SurClaro Flight Simulations Resources

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject: keyboard, Joystick or yoke

Hey peeps! I am not new to flying but i am new to PC sinulators and are flying FS2002. Would you personally recommend a yoke or joystick or shall i just stick to the keyboard?

thanks Cool

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject:

i would suggest 1 of 2 "Flight Control Systems" both are from Saitek. 1) is the Saitek ST290 Pro - which can be found at almost every WALMART for about $19.98 + tax (great for beginners) ... 2) will be the Saitek X52 - Flight Control System. With the X52, it is 18 programable buttons for up to 3 games [3 mode settings allowing 1 game / sim per mode], has Throttle on the left hand, leaving the right hand to control pitch, flaps, altitude / attitude.. but the X52 will set you or your parents back at least $130 USD.

here is the link to Saitek. http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/pcgc.asp

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:35 am Post subject:

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
If you are only interested in the "Shoot em up Bang Bang" fast flying jets. then stay with a Joy Stick.

If your are interested in General Aviation or the big aircraft that use a Yoke and Rudders, then you will be notice a big big big difference between a Yoke vs a Joy Stick. Once you use a Yoke, you will not want to go back to a Joy Stick (unless that is the proper device for that particular aircraft).

You can pay full price at any computer store or you can save a lot of money by bidding on EBAY. My CH Products Virtual Pilot Pro yoke just developed a bad switch. I tried to fix it but was not successfull. Today at lunch time, I won a bid for $35 for a used CH Products Yoke. This is the total cost including shipping and handling. It even included several pieces of software.

Note: This is Gameport rather than USB. If you want to spend more money for a better device, then go for the USB model. Cool

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 1:18 am Post subject:

Either way, I would definetely stay away from the keyboard. Using the keyboard in FS is almost like using a keyboard for flying a real jet.

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 3:10 am Post subject: and..

And how do you enter the flight plan into the FMC? I'm sorry, did you say "with the keyboard"? Hmmmmmm?

You should challenge yourself, I regularly fly keyboard, unless you're doing something artistic, like skywriting, a properly setup keyboard works just fine.

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject:

Nah... I use the........

Alright, you got me there GS, but I can argue that I said "...is almost like using a keyboard for FLYING a real jet." If using the FMC is part of actually flying the jet, that's up to your own interpretation.

See, that's why I'm always cautious about what I put in my posts. Wink

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 12:57 am Post subject: nice...

nice try guy, but there's no mulligans in forum chat. A keyboard is a keyboard is a keyboard, whether it's the monster rack Rush uses in concert or the built in calculator on the watch aunt Suzie gave you. Check with Skipper' about how handy keyboards/pads can be.

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:38 pm Post subject:

Just in case anybody is interested, I still prefer a Yoke vs Joystick or Keyboard. However, as Groundsquirrel stated above, I do see a use for additional equipment.

My Nostromo Speedpad is sitting on top of the Yoke when I took this picture. It normally sits on my right side. It is a nice 10 key numeric pad that I use to respond to ATC.
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Nostromo-Speedpad-n50-10-Button/dp/B00005U2DX

The two switches are from Desktopaviator.com

TrackIR is sitting on top of my monitor.

PS: I just bought a new 22" flat screen monitor. Cool

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 11:42 pm Post subject:

hot pic in the background there Dan Wink

lol, i use a joystick only because thats what i have been used to flying with. dunno if i could ever switch to a yolk. i enjoy the fighter jet set-up.
but thats jus my opinion

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 4:27 pm Post subject:

I'm glad that you like my picture.

When I attended the St. Petersburg Airfest about two years ago, I had to stand in a big crowd of teanagers to get an autographed picture of Patty Wagstaff. When I worked at the St. Petersburg Airfest this year, a friend took a picture of Patty cutting the ribbon. Last week, I sent the 8" x 10" to her Florida headquarters and requested that she autograph it for me. I missed a chance to get an autograph at Sun N Fun.

Note: Patty has had a new paint job done on her aircraft. It looks nothing like this any more.

I have many more pictures on this wall now.

PS: I love taking pictures at Airshows. I am excited about my trip to Reading, Pa in a few weeks to attend the annual WWII show. Cool