For the past two weeks, I’ve been going very hard at re-learning the Black Shark simulator I got a couple years ago. If you recall back, I was very heavy into it before, but like all things gaming, something else got my attention and I fell off the wagon…or..ummm…fell out of the helicopter. Getting back into it was easy enough…like riding a bike actually despite a couple of patches where the trim mechanism was changed on me. This game is very much like Eve…there is almost too much to learn in order to be truly proficient at it, but I’m determined to get into the nooks and crannies of it all (…unless…of course, I get distracted yet again…).

I’m at a crossroads right now and I just need to get it out there…so…this article is more for my sake than yours

A new joystick. I need one. The current one (Saitek Cyborg Evo) that I have right now is: a) less than accurate at the center, b) getting old, c) does not have enough buttons and d) no seperate throttle stick. I have a couple of choices in mind for this eventual upgrade. If I were to stick with Saitek, the natural selection is the X52 Pro. The thing that bothers me about the X52 is that it looks more like something you’d find in an X-Wing than an F-16 or KA-50. I’ve also heard some bad things regarding slop around the center (…/giggle…) and that the software can be less than stellar. The X52; however, is quite affordable.

The next one to look at is the Saitek X65. The first strike against the price. I think it hits at around $399…which makes me pause a bit. The really neat thing about the X65 is that the stick is force sensing. It does not move at all. It senses how much force your hand is putting on it and then translates that to move the aircraft in the game. The force sensing is used in some of the newer fighters in the US Air Force, including the F-16. Some people swear by this thing and the reviews are coming out quite positive…buuuut…I don’t know. I’ve been raised with joysticks that move around and I’m not sure I want to spend that money on something I may not like. Another good thing about the X65 is that it is all metal…no plastic. Yum! The craftsmanship on it is supposed to be superb.

Next is the Logitech G940. The good thing about this is that it is a whole package deal: the stick, throttle and pedals…all for about $380. Excellent deal. It also has force feedback, which isn’t something I really need but is a nice to have. The bad thing is that it is already has a bad reputation despite it only being on the market for a couple months. It’s buggy as hell and quite a few who I listen to in this area of gaming are saying “Stay away from the G940″.

Last, but not least is the new Thrustmaster (…/giggle…) Warthog. This thing looks like a dream. It’s based on the controls of one of my favorite aircraft, the A-10. It’s got buttons and switches and all sorts of do-dads I can play with. These dorks over at Thrustmaster had the whole flightsim community on the edge of their seats yesterday as everyone thought they’d be accepting orders for this beast. But nooooooooooo…they just updated updated the page with more specs. I really would like to get this one, but it’s hitting at around $400+. Truth is, I don’t know how much longer I want to wait for Thrustmaster to take my money. I can probably wait for another month or so…but maaaaaaan.

So that’s it. That’s what’s been on my mind (…besides AoC…) lately. If any of you have recommendations, let me know.

D out

Posted in Editorial
4 Comments Posted by Darren