Looking for help on a basic joystick

groomsie · 03-18-09, 10:22 AM

Looking for a "basic" (let's say under $50) joystick, as I mainly play SH4 and will not be a "serious" flight sim player (I don't think...). I picked up IL-2 1946 at a Circuit City close-out for a cheap price and wanted to try it out. My joysticks however are all old pin designs, so I need to get a USB 'stick. While I don't plan to get fully immersed in flight sims, I do like them fine so you never know, but for now just looking for a relatively inexpensive entry level joystick. I also don't have a lot of desk space, and it is probable that my 7 year old son will want to try it out as well...

I am considering 3 right now; the Saitek AV8R, the Saitek Cyborg EVO, and the Logitech Extreme 3D. Not looking for force feedback. I'm also aware of a reasonably priced entry recently, the T-Flight HOTAS which is intriguing but very little for reviews or feedback on it.

Any experience / thoughts / feedback? Saitek seems to have a good reputation, and logitech maybe not so much (at least for longevity). I am running XP and no intent to upgrade to Vista for the forseeable future.

Thanks in advance for any advice or any input / others to look at.

Schroeder · 03-18-09, 10:49 AM

I've got the Cyborg Evo and are fully satisfied with it. It has survived two years of excessive playing and is still as good as on day one.

Dowly · 03-18-09, 10:56 AM

Cyborg EVO here too. Excellent joystick! Should be around your pricerange and has force feedback and the ability to switch between right-handed & left-handed grip.

FIREWALL · 03-18-09, 11:07 AM

Saitek X52 are going for $50.00 on ebay.

Why not fly a Lear at Piper price.

A 7yo huh ? I've seen 17yo ,27yo,37yo, and47yo ham handed joystick users.

At least you can train him.

HunterICX · 03-18-09, 11:44 AM

Saitek Cyborg EVO (With Force feedback in my case)

great stick, worth the money

HunterICX

groomsie · 03-18-09, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

A 7yo huh ? I've seen 17yo ,27yo,37yo, and47yo ham handed joystick users.

At least you can train him.

I fully expect to fall into that category (just older...)

FIREWALL · 03-18-09, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groomsie

I fully expect to fall into that category (just older...)

Task Force · 03-18-09, 07:30 PM

I use this one. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/ga...s/291&cl=us,en

groomsie · 03-18-09, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

I use this one. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/ga...s/291&cl=us,en

How do you like it? I guess I've heard that Logitech may not hold up like some others under use, but I have no first hand experience.

How long have you had it? Do you play a lot and do you feel it has held up pretty well?

HunterICX · 03-19-09, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groomsie

How do you like it? I guess I've heard that Logitech may not hold up like some others under use, but I have no first hand experience.

How long have you had it? Do you play a lot and do you feel it has held up pretty well?

I've had the Logitech 3D Pro (the Extreme with Force Feedback) before I purchased the Saitek Cyborg Force EVO.

My vote goes for the Saitek Cyborg Force EVO, between the 2 sticks.

HunterICX

Fincuan · 03-19-09, 07:47 AM

Hehe, I still swear for an MS Sidewinder Forcefeedback 2. Bought in 2001 and still going strong

Excellent stick for IL2, but might be pretty hard to find these days, especially at that price range.

groomsie · 03-19-09, 08:52 AM

I take it no experience from anyone with the Saitek AV8R joystick? It appears to be an update to the Cyborg EVO, but sometimes it is tough to improve on a solid product. Certainly the feedback here seems to confirm the Cyborg EVO is an excellent budget selection (and w/o force feedback it looks like you can nab one for under $20).

Dowly · 03-19-09, 10:13 AM

You definitely should invest and get the force feedback version. It's not just about the rumble when you shoot, but you can feel when your plane is closing it's stall point, you can adjust how stiff the joystick is which is great if you want to fly steady and tons of more things where having a FF stick helps alot.

As for the AV8R, there's one thing that keeps me from ever touching it; the throttle is on the frontside of the joystick instead of the traditional backside.

groomsie · 03-20-09, 08:25 AM

OK Dowly you sold me. Handed off to the wife as a birthday idea and hopefully very soon will be trying it out...

Thanks all for the input / help.

Dowly · 03-20-09, 08:30 AM

Good choice.

And dont be a stranger if you ever want to join our little flying circus.

03-18-09, 10:22 AM	#1
groomsie Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoughton, WI Posts: 140 Downloads: 50 Uploads: 0	Looking for help on a basic joystick Looking for a "basic" (let's say under $50) joystick, as I mainly play SH4 and will not be a "serious" flight sim player (I don't think...). I picked up IL-2 1946 at a Circuit City close-out for a cheap price and wanted to try it out. My joysticks however are all old pin designs, so I need to get a USB 'stick. While I don't plan to get fully immersed in flight sims, I do like them fine so you never know, but for now just looking for a relatively inexpensive entry level joystick. I also don't have a lot of desk space, and it is probable that my 7 year old son will want to try it out as well... I am considering 3 right now; the Saitek AV8R, the Saitek Cyborg EVO, and the Logitech Extreme 3D. Not looking for force feedback. I'm also aware of a reasonably priced entry recently, the T-Flight HOTAS which is intriguing but very little for reviews or feedback on it. Any experience / thoughts / feedback? Saitek seems to have a good reputation, and logitech maybe not so much (at least for longevity). I am running XP and no intent to upgrade to Vista for the forseeable future. Thanks in advance for any advice or any input / others to look at.

03-18-09, 10:49 AM	#2
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	I've got the Cyborg Evo and are fully satisfied with it. It has survived two years of excessive playing and is still as good as on day one. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

03-18-09, 11:07 AM	#4
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Saitek X52 are going for $50.00 on ebay. Why not fly a Lear at Piper price. A 7yo huh ? I've seen 17yo ,27yo,37yo, and47yo ham handed joystick users. At least you can train him. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

03-18-09, 11:44 AM	#5
HunterICX Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2006 Location: Malaga, España Posts: 10,750 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Saitek Cyborg EVO (With Force feedback in my case) great stick, worth the money HunterICX __________________

03-18-09, 07:30 PM	#8
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I use this one. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/ga...s/291&cl=us,en __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

03-18-09, 10:56 AM	#3
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Cyborg EVO here too. Excellent joystick! Should be around your pricerange and has force feedback and the ability to switch between right-handed & left-handed grip.

03-19-09, 07:47 AM	#11
Fincuan Admiral Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suomi, sauna, puukko, perkele Posts: 2,346 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Hehe, I still swear for an MS Sidewinder Forcefeedback 2. Bought in 2001 and still going strong Excellent stick for IL2, but might be pretty hard to find these days, especially at that price range.

03-19-09, 08:52 AM	#12
groomsie Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoughton, WI Posts: 140 Downloads: 50 Uploads: 0	I take it no experience from anyone with the Saitek AV8R joystick? It appears to be an update to the Cyborg EVO, but sometimes it is tough to improve on a solid product. Certainly the feedback here seems to confirm the Cyborg EVO is an excellent budget selection (and w/o force feedback it looks like you can nab one for under $20).

03-19-09, 10:13 AM	#13
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	You definitely should invest and get the force feedback version. It's not just about the rumble when you shoot, but you can feel when your plane is closing it's stall point, you can adjust how stiff the joystick is which is great if you want to fly steady and tons of more things where having a FF stick helps alot. As for the AV8R, there's one thing that keeps me from ever touching it; the throttle is on the frontside of the joystick instead of the traditional backside.

03-20-09, 08:25 AM	#14
groomsie Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoughton, WI Posts: 140 Downloads: 50 Uploads: 0	OK Dowly you sold me. Handed off to the wife as a birthday idea and hopefully very soon will be trying it out... Thanks all for the input / help.

03-20-09, 08:30 AM	#15
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Good choice. And dont be a stranger if you ever want to join our little flying circus.