Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS or Saitek X52?

[Arya]

Hi guys. I currently have a Thrustmaster T-Flight. It's an alright HOTAS but it's not very comfortable for me to hold, and since I've been flying a lot recently it's gotten bad enough that I want to upgrade.

I'm looking at two contenders, the Saitek X52 and the upcoming Thrustmaster T.16000 refresh.

My knowledge of flying gear is still fairly limited: which of these two would you recommend? Or is there something else in this price range that's better?

I'm looking for a slimmer, more comfortable stick and throttle and at least one additional hat. I'd also like a more accurate and linear flight stick if possible - the T-Flight really doesn't feel comfortable making gradual or measured movements.

[Ofan]

I think the thrustmaster is more accurate, but I might be making it up. Best bet is maybe to wait for more reviews.

[Ottomic]

The X52 is alright, in my experience. Can't speak of the t16k.

[Arya]

Originally posted by Ofan:

I think the thrustmaster is more accurate, but I might be making it up. Best bet is maybe to wait for more reviews.

Fair enough. What about the Saitek? I know very little about it, except that it's right in my pricerange and that my Saitek mouse is the best, most comfortable mouse I've ever owned.

[Sasha]

The X52 is a lovely stick when it works, but Saitek (under MadCatz) is notoriously unreliable. If the FCS HOTAS version of the T.16000M is anything like the current stand-alone joystick, it's a clear winner. It should be out in a couple of weeks, wait for reviews just to be on the safe side.

[Ofan]

Originally posted by Okami:

Originally posted by Ofan:

I think the thrustmaster is more accurate, but I might be making it up. Best bet is maybe to wait for more reviews.

Fair enough. What about the Saitek? I know very little about it, except that it's right in my pricerange and that my Saitek mouse is the best, most comfortable mouse I've ever owned.

I'm heavily biased lol best ask Otto for his view. Something to investigate is how many hats you have and what they do, being able to bind thrusters to a convenient 4 way hat or analogue is awesomesauce for combat, and if you have something else to bind forwards / reverse thrust to its a great help.

I'm not sure on the layout of either when it comes to that.

[Arya]

Looks like I'll be waiting for reviews of the T16K FCS. The Saitek isn't compatible with Windows 10 and has no driver support on that OS, so it's not really a choice.

Thrustmaster have been great for me in the past, I'm just not physically comfortable using the T-Flight. The T16K looks much more what I'm after.

[Paramnesia]

Originally posted by Okami:

Looks like I'll be waiting for reviews of the T16K FCS. The Saitek isn't compatible with Windows 10

Had one working fine on windows 10 but decided to go back to dual sticks anyhow.

[Ofan]

Originally posted by Okami:

Looks like I'll be waiting for reviews of the T16K FCS. The Saitek isn't compatible with Windows 10 and has no driver support on that OS, so it's not really a choice.

Thrustmaster have been great for me in the past, I'm just not physically comfortable using the T-Flight. The T16K looks much more what I'm after.

I'm sure Saitek made w10 drivers for their gear, you may be right of course but I'm positive I remember x52 and X55 w10 beta then main release drivers.

I'll try and keep my bais to a minimum but on the bases of durability I'd personally go with thrustmaster.

[Arya]

Originally posted by Ofan:

I'll try and keep my bais to a minimum but from on the bases of durability I'd personally go with thrustmaster.

Oh definitely. My main reason for looking at the X52 was availability - there's a store that sells them only five minutes drive away. Thrustmaster will always be my preffered brand, they've more than earned my loyalty. Their racing equipment is just the best, you can't really get anything better for under $2000.

[Ofan]

Originally posted by Okami:

Originally posted by Ofan:

I'll try and keep my bais to a minimum but from on the bases of durability I'd personally go with thrustmaster.

Oh definitely. My main reason for looking at the X52 was availability - there's a store that sells them only five minutes drive away. Thrustmaster will always be my preffered brand, they've more than earned my loyalty. Their racing equipment is just the best, you can't really get anything better for under $2000.

Saitek's kit would be fantastic if not for reliability issues, it would be hard not to recommend an x52 or x56 with its two extra analogues for 6 directional thrust for space games if not for the qa issues

[Arya]

Saitek is a lottery, their bad stuff is nightmarish but their good stuff is fantastic. Problem is, it's a coinflip which you end up getting.

My Saitek RAT has been the best mouse I've ever had. It's about 1 1/2 years old and hasn't shown a single issue in that time. Then again, I had a Mad Catz racing wheel back on Original Xbox which was a complete dud. DOA and unrepairable.

[Nina]

I like saitek. I have a stick(cant remember the model) with 8 buttons, trigger, hat, and a throttle lever on the base of the stick with a twist rudder. comfortable and simple and more then accurate enough. I have had no complaints about using it so far and will recomend saitek to anyone at this point

[Straight White Male]

Here is a hands on review.
http://www.sidequesting.com/2016/06/hands-on-thrustmaster-t-16000m-hotas/
Nice piece of equipment.
I'm thinking about getting this one. :)

[Turd Ferguson]

I have an X52 pro and have had zero problems with it in Windows 10 with all the latest updates. The only "problem" i have is when I forget to move the mouse pointer into the E:D window and the joystick won't respond....but that's a PEBKAC problem. I can play the whole game without ever needing a keyboard except to enter a system name into a search box in the Galaxy Map or to respond to a chat.

[jasonbarron]

I have an X52 Pro. It works fine with Windows 10, but it feels pretty cheap. I detest the indents on the throttle and the spring on the stick is just so loose and "sproingy" that I can't help but feel pretty meh about the setup overall.

I'm planning on upgrading to the FCS pending reviews.