I use a Saitek AV8R-01 for most of my flight simming needs (works with a Xbox 360 too), but it does not have force feedback, which is not so good, but it is fairly cheap and has two throttles which can be linked and all the buttons you need. A good budget joystick. You could also go for a full HOTAS setup for the ultimate realism, but they are pricy.

I am using a Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thrustmaster-HOTAS-COUGAR-Game-Contoller-AS-IS-/260859548350?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbc70d2be#ht_500wt_1413 .

If you can afford it, you will enjoy it very much.

But since its really heavy, I also have a Logitech Freedom 2.4 GHz Cordless Joystick

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wingman-Logitech-Freedom-2-4-GHz-Cordless-Joystick-/200656294187?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item2eb80c112b#ht_880wt_1392

mainly when I play games on my laptop. Both joysticks are excellent choices.

Finally I have an old but very reliable Thrustmaster Top - Gun for some old sims.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Gun-Thrustmaster-PC-Joystick-15-Pin-TOPGUN-L-K-/110738183490?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c8829542#ht_500wt_1180

I was pretty keen on a Saitek, but you don't find it too unstable? The base doesn't lift from whatever surface it's sitting on when you use it?

Also I think the HOTAS is a bit out of my price range CaptainKai, but I'll keep an eye on Australian Ebay in case one comes up 🙂

i just checked and my new joystick is out for delivery that i bought last week from amazon. it's a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick. this is actually my first joystick. i've always played with a mouse and keyboard. i'm gonna fire up freespace 2 first with it i think. got it from gog when it was on sale not long ago. i'm really looking forward to using it and i'll come back to recommend it, or not.

if i like it, which i can't see why i wouldn't, maybe i'll splurge on a better one down the road. i'd love to get a logitech g940 but who can afford it really. i even have a 35% off coupon for logitech g-series gear and can't afford it :p i would like to have something maybe in the $100 range. soon maybe...

This is a very good 'stick for its money! I actually use the Logitech Attack 3, but I have tested the 3D Pro... lovely!

i was gonna get the Attack 3 but then i saw this one and it was only $10 so i went with it. it just got here a few mins. ago. gonna try it out soon. 😀

On a similar note and at the risk of hijacking the thread - has anyone had any experience with the playstation joy pads kind of game pads linked to computers? ala playstation / Xbox 360

It seems to me that they might be quite good for lying back in a comfy chair and going for it as you effectively steady it between your hands. The two thumb joysticks and the many buttons suggest that they might give you a lot of control.

well been playing Freespace 2 all morning with my new joystick and definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a good budget joystick. its very well made and so fun to use. here's a link for games compatible with the logitech extreme pro 3d http://www.wingmanteam.com/profiles/profiles_team.htm

@ Dalkeith i have a wireless 360 controller i use with my pc for certain games. never tried it with any space sims though. i had to buy a wireless receiver from amazon for it to work but it was only around $10 and it also lets me use my 360 wireless headset too. for certain types of games i prefer to use a gamepad but it all just depends on the game. i have a ps3 controller too but have never tried to use it on pc before. lots of games these days support the 360 pad so there's no setup involved at all just plug and play. if you want a gamepad for your pc the 360 controller is the way to go, and since logitech makes them, they are the best imho.

I use my old Playstaion 1 duel shock pad with my PC but mostly for playing games on console emulators.

haven't used it for any PC games lately.

My First one was a Sidewider programmable Throttle & Stick (can't remember the model) that just died one day.

I've replaced it with a Logitech Force 3D Pro. It's not a bad stick (has force feedback) but my first one had too many programmable buttons to forget ... 😥

funny i just got this one and i never noticed that blue light on it.

It's a "Force" stick, it's got Force feedback. The package contains a transformer which you plug in AC (hence the blue light) so that the force actuators can work.

The "standard" 3D Pro doesn't have it.

ahh. ok i see. thanks

Thrustmaster 16.000M. 16 buttons, POV-Hat, 3 axes, and HEART-Technology. This joystick don't use potentiometers-> no calibration needed. VERY precise.

http://www.thinkcomputers.org/thrustmas ... ck-review/

That looks like a very good stick for the money OSH 🙂

It's really good. I was shocked, when I have first played X-Wing with this joystick 🙂

One thing the economic crisis brought here in Grece are really low priced Joysticks .... from 200 pounds (official price) down to less than 100 euros! I'm talking about the "Saitek X52 Pro" 😎 , which also happens to have non-contact Hall-Effect sensors :geek: . Saving money to get it ... 😈

There is also a wireless version. http://www.flightsimworld.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=4 It comes handy when I have to play away from home, with my laptop.

If you can find an affordable Thustmaster Hotas Cougar, I strongly recommend it over any Saitek.

Yes, i know about the Cougar.

Hands On Throttle And Stick ..

I'm a programmer, developing a game ... and i love space-sims. Not the biggest fan of realistic combat flight sims like F16, .. etc. If i was, rest assured that the Cougar would be my primary option. One more thing is that i don't know if the Cougar has contactless (Hall-Effect) sensors which provide extreme accuracy and long life.

Same here. Although I also like flight sims ("study" sims like USAF and "Strike Fighters") , I prefer to play space sims 🙂 .

Anybody heard if the hotas cougar is being re-released?

just keep off of this one,

(i still have a pair of them, just for nostalgia)

i use a logitech dual stick, it's similar to the playstation controller (and can be used of course with playstation), but has no forcefeedback, but i neither need this, it's not to expensive as i remember and fairly good.

i would have a second wireless logitech dual stick with forcefeedback and throttle, but i didn't use it often, it's to heavy with the motors and the batteries.

to get real cool control in space sims similar as when i fly a helicopter, i add the pedal of my steering wheel (also a little older logitech) and set all up with logitechs programmable controller software.

due to that i have with the dual pad and the pedal 6 axes, can't see any use where this wouldn't be enough.

but actually on my macbook i can't use any of these <img src="' http://spacesimcentral.com/forum/public/style_emoticons//sad.gi f"' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />

it's lame that logitech offers no software for the mac,

controller apps cost me to much and opensource didn't exists somethig satisfying (i don't like to set up a script a whole day long just to play a game).

also this sort of joystick is not recommended

broadcast and poster this quotes!:

same for me i like to play and not a full lifetime simulation!