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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Logitech X56 lets you, with the mini analog sticks at the thumbs providing four more axes of control.

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you via the product links on this site. 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. The mode switch will only function for buttons bound to the keyboard through the HOTAS software meaning, if you use a game interface to set buttons, it will not register the mode button.

Most actual pilots I've spotted reviewing this yoke are really impressed with how accurate the design is compared to the real deal. While some cheaper options consist of a PC joystick by itself, spending a little more will open up the world of HOTAS (hands-on throttle and stick). A display at the top of the flight stick provides readouts for axis, trim and chrono, and we found these surprisingly handy in practice - particularly the trim, whose virtual readout can jump around on the flight displays from plane to plane.

That does mean you can't map your guns to the triggers, but the TCA yoke is designed more for long-haul flights, as opposed to games involving intense dogfight action. The combination of contact-free Hall effect sensors within the 16-bit aileron and elevator axis, and the adjustable spring tensioning system gives X56 an unprecedented level of sensitivity and control at the stick.When you're flinging the yoke around feeling like a pro, the yoke stays rigidly in place with the built-in mount, which sits sunken between your legs where it should, and doesn't knock the throttle even when mounted directly beside it. 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).

The throttle feels notably less premium built than the stick, but that doesn't detract from its accuracy and smooth action.The updated X56 features a stealthy new black and gray finish in addition to engineering enhancements that address feedback from the community. The PC and Xbox-compatible Velocity One’s non-traditional design works though, thanks to some high-grade construction materials and subtle design touches.

Now he's back, writing about the nightmarish graphics card market, CPUs with more cores than sense, gaming laptops hotter than the sun, and SSDs more capacious than a Cybertruck. Unplugging the USB connection OR detaching and reattaching the stick itself seems to help, but only momentarily. Full sim controllers can be extraordinarily expensive, not to mention they take up a lot of space on a desk or a coffee table. It's a really smooth, sturdy piece of kit despite not being as heavy as its sister, the Raptor Mach 1. A lot of gamers enjoy having a separate control for throttle as it offers more versatility, and extra speed, at your fingertips.For single-game purposes, the Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition is all you need - and you're getting FS-specific features and a classy authentic Airbus design to boot. i managed to get mine to work better in fact it doesn't do it anymore since i turned on chat on to tabs. If you want it to be a more fixed and permanent part of your setup, the X56 has holes present in bases to affix it to nearly any surface. If you are not 100% sure if you are definitly going to stick with a HOTAS I'd try the Thrustmaster X. FCS is often cited as a good alternative but I think that setup comes with a few big caveats that need to be mentioned.