My first attempt to get away with a cheap Thrustmaster T.Flight Stick X, went wrong: who indeed a good quality and is easy to configure. But right in the middle of the control path, where one acts sensitively with the smallest fluctuations in the real aircraft, has the Thrustmaster about all three axes a non wegkonfigurierbaren dead space of approx 10 degrees. Thus, it is simply impossible, realistically (ie exactly instead of fierce short swings with a steady hand) to control an airplane. Imagine that one should take a bike whose handlebar 10 degrees herumschlackert groundless about the central position: with something like this would even the most experienced cyclists only times inevitably fly in the face - it is analogous to the same effect.
So now the Logitech Extreme 3D as a second attempt. Here can be a "Gaming Software" among other things, the dead space Setting: for flying so to zero, which is usefully also the factory setting. Here it is "zero" here not really zero: a small dead space around all three axes persists anyway, because at this price, it simply lacks the necessary rigor. But with the likewise adjustable "sensitivity" (progressive taxation) can be still so halfway conceal: it must (and can) get used to it, stick with this then just to control the simulator with a reduced sensitivity significantly gross motor, than you would in the real aircraft did.
Irritating remain the restoring forces: the harden the real aircraft at an increasing rate and are extremely soft to the (too) low speed - an important, tactile signal on the current flight status. A cheap stick as the Extreme 3D can there with his simple spring-resetting report anything at all, you have to constantly keep the airspeed indicator in the eye instead to focus on the EAS (Equivalent AirSpeed = aerodynamically effective speed) - which is a real aircraft even in pure instrument flight not necessarily because one convey a sense of control forces. In addition, the restoring forces run in real aircraft in the middle layer U-shaped rather than (as in the stick) V-shape. So you have, for example, of aileron left to right in the middle of a smooth transition, while with the stick in the middle emotionally "triggers". This in turn hinders smooth control just about the most important center position. To what extent all that with yet affordable equipment on the PC can be represented realistically, I do not know; in the price range under discussion here can be in any case of a realistic tax Feeling unfortunately only dream. That the rudder by turning the sticks instead - by hand independently - controlled with your feet, makes things even easier. After all, the rudder control enables the Logitech so ever, which is by no means a matter of course in this price range.
Mainly because of the manual control view (where you simply rotate the head of a real aircraft or prone) far more control is needed on the simulator directly on the stick. Since the Extreme 3D is directly adequately equipped with an 8-way button and 6 other, simple snaps on the handle, supplemented by a variable thrust levers and 6 further buttons on the base. I have the gun Button (both anyway Default), placed me eyes swivel in 8 directions on the 8-way button, the wheel, the view provision on the thumb button, the elevator trim and flaps on the remaining 4 buttons on top of the stick. On the lower keys I still airbrakes, landing gear and propeller governor; The last two buttons remain reserve for special cases. The individual elements are arranged meaningful to the stick, the shape of the stick I feel (right-handed) as ergonomically, the appliance is safe enough without being overly expansive base. Only the thumb button is too easy, to solve them ofter them accidentally using the rudder from; Thus the ejection seat should not just put it :-)
Actually, the software has to the stick quite a few sweets: you can put macros or circular sequences of arbitrary commands to individual keys, you can divide the control paths of the stick and thrust lever in several areas with different functions, and can be any key as a shift between two define service levels, doubling the number of available keys. No: you can not, you could: if a useful manual to be available, and if the individual functions would also harmonize with the FSX. The only downloadable (as well as on paper supplied) "User's Guide" describes only warranty conditions and hazards a la "not suitable as lollipops" in 20 languages; Integrated into the program help function helps even highly inadequate and totally silent on the decisive points. Although I practiced law in such matters, it took me several hours, until I had the operation pried so far that I was finally able to start the actual programming of the sticks. Switching the key level I have indeed brought a trial basis with Worpad as "game" to work, but with the FSX does not change easily, which leads stubbornly only one of the two planes from. The subdivision of the axis level in several areas (eg. B. Differential Brakes at the end points of the rudder) led regularly to malfunction. So I can not credit the Logitech these functions, but must instead deduct a point for the lack of a reasonable guide - although he would have otherwise earned considering the price the full marks. But even so the Extreme 3D is currently the cheapest stick that allows you at least so reasonably can simulate flights - if you have the initial hurdle of meaningful programming overcome only once.
A few tips even for programming, since I scouted's ever:
The stick in (or its software) programmed functions do it only if you have the "Gaming Software" also started. Therefore always first start the drive software! You can (and should, for the purpose of familiarization) then start the FluSi from the stick-Sortware out. The stick does it in principle even without the gaming software - but in this case without the special programming options.
Axis properties in the gaming software: dead space to zero, reach 100%, Emfindlichkeit rudder 25%, elevator and aileron 40% (depending on the preferred aircraft do you enable vary still fit and possibly complete profile for save).
The key assignment done it - as far as possible and not from individual aircraft depends - better FluSi than in the gaming software. So to get faster to a useful result for the first time, without unnecessary fuss around with the complicated operation of gaming software. You just have to make sure that the particular key is not used from both sides, otherwise there's interference. Level shift and Axis subdivision need not only to try, that does not work with FSX. Macros and cycle commands the gaming software you can later try, if you like tinkering.
