56 minutes ago, eslader said:

The reason I ditched the Saitek yoke in favor of a HOTAS wasn't because I hated yokes, but because that yoke sucked. It was sticky, so you'd end up overcontrolling when you'd finally overcome that friction and snap the yoke into a roll. Not fun at all.

Exactly the reason I am on the fence on the Turtle Beach Yoke. So many complaints about it sticking.

After looking things over and deciding to stay in my price range, my choice seem to be Honeycomb or Turtle.

I can get a good price on the turtle and the only Honeycombs available are version 1, not the latest. Opinion is that there is a major difference between version 1 and 2 of the honeycomb

 

On 5/5/2025 at 11:20 AM, Ron Lefebvre said:

I ask because it would seem to me a joystick would simulate the pendulum sensation much better then a yoke.

No can beat the pendulum sensation better than you get from this...the TM Boeing Pendulum Yoke.  HALL sensors, adjustable elevator tension, love it!

I just bought a320CFM and all's well except can't get rid of a warning re calibrating the left flight stick.  I'm using a Boeing Pendulum Yoke.  In the MCDU if I go to calibrate controls here is no 'calibration' per se for the axes in the yoke there are specified null zones as a % or something.  If I run the yoke thru its ranges the alert disappears, but then returns with the next launch of the plane.  Also, can one get rid of the splash screens that this plane generates during loading in MSFS 2024?  The first one has to do if I'm logged in to Fenix and the other is something else, but geez do we really need that, would much rather have that disappear.  As I say all else seems fine have had a few successful flights so far and all's otherwise fine.  It's so similar FBW's NX there really has been almost no learning curve.  

I used my thrustmaster airbus edition joystick for all aircraft, but after just a few months the z-axis started acting up, a well known problem because of the cheap potentiometer design. There are youtube videos and lots of instructions on the web to fix it. Took it apart and applied fix but that only lasted a month. They will replace it if under warranty but they just send another which won’t last. Pure junk. Went back to my 12 year old cheap logitech which at least doesn’t send me careening off the taxiway. I use it on all aircraft along with the thrustmaster throttle quadrant. Yokes take up way too much room for my setup. 

Edited May 10, 20251 yr by desbean

On 5/5/2025 at 10:20 AM, Ron Lefebvre said:

For those who own a yoke that is NOT the thrustmaster, do you use it when you fly airlines.

I ask because it would seem to me a joystick would simulate the pendulum sensation much better then a yoke.

I'll turn it around, for fun: I do own the Thrustmaster TCA yoke, and I use it to sim airliners but ALSO for GA aircraft.  And I really like it.  The A2A Comanche feels very good with this yoke.  I usually don't even bother trying to make a "nice" landing in the sim because it usually doesn't work the same as in an airplane, but the Comanche is different and I can reliably squeak it on with less than -10fpm, for the little that that is worth.  It actually feels really good.  I don't know what sorcery A2A has unlocked, but it actually feels a little bit like flying.

Point is, I don't think the pendulum vs linear action of a yoke matters near as much as just using a smooth, quality device with a decent range of motion.  I think the same can even be said of the "yoke vs joystick" debate, though there's obviously some form factor difference there. 

But honestly, I never even really think much about a yoke having a pendulum action vs being linear.  I never thought it felt all that different one way or the other.  A yoke on a control column doesn't noticeably displace higher or lower in an airplane, especially not through the range of motion that is likely to be used in that type of flying.  The orientation of the yoke under your hand does tilt a bit of course, but it never struck me as enough to be noticeable.  You really aren't displacing the column that much in normal flight. 

So my opinion is that what matters is using a quality device that you like.  I wouldn't place any importance on pendulum vs linear action.  Even in these sim controls where it might be more noticable because of the shorter arm, I don't think you ever really will notice it after the first few minutes.

5 hours ago, Stearmandriver said:

I'll turn it around, for fun:

So my opinion is that what matters is using a quality device that you like.  I wouldn't place any importance on pendulum vs linear action.

So would your opinions be the same for the yoke vs joystick debate

7 hours ago, Ron Lefebvre said:

So would your opinions be the same for the yoke vs joystick debate

Actually yeah, I really think it's just personal preference.  I started simming - well, keyboard only for quite a while, but once I decided I needed controls - with a joystick.  And I really only got that to start playing with DCS, so I got a warthog stick and throttle.  But of course I then also used that with FSX and then MSFS, and I used it for everything from Cubs to airliners, and it was fun.  Ultimately got the Boeing yoke and throttles and... Is it better?  Well, it is for me I guess, since I've got a lot of time flying airplanes with both sticks and yokes and so it's kind of fun to match that in the sim.  But if I didn't already have that experience to produce a little better immersion in the sim.... Like, if I'd never flown with a yoke in reality and I was using the stick for a 737 in the sim, I don't think I'd care at all.

I really think the key is just decent quality gear.  Stick, pendulum yoke, linear yoke... I don't think it matters at all.  What you don't want is sticky or spiky controls.  Personally I'd stay away from potentiometers for that reason.  But anything smooth and non-binding with hall sensors ought to be fine. 

All subjective though.  If you have any preference for any type of form factor, get that one.  Just don't get a cheap one 😉.

4 hours ago, Stearmandriver said:

I really think the key is just decent quality gear.  Stick, pendulum yoke, linear yoke... I don't think it matters at all. 

I second this. Personal preference plays a role, obviously, but for me, as long as the device translates input accurately into the sim, the mechanics of the flight controller don't make much difference. As I think I said earlier in this thread (I can't remember if it was this thread, lol) I fly my simulated 747 with a Virpil sidestick and there's no immersion penalty. I just like having my desk in front of me clear. I bought the Boeing Thrustmaster yoke and found it to be a great input device, but I missed having an empty desk. So I went back to the joystick and it's just as fun and immersive. 

I used to have the Warthog stick, but (personal preference) the mechanical limits of the null zone were really intensely guarded. It took a huge pull to get out of the null zone. After that, no problems, but I like to steer with a light touch, so the Virpil does it better for me. Again, for me it's the accuracy of the input that's more important than whether it's a yoke or a stick, or pendular mechanics versus linear.

 

Virgil is coming out with  a yoke that looks promising.

Seems will be price between low-end and and high-end yokes.

I have used a T16000M for years, no more yokes for me. I fly GA, Copters, and Airliners, with no problems at all. 

I use a Thrustmaster Hotas for all aircraft..Most of my flying is F18 Hornet, in DCS...as well as the PMDG 737 in MSFS 2020.....but it sure does feel like a slug right after mach 1....

Just wanted to give an update since you guys were such a great help.

Ended up getting the Turtle Beach yoke. Not going to use the Quadrant. Its not very good.
Still trying to to get comfortable with it. Very different handling then the joystick.
Still trying to figure out what the sensitivity settings should be.

Could not get my hands on a XPC Honeycomb Alfa. 

Still undecided about the Honeycomb Bravo. Cool with the Add ons, but my VKB Stecs is pretty awesome.
Not sure the Bravo would give me much more to justify the price tag. 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't have the Turtle Beach yet (it's top of my list), but I did bookmark this modification if I ever end up getting the yoke. It adds rollers to the yoke to help minimize sticking if you end up having that issue with it:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1840487911/velocityone-sticking-fix-smoothflight

5 hours ago, Ron Lefebvre said:

Just wanted to give an update since you guys were such a great help.

Ended up getting the Turtle Beach yoke. Not going to use the Quadrant. Its not very good.
Still trying to to get comfortable with it. Very different handling then the joystick.
Still trying to figure out what the sensitivity settings should be.

Could not get my hands on a XPC Honeycomb Alfa. 

Still undecided about the Honeycomb Bravo. Cool with the Add ons, but my VKB Stecs is pretty awesome.
Not sure the Bravo would give me much more to justify the price tag. 

 

 

 

  

  I have the Bravo Quadrant, and to be honest with you, its not worth all the effort to use it..(MSFS 2020/2024)..You will also have to get the the lights working by downloaded fixes from several locations..ect.  I would stick with STECS as you can make it work with all your planes and bind them all to the same things as not to confuse you later...(Flaps, landing gear ect)

 

Edited May 29, 20251 yr by Delta111

38 minutes ago, Funky D said:

I don't have the Turtle Beach yet (it's top of my list), but I did bookmark this modification if I ever end up getting the yoke. It adds rollers to the yoke to help minimize sticking if you end up having that issue with it:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1840487911/velocityone-sticking-fix-smoothflight

Yes. Already ordered. Just hope it does the trick. Keeping my fingers crossed