone,

I'm considering buying a hotas for the game and don't want to spend a huge amount. Is the t16000m hotas a good starting point for the price?

 

Additionally, I'd like to start learning either the PMDG or the Fenix 737, and only have an Xbox controller at the moment. Is there any point at all trying the sim with just a controller, and if so, would you recommended either of these planes? I have no preference of one over the other, I'd prefer the one with more depth!

 

Also, I only have a 27" monitor. It seems most people here have larger - I don't have space to upgrade, can I get a good experience on that sized screen? 

 

Thanks :)

10 minutes ago, Bigbluss said:

1) Is the t16000m hotas a good starting point for the price?

2) I'd like to start learning either the PMDG or the Fenix 737, and only have an Xbox controller at the moment.

3) Is there any point at all trying the sim with just a controller

1) absolutely. I use the xbox controller only to change camera views, it is not a realistic replacement for an airplane yoke/stick.

2) for these highest-end non-gaming aircraft in MSFS you should definitely get a good yoke or stick. some suggestions if you are serious about it:

https://eshop.thrustmaster.com/en_us/

https://eshop.thrustmaster.com/en_us/tca-captain-pack-x-airbus-edition.html

https://eshop.thrustmaster.com/en_us/tca-yoke-pack-boeing-edition.html

3) not for PMDG or Fenix.

(the Fenix 737) is no 737, but an Airbus A320 😊

3) not really, no intuitive flying, rather gaming.

I personally wouldn't recommend using an xbox controller to control the plane.  However I would highly recommend it in conjunction with something like the t16000m.  Only just use the xbox controller for the camera system.  I like the t16000m.  It has one big weakness.  the twist axis (Z axis) is made poorly and will wear out quickly.  If you plan on using rudder pedals down the line this is completely a moot point.  Other than that it is a great joystick.  

Guys, I have two XB controllers sitting around.  How can I use them for camera?  Is it just seen as another input device and so can assign views etc?

Yup, hook 'em up and they show up in the controllers section

The turtlebeach velocity one flightstick is good for the Money

59 minutes ago, jon b said:

The turtlebeach velocity one flightstick is good for the Money

Would you suggest it over the t16000m?

I use the Xbox controller with a chatpad (mini keyboard that attaches to the bottom of the controller). To me it’s the perfect combo and very intuitive and I can happily operate any aircraft in the sim with it. 

I far prefer it to any of the yokes or joysticks once you adjust the sensitivity of course. 

 

The advantage of the T 16000m is it is one of the few sticks with hall ICs, that never get noisy or drift. I have one that is about 5 years old, gets used everyday, and is never a problem or need recalibration. 

Edited February 16, 20233 yr by Bobsk8

3 hours ago, Bigbluss said:

Additionally, I'd like to start learning either the PMDG or the Fenix 737, and only have an Xbox controller at the moment. Is there any point at all trying the sim with just a controller, and if so, would you recommended either of these planes?

I’d go for the PMDG 737 personally (there’s a few variants at different prices to choose from) if you’re using the Xbox controller you likely will need a keyboard or mini chatpad as typing is easier but yes it works absolutely fine.

It’s actually much like flying the real aircraft you ‘look’ at a control/button etc and then interact with it. It’s very intuitive. Obviously from the above posts though, you can see that not everyone likes using it. I find having a longer thumbstick helps for finer control when hand flying either with a clip on thumbstick extender or getting an Xbox pro controller as that has all sorts of customisations. 
 

There’s a lot of snobbery about what’s proper simming and what’s gaming etc at the moment but you can certainly operate any aircraft with the controller. Obviously if you don’t get on with it or feel you need something different, then you can easily get a joystick or yoke. 

Look at real aircraft. None of them has a console-type of controllers. There are reasons for that. The force acting upon and driving an aircraft are best controlled with a yoke or joystick/throttle/pedals combo. So go for the  HOTAS. Thrustmaster has a good reputation and its gizmos have magnetic Hall sensors (avoid potentiometer equipped controllers).

I have a 1440p 27 in. Screen and am happy with it. Doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t go larger if I upgrade my setup though.
 

 

13 hours ago, Bigbluss said:

Would you suggest it over the t16000m?

Yes, I own both ,though just the T16000M stick not the accompanying throttle unit to make the full T16000 HOTAS system.

There no doubt the T16000M is a nice stick, smooth , ergonomic and with Hall effect sensors, however the turtle beach has all of that too, and in fact feels more ergonomic and smooth. 
It also has seperate throttle and flap levers , a small trim wheel and a LCD  menu screen, in which you can alter calibration and other things.

In short the TB velocity is a much newer and more advanced stick than the T16000M designed specifically for flight simulation and is switchable between PC and Xbox modes

However having said all that if you’re actually looking at the full T16000 HOTAS system including the throttle I’d say a full HOTAS system will always be superior to using integrated throttle sliders on a joystick from an ergonomic point of view.

If you want to get a stick and a throttle system and are thinking of going down the fenix A320 route then also consider the thrustmaster TCA Airbus pack. I also own this set and the stick is like an upgraded T16000 with a nicer quality feel and more appropriate buttons for autopilot disconnect, and radio PTT. 
The accompanying throttle unit is also good with the correct detents for the Airbus throttle system, if you want to fly other types with a full throttle movement the detents can be easily removed .

Edited February 17, 20233 yr by jon b

3 hours ago, Dominique_K said:

Look at real aircraft. None of them has a console-type of controllers. There are reasons for that. The force acting upon and driving an aircraft are best controlled with a yoke or joystick/throttle/pedals combo.

Yes the reasons are that it’s not a game, it’s real life, in the game we need a controller to fly and look plus interact with the controls buttons etc.

 

When I’m flying a real aircraft I just look around I don’t need to use a controller to pan around the flightdeck/cockpit etc. 

1 hour ago, Gstove said:

Yes the reasons are that it’s not a game, it’s real life, in the game we need a controller to fly and look plus interact with the controls buttons etc.

 

When I’m flying a real aircraft I just look around I don’t need to use a controller to pan around the flightdeck/cockpit etc. 

Flight simming is an asymptotic art. You try to get closer and closer without ever reaching your goal 😁.   

15 hours ago, Gstove said:

 
 

There’s a lot of snobbery about what’s proper simming and what’s gaming etc at the moment but you can certainly operate any aircraft with the controller. Obviously if you don’t get on with it or feel you need something different, then you can easily get a joystick or yoke. 

You just can't operate it correctly with a controller.