Best PC Game Flight Controls
Configurations by default: PC : Flight Simulator X (**) Microsoft PS3 & PC : Tom Clancy’s HawX (**) Ubisoft PS3 : IL-2 Sturmovik Birds of prey (**) 505 Games. Trigger for brakes (civil flight) or for rapid fire (military flight) + multi-directional hat (panoramic view). Dual-system aerodynamic control: by rotating handle (with integrated blocking system) or by progressive tilting lever. Unique: Plug & Play for ultra-simple and fast installation with all functions pre-configured for immediate takeoff (without worrying about configuration).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this to use in Elite Dangerous and it's freaking amazing."
"Being able to bind buttons as shift functions increasing the amount of controls to the HOTAS, also allows the set up of different profiles. The twist can be locked closed, the throttle detached, the buttons completely reprogramed with non volatile memory, stick has adjustable tension. Throttle only recognizes forward with indent being 50%(fault of star citizen I presume or I may have missed something, but that game is a mess)."
"I'm a casual jet and helicopter pilot in Battlefield 3, and for such a player and at the price, this product an excellent solution. If you're playing Battlefield 3, there's a workaround that involves editing a game .txt file, and I suppose other applications will have similar solutions. Of note (I feel): while some people complain of the halfway stop in the throttle stick, I find myself not even noticing it. Caveat: Battlefield 3 isn't designed with pilots in mind (we're six players out of sixty four, generally), so applications with more attention paid to air maneuvers might be less forgiving of this budget joystick."
"This is a good entry level flight stick for combat flight sims. At first, I used it on the tightest setting, feeling that I use a lot of pressure to move the stick, but soon realized that the normal, non-tense setting had enough resistance to balance my inputs. There is no need for third party software to configure the bindings, though you may occasionally want to use the properties menu to calibrate the stick."
The result is the HOTAS WARTHOG: a replica set of the joystick, dual throttle system and dual throttle control panel of the U.S. Air Force A-10C attack aircraft. The Most Precise and Feature-Filled Joystick You Can Get The joystick features 19 action buttons, along with a "Point Of View" hat. What's more, pressing on the joystick's buttons and triggers requires pressure identical to that required in an actual airplane – a true first in the world of joysticks. Pull and Push Throttle System with Disengageable Afterburner The throttle component has also been very carefully designed, with a dual throttle system allowing for independent control of 2 motors: a locking system lets the user either attach the 2 throttles together, or else keep them independent of one another. These actions are measured on the axes and buttons of the physical controllers, but sent to software applications via a virtual controller. In this way, T.A.R.G.E.T allows for total interaction between different Thrustmaster USB controllers, with simplified configurations in simulators, and the use of a single preset for all controllers, rather than having to use as many different presets as controllers. The result is the HOTAS WARTHOG: a replica set of the joystick, dual throttle system and dual throttle control panel of the U.S. Air Force A-10C attack aircraft. Unique replica set of the U.S. Air Force A-10C's joystick, dual throttle system and control panel. Unique replica set of the U.S. Air Force A-10C's joystick, dual throttle system and control panel.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"One of the toggles on the throttle ceased to work the very first time I programmed it, and the stick definitely needs an extension if you're going for realism, Other than that, it is a very awesome system, the throttle movement is very precise and maintaining formation flight is done with ease."
"The sticking of the joystick around neutral position is real and I'm hoping it will wear in as I use it since I don't relish the idea of opening it up changing the grease or sanding it smooth to remove the rough edges like other reviewers have done."
"hard to figure out, and i still cannot understand how to diminish/ turn off LED lights as i don't want them on all the time and don't wish to unplug usb everytime."
"The construction is so heavy duty and built so well that it makes you feel like no matter what, it will be there working. I've had this thing now for about a month and I've used it in Elite Dangerous which I play 3 to 4 times per week for hours on end. I'm also not a small guy, being 6'5" and 300lbs I'm rough on things like this but the Thrustmaster has withstood my abuse. I mean, it's a replica of the real deal, which you know was researched and refined by the military over and over again until it was perfect. I used to not be a fan of Thrustmaster but recently between the 6 speed shifter, this HOTAS Warthog and some of their other control units, I've become very impressed with them and can only say good things about their stuff. I can literally make the most minute input happen or crank it all the way over and it reacts exactly as you would expect."
"With other aircraft the stick is way too stiff."
Whether your preferred plane is commercial or private, the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System is a must-have for the flight simulation enthusiast. POV Hat, 14 button controls, and 3-position mode switch.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Bought it for my 12 year old son as his first flight accessories to be used with Xplane11."
"I love it, its great for the budget."
"Works as advertised."
"Very good product."
"The levers are a bit flimsy feeling."
"I love this one!!!"
"Keep getting disconnected out of the box..I returned it to get a replacement and the replacement has the same problem."
Best PC Game Music Controllers
Quick view: This is a wonderful combo, 2.4GHz Mini Wireless QWERTY keyboard, TouchPad combo, with USB interface adapter for the lecture, sales manager, presenter and others, from within a 15' radius make a presentation and operate PC wirelessly. Build-in removable rechargeable Li-ion battery that has longer standby time. Specification: Operating range: 15 meters(MAX), without signal disturbance and no direction limit. 25V. Modulation: GFSK. Channel: 78 channels TX. Power: less than +5dBm Transmission rate: 1M bit/sec. Frequency tolerance: +/-30ppm. Power consumption: 55mA(on), 1mA(sleep). Color: Black. Battery Type: Built-in lithium-ion battery. Notice: After 3 minutes without any operating will into sleep mode, press any key about 1s to wake up. Innovative shape, portable, elegant, perfect for PC, Android TV box, Google TV box, Xbox 360. Ideal for devices such as PC, Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Google Android TV Box, HTPC, IPTV.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The only downsides are the touch pad which is overly sensitive and sometimes skips a beat or lags a bit and the unit is very light weight (feels kinda cheap)."
"As a specific example, prior to this update if you wanted to launch an app from the "Make" menu, you had to use the OUYA controller, now this is no longer the case, you can fully navigate and select apps using the arrow keys and OK button. As for my durability concerns, the keyboard is still holding up, but it gets a little creaky if you squeeze it with even a small amount of force. On the OUYA, I had to power the system off and on to get it to recognize the H7 for the first time, but it's worked fine ever since then. The device is incredibly light, with some more heft and higher quality materials I'd be more confident in its prospects of surviving a long time. The only other negative thing I have to say is that on VERY rare occasion so far its seemed a key has repeated a little faster than desired when pressed. However, using this makes web browsing and navigating non-game apps much more smooth and efficient than with the OUYA controller and I still highly recommend it."
"PROS: Nice touch intuitive and well laid out keyboard you mostly do not need to look at to use. Rechargeable battery lasts forever and I never turn it off. Touch pad is pretty precise and also works as a left mouse click when tapped. Nice to have the media and directional controls as separate keypads up top. Nice to have the touch pad in the middle up top vs it being on one side or another. CONS: Slightly mushy key press feeling despite the soft click. No back-lit keyboard. miniUSB charging port and not microUSB."
"Since it turns itself off if it hasn't been used for a while, and then takes a few seconds to turn itself back on after you press some key, I found it a good idea to turn the keyboard off after I was done using it, then turn it back on when I was ready to use it again."
Best PC Game Light Guns
Simply mount the LED receivers on your TV or display (with included easy-to remove putty), connect the blue-tooth wireless adapter into an available USB port, install the drivers and calibrate your gun! This gun is PERFECT for arcade classics like Lethal Enforcers, Area 51, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park as well as modern console games like Time Crisis 3, Starsky & Hutch, Ninja Assult and more! 100% MAME® (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) Compatible. Also compatible with PC lightgun games as well as PS2, PS3 and Xbox (compatible only with Guncon2 games on PS2/PS3).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After setting it up for my PlayStation 2 and getting the IR receivers in place, I calibrated the device and soon after I was playing some good old Time Crisis 2. It worked great with 100% accuracy and I was reliving my nostalgic days of old when I used to go to the arcade and spend my lunch money from school on this amazing game. My only guess as to how this could have happened would be the built in recoil system that probably knocked it loose or something."
"The gun is great but note that it is a bit fragile so I would try not to drop it at all and ask anyone who uses it to pull the trigger softly as there is a known issue about some triggers not working after some time (on the older model like the one I have, which does not have the red tip on the barrel)."
"Nice product, little bit of trouble with drivers (if you are not good with PCs do not buy)."
"pretty cool, works well with mame emulator."
"They have poor driver support for this light gun."
"Often after entering calibration mode, it will not recoil / register after shooting the first led. I believe it's a driver problem because I moved the equipment to another pc and it worked fine."
"It only worked briefly on all my Playstation 2 Time Crisis games."
Best PC Gamepads & Standard Controllers
Get your game on and play in freedom with this comfortable wireless controller. For PC and Xbox 360: Works across Microsoft's gaming platforms. Xbox 360 Controller for Windows works with most Windows 8 PCs and Xbox 360, delivering a consistent and universal gaming experience. Xbox 360 Controller for Windows works with most Windows XP-based PCs and Xbox 360, delivering a consistent and universal gaming experience.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The controller offers a very nice firmness on the thumb sticks that no other can compare to not to mention the modular design that fits perfectly into your hands. Easy identifiable buttons and firm pressure springs makes this controller a pleasure to play with."
"Assuming the transceiver is listed in 'Devices and Printers' (in Control Panel) but the controller isn't registering with the transceiver then the following method worked for me and the controller/gamepad is working perfectly now. Microsoft 'documentation' for this controller is pitiful or non-existent..they don't even tell you where the sync button is on the controller to effect the method listed below.....it's a small button on the very front of the controller."
"A endurance test will start tomorrow when they will be here for school break for the whole week, three youngsters and one xbox.. so I am sure the controller is going to get a work out. If I discover any thing more about the use of the controller after it has logged in some serious hours.."
"Had these before and was not disappointed by how they work with the PC and games. However, the description states the receiver is not included with this item."
"I'm running Win7 Bootcamp on a 2012 MacBook Pro, and the provided installation disk worked like a dream."
"The Xbox 360 gamepad layout was, in my opinion, the best controller ever designed."
"The replacement joysticks that they sell for these controller are not OE and aren't anywhere near the quality or precision of the original Microsoft controller so beware of joystick replacement parts even if they claim to be OEM!"
Best PC Game Racing Wheels
Logitech Gaming Headset G330 With its adjustable, behind-the-head design, pressure-relieving silicone lining, and pivoting ear pads, the Logitech Gaming Headset G330 delivers comfort that won't quit. The powerful, dual-motor force feedback mechanism with helical gearing smoothly and accurately simulates traction loss.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The force feedback makes it so much more real (although it can be slightly jerky sometimes - I guess its tough to approximate the differential resistance that the tires would give). The quality of the build is fantastic, and everything works as its supposed to. But the tightening screws have a 'pop-out spring' mechanism where the tightening knob pops out a bit to give you more grip length, you tighten it hand tight, then when you push it back in, a spring tightens it just a sinch more to be sure its super snug and doesn't move."
"I have raced cars on closed course circuits and it's very similar in Gran Turismo. Also if there would be a way to give feedback through the clutch, brake and gas petals, it would make shifting feel a lot more realistic. I screwed the pedals into the hard plastic floor mat that covers the carpet in our office and this worked perfectly in my situation."
"I just received this package yesterday and I must say after a month of playing F1 2012 and other racing sims with a wireless controller, it was a welcomed relief. This wheel/pedal combo is smooth, precise, feels great as far as force feedback, and has worked flawlessly on every sim I have from NASCAR Racing Season 2003, Grid, DIRT, and F1 2012."
"There is a cog with holes inside of the unit, that gets noticed by infrared or some sort of light, which converts into the amount of wheel turn recognized by your gaming device."
Best PC Game Joysticks
Whether youre dropping bombs at a distance or firing guns in a dog fight, the stable and precise Extreme 3D Pro will have you dominating the enemy in no time. Whether you're dropping bombs at a distance or firing guns in a dog fight, the stable and precise Extreme 3D Pro will have you dominating the enemy in no time. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This review compares the "Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick" and the "Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick" specifically in the context of Star Citizen: Arena Commander. At this point in the development of Star Citizen I don't recommend buying any kind of stick or HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick). Beyond that I really only need full throttle and full stop, which I can get with voice command or a quick double tap of W or S. There are a lot of buttons on the throttle which is nice, but there's a lot of buttons on my keyboard too. Basically if you're not going to get something with toggle switches and double thruster control like the "Mad Catz Saitek Pro Flight X-55 Rhino H.O.T.A.S." or the "Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog Joystick" (and there may never be a reason to) then save $15 and go with the Logitech you'll be happy."
"I suppose my only complaint is that the stick feels a little bit too high at times. It just dawned on me that this thing wouldn't work well for left handed players."
"A very sturdy and reliable joystick."
"Some games don't work well with it but will still allow mapping, so it depends on what games you play, but I've tried it on Arma and BF1 with no issues at all."
"I would recommend, if you buy one, to rotate your MOST USED buttons around to make it last longer."
"Kids didn't like the feel of the stick."
"This Joystick has been my favorite since it came out!"