Thinking of buying a Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS. Better options?

[SillyWalk]

TLDR: I'm searching something with Y axis, symmetrical/left handed and not very expensive. I found the T.16000M FCS. Do you know something better?


Hi CMDRs.

Since the beginning I've been using a dual flightstick setup (plus a thrust lever for supercruise). On the left hand I use a Logitech Attack 3 I'm getting really tired of, since it doesn't have Y axis rotation, forcing me to map the up/down thrusting to buttons (making me lose the analog sensibility of an axis and also two valuable buttons) and is also starting to malfunction.

I've been searching a flighstick with these features:
- not very expensive (my right flightstick is a Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X and I'm fine with it, I'm fortunately not very demanding (yet))
- symmetrical/left handed
- triple axis on the flighstick itself (not counting those small integrated thrust levers)
- Buttons on the base preferably on the left side (like the Logitech Force/Extreme 3D Pro)


The best one (and one of the really few) I've found so far is the T.16000M FCS:
- Extremely cheap compared to those one jillion dollars ones some of you use.
- Detachable swappable thingies to make it left handed
- triple axis
- The buttons are distributed in both sides, but the buttons on just the left side are already thrice the left buttons on my Attack 3, so it's fine.
- NEVER SEEN BEFORE EXCLUSIVE PRECISSION ADVANCED ULTIMATE S.M.A.R.T. TECHNOLOGY H.E.A.R.T DEFINITIVE WITH MAGNET MAGIC FOR THE MOST IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE YOU WILL EVER HAVE BUY NOW!!!!!!1


I was wondering if you have some alternative suggestion. Thanks.

[funkynutz]

Just get it. There are no better options in that price range. There'll soon be a load of Saitek fanboys along sayint their sticks are superior, but don't listen to them: even a lot of them have been through 3 or 4 sticks trying to get one that isn't broken, yet they still defend them xD

I'm using 2 of the old T16000M sticks myself. Love them (and they've lasted me about 2 years so far, I tend to break saitek stuff in 2 monhts).

[One Eye Jack]

I have the T16000 HOTAS and am extreemly happy with it. The price is also very reasonable.

[Alrik]

Originally posted by Funkynutz:

Just get it. There are no better options in that price range. There'll soon be a load of Saitek fanboys along sayint their sticks are superior, but don't listen to them: even a lot of them have been through 3 or 4 sticks trying to get one that isn't broken, yet they still defend them xD

My Saitek X 52pro works fine since 2010...

But i agree, in that price range the T 16 000 M is the best buy.
The TWCS (Thrustmaster Weapon Control System) is also a good buy... the lever for rotation is a nice and IMHO better than a twist axis.
http://www.thrustmaster.com/de_DE/produkte/twcs-throttle

[Fork_Q2]

I had considered the T.16000M, but I'm not sure I'd be happy with the majority of the stick's buttons on the base. I understand it's probably because they want to keep the stick ambidextrous, but there must be ways they could have put an additional button or two on the stick itself.

The only other decent joystick for lefties I know is the CH Flightstick Pro. Using a the CH Fighterstick, and I love it. But even so, it sounds like you'd probably be happier with the T.16000M, given your criteria.

[ShaiHulud]

I just got one, and I absolutely love it so far. The bottom buttons aren't an issue for me since I have the TWCS too, and I actually like the default interface to it a lot more than number keys. You might have to rebind a few things, but only like 4 to 5. If you have a Microcenter or Fry's too, they might let you return it if you don't like it. If you do end up getting it, I highly recommend the TWCS too, it has a nice stick for later thrusting that's a huge help with combat and landing. Good luck and happy frlying!

[Father Jack]

Get it, it is great. Don't use software supplied, better without. Couldn't fly without my T16000M

[funkynutz]

Originally posted by Father Jack:

Get it, it is great. Don't use software supplied, better without. Couldn't fly without my T16000M

I second this. I love the sticks, the software is ♥♥♥♥♥♥ though. Don't even bother downloading it, nevermind installing it.

[SillyWalk]

Thanks for all your input, I just bought one (although I know pretty much how this is gonna end):
> Buy 16000m FCS for left hand
> The magnetic magic is so good that now my right flighstick feels like biowaste (and I have worse precision on the rotation flightstick than on the thrust one)
> Buy the FCS+WCS pack.
> That Pimax 5K/8K ultrawide VR kit from the kickstarter would definitely match my new setup, I should get it.
> Now I need a better card.
> Also I need a new monitor
> And I wanted a new TV
> Sigh

Originally posted by Alrik:

The TWCS (Thrustmaster Weapon Control System) is also a good buy... the lever for rotation is a nice and IMHO better than a twist axis.

The TWCS looks really nice, the rear joystick and the wheel on the left look like a pretty good addition compared to the lever of the HOTAS X.

[Fluffy Bunny of Despair]

i would have recommend just to buy a dual stick setup.
2x 16000.

Having full controll in all directions is just way to awesome in Elite >.<
Unless you prefer the immersion feeling of having an actual throttle.

[SillyWalk]

Originally posted by YukiAkano:

i would have recommend just to buy a dual stick setup.
2x 16000.

Having full controll in all directions is just way to awesome in Elite >.<
Unless you prefer the immersion feeling of having an actual throttle.

I have been using a dual stick plus throttle setup since I started playing Elite, I'm buying only one 16000 because of problems with my left stick, but in the future I will probably buy another one for the right hand if I like it (and also a throttle for the left, I swap it between the stick and the throttle).

I too like using dual sticks in normal flight, but I have always used a throttle for supercruise (I modified a default stick+throttle templates so the sc was already mapped to the throttle). I don't think I would have liked using the sc with the stick anyways, due to the lose of precision compared to a throttle and having to keep the stick pressed, and using a dual stick on sc doesn't seem to have any benefit over a throttle, as you can only thrust forwards.

Also, it's fun being able to change from a "spacey" movement to an "airplane" one from time to time, specially on fights when flying an agile ship (I usually do that when I take out my "Eagle Beagle").

[SillyWalk]

Originally posted by Father Jack:

Don't use software supplied, better without

I guess you're talking about TARGET and not about the drivers themselves, right?


---

I just got my FCS. The precision is certainly great, but I have a small few gripes (probably until I get accustomed to it):
- The hand rest is a bit loose, mostly noticeable when rotating the Y axis. Not sure if this is normal, since the screw is already tight.
- The buttons on top (not counting the pov) doesn't react too well when they are not pushed from upside, but a bit from the side, since they seem to be "membranes" like normal gamepad buttons or cheap keyboards, instead of button switches (the clicky things that mouses or even the FCS pov has; the hotas x has two button with switches on top and a membrane one centered, which is easy to push correctly).
- Regarding the buttons on the top again, I like more the design of the hotas x, on the FCS it looks a bit generic for my taste.

It's seems to be a pretty good flightsick though and I don't think it will take me long to get accustomed to it, I'm going to try it right now.

[funkynutz]

Originally posted by Jazz:

the best is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKeHXgfvFsE
if u dont have it...play with your keyboard

Yeah, lets spend over £200 on a joystick from a company known to make shoddy goods with poor qualtiy control. Great plan...

They are good when you get a good one. I've known people go through 5 or 6 before they get one that isn't faulty though.

Alternatively, for less than half the price of the Rhino you can get the Thrustmaster FCS, which has better joystick accuracy, and is widely regarded as one of the best sticks that cost less than the warthog among many players... Albeit with some slightly spongey feeling buttons on the base and head (trigger and HAT use microswitches)

Every Saitek stick I've ever owned has died within a couple of months use... Literally fell apart...

The 2 T16000M sticks I use now have been going strong for nearly 2 years now (probably had about 2000 hours use out of one, 1950 out of the other). Admittedly I did have to clean the microswitches in the triggers about 6 months ago...

[Fork_Q2]

Saitek has a reputation for not the greatest... quality control, not even after their buyout from Mad Catz. Every time they are mentioned on any thread related to HOTAS, that gets brought up each time.

[funkynutz]

Honestly, I thought I'd have killed my T16000s by now.... They feel light and plasticy, and I'm quite heavy handed (which is why Saitek sticks fall apart almost as soon as I touch them). I could only be happier if they replaced a few of the buttons with proper microswitches though.