Joystick to use for beginners?

[EpicNoble]

I was wondering what would be the best joystick to use for this game. As I heard the Thrustmaster T16000M is good to use but I have also heard the Saitek X52 Pro is good too. I was wondering which joystick in general would be recommended for beginners and why?

[Fubous]

The T160000M is fantastic for a beginner, and works great with ED out of the box; I would say it's pretty much made for it. Easy enough to setup. Lots of buttons and hats, great feedback on the joystick, excellent ergonomics on both the joy and throttle. The value, at least at the price I got it, is unbeatable. My only complaints are that the throttle isn't as butter-smooth as the joystick, and both pieces are super lightweight so it's easy to shift them accidentally.

[malorob]

i play in VR and i use only the Saitek X52 well logitech 52 now

the only down side to the x52 is the connections joining both throttle and flight stick.
a couple of drops of supper glue gave me a great connection

[SpawN]

T16000M also has the advantage of swapping the thumb rest to the opposite side for left handed players or if you want to try dual joysticks. Logitech extreme 3D pro is also good as it is cheap, sturdy and has many buttons. Go go gadget balls!

[s0laris]

If you want to commit but want to start soft, the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS is a very good starting point, especially if you have medium or small hands. Feels a bit cheaper plastic, but the functionality is there, though it lacks buttons, forcing you to set up your controls for a lot of dual presses. It is very cheap though so an inexpensive commitment.

I recently bought the T16000M FCS HOTAS. Compared to the T-Flight, tons more buttons on both the throttle and the stick base, however, it came with a few things im not sure how to feel about. You immediately have to go for a silicone spray for lubricating the throttle (dont even order it without) because it is on a sliding pad. The stick seems also to need larger hands and i wasnt too happy about the grip, but again, thats due to my palm size. Movement is extremely accurate on the stick, but the stick itself is a lot stiffer so it can make your arm tired a lot faster during heavy usage. Im also missing the T-Flight's middle throttle position. If you go only for the stick, theres plenty of buttons, but only one POV 4way hat while the added throttle has 3 4way hats and an analog stick extra.

Recommend you go visit the nearest gaming shop in a supermarket, id be surprised if they wouldnt have at least a T-Flight on display.

I was considering the X52 in the price range of the T16000m but a friend who threw away an X52 and an x56 recommended me to avoid Saitek/Logitech like squirrel the forest fire (he is using currently a VKB stick with his X56 throttle, waiting for VKB to release a throttle).

EDIT: One important thing for the T16000m stick: You cannot really rest the weight of your hand on the stick, pressing the stick into its housing will make your controls ingame drift. If you are not able to rest your arms weight on something else (like a proper arm rest on your chair), id recommend against.

[DarkBreed]

I have the Logitech x52, and I love it. Haven't had any problems with it. One cool feature is the flight stick is adjustable to fit the size of your hand. Not so cool, for righties only.

[Swans]

I don’t use a HOTAS with ED (I just use a gamepad as it seems better suited to this style of gameplay) but I do use the x52 setup with simulators. I have read various quality concerns with the Saitkek kit, but I’ve been using mine regularly for 12 years and I’ve never had an issue with it and am stil on the same stick and throttle and internals.

That’s not to say that there are no issues, but we only read about the problems and there are likely many happy X52 users we never hear from.

As another poster said, the cable joining the stick and throttle is a bit naff and sometimes drops out, that’s my only grievance with the x52 kit.

[Smotey]

Originally posted by Swans:

I don’t use a HOTAS with ED (I just use a gamepad as it seems better suited to this style of gameplay) but I do use the x52 setup with simulators. I have read various quality concerns with the Saitkek kit, but I’ve been using mine regularly for 12 years and I’ve never had an issue with it and am stil on the same stick and throttle and internals.

That’s not to say that there are no issues, but we only read about the problems and there are likely many happy X52 users we never hear from.

As another poster said, the cable joining the stick and throttle is a bit naff and sometimes drops out, that’s my only grievance with the x52 kit.

Cool stuff bro. I just want to make sure I understand though. You like gamepad more than a stick for this game?

[Silu'et]

Keep in mind that because of a recent release price gouging and availability is something to be aware of. May take a bit for things to settle back down.

I started with a Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick, little over $60 US when I picked it up and now about $189 and only listed as used on Amazon. My Warthog was a little over $400 and is listed over 1k from third parties.

I found T-flight to be an excellent start for me and was extremely easy to use. Comfortable and I found I was simply enjoying my time in the first tutorial running the obstacle course. Spent a good deal watching reviews on youtube and reading comments on amazon. For me it seemed like the most well-rounded setup for my interests as I wanted the stick and throttle. After a while…I just wanted more, and the upgrade was worth the money. I enjoy the heavier build, that sturdiness and it feels good to use it but I do miss the yaw feature of the t-flight as I cannot afford the pedals …….yet.

[Nano.Des]

If you don't want to commit to more expensive sticks, get the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, its cheap and is quite a good starting stick. I use it to play IL-2 Sturmovik, DCS World and Elite Dangerous.

[Dolphin Bottlenose]

Originally posted by Nano@4.0GHz:

If you don't want to commit to more expensive sticks, get the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, its cheap and is quite a good starting stick. I use it to play IL-2 Sturmovik, DCS World and Elite Dangerous.

I agree. I used it for like 800 hours with this game. It's comfortable, with a good choice of buttons. I like its buttons even better than the T16000M's ones.

[cmdr_trucker_gali]

Originally posted by Fubous:

I would say it's pretty much made for it.

Hands down, eyes closed, X52. If you watch closelly in the cocκpit, the hotas that u have in-game is the X52, so ED is made back then with X52 in mind of devs.

I have X52, T1600 and X56 Rhino.
I sugest for low budget the X52. On ebay u can get it for around 100 euros.
If u have money to spend (around 250 euros) i sugest the X56

[Swans]

Originally posted by p.galinos:

Originally posted by Fubous:

I would say it's pretty much made for it.

Hands down, eyes closed, X52. Is you watch closelly in the cocκpit, the hotas that u have in-game is the X52, so ED is made back then with X52 in mind of devs.

I have X52, T1600 and X56 Rhino.
I sugest for low budget the X52. On ebay u can get it for around 100 euros.
If u have money to spend (around 250 euros) i sugest the X56

Have you used the x56 out of interest? Is it much of an upgrade to the x52?

[cmdr_trucker_gali]

1) It is much more stocky/sturdy/robust (i dont refering to the durability) (i dont know the right word as im not from US or Britain.)
2) In the X56 the springs is adjustable for thetension. There are 4 springs to chose for. In the X52 u have the feeling that the spring is somehow loose.
3) The build quality is in another league. X52 is cheap plastic.
4) The f0ck!ng buttons and the switches is the definition of enjoyment in X56. In X52 u have only 3 switches made of plastic. (T1, T2, T3) but in X56, oh mate. There are seven switches like those in the real cockpits.

Overal the X56 its the BEST money/performance HOTAS out in the market

[EpicNoble]

Have you had any issues with the X56 as I hear there has been some issues with other peoples?

[cmdr_trucker_gali]

no, no issues for me