twharrell 37 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 In my search for an airbus sidestick, I was disappointed that no one has made a USB Airbus joystick. Perhaps it is a licensing issue? I know expensive ones exist, but it sure would be nice if there was one in $100USD price range. I thought I found a reasonable solution. A company called Routech makes both a left handed and right handed sidestick that essentially replaces the stick on a joystick base. It looks nice. My excitement was quickly squashed when I discovered the price for that stick is around $250 USD plus shipping. You still have to put the stick on an existing joystick base. I'm scratching my head over how a stick can be that expensive. Perhaps the manufacturing costs are high or maybe it's a licensing issue. Or maybe at that price people are buying it. If that's true, who am I to argue? Until a cheaper solution exists my Logitech Extreme 3D does the job well. It sure would be nice with an airbus sidestick. Oh well. So, if anyone wants to produce a USB Airbus joystick and keep it around $100, let me know. Just curious, if a USB Airbus desktop sidestick existed and cost $100USD, would you buy it? Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emi 5161 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Hi Todd, I would for sure buy one, but many people wouldn't. That is what makes flight simulation hardware to expensive overall: There simply aren't many customers, so somehow the development and the machines for building them must be financed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerosoft Aerosoft Team [Inactive Account] 51558 Posted July 28, 2014 Aerosoft Share Posted July 28, 2014 We have always wondered about the lack of a side stick and have discussed it with companies like Saitek many times. Result was always no interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acra24 83 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I guess the problem is if a company produces a cheap side stick it won't make any money. Flight simming is considered a niche market by many because, despite it having a very loyal and avid following, there aren't that many of us compared to ordinary gamers. Thus most products are aimed at the gaming market to make money. I can understand why profit making companies don't want to risk making a loss on such specialised products, although it's very frustrating for those of us who want total immersion. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Yang 6 Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Which one's control feel is the most similar to Airbus sidestick on the market ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twharrell 37 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Share Posted August 14, 2014 From what I have read on various forums, most real world Airbus pilots recommend the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro or Thrustmaster T16000m. I own both, having most recently purchased the Thrustmaster. I personally prefer the Thrustmaster. For one, it can be used left handed or right handed. I use it left handed to simulate the Capt sidestick, and it is very comfortable and believable (meaning it feels like what I imagine an airbus sidestick to feel like, even though I have never held one). The trigger button looks a lot like the Airbus trigger button; in fact, I even use it as my PTT when on PilotEdge. It feels very realistic and it centers very nicely every time. For $50 USD, it's a solid stick. The Logitech is also nice, the advantage being a little cheaper. The big disadvantage is it is right handed only. It also centers nicely (but not as well as the T16000m) and it's a little smaller than the T16000m. Maybe Aerosoft can make us an Airbus sidestick on a USB joystick platform that is competitively priced. What do you say Mathijs? Cheers, Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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