Joy stick or wheel?

"CriticalMass" wrote in message
...

"Skyhawk" wrote in message
...

I would recommend the CH Products Yoke w/ throttle,mixture, and prop
controls. If you want to spend the big bucks, get the Pro Pedals as
well.
They are around $250 purchased at the same time or $130 each. I would
check
out the www.pcaviator.com web site. I have purchased from them with
success, and they have competitive prices. It is hard to find the good
controls at retail. As an alternative, the Microsoft Force Feedback 2
joystick works well and it is around $100.


While I won't argue with any of the above, I will add my comments.

I am now using CH USB rudder pedals, with no issues to report.

I *used* to own the CH Yoke with engine controls and all the buttons.
Believe it or not, the damned thing stripped the hardware-store clamp
bolts
that secure it to the desktop. I could no longer attach it to my desk and
use it to fly. It boggled my mind that such a low-tech item would tank,
but
it did. It went into the trash.

I will not buy from CH Products again. If they can't get an item like
that
right (and, mind you, I've been using their stuff for a L O N G time),
they
have lost my confidence.

So, I'm now flying the sim with the CH USB Pro pedals and a Microsoft FFB2
force feedback joystick.

I agree that flying most of the sim airplanes is best enjoyed with a yoke,
as opposed to a stick. I'm waiting for something more durable than the CH
yoke to surface on the market. I have the bucks, and I'll spend them, if
that's what's required to get *quality* flight sim controls.

I had two of those, and no problems with the bolts. The bolt itself is a
stainless steel standard piece of hardware -- type SBY, which can be
obtained at a hardware store. It is epoxied into the knob. The socket into
which the bolt fits is brass and pretty durable. I don't see anything poorly
made about these parts, but they are easy to replace if they should go. In
any case, I would not judge a flight yoke by the bolts that hold it to the
desk, that is a pretty minor part.

I have held off getting the rudder pedals. Are they useful? Seems like a lot
of money for something that doesn't get used too often. In a crosswind I
just land a little kilter -- unlike the real thing, there are no repair
bills for damaging the virtual main struts, at least not so far.

Question, do any of the virtual airplanes accurately simulate a forward slip
using the rudder pedal - including rapid loss of altitude, etc.?

thanks

"Marc" wrote in message
news:kPNfb.679792$YN5.538941@sccrnsc01...

I had two of those, and no problems with the bolts. The bolt itself is a
stainless steel standard piece of hardware -- type SBY, which can be
obtained at a hardware store. It is epoxied into the knob. The socket into
which the bolt fits is brass and pretty durable. I don't see anything
poorly
made about these parts, but they are easy to replace if they should go. In
any case, I would not judge a flight yoke by the bolts that hold it to the
desk, that is a pretty minor part.

It may be minor to you, but it's a major hassle when it becomes impossible
to attach the damned thing to the desk, and hardware isn't exactly rocket
science - I'll go elsewhere when a supplier can't get THAT part right.

I have held off getting the rudder pedals. Are they useful? Seems like a
lot
of money for something that doesn't get used too often. In a crosswind I
just land a little kilter -- unlike the real thing, there are no repair
bills for damaging the virtual main struts, at least not so far.

OK, now you've identified yourself. You're not a pilot, you're a gamer.

Sure, you can avoid all the hassle of control devices and just try to fly
with your keyboard. How realistic do you want it to be?

Real airplanes have rudder pedals. If you want realism, get rudder pedals.
If you don't care, check the box for autocontrol. Your choice.

Question, do any of the virtual airplanes accurately simulate a forward
slip
using the rudder pedal - including rapid loss of altitude, etc.?

Yes, to varying degrees, just like the real thing

"CriticalMass" wrote in message
...

"Marc" wrote in message
news:kPNfb.679792$YN5.538941@sccrnsc01...

I had two of those, and no problems with the bolts. The bolt itself is a
stainless steel standard piece of hardware -- type SBY, which can be
obtained at a hardware store. It is epoxied into the knob. The socket
into
which the bolt fits is brass and pretty durable. I don't see anything
poorly
made about these parts, but they are easy to replace if they should go.
In
any case, I would not judge a flight yoke by the bolts that hold it to
the
desk, that is a pretty minor part.

It may be minor to you, but it's a major hassle when it becomes impossible
to attach the damned thing to the desk, and hardware isn't exactly rocket
science - I'll go elsewhere when a supplier can't get THAT part right.

replacing the hardware is minor. If you want to, send me your unit and I'll
do it for you.

I have held off getting the rudder pedals. Are they useful? Seems like a
lot
of money for something that doesn't get used too often. In a crosswind I
just land a little kilter -- unlike the real thing, there are no repair
bills for damaging the virtual main struts, at least not so far.

OK, now you've identified yourself. You're not a pilot, you're a gamer.

actually I'm a pilot.

Sure, you can avoid all the hassle of control devices and just try to fly
with your keyboard. How realistic do you want it to be?

Real airplanes have rudder pedals. If you want realism, get rudder
pedals.
If you don't care, check the box for autocontrol. Your choice.

well, sims are not realistic enought to start with, so I dont see the point
in adding the expense of rudder pedals just to straighten up on the
approach. Forward slips might be interesting, but otherwise I just pretend
I'm an Ercoupe when landing.

"Marc" wrote in message
. net...
OK, now you've identified yourself. You're not a pilot, you're a gamer.

actually I'm a pilot.


So am I. USA/FAA Private/Instrument