Just starting out

[Venge]

Just getting around to buying FSX now but have a serious lack of controllers for flight simming as all I have is a mouse at the moment.
Any suggestions as to how to gear up for playing FSX in terms of yoke vrs stick and what sort of throttle etc?
Also where to buy this stuff in NZ.

At first glance I found this http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Saitek-...System/1545633/ but no idea if that is the brand I should be getting or if that is a decent price etc.

Thanks ahead of time for any info

[Ian Warren]

Simply just to get you started , 30 NZ will get you a controller (joystick) the unit has a built in throttle and the regular hat and switch buttons , from there you progress if it suits your entertainment .

[Venge]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Apr 23 2010, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Simply just to get you started , 30 NZ will get you a controller (joystick) the unit has a built in throttle and the regular hat and switch buttons , from there you progress if it suits your entertainment .

I don't mind spending more if it is likely to add to the enjoyment of the game, which I would suspect it would. I mean I don't want to jump in and craft up my own simpit just yet, but don't mind spending money on decent stuff if it is value for money.

[Adamski]

Apart from the basic C172 and the DC-3, I don't find *any* of the default aircraft in FSX that satisfying. I'd recommend buying one decent FSX optimised aircraft to start with - one that has all the navigation (and possibly FMS) functionality you need to get to learn the ropes. Military aircraft are fun, but they're pure eye-candy - nothing else.

My favourites are [all the] Captain Sim aircraft - and most of the Wilco/Feelthere range. Some of the Carenado GA aircraft are good, but beware - not all have full ILS/Glideslope functionality.

Keep checking flightsim deal of the day for bargains - as well as Trademe etc. Occasional sales are usually posted here when found. I picked up most of my Captain Sim aircraft in sales after people alerted me here.

Basically, you'll need to decide whether you want to enhance what you DO in FSX or what you want to LOOK AT

I've found that trundling around NZ, learning navigation techniques etc. is so much more enjoyable with some scenery and weather add-ons. Top priority in this department (if you're NZ based), are Robin's sceneries - plus maybe Roads & Rivers. Also, I found a fully registered version of FSUIPC a boon.

Freeware-wise, WOAI will fill your NZ skies with local AI traffic.

[creator2003]

Something along the lines of a saitek evo stick with all axis including rudder twist should be a good start

[Venge]

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Apr 23 2010, 06:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Something along the lines of a saitek evo stick with all axis including rudder twist should be a good start

Stick instead of yoke you would recommend?

[Bazza]

I have the Saitek Evo stick, does everything I need. and should be ideal for you as a starter. Later down the track
you will be able to work out what you need and this will depend a lot on the aircraft you use most.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE

Stick instead of yoke you would recommend?[/quote]

Depends really on price and how dedicated you are going to be to flight sim ,ive had alsorts of controls over my years plus one trusty joystick that i use for the ease of room and using it uni for all aircraft options the sim has , x45 throttle and stick in garage ,saitek rudder pedels sold ,yoke sold the list goes on , evo stick i still have ..

Last edited by creator2003 on Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Ian Warren]

Funny how dedicated i am to the yoke , but Venge , the one thing a stick has is the ability to move from Flight Sim to a combat sim , old saying is ' you won't see it til you try it "

[Venge]

Well, so far I am finding joystick flight ok. However I am thinking a throttle quadrant or something similar is required. Just got the B17 and can not seem to get all the engine to throttle with one controller (the throttle slider on my joystick).
Suggestions on where to go from here? Definitely need some new throttle controller at a minimum. Maybe time for yoke and rudders too.

Edit: In the past i have been a fan of the CH line of sticks, they easily available over here in NZ? Any suggestions what store to get them from?
Hmm, this looks nice, pricey but nice. http://www.flightsim.com/main/review/eclipse.htm

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Venge @ Apr 23 2010, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just getting around to buying FSX now but have a serious lack of controllers for flight simming as all I have is a mouse at the moment.
Any suggestions as to how to gear up for playing FSX in terms of yoke vrs stick and what sort of throttle etc?

Question is ... do you (or are you likely to) play any other flight related sims??

I also "fly" LOMAC/Flaming Cliffs, IL-2 and Falcon4. A yoke is pretty useless for those and, for combat sims, I also need as many POV hats, buttons etc. as I can get! So ... a regular joystick will work well in MSFS, but not the other way round. I map prop pitch and mixture to a couple of sliders/rotating knobs on my throttle, so don't need a quadrant.

I've had Saitek for a while but hate their programming software. CH seems much better. What I would suggest is to NOT mix 'n' match. I have a Saitek stick/throttle but CH rudders. You end up with two separate calibration CP's plus anything you may have in FSUIPC (or FS and/or Windows default) ... it can be a real mess!

EDIT: The CH Eclipse yoke looks like a nice bit of kit - particularly as it gives you rudders (of a sort) - but I can't see why NZ sites bloat the price so much: www.flightsimshop.co.nz - $461NZ .. are they *joking*???

The same kit can be found on Amazon for $220NZ including shipping. I'd check that - it may not be the international ship price.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Venge @ May 12 2010, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, so far I am finding joystick flight ok. However I am thinking a throttle quadrant or something similar is required. Just got the B17 and can not seem to get all the engine to throttle with one controller (the throttle slider on my joystick).

The problem I find with quadrants is that only the more expensive ones allow multi-engine control - usually only two at that. A four-engined aircraft is always going to be a problem. You have to ask yourself what proportions of the aircraft you fly regularly are 2 or 4 engine.

[Venge]

QUOTE (Adamski @ May 12 2010, 05:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The problem I find with quadrants is that only the more expensive ones allow multi-engine control - usually only two at that. A four-engined aircraft is always going to be a problem. You have to ask yourself what proportions of the aircraft you fly regularly are 2 or 4 engine.

It seems the 4 engine plane (B17) still uses just 2 throttles, or so I am thinking. I just can not seem to get the one to work for both which would be ideal for flying.
As far as playing other sims, well I have a cheapy (Extreme 3D Pro) stick that would work fine for combat type games if I ever got into them. At this point I want to kit out primarily for FSX.

[Ian Warren]

Venge , I have had both companies products Saitek and CH , I will return to the CH unit .. rudder pedal are 7/8 year old working like new , the CH yoke simply got worn out , lasting eight years , i see above Adam confirmed this recommending CH products .

[Venge]

Hmm, $350 for the CH throttle quadrant, anyone know of a cheaper place?

[Ian Warren]

Venge , a thought , the quadrant come with throttle s , plus switch,s for trim -manual / switched , flap, UC .. the package had everything but the later throttle quad .

[Venge]

So can the saitec throttle http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Saitek-...adrant/1545640/ be set up to run 2 engine throttles? As I was saying, the 4 engine b17 seems to be able to be set up to run with only two throttles. Not really flying the b17 much yet because my joystick only has 1 throttle on it and it will not let me marry all 4 engines onto the one throttle.
at the moment I can't justify the 350 for the CH quadrant but do not want to put off getting something so i can fly my b17.

The saitek pro throttle quads are going for 90 each, i could buy two if I can not do what i need with one. (as long as they will connect that way)

Edit: well, found a place that will ship me the CH quadrant for 250 NZ$ all up, so got it down 100 from buy in NZ prices.