IL-2 Controllers Buying Guide.

[TheIL-2Thunder]

Hi, I tried to search thru the topics but all seems to be a bit confusionary and also old. The maximum I can spend is 100 EUR. So my question is: what do you recommend? Thank you.

 

 

EDIT: So my choice has go for the Thrustmaster 1600m.

If you want something that looks better and also of more quality, you may go for this one: https://flightsimcontrols.com/product/gladiator-nxt/

 

Also if you need to learn the basics, these are the current references i know thank's to the topic replies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aewu2Fx7qHk&list=PLJuH1PGYUTjsnwmGisoIhqDVJaNpMlWGy&index=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aewu2Fx7qHk&list=PLJuH1PGYUTjsnwmGisoIhqDVJaNpMlWGy&index=1

 

Edited December 3, 2021 by TheIL-2Thunder

[=FEW=fernando11]

Hi.  

I used to have the CH Combatstick, its arround that price range. Very good stick overall, but has 2 cons. It has potentiometers, and no twist axis, so you will need another solution for rudder control.

 

If I had to buy a new "entry/meduim" level joystick I would go to VKB gladiator NXT. Wich has contactless magnetic sensors and twist axis to controll rudder.

[TheIL-2Thunder]

Yes, for what I read the VKB gladiator seems the best choice as quality/price since a long time, the problem is how to actually buy it, since I can’t find it in any store of the country where I live (Switzerland).

Many players of IL-2 tell you to just buy the Thustmaster 1600m which is available here, but I saw it’s too much light and also bad comments about being too harsh and in general a very bad quality for it’s price.

Edited December 1, 2021 by TheIL-2Thunder

[ST_Pirato]

You can find it on the VKB Storepage. https://flightsimcontrols.com/product-category/controllers/ ,not cheap though.

 

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by ST_Pirato

[TheIL-2Thunder]

Thank you for the direct link, maybe in future it may be a purchase i'll do, but for the moment i really don't want overpass the 100EUR barrier.

[ST_Pirato]

I think in the Pricerange below 100Euro there isn't really much you can go for these days. The T16000 would propably be your best choice. I can't really comment about its performance, in the past people where recommending it as it was a good choice in its pricerange. Times may have changed ,and so may have the quality though. Someone else can propably advice more about it.

 

As a general advice,if you're new to Flightsims maybe some used Joystick off Ebay or something might do. Dip your toes in and see if you like it at all first. From own experience your setup will grow over time,  as you more and more enjoy your new hobby.

 

Edit: Whatever Stick you may consider,make sure it has a twistaxis for ruddercontrol. Else you will need seperate rudder pedals.

Edited December 1, 2021 by ST_Pirato

[Cynic_Al]

Do you have any flight-simming experience?  If not it may be better to start with something you can sell-on for no loss,  in case it turns-out not to be your thing.

[cardboard_killer]

I second the recommendation for something used at that price range. Lots of stuff on US eBay; not sure what would be available in Europe. Maybe an old model Saitek--just make sure it is usb compatable

 

Agree with @Cynic_Al too; if you don't know if you are going to be into flight sims start with something cheap and/or resellable

[TheIL-2Thunder]

Thank’s for your advising.

And this one https://www.digitec.ch/it/s1/product/logitech-g-extreme-3d-pro-precision-flight-stick-controller-436604 ? I see it has 260g more weight than the T1600m, so at this thing is for sure better, but I don’t know the rest.

Also there are other models from Thrustmaster: https://www.digitec.ch/it/s1/producttype/controller-45?bra=502&pdo=455-4819%3A1192&tagIds=1-805 .

Is the T1600m really the better one from those others? To be honest as design it’s not the one that looks better.

Edited December 1, 2021 by TheIL-2Thunder

[Monksilver]

@TheIL-2Thunder I have the T16000 and there is no need to worry about its stability, a wide base and weight at the bottom works fine, I've never had it tip up even slightly. To tip it you would need to be putting in more force than you would in the sim and would need to be trying to tip it. The twist axis means you don't have to have pedals and aren't stuck with using the keyboard for rudder inputs. The sliding lever makes for throttle control until you decide to invest in a throttle quadrant.

 

In time you will want a head tracker which makes a big difference, when ready have a  look at the Track Hat site as they are cheaper than TrackIR but works just fine. I would put a head tracker above the throttle quadrant for your future priority.

[ST_Pirato]

I can comment on the Logitech one,as it was my first Stick I got when i started with Simming. It has cheap potentiometers in all axes, it started to give unwanted inputs due to dirt in the potentiometers early on. The weight comes from a metal plate inside, which has no other use. Maybe I just had bad luck with my example of the stick.

The other low cost Thrustmastersticks are around for many years already,from what I know they use potentiometers too,well except for the T16000 which uses magnetic sensors atleast in the X and Y axis.

If the T16000 is too light,maybe use Velcrotape to fix it to the desk,so it doesn't move while using it. Added weight won't fix that issue much anyway.

 

If the design of a Joystick is the deciding factor, you should really opt for a high-end stick. Fortunally we have many choices by now,few years ago there wasn't much in that higher pricerange. Many of the more affordable ones look more like from a Spaceship or something

 

Edit: Ha,I just found something you may find interesting. https://www.amazon.de/Titanwolf-stufenloser-Schubregler-Knöpfe-23-Funktionen/dp/B085CK7HC2/ref=dp_prsubs_3?pd_rd_i=B085CK7HC2&psc=1

 

There was some years ago a Joystick called Cobra...I believe it was from VKB. The linked one looks exactly the same. From what I read in the description it uses also Magnetic sensors. No idea how it performs though...

 

Edit No2: There is a matching throttle unit also https://www.amazon.de/Titanwolf-Schubregler-Hauptachse-Positionen-Kombination/dp/B08T1Z9KMY/ref=pb_allspark_dp_sims_pao_desktop_session_based_7/259-2672160-8177919?pd_rd_w=RVgck&pf_rd_p=6d82d863-bb36-4169-bad3-3f007024b448&pf_rd_r=4JFB8F5GY8VDCCHXY480&pd_rd_r=aed0e97a-e1c1-41bf-b883-bb315b9c171d&pd_rd_wg=cdjTO&pd_rd_i=B08T1Z9KMY&psc=1

Edited December 1, 2021 by ST_Pirato

[TheIL-2Thunder]

Quote

Ha,I just found something you may find interesting. https://www.amazon.de/Titanwolf-stufenloser-Schubregler-Knöpfe-23-Funktionen/dp/B085CK7HC2/ref=dp_prsubs_3?pd_rd_i=B085CK7HC2&psc=1

Nice! Thank you very much for having found this for me! This looks really good not only as design but mainly as quality! I think i might get this one! The only problem now is to see if i'll can really buy it, since in Switzerland buying from external countries it's a very big problem. Of the 69 euros that costs the joystick, I should pay 30CHF in customs fees ... Do you realize what madness!? I'm really convinced that you didn't know. But probably i have a very "artistic" option on how to don't pay the 30CHF of taxes.

 

And so in the worst case i'll not do wrong buying the T1600m? https://www.digitec.ch/it/s1/product/thrustmaster-t16000m-fcs-controller-433767

 

Also had anyone experience with the Titanwolf joystick you sent me in the link?

Edited December 1, 2021 by TheIL-2Thunder

[Sokol1]

6 hours ago, ST_Pirato said:

Edit: Ha,I just found something you may find interesting. https://www.amazon.de/Titanwolf-stufenloser-Schubregler-Knöpfe-23-Funktionen/dp/B085CK7HC2/ref=dp_prsubs_3?pd_rd_i=B085CK7HC2&psc=1

 

There was some years ago a Joystick called Cobra...I believe it was from VKB. The linked one looks exactly the same. From what I read in the description it uses also Magnetic sensors. No idea how it performs though...

 

This is just a cheap OEM* "knockoff" made by Asian-Games of the discontinued Defender Cobra M-5 (designed, but no produced by VKB), with downgrated electronics/sensors. Remember: "You get what your pay". Asian Games make too a "knockoff" of VKB Gladiator Mk.I, with the same low cost/quality electronics.

 

*Find this same stick or stick+throttle as well Gladiator "clone" under other (hardware distributor) "brands".

 

Reasons for don't buy:

 

 

 

 

 

[ST_Pirato]

Oh well,would have been too good to be true... Input lag doesn't sound good at all.

[TheIL-2Thunder]

Ah… That’s a pity… Because the Titanwolf was looking very stable and good. 
 

So basically you are saying me to buy the T1600m? And doesn’t it have any other color instead of yellow?

Edited December 2, 2021 by TheIL-2Thunder

[ST_Pirato]

There was a green instead of yellow. Don't know when and why they changed color.

[TheIL-2Thunder]

Also can someone recommend me a tutorial on how to actually use an airplane? I tried to look some videos but it’s not clear what you really need to do (what keys to press).

 

So do you confirm T1600m is the final recommendation?

[von_Tom]

1 minute ago, TheIL-2Thunder said:

Also can someone recommend me a tutorial on how to actually use an airplane?

 

This is such a broad question nobody can really answer it in a simple post.

 

Best to fire up the game, fly in the Quick Mission Builder (QMB), set the planes to air start and get used to what everything does.  Make sure the joystick/controller is mapped, and reduce the sensitivity a lot to make the aircraft more controllable.  Map the keys as and when you feel the need to.  For example you may not need the landing gear button for a while...

 

Whilst you're waiting, read up on principles of flight and what aircraft controls do.

 

And start saving, because if you get the bug for this it'll cost you a fortune.

 

von Tom

[=FEW=fernando11]

 

[Cynic_Al]

28 minutes ago, ST_Pirato said:

There was a green instead of yellow. Don't know when and why they changed color.

 

Designers have to justify their existence.  They would have done better to ditch the illuminated base in favour of a Hall sensor on the Z axis.

[ST_Pirato]

8 minutes ago, Cynic_Al said:

 

Designers have to justify their existence.  They would have done better to ditch the illuminated base in favour of a Hall sensor on the Z axis.

But they never have to justify their bad taste ?

34 minutes ago, TheIL-2Thunder said:

Also can someone recommend me a tutorial on how to actually use an airplane? I tried to look some videos but it’s not clear what you really need to do (what keys to press).

 

So do you confirm T1600m is the final recommendation?

Joke aside, The T16000M  is,from what I've read so far, a popular choice. You don't have that many options on a budget unfortunaly. Either save up for some Higher-end gear or give the T16000 a try. The other Joystick(s) you have linked use outdated and cheap potentiometers and I guess that hasn't changed in years. Personally I'd look past the design and go for the Thrustmaster. It's the most up-to-date Stick of the less expensive bunch.

 

[cardboard_killer]

43 minutes ago, TheIL-2Thunder said:

Also can someone recommend me a tutorial on how to actually use an airplane?

 

For the basics, I'd recommend Col. Ninny's YouTube tutorials. And practice, practice, practice. It isn't easy, and if it was, it wouldn't be fun.

 

 

[TheIL-2Thunder]

42 minutes ago, cardboard_killer said:

And practice, practice, practice. It isn't easy, and if it was, it wouldn't be fun.

Sure, i absolutely agree with that!

 

The problem is that i really don't know what to do exactly, since when in first got succesfully in air, immediately the engine damaged and airplane down ?...

 

So, it's nice that you need to learn a lot and that you have all those simulating controls, but to be good it also needs a guide of the same quality.

 

Now i'm going to look at the references you sent me.

 

Thank you @cardboard_killer and @=FEW=fernando11 for the videos!

Edited December 2, 2021 by TheIL-2Thunder

[ST_Pirato]

In most planes you should not leave the throttle on full power. There is a setting showing on the right screen"continuos power" or similar. Thats the save engine power setting for Cruising. There's also "Combat power" or even "Emergency power" that should not run over a specific period of time, depending on the plane. There are somewhere Datasheets where you can read each limit of any plane. I belive they can be found somewhere ingame also.

Overreving an Engine can also cause damage of course, you may need to throttle back in a dive for example.

 

Edit: Here are the datasheets

 

Edited December 2, 2021 by ST_Pirato

[=FEW=fernando11]

Before taking off, you shoud press O to bring the full screen map, there is an icon on the bottom right shaped like 》 with the mission data, and also the plane information. Like how much power etx. But it also states very basic but fundamntal info  like

take off and landing speed

Max continous engine power, maximum emergency/climb power, and what settings correspond with it. Like manifold and RPM

 

It also has a short description of each plane function. Like lockeable tail wheel, and any special functions. You should read it for every new plane you start to fly.

 

Then again, all that info is on the videos I linked. Either on general videos, or in the video for each specific plane.

Edited December 2, 2021 by =FEW=fernando11

[TheIL-2Thunder]

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