Better quality throttle quadrant

[F/JG300_Gruber]

Hey guys,

 

I'm looking for buying a decent twin engine throttle quadrant to go with my yoke. I already own a couple Saitek ones but I have nothing but problems with them due to their crappy internal components.

I don't want to go with the CH one either because it looks even cheaper and it also have mixed reviews.

 

There is not much choice in the mid-price range, and so far, I've seen these two products that might suit me and within my price range :

 

https://store.flypfc.com/?/products/throttle-quadrants/multi-engine-throttle-prop-mixture/

(with the appropriate console)

 

or 

 

http://www.simw.com/hardware/throttle-quadrant/elite-mel-throttle.html?___store=sen&___from_store=sfr

 

Do any of you have some experience with these makers and if yes, will these be compatible with BoS ?

Are there some alternatives in the same price range on the market ? 

 

Edited March 1, 2016 by F/JG300_Gruber

[Original_Uwe]

Dude the CH products one blows anything Saitek makes out of the water. The quality is second to none.

Mine still works after 7 years of very consistent abuse. I can't reccomend it enough.

[Dakpilot]

With a real aircraft throttle quadrant going for about 210 USD i wonder how much it would cost for Hall effect sensors and a USB controller to be added by a professional?

 

would certainly knock all the commercial 'sim' ones for six

 

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/RVthrottlequads2.php

 

There are many cheaper ones available there as well

 

Cheers Dakpilot

 

 

[oneeyeddog]

With a real aircraft throttle quadrant going for about 210 USD i wonder how much it would cost for Hall effect sensors and a USB controller to be added by a professional?

 

would certainly knock all the commercial 'sim' ones for six

 

throttle_lever-500x388.jpg

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/RVthrottlequads2.php

 

There are many cheaper ones available there as well

 

Cheers Dakpilot

Thanks for the link

[ST_Pirato]

Unfortunally there are not many options for Throttle quadrants like this. The Saitek ones are cheaply made and start to spike after some time,hoever some seem to be lucky withtheir and have no noticable spiking.   The CH one is much better quality wise,but the travel of the leaver is much shorter than the Saitek. I wish there was one with best of both worlds. Having owned 2 Saitek and now a CH Quadrant,I would always advice to pick the CH Quadrant.

Those more expensive ones are imo not worth it,not at the price they are selling. All of them using "only" potentiometers as far as I read,nothing wrong with it, but I can't see the cost of 300-400$ justified even with an all metal casing and leavers. Some even need additional Hardware,like the first one linked which raises the price even more,not to mention the space needed.

 

So it's eithera  do it yourself solution,or to live with what we have at this time.

[Sokol1]

I suggest the custom made ones done be guys like GVL224:

 

 

Metal construction (laser cut) - acrylic box, ball bearings, contactless sensor, customisable as need.

 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4146346/3/Iron_mechanic_motor_control_(a

 

Or DVIK - this example reuse a Cougar grip, but can be different and you can choose how many levers need.

 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4234120/Re:_Throttle_for_WW2_aircraft

 

 

Both have announce in IL-2 Russian forum, in Flea market section.

Edited March 1, 2016 by Sokol1

[F/JG300_Gruber]

Well, looks like I'll may have to go with CH then.

But yeah the course looks really short. 

Is it a problem with some aircrafts in BoS ? Some are really sensitive and need precise adjustment for manifold/rpm 

 

@Sokol : Looks nice but how does it works ? Is it a kit or does somebody assemble for you ?

I don't speak russian and google trad is too bad for me to read on the russian forum. 

Edited March 1, 2016 by F/JG300_Gruber

[JimTM]

Dude the CH products one blows anything Saitek makes out of the water. The quality is second to none.

Mine still works after 7 years of very consistent abuse. I can't reccomend it enough.

 

I have the CH Throttle Quadrant, but my throttle lever (the one I use the most) is loose at the very bottom end, so sometimes it slips into idle. This problem developed after a few years of steady use. I wonder if there is a DIY fix for this as I like the product otherwise. I had it open once but it looks like a big de-soldering job to get at the guts to tighten it up.

Edited March 1, 2016 by JimTM

[Lusekofte]

I bought a real throttle from 1941, attached it to sliders and a USB control card. 300 $ was the total cost

 

I cannot go back to anything other, and it is easy

 

[F/JG300_Gruber]

Unfortunately, due to the small apartment I'm sharing, any DIY implying anything else than a screwdriver is out of plan for this year 

 

That's a hell of a rig you have there Lusekofte 

[Lusekofte]

Then go for a cheap one. Some time you will be in another situation and then you got the world of choises. I have spent many years getting things where I like it. I am happy to help suggesting unusual things so you can see the choises.

Sokol here is the one to look out for, he is a walking wikipedia in gadgets like this

[oneeyeddog]

That's a hell of a rig you have there Lusekofte

 

 

+1, very nice!

[Sokol1]

@Sokol : Looks nice but how does it works ? Is it a kit or does somebody assemble for you ?

I don't speak russian and google trad is too bad for me to read on the russian forum. 

 

They are available in kit form and as  finished product, some use commercial grip (Saitek, Thrustmater...) provide be the buyers, but if you want only a 3 lever (Saitek Quadrant style) and some switches, they make.

 

Leave a PM in English for GVL224 in IL-2 Russian Forum, is same login there.

 

EDIT - Their profile: http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/user/586-gvl224/

Edited March 2, 2016 by Sokol1

[LukeFF]

Dude the CH products one blows anything Saitek makes out of the water. The quality is second to none.

Mine still works after 7 years of very consistent abuse. I can't reccomend it enough.

Same here. It's a great controller.

[F/JG300_Gruber]

Thanks all for your input !

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

Very interesting topic since I'm more or less also on the hunt for sth similar like Gruber (would love a split throttle although a simple board for mix/pitch/radiator would be fine for now).

 

On a side note, does anybody know if there's a way to turn audio mix boards into USB devices? They're relatively cheap, small and have a lot of sliders.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Stab/JG26_5tuka

[Sokol1]

In "Banana's Drama's" forum are a topic made by guy that did a software to use a similar device in flight games, via keyboard emulation.

 

To be recognized as "joystick" by Windows and games, is need replace the internal circuit with suitable one, e.g. BU0836, MMJoy2, besides their potentiometers are logarithmic (response) type, for joystick you need linear (type).

 

In the end can result more practical - and probable cheap, buy the components, a box and USB controller and "D.I.Y". Require solder skill.

[kestrel79]

I bought a CH Throttle Quad used and it works pretty good. You have to set a couple deadzones to prevent a little spiking but other than that I love mine. Works great.

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

In "Banana's Drama's" forum are a topic made by guy that did a software to use a similar device in flight games, via keyboard emulation.

 

To be recognized as "joystick" by Windows and games, is need replace the internal circuit with suitable one, e.g. BU0836, MMJoy2, besides their potentiometers are logarithmic (response) type, for joystick you need linear (type).

 

In the end can result more practical - and probable cheap, buy the components, a box and USB controller and "D.I.Y". Require solder skill.

I already though it couldn't be that easy else you'd probably see a bunch of guys doing that. It's really a pity such boards with 7 potis + buttons costs 30€ whereas a Saitek gadget with 3 levers and cheap potis costs 80€.

 

Might get in touch with GVL224 some time. I've no defintie plans for now. I'd definetly preferr finshed products rather than kits due to my average soldering and close to non existent programming.

[Sokol1]

But GVL224 can sell for you a ready to use quadrant.

 

Sample: http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2015/09/full-39179-109034-15.jpg

 

The acrylic box can be already painted - this user choose transparent.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Sokol1

[oneeyeddog]

I suggest the custom made ones done be guys like GVL224:

 

 

Metal construction (laser cut) - acrylic box, ball bearings, contactless sensor, customisable as need

Does anyone use one of these 'Quartet' Throttle quadrants or any of the others that GVL224 makes? Id like to hear more about them.

Edited March 3, 2016 by oneeyeddog

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

But GVL224 can sell for you a ready to use quadrant.

 

Sample: http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2015/09/full-39179-109034-15.jpg

 

The acrylic box can be already painted - this user choose transparent.

Well I don't know how much sth like this would cost, but after scamming threw the thread I figured he sells his equipment in the 200$ range which frankly is higher than my poor student budged would allow for (pls corrcet me if I'm wrong, Google Trans is pretty cheesy with russian).

 

Btw: Do you know anything about this guy's work? http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/topic/3037-kvadrant-zheleznyj-plagiat-sajteka

Couldn't figure out much out via translation but his products look quite solid, too.

Edited March 3, 2016 by Stab/JG26_5tuka

[Sokol1]

 

 

Btw: Do you know anything about this guy's work? http://forum.il2stur...plagiat-sajteka

 

In the video posted above the throttle (with TQS grip) was done with DVIK parts.

 

GVL224announce in SimHQ.

[oneeyeddog]

GVL224 is a nice Guy to deal with. He's answered my inquiries promptly and the price I was quoted for one of his Quartet Units is comparable to a CH Quadrant. In the past I've been able to fix the spiking on my Saitek by taking it apart and cleaning it, but the last time I did so I pinched a wire going to the top middle toggle switch, and now that toggle is Kaput. A search for a new Saitek Throttle leads me to believe that these are now very scarce, and priced 3-4 times (or more) the $50 I paid thru Amazon 4 years or so ago.

 Myself, Try as I might, I was unable to register on the Russian Forum to contact GVL224, a consequence of my ineptitude and the Translator surely. I was able however to contact GVL224, via PM, thru the SimHq link kindly provided by Sokol1, above.   http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2015/09/full-39179-109034-15.jpg

[Sokol1]

 

 Myself, Try as I might, I was unable to register on the Russian Forum to contact GVL224,

 

 

To post in Russian Forum is not need register, is same login from there.

[oneeyeddog]

To post in Russian Forum is not need register, is same login from there.

LOL! Thanks Sokol1!  At least I was right about my being inept!

[Sokol1]

Sample of GVL224 parts use:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2704884&postcount=267

 

If one want only a simple 3 lever device similar to Saitek Quadrant, can ask for Debolesis (OP in the linked throttle) to add in his Shapeways Shop, knobs like these in GA aircraft quadrant (the blue and red one) for GVL224 "mechanics".

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/graphics/05-00703.jpg

 

This guy are put only 1 dollar as profit over each printed part.

Edited March 8, 2016 by Sokol1

[KG200_Volker]

FOR CH Owners.

 

To minimize spikes to almost 0 pass you quadrant through an external powered USB hub and not directly to pc, makes a huge difference.

 

(I have mine through a HDisk dock usb)

[LLv34_Vellu]

I have used CH's pedals almost ten years and also practically same time I have used CH's Pro Throttle and Throttle Quadrant.

They have worked all this time without any problems. I have used Win XP, 7 and 10 and they have worked as well all these OS

and also to all IL2's versions Il2, CloD and BO/BOM. Also they wok without any promlems with DCS.

[Dakpilot]

I have no experience with this throttle quadrant and assume it is available as USB and would be programmable in BoS, the company (Italian) will build you a full accurate Boeing/Airbus/Embraer glass cockpit with dual control columns/rudder pedals( at a huge price!!)

 

But they do offer a standalone budget quadrant, there is a later video but the music is horrible so I linked the older one, (newer version has a nicer enclosure) although aimed at civil sims custom finish is available so in green or black it would look better, and different switches/functionallity could be specced for a more period version

 

350 Euro is not in anyway budget but it does include flaps, landing gear and other functions, and compared to the ones in the OP it seems better value

 

 

*the vid is not really a good example of their products , but enough for an overview

 

English site

 

http://www.assosim.com/EN/mini-cockpit-1.html

 

Italian site

 

http://www.assosim.com/sim-completi.html

 

I give no recommendation but thought it may be of interest to someone

 

Cheers Dakpilot