Yoke and Pedals/Rudders for Flight Sim X? Compare to X-Plane

[Giants_1]

I have a Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick that I want to use with Microsoft Flight Simulator X (Steam).

How does X-Plane Compare?

I'm interested in simulating combat planes, so I'm unsure if there's any advantage to my buying a yoke and rudder/foot pedals. Thoughts?

What brands/models would you recommend?

thanks

 

[harrisjb78]

I thought the sidewinder had twist yaw? The only 2 I know of are the Saitek and the CH pedals and both are $100+ so it's up to you if it will add something.
If there is no twist yaw then yeah it will add a lot more control to the experience but honestly I would get a different stick vs pedals.
I prefer Saitek for what it's worth. They have nice build quality and feel solid.

XPlane to FSX? That's like asking Intel vs AMD 😉

FSX -
- Old 32 bit DX9 program that is memory limited and extremely CPU intensive (I use it for stability testing, no I am not kidding)
+ Lot of addons - millions!
+/- Easy to control even on full realism
+ Looks okay out of box
- Unstable

XPlane -
+ Newer, still in development
- Still very CPU heavy but also GPU heavy
- Not as many addons
+/- Does not look as good stock but with addons looks better than FSX
+/- More realistic flight dynamics
+ Can create own aircraft

Some great addon aircraft on both of them.

 

[Giants_1]

Thanks. I bought the MS Sidewinder Joystick in 2002 and it does NOT twist. There is no manual on-line and Microsoft wasn't helpful when I called.

How useful is a separate throttle stick, like some Logitech Saiteks have?

Which Saitek do you recommend/use?

Thoughts about this CH pedal/rudder:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000512IE/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Thoughts about this Thrustmaster Hotas X, which has a throttle?

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-X-Flight-Stick/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=pd_sim_63_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001CXYMFS&pd_rd_r=0QQNHHMNP983SN8CH1JV&pd_rd_w=p6Vcx&pd_rd_wg=qgEYS&psc=1&refRID=0QQNHHMNP983SN8CH1JV

 

[harrisjb78]

Okay I wasn't sure.

It's not useful, just kinda nice/fun to have.

I have the X52 and it's nice - kinda light on the stick, the throttle tension is adjustable and there are buttons galore for different settings. Only bad thing is I couldn't ever get the programming software to install right so many buttons are unusable and supposedly this is a common issue.
The pro only really adds different tension to the stick and a better display, so IMO is not worth it.
The X55 is more combat geared and has dual throttle controls and is suppose to be very nice but is expensive.

The T-Flight HOTAS is one of the best recommended out there.

Keep in mind these are big units so make sure you have the desk space.

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

I've always loved flight simulators, but FSX, like Harrisjb78 pointed out is too cpu intensive considering it's been years since it was developed and it still uses DX9 yet it manages to be so heavy it's frustrating even if you have a good pc.

 

[Giants_1]

I *just* got FSX Steam and have 8 hours to download it. Meantime, I flew an A-10 on Lock on and it's REALLY hard; my wrist hurt from the constant adjustments (back pressure) to the stick to maintain altitude and speed. The manual said it was an easy plane to fly. Is my Microsoft Sidewinder Joysick junk, or am I just a newbie?

PS, I really appreciate harrisjb78's response. It was selected as the best response. Everyone else, please do contribute. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

I *just* got FSX Steam and have 8 hours to download it. Meantime, I flew an A-10 on Lock on and it's REALLY hard; my wrist hurt from the constant adjustments (back pressure) to the stick to maintain altitude and speed. The manual said it was an easy plane to fly. Is my Microsoft Sidewinder Joysick junk, or am I just a newbie?

Why not put the plane on auto pilot?

 

[harrisjb78]

It could be that the joystick is just so worn that it has enough play that the sim thinks it's an input. This can be corrected by setting the dead zone within the sim.

Another option (more likely) is to set the pitch trim for the aircraft to level it out.

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

It could be that the joystick is just so worn that it has enough play that the sim thinks it's an input. This can be corrected by setting the dead zone within the sim.

Another option (more likely) is to set the pitch trim for the aircraft to level it out.

I had the same joystick for 14 years and it never got that worn out to the point of generating input out of play. And I used the hell out of that joystick.

 

[Giants_1]

I bought it about 10 years ago, used it for about 1 hour, then gave up on the old flight sim, so it's been sitting in my basement since then.

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

I bought it about 10 years ago, used it for about 1 hour, then gave up on the old flight sim, so it's been sitting in my basement since then.

I used mine not only for flight sims, but for soccer games, nba games and racing simulaors as well. That explains the 14 years, that and the fact that that joystick was so well made.

 

[harrisjb78]

How did you use it for soccer and NBA games? That would be interesting.

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

How did you use it for soccer and NBA games? That would be interesting.

Lol, I somehow managed to use it and use it well for both soccer and nba games. That joystick was so precise and I was so used to it that I did it somehow. I even won a few races racing simulators online with it! lol

 

[Giants_1]

Thanks. Rafael Mestdag, which make and model joystick do you have? Thanks!

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

Thanks. Rafael Mestdag, which make and model joystick do you have? Thanks!

No problem. I currently don't have a joystick but I'm planning on buying one as soon as I can, I wanna buy one that's at least as good as my old sidewinder, and so far I haven't found anything as good as that one.

 

[Giants_1]

Thanks, Rafael Mestdag. Do you mean that your last joystick, the one that was so reliable was a Microsoft Sidewinder?

I'm thinking about the $50 Thrustmaster T Flight Hotas X Flight Stick (great reviews on Amazon), which, unlike my current Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick (circa 2003) has a thrust handle separate and the joystick twists (I believe) for rudder. Guys playing War Thunder seem to use rudder a lot to make rapid turns (though I want to fly jet simulators not prop). Thoughts about the Hotas?

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-X-Flight-Stick/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1488870032&sr=1-1&keywords=joystick

 

[harrisjb78]

The HOTAS X does have twist rudder.

Turning with rudder in War Thunder depends on what more you are playing (arcade, realistic or simulation) -
Arcade is nice to use the rudder.
Realistic you will bleed speed very quickly.
Sim you can flat spin very easily if not careful.

Really it's best only to use the rudder to angle down at the top of a climb or very sparsely during turns.
Assign it to a key and try it out.

 

[Giants_1]

On my Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick, I can't find the manual at home or on-line. Anyone know the trim key commands? FSX does NOT have a key command menu.

Anyone use a game booster, eg

http://filehippo.com/download_wise_game_booster/

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

On my Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick, I can't find the manual at home or on-line. Anyone know the trim key commands? FSX does NOT have a key command menu.

Anyone use a game booster, eg

http://filehippo.com/download_wise_game_booster/

It does have one, if remember well you press Alt and then a menu on top of the screen will appear, then you will find under one of those drop down menus a controller assignments menu.

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

I used to assign the trim to those two little round buttons on the head of the joystick, up trim on the top one and down trim on the lower one.

 

[Giants_1]

Thanks. No menu comes up in FSX when I hit Alt key. FSX is not helpful, either, with programming or even finding trim command. I don't have the manual, so I don't know how to program buttons.

 

[harrisjb78]

Don't use game boosters. Most, if not all are a waste.

FSX has a key setting menu where you can view all the commands, as well as set them.
Also - https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/1333/fsx-controls-keyboard-commands/
Trim has a default but I usually set it to the up/down left/right keys.

You might have to right click and select "show/hide menu bar" while in a flight screen.