HOTAS OR HOSAS for Star Citizen etc?

Vidar

Vidar

Vidar

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So, I finally decided to give Star Citizen a go with the latest free event and despite some visual bugs I have to say it was pretty good fun.

I found flying with a mouse and keyboard or my xbox pad a bit of a pain, but it's rekindled my interest in wanting to play space games and flight sims again.

I used to have a Warthog hotas but found the quality for such an expensive bit of kit and lack of rudder control without pedals to be a bit of a problem.

It's not just for Star Citizen, I'd like to get into MFS, and get back into DCS World/ War Thunder etc. But, also games like elite dangerous.

What would you guys recommend? I don't have a set budget in mind.
 
If you are planning to play flight SIM's I would go with a HOTAS personally, getting a second stick later is probably easier than choosing a throttle if you are possibly getting a HOTAS kit rather than buying parts individually.

The question comes as to what you plan to do rudder wise for your flight sims?

I guess budget would be good to know too
 
I don't have a budget in mind, I don't want to overspend just want something decent that's better than your standard Logitech stuff. I've seen some throttles with rudder controls. Are they any good?
 
Vidar said:
I don't have a budget in mind, I don't want to overspend just want something decent that's better than your standard Logitech stuff. I've seen some throttles with rudder controls. Are they any good?
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I have used an X56 Rhino and some random cheap stick, both of which have a twist-stick rudder. I have since splashed out on a Crosswind V3 rudder set and they are massively more intuitive (but not cheap...)

Edit: just seen the disability post. Feel free to disregard the pedals. Flew well enough with the x56 for 2 years with the twist stick and about 5 with the other stick before until the plastic went sticky
 
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I've got a pair of VKB Gladiator NXTs with Kosmosima grips and a Z extension on the left stick. They work great and can be configured to act more like a traditional throttle for in atmosphere sims.

Hard to find in stock though. I think they came in at about £430 all in but are much better than anything else at the price point.
 
Tediore said:
I've got a pair of VKB Gladiator NXTs with Kosmosima grips and a Z extension on the left stick. They work great and can be configured to act more like a traditional throttle for in atmosphere sims.

Hard to find in stock though. I think they came in at about £430 all in but are much better than anything else at the price point.
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That's frustrating as they look ideal.
 
Quartz said:
Rather than going the whole hog straight off, how about giving it a try with a cheap HOSAS, then upgrading once you've decided you like it? Thrustmaster do a cheap HOSAS pair.

www.thrustmaster.com

T.16000M FCS SPACE SIM DUO - | Thrustmaster

ENJOY THE THRUSTMASTER ISLAND WITH THE T.16000M FCS SPACE SIM DUO
www.thrustmaster.com www.thrustmaster.com
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I may end up getting these to start with but I'd prefer to get something I'll stick with for a food while. I'm a firm believer in if you buy cheap you buy twice.
 
Vidar said:
That's frustrating as they look ideal.
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Yep! I tried to buy them for ages and just happened to check and get lucky as they had a shipment just before Black Friday last year.

I recently picked up a Gunfighter base so may be moving the Gladiators on soon. I just need to decide what to do about a throttle. I'm fairly sure I've seen you about on the MM before so I'll tag you if I put them up for sale.
 
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Tediore said:
Yep! I tried to buy them for ages and just happened to check and get lucky as they had a shipment just before Black Friday last year.

I recently picked up a Gunfighter base so may be moving the Gladiators on soon. I just need to decide what to do about a throttle. I'm fairly sure I've seen you about on the MM before so I'll tag you if I put them up for sale.
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Thanks pal, I'm looking at Virpil alpha primes atm as I've got big hands and have heard that's an issue with the gladiators?
 
Vidar said:
Thanks pal, I'm looking at Virpil alpha primes atm as I've got big hands and have heard that's an issue with the gladiators?
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The Kosmosima are on the smaller side grip wise but I have large hands (XXL in racing gloves) and find them OK. The MCG grip I got with the Gunfighter base feels more 'spacious' though.

My mate has the Alpha Primes on the WarBRD-D base and they're very nice in terms of feel, build quality, etc. They are very large grips though especially in terms of their thickness. You should be alright with them as long as your hands are long and not just wide.

Virpil's customer service has been fantastic too. My mate had an ever so slight creak on the Z axis of one of his sticks. He took it in (lives 5 minutes from their UK distribution centre) and they said they were just going to replace the entire stick as they couldn't be sure replacing the Z axis alone would solve it and they didn't want to inconvenience him further. Took about a week.

I bought my VKB Gunfighter used so no idea what their support is like but it's absolutely solid as well.

If you're looking at the high end I'd say just go with whichever brand has the grips you like. Virpil probably has the edge if your main thing is space sims with the Alpha Prime and I'd give the edge to VKB and their MCG Ultimate if you play a lot of in atmosphere stuff.
 
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