Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick Flight Simulator Game Controller, 6 Dregrees of Freedom, 4 Spring Options, +189 Programmable Controls, RGB Lighting, 2x USB, PC - Black

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Its throttle could still be unlocked to provide inputs for the left and right engines individually, and the throttle panel still hosted its entire series of awesome looking and feeling metal switches and knobs. With button configuration and layout vitally important for many games; this is especially true for flight and space simulators. For that reason, we've decided to pull a list of favorites together to help you find the right one for you. Logitech’s advanced X56 was, and remains, a shining example of complete control featuring: analog thumbsticks, dual throttles with friction adjuster and throttle lock, accurate 16-bit aileron, and elevator axis with hall-effect sensors. Without any doubt your review is the best one I read in terms of information, explanation and personal opinion.

I am trying to find out whether I need the Direct Output one as some older info on Saitek I came across in a post while googling was blaming it for causing problems with their game eqpt but it was another game and not Elite so I decided to post this and see if you other X56 users have the same install or indeed can shed light on why there are two entries in the program list? Setting the pinky dial to radar zoom and the two thumb dials to manipulate the various axes in the galaxy and system maps, worked a treat along with the mini sticks controlling map rotation. The throttle can be either integrated on the base of the joystick itself or come as a detached control. Their hardware is often lovely, but the software and drivers from the Madcatz era are sub-par and will not work with all setups.The throttle is also super tight for a while, I've had mine for a few months and the resistance is where I want it now but I did have to break it in first and turn the resistance down as far as I could. Logitech's premier offering in the flight stick department comes in the form of the X56 HOTAS, a direct successor to the now-defunct X55. For Logitech X56, the flight training and control binding took around three hours; time well spent, and we’d recommend that new X-56 users, especially those unfamiliar with HOTAS setups in general, do the same. Not only that, but it comes with a solid build quality and a smaller footprint - perfect if you don't want to keep your setup on the desk all the time.

Sure, it's an expensive unit, but you will know your money's been well spent as soon as you lift the lid on the packaging and pull the setup out. The next easiest solution if you want to keep using a powered USB3+ hub, or want to direct connect directly to the PC, is to turn the lights off on the X56. Additionally if the same button is set in game and in the HOTAS software you will get both inputs at the same time. The obvious drawback to choosing a yoke like this is the lack of z-rotation you'd get with many of thebest joysticksaround, but this is easily circumvented with the use of the trigger buttons. Packed with stunning photography and fascinating stories, this is a must-read for anyone interested in aviation.

For space sims and even some very casual flight simming, the X56 is probably going to do okay (with the assumption that you plug it into a powered USB 3 hub). Such customization, combined with 2 mini analog stick controls gives you all 6 Degrees of Freedom: pitch, roll, yaw, backward and forward, up and down, and left and right. I reset and rebooted the PC but still problems so recalibrated the stick and throttle and rebooted again and apart from a couple of hiccups it was workeable again but spent this morning googling info. And not just buttons either; extra hat switches adorn the throttle itself, one that can be split in two should you need discrete control, and there are a host of toggles and metal flick switches too. It's also got the much-needed Z-axis rotation for rudder control, although the press of a switch will enable you to operate the rudder via a rocker on the front of the throttle grip.

If you're just looking for a joystick to see you through Flight Simulator with a little more realism, you don't need to spend much. It's a much more pleasant experience to the push-pull motion you'd find on the majority of yokes on the market, even at the higher end. With that in mind, it features a fluid and responsive control with a comfortable stick bolted on for long-haul flights.

Coming back to Elite last night, I immediately realized I was having similar issues in that game also. It's a really smooth, sturdy piece of kit despite not being as heavy as its sister, the Raptor Mach 1. The throttle and joystick both have good ergonomics, and are not too loose or too stiff when moving them. But it had three new structural and aesthetic: two mini joysticks, a revamped color scheme, and full-spectrum RGB lighting that can be edited to your liking by the new feature-rich software. It's what I am used to and what works best for me and I am happy I did not spend more money on a HOTAS which I would have stowed away after half a year anyway.

It isn't bad per se but its design does mean that it is rather limited (especially when dealing with twin engine aircraft). If you've no experience with this type of peripheral before then it'll take some getting used to, but boy oh boy does it excel when it feels natural. full range speaker system through the PC optical out connection but being in the early hours and not wanting to wake the wife I connected my new Turtle Beach recon headset for the first time using the green and pink connections on the front of the desktop unit and had to fiddle about with the sound settings to get it to work. It's beautifully made, looks like it was ripped straight out of an A-10, and comes with an industrial strength that means the only thing left in our post-apocalyptic future will be a bunch of cockroaches trying to figure out how to use these sticks.The all in one base is adaptable and separates for the best configuration for the user and needs not mounting.