Best joystick for BMS?
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@greatcouloir Thanks. I could see F-18 compatibility on the site but not F-16.
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@Atlas My max budget would be in the region of $800. I guess it would be good if I bought a setup which could be upgraded if I really get into this and have some money available.
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I just upgraded from the Saitek X65F, which I used for the last 6-7 years…solid kit. However, I had problems with the drivers, which are unsupported now. Given this, I just moved to the VKB STECS Mini+ throttle while my flight control stick is the Thrustmaster Warthog. Both are solid performers. The VKB STECS is very configurable, given the right-hand throttle has swappable switch modules, AND you can purchase additional switch modules. Great engineering, too, and the configuration software is top-notch.
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Thrustmaster Warthog, hands down. No, you don’t have to screw it to your desk. It’s stiffer than a lot of gaming sticks, and IMO that’s a GOOD thing. I’d like mine to be even stiffer, which can be done with a spring change.
Forget the twisters, and get a set of pedals instead - if you can find a set of used Saitek Combat Pro pedals at a reasonable price (very hard these days - glad I bought mine when I did) grab them.
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Mileage will vary here. I started using and old joystick I had from 20 plus years ago, upgraded to the Logitech X56 (formerly known as Saitek), then went to the Cougar for a stint, then it was the FSSB R3 with the Cougar stick and Warthog throttle. Now I fly BMS with the F16 grip from TM (Warthog grip) on the FSSB R3 and the Winwing Orion 2 with the F16 TQS grip. It has been pricey but well worth the money spent. Ultimately the best is what you can afford and be proficient with.
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@dandove said in Best joystick for BMS?:
@Atlas My max budget would be in the region of $800. I guess it would be good if I bought a setup which could be upgraded if I really get into this and have some money available.
I was using the WH grip with the WH base for… maybe 4 years? Then the base started acting up so went with the Virpil WarBRD for oh-my-god-ages!! Maybe 7-8 years? Then had the FSSB R3 for 2 years, and now just the FCC3. During all that time, I was using the WH throttle with no issues. As I’ve made a replica cockpit, I’m now using a Cougar TQS.
The point here is — upgrading can be more of a “want” rather than a “need.” I definitely didn’t need a new throttle and if I didn’t build a replica cockpit, then I would still be using my WH throttle for sure! Same thing for the WarBRD base — I didn’t really “need” a force-sensing stick, but I wanted one…
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Many thanks for your comments. I feel better informed now. I think I will go for the WH largely for reasons of cost and simplicity and see how I get on.
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@dandove Out of the several sticks I’ve had, I like my WH system the most, so far. I’d like to get the chance to get the F-16 geared TQS, which looks better than the WH’s.
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I have the same setup as @Jumpstart5179 , and I have been happy with it.
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@dandove said in Best joystick for BMS?:
Many thanks for your comments. I feel better informed now. I think I will go for the WH largely for reasons of cost and simplicity and see how I get on.
Okay, okay, okay… STOP!!!
Before you buy the WH, consider this ---- Take a pencil and put one end (eraser?) on the table and hold the other end like you would a joystick. Move it forward/backward/left/right. Go directly from forward to backward and directly from left to right. Notice how nice and smooth it is along that movement axis.Now take a soda can, yes, that Coke can, and put your hand on the top of it. Now do the exact same movements you did as with the pencil, especially direct fore-back and direct left-right. Notice that clunk in the middle as you cross the centre of the can?
The Virpil WarBRD base is like that pencil. Nice and smooth.
The TM WH stick base is like that can. Clunk in the middle, and you’ll be lucky I think if you don’t have sticktion problems.Consider a WH throttle but consider getting a different base and pair it with a WH grip.
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@dandove said in Best joystick for BMS?:
I have the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X but read it’s not ideal for BMS. I am thinking about buying the Warthog as most reviews consider it the best. Obviously it’s not cheap so I am wondering if there are any downsides to it before I splash the cash. I know there is no Z-rotation. Does it have to be screwed to your desk? Are there other sticks I should consider? Thanks in advance.
I use the warthog stick, mounted on my chair with a monster Tech mount. I just bought the Viper TQS throttle, and thrust masters flying mount works great to secure it on the desk. The Viper TQS is expensive, but I absolutely love it. Before that I used the Warthog throttle for 7 years, and it was awesome, so you can’t go wrong with that either. My entry level hotas was the x52, which is a good hotas to start with to see if you like this hobby.
If you are willing to pay $500, I think the best throttle is the Viper TQS.
The best stick is probably the FSSB lightning, and I hope to get that one day.
It’s an expensive hobby, but it’s worth it.