joysticks

First of all, I believe this product should be complemented with a good joystick, CH Fighterstick being the first choice. Of course, it can function alone, but I really can't think of any situation where one would need a throttle without a joystick.

The device is extremely light compared to similar units. The resistance, however, is slightly stronger, making some kind of fixing it to the table almost mandatory. Either that or you'll have to push it down every time you move it, so the friction does the stabilizing.

The motion is linear rather than arcing, which requires some time getting used to. I'm still not sure if this was a good decision.

There is a number of hat switches and buttons on the throttle and you'll probably never run out of them. Their placing, however, is not as good as with Cougar's throttle, for example. In my opinion, an ergonomic rework of the unit would be beneficial. In any case, if you need more buttons, programming options make further possibilities almost infinite.

There is also a microstick which is quite useful, but there are no dials. A minus, as modern flight sims make good use of dial controls.

Programming abilities are exceptional and belong to the very top. Complemented with CH Fighterstick, there is no other equipment to rival it.

As with other CH gear, the feel is somewhat toyish, but don't be fooled by it - this is a quality product and it will last very long time.

Verdict: Fine product to complement your CH gear. Reliable, with great programming abilities, but it could have been even better with dials, arcing motion and somewhat improved ergonomics.

This is an amazing product, it truly transforms your flight sim experience. I had been used to the simple [$$] joysticks with the throttle as a little nob on the side of the thing. This, as part of a HOTAS system (like another CH products jostick), is just worlds apart -- they give you about a bazillion 4-way hat switches, which I use to increment prop pitch, fuel mixtures, supercharger stages, flaps, &c, and three buttons on the front. They also have an interesting mini-joystick, which theoretically one could use as a mouse, although I haven't gotten that to work -- but it is useful for other sorts of analog-action motions, such as the rudder control.

The motion is smooth and stable, and it has a large enough base that it doesn't slip around when you're