I've got absolutely no clue about flight sims, but hearing you lot banging on about them has be curious. What would I need in order to properly enjoy "simming", in the way of gaming hardware. By that I mean the joystick, throttle & pedals. I'm not looking at spending a fortune, but I'd like to have a dedicated set of controls for a reasonable price. I don't know how it works with the configuration, but if some of our Sim fans could pitch in, I could find yet another way of making time disappear

And you thought Modeling was an expensive hobby

A good stick to start with is MS sidewinder 2 Very accurate has throttle and ruder built in. I use it for MS flight sim ans WWII simming then you could go to a HOTAS setup I have the X45 from Sitek and I use it for modern sims like Falcon 4AF and Lockon. Give me a bit of time and I fill you in on all bits and bobs

Cheers Phil

I use a Saitex Cyber3d Gold USB, it was quite cheap for what it provides
trottle, rudder , hat, and an host of programable buttons, and it can be turned to left hand side use ( very important for me).

I don't know if it is still in production

I remember I spent around 40 euro some years ago.

have fun

I back up Paolo, but with a new Saitek product:




Saitek.co.uk

That's enough for a beginner, and even for a non-beginner.
No need for a throttle and pedals for the moment.
You won't be disapointed.
Just look at the price...


And if you've got a little more money to spent, you can choose the force feedback one, or the wireless.

Mmmmm.... force feedback

Its OK but being spring loaded you have to trim the aircraft, but with a sidewinder not plugged in it's a lot smoother and no trimming

Remember a good joystick is like a Airbrush buy cheap and you end up fighting with it all the time.

You see what you have all done. I should be finishing decaling this Phantom for the GB

Anyway one of these will do everything and more and I think most flight simmers use this one
http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x52.htm
I have the older version the X45 and have had it for the last 4 years and have had no problems with it at all

I've kept my Saitek Cyborg USB for narly 8 years, without problems.

Just to second the Microsoft Precision 2!! I bought mine for £25 ish about 5 years ago and not had one problem with it. AWESOME joystick. It has a rudder and throttle built in and would seriously recommend it.

Perfect for the beginner and casual gamer.