Ideal joystick for Falcon BMS and Track IR…is it worth getting?
-
I actually just posted this same thread in the hardware forum but then i saw this forum, so decided to post it here.
Hi all i’m chris and i’m brand new here. I am currently waiting for F4 to be delivered which i bought on ebay and looking forward to it- once i have it i’ll install BMS. But as i have no joystick i’d like some recommendations, and i’m willing to pay up to around £60 for one ($93) so any recommendations you have i’d like to hear, also on Track IR and whether its worth i get that or something similar.
Thanks in advance for info.
-
The ‘ideal’ HOTAS is a Cougar or one that similarly mimics the actual functions of the F-16 HOTAS. Whatever you end up getting, you should keep in mind that the sim is kind of optimized around the RL F-16 HOTAS functions. IOW - using any HOTAS to mimic those functions will improve playability and effectiveness. IMHO. YMMV.
TrackIR is 100% worth it. If you start without it and add it later, you’ll wonder how you ever managed in the first place.
Although I’m not 100% certain, I think the Saitek X52 might be near your price range. I’m sure there are others as well.
-
I deleted the thread in the “hardware corner” and moved Agave’s post here - this sub forum is more appropriate indeed, and no need for two threads on the same question.
-
Ideal and $90 price range are not really overlapping sets in this case
If you only have $90 to spend on sim hardware, I wouldnt worry about TIR any time soon.
I manage just fine without it… but only because I cant get mine to work properly!
between a decent stick and TIR, Id get the decent stick first. And did, several times over XD
-
A second hand X52 from Saitek would be a good place to start. It’s not “ideal” yet but it does the trick for the first months you fly BMS and you still need to get a hang of some stuff (so you won’t miss them on the hotas yet). If you like at Scuby’s very good profile for that set, with a bit of compromise you can get all you have on the real hotas on the X52 available too.
As for TIR, after the hotas this is the most important thing to have, imho. As said above by others, it’s a game changer.
If TrackIR is too expensive, be sure to check Delan Engineering. It’s stronger build and a lot cheaper. I have both TIR5 and Delan and prefer the Delan for build quality. -
A second hand X52 from Saitek would be a good place to start. It’s not “ideal” yet but it does the trick for the first months you fly BMS and you still need to get a hang of some stuff (so you won’t miss them on the hotas yet). If you like at Scuby’s very good profile for that set, with a bit of compromise you can get all you have on the real hotas on the X52 available too.
It’s not ideal, but it does fit your price range. The stick springs are not adjustable, so you are stuck with the default flexability with the stick (X52 is WAY to lose IMO, noticeable when formation flying or refueling for sure) and several of the buttons are very poorly placed for HOTAS configuration, in addition to the fact that there are just not enough of them.
-
Thanks for your posts, i looked up the Cougar Thrustmaster and i see its actually based off what a real F-16 block 52 has. Trouble is i’ve seen prices for it are very high. Do any of you have this and how much did you pay? for those here who dont have the Cougar, what do you use and how much was it? and i’m sold on Track IR, but i’ll have a look at Delan Engineering.
-
@cns - I personally use the X-55 Rhino…paid less than $200.
-
Woah, Delan is a lot cheaper than Track IR and you say it is better built? then its Delan all the way for me. Something is a bit confusing on their site though when i looked at the prices. For example you have the PS3 eye camera with IR filter removed even though it uses IR to track your head movement. But then it does have this pack where the PS3 eye cam is IR ready, so whats that about? why do some of them have IR removed?
-
X65F cost me $599. They are a lot cheaper than that now though. Cougar I can’t recall now, I think 350 - 400? Prices vary, Ive seen one go for $80 and another over $1000… mine has a mod which cost about the same as the stick in it so theres that too.
I was under the impression the delan clip was just the clip, and you still need a sensor to go with it - be that an appropriate webcam without an IR filter, or a TIR.
-
@cns - I personally use the X-55 Rhino…paid less than $200.
Ditto… great value and options.
I’d skip the X52…X55 is around the same price but gives you more realism.
-
Delan sells kits with a modded cam too. Tje reason it says ir filter removed is because The clip sends out IR light And normal cams have a filter removing that. So you need to remove that filter in order to get The cam to see ir light.
-
for those here who dont have the Cougar, what do you use and how much was it? and i’m sold on Track IR, but i’ll have a look at Delan Engineering.
I use a T.Flight HOTAS X and the EDTracker Pro. The former cost me 40 euros and the latter 75 euros (but it can cost a lot less if you build it by yourself). The TrackIR is a better performer than the EDTracker, since it is a 6-axes device instead of a 3-axes one, but it requires good light conditions which are not easy to achieve when your computer is in the living room, unlike the EDTracker that works in a very different way.
-
I also use a T. Flight HOTAS X, bought it for 30€ 5 years ago, only has 12 buttons but used with the track ir its enough for me.
Had a bad experience with a X52, the spring got worn out pretty fast, and the plastic parts felt really cheap. wasn’t worth the investment for me. -
Big thumbs up for the DelanClip from me, too. Excellent build quality at a price that can’t be beat.
Cheers, Uwe
-
Yip, another delan user here, total setup inc ps3 cam cost me £40, which cant be beat
-
ditto!
Very happy delan user + PS3 camera. Never tried TrackIr, but I am very satisfied with my setup. -
Ok so is should look at getting the Delan clip and PS3 eye cam with IR filter removed? as for joystick, still not sure. Like the look of the Cougar, might just go all out and get one, seeing as i’ll be saving some money getting the Delan clip instead of Track IR.
-
-
Thats cheap, very cheap for a Cougar badger, only problem for me at the moment is i had a spam e-mail earlier and i wont go into it, but i had to cancel my bank card. So now i need to wait for my bank to send me another card which will be about a week. I quickly got to a cashpoint, took out £200 to last me for the next week or so till i get my new card. F****** internet scamming c**** sitting there at their computers trying to empty your bank accounts…you just wish you could track them down and by law, be allowed to have 10 mins with them in a room, belt in one hand.